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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my opinions in the review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
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.
Review:
What if there were doors to other worlds just waiting to be discovered? How would people use this opportunity? The settings, characters, and story created an experience that blew me away! I really enjoyed this book.
What I Liked:
Setting:I enjoyed the early 20th century time period. This moment before the first world war is a heart-breaking mix of optimism and innocence. You can tell how different the world will soon be when the massive war machine of Europe awakens.
January is growing up in a world of privilege as the ward of Mr. Locke. But being a girl of color, she is never really accepted. People don't know how to treat her. Is she a servant, an exotic pet? She gets many different reactions from people. This realism was smart and refreshing.
Characters:
I loved January. She struggled to fit in anywhere, and was torn about her feelings about Mr. Locke. Mr. Locke treated her as though she should be eternally grateful for his support, that she should follow him without question. Did he love her like a father? Or was he manipulating her (and her father) to profit from her potential?
She tried so hard to fit in and behave like a proper Edwardian girl. But she also longed to escape and see the world like her father. I loved her determination to live life on her own terms.
Mr. Locke was a complicated character. You don't know for most of the book if he was trying to protect January or exploit her. Perhaps it was a little of both. What I can say about Mr. Locke is that he was a complicated man who was really full of his own importance.
There are several other characters who were complex and intriguing. I loved how surprised I was by all these people.
Story:
The story was a roller coaster ride of adventure as we learn of all the ways the doors can be used and of all the things that pass between the many worlds. I loved how January, despite her efforts to maintain a low profile, found adventure and held on to her dreams of finding her father. This was a story of overcoming other people's low expectations and persevering through adversity.
Rating:
Release Date: September 10th, 2019
Author: Alix E. Harrow
Publisher: Redhook
Genre: YA Fantasy
Page Length: 384 pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A thoroughly unique story and setting sets this YA fantasy book apart. This was a very enjoyable read.
I adored this book, one of my faves for a long time!
ReplyDeleteLotte | www.lottelauv.blogspot.co.uk