The Ten Thousand Doors of January

"A gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers, and the doors they lead us through...absolutely enchanting."--Christina Henry, bestselling author of Alice and Lost Boys

LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER! Finalist for the 2020 Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Awards.

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 await in Alix E. Harrow's spellbinding debut--step inside and discover its magic.

Praise for The Ten Thousand Doors of January:

"One for the favorites shelf... Here is a book to make you happy when you gently close it. Here you will find wonder and questions and an unceasingly gorgeous love of words which compasses even the shape a letter makes against a page."―NPR Books

"Devastatingly good, a sharp, delicate nested tale of worlds within worlds, stories within stories, and the realm-cracking power of words."―Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author

"A love letter to imagination, adventure, the written word, and the power of many kinds of love."―Kirkus

For more from Alix E. Harrow, check out The Once and Future Witches.

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416 pages

Average rating: 7.53

492 RATINGS

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18 REVIEWS

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Community Reviews

McGillMe
Oct 29, 2024
10/10 stars
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I loved the colliding of worlds and characters as the different puzzle pieces clicked into place.
The Nerdy Narrative
Jul 19, 2024
8/10 stars
I love this book.

In full disclosure, if you ask me if I recommend this book, I would have to say I'm not sure. Literally, it would be a case by case nature depending on who asks.

45 pages in, I was confused and not certain what the meat of the story was.
100 pages in, I start seeing some potential.
130 pages in, I finally think I'm understanding what the plot is and I'm very much invested.
160 pages in, I was in love.
Last 100 pages, I couldn't put this book down.

I will read this book again. And I know that I will love it more each time I read this story. It is written in a style that I had a little bit of a disconnect with, but I am so glad that I powered through. It's a story that requires full attention, at least it was to me, and sometimes I had to stop reading for a while just so I could mull over what I had read.

More here! https://youtu.be/GUz0fJH62Tc
Shahna
Jul 18, 2024
4/10 stars
Another book where the concept sounds great but I'm just not feelin it. I wasn't really drawn in at all. I wanted to be, the idea of jumping from door to door going on magical adventures sounds great. But the main character isn't going on the adventures, she's just reading about them in a book. Then just write that book. Why put a more interesting book within the actual book I'm reading? That's dumb.

It's like two half stories are stuck together and trying to pass itself off as a whole story. Also, how stupid can January be to not realize that Locke is the bad guy. He's literally been horrible to her, her ENTIRE life. His whole existence in the book is evil. January is an idiot. It's not really a surprise ending if it's obvious from first chapter.


The cover is pretty though.
Ryalsage
Jul 17, 2024
7/10 stars
Enjoyed the writing style and vivid descriptions. Through the parallels of the doors and worlds to modern day issues was intriguing. Empathized with the characters and was moderately captivated by the suspense of the plot. Happy ending gave me the fuzzies. Slow start and some confusion in the early chapters.
AbigailEspinal
Jun 26, 2024
10/10 stars
READ THIS BOOK. If you are in a reading slump, READ THIS BOOK. If you are craving a female heroine thrust into unpredictable adventure, READ THIS BOOK. If you are bored of your monotonous life, seek a psychologist...but also READ THIS BOOK! Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, please take a second and read Alix E. Harrow's fantastic and magical debut which has not only touched my heart but has reawakened my love of reading. The world(s) within are so complex; the characters are loveable and feel like lifelong companions; and the villains are so vile and power-hungry, you'll be on the edge of your seat at every page turn! Partner all that with a glorious, satisfying ending and a remarkable message on the importance of storytelling (a message book lovers will no doubt appreciate), and you have perhaps one of the best adventure novels I have ever read! Okay, my praise is almost over, just one last thing: READ IT NOW!

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