The ten thousand doors of January – Alix E Harrow

Title: The ten thousand doors of January.

Author: Alix E Harrow.

Format: Hardcover.

Publisher: Orbit.

Page count: 371.

Release day: September 10^th 2019.

Genre: YA, fantasy.

Rating: 3 stars.

What is it about? (Summary from GoodReads)

In the early 1900s, a young woman embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.

Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

Lush and richly imagined, a tale of impossible journeys, unforgettable love, and the enduring power of stories awaits in Alix E. Harrow’s spellbinding debut–step inside and discover its magic.

My thoughts:

I can really see why people absolutely love this book. I personally don’t, don’t get me wrong it is a 3 star read! But I just didn’t connect with the writing.

I really liked our main character, January. She might be a bit ‘weak’ in the beginning, in the way she acts towards Mr Locke, but I guess she doesn’t know any better. When she learns who the people around her really are she does stand up for herself and for the people/things she believes in!

My favourite character is Jane I think! I really enjoyed learning about her story, and would have loved to see more of her, especially at the ending!

Then we have January’s father, who I’m not sure what to think about. On the one side I can understand some of his choses, and they might have been for the best. But I just don’t understand why he could leave his, just-born, daughter with a stranger?! Especially because he keeps saying how much he loves her etc.

I did really enjoy the overall plot of this book. I liked were the story was going, and going in and out of these different worlds. I normally prefer books with a bit more action, but that wouldn’t necessarily fit this story. There is some kind of magic involved with these doors, of course, but it was kept quite vague how it worked exactly, which in this book I really enjoyed! There were some plot twists, which I did not see coming, but then they also did not surprise me all that much?!

My main problem with this book comes from the writing. It is quite lyrical, and I just could not connect with it. But I can really see why other readers do! Also for some parts of the book, it talks to you (if that makes any sense?!), like ‘you’re probably thinking..’ which I generally do not enjoy, but that is of course personal preference.

Have you read this book? What did you think?