A review by leilaajg2
The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense slow-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

4.75

Shortly after Pearl Harbor June Hudson’s world is turned upside down. June (or Hoss as her staff calls her) is the general manager of the Avalon Hotel in the mountains of West Virginia. She is in charge of making sure all guests feel the luxury of the hotel and are cared for at all times. The FBI and the State Department arrive and tell June that the Avalon will be interning axis dignitaries until further notice. June takes on the challenge and the lines of friend and foe thin until they’re no longer relevant. Then June is asked to help one of the German dignitaries children to circumvent her fate back in Germany if the family was to return. 

There’s only one problem… the water under the hotel is wreaking havoc and might “turn” at any moment. Can June keep the water in check and keep her promises? Or will June have to forge a new path?

Hannalore was an interesting character. So rich and complex even though she doesn’t speak. I really liked Sandy and his involvement in the plan at the end of the book. He’s the superior Gilfolye son. Mr. Pennybacker was a fun character. So was Tucker the FBI agent who goes through a questioning of the soul and his intentions.