Member Reviews

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!

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This book is filled with mysterious and magical twists and turns, a perfect slow burn, and undeniable love between siblings. Taylor tells an intricately woven story of magic and deceit, the bonds of sisterhood (and the bonds of siblings in other characters), the meaning of “home”, and the sacrifices it takes to fight for what’s right. Taylor writes so beautifully and vividly, I lost myself to Elsewhere and the Hotel, diving into the pages and seeing it come to life in her words. I hope there is more from Elsewhere and the Hotel, but I definitely cannot wait for Taylor’s next book; whatever enchanting story it may be!!

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I loved this YA fantasy so much!! It’s such a fun new take on similar stories we’ve seen before - like Caraval or the Night Circus. Plus the magic was just so interesting and unique! A magical hotel that travels somewhere new every day has such potential for adventure and intrigue and Taylor definitely delivered!

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While I wanted to love this book, I'm not sure it was for me. There was a lot of hype for it from my friends and colleagues, however, I think I need to try it again when I'm in the mood for something darker then what I was expecting.

That being said, the cover art is gorgeous and I love it!

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Do you ever have the desire to grab people by the face and as they fish lip at you in shock, shove your latest finished read at them demanding they read it? That is exactly how I feel with Hotel Magnifique.

I am probably one of the rare few that has not read Caraval yet, but I did love The Night Circus and can see why this is recommended to lovers of that novel. Richly atmospheric with a luxurious dark undertow that keeps you glued from start to finish. There is so much packed into this gem and has rekindled my love affair with young adult fantasy.

The characters are well developed and downright loveable or easily dislikable. Taylor did an excellent job crafting a hotel full of characters with unique ‘talents’ and painting backstories intricately for each one. Typically, I go into a little about the MCs but I honestly can’t think of enough words to describe how much I just utterly adored the heck out of Jani and Bel. Taylor ties in character growth, a slow build romance with excellent chemistry and tastefully done intimate moments and feeling into the heart of each one from main to side. The characters made this novel for me.

The magic was splendid. Well thought out in my opinion and easy to follow with a few good twists that I didn’t pick up on right away. I appreciated how the plot pieces kept falling into place and how the narrative was not filled with excess filler. I can’t forget to mention Taylor’s beautifully descriptive writing and how it translated perfectly through audio as well. The introduction and epilogue are read by Simon Hedger. Can I just point out that I could spend my day listening to that man narrate and swoon every time he annunciates any word… ever. He could read ingredients to me, and I’d die happy. Excellent choice to open and close the audio. Suzy Jackosn narrates the meat and potatoes and does an absolutely splendid job. She made Jani come to life in my mind as she struggles to free her sister. She keeps true to character voices and carries emotional tones at the perfect moments. An audio book I would highly recommend if you can’t tell already. Honestly, any format I’d recommend. This is truly a novel that I can tie the words darkly enchanting too happily.

Another thank you to Razorbill for the gifted digital copy! All thoughts are my own. Rating 4.5/5.

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This is a book that will captivate you in the beginning but leave you wanting. I enjoyed the beginning and the aspects of the hotel's allure. The world of the hotel was fun to be a part of, but the story dragged and the love interest frustrated me. It was too hot and cold, and I just found myself putting the book down out of boredom. I would have liked more excitement and a faster pace!

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This debut novel was everything I could’ve asked for after reading the synopsis! This magical YA Fantasy gave me hotel de luna vibes!! (K-Drama about a magical ghost hotel)

Hotel Magnifique follows 17 year old Jani as the legendary Hotel Magnifique appears in her hometown. The first thing she does? Try’s to get a job. In the mysterious hotel that only stays in one city for 24hrs. Jani must work with bel (one of the hotel doorman’s) to uncover the dark secrets of the hotel.

This book was alottt! But in a good way ;) There were many twists and turns that kept me on my feet as they try to discover secrets about the famous hotel and its employees. Meanwhile, Jani is trying to save her sister and herself as they realize the hotel is not what it seems like! This story was such a fast read with its mix of magical elements, coming of age story for Jani and romance aswell! Jani is a loyal protective sister who would do anything to keep Zosa safe.
Emily does a amazing job with the world building as I was able to imagine everythinggg. It may be a little slow in the beginning as the book is introduced but picks up after a bit and then causes you to finish it in one sitting 😅 this was such a fun and magical read and you should definitely check this out if it interests you!

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I would give this book 4.5 stars. I really loved the premise and the world building. During a good portion of the book, it was very hard to put down. The only things I didn't love about it was that the initial introduction to the love interest seemed very contrived. Some of it was explained a little later, but it felt a little contrived still. Also, the ending almost felt a little rushed. Like I was savoring the book and then very quickly many things got tied up and I was sitting there with whiplash. However, I highly recommend the book if you enjoy fantasy that has to do with magic and buildings that appear and disappear. Also the romance was nice.

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3.5/5

“Hotel Magnifique” reads like The Night Circus meets a Wes Anderson film and its definitely quite the ride! It’s premise seems simple: A traveling hotel goes around the world creating a magical experience for its guests but not all is as it seems. The plot definitely follows such a premise and there were times where I must admit I got a bit bored with how long it took to world-build. While some twists and explanations were surprising, there were a lot of events that played out exactly the way you’d think. It felt as though the beginning and the end were known and what really changed was what happens in the middle.

It probably didn’t help that Jani wasn’t my favorite. She’s supposed to be read as adventurous and clever but she makes terrible and reckless decisions and somehow contralto evades consequences, leaving others to take the blame. It came across as incredibly selfish considering this is someone who is supposed to explain to the audience what’s wrong and possibly fix it. It was frustrating to see her repeatedly make the same mistakes and put herself and others at risk.

There were however two things that worked incredibly well for this book. 1. The other characters were definitely way more likable and I almost which we would have gotten to know more about what occurred with them. And 2. Once the book picked up it charged full stream ahead (possibly too fast at times). And while some may feel that the ending was a bit predictable it was certainty satisfying!

Overall it was a very enjoyable read and the cover is gorgeous! Thank you to Netgalley and Emily J Taylor for the advanced read of “Hotel Magnifique” in exchange for an honest review!

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Hotel Magnifique tells the tale of a mystical hotel that traverses the world in a matter of weeks, entertaining its guests with magic that is otherwise banned throughout the rest of the world. Like many others, Jani and her younger sister Zosa yearn for an invitation to experience the wonders inside. When the hotel reappears in their city advertising job openings, they jump at the opportunity and apply. Though they manage to secure employment, Jani begins to realize that not all that glitters is gold as strange occurrences lead her to increasingly suspect that the hotel's opulence cloaks far more sinister forces.

I rated this book 3.5 stars - it was overall an enjoyable read and a good fantasy standalone. The world-building and the magic system were interesting and I appreciated that it was well developed/explained without being overly extensive, an important balance, especially for standalone fantasy novels. Hallmarked by beautiful writing and descriptive imagery, Taylor truly immerses readers in the fantastical world of the hotel and all the magical wonders (and horrors...) conjured by its numerous employed inhabitants. I liked Jani's confidence, assertiveness, determination, and the way she jumped into action with fierce (admittedly often foolish) bravado. However since the story was told solely from her perspective, I felt that her recklessness coupled with her being in the dark made the plot drag on especially in the last third. She spent significant portions of time theorizing about the hotel's mysteries and waiting for other things to happen, and there were a few time jumps that occurred suddenly and were confusing. There were also instances the descriptions and imagery was so focused on that the story was again a bit lost.

Overall, Hotel Magnifique is a story of whimsical enchantments, dark illusions, and the lengths people will go to protect what they value most. Despite its shortcomings in cohesive plot and place, the writing style and descriptions of intricate magics makes it a worthwhile read nonetheless.

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So many incredible books were released today including Hotel Magnifique by @emilycanwrite! Thank you so much @penguinteen for sending me an ARC of this book, I absolutely loved it! I’ve been crazy with school lately, so don’t have time to write a full review, but I still wanted to post about it because I had such a good time reading it! Hotel Magnifique follows Jani and her sister Zosa when the Hotel Magnifique comes to town. Joni wants nothing more than to give her sister a good life and she sees the perfect opportunity when the Hotel arrives they decide to interview to be on the staff of this mystical hotel. This book is fast-paced, intriguing, and so well written! Everything from the world-building to the character development is perfect and I could not recommend it book more! Make sure to go grab a copy everywhere books are sold now!

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Hotel magnifique by Emily J taylor is a highly anticpaited read for me, and it didn't disapoint me! I was expecting this to be similar to two other books such as caraval and the night ciriucs but no it completely stood on it own! I wanted to say a huge thank you to Pengiun teen for sending an arc my way to read and review for u guys! Also shout out to owlcrate for putting a stunning edition of Emily's debut in their boxes! Another shout out to my friend Lori for buddy reading this one with me! More detail review to come when it's not midnight and me being tired lol!(:

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Thank you to Penguin Randomhouse for providing an EARC for review (from netgalley)

*DNFed at 35%*

Following Jani who cares for her younger sister in the big town off the coast from their hometown island, the Hotel Magnifique is returning with all the magic and hope the world has to offer. Taking their once in a lifetime chance, the two sisters audition for jobs and by luck they are able to get into the Hotel Magnifique, the only place magic is safe and allowed to flourish.

Explained as for fans of the The Night Circus and Caraval, I was hopeful this would be for me. While I found Caraval underwhelming, The Night Circus stole my heart on a whimsical playground throughout that story. Unfortunately so far, this just missed the mark. I’m chasing a high that I think is hard to come by. While the plot points are there, the whimsy was missing in the writing. The mystery is there but it felt too obvious to start with for our Jani to be so naive from. And our sister relationship didn’t have any foundation before the going gets tough.

I found this book hasn’t been holding my interest and I never care to pick it up. Unfortunately my first DNF (did not finish) of the year for me.

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4.5 Stars

Every decade or so, a small, magical hotel would appear in an alley in the city of Durc. This hotel, known for welcoming suminaires – people with magic – when most places would not, was always the talk of whatever city it was in that day. Receiving an invitation to stay in the hotel, whether as a guest or as staff, meant the chance at a new life. So when the hotel made its stop in the alley, Jani knew she needed to get her and her younger sister Zosa inside. But it doesn’t take Jani long to realize that life inside the hotel isn’t anything like she expected. While the magic is captivating, there is danger and secrets lurking around every corner. Soon, Jani’s position at the hotel turns into a fight for survival for herself, her sister, and the suminaires she’s grown to care about. Set in a fantastical new world where magic is as great or as terrifying as the person who wields it, Hotel Magnifique will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

I was immediately drawn into this world in a way that only plots rife with magic can. Readers who felt that pull of magic with books like Caraval and The Night Circus will instantly recognize that feeling in Hotel Magnifique. The overall plot was fantastic in every way, keeping me second-guessing every character’s motives and loyalties while wondering what could possibly happen next.

Hotel Magnifique has such a wonderful cast of characters. As the reader, we discover all the perils of the world right alongside Jani, the older sibling who just wanted to do right by her sister. From the very beginning, Jani’s journey is full of action, adventure, and the darkest of shadows. Despite all the wicked secrets around her, Jani still gets her love interest which I loved to see. This novel is YA, though, so Jani’s slow burn romance is very PG and perfectly adds to Jani’s story without taking away from the larger, more sinister picture.

As Jani attempts to escape from the hotel, I feel further and further in love with all the secondary characters. Taylor created no shortage of the weird, the mysterious, and the dangerous. From characters you think are on Jani’s side from day one to those you know aren’t, the hotel’s villains ebb and flow as often as the hotel changes location. As a reader, I had absolutely no idea how the ending was going to play out, but I loved every little revelation as the plot progressed.

When magic can corrupt just as easily as it can save, the world Jani thought was going to save her ends up turning her life upside down. With a vibrant cast of characters, danger around every corner, and a whirlwind adventure for both Jani and reader, Hotel Magnifique is an exciting new magical YA that fans of Caraval and The Night Circus won’t want to miss.

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The prologue was my favorite part. Sadly, after the engaging start, my attention wavered as I continued. The idea was good but didn’t exactly work for me. The writing was good, I just didn’t get 100% hooked into the story.

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Thank you so much, NetGalley, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group and Razorbill, for the chance to read one of my most anticipated read in 2022 in exchange of an honest review.

Jani has always dreamed of Elsewhere. Just barely surviving with her job at a tannery, taking care of her younger sister Zosa, that's the life she knows. Until Hotel Magnifique comes to her town. Not only it's famous because its enchantments, but also because it's able to travel anywhere and even though Jani and Zosa can't afford spending the night there, they can try to join the staff, starting, this way, their amazing adventure. Slowly, though, Jani starts to understand what's underneath and its dangerous secrets. With the help of Bel, the doorman, Jani embarks into an adventure to understand the hotel's magic and to free her sister and others from the cruel maitre.

Hotel Magnifique was one of my most anticipated read and I was so happy when I got the chance to read it early! It's absolutely magnificent! The setting is lush and evocative, a magic hotel, filled with dark secrets Jani, the main character, will try to uncover. Jani is a wonderful protagonist. She lived a complex life, she takes care of her sister and she dreams of changing their lives. The hotel offers them this chance, but nothing is what it seems and she will do anything in her power to unravel the mystery and save her loved one. The story is amazing, written in a brilliant and evocative way, capturing the reader's attention right away. The plot is original, the characterization well made and the setting so good I wanted to be there with Jani and to uncover everything myself! Magic, mysteries and siblings bond? Sign me in!
This book was a delight to right and to read again and again! Be swept in this world with me!

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I was really excited about the comparisons to The Night Circus with this book, but ultimately thought that Hotel Magnifique didn't quite live up to it. I found the beginning confusing and hard to follow. The best parts were the descriptions of the hotel, the guests, and the other staff. I didn't think the ending was particularly rushed. That part was fine, but the romance between Bel and Jani didn't quite fit for me.

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Jani and Zosa are two sisters who have been on their own for a few years. Jani has worked hard to give Zosa the best life she can, but it's been very difficult. When Jani discovers an advertisement for help wanted at magical and mysterious Hotel Magnifique, a hotel that only appears in Durc once every ten years. Jani gets her sister a job and sneaks along to keep an eye on her. But as soon as they enter the hotel, Jani realizes she must save her sister from some evil that is lurking underneath the glamour and magic of this wondrous place.

Hotel Magnifique took me far away. I loved my stay in this magical hotel, and this book is a great addition to the fantasy genre. It will be great for fans of Caraval for a lot of reasons...the magical worldbuilding, the characters, the plot, and the sister relationships all gave similar vibes. I loved Caraval, and I had so much fun getting immersed in this world and this story too.

I don't want to say much more so that I don't give anything away, but I loved exploring every room of this hotel right alongside Jani. I wish a place like this was real because I would love to find magical rooms too. I really enjoyed the romance too. It was great all around, and I think will be a wonderful summer reading recommendation.

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Very similar to Caraval vibes and I loved it! I give this a 4 stars because I am not a huge huge fan of fantasies but this fantasy genre killed it! Loved the dyanamic of how there is something hidden under the glory of everything.

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The cover of this book drew me in but I stayed for magical hotel! I really enjoyed the world building and can definitely see how it has feels of Caraval. This is a book I wish I could read again for the very first time.

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