The Door at the End of the World

by Caroline Carlson

Step into the worlds outside our own as Lucy Eberslee must find a way to stop a dangerous force that threatens the fate of the eight worlds in Caroline Carlson’s latest middle grade novel.

What begins as a rather unremarkable Tuesday quickly turns to disaster when Lucy, the Gatekeeper’s deputy, discovers that her boss has vanished and the door connecting Lucy’s world to the next world over is broken—and it all might be Lucy’s fault. To save the Gatekeeper and set things right, Lucy must break the rules for the first time ever and journey with an otherworldly boy, a suspiciously sneaky girl, and a crew of magical bees into the seven worlds beyond her own.

But Lucy isn’t the only one breaking the rules. As curiosities and dangers gather around her, she learns she’s up against a sinister force that’s playing with the delicate fabric of time and space, no matter what the deadly costs or consequences. Lucy’s never had to save the world before—and now, somehow, she’s got to find a way to save eight of them.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Fiction, Childrens, Friendship, Magic

304 pages, Hardcover

First published April 9, 2019

About the author

Caroline Carlson is the author of funny and fantastical books for young readers, including The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates trilogy, The World’s Greatest Detective, and The Door at the End of the World. Her novels have won accolades from the New York Times, the American Booksellers Association, Bank Street College of Education, the American Library Association, and Junior Library Guild, among others.

Caroline holds a BA from Swarthmore College and an MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College of Fine Arts. A Massachusetts native, she now lives in Pittsburgh with her family. You can visit her online at http://carolinecarlsonbooks.com.

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to my 10-year-old as his bedtime story (over the course of about a month) and we both absolutely loved it. There was one point in the climax when he was laughing SO hard and so was I! This is fabulously imaginative and fun with a Diana Wynne Jones sort of feel, filled with great characters, family complications, humor, magical adventures and kindness.

The embarrassing truth is, I'd originally hesitated about buying this book only because I'd had an idea brewing in the back of my head for a while that was somewhat similar in concept, so I selfishly cursed when I first saw this one announced! But from the moment I started reading it, I loved it SO much that my feelings changed completely. Now, I'm just thrilled that she wrote it and we got to read it. And truthfully, if you enjoy any of my MG novels, I'm pretty sure you'll love this one too.

I can't wait for her next book!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun, and very Diana-Wynne-Jones-esque. So much so that I found myself comparing it directly, which I think the book suffered a little bit by. Not because of anything that this book did— it was delightful and I support the bees in everything they do— but because I kept expecting the book to zag when it zigged. DWJ had a not entirely linear style of writing, full of grace notes that seemingly don't contribute to the story (until the end when they all click into place), which I think honestly came from the neuroatypicality that she talked about (dyslexia and some form of ADHD). So this book follows logical plotting systems instead of reading like a complex story fractal, which is honestly a point in its favour but not exactly what I expected when I met overbearing/overachieving families, inter-world travel ruled by a suspicious bureaucracy, supportive bees, and gainfully employed 14-year-olds.

[Nicole Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline Carlson pulled off the perfect trifecta of middle grade adventure, humor and surprise in this sci-fi/fantasy novel. Part Diana Wynne Jones, part Pratchett - this book will easily be a new favorite. Lucy is the perfect heroine with both pluck and self doubt. Readers get to look at their own world a bit sideways, proving to them a new perspective is around every corner.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish there'd been more; the story galloped along briskly in that really nice middle grade fantasy adventure way of magical happenings and bright changes of scene and mood (with, you know, a herd of magically intelligent cows arriving on the scene, as they do) and then there was the peaceful gathering of loose ends (which is one of the parts I like best in mg fantasy), and then...the last page and it was over. Sigh.

[Mary Schoeb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute story! Quick read, fun plot. I wish it was the beginning of a series. The characters were fun and engaging.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is spectacular and I can't believe I never saw any hype about this online anywhere! I know reading level says 8-12, but (as a 27-year-old) I still absolutely loved this.

I was searching for middle grade fantasy at the library and luckily it had been marked with a sticker, so I found this by sheer coincidence and I'm so glad I did!

MC Lucy Eberslee (LOVE her name) is such a wonderful character. And all the other characters introduced after her are also lovely (including the bees who steal the show).

The worldbuilding was so fun and creative and we got to see ALL the worlds (not so much South, but given all the items coming from there, that helps give a feel for it). I was afraid a couple might be left out, but it was rounded out so nicely.

The writing and plot were also great and I couldn't help but nod and give props from a writerly standpoint. The dialogue was superb and my heart is so fulfilled after reading this.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! The story of an young girl who sees herself as others do - ordinary and unremarkable but who is anything but that. Deputy Gatekeeper Lucy takes a bold step when catastrophe strikes the Gatekeeper and the door to the other world is stuck closed. That one step leads to a wild adventure during which Lucy makes firm friends, discovers her own abilities and helps save the worlds.

Delicious world-building, sly humor and endearing characters make this a delight to read. Carlson's adroit writing reminds me so much of one of my favorite authors - Diana Wynne Jones!

This would make a great read-aloud. Hand this to every fantasy-loving kid you know.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to read a children's book occasionally as kind of a mind cleanser. This was such a delightful contrast to my usual dark and devious fare. The concept of different worlds connected by openings children go through is familiar, but this story has a unique twist on the idea, plus strong and believable characters. Fun to read!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an adult, but this book was great. The characters were interesting and the idea of multiple worlds was complex enough to keep me hooked. The action was pretty fast, which made it all the more fun. It’s not always easy to find books that can be enjoyed by all ages, but this is one.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I think my grade fives will love it too! Adventure, humour (loved the bees! ) friendship, mystery and gates to other worlds! What more could you want!

[katayoun Masoodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun and delightful fantasy, thanks for the recommendation Stephanie and her 10-year-old.

[briar ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⋆⋆⋆½

this was so cute, i need an adult fantasy author to steal.

[Leeanne Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are eight worlds interwoven together. Each world contains two doors that lead to their neighboring worlds. At each door, there is a gatekeeper assigned to ensure that the fabric of time is held together. If these doors were to be sealed all trade would cease to exist. Lucy is the deputy to the gatekeeper between the Southeast and East door. When the gatekeeper disappears and all the doors are sealed shut, Lucy goes to the government for help. Along the way Lucy befriends a prince and a smuggler. Together they work together to solve the mystery behind the closed doors and their lives are jeopardized as they get closer to uncovering the truth.
The concept in the story was fascinating. Caroline Carlson incorporated eight different types of story worlds into her plot in a smooth fashion. I really appreciated that Lucy and her friends did not become the heroes because they were the main characters. In the beginning they go to the proper authorities and try to work with them to solve the problem. Despite being dismissed multiple times because they are children, they are still determined to find a solution. It was also refreshing that each member in the trio could benefit the group and no one was “Wonder Woman.”
Recently many authors create a underdog character who starts out pathetic but at the end become a indestructible. The growth of the characters is dramatic, and the story is rushed at the end. Caroline Carlson did not follow this trend, which made her story refreshing.

[Kate M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Door at the End of the World is a charming fantasy adventure written for middle-grade audiences but still tremendously fun as an adult. Clever humor and an offbeat perspective make this novel shine.

Lucy Eberslee, age 13, is a deputy Gatekeeper at the titular door. The "end of the world" isn't an apocalypse but a place where her world connects to another as part of a network of eight interconnected worlds. For someone living in a magical place, her life is a fairly sedate one featuring lots of organizing forms. Then the Gatekeeper disappears, a boy crashes through from the next world with none of the proper paperwork or even a clue that worlds beyond his own exist, and the door gets stuck closed. Lucy alerts the proper authorities and tries to offer her assistance investigating the problem, but she discovers that the situation is far more widespread and sinister than one stuck door. Lucy, the boy Arthur, and a suspicious girl named Rosemary have to take matters into their own hands. They've got a swarm of spelling bees (literally bees that can communicate by spelling words) on their side, but the fate of all eight worlds is at stake.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I know the author. However, I would give this book an enthusiastic recommendation even without that connection.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far in "The Door at the End of the World", Lucy the protagonist is the gatekeepers duty. There are 8 worlds and she works at a door between 2 worlds. At the start the gatekeeper leaves to clean the door. She doesn't return. Then to make things crazier, a kid from another world comes through the door without being invited. They travel together and find someone by another world gate. She comes with them, but later runs away. The gates begin shutting down. The kids try to find the other girl who ran away, but an explorer could also be guilty. There is a meeting between the explorer and a important person. He seems guilty. Finally the kids wander off and get lost, but find the girl who ran. They begin talking to her.

[Rudolph Ronswik · Rating 5 out of 5]

The door at the end of the world is a really fun adventure with a great trio of characters. I don't think it's a book I'll read again, but for me, it's amazing I got through this book once considering I read instead of listened to it. I normally can't pay attention to books unless I have the audiobook playing, too.

At times I felt like it had just a little more setting than it knew what to do with, all of these fantastical worlds yet we really only pay attention to the earth ones. Still, what it failed to utilize in its (frankly, great) worldbuilding, it more than utilized in plot and characters. It's got bandits, princes, bureaucracies, and a missing old woman. What else do you want?

[Katherine Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable! All the makings of the middle grades fantasy novels I loved so much as a young person. My favorite part was that the main character, Lucy, isn't a pre-destined heroine. There's nothing special about her. Quite the opposite, as she spends a great deal of time mentioning how average her family believes her to be. But her courage and sense of responsibility are what set her on a path to saving all 8 worlds and keep the fabric of space and time from unraveling. I would highly recommend this title to any young person in my life!

[Rebecca Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whimsically Fun Mystery

If you like the Strange Worlds Travel Agency, then you will absolutely love this book. 3 kids from different worlds try to discover how the doors to their worlds came undone, in the process they find out they are the only ones they can trust, when those in charge start snipping through the fabric of space, causing chaos, and people to fall outside of the known worlds. With the kids will power, they are able to get things put back on the right trajectory.

[MBenzz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful Middle-Grade read filled with excitement and imagination. I loved the eight different worlds and would have loved to have spent a little more time in each, but that would have made this a very long book.

Lucy, Arthur, and Rosemary are well-developed and smart. I love seeing intelligent main characters in middle grade. They stand up for what is right and have a heck of an adventure along the way.

I would absolutely recommend this for the 6-12 age group who love high adventure and strong MCs. It was a fun read!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carlson creates eight worlds that are connected by gates- each with their own gatekeepers. Lucy is the Deputy Gatekeeper at one of Southeast's gates. Strange things happen on maintenance day when the Gatekeeper disappears and Arthur comes through the gate accidentally.
Adventures follow as they attempt to find out why the gates have been sealed.
With the help of a third young person - Rosemary a smuggler, they save the eight worlds.
Enough action and fantasy to hold middle grade readers.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I identified with Lucy: small, over-looked by everyone (including by those in her immediate family), and good at organizing and bureaucracy. Who knew that these talents would become useful when the doors malfunction, and the malefactor behind the deed might also start unraveling the fabric of time/space itself? I did find it somewhat unbelievable as and adult that Lucy was working at age 13, but tweens will like her independence.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very fun middle grade adventure story is about Lucy, who is the deputy Gatekeeper at the Southeastern end of the world. In this world, there are gates between worlds that allow people to pass quickly and efficiently from one part of the world to the other, except that the Gatekeeper has gone to do maintenance on the gate and she's very late getting back and then a strange boy shows up. This is a fun and funny adventurous book with lots of plot twists to keep readers' interest.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline Carlson is a new author to me and I was surprised by this title. It was action packed, well written with very fun and entertaining characters.

There really wasn't anything questionable in this title, which seeing how it was published in 2019, I found to be quite surprising! Although it is in the Older Track, it could definitely be read by the Younger Track crowd.

Found in L4M OT Volume 89.

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved how they merged sci-fi and fantasy together and the bits of adventure and mystery were worth it too, though I read mostly for the former - and Arthur, who is such an amazing goofball and I love how he makes such an amazing side character and I love the main character's personality, it's so refreshing.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. I think Elementary school kids would like it. The plot was cool, and would keep kids interested. I also think they would find the main characters (for the most part) relatable. As an adult though, it wasn't developed enough and there were quite a few conveniences that are hard to overlook.

[Todd Glaeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun and entertaining book by Caroline Carlson. I look forward to reading anything by her. This one involves doors to other worlds and a smart girl who goes adventuring to find out why they are stuck closed.

[Marycatherine Lowery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I have read all of Carolyn's books and this may be my favorite. This was a creative sci-fi novel with fun characters mixed with humor. It kept me, an adult thoroughly engaged from start to finish. Highly recommended for any age.

[Laurie]

Delightful, creative, and funny, with a inspiring, relatable protagonist who has often been overlooked but discovers her courage and claims her agency. I've loved all of Caroline Carlson's books, and this new one is just as smart and fun as the rest.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 stars. Fun story of an end-of-the-world gatekeeper who gets caught up into an adventure/conspiracy, along with a boy who falls through the gate into her world. I love the bees! Very creative and fast paced.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Goodreads ARC recipient from forever ago!**

I’m sad I didn’t read this sooner! I loved every minute of this fun ride of a book! I think my kiddos will love it, too, when they are a wee bit older (more in the middle grade age range).

Cute, quirky, creative, silly, and awesome!