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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
From the beginning, I was definitely digging the vibes of this dark YA fantasy. I haven't read Caraval, but from my understanding, it fits those overall vibes. A Hotel that travels around, showing up in different places with magical vibes. The first third was fascinating and I loved the way the world was developing.
I didn't like the second half as much as the first, as it felt like it dragged a bit in places. I think the overall pacing could have been done a bit better, and the plot took some interesting turns I wasn't necessarily expecting. These did add to the overall dark and forboding nature of the book, though!
All in all, I enjoyed this book for the most part, I just wish the pacing was a bit more even.
I didn't like the second half as much as the first, as it felt like it dragged a bit in places. I think the overall pacing could have been done a bit better, and the plot took some interesting turns I wasn't necessarily expecting. These did add to the overall dark and forboding nature of the book, though!
All in all, I enjoyed this book for the most part, I just wish the pacing was a bit more even.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Torture
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
eve_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Overall Thoughts:
⁕ The atmosphere of this book was it's strongest aspect. The descriptions of the magical hotel rooms were serving HEAVY Night Circus vibes.
⁕ The text could have gone through another round of editing. There were a couple of grammatical errors and VERY some repetitive descriptions of all the characters' skin?! Like, the author dedicated SEVERAL lines per page at times to break from the plot to point out every single character's complexion (even if they were no name/background characters and had NO impact on the story whatsoever). It was so weird.
⁕ The magic system was cobbled together at best. I would have forgiven this, if it were not for the fact that the largest conflict in the story was dependent on how the energy of magic is used/stolen, etc.
⁕ The main romance came out of nowhere with hardly any build up and it enraged me.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
⁕ The atmosphere of this book was it's strongest aspect. The descriptions of the magical hotel rooms were serving HEAVY Night Circus vibes.
⁕ The text could have gone through another round of editing. There were a couple of grammatical errors and VERY some repetitive descriptions of all the characters' skin?! Like, the author dedicated SEVERAL lines per page at times to break from the plot to point out every single character's complexion (even if they were no name/background characters and had NO impact on the story whatsoever). It was so weird.
⁕ The magic system was cobbled together at best. I would have forgiven this, if it were not for the fact that the largest conflict in the story was dependent on how the energy of magic is used/stolen, etc.
⁕ The main romance came out of nowhere with hardly any build up and it enraged me.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
stephbakerbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The premise for this one was really intriguing—a mysterious magical hotel that only appears in one place for twenty-four hours before moving somewhere new? Yes please, I would like to book a reservation! Unfortunately, the premise was the best part of this, as both the plot and characters are pretty formulaic and forgettable.
It's written in first person POV, and I think the main character's name is only said like five times—I kept forgetting her name! She also has that not-like-the-other-girls personality without actually having a personality beyond being sassy and stumbling into convenient-for-the-plot situations. Her sister is also a flat character and barely present in the story. There's insta-love of course, but thankfully the love story wasn't the main focus of the book. The love interest has a little bit more complexity, and some of the other side characters had potential to me, but all the action seems to just be in service to the plot rather than the characters.
The plot was okay, though predictable and a little nonsensical at parts. Overall, the book entertained me and I did enjoy the setting and the magic system; I think I would've liked more world building and character development, but those are my personal preferences. If you like a quick magical read and YA tropes, you'll probably enjoy this one!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for my ebook!
It's written in first person POV, and I think the main character's name is only said like five times—I kept forgetting her name! She also has that not-like-the-other-girls personality without actually having a personality beyond being sassy and stumbling into convenient-for-the-plot situations. Her sister is also a flat character and barely present in the story. There's insta-love of course, but thankfully the love story wasn't the main focus of the book. The love interest has a little bit more complexity, and some of the other side characters had potential to me, but all the action seems to just be in service to the plot rather than the characters.
The plot was okay, though predictable and a little nonsensical at parts. Overall, the book entertained me and I did enjoy the setting and the magic system; I think I would've liked more world building and character development, but those are my personal preferences. If you like a quick magical read and YA tropes, you'll probably enjoy this one!
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for my ebook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Torture
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Am imaginative YA fantasy adventure that ends up feeling a little haphazard.
Jani, our determined (and impulsive) heroine, is appalled to find that the mystical, magical, traveling hotel she's gotten herself and her sister into is not their passage to a safer, better future. The magic is dazzling, but the facade of safety wears thin and begins to rapidly crumble.
Similarly, the magical feats described throughout the book are dazzling but the plot is driven by an ill-informed but determined Jani stumbling and bashing her way through it all. It didn't feel as satisfying as it might if the characters, relationships, and magical foundations had been a bit more developed.
It's a fun world to plunge into, though! Fans of magical moving houses, vaguely French fantasy worlds, bigger-on-the-inside dimensionalism, sisters and orphans tales, sinister hearts lurking behind dazzling smiles, and posh magical amusements and amenities will thoroughly enjoy their time here!
Jani, our determined (and impulsive) heroine, is appalled to find that the mystical, magical, traveling hotel she's gotten herself and her sister into is not their passage to a safer, better future. The magic is dazzling, but the facade of safety wears thin and begins to rapidly crumble.
Similarly, the magical feats described throughout the book are dazzling but the plot is driven by an ill-informed but determined Jani stumbling and bashing her way through it all. It didn't feel as satisfying as it might if the characters, relationships, and magical foundations had been a bit more developed.
It's a fun world to plunge into, though! Fans of magical moving houses, vaguely French fantasy worlds, bigger-on-the-inside dimensionalism, sisters and orphans tales, sinister hearts lurking behind dazzling smiles, and posh magical amusements and amenities will thoroughly enjoy their time here!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Medical trauma
Minor: Death of parent
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
In a historical, French-inspired country, headstrong Jani and younger sister Zosa move to the city in search of opportunity following the death of their beloved mother, but it is only when the fabled, exclusive Hotel Magnifique comes to town that things begin to change for them. A magical building that departs for a new destination each midnight, the hotel hires the sisters on as staff, but what was supposed to be a safe place for experiencing magic turns out to be a house of horrors. Jani must race against time to protect her sister, but not without the help of Bel, the mysterious doorman with whom she has burning chemistry and passionate arguments. Hotel Magnifique is a luscious magic carpet ride full of twists that will take your breath away!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Blood, and Death of parent
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