What do you think?
Rate this book
The Master's Door
86 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2026
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲
The Masters Door was an interesting read and had some fantastic imagery. There were scenes that felt very lush and gothic and brought to life which I appreciated, and the concept itself felt like a haunted fairy tale. The mirrored ballroom scene was especially interesting and in my opinion, was the highlight of the novella.
However, I did have a lot of issues with the story. I think it could have undergone a round or two of edits—there were a few spots that lacked logical consistency. In one scene, she was standing in a room, and then suddenly she’s laying in a bed in what seemed like a completely different place? Or someone’s mouth somehow being simultaneously in 3 different spots due to the way the scene was written. There were other things that didn’t make much sense to me as well—like being surprised something in her dream knew something about her, or that she was dancing and talking to a statue at all? And the statue/master thing was also confusing in many ways. I additionally couldn’t tell what the author wanted us to feel in regards to the master, and I would say that there were a lot of mixed signals with the delivery of that.
And another note… I really wanted our FMC to be more… real? Relatable? And not a prop for the story concept. Plus the ending conversation confused me further, and I’m left wondering if I interpreted everything correctly… which CAN be a really great thing (Like Suckerpunch) if it’s executed correctly. But in this case, I just felt like there wasn’t enough information given to make me sit and reflect on it all. It just left me more confused.
The writing itself definitely delivered the tone. It’s a specific sort of style that I don’t take any issue with—I just wish it was fleshed out more and edited with a heavier hand. The story has great potential, and I do hope the author considers revising it and republishing!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Masters Door was an interesting read and had some fantastic imagery. There were scenes that felt very lush and gothic and brought to life which I appreciated, and the concept itself felt like a haunted fairy tale. The mirrored ballroom scene was especially interesting and in my opinion, was the highlight of the novella.
However, I did have a lot of issues with the story. I think it could have undergone a round or two of edits—there were a few spots that lacked logical consistency. In one scene, she was standing in a room, and then suddenly she’s laying in a bed in what seemed like a completely different place? Or someone’s mouth somehow being simultaneously in 3 different spots due to the way the scene was written. There were other things that didn’t make much sense to me as well—like being surprised something in her dream knew something about her, or that she was dancing and talking to a statue at all? And the statue/master thing was also confusing in many ways. I additionally couldn’t tell what the author wanted us to feel in regards to the master, and I would say that there were a lot of mixed signals with the delivery of that.
And another note… I really wanted our FMC to be more… real? Relatable? And not a prop for the story concept. Plus the ending conversation confused me further, and I’m left wondering if I interpreted everything correctly… which CAN be a really great thing (Like Suckerpunch) if it’s executed correctly. But in this case, I just felt like there wasn’t enough information given to make me sit and reflect on it all. It just left me more confused.
The writing itself definitely delivered the tone. It’s a specific sort of style that I don’t take any issue with—I just wish it was fleshed out more and edited with a heavier hand. The story has great potential, and I do hope the author considers revising it and republishing!
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Elinor has been left in the countryside alone while her guardian is away conducting business. While there she begins having strange dreams of a man and seeing a mysterious door. As the days progress she is drawn more into the dream world and wants less to do with the living.
This novella was unique. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. The novella was somewhat slower paced. The writing was vivid and you do connect with Elinor's emotions. The author does a wonderful job of world building. I do feel the ending was rushed and slightly jumbled though. So much time was spent building up to the finale and then it was thrown together in a few pages. You are still left wondering what is actually the whole point. Is it real? Is it all in her mind? Is it paranormal? Maybe that is the whole point, you can make of it what you want. Honestly, if the book had been longer I would have likely been upset that I spent so much time reading it. Mainly due to the fact that there is no clarity in what is actually happening. As previously stated, maybe this is the point. Personally, this just does not resonate with me as a reader.
Also, one word of caution, there is an attempted SA, so please be aware of this trigger.
This novella was unique. I'm honestly not sure how I feel about it. The novella was somewhat slower paced. The writing was vivid and you do connect with Elinor's emotions. The author does a wonderful job of world building. I do feel the ending was rushed and slightly jumbled though. So much time was spent building up to the finale and then it was thrown together in a few pages. You are still left wondering what is actually the whole point. Is it real? Is it all in her mind? Is it paranormal? Maybe that is the whole point, you can make of it what you want. Honestly, if the book had been longer I would have likely been upset that I spent so much time reading it. Mainly due to the fact that there is no clarity in what is actually happening. As previously stated, maybe this is the point. Personally, this just does not resonate with me as a reader.
Also, one word of caution, there is an attempted SA, so please be aware of this trigger.
June 15, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Elinor is left alone in a large estate, her guardian leaving her in the care of staff. She finds herself curiously venturing around, though she's warned to stay in her room. When she comes across a broken statue of an angel in an old crypt, she begins to dream of a dark, mysterious man she's drawn to.
I absolutely adore this story! It's so reminiscent of Labyrinth with the wonderfully colorful dreamscapes and darkly magical world beyond our own. There's something sinister about this mystery man, yet you're drawn in all the same. It's the perfect length, and the writing itself is so beautiful and created a gorgeous visual for me as I read.
I absolutely would recommend this to anyone, especially those who grew up watching things like Labyrinth and Legend. It hits a spot for me that makes me feel so fulfilled. I love the historical setting, and I absolutely love the last part/epilogue of the book-it lends to the overall juxtaposition of giving in to the darkness but being deluded into happiness.
Would highly recommend and will read more from this author!
Elinor is left alone in a large estate, her guardian leaving her in the care of staff. She finds herself curiously venturing around, though she's warned to stay in her room. When she comes across a broken statue of an angel in an old crypt, she begins to dream of a dark, mysterious man she's drawn to.
I absolutely adore this story! It's so reminiscent of Labyrinth with the wonderfully colorful dreamscapes and darkly magical world beyond our own. There's something sinister about this mystery man, yet you're drawn in all the same. It's the perfect length, and the writing itself is so beautiful and created a gorgeous visual for me as I read.
I absolutely would recommend this to anyone, especially those who grew up watching things like Labyrinth and Legend. It hits a spot for me that makes me feel so fulfilled. I love the historical setting, and I absolutely love the last part/epilogue of the book-it lends to the overall juxtaposition of giving in to the darkness but being deluded into happiness.
Would highly recommend and will read more from this author!
June 22, 2026
Thank you for the oportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Whike I understand this was an ARC read, the book didnt feel as though it had been fully editted with choppy sentences and dialogue. In places the descriptions didnt flow or were minimal and could have been more fleshed out to draw the reader into the world.
The story built nicely albeit a little vague at times with not as much description in places as there could have been but the vagueness added to the mystery and suspense in other places that felt appropriate. The ending felt a little rushed and left me with more questions about the mystery of their relationship and how the FMC crossed, I think, into his world. It'd be intriguing to get some more world building or description and see the story's potential reached fully and get this to a high rating.
Whike I understand this was an ARC read, the book didnt feel as though it had been fully editted with choppy sentences and dialogue. In places the descriptions didnt flow or were minimal and could have been more fleshed out to draw the reader into the world.
The story built nicely albeit a little vague at times with not as much description in places as there could have been but the vagueness added to the mystery and suspense in other places that felt appropriate. The ending felt a little rushed and left me with more questions about the mystery of their relationship and how the FMC crossed, I think, into his world. It'd be intriguing to get some more world building or description and see the story's potential reached fully and get this to a high rating.
July 8, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a dark, gothic romance novella. It does have some themes and content that may be disturbing to some readers, so of course, check the trigger warnings before reading.
If I could sum up my reaction to this in one word, it would be this: wow. I love gothic stories, and the Master is everything you could ever want in a morally grey male lead; he's enigmatic, mysterious and impossible to resist. For part of the story, the female lead, Elinor, is dreaming, and I think that was beauty of it; the whole story felt dreamlike somehow.
This was only a short read, but it gave me goosebumps. I was left craving a little bit more, so now I'm off to find more gothic romance to read.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.
This is a dark, gothic romance novella. It does have some themes and content that may be disturbing to some readers, so of course, check the trigger warnings before reading.
If I could sum up my reaction to this in one word, it would be this: wow. I love gothic stories, and the Master is everything you could ever want in a morally grey male lead; he's enigmatic, mysterious and impossible to resist. For part of the story, the female lead, Elinor, is dreaming, and I think that was beauty of it; the whole story felt dreamlike somehow.
This was only a short read, but it gave me goosebumps. I was left craving a little bit more, so now I'm off to find more gothic romance to read.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for a free copy to review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A bit of Strange
A new to me author and I was interestingly pleased. The story is short the minimum of heat but the dialog compelling. Like a mystery you wanted the end to.
This was definitely odd in bits about a house and its inhabitant.
He a figment of her lonely imagination? Her full of innocent curiosity and vivid wanderings. Them were they just tall tales, each darker than the one before?
The guardian an odd duck yet transparent if one looks deep enough.
A new to me author and I was interestingly pleased. The story is short the minimum of heat but the dialog compelling. Like a mystery you wanted the end to.
This was definitely odd in bits about a house and its inhabitant.
He a figment of her lonely imagination? Her full of innocent curiosity and vivid wanderings. Them were they just tall tales, each darker than the one before?
The guardian an odd duck yet transparent if one looks deep enough.
July 13, 2026
ARC read
Was a very quick easy read, I feel like the ending could have been better, it felt a little rushed, but i did enjoy it. It felt very Gothic and dark.
Was a very quick easy read, I feel like the ending could have been better, it felt a little rushed, but i did enjoy it. It felt very Gothic and dark.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews