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lgithens's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
slow_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide attempt
noelliem's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
megs2kool's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
phoenix2's review
2.0
Midnight at the Houdini is a YA fantasy novel about a magical hotel and a girl revealing its secrets.
The concept of the book is pretty interesting, with the mysterious characters of the Houdini hotel, the odd hotel that felt like a trip down the wonderland, and the secret story that happened in the past and somehow connected everyone together. However, the execution didn't serve those ideas well. The main character, Anna, was annoying and spoiled, even though she tried to appeal like she was forced to live a life she didn't want to, fighting hard to be perfect. Her family problems, in addition, were presented to be more melodramatic than they were in reality. Maybe as a teenager, I would have been more sympathetic towards Anna, however, as she kept repeating throughout her narration, she was pragmatic and the logical one, so it was hard to be empathetic with her.
Also, the romance felt forced, especially since the two of them knew each other for like a day. Correspondingly, Max, who was supposed to be from another era, didn't act like it, which was a let down. Therefore, in the end, his family story was more interesting than the one the book was following.
Finally, the narration of the audiobook was enjoyable.
The concept of the book is pretty interesting, with the mysterious characters of the Houdini hotel, the odd hotel that felt like a trip down the wonderland, and the secret story that happened in the past and somehow connected everyone together. However, the execution didn't serve those ideas well. The main character, Anna, was annoying and spoiled, even though she tried to appeal like she was forced to live a life she didn't want to, fighting hard to be perfect. Her family problems, in addition, were presented to be more melodramatic than they were in reality. Maybe as a teenager, I would have been more sympathetic towards Anna, however, as she kept repeating throughout her narration, she was pragmatic and the logical one, so it was hard to be empathetic with her.
Also, the romance felt forced, especially since the two of them knew each other for like a day. Correspondingly, Max, who was supposed to be from another era, didn't act like it, which was a let down. Therefore, in the end, his family story was more interesting than the one the book was following.
Finally, the narration of the audiobook was enjoyable.
bookmotel's review
2.0
Potential to be good, but couldn’t decide if I enjoyed it. As far as the narrative of children go, it felt off, as though you can tell an adult has written them. Obviously I know they have, but it doesn’t feel like a child; the writing, to me, doesn’t feel like something a child would do, nor say. Did enjoy the handkerchief section in chapter 1 though. DNF
akane_readsyt's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0