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A review by sarahmreads
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Jani wants a better life for her and her sister after their mother had passed away and they had moved to a new part of the world. However, there is the prospect of the Hotel Magnifique, a traveling hotel where magicians can find a safe haven to practice and guests can traverse for a high price. When Jani finds out the hotel is hiring, she'll do whatever it takes to get her and her sister inside. What Jani doesn't expect, however, is the shocking truth and reality of what really composes the hotel and the people who run it.
I was absolutely obsessed with this book! It's described as a perfect book for fans of Caraval and The Night Circus, and I have never read a book with a more perfect description. This story has the absolute whimsy and dangers as Caraval, but a similar concept to Night Circus, but with more depth to the working systems of magic and how it operates with the world around it instead of being mostly vague. I was left in awe with the magic system and what all composed it, to the point of being speechless.
Taylor also does a great job with the worldbuilding and including vivid imagery that puts us the readers in Jani's perspective. There were times where there was just so much imagery that it was overwhelming, specifically when it came to the Hotel, but even then I wasn't really bothered because it makes sense that Jani would be overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of the Hotel Magnifique. I will admit there was a lot of infodumping at the very tail end of the novel, but the build-up to it was so good I couldn't really complain.
Now the characters were in an entirely different ballgame. They were AMAZING. I loved Jani as a character and she was very headstrong and also compassionate about her sister and her life. Although it did lead to her being super nosy and butting into other people's businesses. Then again, if she didn't, we probably wouldn't have had the riveting story that we do. She drives this story and it really keeps you on the edge of your seat. However, I will say that Bel absolutely stole the show. His character was so riveting and is definitely the dark-haired brooding boy that everyone seems to love. His chemistry with Jani was through the roof and he was such a good addition to this story. He really shows the readers how high the stakes really are for everyone else involved in the Hotel Magnifique. Jani's sister I think didn't really play a significant role until the very end, and that slightly disappointed me. But then again, her sister is the reason for Jani's purpose in the story so it makes sense. I just wish there was more for her.
Hotel Magnifique is probably one of my favorite reads of the year. It's mystical, magical, and mortifying, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book!
I received a copy of this book as an e-ARC from both NetGalley and Penguin Teen. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was absolutely obsessed with this book! It's described as a perfect book for fans of Caraval and The Night Circus, and I have never read a book with a more perfect description. This story has the absolute whimsy and dangers as Caraval, but a similar concept to Night Circus, but with more depth to the working systems of magic and how it operates with the world around it instead of being mostly vague. I was left in awe with the magic system and what all composed it, to the point of being speechless.
Taylor also does a great job with the worldbuilding and including vivid imagery that puts us the readers in Jani's perspective. There were times where there was just so much imagery that it was overwhelming, specifically when it came to the Hotel, but even then I wasn't really bothered because it makes sense that Jani would be overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of the Hotel Magnifique. I will admit there was a lot of infodumping at the very tail end of the novel, but the build-up to it was so good I couldn't really complain.
Now the characters were in an entirely different ballgame. They were AMAZING. I loved Jani as a character and she was very headstrong and also compassionate about her sister and her life. Although it did lead to her being super nosy and butting into other people's businesses. Then again, if she didn't, we probably wouldn't have had the riveting story that we do. She drives this story and it really keeps you on the edge of your seat. However, I will say that Bel absolutely stole the show. His character was so riveting and is definitely the dark-haired brooding boy that everyone seems to love. His chemistry with Jani was through the roof and he was such a good addition to this story. He really shows the readers how high the stakes really are for everyone else involved in the Hotel Magnifique. Jani's sister I think didn't really play a significant role until the very end, and that slightly disappointed me. But then again, her sister is the reason for Jani's purpose in the story so it makes sense. I just wish there was more for her.
Hotel Magnifique is probably one of my favorite reads of the year. It's mystical, magical, and mortifying, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book!
I received a copy of this book as an e-ARC from both NetGalley and Penguin Teen. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Torture, and Death