The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

Book Description

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

To be honest, this review is a bit of a cheat. I first read The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow back in 2019 and fell in love with the novel then. I even wrote a review about this book a few years ago.

But recently, I joined the audiobook subscription program through libro.fm, and used one of my free credits to revisit January’s story.

I’m so glad I did!

Harrow’s debut remains just as lyrical and lush as I remembered. Her prose is a marvel: a story within a story, a love letter to language, to thresholds, and to freedom.

But experiencing it as an audiobook brought an additional layer of richness. The narrator, January LaVoy, delivers a tremendous performance. It’s dynamic and engaging, capturing the novel’s quiet wonder and sweeping emotion. Each character’s voice is utterly distinct. January’s delivery enhances the rhythm and beauty of Harrow’s prose. It’s like listening to poetry.

An Alternative to Amazon

If you’ve been looking for an alternative to Audible, check out Libro.fm. The site allows you to buy (or gift) audiobook credits, audiobooks outright, or you can join their subscription program. It’s currently 14.99/month and includes two free credits. You can buy additional audiobooks at 30% off, and your credits don’t expire. Plus, if you connect your account to your local indie bookstore, they get some support every time you make a purchase too!

At its heart, The Ten Thousand Doors of January is a portal fantasy. The story will resonate with anyone who once wandered through woods or dusty attics hoping to stumble upon a door to somewhere else. If you grew up loving The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Alice in Wonderland, or even The Indian in the Cupboard, this book is like coming home.

Whether it’s your first read or a return visit, The Ten Thousand Doors of January opens more than fantasy realms. And the audiobook version? It will open your heart.

Content Warning

Abandonment, Animal Cruelty, Child Abuse, Discrimination, Kidnapping, Loss, Racism, Suicidal Ideation, Violence

The header photo is a composite image. Base image created by Bookbrush.com.