Review: Through The Door

Through The Door by Jodi McIsaac is an intriguing story about a woman whose daughter can open portals to other places The story starts out with Cedar McLeod and her boyfriend Finn out at a street fair, having a good time, and Cedar is waiting for the right moment to tell him she's pregnant. Finn is acting strangely though, as if he keeps seeing someone or something in the crowd that makes him uneasy. He cuts the evening short and doesn't stay with her that night- and the next day, when Cedar goes to his place she finds him gone- without a trace. His apartment is empty and there is no sign of him anywhere.

We then fast forward seven years and cedar has moved on with her life. She's a single mom, raising a daughter and trying to make ends meet. Then something happens to shake up her life- one night Cedar discovers that her daughter Eden has a very special ability. She create a portal to other places just by opening a door. They pass through a door and find themselves in Egypt, before the pyramids- and other places too, anywhere that Eden has seen, even if only on TV. Cedar is of course stunned, and begins to suspect this may have something to do with Eden's father, Finn.



 I thought the writing was good, very polished for a debut novel. There are some neat moments, including a cool bar that humans can't see and a thrilling battle between immortals and mermaids. About halfway through we get a POV change and we get to see the story from the perspective of the villain, which is certainly interesting. She's a nasty piece of work too!  The characters are compelling and well drawn for the most part, I thought the author handled Cedar particularly well especially the emotional aspects of her journey. Cedar's actions and feelings seemed very authentic and realistic. I liked the mystery aspect of the early going, and only towards the end did I tire a bit as the story moves into the fae realm and got perhaps a bit predictable. The end is satisfying but leaves the door (sorry) open for a follow up- and in fact, books 2 and 3 are already out.