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The Door by the Staircase
Twelve-year-old Mary Hayes can't stand her orphanage for another night. But when an attempted escape through the stove pipe doesn't go quite as well as she'd hoped, Mary fears she'll be stuck in the Buffalo Asylum for Young Ladies forever.
The very next day, a mysterious woman named Madame Z appears at the orphanage requesting to adopt Mary, and the matron's all too happy to get the girl off her hands. Soon, Mary is fed a hearty meal, dressed in a clean, new nightgown and shown to a soft bed with blankets piled high. She can hardly believe she isn't dreaming!
But when Mary begins to explore the strange nearby town with the help of her new friend, Jacob, she learns a terrifying secret about Madame Z's true identity. If Mary's not careful, her new home might just turn into a nightmare.
Award-winning author Katherine Marsh draws from Russian fairytales in this darkly funny middle-grade fantasy novel
The very next day, a mysterious woman named Madame Z appears at the orphanage requesting to adopt Mary, and the matron's all too happy to get the girl off her hands. Soon, Mary is fed a hearty meal, dressed in a clean, new nightgown and shown to a soft bed with blankets piled high. She can hardly believe she isn't dreaming!
But when Mary begins to explore the strange nearby town with the help of her new friend, Jacob, she learns a terrifying secret about Madame Z's true identity. If Mary's not careful, her new home might just turn into a nightmare.
Award-winning author Katherine Marsh draws from Russian fairytales in this darkly funny middle-grade fantasy novel
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2016
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2421 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
February 19, 2019
When a strange woman adopts Mary Hayes from the Buffalo Asylum for Young Ladies, Mary can hardly believe her luck. Finally she has a warm, cozy bed, and a full belly. And, she quickly finds a friend in the nearby village of Iris, a tourist trap of a place filled with "con artists, fakes, and charlatans." But before long, Mary discovers that she's not the first girl to be adopted by the mysterious Madame Z. What happened to all the others? And, why is the door by the staircase kept locked? And, in a town filled with tricksters, just who can she trust?
This was so much fun, and the ending was terrific. A magical tale that I highly recommend to all fairy tale fans.
This was so much fun, and the ending was terrific. A magical tale that I highly recommend to all fairy tale fans.
January 8, 2016
Fafa's Book Corner (Wordpress)
Fafa's Book Corner (Blogger)
Beware spoilers ahead!
I received this E-ARC via Netgalley and Disney Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.
When I first heard about this it sounded right up my alley. I did not hesitate to select 'Wish it' on Netgalley. Needless to say I was very happy when it was available for request. I am happy to say that I enjoyed this!
The book begins with Mary trying to escape the orphanage. Her mother and brother died in a fire. The only reason she is alive is because she snuck out to read a fairytale book that her brother gave her. She awoke in the snow to the sounds of her mother and brothers screams. She has been in the orphanage since then.
Although Mary does not like it. The woman who owns the orphanage is rude and extremely mean to all the girls. Mary does not wish to live there any more so she devised a plan to sneak out through the chimney.
After some struggle she escapes the building. Once she is outside though a whirlwind starts. She tries running through the whirlwind but it is no use. Mrs. Boots (the owner of the orphanage) awakes and finds Mary trying to sneak out. When she goes to get her the whirlwind stops. And Mary assumes that she must have been seeing things.
The next day a woman is looking for a girl to adopt. Much to Mary's surprise she chooses her. Mary excitedly gathers her belongings and leaves the orphanage. The woman who adopted her is Madame Z. She's Russian. She promises to feed and take care of Mary.
After some time they arrive in the town where Madame Z lives. Iris. It's a very odd town. She serves Mary some food and promises to go shopping for Mary's essentials. Madame Z takes Mary to get her a coat. After she has gotten Mary a coat, Madame Z allows Mary to explore the town meanwhile she runs some errands.
Mary comes across Jacob, the son of an illusionist. The two quickly become friends. Over the past few days life is perfect for Mary. She is well feed and taken care off. Then she starts to notice odd things. Like the orange light at night, and the tiny door that has no key. Soon she realizes that Madame Z is not who she claims to be. Together Jacob and Mary try to uncover Madame Z's real identity while trying to stay alive.
This was a really sweet story! I loved the friendship between Jacob and Mary. They fit so well together. Madame Z is not what I expected to be. In the end I actually liked her. It was nice reading about all the various characters that come in with their quirks. What I especially loved was how this story is about family and finding your home with your family.
I don't have any criticism for this. It's four stars because while I thoroughly enjoyed this I didn't love it.
Overall this was a sweet story! I recommend it to fans of fairytale retellings and fantasy.
Fafa's Book Corner (Blogger)
Beware spoilers ahead!
I received this E-ARC via Netgalley and Disney Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.
When I first heard about this it sounded right up my alley. I did not hesitate to select 'Wish it' on Netgalley. Needless to say I was very happy when it was available for request. I am happy to say that I enjoyed this!
The book begins with Mary trying to escape the orphanage. Her mother and brother died in a fire. The only reason she is alive is because she snuck out to read a fairytale book that her brother gave her. She awoke in the snow to the sounds of her mother and brothers screams. She has been in the orphanage since then.
Although Mary does not like it. The woman who owns the orphanage is rude and extremely mean to all the girls. Mary does not wish to live there any more so she devised a plan to sneak out through the chimney.
After some struggle she escapes the building. Once she is outside though a whirlwind starts. She tries running through the whirlwind but it is no use. Mrs. Boots (the owner of the orphanage) awakes and finds Mary trying to sneak out. When she goes to get her the whirlwind stops. And Mary assumes that she must have been seeing things.
The next day a woman is looking for a girl to adopt. Much to Mary's surprise she chooses her. Mary excitedly gathers her belongings and leaves the orphanage. The woman who adopted her is Madame Z. She's Russian. She promises to feed and take care of Mary.
After some time they arrive in the town where Madame Z lives. Iris. It's a very odd town. She serves Mary some food and promises to go shopping for Mary's essentials. Madame Z takes Mary to get her a coat. After she has gotten Mary a coat, Madame Z allows Mary to explore the town meanwhile she runs some errands.
Mary comes across Jacob, the son of an illusionist. The two quickly become friends. Over the past few days life is perfect for Mary. She is well feed and taken care off. Then she starts to notice odd things. Like the orange light at night, and the tiny door that has no key. Soon she realizes that Madame Z is not who she claims to be. Together Jacob and Mary try to uncover Madame Z's real identity while trying to stay alive.
This was a really sweet story! I loved the friendship between Jacob and Mary. They fit so well together. Madame Z is not what I expected to be. In the end I actually liked her. It was nice reading about all the various characters that come in with their quirks. What I especially loved was how this story is about family and finding your home with your family.
I don't have any criticism for this. It's four stars because while I thoroughly enjoyed this I didn't love it.
Overall this was a sweet story! I recommend it to fans of fairytale retellings and fantasy.
June 22, 2016
I grew up reading Russian fairy tales, so it didn't take me long to figure out who "Madame Z" is. That said, this is an imaginative use of a classic Russian character, and a nice brew of folklore, fantasy, and the classic theme of an orphan finding a home, and an adult who doesn't think they can love, learning that they can. Highly enjoyable.
March 12, 2016
2.5 STARS
This was featured in my Books I Want To Read in 2016 video, so you could say I was pretty damn excited about this one. I purchased a copy last month and decided to pick it up this month because I felt like it was calling to me from my shelves. Well that must’ve been another book calling to me and The Door by the Staircase interfered with its reception because I was kinda disappointed with this one.
This book is about a young girl named Mary who’s living in an orphanage after her mother and brother perish in a fire. A woman comes and adopts Mary and gives her a home she only could dream of… but there’s something up with Madame Z and it’s up to Mary and her new friend to figure it out before it’s too late.
I just made the book sound AWESOME with that synopsis. But it wasn’t.
For some reason when I found out about this book, I got the feeling it took place in modern times, but it ended up taking place in either a time that was never mentioned or an alternate universe, I’m not too sure. Now that didn’t make me like the book less, it was just something I noticed.
After getting 30 pages in, it seemed to be going pretty slow and then the 100 page mark was hit and things BARELY got going. That’s a HUGE pet peeve of mine when a book takes 100 pages to get poppin’, especially Middle Grade books because it’s hard to keep a child’s attention as it is, so why take so damn long? It makes no sense.
This was an interesting read for me because it plays off of the Baba Yaga folktale, which I knew nothing about and quickly googled after learning about it. I liked that it was something different and it was giving me a HEAVY Spirited Away vibe, like I can totally see this being made into an animated movie just like that. If it weren’t for that vibe, I would’ve put this down sooner because I LOVE Spirited Away. But I kept going and do I regret it? No, Was I happy at the end? No lol
I liked the characters, the cat, Jacob, the interesting creatures Mary comes across but a lot of things could’ve been better. There was also this big reveal at the end and to me it just came out of nowhere and made me go whaaaaa? Because yes, there were clues but they weren’t written in a way that you knew it was something you’d have to decipher later on if you get what I mean.
The book was pretty meh.
Again the story could’ve been 10x better but it was still a cute read and I’d say still read it if you were planning to.
I’ll be talking more about it in my March Wrap Up.
- Richard
This was featured in my Books I Want To Read in 2016 video, so you could say I was pretty damn excited about this one. I purchased a copy last month and decided to pick it up this month because I felt like it was calling to me from my shelves. Well that must’ve been another book calling to me and The Door by the Staircase interfered with its reception because I was kinda disappointed with this one.
This book is about a young girl named Mary who’s living in an orphanage after her mother and brother perish in a fire. A woman comes and adopts Mary and gives her a home she only could dream of… but there’s something up with Madame Z and it’s up to Mary and her new friend to figure it out before it’s too late.
I just made the book sound AWESOME with that synopsis. But it wasn’t.
For some reason when I found out about this book, I got the feeling it took place in modern times, but it ended up taking place in either a time that was never mentioned or an alternate universe, I’m not too sure. Now that didn’t make me like the book less, it was just something I noticed.
After getting 30 pages in, it seemed to be going pretty slow and then the 100 page mark was hit and things BARELY got going. That’s a HUGE pet peeve of mine when a book takes 100 pages to get poppin’, especially Middle Grade books because it’s hard to keep a child’s attention as it is, so why take so damn long? It makes no sense.
This was an interesting read for me because it plays off of the Baba Yaga folktale, which I knew nothing about and quickly googled after learning about it. I liked that it was something different and it was giving me a HEAVY Spirited Away vibe, like I can totally see this being made into an animated movie just like that. If it weren’t for that vibe, I would’ve put this down sooner because I LOVE Spirited Away. But I kept going and do I regret it? No, Was I happy at the end? No lol
I liked the characters, the cat, Jacob, the interesting creatures Mary comes across but a lot of things could’ve been better. There was also this big reveal at the end and to me it just came out of nowhere and made me go whaaaaa? Because yes, there were clues but they weren’t written in a way that you knew it was something you’d have to decipher later on if you get what I mean.
The book was pretty meh.
Again the story could’ve been 10x better but it was still a cute read and I’d say still read it if you were planning to.
I’ll be talking more about it in my March Wrap Up.
- Richard
June 13, 2017
If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:
✱ Deathless (not middle-grade)
✱ Plain Kate
✱ The Cats of Tanglewood Forest
✱ West of the Moon
✱ Beastkeeper
✱ Odd and the Frost Giants
✱ Deathless (not middle-grade)
✱ Plain Kate
✱ The Cats of Tanglewood Forest
✱ West of the Moon
✱ Beastkeeper
✱ Odd and the Frost Giants
June 8, 2017
An enchanting retelling of the Baba Yaga tale, with a feisty main character, Mary Hayes, who will stay with you long after you've closed the book.
November 2, 2021
*3.5 stars - I picked this book up because the cover reminded me of Coraline, but this book was definitely not what I expected. Full of Russian folklore and mythical creatures, this is a story about an orphan girl trying to find a home. The title of the book is misleading to me as far as what the book is about. But I still enjoyed the story. The beginning felt a little slow, but by the end I felt like this was a solid story about bravery, friendship, and family.
March 28, 2023
I absolutely adore this book! This is my second time reading it, and I always want to cry at the end with joy! It’s such a feel good novel. My mamachka and I both have a special relationship with this book :) recommend!
January 11, 2016
The Door by the Staircase is Katherine Marsh’s riff on the Russian tale of the witch Baba Yaga. The book has all the creepiness and unworldliness of the folk tale, but Marsh expands on it, giving us a cluster of engaging characters who all draw our sympathy—including the witch herself.
Young Mary Hayes is happy to be adopted by the mysterious Madame Z, a woman who appears “hunched, with a long nose and big ears that had clearly continued to grow while the rest of her shriveled.” Anything’s better than continued life in an orphanage. Yes, Madame Z is a bit odd, but Mary is willing to overlook her eccentricities. The home Madame Z takes Mary to is also odd. It’s located not far from Iris where “save for a few ordinary establishments such as a hotel and bank, the town was filled with storefronts that advertised the occult—from mind reading to magic to communicating with the dead.”
The novel has foreshadowing galore: Madame Z wants to fatten Mary up; Mary discovers she’s not the first girl to be adopted by Madame Z, though none of the previous adoptees remain; work gets done in Madame Z’s house as if by magic; there’s also the floor-to-ceiling brick over in the kitchen.
Mary and her new friend Jacob need to uncover the truth about Madame Z, and about the town of Iris, before it’s too late. Which of the town’s magical residents are the real thing, which are frauds? Can Mary and Jacob get the help they need before Madame Z gets hungry? Why can’t Mary get into the door by the staircase? (When she tries, the lock bites her finger!)
The Door by the Staircase‘s mix of terror and humor should prove a real delight for grade school aged readers.
Young Mary Hayes is happy to be adopted by the mysterious Madame Z, a woman who appears “hunched, with a long nose and big ears that had clearly continued to grow while the rest of her shriveled.” Anything’s better than continued life in an orphanage. Yes, Madame Z is a bit odd, but Mary is willing to overlook her eccentricities. The home Madame Z takes Mary to is also odd. It’s located not far from Iris where “save for a few ordinary establishments such as a hotel and bank, the town was filled with storefronts that advertised the occult—from mind reading to magic to communicating with the dead.”
The novel has foreshadowing galore: Madame Z wants to fatten Mary up; Mary discovers she’s not the first girl to be adopted by Madame Z, though none of the previous adoptees remain; work gets done in Madame Z’s house as if by magic; there’s also the floor-to-ceiling brick over in the kitchen.
Mary and her new friend Jacob need to uncover the truth about Madame Z, and about the town of Iris, before it’s too late. Which of the town’s magical residents are the real thing, which are frauds? Can Mary and Jacob get the help they need before Madame Z gets hungry? Why can’t Mary get into the door by the staircase? (When she tries, the lock bites her finger!)
The Door by the Staircase‘s mix of terror and humor should prove a real delight for grade school aged readers.
October 30, 2015
Originally posted here at In the Senter of it All
Very scary at times. Madame Z is so kind at first but turns out to be a witch who eats children.
Genre: Scary
AR level: none yet
Grade appropriate:4th and up
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 4/5-- Very scary. If you go into it expecting that it might not be quite the shock. It catches you completely off guard.
Creativity: 4/5-- a retelling of the Baba Yaga tale.
Characters: 5/5-- I loved Mary from the beginning. She’s a survivor. When she decides she’d rather risk Baba Yaga than be alone again, it breaks your heart. And Jacob is the friend we all wish we had had growing up.
Engrossing: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to kids: 4/5-- I think if it is marketed as scary it will be a hit.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: mild-- Baba Yaga is a witch who eats children so the imagery there is disturbing, but in the end she’s not the worst villain. There’s someone worse.
Drugs/Alcohol: none
Very scary at times. Madame Z is so kind at first but turns out to be a witch who eats children.
Genre: Scary
AR level: none yet
Grade appropriate:4th and up
RATING BREAKDOWN:
Overall: 4/5-- Very scary. If you go into it expecting that it might not be quite the shock. It catches you completely off guard.
Creativity: 4/5-- a retelling of the Baba Yaga tale.
Characters: 5/5-- I loved Mary from the beginning. She’s a survivor. When she decides she’d rather risk Baba Yaga than be alone again, it breaks your heart. And Jacob is the friend we all wish we had had growing up.
Engrossing: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Appeal to kids: 4/5-- I think if it is marketed as scary it will be a hit.
Appropriate length to tell the story: 5/5
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: mild-- Baba Yaga is a witch who eats children so the imagery there is disturbing, but in the end she’s not the worst villain. There’s someone worse.
Drugs/Alcohol: none
September 25, 2021
A really strong intermediate fantasy! When Mary tries to escape her orphanage she instead gets adopted by a mysterious old woman from eastern Europe named "Madame Z". Mary's new home is located at the edge of an occult town full of charlatans who perform "magic" for tourists, and while Mary's new guardian claims not to have anything to do with magic, the food seems to be prepared with no effort, the cat seems to respond to human speech and there is a strange biting door under the stairs... something is UP, something that may be sinister...
Lovely and satisfying; the author does a good job of blending eastern and western European folklore (Brothers Grimm on the one hand, Baba Yaga on the other) with its U.S.-in-the-1800s setting. I particularly enjoyed getting to explore the occult town alongside the characters, as well as the tension inherit to the story. The ending did ramp up into rushing around mode very suddenly, but all the plot elements came together well and everything was honestly quite sweet.
-Angela
Lovely and satisfying; the author does a good job of blending eastern and western European folklore (Brothers Grimm on the one hand, Baba Yaga on the other) with its U.S.-in-the-1800s setting. I particularly enjoyed getting to explore the occult town alongside the characters, as well as the tension inherit to the story. The ending did ramp up into rushing around mode very suddenly, but all the plot elements came together well and everything was honestly quite sweet.
-Angela
February 2, 2016
THE DOOR BY THE STAIRCASE by Katherine Marsh is a fantasy adventure based on the Russian Baba Yaga folktales.
Designed for middle grades, this dark fantasy follows the story of orphan Mary Hayes who is adopted by the mysterious Madame Z. Mary’s new home seems ideal until she begins to realize that her savior may have a dark side.
Librarians will find this fantasy to be popular with children who enjoy folk tales. Teachers wishing to explore traditional folklore at the middle grades may consider this title as part of a literature circle focusing on folklore adaptations.
To learn more about the author, go to http://katherinemarsh.com/.
Published by Disney-Hyperion on January 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
Designed for middle grades, this dark fantasy follows the story of orphan Mary Hayes who is adopted by the mysterious Madame Z. Mary’s new home seems ideal until she begins to realize that her savior may have a dark side.
Librarians will find this fantasy to be popular with children who enjoy folk tales. Teachers wishing to explore traditional folklore at the middle grades may consider this title as part of a literature circle focusing on folklore adaptations.
To learn more about the author, go to http://katherinemarsh.com/.
Published by Disney-Hyperion on January 5, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
October 4, 2017
While this is certainly a retelling of the Baba Yaga story, it also has a heavy Studio Ghibli vibe - like a combo of Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle.
If that gets you going, then you'll definitely want to read this story of tween orphan Mary Hayes, a fearless girl who we meet while she's trying to escape the dreadful orphanage where she lives in Buffalo. Unfortunately, she's caught in the act. Fortunately, she is adopted the next day by Madame Z, and things are looking fantastic until Mary reframes what's happening and realizes that rather than being well-fed and cared for, she is instead being fattened up to become a meal. Through the help of friend Jacob and the many amusing characters she meets, Mary fights to change the situation and turn it to her advantage.
A very satisfying conclusion and strong female characters put this title near the top of my favorites for this year's OBOB list. Some intense situations make this more suitable as a read alone for 4th grade and up, but intrepid younger readers and those who have adult companions to read aloud are in for a treat. Read in preparation for OBOB2018.
If that gets you going, then you'll definitely want to read this story of tween orphan Mary Hayes, a fearless girl who we meet while she's trying to escape the dreadful orphanage where she lives in Buffalo. Unfortunately, she's caught in the act. Fortunately, she is adopted the next day by Madame Z, and things are looking fantastic until Mary reframes what's happening and realizes that rather than being well-fed and cared for, she is instead being fattened up to become a meal. Through the help of friend Jacob and the many amusing characters she meets, Mary fights to change the situation and turn it to her advantage.
A very satisfying conclusion and strong female characters put this title near the top of my favorites for this year's OBOB list. Some intense situations make this more suitable as a read alone for 4th grade and up, but intrepid younger readers and those who have adult companions to read aloud are in for a treat. Read in preparation for OBOB2018.
August 27, 2022
I must admit that at first I was a bit annoyed with all the freely taken elements from various Russian fairy tales, seeing as this can't really be classified as a retelling. I always wonder if there's a point when something stops being an original work of art and becomes a mere copy. This book is a proper medley of various familiar characters in a new setting, with an American orphan girl as the main character. The fact that it started off kind of slow didn't help either.
However. The further I read the more interested I became, until by the end I was really enjoying the tale and the adventure, and I was even happy with the ending. Although the characters are familiar, they were given new life in this book, and their stories spun in a new way. It was exciting and heartwarming. I believe I would have loved it as a child.
I recommend reading it in the fall, October or November, for a proper mood setting.
However. The further I read the more interested I became, until by the end I was really enjoying the tale and the adventure, and I was even happy with the ending. Although the characters are familiar, they were given new life in this book, and their stories spun in a new way. It was exciting and heartwarming. I believe I would have loved it as a child.
I recommend reading it in the fall, October or November, for a proper mood setting.
September 16, 2024
4.5☆
This book was full of surprises. Honestly, I even forgot it was a middle grade book, it seems one for all ages, but also has some themes I didn't think a middle grade would have.
This was the perfect read for the current date, the middle of September, and will definitely get on my recommendation list for October. It is a perfect mix of creepy and emotional and funny. One moment will have you in tears, the next will have your jaw drop, and then your heart warms.
It's a beautiful tale of family and friendship, with magic - both real and fake - interwoven in it.
ALSO it has a talking cat. What else do you need?
I really liked the mix of Russian folklore. I'm a big fan of folklore and mythology, but most books tend to focus on Greek mythology.
To anyone reading this (not sure it is many) I definitely recommend this one! Especially the audiobook, which was a great listen.
This book was full of surprises. Honestly, I even forgot it was a middle grade book, it seems one for all ages, but also has some themes I didn't think a middle grade would have.
This was the perfect read for the current date, the middle of September, and will definitely get on my recommendation list for October. It is a perfect mix of creepy and emotional and funny. One moment will have you in tears, the next will have your jaw drop, and then your heart warms.
It's a beautiful tale of family and friendship, with magic - both real and fake - interwoven in it.
ALSO it has a talking cat. What else do you need?
I really liked the mix of Russian folklore. I'm a big fan of folklore and mythology, but most books tend to focus on Greek mythology.
To anyone reading this (not sure it is many) I definitely recommend this one! Especially the audiobook, which was a great listen.
November 20, 2025
یه کتاب سرشار از جادو و افسانههای روسیه.
مری دختر یتیمیه که قصد داره از یتیمخانه فرار چنه اما گیر میافته. روز بعد زن پیری به نام مادام زی برای به فرزندخواندگی گرفتنش میاد و زندگی مری از این رو به اون رو میشه و به آرزوش که داشتن خونهست میرسه.
اما آیریس، شهری که مادام زی در اون زندگی میکنه، شهری جادوییه و علاوهبر جادو، شعبدهبازهایی هم وجود داره. مثل جیکوب و پدرش که مری با جیکوب دوست میشه.
ارتباط مری با جادوگر بچهخوار و سایر موجودات جادویی که ریشه در افسانههای روسی داره، داستان جادویی این کتابه که شیرین و دلنشینه.
همه عناصر جادویی داستان هم طوری کنار هم قرار میگیرن که نتیجه قشنگی به دنبال داشته باشه. در عین چالشهایی که در مری و جیکوب در پیش دارن، جادوی قشنگی در کنار جادوی پلیدی قرار داره.
پانویسهای کتاب خیلی دقیق و خوب بود و مشتاق میشدم برم درباره این افسانهها و موجودات بیشتر سرچ کنم. داستان شیرینی بود و از خوندنش لذت بردم.
مری دختر یتیمیه که قصد داره از یتیمخانه فرار چنه اما گیر میافته. روز بعد زن پیری به نام مادام زی برای به فرزندخواندگی گرفتنش میاد و زندگی مری از این رو به اون رو میشه و به آرزوش که داشتن خونهست میرسه.
اما آیریس، شهری که مادام زی در اون زندگی میکنه، شهری جادوییه و علاوهبر جادو، شعبدهبازهایی هم وجود داره. مثل جیکوب و پدرش که مری با جیکوب دوست میشه.
ارتباط مری با جادوگر بچهخوار و سایر موجودات جادویی که ریشه در افسانههای روسی داره، داستان جادویی این کتابه که شیرین و دلنشینه.
همه عناصر جادویی داستان هم طوری کنار هم قرار میگیرن که نتیجه قشنگی به دنبال داشته باشه. در عین چالشهایی که در مری و جیکوب در پیش دارن، جادوی قشنگی در کنار جادوی پلیدی قرار داره.
پانویسهای کتاب خیلی دقیق و خوب بود و مشتاق میشدم برم درباره این افسانهها و موجودات بیشتر سرچ کنم. داستان شیرینی بود و از خوندنش لذت بردم.
October 18, 2018
I wasn't totally in love with this book, but I don't agree with prior reviews that call it "too scary" for children. While there are certainly aspects of classic fairy tale scariness, I felt that the overall message of the book was that even when someone has a dark past, they're capable of change and can be worthy of love. It's a cute story, albeit not the most original I've ever read, and I think it's a great choice for kids or anyone who appreciates children's literature.
January 28, 2020
1 Sentence Summary: The day after Mary tries to escape from the orphanage, a mysterious old lady adopts her, and she is not who she claims to be.
My Thoughts: I loved this! It has a lot of Russian fairytale elements to it, which was really cool. It's a fun, middle-grade fantasy that drew me in. I also really liked the atmosphere of the book; it was kind of mysterious and magical.
Recommend to: Younger readers who like fantasy and fairytales.
My Thoughts: I loved this! It has a lot of Russian fairytale elements to it, which was really cool. It's a fun, middle-grade fantasy that drew me in. I also really liked the atmosphere of the book; it was kind of mysterious and magical.
Recommend to: Younger readers who like fantasy and fairytales.
July 10, 2023
I really liked this book until about halfway through. I was really intrigued in the beginning. I was like: "Ooh, an orphan girl whose mom and brother died in a fire and she gets adopted by a weird old lady! I really like this book!" And then it just got a little too fantasy from there on out. Not to mention, the title is, "The Door by the Staircase" yet it really doesn't mention it much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2020
Delightful audiobook for some YA fantasy / fable escapism during a pandemic.
July 31, 2020
This is one of those rare young adult novels that checks every box. Well written in a classic form, slightly mysterious, quirky, and imaginative while the story makes sense and is VERY well paced. The characters are well rounded and well developed. I appreciated the female leads who were all types of clever, intelligent, sensitive, independent, and brave. All of that, plus the details of the book have purpose (I love when an author can add in whimsical that also makes sense as part of the story) and lead to an overarching important meaning with several interwoven threads of thoughtful symbolism. Extra points for a positive nature witch character.
February 1, 2021
Really enjoyable book with likeable characters. I enjoy the use of Russian folklore creatures in the story.
May 5, 2021
Best story that I have read this month
March 16, 2017
A well-written re-imagining of a Baba Yaga tale. The only reason it's not scored higher is because I recently read Egg and Spoon which is basically the same premise but more sophisticated. Still, a compelling read for younger readers.
September 15, 2018
"There was more power in being scary than unwanted."
I like this--please don't mistake three stars as a considerable dislike! This is a story about finding love and finding ways to love people in the midst of scary, sad, and sometimes downright spoofy situations. I like this because it's about motherhood and daughters (and friendships). A different sort of love story, which I appreciate.
To not give anything away, many of these characters have bludgeoned personalities, be it by their past or by their present selves. It's learning how to adore and sacrifice for the other. It's about love. Letting go of insecurities. Learning to give up the bad portions of yourself to love someone else--and appreciating each person's flaws at the same time. True, these people are considerably flawed, but no one is too far gone.
I was impressed by Katherine Marsh's handwriting and style. "The Door by the Staircase" is based off of a Russian folktale, which was cool to see and hear about from her perspective. This is a well-rounded book, and I read it very quickly because I was so intrigued to find the ending. Anyway, this is a good read! I'm not one for ghoulish things and whatnot, so that's why it's got three stars from me.
Rant or Rave?
RAVE mostly
I like this--please don't mistake three stars as a considerable dislike! This is a story about finding love and finding ways to love people in the midst of scary, sad, and sometimes downright spoofy situations. I like this because it's about motherhood and daughters (and friendships). A different sort of love story, which I appreciate.
To not give anything away, many of these characters have bludgeoned personalities, be it by their past or by their present selves. It's learning how to adore and sacrifice for the other. It's about love. Letting go of insecurities. Learning to give up the bad portions of yourself to love someone else--and appreciating each person's flaws at the same time. True, these people are considerably flawed, but no one is too far gone.
I was impressed by Katherine Marsh's handwriting and style. "The Door by the Staircase" is based off of a Russian folktale, which was cool to see and hear about from her perspective. This is a well-rounded book, and I read it very quickly because I was so intrigued to find the ending. Anyway, this is a good read! I'm not one for ghoulish things and whatnot, so that's why it's got three stars from me.
Rant or Rave?
RAVE mostly
July 2, 2016
3 1/2 stars. A mystery adventure based on the Russian folktale Baba Yaga. There was a lot to like in this book, an intrepid girl, magical creatures, but two elements stopped me from loving it. While the writing is solid it is occasionally heavy-handed and oddly flat at the end. We are shown how brave Mary and then we are told how brave she is...repeatedly. We are told why characters like each other and reminded again and again how important a home is. I found this redundant and annoying and it made be inclined to dislike Mary. Which brings me to my didactic reason for disliking the book-I felt Mary was too quick to replace her family and the equivalence of it- a mother for a mother, a boy for a brother- made me squirm. I also would have appreciated if either of the two child protagonists had had a flaw or two.
April 10, 2018
I read the book because my daughter liked it very much. She liked the unexpected ending.
As with others, this book reminded me of Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away and a little bit of Howl's Moving Castle (mainly the magic and the walking house).
This book showed that things are not always what they seem. Good and evil are not always so absolute or black and white. After all, in real life, such concepts are relative to your perspective and people often forget that. Mary met her challenges with courage and overcame them. A suitably positive and empowering message.
For me as an adult, the story was engaging and entertaining enough to keep me going. Some unexpected clever twists made it not boring. I found it to be a better book than I would have expected of a children's book, perhaps in the spirit and tradition of the folk tales that it took its inspirations from.
As with others, this book reminded me of Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away and a little bit of Howl's Moving Castle (mainly the magic and the walking house).
This book showed that things are not always what they seem. Good and evil are not always so absolute or black and white. After all, in real life, such concepts are relative to your perspective and people often forget that. Mary met her challenges with courage and overcame them. A suitably positive and empowering message.
For me as an adult, the story was engaging and entertaining enough to keep me going. Some unexpected clever twists made it not boring. I found it to be a better book than I would have expected of a children's book, perhaps in the spirit and tradition of the folk tales that it took its inspirations from.
March 22, 2019
I loved this story of Baba Yaga. I really enjoyed the relationship between Baba Yaga and Mary.
The story got me hooked from page one and I liked all the characters and magical elements in it.
The Russian folklore was intriguing as well.
I want to re-read this soon again to see If it's holding up to Sophie Anderson's book The House with Chicken Legs, which I really enjoyed, too.
The story got me hooked from page one and I liked all the characters and magical elements in it.
The Russian folklore was intriguing as well.
I want to re-read this soon again to see If it's holding up to Sophie Anderson's book The House with Chicken Legs, which I really enjoyed, too.
November 4, 2015
This was fantastic! I read it over the course of two very busy days (otherwise it would have been one sitting!)
I loved all of the characters and how they grew. Figuring out which characters were what was pretty fun as well. The Russian folklore that was included was quite enchanting. The only reason that this is 4 stars is because I wasn't crazy about the ending.
I loved all of the characters and how they grew. Figuring out which characters were what was pretty fun as well. The Russian folklore that was included was quite enchanting. The only reason that this is 4 stars is because I wasn't crazy about the ending.
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