The Door Within

Wayne Thomas Batson is a relatively new author whose first published work, The Door Within is the beginning of a trilogy set in another world known as The Realm. The teenaged protagonist, Aidan Thomas, finds himself rudely uprooted from his home and best friend, and moved with his parents across country to Colorado to care for his ailing grandfather.


Aidan has always felt himself to be an outcast, a bit overweight, and awkward. For reasons that even Aidan cannot fathom, Robby Pierson, a popular and talented athlete in school, befriended him back in Maryland and the two boys shared a close friendship and many adventures. But now Aidan is in Colorado, a place where he has no friends, his parents are busy with their jobs, and Grampin is like a stranger to Aidan.


However, while exploring the basement of the house, Aidan discovers a set of scrolls. The scrolls tell a story, one which includes how the king of Alleble sacrificed his life to save his people. But it is explained that although the king died “…it was merely the body that was slain by The Betrayer. King Eliam is far more than flesh. He is everlasting.“ So, with the scrolls to guide him and urgings from Grampin to believe, Aidan finds a way to open the door within to this other realm described in the scrolls.


The Door Within is an unabashed Christian allegory retelling the betrayal of Jesus Christ, his resurrection, and how service to Jesus will be rewarded with everlasting life.


The people of The Realm are known as Glimpses, and those who have placed their faith in King Eliam are easily distinguished by their ivory skin and eyes that glint blue.

Emphasis on their physical traits, “her skin was ghostly white”, “’You! Dark Skin!’ he ridiculed”, “And through the gaping hole, like a sea of black and red, poured the armies of Paragory” unfortunately brought to mind unsettling thoughts. Given the overall tone of the novel, I did not like the idea of being able to determine one's belief system based on something like eye color. It struck me as judging a person's character based on their physical attributes.


Mr. Batson earnestly endeavors to impart a positive message of salvation. The author’s zealousness to tell this story is evidenced by his stating to the reader why a character feels a certain way rather than allowing those feelings to be conveyed through character actions and discourse. Events are immediately explained leaving nothing to be discovered, eliminating any sense of mystery. There is no room in between the lines lest an interpretation be made that was not intended.


The Door Within may appeal to very young readers. But even with the inclusion of unicorns, flying dragons, and knights in shining armor, this didactic parable lacks charm and a sense of wonder.