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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I haven’t been so hooked by a book in ages. This was a beautiful mix of magical realism, old wives tales, espionage, humanity and red tape. The characters were beautifully fleshed out, and the story had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy to read!
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-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:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
(Book club read)
As someone who was in hospitality for many years, I really enjoyed the observations about customer service, hotel work, luxury and class in this. My favorite passages were those about how staff works together and makes a place run, the satisfying knowlegde that you’re part of this huge enterprise and you’re helping to make it run smoothly; I know that feeling and found that Stiefvater captured it well. The Avallon itself was a rich and vivid setting, really quite beautiful & its GM stole my heart within just a few pages.
As someone who was in hospitality for many years, I really enjoyed the observations about customer service, hotel work, luxury and class in this. My favorite passages were those about how staff works together and makes a place run, the satisfying knowlegde that you’re part of this huge enterprise and you’re helping to make it run smoothly; I know that feeling and found that Stiefvater captured it well. The Avallon itself was a rich and vivid setting, really quite beautiful & its GM stole my heart within just a few pages.
However, although I found the first two parts of this to be very pleasantly paced, the second two had some issues. I felt that Stiefvater completely loses momentum about halfway through the book and just doesn’t find it again until the last 30 pages (which, to be fair, were good!)
I found the writing over the top here and there when Stiefvater’s YA fantasy background shows through (I’m aware this is very much a matter of taste). There’s too many line breaks for my preference and a few clumsy metaphors that could have been cut - but I’m picky, and overall, I did find the tone of this enjoyable.
This was a treat to read. Maggie's writing style feels like home to me. The genre blend and dash of romance and magic is absolutely perfect. A fascinating period of history and a niche focus that I learned a lot from. Stunning adult debut!!
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes