I had really high hopes for this after all the hype on Booktok, but it ended up being only okay. The premis was very interesting and it gave "Howl's Moving Castle" but evil hotel vibes, however the execution was really lackluster. I didnt feel connected to the characters and sometimes even forgot who was who. The plot felt rushed and the magic system felt both vague and convoluted. I did enjoy the ending and the last 1/4 of the book! 

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.

 (Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

 Hotel Magnifique begins as an escape. As two sisters who see the Hotel as a way to experience adventure, to find their ways eventually back home. And Jani will do anything to stay with her sister. From the beginning, it's clear that Hotel Magnifique is a story about sisterhood. About what she will do to keep them together - us against the world. So when they enter the Hotel, Jani discovers that something sinister is wrong. That even as she's exposed to a new world of magic, there's something off about it.

That while the magic is fascinating and whimsical, there's also a danger to it. To the atmosphere in the hotel where there's a wealth of magic, but also rules. The punishments that make it seem more like a nightmare of complacency and consequences. But in their wildest dreams, will Jani be able to stick with Zosa? Hotel Magnifique turns into a story about sacrifice. About fighting the odds and uncovering secrets for the ones we love. 

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!

I struggled a little to get going with this book. I thought the story would follow both sisters, but it's really focused on the elder sister, Jani, as she figures out the history of the hotel and it's staff. The first half I found a little slow, but the second half has a better pace. I was more interested once the story took a darker turn. 

I liked the characters, and seeing their relationships with one another grow and evolve. I enjoyed the story overall, but I didn't warm to Jani and the ending fell a little flat for me. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.  

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.

Am imaginative YA fantasy adventure that ends up feeling a little haphazard. 

Jani, our determined (and impulsive) heroine, is appalled to find that the mystical, magical, traveling hotel she's gotten herself and her sister into is not their passage to a safer, better future. The magic is dazzling, but the facade of safety wears thin and begins to rapidly crumble. 

Similarly, the magical feats described throughout the book are dazzling but the plot is driven by an ill-informed but determined Jani stumbling and bashing her way through it all. It didn't feel as satisfying as it might if the characters, relationships, and magical foundations had been a bit more developed. 

It's a fun world to plunge into, though! Fans of magical moving houses, vaguely French fantasy worlds, bigger-on-the-inside dimensionalism, sisters and orphans tales, sinister hearts lurking behind dazzling smiles, and posh magical amusements and amenities will thoroughly enjoy their time here!