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thecriticalreader's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Run-Down: Your mileage may vary with Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis based on your expectations of its genre, but it manages to convey a richly imagined sci-fi world filled with a colorful cast of characters.
Review:
Based on the cover and blurb, I expected Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis to be a low-stakes, cozy sci-fi mystery about found family set in a sumptuous hotel setting. Some of these expectations were satisfied . . . sort of. Is the book low stakes? No. Is it cozy? Depends on your definition of cozy; it certainly contains elements associated with the “cozy” genre, but it also conveys considerable darkness and tense thrill. Is it a sci-fi novel? Yes, but a soft sci-fi. Is it a mystery? Yes, but the mystery is unevenly developed and hastily resolved. Does it contain found family? Sort of—more like a group of coworkers who are fond of each other. Is the hotel sumptuous? Yes! As you might be able to tell, a person’s expectations could considerably alter how they respond to this book.
Some readers might not initially realize, for example, that each chapter of Floating Hotel follows a different hotel staff member or guest, creating a mosaic of slice-of-life stories tenuously connected by the central mystery thread. The chapters explore these characters’ backstories prior to their time at the hotel, thereby building a picture not only of their lives but life in the galactic Empire more generally. Curtis demonstrates a strong ability to vividly capture characters’ essences in a relatively short space, and each cast member is unique and fascinating in their own right.
Personally, I found myself sufficiently entertained and fulfilled by the book’s creative and effective worldbuilding and character descriptions. The mystery added enough stakes to the story to keep me glued to the page, even if it didn’t ultimately result in the payoff I expected. Your mileage may vary, however, which is why I recommend people read reviews before picking up Floating Hotel.
You might like this book if . . .
· You enjoy large casts of diverse and distinct characters
· You love books that take place in hotels
· You want to read a book that combines a slice-of-life approach with a high-stakes political mystery
You might not like this book if . . .
· You dislike books with multiple POVs (every chapter follows a completely different character)
· You enter the book with the wrong expectations
· You are a plot-driven reader
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Classism
Moderate: Death, Torture, Blood, Murder, and Deportation
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
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