Scan barcode
A review by purplepenning
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
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