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ordinarypickle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this, though not as much as Starling House, but dear gawds January is phenomenally stupid when it comes to Locke .
asiya_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
readingpriestess's review
5.0
After reading the Ten Thousand Doors of January, I realized that in my own way, I have opened so many doors over the years. These doors can also be called books. That moment when I open a book and start a story, it is actually opening a world not my own but of a new world full of adventures, action, romance, crimes and possibilities. I realized that I'm on my way to opening my own ten thousand doors
khaleesirose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emilyclaire007's review
4.0
The Ten Thousand Doors of January starts with a Door, and with the importance of Doors with a capital D, that can transport you to another world. As a girl who is often out of place in reality - not white enough, not well mannered enough, and not enough, it feels, for her father - January’s first experience with a Door gives her just a glimpse of other possibilities, and something to hold onto
This book reads as a love letter to the stories and words that helped transport us, even when we weren’t physically able to walk through to visit the realms of dreams of fantasy. From the very first page, Harrow’s lyrical and captivating writing, and conveys all the magic of a fairytale. Her use of language is spellbinding, and on a discussion of craft and artistry, this book is a standout. And as a reader, I found myself utterly enthralled by the magic and possibilities opened up in January’s world.
And yet, despite the magic that waited, this story never forgot its roots in turn of the century America. It took the time to explore race, gender, and privilege in a way that felt genuine and gave a great deal of compassion to characters as they were working through how this impacted and limited them. Working through January’s position, both as a girl of ambiguous race, and as the ward of a wealthy white man, we see both the way she is benefited and hurt, by her precarious position.
The only place where the story faltered, was occasionally with January herself. It’s a hard line to walk. Every action, and inaction, of January’s was perfectly in character, and made complete sense both within the rules of the story and taking into account January’s own lack of wider experience. That doesn’t make it easier or any more enjoyable to see January falter, and miss something that feels unbearably clear to the reader.
Harrow attempts to remedy this with a story within a story, and the telling of Adelaide Lee Larson is one of the strengths. Doled out in portions, these adventures help to paint a fuller picture of the world, and the types of magic involved. And give us the clues to what’s going on that January would not have been able to uncover by herself.
They are intricately woven together, with Adelaide speeding up just as January slows down, creating a balance that helps pull you through to the point where everything starts falling into place.
The book left me spellbound, and while this novel is a perfect standalone, it left me hungry for more of Alix E. Harrow’s writing, and very excited to see what her next novel brings.
(And for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading some of her short stories, I recommend doing just that. They’re every bit as beautiful, and one of them is up for a Hugo this year, which I touched on in my last weekly update.)
This book reads as a love letter to the stories and words that helped transport us, even when we weren’t physically able to walk through to visit the realms of dreams of fantasy. From the very first page, Harrow’s lyrical and captivating writing, and conveys all the magic of a fairytale. Her use of language is spellbinding, and on a discussion of craft and artistry, this book is a standout. And as a reader, I found myself utterly enthralled by the magic and possibilities opened up in January’s world.
And yet, despite the magic that waited, this story never forgot its roots in turn of the century America. It took the time to explore race, gender, and privilege in a way that felt genuine and gave a great deal of compassion to characters as they were working through how this impacted and limited them. Working through January’s position, both as a girl of ambiguous race, and as the ward of a wealthy white man, we see both the way she is benefited and hurt, by her precarious position.
The only place where the story faltered, was occasionally with January herself. It’s a hard line to walk. Every action, and inaction, of January’s was perfectly in character, and made complete sense both within the rules of the story and taking into account January’s own lack of wider experience. That doesn’t make it easier or any more enjoyable to see January falter, and miss something that feels unbearably clear to the reader.
Harrow attempts to remedy this with a story within a story, and the telling of Adelaide Lee Larson is one of the strengths. Doled out in portions, these adventures help to paint a fuller picture of the world, and the types of magic involved. And give us the clues to what’s going on that January would not have been able to uncover by herself.
They are intricately woven together, with Adelaide speeding up just as January slows down, creating a balance that helps pull you through to the point where everything starts falling into place.
The book left me spellbound, and while this novel is a perfect standalone, it left me hungry for more of Alix E. Harrow’s writing, and very excited to see what her next novel brings.
(And for anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading some of her short stories, I recommend doing just that. They’re every bit as beautiful, and one of them is up for a Hugo this year, which I touched on in my last weekly update.)
xcaity's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it, one minor issue for me that’s a slight spoiler, but I had a lot of fun reading it and that’s most important.
lifeofpie's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reminded me of Cloud Cuckoo Land, although perhaps a bit more accessible. I would have liked more entry into other worlds and more details on how they affect ours and vice versa. A very interesting concept.
shhanson's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Like all Alix Harrow's books, this is AMAZING! Probably my favorite of all her books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Animal cruelty, Forced institutionalization, and Racism
baconbit95's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
klonghouse's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25