Description

***Shortlisted for the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards for Best Novel***

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

ACCORDING TO JANUARY SCALLER, THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO RUN AWAY FROM YOUR OWN STORY, AND THAT’S TO SNEAK INTO SOMEONE ELSE’S . . .

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 artefacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored and utterly out of place.

But her quiet existence is shattered when she stumbles across 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 reveals more impossible truths about the world, and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

‘One of the most unique works of fiction I’ve ever read’ Tamora Pierce, New York Times bestselling author

‘A gorgeously written story of love and longing, of what it means to lose your place in the world and then have the courage to find it again’ Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians

‘Devastatingly good, a sharp, delicate nested tale of worlds within worlds, stories within stories and the realm-cracking power of words’ Melissa Albert, author of The Hazel Wood

‘The Ten Thousand Doors of January healed hurts I didn’t even know I had. An unbearably beautiful story about growing up, and everything we fight to keep along the way’ Amal El-Mohtar, Hugo Award-winning author

‘Beautiful, achingly gorgeous ode to storytelling, magic and family’ S. A. Chakraborty, author of The City of Brass

Publisher Review

Imaginative, gripping, and beautifully written * SFX * The Ten Thousand Doors of January is a celebration of books; it is a reflection of the power of stories, of words, and it is, honestly, a remarkable read to escape into -- FANTASY HIVE One giant love letter to the written word . . . The storytelling is a joyful kind of magic. Alix E. Harrow has a beautifully dreamy style that is irresistible, even at the book's darkest moments, and her imagination feels limitless . . . this book is an infectious celebration of courage and wonder that feels like a massive, life affirming hug -- SCIFINOW The buzz is warranted. The writing is beautiful and lush. The story is sad and sweet in equal measure. The world is captivating and I truly felt transported -- SPECULATIVE SHELF A stunning debut novel with inventive worlds, sumptuous language and impeccably crafted details -- BOOKPAGE Has real depth . . . Engrossing -- IMAGE MAGAZINE Gorgeous and magical . . . One of the most beautifully-written debuts I've ever read -- NOVEL NOTIONS This book was amazing . . . a phenomenally written tale, that felt a little like falling into a door to a different world -- SUPER STARDRIFTER Every page of this smart, heartfelt expedition celebrates an abiding love of stories and slips between genres in wonderful ways. Readers are going to relish every sentence and surprise in this book - I know I did! -- Matthew Sullivan, author of MIDNIGHT AT THE BRIGHT IDEAS BOOKSTORE Harrow has created a gorgeous world of magic and portal universes that is at once familiar and startlingly new. With lush writing and a sense of wonder, The Ten Thousand Doors of January examines power, progress and identity. It is an adventure in the best and grandest sense -- Erika Swyler, author of THE BOOK OF SPECULATION The Ten Thousand Doors of January is quite possibly the most achingly beautiful novel I've ever read, and I find it mind-boggling that anything this lovely could possibly be a debut novel . . . Harrow is more than an author; she is a Wordsmith, a sorceress wielding a pen in place of a wand . . . I can already tell that January is going to be one of my dearest friends, and that I'll be revisiting her often -- NOVEL NOTIONS Beautifully written and absorbing . . . an ambitious, expansive story that never loses its sense of intimacy . . . a wonderful, insightful and imaginative book. I highly recommend it -- Josiah Bancroft, author of SENLIN ASCENDS To open this book is to open a door to a brand new world that you'll never want to leave. With the masterful prose of a true Wordworker, Harrow has created a richly imagined, multi-layered narrative full of wonder, sorrow, and strength -- Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of THE WOLF IN THE WHALE All the magic you once knew but have almost forgotten waits in these pages for you to discover again. With a masterful voice and a spellbinding story, reading The Ten Thousand Doors of January feels like coming back to a beloved childhood classic to find it unexpectedly grew up with you. It's a deeply satisfying pleasure to read, and lingers in your heart afterwards. I loved it! -- Melissa Caruso, author of THE TETHERED MAGE The Ten Thousand Doors of January begins as a simple adventure, but like its mysteriously transportive doors, leads deeper and deeper the further you read. Each page dazzles with things to be discovered: a mansion of priceless artifacts, a secret journal, a tantalizing quest through strange and beautiful places, and a love story that spans time, worlds and magic. I couldn't put it down -- Peng Shepherd, author of THE BOOK OF M The Ten Thousand Doors of January is 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 of THE HAZEL WOOD The Ten Thousand Doors of January healed hurts I didn't even know I had. An unbearably beautiful story about growing up, and everything we fight to keep along the way -- Amal El-Mohtar, Hugo Award-winning author A love letter to imagination, adventure, the written word and the power of many kinds of love -- KIRKUS A gorgeously written story of love and longing, of what it means to lose your place in the world, and then have the courage to find it again. This book is a door I'm glad to have opened -- Kat Howard, author of AN UNKINDNESS OF MAGICIANS Many worlds, vanishing doors, mind-cracking magic: I clung to each page, searching for answers. This is one of the most unique works of fiction I've ever read - I hope there's more ahead -- Tamora Pierce, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author A gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers and the doors they lead us through . . . absolutely enchanting -- Christina Henry, bestselling author of ALICE