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bookishlittlebird's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
foundinfaerietales's review against another edition
4.0
This book was enchanting, and honestly I was torn between a four and a five star rating. Reading it is an immersive experience, similar to reading Caraval. The creativity and wonder that went into writing the scenery and the magic system are incredible.
The only reason this review is not five stars is because of some problems I had with the character development. The main character seemed prone to willfully ignorant self-sabotage fairly often, and at times the dialogue seemed a little under developed, and juvenile (the banter lacked the wit it hoped for). But the overall story and the building curiosity kept me reading, and I devoured most of this book in two days.
Welcome to Elsewhere, and enjoy the journey!
The only reason this review is not five stars is because of some problems I had with the character development. The main character seemed prone to willfully ignorant self-sabotage fairly often, and at times the dialogue seemed a little under developed, and juvenile (the banter lacked the wit it hoped for). But the overall story and the building curiosity kept me reading, and I devoured most of this book in two days.
Welcome to Elsewhere, and enjoy the journey!
thewickeddeep's review against another edition
5.0
As a huge fan of Caraval & The Night Circus i was absolutely sure i'm going to love this but i was even better than i imagined!! Watch me making this my whole new personality!!!
mb2023's review against another edition
4.0
BEAUTIFULLY DONE
I really enjoyed this book. The descriptions and uses of magic were artful and interesting when it's usually hit or miss with that kind of thing. The characters were all interesting and played into the plot well. The romance was well paced and fun. Plot in general was really interesting, and I couldn't wait to finish it.
Two issues that are pretty minor:
I really enjoyed this book. The descriptions and uses of magic were artful and interesting when it's usually hit or miss with that kind of thing. The characters were all interesting and played into the plot well. The romance was well paced and fun. Plot in general was really interesting, and I couldn't wait to finish it.
Two issues that are pretty minor:
Spoiler
I totally saw coming that Jani was a suminaire, and it's hilarious how much she didn't see it coming. I wish the book had led up to the reveal better, adding little notes that help you figure it out yourself. You can see it coming only because it's what obviously must happen, not because the clues added up. The second issue is that she accepted the fact that she was a suminaire so fast and so easily with little to no proof that it just felt like moving the plot along. She should've tested herself or at least been a bit more disbelieving for longer.marxamod's review against another edition
Generally quite guessable as a plot path but overall enjoyable to read
jvantland's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
A delightfully whimsical, dark magic, happy ending YA novel. Looking forward to re-reading with my kids in a few years.
hazyreads's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 40%.
This was literally just a knock-off of Caraval, but executed even worse. Where Caraval at least has a unique idea, Hotel Magnifique has nothing. I didn't like a single character, and I kept forgetting what the MC's name even was. I felt no chemistry whatsoever between the MC and the love interest (who btw was the most regular, bland YA love interest you can think of). The MC kept getting herself into trouble despite everyone telling her off, with no regard to the consequences for either herself or anyone else. I did somewhat like the setting, but it became a bit much after a while with the endless descriptions trying to make this place seem as absolutely magical as possible to the point of ridiculousness. I had to quit reading it when I felt like I just couldn't care less what happened in the end.
This was literally just a knock-off of Caraval, but executed even worse. Where Caraval at least has a unique idea, Hotel Magnifique has nothing. I didn't like a single character, and I kept forgetting what the MC's name even was. I felt no chemistry whatsoever between the MC and the love interest (who btw was the most regular, bland YA love interest you can think of). The MC kept getting herself into trouble despite everyone telling her off, with no regard to the consequences for either herself or anyone else. I did somewhat like the setting, but it became a bit much after a while with the endless descriptions trying to make this place seem as absolutely magical as possible to the point of ridiculousness. I had to quit reading it when I felt like I just couldn't care less what happened in the end.
ebanocy's review against another edition
4.0
What drew me to this book was the absolutely gorgeous cover and the comparison to "Caraval," which is an old favorite YA fantasy series of mine. I think the comparison is apt in this case. This definitely has the same whimsical and magical vibes as "Caraval" though I will say I think I enjoyed "Caraval" just a little bit more.
My favorite portion of this book was the setting and world-building. The descriptions of the hotel and all of its variously themed rooms sounded absolutely gorgeous and enchanting. All of the different magical elements made it all feel so whimsical and I wanted to jump into the pages to experience it for myself. The magical atmosphere was truly something special.
The idea of a secretly nefarious magical traveling hotel had me hooked from the beginning. It was a fun and easy read. I really enjoyed it though I believe that this may have worked better as an adult fantasy. I feel that it could have explored the darker themes and moments better as an adult book. Nothing ever went far enough. We never actually had our main villain actually do anything terrible on the page. The pacing was also a little off throughout the later portion of the book. We get just a massive information dump around the 60ish% mark. Everything after that point felt a little rushed.
All of that being said, I really did enjoy this book and would definitely recommend it.
My favorite portion of this book was the setting and world-building. The descriptions of the hotel and all of its variously themed rooms sounded absolutely gorgeous and enchanting. All of the different magical elements made it all feel so whimsical and I wanted to jump into the pages to experience it for myself. The magical atmosphere was truly something special.
The idea of a secretly nefarious magical traveling hotel had me hooked from the beginning. It was a fun and easy read. I really enjoyed it though I believe that this may have worked better as an adult fantasy. I feel that it could have explored the darker themes and moments better as an adult book. Nothing ever went far enough. We never actually had our main villain actually do anything terrible on the page. The pacing was also a little off throughout the later portion of the book. We get just a massive information dump around the 60ish% mark. Everything after that point felt a little rushed.
All of that being said, I really did enjoy this book and would definitely recommend it.
booknooknorth's review against another edition
4.5
This book is a solid debut novel. It was a clear love letter to the "Night Circus". Both books do things well that I feel the other didn't do.
What this book did well was spin a narrative of enchantment but it has something more sinister underneath the magic behind the hotel. Unlike Night, it feels like more happened in this book rather than a century of slow burn. And the important part for me, there was a depth to this world Taylor built.
What this failed at was introducing so much tiny mysteries in between that the reader feel it's fluff rather than mystery. Night did a right balance of it while adding familiar themes while gradually introducing other mysteries. For example, when looking at different artefacts, it was a seemingly list of random object themes we witnessed before, skulls, vials, feathers.
One other thing that weirded out is in the beginning of the book, Taylor remarked over everyone's skin color over random background characters, which, I get for a few people, but the reiterating who EVERY person's color is felt a bit forced. Keep it natural, mention it every now and then, but not making a big deal. It takes skill and it's challenging, but it can be done.
A note for myself, I don't know if the book went into depth of this of how artefacts existed, but i never understood why the resource was finite
Still for a debut novel, this was solid and believable world and happy I purchased this book at full price. Keep it up, girl!
What this book did well was spin a narrative of enchantment but it has something more sinister underneath the magic behind the hotel. Unlike Night, it feels like more happened in this book rather than a century of slow burn. And the important part for me, there was a depth to this world Taylor built.
What this failed at was introducing so much tiny mysteries in between that the reader feel it's fluff rather than mystery. Night did a right balance of it while adding familiar themes while gradually introducing other mysteries. For example, when looking at different artefacts, it was a seemingly list of random object themes we witnessed before, skulls, vials, feathers.
One other thing that weirded out is in the beginning of the book, Taylor remarked over everyone's skin color over random background characters, which, I get for a few people, but the reiterating who EVERY person's color is felt a bit forced. Keep it natural, mention it every now and then, but not making a big deal. It takes skill and it's challenging, but it can be done.
A note for myself, I don't know if the book went into depth of this of how artefacts existed, but i never understood why the resource was finite
Still for a debut novel, this was solid and believable world and happy I purchased this book at full price. Keep it up, girl!