The Ten Thousand Doors of January
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Alix E. Harrow Pages: 371 Published: 2019
The book: It’s America in 1901. Seven-year-old January Scaller lives in an old rambling mansion in Vermont. Her father travels constantly to far-flung corners of the world so she is the ward of his employer, Mr. Locke. On a trip to Kentucky with her guardian, January discovers a magical door to another world.
You might like it because: Harrow has created a page-turning tale involving parallel worlds, exciting and dangerous adventures, magic, and a heroine the reader will cheer for.
What did other people say?
“The Ten Thousand Doors of January, Alix E. Harrow’s debut novel, is one for the favorites shelf. It will lead you on a journey through books within books, worlds within worlds, mysteries within mysteries, until, finally, you reach a deep breath taken after a perfectly satisfying last page.” – NPR
“A love letter to imagination, adventure, the written word, and the power of many kinds of love.” – Kirkus Reviews
Awards & Recognition:
2019 Nebula Award Finalist
2020 Hugo Award Finalist
How quickly will you get into the book? In the first chapter, Harrow, sets the scene, provides the back story, and introduces us to the main character. By page 19, I knew I would be hard pressed to put this book down.
You might not like it because: The story line involves a book within a book. The main story is narrated by the main character, January, and is very compelling. The other part of the story is written in a different style that is not quite so appealing. This difference may disappoint some readers.
What might you read next?
In the book, January is reading White Fang by Jack London. You could read that.
Or pick up something the author herself recommended; in a Reddit AMA Harrow was asked what book she would recommend to someone who loves The Ten Thousand Doors of January. She suggested they read A College of Magics by Caroline Stevermer, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón or The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern.
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