14th out of 231 books
—
261 voters
The Door Within (The Door Within #1)
by
Wayne Thomas Batson (Goodreads Author)
Now includes THE LOST CHAPTERS, four previously unpublished chapters with author commentary and editor notes! Aidan Thomas is miserable. And it's much more than the strange nightmares he's been having. Just when life seemed to be coming together for Aidan, his parents suddenly move the family across the country to take care of his wheelchair-bound grandfather. When strange...more
Paperback, 350 pages
Published
May 8th 2007
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
(first published April 8th 2005)
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Apr 24, 2009
Jon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
middle-school aged children
Recommended to Jon by:
Kait K
This was a good fantasy action adventure young adult novel. Some of the situations stretched believability just a bit, but I put that down to the intended audience's attention span and naivety. The story is a Christian allegory, done very well. It's almost as good as The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander.
Derived. "Revenge of the Nerds" meets "The Hobbit."
A good if hardly original concept, but Batson should have worked harder (though he claims it took him thirteen years) making it his own work. Reads like a dashed off ripoff of Christian classic fantasy with too much Narnia, Middle Earth overlap.
Reminds you why J. R. R. Tolkien hated allegory. Speaking of whom, Tolkien would be angered (as he was with C. S. Lewis) at the way Batson misused mythology. Specifically, the insertion of unicorns as hor...more
A good if hardly original concept, but Batson should have worked harder (though he claims it took him thirteen years) making it his own work. Reads like a dashed off ripoff of Christian classic fantasy with too much Narnia, Middle Earth overlap.
Reminds you why J. R. R. Tolkien hated allegory. Speaking of whom, Tolkien would be angered (as he was with C. S. Lewis) at the way Batson misused mythology. Specifically, the insertion of unicorns as hor...more
Hi, Door Within Readers!
Wayne Thomas Batson here. I wanted to thank all of you who put Isle of Fire on your ToBeRead list. I'm honored to be worth your time.
Isle of Fire will release the first week of September. It is available for preorder on Amazon as well. In fact, if you preorder it on Amazon and email me to tell me you have ordered it, I'll send you a signed and personalized bookplate sticker for your new book.
email me at: batguy21784@yahoo.com
Here's the official Isle of Fire blurb:
"A great...more
Wayne Thomas Batson here. I wanted to thank all of you who put Isle of Fire on your ToBeRead list. I'm honored to be worth your time.
Isle of Fire will release the first week of September. It is available for preorder on Amazon as well. In fact, if you preorder it on Amazon and email me to tell me you have ordered it, I'll send you a signed and personalized bookplate sticker for your new book.
email me at: batguy21784@yahoo.com
Here's the official Isle of Fire blurb:
"A great...more
Jul 28, 2008
Nate Turton
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone..
Recommended to Nate by:
One of my students
The Door Within was seemingly written with two large goals in mind: the first would be to absolutely enthrall young readers with action, adventure, and the ever-deepening courage of someone their own age. Many young people have thought “wouldn’t it have been cool to be a knight” or to turn from everything you’ve ever known to an adventure that few believed was real; this books tells that story. The second goal was to challenge the reader to truly examine what they believe in by drawing age-appro...more
My friends' kids have loved this trilogy, so I thought I'd read it to my younger teens and elementary-aged kids this summer. It is very intriguing at the beginning, and holds our interest pretty well, well enough where we want to know what happens next. I was hoping that we'd discovered a new classic though, and it's not quite that good. Wayne Batson is a christian author, and this book has a lot of allegory in it, which he pulls off pretty well. My kids say, though, that it reminds them a littl...more
I read the first two books of this series just after moving one summer (desperate for something to do)they were all right really, just not in my age range. I think middle schoolers would really enjoy them.
I was intrigued enough to read them because they were books that were written with a Christian theme but still within the fantasy fiction genre (which I pretty much never see). So really other than the reading level and moments of cheesiness it wasn't all that bad. The author had some good cle...more
I was intrigued enough to read them because they were books that were written with a Christian theme but still within the fantasy fiction genre (which I pretty much never see). So really other than the reading level and moments of cheesiness it wasn't all that bad. The author had some good cle...more
Upset with his family’s sudden move across the country, Aidan Thomas is friendless and bored. He seeks out adventure by exploring his new home which takes him to the dark and creepy basement. He finds dusty boxes of old toys, stacks of newspapers from the 1950s, and an old radio. It all seems to be a typical basement until a blue light grows out of the darkness leaving three clay pots in its wake. Inside them, Aidan finds three ancient scrolls.
He takes his newfound treasure to his room and begin...more
He takes his newfound treasure to his room and begin...more
The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson had me captivated the second I began to read the first chapter. There are many strong, allegorical parallels with Biblical stories, similar to "The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe", which is fairly obvious throughout the book. The Door Within presents a unique portrayal of a character who is looking for something more in life and finds it in the spot where he least suspected.
Having moved away from his best friend Robby Pearson, to a different state so t...more
After being recommended this book by a good friend, I was super-duper excited to start reading, and now that I have finished it within just one day (I could not put it down - nope, nope), I can say that I thought it was absolutely wonderful and brilliant and lovely and terrific and etc. etc. :)
The Door Within is only the exciting first book in a fantasy-filled trilogy that is steeped in mystery, intrigue, and adventure. If the rest of the series lives up to how awesome this book was, then this i...more
The Door Within is only the exciting first book in a fantasy-filled trilogy that is steeped in mystery, intrigue, and adventure. If the rest of the series lives up to how awesome this book was, then this i...more
Mar 14, 2013
Isaiah
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes christian fantasy
Recommended to Isaiah by:
library
I first discovered The Door Within in fifth grade at a private school called Madison Christian. It was written by an American author Wayne Thomas Baston. I was young at the time, but was still an avid reader, and understood a lot of what I read. If you remember being a kid your imagination was the key to a fun day, any day. I was into the whole dragons, knights’, and fantasy stuff, and still am today, but there was something different about this book. I always want try connect myself to the char...more
The characters were too many, too similar, and too unrealistic. I barely knew the characters, they're introduced right in the thick of things and you don't ever get a real GRASP on them. I kept having to flip back through the pages and try to figure out which character was who. I got them mixed up, confused for each other. Sometimes they were just bizarre too (like Merewen's silver hair?? where did that come from?).
The Door Within is a pleasant fantasy novel, complete with all the requirements...more
The Door Within is a pleasant fantasy novel, complete with all the requirements...more
I first read 'The Door Within' when I was in grade school. I have always enjoyed fantasy, knights, and dragons. I have probably read this particular book about 6 times...=) My younger brother also enjoys it so it looks like I will be reading it again sometime soon.
This is an allegory of a lost sinner leaving a world of fear, complacency, and doubt; and entering into the service of the One True King.
Aiden is a pudgy, unpopular teenager forced to leave his hometown with his parents to go care for...more
This is an allegory of a lost sinner leaving a world of fear, complacency, and doubt; and entering into the service of the One True King.
Aiden is a pudgy, unpopular teenager forced to leave his hometown with his parents to go care for...more
The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson is one of the first Christian Fantasy titles that popped up after the long sabbatical between the time of Tolkien and now. The story is simple enough: Young Aidan is sent to a fantasy realm to save the world. We've seen it a hundred times, so the question is "Did Wayne make it unique?"
Whether he did or didn't, it's easy to see that the author had a great time writing this book. His infectious enthusiasm is glued to every page, and that in itself was enough...more
Whether he did or didn't, it's easy to see that the author had a great time writing this book. His infectious enthusiasm is glued to every page, and that in itself was enough...more
This was one of the first “modern” fantasy books I ever read, so naturally, it has a special place in my heart. I grew up on the Lord of the Rings and Narnia, but I didn’t discover the wonderful world of newer fantasy out there until a friend gave me The Door Within as a birthday present several years ago.
And I was hooked.
The story: It’s been two weeks since they moved to Colorado to look after Grampin, and Aidan Thomas just wants to go back to Maryland. He left his best friend behind, and he’s...more
And I was hooked.
The story: It’s been two weeks since they moved to Colorado to look after Grampin, and Aidan Thomas just wants to go back to Maryland. He left his best friend behind, and he’s...more
Feb 15, 2012
Adam
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
ANYONE!!!!!
Recommended to Adam by:
My school librarian
Before I read this book in 4th Grade I sped through small chapter-books that were in the more 'elementary' side of my school library. I was never satisfied, reading every book I could get my hands on, but I was getting bored of "The Magic Treehouse" and other such books. Then one day my school librarian showed me this book. I was hesitant at first because I had never really been in to Fantasy, because most Fantasy I had been exposed to was more like fairy tales; Damsels in Distress, fairies, etc...more
The first read this book many years ago, and even then I loved it. A Christian novel, much like C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia, is set in a modern day world where Aidan Thomas lives a very boring life. Now, in my opinion, the book doesn't get very good until Aidan enters a place called The Realm. This is kinda a medieval, fantasy twin of earth. For every person on earth, there is a "Glimpse" twin of them-- someone who looks and acts similar to their human counter-part.
For many months now,...more
For many months now,...more
The Door Within is pretty typical Christian Fantasy, though well-written and with some original ideas. Boy finds link to fantasy world and goes through and saves the day--temporarily, this being part of a series. New is the idea that this world is a sort of alternate universe, with everyone having an albino duplicate.
This book falls prey to two chestnuts of Christian writing: overly large and shallow cast, and the roles of good and evil.
The expected Christ figure is decent, though typical. A...more
This book falls prey to two chestnuts of Christian writing: overly large and shallow cast, and the roles of good and evil.
The expected Christ figure is decent, though typical. A...more
Written by Wayne Thomas Batson, ‘The Door Within’ is the first book in a Christian fantasy adventure trilogy. (The other two books being ‘The Rise of the Wyrm Lord’ and ‘The Final Storm’) The main character is Aidan, a teenager struggling to adjust to a new home and the loss of his only real friend. One day, he finds a set of scrolls documenting the history of another world completely different than his own, but linked together at the same time. Through his belief in the scrolls and “The Story”,...more
“The Door within Trilogy, which is written by Wayne Thomas Batson, and he is a really amazing author,
if you ask me. The Book is about These 3 people who go to a Fantasy world, at different times, where
they are chosen to defend and protect, and obey the King. The titles of the books are
"The Door Within", "Rise of the Wyrm Lord", and "The Final Storm". The main character is Aiden
Thomas, and he is very miserable because he moves and has to live with his Grandfather because he is
in a Wheelchair, b...more
if you ask me. The Book is about These 3 people who go to a Fantasy world, at different times, where
they are chosen to defend and protect, and obey the King. The titles of the books are
"The Door Within", "Rise of the Wyrm Lord", and "The Final Storm". The main character is Aiden
Thomas, and he is very miserable because he moves and has to live with his Grandfather because he is
in a Wheelchair, b...more
Life was getting better for Aiden, until his parents suddenly move the family across the country to take care of his sick grandfather. In a flurry of strange events, Aiden wanders down into his grandfather's basement, where he discovers strange, ancient scrolls. When he reads the fateful words, 'Believe and Enter', his world is turned upside down forever.
Through the scrolls, Aiden enters a strange world called the Realm, where he embarks on an adventure as the Twelfth Knight on a mission to Mith...more
Through the scrolls, Aiden enters a strange world called the Realm, where he embarks on an adventure as the Twelfth Knight on a mission to Mith...more
In The Door Within, by Wayne Thomas Batson, Aidan moves away from all of his friends and is annoyed. He goes exploring in the new house and finds ancient-looking scrolls in the basement. They tell him of an exciting Realm where the good king Eliam reigns. In the story, Eliam’s Friend and Sentinel, Paragal, kills him and the Elder Guard, the elite warriors of the Realm. There the story ends, but there is a riddle-like message that tells the reader that the Door Within will open for those who trul...more
The Door Within by Wayne Thomas Batson is the exciting beginning of a fantasy-filled trilogy. Mystery, intrigue, and adventure fill the pages of this very good book. Meet Aidan Thomas, your regular teen guy. Not too popular, and if he ever was it was due to the fact that he was best friends with one of the coolest guys on the block, Robby. However, everything changes. Aidan and his family must move from everything Aidan knows to care for Aidan's ill grandfather.
There, Aidan discovers mysterious...more
There, Aidan discovers mysterious...more
Wow. This book is great. Enough battles and peril to satisfy the adventure-lover, enough secrets to satisfy the mystery-lover, and enough coolness to satisfy the... well, cool-lover!
All around great. Granted, some might see it as "just another fantasy book", but it most certainly has characteristics that distinguish it from others in its genre.
For instance, there is an unlikely connection between Earth and The Realm... but I won't spoil that for you. :-D Also, there is a good dose of Biblical al...more
All around great. Granted, some might see it as "just another fantasy book", but it most certainly has characteristics that distinguish it from others in its genre.
For instance, there is an unlikely connection between Earth and The Realm... but I won't spoil that for you. :-D Also, there is a good dose of Biblical al...more
The Door Within explores several important themes, including the struggle of good against evil, how an individual can make an impact with the help of the One True King, and finding hope in the knowledge that one is never alone.
Wayne Thomas Batson’s effective use of allegory makes the message clear without overpowering the story. A good amount of humor is also present throughout the novel, including Captain Valithor’s bellowed insults and Aidan’s phantom army, although it tends to be geared more...more
Wayne Thomas Batson’s effective use of allegory makes the message clear without overpowering the story. A good amount of humor is also present throughout the novel, including Captain Valithor’s bellowed insults and Aidan’s phantom army, although it tends to be geared more...more
Ruined... That's how Aidan Thomas feels after the surprise move from Maryland to Colorado, everything he knows is now on the other side of the country, this is what led him to explore his grandfathers basement one summer day, in it he finds three scrolls with a wonderful story of another world, called The Realm. A world of knights, glimpses and strange beasts. After Aidan reads the scrolls he enters the door within and starts off on some amazing adventures. Called by King Eliam to be the twelfth...more
Hang onto your hats and get ready for a great time! The Door Within is the start to a trilogy like none other. If you like fantasy, this is the story for you. While I have never been a huge fan of the fantasy genre, this book may have just won me over. I loved the descriptive writing, vivid characters and the amazing plot line. If you enjoy secular fiction, then you will enjoy this novel. If you know anything about the Bible you will immediately see the parallels in this story. Starting with Kin...more
I love fantasy, adventure books but this one just didn't cut it for me. It was too predictable and the main character was kind of annoying. The only cool part was when he was "attacking" the enemies to rescue the glimpse girl. I will probably not be reading the sequels. (edit: Another thing I didn't like about this book was how the author portrayed the great master person it was way too much like the real God -as a christian I found it demeaning to God.)
Aiden is a "backwards" boy. He only has one good friend named Robby. His parents just informed him that they are moving to Colorado. He is miserable. He doesn't want to start over again, he doesn't want to be teased again, Robby kept him safe from the other kids.
The family moves accross country to Colorado. It is the summer, he is not able to meet the other kids and he now lives with his invalid grandfather.
He begins to sense and feel strange things. Is someone watching him? What is that large...more
The family moves accross country to Colorado. It is the summer, he is not able to meet the other kids and he now lives with his invalid grandfather.
He begins to sense and feel strange things. Is someone watching him? What is that large...more
The Door Within is a Christian fantasy book, written in the allegorical style of The Chronicles of Narnia, but with a modern twist. Young Aidan Thomas, the main character, is about to enter high school when he discovers three mysterious scrolls in his basement. They beckon him to another world of knights, dragons, and war, and he finds himself wrapped up in a dangerous mission: to save the kingdom of Mithegard from the evil clutches of Paragory.
The book is filled with action, mystery, and peril,...more
The book is filled with action, mystery, and peril,...more
This book is the powerful opening to the Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson. It's incredible how it draws the reader into the Realm of Alleble alongside the main character, Aidan. I'm currently re-reading it because the first time I sped through it, wanting to know what happened next! Now I can savor the writing, the worldbuilding, and the characters as well as the intriguing plot.
It's a great book to give to a kid who likes fantasy, but isn't quite ready to read more ambitious works li...more
It's a great book to give to a kid who likes fantasy, but isn't quite ready to read more ambitious works li...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Du Gata Vrangr: The Door Within | 3 | 5 | Mar 01, 2013 03:25pm | |
| What's The Name o...: A book about a boy who goes to an alternate/parallel world and fights in a war [s] | 5 | 145 | Jan 01, 2013 09:55pm | |
| What do people think of The Door Within? | 17 | 32 | Nov 02, 2012 03:20pm | |
| Who do you think your Glimpse is? | 2 | 8 | Oct 30, 2012 03:49pm | |
| Dragons, dragons ...: Splinter | 7 | 7 | Oct 26, 2012 02:49am | |
| The Nameless and ...: The Door Within, by Wayne Thomas Batson | 1 | 5 | Oct 14, 2012 12:23pm |
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“Never Alone!”
—
38 people liked it
“There are passages and doors
And Realms that lie unseen.
There are Roads both wide and narrow
And no avenue between.
Doors Remain closed for those
Who in sad vanity yet hide.
Yet when Belief is chosen,
The key appears inside.
What is lived now will soon pass,
And what is not will come to Be.
The Door Within must open,
For one to truly see.
Do you see?
Believe and enter.”
—
25 people liked it
More quotes…
And Realms that lie unseen.
There are Roads both wide and narrow
And no avenue between.
Doors Remain closed for those
Who in sad vanity yet hide.
Yet when Belief is chosen,
The key appears inside.
What is lived now will soon pass,
And what is not will come to Be.
The Door Within must open,
For one to truly see.
Do you see?
Believe and enter.”

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