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bookmarklit's review against another edition
4.0
Hmmmm. Definitely mixed. I had a couple of theories, which ended up being true, and usually that doesn't bode well for thrillers. I'm very bad at predicting things in general. Super entertaining and addicting, but felt like a mash-up of these two other things (not mentioning because spoilers) I've read/seen/etc.
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FULL REVIEW:
I don't want to spoil anything by referencing other books and movies that I've read/seen, in case you've read/seen them too... but I know that if I hadn't read/seen those THINGS, I would have never predicted anything in this book. Sooo yeah, I was able to predict everything :(
Aside from that, I enjoyed this one! The book was addicting and quick. I really couldn't put it down and read it in a few sittings. It was super atmospheric; the setting of the hotel was literally like another character. I'm not big on creepy or scary books, but this one did a great job of being JUST enough creepy for someone like me.
I love Suzanne Young's writing style. I know that she's an author I will read and appreciate for just about ever. I know that her stories will be fast, addicting, entertaining, and (generally) unique.
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FULL REVIEW:
I don't want to spoil anything by referencing other books and movies that I've read/seen, in case you've read/seen them too... but I know that if I hadn't read/seen those THINGS, I would have never predicted anything in this book.
Spoiler
So, one: this book reminded me of Tower of Terror, the wonderful Disney movie I watch every Halloween. A LOT of the plot is similar, oddly enough, so I really saw too many things coming. Aaaand two: Shadowlands by Kate Brian. The ending of the first book is the same as the major plot twist at the end of this one.Aside from that, I enjoyed this one! The book was addicting and quick. I really couldn't put it down and read it in a few sittings. It was super atmospheric; the setting of the hotel was literally like another character. I'm not big on creepy or scary books, but this one did a great job of being JUST enough creepy for someone like me.
I love Suzanne Young's writing style. I know that she's an author I will read and appreciate for just about ever. I know that her stories will be fast, addicting, entertaining, and (generally) unique.
beammey's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, a good book. I did enjoy it. It didn't wow me, you figure out the twist pretty early on, but the writing is well done and the story line is actually pretty entertaining. I would read this book again and recommend it. 3.5 out of 5 stars. Good book.
tracitheinkdrinker's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pagesofrachella's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
knallen's review against another edition
3.0
Just as creepy as I wanted it to be. It was filled with atmosphere and interesting characters. Some of it was very predictable while other bits remained a surprise. Over all, a pretty solid, creepy book. I really liked the premise.
ralhassan's review against another edition
2.0
For me, this was a definite DNF. I have DNF'd books before and none were this difficult to actually get anywhere into. I read it (well, some of it) because I bought it and if I buy something, I'm going to read it. But the insta-love factor in this book made me want to throw it out a window from like the third page in. I put it down a few times and would get bored and try to read it and then be like "Yeah, this is not getting read today." I tried reading it so many times until I was finally just like "Ok, this is getting nowhere." the entire plot was something I was interested in, it was supposed to be like AHS: Hotel, and I think I hated that season as much as I hated this book. The point is, I never finished AHS Hotel and I am not finishing this book.
jasmine256's review against another edition
5.0
“The Hotel Ruby was built in 1936_it was a playground for the rich and famous. A stationary Titanic. And just as tragic.”
Hotel Ruby combines suspense, mystery and romance to create a compelling story. Simple yet impactful writing that lures you into the story within a few pages, when the book ended I wanted more it wrapped up quite nicely. Young keeps her sentences simple, and the pace fast. The writing is smooth and crisp, I finished the book in one sitting. I knew the overarching story, there were still some questions that I had.
Insta-love between Audrey and Elias. I believe she saw him as a summer romance, Young makes it work. I love how Audrey slowly uncovers the horror of the hotel. While not quite knowing the hotel’s history, yet also knowing that the hotel is a very dangerous place to be. The villain of Hotel Ruby is crafty, and readers can never be too sure of who exactly he/she is until the very end. The hotel is forbidding, and Young mentions the hotel as if it’s alive and conscious of itself.
Hotel Ruby combines suspense, mystery and romance to create a compelling story. Simple yet impactful writing that lures you into the story within a few pages, when the book ended I wanted more it wrapped up quite nicely. Young keeps her sentences simple, and the pace fast. The writing is smooth and crisp, I finished the book in one sitting. I knew the overarching story, there were still some questions that I had.
Insta-love between Audrey and Elias. I believe she saw him as a summer romance, Young makes it work. I love how Audrey slowly uncovers the horror of the hotel. While not quite knowing the hotel’s history, yet also knowing that the hotel is a very dangerous place to be. The villain of Hotel Ruby is crafty, and readers can never be too sure of who exactly he/she is until the very end. The hotel is forbidding, and Young mentions the hotel as if it’s alive and conscious of itself.
tjlcody's review against another edition
5.0
Pretty damn good.
One little nitpicky critique though, writing- wise: When everyone's telling Audrey the story (towards the end of the book) about how they all came to be in the Ruby, the dialogue was just... Like, painfully unrealistic. Like, the author wrote it with the same sort of detail and style you'd use to write narration normally... Except that it was the characters saying it. Which was really awkward, because it sounded nothing like the way a person would actually talk,.
One little nitpicky critique though, writing- wise: When everyone's telling Audrey the story (towards the end of the book) about how they all came to be in the Ruby, the dialogue was just... Like, painfully unrealistic. Like, the author wrote it with the same sort of detail and style you'd use to write narration normally... Except that it was the characters saying it. Which was really awkward, because it sounded nothing like the way a person would actually talk,
Spoiler
whether they're from 1937 or notmedini_l's review against another edition
2.0
‘Stay tonight. Stay forever.’
No, thank you.
Man, the blurb is so misleading! It promises something creepy and mysterious, but in reality, this
book couldn’t scare a toddler.
The first three-fourth of this book was so boring that I kept wondering why I was still reading it. Audrey Casella, the protagonist, is such a dreary and one-dimensional character. Her internal monologue kept me yawning away and I honestly couldn’t be bothered by any of her feelings of guilt, sorrow, or whatever. The love interest, Elias was so dull. The romance was half-hearted and their chemistry? What chemistry? Practically non-existent. The secondary characters, too, didn’t evoke an ounce of interest in me whatsoever. The only character I genuinely liked was Audrey’s brother, Daniel. He was the only one who seemed a little more ‘normal’ than the rest of the cardboard cut-outs.
Spoiler
Ironic, since he’s dead.However, I liked the way [a:Suzanne Young|164576|Suzanne Young|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1357757103p2/164576.jpg] described the atmosphere of Hotel Ruby. It had this strange, suspenseful, dream-like aura about it, as though the air was buzzing with an electric charge. The evasiveness of the staff, the unseeing guests, the haunting music; it was kind of unique. The descriptions, the easy writing flow and the ending saved this book from a 1-star rating.