A boy discovers a hotel that can transport you to other worlds, countries, etc. After he becomes employed in the hotel, he discovers that something much more sinister is going on. Him and his friends take on the bad guys and, well, you have to read it! Cute MG fantasy.

5 out of 5 stars!

I received an ARC ebook from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

Yikes! Where to start? This novel blew my mind. I mean, I really like the concept–a hotel with magic doors that open to exotic destinations all around the world. Imagine if that existed? You could drive to the nearest Hotel Between’s door, and have dinner in Paris, or Cancun, or wherever you wished to go! On the other hand, airlines would take a big hit if this were real. So, let’s stick with fantasy.

Okay. One thing I love about The Hotel Between is the magic system, which is a little intricate, but not super-complex. Hint: It’s all about door pins and hinges. Also, I loved the diverse cast! The characters pop out of the pages, especially Cam and Nico. One aspect that’s very cool is the places our hero visits. Meaning, the book’s descriptions paint vivid pictures and make you feel as if you were there. Actually, after reading this novel, I’m gonna book a flight to central Europe!

Overall, a great novel with and excellent magic system and round characters..

THE HOTEL BETWEEN by Sean Easley is an exciting fantasy centered on twins Cameron and Cassia who want to find their missing Dad. The chance comes when Cam discovers The Hotel Between, a mystical place with "four main rings that make up the trunk – Lobby Level, Elevator Bank, Mezzanine, Courtyard. Everything else branches off those by way of turners, which is just what we call doors binding one part of the Hotel to another." And it is through those doors that Cam and various guides like Nico and Rahki magically explore other countries, face danger and confront secrets. School Library Journal recommends this novel for middle school students and it is certainly complicated (and sometimes confusing!) enough to appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure, as Cam seeks to find both his father and a cure for Cassia's spina bifida.

I liked this book initially but didn’t love the writing— I just got bogged down with the pacing and lost interest. I think the plot has potential , maybe I should have tried harder.

I feel a little bad that it took so long for me to read this book, but I had to read it on my tiny phone screen so I could only read a little at a time. It was very engaging, and I was invested in the outcome of Cam's adventure. I found the world-building/magic to be interesting, if a bit confusing at times (plugs? pins? (view spoiler)) but I think most readers will just roll with the specifics because the general picture is so cool.

Cam's heart was in the right place as he tried to find his dad. His love for his sister and his desire to help her were admirable. I love that Cass was her own person, though, and it was refreshing to see a strong character with a disability who was not defined by her disability. I hope we see more of her in later books.

I will admit the ending threw me a bit (view spoiler) but it was obviously setting us up for a sequel and I think that young readers who are invested will be clamoring to continue the series.

Fabulous world-building and skilled plotting~ love the blend of magical elements with solid emotional character arcs!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The plot kept me hooked the entire time. I honestly couldn't decipher who the good guys and bad guys were, which kept me wanting to read more and more. The world of The Hotel Between is full of mystery and intrigue. I mean, a magical hotel that can just about take you anywhere in the world you want to go? Sign me up! But there was also a great mix of danger and excitement. It was definitely unlike anything I've ever read before.

This book is also filled with diversity. We have several characters, both main and side characters, of many different races. The main character's sister also has spina bifida. (While I appreciated the diversity, I would love to find some own-voices reviews of the disability rep if anyone knows of some and can point me in the right direction! I had trouble finding any at this point.)

The only thing I had trouble with was that I don't think I ever got a clear understanding of exactly how the pins and plugs work. I get it to a degree, but not fully, and that hindered on my enjoyment during certain scenes. I also would have loved to see more of Cass actually present in the book. Cam, the main character, talks and thinks about her through almost the entire book, but I wish she would have been a part of more of the story herself.

I think my favorite thing about this book is the family aspect. Cam will do just about anything to keep his family safe and happy, and this book has such a present theme of the love between family and friendship. Readers are in for a wild ride with this one, and I'll definitely be reading the sequel next year! If you're a middle grade fan, I highly recommend this one.

I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rounded up to 3.5
Cam and Cass have never met their parents. They have been told their mother died and their dad disappeared after dropping off the twins with their Oma. Cam thinks there must be more to the story, surely their dad would not abandon them- would he?
The answer to the question presents itself in the form of a mysterious door which leads to The Hotel Between. While Cam is not initially welcomed he eventually gains access- thanks to his new friend and hotel worker, Nico. This hotel is unlike anything Cam has seen before. It has the capabilities to transport you around the world, it has statues that are more than just statues and an abundance of questions and mysteries that are waiting to be discovered. Cam knows the Hotel has the answers he is looking for, but how hard will it be to find answers he is looking for? And will they be what he expected?
While I liked this book, I was really hoping to like it more. Especially when I read that the book is perfect for fans of Mr. Lemoncello. To be honest there were times where I almost gave up on the book and did not finish it. I think this is because I had a difficult time mentally visualizing what situations looked like and I am still confused when it comes to pins and hinges. Despite this, I had a nagging feeling to continue with the book, due to the fact that just like Cam I wanted answers. Boy am I glad that I decided to stick with it. The ending was AMAZING. I have every intention to read book number two in the series when it is released next year!

***I was given an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
To read more of my reviews visit: www.bibli0phagist.blogspot.com

The Hotel Between by Sean Easley is a fun, suspenseful adventure! Dripping with magic and mystery, it’s also a story about family, friendship, trust, and the choices we make to get what we think we want. This book asks the reader to think about whether ends justify the means, and is it okay to sacrifice the many for one person vs one person for the many? Also, should the needs of others come before our own desires? This story had me hooked, trying to find out who was right/good or wrong/evil. Kudos to Mr. Easley for not making that obvious. The characters were diverse and layered, and Cam’s inner conflict was portrayed well. This is a unique, exciting, imaginative tale that middle grade children will love!

Cam discovers a mysterious Hotel Between one day in a place that never had a hotel before. The Hotel is a magical doorway that connects all over the world through a central hub. Cam's mother and father used to work for the Hotel but never told Cam or his twin sister Cassia. Mom died and dad disappeared leaving only wooden coins for the twins. They are being raised by their grandmother Oma who has to deal with Cassia's medical issues. Cam takes a job with the Hotel in the hopes that it will help him find his father and a cure for Cassia's spina bifida. But who can he trust? There are factions working both inside and outside the Hotel to bring it down. And is the Hotel really a place of good?

The world building for this story is amazing. I loved the thought of this magical place that connects all over the world through doorways. The magic is in the hinges and pins which are failing because the magic tree they are made from has disappeared. I like the thought of having your bedroom in Prague and working in Buenes Ares. I thought the characters were also fairly well developed. You knew who they were and for the most part what they wanted even if their motivations weren't always clear. I thought the weaker parts of the story were Cassia who was off page most of the time and the dad who didn't really come together for me.

I had a hard time getting through this one. I wasn't pulled in by the story enough and struggled. I'm not sure exactly what the problem was, but I did like the characters and I wanted them to find their parents. There was a bit of action, mystery, and deceit. Maybe the whole idea of the hotel and pins was confusing for me, but I just didn't care for this one.

Easley's debut is a fun tale with lots of heart. Students who have always been told that books have the ability to take them to other worlds will see this adage proven true in the pages of The Hotel Between. The main characters are likeable and well-formed, and their sibling relationship will be relatable to readers. The engaging story will keep readers excited and turning the page.

Cameron has been told his mother has died and his father has left, but his Oma won't give him or his sister any more details. Cam really wants his father back, especially since his sister has spina bifida and another helping hand would be useful. When Cam discovers a magical hotel, The Hotel Between, he is determined to find his father. There are too many secrets and Cam doesn't know who to trust. There is enough adventure, magic, and mystery to appeal to those who enjoy fantasy. A book that explores family, it also has heart.