Book Overview: "The Ten Thousand Doors of January" by Alix E. Harrow

Plot Summary: "The Ten Thousand Doors of January" is a 2019 fantasy novel by Alix E. Harrow, which tells the story of January Scaller, a 17-year-old girl who has grown up in a world of mystery and magic. The narrative is primarily from January's point of view and explores her journey through multiple worlds.

January's life is marked by her father's absence and her own sense of disconnection. She discovers a mysterious book called "The Ten Thousand Doors" which tells the story of Ade Larson and Yule Ian, two young people from different worlds who spent years searching for magic doors between worlds. This book becomes a catalyst for January's own journey as she realizes that the doors described in the book are real and that the characters in the book are her mother and father.

January's life takes a dramatic turn when she stands up to her guardian, Mr. Locke, at his annual Society party. In response, Locke sends her to Battleboro asylum. While imprisoned, January continues to read "The Ten Thousand Doors," and she uses her newfound understanding of the doors to escape. She uses a special silver coin as a pen to carve words on her arm, which she believes will come true, and she opens a door from Battleboro to her friend Samuel’s cabin.

However, her freedom is short-lived as she is pursued by members of the Society, who have ill intentions. With the help of her nursemaid Jane, January and her friends make their way to a door that leads to a world called Arcadia. There, she confronts the evil forces of the Society and ultimately faces Locke, who has been closing doors and keeping her family apart all along.

Key Themes:

1. Desire for Change and Unknown: The novel explores January's longing for change and her desire to break free from the constraints of her life.
2. Power Imbalances and Injustice: The book critiques blatant power imbalances, imperialism, and prejudice, highlighting the injustices that January and her family face.
3. Identity and Self-Discovery: January's journey is deeply about finding her true identity and understanding her place in the world.
4. Magic and Reality: The novel blurs the lines between magic and reality, suggesting that imagination and belief can shape one's reality.
5. Moral Ambiguity: The characters in the book are morally complex, with no one emerging as purely good or evil, adding depth to the narrative.

Critical Reception: The book has received widespread critical acclaim for its well-crafted prose, excellent plot, and well-developed characters. Reviewers have praised the novel for its magical yet grounded storytelling, its thematic depth, and its ability to sustain a compelling narrative without needing sequels.

One reviewer noted that the book is "well-written, full of wondrous and magical things" and that it "allows for a bit of moral ambiguity in the characters, with no one coming out of this smelling like roses." Another reviewer highlighted that the book is "charming yet tough" and that it "reads as though written by a seasoned author," which bodes well for Harrow’s future works.

Overall, "The Ten Thousand Doors of January" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of identity, power, and the power of imagination, set against a richly detailed fantasy world.