Written by Caroline Carlson
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.
Reviewed by LeeAnne Grover, Librarian, Hillside Elementary
Review shared in April 2020
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-9
The Door at the End of the World
Written by Caroline Carlson
Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
285 pages
Release Date: April 9, 2019
ISBN: 9780062368300 (hardcover) / 9780062368317 (paperback)
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
