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cyanscrump's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was a good read. The concept was very fun and I enjoyed finding out what was going on in the hotel.
I enjoyed the unease that continued building as the hotel was explored. Yrsa's artefact was a horrifying concept to have lurking in the back of my mind the entire time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Confinement, Death, Violence, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Abandonment
marleywrites's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Death
art_books_chemistry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
3.0
I cannot say I enjoyed or didn't enjoy this book. It was very middle of the road for me, solid storyline but nothing especially special. I liked the concept a lot and maybe was expecting too much from a YA novel but I was disappointed we didn't dive into the artifacts more. I also thought that there could have been a lot more ingenious use of magic. I did like some of the clever things we saw, I liked the "games" but would have liked more of an explanation of the umbrellas at the very beginning. The depth of the evil was pretty well designed and clever though to some extent quite predictable.
I found the mild romance subplot to be borderline skeevy. I'm sure it isn't really but it was giving me 1000 year old vampire with 16 year old vibes. The text was clear about how the magically inclined didn't age the same and some of the ones in the hotel had no idea how long they had been there which made me imagine a mentally middle aged man with the face of 20 year old flirting with the female main character. Maybe that's just me or maybe it's my old person brain. I certainly didn't see a problem with it when reading Tamora Pierce's Wild Magic series and Numair is significantly older than Daine who is also 16 when they start falling in love. My adult hindsight makes a face but when I reread it, I think it's written in such a way as to make you forget that to some extent and their story is just so adorable. <sorry for the sidetrack lol>
So, I really don't recommend this book and I was disappointed in it as well. I think the concept just could have been fleshed out more and maybe made into a duology, the ending felt a bit rushed like everything the author wanted needed to get out on paper and then get wrapped up before she hit too many pages.
I found the mild romance subplot to be borderline skeevy. I'm sure it isn't really but it was giving me 1000 year old vampire with 16 year old vibes. The text was clear about how the magically inclined didn't age the same and some of the ones in the hotel had no idea how long they had been there which made me imagine a mentally middle aged man with the face of 20 year old flirting with the female main character. Maybe that's just me or maybe it's my old person brain. I certainly didn't see a problem with it when reading Tamora Pierce's Wild Magic series and Numair is significantly older than Daine who is also 16 when they start falling in love. My adult hindsight makes a face but when I reread it, I think it's written in such a way as to make you forget that to some extent and their story is just so adorable. <sorry for the sidetrack lol>
So, I really don't recommend this book and I was disappointed in it as well. I think the concept just could have been fleshed out more and maybe made into a duology, the ending felt a bit rushed like everything the author wanted needed to get out on paper and then get wrapped up before she hit too many pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Classism
aformeracceleratedreader's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
A mystical, mysterious read. A little slow in spots but overall enjoyable. I loved all the magic and intrigue. The villains were interesting and the ending was fulfilling. Not a standout, everybody must read kind of book but if you're looking for something with a little mystery, magic, and a cool setting, this would be a good one to pick.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Confinement, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Torture
karapillar's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Torture, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Slavery, Violence, Vomit, Abandonment, and Animal death
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This one reminded me of Caraval and I’m not mad about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Confinement, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Grief
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: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
thebakerbookworm'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: Gore, Death, and Torture
Moderate: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
flyfarther79's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
beccam22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement and Death of parent