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Doormaker #1
Rock Heaven
Discover the magic of the doormakers and begin an epic journey of secrets, betrayal, and power.
THREE WORLDS. ONE RULE. SHE MUST NEVER OPEN A DOOR.
Since before Maella can remember, one family rule has shaped her life: never open a door. Maella comes from a family of doormakers—people who unleash otherworldly violence when they open something even as simple as a cabinet door.
Maella didn’t mean to open a door.
Maella tried NOT to open a door.
She just wanted to save her friend.
Pushed through a portal of her own making, Maella discovers worlds of nightmarish flying monsters, magical drug deals, political prisoners, religious cults, and a terrifying prediction: Maella will die upon opening her seventh door. In order to survive, Maella must uncover her family’s secrets, all while hiding her identity and outrunning the prediction of her death.
But what do you do when the truth you need could destroy the universe?
THREE WORLDS. ONE RULE. SHE MUST NEVER OPEN A DOOR.
Since before Maella can remember, one family rule has shaped her life: never open a door. Maella comes from a family of doormakers—people who unleash otherworldly violence when they open something even as simple as a cabinet door.
Maella didn’t mean to open a door.
Maella tried NOT to open a door.
She just wanted to save her friend.
Pushed through a portal of her own making, Maella discovers worlds of nightmarish flying monsters, magical drug deals, political prisoners, religious cults, and a terrifying prediction: Maella will die upon opening her seventh door. In order to survive, Maella must uncover her family’s secrets, all while hiding her identity and outrunning the prediction of her death.
But what do you do when the truth you need could destroy the universe?
411 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2017
74 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Thornton
45 books121 followersI am a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of science fiction and fantasy novels. I like my characters strong and wounded, and my adventures thrilling and dark.
Try out one of my books for free when you sign up at JamieThornton.com
I'm a voracious reader in many genres. I do sometimes judge a book by its cover art. Life is too short to spend time reading or reviewing bad books so you'll see my library, ratings, and reviews represent books I believe are worth sharing.
I live in Northern California with my husband, two dogs, a garden, lots of chickens, a viola, and a bicycle. My anthropology degree shapes my fiction. I write dark adventures (science fiction, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, coming-of-age) with a hint of romance. Follow me at JamieThornton.com
Try out one of my books for free when you sign up at JamieThornton.com
I'm a voracious reader in many genres. I do sometimes judge a book by its cover art. Life is too short to spend time reading or reviewing bad books so you'll see my library, ratings, and reviews represent books I believe are worth sharing.
I live in Northern California with my husband, two dogs, a garden, lots of chickens, a viola, and a bicycle. My anthropology degree shapes my fiction. I write dark adventures (science fiction, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, coming-of-age) with a hint of romance. Follow me at JamieThornton.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 13, 2018
This is a gripping fantasy story that begins two years after the prequel: “The Devil’s Harvest”. Maella’s brother, Esson has disappeared, and then her father too. Both are presumed dead, having gone through forbidden doors.
Very early in the story one of my questions arising from the prequel was answered. The ‘Doors’ that must not be opened are ANY doors – doors to rooms, houses, cabinets. An up-turned cup can become a door if lifted, a picture hanging on the wall, the opening flap on a tent, a stone on the ground … Maella lives in a house with no doors. She is home-schooled, because school (with its doors) would be too dangerous. She is taught to walk with her hands clasped behind her back, and if she falls, to land on anything but her hands, so that no ‘door’ is inadvertently opened. And above all else, she must NEVER cause a door to be opened – or she and/or others will die. Her life has been one lived in perpetual fear: fear of doors, and fear of letting her parents down.
Thankfully, she has one true friend, Claritsa, who knows her secret, but loves her anyway. Throughout the book, Claritsa works determinedly and unwaveringly to protect Maella, and to hide her secret, even when it puts her in danger. To me, Claritsa is the real heroine of this book, though as the book goes on, Maella develops into a heroic young lady.
Unfortunately, another character from the prequel also reappears: Barth. Barth has used the intervening two years to turn into a despicable thug, who would surely make his drug-dealer father proud.
Both Maella and Claritsa are considered inferior because of their gender. Claritsa’s parents took their sons, but left her alone with her grandmother. Later in the book, Maella, as a doormaker is repeatedly belittled: “she wasn’t the doormaker he spoke about. She. As in girl. As in Keeper Shaul’s you-are-not-The-One”.
Maella does open a door. Terrible things happen, and she feel responsible for everything that goes wrong – as she has broken the one family commandment: “She knew those feelings, the guilt and the grief and the anger and the shame. The need to make something right that could never be right again”. To be a doormaker is to be a bringer of death, and in the worlds she enters, being a doormaker is to be condemned to death. All doormakers must be destroyed. Maella cannot understand why: “How does that solve anything to destroy what you fear? Earth has tried that a few times already and it didn’t end well”. Her parents thought her too young to be informed about the family history and their talent. Now, it is too late, and Maella and her friends have to deal with the consequences.
The story flies along at a great pace and the book is very difficult to put down. You become fully invested in the main characters: particularly Maella and Claritsa – but also with the two boys, Daniel and Sethlo. It ends all too soon – but luckily the next instalment “Tower of Shadows” is almost here.
I would highly recomend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy, particularly fantasy with strong female characters.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Very early in the story one of my questions arising from the prequel was answered. The ‘Doors’ that must not be opened are ANY doors – doors to rooms, houses, cabinets. An up-turned cup can become a door if lifted, a picture hanging on the wall, the opening flap on a tent, a stone on the ground … Maella lives in a house with no doors. She is home-schooled, because school (with its doors) would be too dangerous. She is taught to walk with her hands clasped behind her back, and if she falls, to land on anything but her hands, so that no ‘door’ is inadvertently opened. And above all else, she must NEVER cause a door to be opened – or she and/or others will die. Her life has been one lived in perpetual fear: fear of doors, and fear of letting her parents down.
Thankfully, she has one true friend, Claritsa, who knows her secret, but loves her anyway. Throughout the book, Claritsa works determinedly and unwaveringly to protect Maella, and to hide her secret, even when it puts her in danger. To me, Claritsa is the real heroine of this book, though as the book goes on, Maella develops into a heroic young lady.
Unfortunately, another character from the prequel also reappears: Barth. Barth has used the intervening two years to turn into a despicable thug, who would surely make his drug-dealer father proud.
Both Maella and Claritsa are considered inferior because of their gender. Claritsa’s parents took their sons, but left her alone with her grandmother. Later in the book, Maella, as a doormaker is repeatedly belittled: “she wasn’t the doormaker he spoke about. She. As in girl. As in Keeper Shaul’s you-are-not-The-One”.
Maella does open a door. Terrible things happen, and she feel responsible for everything that goes wrong – as she has broken the one family commandment: “She knew those feelings, the guilt and the grief and the anger and the shame. The need to make something right that could never be right again”. To be a doormaker is to be a bringer of death, and in the worlds she enters, being a doormaker is to be condemned to death. All doormakers must be destroyed. Maella cannot understand why: “How does that solve anything to destroy what you fear? Earth has tried that a few times already and it didn’t end well”. Her parents thought her too young to be informed about the family history and their talent. Now, it is too late, and Maella and her friends have to deal with the consequences.
The story flies along at a great pace and the book is very difficult to put down. You become fully invested in the main characters: particularly Maella and Claritsa – but also with the two boys, Daniel and Sethlo. It ends all too soon – but luckily the next instalment “Tower of Shadows” is almost here.
I would highly recomend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy, particularly fantasy with strong female characters.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
July 21, 2021
Three stars is me being generous. Someone needs to sit this author down and explain why editors are necessary. Good idea for a story, but man it could win an award for most gratuitous use of similes (that are horrendous) in a single book. I don't think more than a paragraph or two goes by without at least one awful simile. I'll edit it later and add some of them in so you can see how horrid they are...
some of them are like: she felt like a bowl - empty and angry.
(is there anything more to say? It's a good story idea ruined by the author's writing).
Oh! and although only a month has gone by during the course of the book, the main character can now speak and understand a foreign language - not basic sentences, but people discussing complex topics/words not used in common conversation... (This only happens in TV commercials or if you happen to have a babelfish put into your ear - neither of those things happened in this book).
some of them are like: she felt like a bowl - empty and angry.
(is there anything more to say? It's a good story idea ruined by the author's writing).
Oh! and although only a month has gone by during the course of the book, the main character can now speak and understand a foreign language - not basic sentences, but people discussing complex topics/words not used in common conversation... (This only happens in TV commercials or if you happen to have a babelfish put into your ear - neither of those things happened in this book).
Did not finish
January 18, 2020I'm dropping this book. I am curious about what it all means and how things will unfold, but for some reason it just isn't for me.
There's nothing too awful, but some things have left me uncomfortable more than once, specially seeing the mc's age and I think I need to think of myself first. Specially since I am slowly learning to not force myself to finish every book like I used to.
Apologies to the author.
There's nothing too awful, but some things have left me uncomfortable more than once, specially seeing the mc's age and I think I need to think of myself first. Specially since I am slowly learning to not force myself to finish every book like I used to.
Apologies to the author.
August 25, 2021
Such a good idea and there are so many things I still don't know. Intruiging and I want to know more!
January 15, 2018
Having read the prequel to the series, I expected this first book in the series to be intense. It was, but it was much more than that.
The friendship between Maella and Clarista was without a doubt the best part of the story for me. Everything about their strong friendship is great, including their silent conversations. There are boys, there is danger, and an engrossing story, but I'm really continuing on with the story for the friendship between those two girls.
The world building is very good. The story-line is exciting. It took me a while to get used to the flow of the writing, but I adapted eventually. I had some trouble recalling a few minor characters. Also, there might have been a little more repetition of certain details than there needed to be (I think I read about the "nest of blankets" three times, things like that). Those were very minor details, however.
Overall, this book more than lived up to its prequel and I'm looking forward to seeing where things go from here.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
The friendship between Maella and Clarista was without a doubt the best part of the story for me. Everything about their strong friendship is great, including their silent conversations. There are boys, there is danger, and an engrossing story, but I'm really continuing on with the story for the friendship between those two girls.
The world building is very good. The story-line is exciting. It took me a while to get used to the flow of the writing, but I adapted eventually. I had some trouble recalling a few minor characters. Also, there might have been a little more repetition of certain details than there needed to be (I think I read about the "nest of blankets" three times, things like that). Those were very minor details, however.
Overall, this book more than lived up to its prequel and I'm looking forward to seeing where things go from here.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
July 19, 2021
Too young
The characters were young but the situations they were forced in to were terrible. If the characters were older it would have been more bearable.
The characters were young but the situations they were forced in to were terrible. If the characters were older it would have been more bearable.
May 13, 2022
I wish that you could give less than 1 star for a review. This is the worst book that I have read this year. I couldn't finish it, I got too frustrated with it. Breaking stones being considered doors was my last straw.
I was listening to this as an Audiobook. The book is narrated by the author and that was a huge issue. Not everyone is meant to narrate a book. The narration takes a certain amount of vocal range and charisma, both of which the author lacks. She was reading a story not telling one. The inflections, timing, and emotions were off. Everything was too clipped, it was impossible to sink into.
I looked at the reviews for this book, and I really felt like I was led astray by the reviewers. They have rated this book way too high for what it is.
The author seriously puts the words 'she has brain problems but they didn't have the money to find out what kind' in the story! That is so, so inappropriate and rude. I couldn't get over that, or that they called her retarded.
I hated the fact that anything, literally anything, was a door. Turning over a rock, oh that's a door, beating on a drum, oh that's a door, screwing off the toothpaste? Door, door, door, door, door. Sneezing and pooping, I'm 90% sure that those were doors too.
I thought that this story was tedious. The reiteration of EVERYTHING drove me batty.
I had the impression that the author did not know how to say what she wanted to say. The story was constantly going back to a very specific point in time but never elaborated or changed anything about what she was reminding us.
I thought the author was a terrible narrator, her voice was okay, but she didn’t have the skill or training to tell the story and there was no point where you thought that you were part of the story, you knew the entire time that it was being read to you. This is the audio version of Telling vs. Showing. Reading vs being part of.
The author was good at everything except for the story itself, writing it and reading it.
The concept is amazing. I am absolutely obsessed with the idea behind the story.
I disliked Daniel's wishy washy personality. I should have helped you, I shouldn't have. You should be good to Barth, Barth's an ass.
The story drags, and drags, and drags. The scene with Daniel, Barth, and Asum has been told to death.
How in the heck could they live in a house with no doors? Besides robbery, there would be weather, not even the cold, the storms, the bugs. It made no sense. How could they shop or get things? Again, strong concept but this aspect of it was not thought out.
If you cut out all the repetition the story would be about 100 pages.
I was listening to this as an Audiobook. The book is narrated by the author and that was a huge issue. Not everyone is meant to narrate a book. The narration takes a certain amount of vocal range and charisma, both of which the author lacks. She was reading a story not telling one. The inflections, timing, and emotions were off. Everything was too clipped, it was impossible to sink into.
I looked at the reviews for this book, and I really felt like I was led astray by the reviewers. They have rated this book way too high for what it is.
The author seriously puts the words 'she has brain problems but they didn't have the money to find out what kind' in the story! That is so, so inappropriate and rude. I couldn't get over that, or that they called her retarded.
I hated the fact that anything, literally anything, was a door. Turning over a rock, oh that's a door, beating on a drum, oh that's a door, screwing off the toothpaste? Door, door, door, door, door. Sneezing and pooping, I'm 90% sure that those were doors too.
I thought that this story was tedious. The reiteration of EVERYTHING drove me batty.
I had the impression that the author did not know how to say what she wanted to say. The story was constantly going back to a very specific point in time but never elaborated or changed anything about what she was reminding us.
I thought the author was a terrible narrator, her voice was okay, but she didn’t have the skill or training to tell the story and there was no point where you thought that you were part of the story, you knew the entire time that it was being read to you. This is the audio version of Telling vs. Showing. Reading vs being part of.
The author was good at everything except for the story itself, writing it and reading it.
The concept is amazing. I am absolutely obsessed with the idea behind the story.
I disliked Daniel's wishy washy personality. I should have helped you, I shouldn't have. You should be good to Barth, Barth's an ass.
The story drags, and drags, and drags. The scene with Daniel, Barth, and Asum has been told to death.
How in the heck could they live in a house with no doors? Besides robbery, there would be weather, not even the cold, the storms, the bugs. It made no sense. How could they shop or get things? Again, strong concept but this aspect of it was not thought out.
If you cut out all the repetition the story would be about 100 pages.
October 27, 2017
Kindle unlimited? Currently as part of the Marked by Fate on kindle/mobi, this one and another one or 2 is only thing making that collection bearable so far, struggling not to skip too much, want to review the whole thing and want to check out the enhanced stuff but having to use my tablet to read it and use my phone to actually see the 'augmented reality' stuff. {Can't do both on one item, no idea why, makes no sense to me.}
THREE WORLDS. ONE RULE. SHE MUST NEVER OPEN A DOOR. Since before Maella can remember, one family rule has shaped her life: never open a door. Maella comes from a family of doormakers—people who unleash otherworldly violence when they open something even as simple as a cabinet door. Maella didn’t mean to open a door. Maella tried NOT to open a door.
She just wanted to save her friend from a bully. Pushed through a portal of her own making, Maella discovers worlds of nightmarish flying monsters, magical drug deals, political prisoners, religious cults, and a terrifying prediction: Maella will die upon opening her seventh door. In order to survive, Maella must uncover her family’s secrets, all while hiding her identity and outrunning the prediction of her death. But what do you do when the truth you need could destroy the universe?
Door Maker: Rock Heaven
Doormaker: Tower of Shadows (Book 2)
THREE WORLDS. ONE RULE. SHE MUST NEVER OPEN A DOOR. Since before Maella can remember, one family rule has shaped her life: never open a door. Maella comes from a family of doormakers—people who unleash otherworldly violence when they open something even as simple as a cabinet door. Maella didn’t mean to open a door. Maella tried NOT to open a door.
She just wanted to save her friend from a bully. Pushed through a portal of her own making, Maella discovers worlds of nightmarish flying monsters, magical drug deals, political prisoners, religious cults, and a terrifying prediction: Maella will die upon opening her seventh door. In order to survive, Maella must uncover her family’s secrets, all while hiding her identity and outrunning the prediction of her death. But what do you do when the truth you need could destroy the universe?
Door Maker: Rock Heaven
Doormaker: Tower of Shadows (Book 2)
January 24, 2019
Slow pace but that could have been just me. I was stuck within another’s authors world and was looking for a way to pull away. I stumbled through this door and while it took me a bit longer than normal to read this book I’m glad I stuck with it. It is a slow paced novel but I believe it’s worth the risk to open up this door, book I mean. You never know what might happened if you never try.
Update: I'm still waiting to buy book two but I just wanted to note that even though this review for myself is still true I'm still thinking about to this story. A lot of book series I say I can't wait to buy the next one and then forget all about it. At least for a long time it remains forgotten. This book series is haunting me. The whole what ifs questions start crossing my mind at really random times (well almost randoms I go through a lot of doors).
Update: I'm still waiting to buy book two but I just wanted to note that even though this review for myself is still true I'm still thinking about to this story. A lot of book series I say I can't wait to buy the next one and then forget all about it. At least for a long time it remains forgotten. This book series is haunting me. The whole what ifs questions start crossing my mind at really random times (well almost randoms I go through a lot of doors).
August 13, 2019
Kobo 280 pages
Follows the Prequel (Devil's Harvest) novella which teased a glimpse of the Doormaker world...
Tormented by local bullies Maella does the one forbidden thing - and opens a door, finding herself in another world. Unlike her brother before her (and her father, who has also vanished) Maella isn' alone - and is followed by two of the bullies. A series of doors leads the group into yet anoter world (where one of the group, the lead bully) is left behind and then into a third. Maella learns that she has a limit to the number of doors she may open before she dies...
As she travels Maella gradually finds out more about the worlds and the doormakers, of whom she is one but is ignorant of her powers as the family has escaped once. She also finds both allies and enemies as she prepares to move to the next phase - trying to get her friend home to Earth.
The portal/wormhole concept is hardly new but is here used in a novel fashion - and there are mysteries still to be solved...
Rather good!
Follows the Prequel (Devil's Harvest) novella which teased a glimpse of the Doormaker world...
Tormented by local bullies Maella does the one forbidden thing - and opens a door, finding herself in another world. Unlike her brother before her (and her father, who has also vanished) Maella isn' alone - and is followed by two of the bullies. A series of doors leads the group into yet anoter world (where one of the group, the lead bully) is left behind and then into a third. Maella learns that she has a limit to the number of doors she may open before she dies...
As she travels Maella gradually finds out more about the worlds and the doormakers, of whom she is one but is ignorant of her powers as the family has escaped once. She also finds both allies and enemies as she prepares to move to the next phase - trying to get her friend home to Earth.
The portal/wormhole concept is hardly new but is here used in a novel fashion - and there are mysteries still to be solved...
Rather good!
January 15, 2018
I did not want to put this book down, there was so much going on and things to try and figure out it had me hooked. Maella has been taught to live by one rule which is to never open a door, whether that be an actual door or something that acts like one ie a draw, a container or a rock etc. Where her and best friend are put in a difficult position where she breaks that rule. This leads them on a strange and fearful journey of worlds where things are very different to their world and Doormakers are feared and hunted. There were many surprises and twists that keep them on their toes as well as me! I can not wait to see where things and what other secrets or surprises will be revealed.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
January 16, 2018
It’s so easy to get lost in this world!
This book took me about 4 hours to finish as it follows Maella a Doormaker that can open doors to other worlds. Just because she can, doesn’t mean she should, however, and terrible things happens when she does. All she wants to do is get her friends back to Earth - and maybe find her missing brother Esson, and her father along the way. The imagery is breath taking - Rock Haven is such a bleak, desolate world; with everything going on... it’s hard to remember that the main characters are children. 12 or 13 years old (I can’t remember) and the fate of three worlds may or may not rest in her shoulders. I really can’t wait for the next book, considering this one ended on a pseudo cliff hanger.
This book took me about 4 hours to finish as it follows Maella a Doormaker that can open doors to other worlds. Just because she can, doesn’t mean she should, however, and terrible things happens when she does. All she wants to do is get her friends back to Earth - and maybe find her missing brother Esson, and her father along the way. The imagery is breath taking - Rock Haven is such a bleak, desolate world; with everything going on... it’s hard to remember that the main characters are children. 12 or 13 years old (I can’t remember) and the fate of three worlds may or may not rest in her shoulders. I really can’t wait for the next book, considering this one ended on a pseudo cliff hanger.
September 3, 2019
What a stellar read. Very enjoyable. Unique world and concept. Ok there are dragons, Magic doorways, trouble and strife. Mrs Thornton brings all this together in a very unique,fun,creepy way. She is a gifted story teller with a bit of a dark side. I have truly enjoyed reading her works and this book is no exception.
Great characters filled with self doubt and inner demons just like all of us. Great worlds created . An almost picturesque discription. Makes the reader feel like looking into a window seeing the story unfold.
Definitely a must read. This book is hard to classify as to a specific genre. There is something in it for everyone. I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This fact has no way influenced this review.
Great characters filled with self doubt and inner demons just like all of us. Great worlds created . An almost picturesque discription. Makes the reader feel like looking into a window seeing the story unfold.
Definitely a must read. This book is hard to classify as to a specific genre. There is something in it for everyone. I was given a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This fact has no way influenced this review.
April 13, 2024
Maella comes from a family of doormakers (people who unleash otherworldly violence when they open a door). Maella lives in a house with no doors because opening a door could be dangerous and indescribable things will happen. Maella is friends with Claritsa who understands her circumstances. Maella opens a door leading to a portal to Rock Heaven which is a prison world filled with creatures and prisoners. At Rock Heaven there are stones which can open other doors to other worlds were Maella and Caritsa meet other people from Rathe and Thrae worlds. Maella and her friends try to prevent a valuable mineral called licatherin which can cause havoc if given in the wrong hands. I really enjoyed this amazing young adult fantasy novel.
January 25, 2024
Another great book! Ready for #2! I'm not very good at giving reviews. I find it ironic though that for someone who doesn't like space, sci-fi, or time travel, I love dystopian books. I'm so weird. I know. This book was confusing at times, but I think that was more on me than on the writing. It was interesting enough that I couldn't stop reading it, & was getting frustrated when I had to. I was really intrigued by the whole concept of not being able to open doors, drawers, cabinets, etc. That was so creative & is what drew me in. I'm looking forward to reading the whole series. I think Jamie Thornton is a great author. I can't wait to see what other books she puts out.
January 31, 2018
Reading the premise for this series, I knew immediately that this was a book I wanted to read. I wanted to know more about a world where opening a door could lead to dangerous possibilities. The story takes off on an adventure of epic proportions. The characters face challenges, and thrive in ways I could hardly imagine. They survive worlds that seem determined to exterminate them, finding friendship and developing new strengths. I needed to know more and immediately bought the next book.
March 5, 2018
Good
Slow pace but that could have been just me. I was stuck within another’s authors world and was looking for a way to pull away. I stumbled through this door and while it took me a bit longer than normal to read this book I’m glad I stuck with it. It is a slow paced novel but I believe it’s worth the risk to open up this door, book I mean. You never know what might happened if you never try.
Slow pace but that could have been just me. I was stuck within another’s authors world and was looking for a way to pull away. I stumbled through this door and while it took me a bit longer than normal to read this book I’m glad I stuck with it. It is a slow paced novel but I believe it’s worth the risk to open up this door, book I mean. You never know what might happened if you never try.
October 5, 2018
Even though this was a very unique and imaginative story, it just got to be too much. Too many surprises, too many bad things happen, too many unexplained situations the kids had to figure out on their own (yes, I said kids) and finally it just got too depressing. Nothing seemed to work out in their favor. The kids had to fight for every inch of progress and then they suffered more setbacks. This might be a positive for some readers but for me it was just too much.
January 10, 2022
Not bad world building, kind of interesting concepts, but the main character is a moron… I kept saying a Spanish word out loud while reading this book, “inútil”… honestly, perfect description for her. I have never met a main character with less situational awareness, who could read a room less, who whined more, incapable of doing anything, just, ugh! I don’t need a chosen one Mary Sue, but this one was just too much idiocy stupidity.
October 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It almost had a Sliders or Quantum Leap feel to it. I felt bad for Maella as everyone was mad at her for being she was. The poor girl was struggling to control her 'gift' and she didn't know who she could trust. There is so much action in this book and I can't wait to read book 2.
January 14, 2018
This story is awesome so many adventures and plot twists, it keeps you on the edge of your reading chair. It brings you to worlds of imagination and other dimension. This is a story I really Enjoyed especially the struggles on Rock Heaven, is she is finally gonna cave on telling the truth of what she is. Also the end is very interesting. Really a must to read.
January 24, 2019
Oh my oh my! This was a breathtaking start to the series. Maella faces a conundrum when transported to another world. She needs to find a way to return home while continuing to follow her family's secret. I just loved how Maella continued to grow throughout this book. Waiting (impatiently) for the next one!
August 20, 2019
Grows on you,
In the beginning I thought that the story was childish, lacking depth, plot character development, and only kept reading because I wanted to see what the outcome would be. But the deeper I got into the book, the people did seem to be more realistic. The twists and turns, the disaster one after another, created interest. Now I want more.
In the beginning I thought that the story was childish, lacking depth, plot character development, and only kept reading because I wanted to see what the outcome would be. But the deeper I got into the book, the people did seem to be more realistic. The twists and turns, the disaster one after another, created interest. Now I want more.
September 7, 2019
Very Unusual Story
I found the concept behind the story very interesting and unusual, was too at least to main character. I flu d this story interesting enough that at a lower price per ebook I would have continued, but for a YA story I do not eat to pay $4.99 for the next book. At $2.99 I would have continued the series.
I found the concept behind the story very interesting and unusual, was too at least to main character. I flu d this story interesting enough that at a lower price per ebook I would have continued, but for a YA story I do not eat to pay $4.99 for the next book. At $2.99 I would have continued the series.
August 3, 2021
Very interesting story. the whole time I just wanted Maella to open a dang door. Despite her pending death. I wanted her too. Because The story seemed to stall at Rock Heaven. So much introspection over not opening doors versus their situation. It just dragged on too long. But her version of what would/could happen was always correct. Good read although tedious at times
August 4, 2021
Interesting and imaginative
If you are into the fantasy /scj-fi genre then put this on your T-B-R list. The storyline is complex and interesting. The Movie "Dune" comes to mind in terms of similarity. If you enjoyed "Dune" you will probably like this series.
Would make for an interesting movie.
If you are into the fantasy /scj-fi genre then put this on your T-B-R list. The storyline is complex and interesting. The Movie "Dune" comes to mind in terms of similarity. If you enjoyed "Dune" you will probably like this series.
Would make for an interesting movie.
October 24, 2021
I feel sorry for Maella because of her special talent, she couldn't open anything that might be a door. There is always something bad coming through the doors. She is raised with special rules, but one day her world comes apart. Thorsnton has an amazing imagination to write such a story. Good plot, good characterization, good enemies, good descriptions.
January 12, 2018
An adventure that leads to danger and death once the doormaker opens any door. The main character opens a door and finds herself, as well as her friend and a couple of bullies in another place where chaos ensues. This book was impossible to put down! I can't wait to read what happens next.
January 15, 2018
After reading the Prequel short story, I was intrigued on where the author was going to go and it was an interesting journey throughout. Fast paced and breath holding action abounds. Am interested in reading the continuation.
February 13, 2018
Jamie Thornton has crafted compelling characters in Maella and her friends, and a world (or worlds) with an intriguing mythology - of which we only get hints in this book. I'm definitely going along for the ride to see where we're transported in the next installment!
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