The protagonist, January Scaller, is compelling and well-developed, with a strong emotional arc that kept me invested in her journey. The secondary characters, including Samuel, Mr. Locke, and Jane, were distinguishable and added meaningfully to the story. I felt that the relationships between characters, particularly January’s bond with her father and her evolving understanding of Mr. Locke, were nuanced and impactful. However, some secondary characters lacked depth, and a few antagonistic figures felt one-dimensional compared to the richly developed protagonist, which slightly detracted from my overall enjoyment.

The settings in the book, spanning different worlds accessed through magical doors, were vividly described and immersive. The prose evoked a strong sense of wonder and adventure, and I could easily picture each world January visits. The atmosphere in each scene felt palpable, with lush descriptions that drew me in completely. However, some sections leaned into over-description, which I found occasionally slowed the momentum of the story.

The prose is lyrical and poetic, yet clear and accessible. I loved Harrow’s ability to balance whimsy with emotional depth, and the interspersed journal entries added texture and richness to the narrative. The writing flowed beautifully, making it effortless and captivating to read. While I enjoyed the prose immensely, its density in certain parts could feel slightly overwhelming, which may make it less universally appealing.

The plot is unique and engaging, blending portal fantasy with a coming-of-age story and a mystery. I felt the pacing was mostly consistent, and the revelations about the Doors and January’s role in the story were satisfying. The structure of weaving January’s narrative with excerpts from the book-within-a-book worked well. However, there were sections in the middle where the story dragged, and while the ending was emotional and fulfilling, it felt rushed compared to the detailed build-up earlier in the story. These pacing issues made the plot less consistently satisfying for me.

I found myself eager to uncover the mysteries of the Doors, the worlds they led to, and January’s journey. The sense of curiosity and wonder kept me engaged, and the stakes felt personal and urgent, particularly with the mystery surrounding her father and Mr. Locke. While I remained intrigued throughout, slower sections in the middle occasionally tested my investment in the narrative, though the overall sense of discovery outweighed these moments.

The characters’ actions and motivations felt believable, and the rules of the Doors and their magic were generally clear and consistent. I appreciated the way relationships, especially between January and her father, as well as January and Jane, were heartfelt and well-developed. However, some aspects of the magic system felt vague, making it harder for me to fully grasp its mechanics. A few character decisions also felt underexplained or rushed, which pulled me out of the story on occasion. While the worldbuilding was evocative, it left some elements too open-ended for my satisfaction.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it to be a rewarding experience. The blend of wonder, emotion, and adventure made it a pleasure to read, and I felt connected to the themes of identity, freedom, and storytelling. Even in slower sections, I remained engaged, though these moments did impact my overall enjoyment. By the end, I felt satisfied but not entirely blown away, leaving me with a mix of admiration and slight reservation.