100 Cupboards is the first book in a trilogy by the same name. Though the novel is found in the children’s section in most libraries, the storyline and characters are well written and relatable to readers of all ages.

Henry is an only child who was babied by his parents. Used to a sheltered life, Henry is rather ignorant to some things in life. When his parents are kidnapped on vacation, he is sent to live with his aunt and uncle and three cousins, whom he barely knows.

Henry moves to live in the small, cramped little attic with a small bed, no windows and peeling plaster on the walls. Late that night the plaster begins to fall from the wall and onto his bed. Behind the plaster Henry discovers a series of small cupboards, and an odd door with what looks to be a compass and a dial on it. The compass door thumps, and one knob turns. There is nothing on the other side of the wall, so what could possibly be the purposes of all those doors?

Wilson immerses the reader in a mysterious and magical world, but gives it a unique twist. As Henry and Henrietta, begin to uncover the secrets of the strange cupboards and the things inside, the reader always knows as little as Henry does. Whenever the cupboards seem to make sense, new information and problems arise, whether it be Henry learning to open them, or how to actually fit through, or what is behind them, and even what is behind the one door that a terrifying, vicious cat crawled out of.

The mystery and eeriness of the cupboards combined with the fantasy aspects draws the reader in. The cupboards perk curiosity yet seem dangerous, giving readers a mixed feeling of wanting to discover their purpose but avoid whatever dangers may lie on the other side. — Emily Ladd

I worried that the book may seem like a copy of C.S Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Despite sharing the aspect of having doors to a different world, there are little to no similarities, despite the villain, who has some, though not many, similarities to the antagonist in Lewis’ book.

The characters in 100 Cupboards are relatable and far from one sided. As Henry struggles with challenges such as figuring out the enigmatic cupboards as he battles internally with his cowardice and attempting to cope with the eerie, sickening feeling the cupboards give him. With each event the character’s become deeper and easier to empathize with.

Wilson’s writing is descriptive and original, giving the book a different and enjoyable feel. The book manages to combine real life with a fantasy world without making it feel repetitive and common. I personally love how Wilson describes things, breaking away from typical stereotypes yet not being flashy with descriptions, letting the reader continue to read without the writing losing its flow, yet being able to appreciate the specific way Wilson worded the sentence.

The atmosphere of the book itself is delightful. The mystery and eeriness of the cupboards combined with the fantasy aspects draws the reader in. The cupboards perk curiosity yet seem dangerous, giving readers a mixed feeling of wanting to discover their purpose but avoid whatever dangers may lie on the other side.

Combined with Wilson’s unique and charming writing style and the engrossing storyline, 100 Cupboards is an excellent read. It manages to stand out unique against the other fantasy books. With every chapter the plot thickens, keeping the reader interested. The story is well written, the characters relatable and lovable, making it an enjoyable book for all ages.

The next books in the series are Dandelion Fire and The Chestnut King.

You can contact the author via his website.

For more reviews, read the Aug. 16 article, Unexpected Victorian-era book reveals charismatic plot.

Follow The Feather via Twitter and Instagram: @thefeather and @thefeatheronline. This writer can be reached via Twitter and e-mail: @ejLadd and [email protected]