A Door in the Woods is the first book in the Jimmy Fincher Saga. It's a fairly short Young Adult novel and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I think it's a book few parents would have a problem with and yet it still has a great story and well told. The synopsis I had read on the book made me a little leery, but I enjoyed other books by James Dashner so I thought it was worth a shot. I am glad I did.

Jimmy is a 14 year old happy to be living his life with his loving family, without much of a care in world. One day climbing his favorite tree he witnessed something that would change his life forever. He sees the mayor kill a woman and make her disappear into a 'darkness'. From that point on, Jimmy keeps discovering that the world is much more than he was ever taught to believe. This is just the beginning of his quest to save his family and even the world. ( )

This was a really quick and easy read for me. I enjoyed following the beginning to Jimmy Fincher's tale. The author caught my attention in the first paragraph when Jimmy mentions he cannot be destroyed. I was curious to see how this all would play out. It was a nice adventure to get to the end of this book.

Jimmy was a normal 14 year old by with a Mom, Dad, and an older brother living in a town called Duluth, Georgia. Until the day he was climbing a tree and saw a man dragging a woman fighting into the woods, then she just vanishes. Where did she go? And why is this man... Oh, Jimmy nows this man... The whole story just takes off from here.

Jimmy is sent by his dad to find an old friend, not knowing exactly where this friend lives or what he looks like, whos name is Joseph. Then he is told by his dad to be scared, that being scared will keep him alive.

On page 3 of the book there was one paragraph I just loved and really made me look forward to the fun tale that was going to be told with a childs view and discription on things, which does make it easy to see knowing what a kid sees.
"Before I begin, there are things to say. You must prepare yourself. The world is not what you think it is, and the nightmares that sometimes wake you in the middle of a storm may be truer than you think. Every novel you've ever read may not be as fictional as you thought. If I have learned anything, it is that nothing is beyond possible or belief. The world as I once knew it has turned upside down, and I've finally realized that the phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" is not just a stupid cliche."" ( )

Jimmy Fincher is a fourteen year old boy who loves sports and hates cooked peas. And in his own words he "absolutely, positively cannot be destroyed".

So begins A Door in the Woods, James Dashner's premier novel and Book One of The Jimmy Fincher Saga. What follows the intriguing opening paragraph is a slightly scary, high-action adventure story with elements of fantasy and science fiction and a firm focus on family.

From the mysterious Givers to the creepy Shadow Ka and the ominous warning that "The Stompers are coming", Dashner shows his gift for storytelling as the pages fly by. Readers of any age or gender will be cheering for Jimmy Fincher every step of the way in this highly exciting book! ( )

A Door in the Woods is the first book in James Dashner's Jimmy Fincher Saga, and it's a decent start to the series and a decent first book for Dashner. The writing isn't all that bad, but there is room for growth. Dashner relies a little too heavily on what I'm sure he is trying to play off as quaint, southern colloquialisms. Every character in the book uses them, and after several chapters, it gets a little old.

Jimmy Fincher is your typical, fourteen year old boy, who happens to stumble upon a secret that could change the world. Through his adventures, he uncovers family secrets, villains, enigmatic benefactors and unlikely friends. Unlike the typical YA book today, Jimmy has a solid family unit around him that he relies on and that supports him throughout the entire book. I find this a refreshing change.

While I could see where the book may have benefited from a little tighter editing, overall A Door in the Woods is a fun read and I think most kids would find it enjoyable; it's filled with adventure, mystery, intrigue and life or death situations. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. ( )