Imagine you're out in a storm and come across a hotel to take shelter in. You stumble into it and nothing is as you expected. It’s like walking into another time, another place. A place where magic rules and nothing is the same the second time you look at it. And if you stay past midnight, you’ll be stuck there forever as a ghost.

This book has such a brilliant idea, and I really enjoyed the hotel. This concept of a magical and somewhat alive building. Where nothing is where you expect it to be, and nothing is as it seems. I really liked the main character Anna and her personal growth. How she has to learn to let go and enjoy life. Accept that not everything can be controlled, and sometimes not having control is a good thing. It’s what I love in a contemporary setting, but here it has a magical backdrop which gets bonus points from me.

Honestly, if the story was just about Anna, Max and their adventures in the hotel I would have enjoyed this book even more. Because a whimsical hotel, a race against time and a soft love story would have been so good! Because I didn’t care for the revenge plot-line. Not to mention that even though it was meant to be the backbone of the entire set of events that lead Anna to the Houdini, it is sort of brushed to the side for most of the book.

Something else that’s worth mentioning is that the tone of the writing feels more like the book belongs on the younger end of the YA spectrum. This would have been perfect for a teenage me. But it’s still a quick read for an adult.

What a delightfully whimsical read! I really loved the concept of this book, as I love all stories that have magical hotel or circus vibes. This one really does transport you to a magical world and I enjoyed the fantastical elements sprinkled throughout.

Midnight at the Houdini follows Anna and Max as Anna tries to find her way out of the Houdini Hotel before time runs out.

I would say this book was geared more towards middle grade readers or the lower age bracket of ya. Overall this book was a really quick, easy, entertaining read.

This was an enjoyable ya fantasy book! I loved the overall concept of this book. The author had a very descriptive writing style which really helps to transport readers into the magical hotel that is the Houdini. I loved following main characters Anna and Max as they got to know one another and as Anna tried to find a way out of the hotel by midnight. This book had many references to The Night Circus, Narnia and Alice In Wonderland which I appreciated, especially since you could tell that those stories inspired the author. Overall this was a really good read.

I really enjoyed my reading of Midnight at the Houdini. It is full of magic the hotel itself feels alive.
I loved Anna and Max, I thought their romance was sweet, and even though Max wanted nothing more than for Anna to stay in the Hotel with him he did his best to help her find a way out. Watching him show Anna the wonders of the hotel really brought it to life, and overall I just had a great time reading it. It was suspenseful in all the right places, and at times had me on the edge of my seat, and I think the only issue I had was that I wanted more when it was all finished.

Thanks Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review Midnight at the Houdini in exchange for my honest review.

I like the cover art and the title of the book. I read the synopsis and the book sounded like it would be up my alley. Although, I've heard mixed reviews from other arc readers. In the end I didn't love the book, but I also didn't hate the book either. It felt like it took awhile to get to the point of why the hotel even existed and how all the characters fit into the storyline. Midnight at the Houdini is a decent book with potential to be better. Sadly, it was just an okay story for me.

Maybe it was just me, I couldn't recall pieces of the book and why things were happening after it happened. Like the things that happen in the book wasn't memorable. These are just my opinions about the book.

The plot of Midnight at the Houdini is a delightful blend of mystery and fantasy. Dawson expertly intertwines historical events and real-life figures with her own imaginative twists. The pacing is brisk, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the story unfolds, and the clues are cleverly scattered, inviting readers to piece together the puzzle alongside Clara.

Moreover, the author's prose is elegant and evocative, creating an ethereal ambiance that perfectly complements the magical elements of the story. The dialogue is witty and engaging, capturing the unique personalities of each character. Dawson's writing style is both enchanting and accessible, making the book a pleasure to read for both young adult and adult readers alike.

However, while Midnight at the Houdini captivates with its enchanting world and compelling characters, some readers might find certain plot twists predictable. Additionally, the book occasionally introduces concepts or magical elements that could have been further explored or developed to enhance the story's depth.

Overall, "Midnight at the Houdini" is an enthralling read that combines mystery, magic, and historical fiction with finesse. Delilah S. Dawson's masterful storytelling transports readers into a world where nothing is as it seems and invites them to unravel the secrets of the Houdini'. With its compelling characters, atmospheric setting, and an engaging plot, this book is sure to leave readers spellbound until the very last page.

3.5 - Overall this gave Hotel Magnifique vibes. The world (hotel) build was cool, I liked the energy. The chemistry between the mains was good - maybe because it gave me such vibes from the other book it didn't grab as much as it could have. I still enjoyed it and will recommend.

Anna runs away from her family only to find herself in a magical hotel where no one can leave. She must escape before midnight or she too will be stuck forever.

I think this had the potential to be really good. I think if Dawson had written more of a YA audience instead of a middle grade audience, this could’ve had richer language, scenery, etc. As is, it falls a little flat.

Sixteen-year-old Anna has always looked up to her older sister, Emily. The pair have been thick as thieves since they were young, and Anna couldn't imagine her life without her sister around. But Anna's world is shattered on Emily's wedding night when she learns her sister plans on moving away. Devastated, Anna leaves the reception in the middle of a storm and is forced to take shelter in a curious hotel called the Houdini. It's clear from the moment she walks in that the Houdini isn't an ordinary hotel, and Anna can't look past the thread of magic filling the air. When she meets a strange boy named Max, Anna is intrigued. Max has never left the Houdini before but feels like he knows Anna. For once, Anna feels important but then discovers the hotel has a secret. Anna has until midnight to find a way to break its enchantments, or she'll be stuck inside the Houdini forever.

I saw this compared to The Starless Sea and Caraval and was like, "Sign me up." I love a story that takes place in a magical environment, and an enchanted hotel seemed so fun. Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. The writing felt more middle-grade than YA, which is fine, but Anna was supposed to be sixteen years old but read like she was twenty-six. It felt like the writing didn't match the characters, and the whole thing feel disjointed. I also saw some reviews mention that this is a reimagining of The Tempest, which I didn't know before going into it, but it makes sense with how the story played out. I thought the premise was enjoyable but was lacking in the execution.

3.5 stars. I enjoyed the concept and the magic but the pacing felt a bit off to me. It was still entertaining and magical!

"A girl discovers a surreal hotel where no one ever leaves. When the clock strikes midnight, she'll be trapped there forever unless she's able to break free from magic that in turn breaks all her rules. Perfect for fans of Caraval and The Starless Sea!

Life has gone according to plan for Anna - she stays in the background, letting her sister, Emily, shine in the spotlight. But on Emily's wedding night, Anna learns that her sister is moving away, abandoning her - and all their shared dreams. Devastated, Anna leaves the reception in the middle of a raging storm, taking shelter in a hotel she's never seen before: the Houdini.

The Houdini is a hotel unlike any other, with sumptuous velvet couches, marble tiled floors, secret restaurants, winding passageways, and an undercurrent of magic in the air. And when Anna meets Max, who has lived his entire life inside its walls, she's captivated. For the first time in her life, Anna is center stage, in a place that anticipates her every desire, with a boy who only has eyes for her.

But there's a terrifying secret hidden in the Houdini. When the clock strikes midnight, Anna will be trapped there forever unless she can find a way to break free from its dreamlike magic. But will she be able to do it if it means leaving Max behind?

Enchanting, mysterious, and utterly fantastic, Midnight at the Houdini will cast its spell on you."

And would you really want to leave a magic hotel?

If you loved Caravel then you need to read/recommend this book! A highly enjoyable fantasy romp. I loved the characters and the Houdini hotel promises magic and mystery! Great read for teens and adults. I will be recommending this to fantasy lovers.

Holy smokes! A twisted mash-up of Alice and The Shining that'll leave you guessing from page to page.

Midnight at the Houdini has officially become a favorite that I plan to read again and again and again.

I can't wait for the book to be released because I want this in a physical format, too!

I really enjoyed this magical hotel mystery, and loved the characters of Max and Anna. I don't usually go for young adult books but as this one sounded reminiscent of The Night Circus and had funny elements of pop culture in it I decided to make an exception and I'm glad I did! The magic and anthropomorphizing of the hotel was very cool, and I enjoyed Anna growing out of her control freak-ness and into more of herself as well as her and Max's connection. It did seem a little rushed and some things were left a little unexplained but I enjoyed it overall! Four stars.

**2.5 STARS**

This book was a little mix of everything and not all of it worked for me. It’s set in Las Vegas, where Anna has just finished helped with her sister’s wedding. She’s in a car with her dad (a hotel mogul) and his two friends (who were kind of like uncles to her, but kind of jerks). They get caught in a freak tornado and end up taking shelter or trying to find help at one of the hotels they own, The Houdini.

Inside the Houdini is something else. There is a boy named Max who’s never left the Houdini and his mom Phoebe who’s the villain of the story. The Houdini is like Alice in Wonderland strange, and yet the tornado reminded me of the Wizard of Oz…this story is quite a whirlwind and I couldn’t quite find myself being invested in the story even though I thought some of the elements were interesting.

The story moves so fast, so at least I didn’t struggle with that but this wasn’t for me.

Why you should read it:
*you like magical realism and magical hotels

Why you might not want to read it:
*the mix of everything just didn’t work for me

My Thoughts:

This one isn’t for me. I thought the concept was strangely cool with the hotel being magical, but the story failed to hold my interest.

I received this ARC from Random House Children's Publishing and Delilah S. Dawson from NetGalley.

I was drawn to this book because it was said to be for those who loved The Night Circus and Caraval, and I did read and enjoy both of those stories. Having read Midnight At the Houdini, I feel like it reminded me of The Night Circus mixed with Hotel Magnifique, Alice in Wonderland, a hint of Wizard of Oz, and a splash of Spirited Away!

I loved this book and thought it was magical and cute!

I really loved the way the writing was reminiscent of The Night Circus and loved all the little shoutouts to The Night Circus Anna mentions as well!

I enjoyed the shifting of povs of all the characters within the chapters - it really made me feel like I was witnessing everything unfold as if I was the Houdini itself! I also enjoyed that the Houdini was it's own character in subtle but significantly magical ways.

I also felt the build up of mystery up to the reveals were well paced for the main characters. There was just enough of Anna, Max, and Phoebe's pasts presented that really drove the story and their personalities and intentions and it all connected decently in the end.

The small messages about confidence and forgiveness at the end were cute, but I feel they were almost presented like an afterthought.

Overall I enjoyed the story very much!

The idea behind this novel seemed really interesting, but in the execution I was let down. I got Hotel Magnifique vibes from the cover and synopsis, for sure. While reading, I found myself having more and more questions about the plot, world-building and magic as the story went on, which wasn't great. I also really feel like the plot hit a wall about halfway through, which brought the pacing of the story to a screeching halt. It felt like a good amount of things, rather than be explained in good detail, were just sort of wrapped up by going "because of the magic" which was really unsatisfying. The tone of this book was also pretty young, even for YA, which is just not something I'm a huge fan of. But that is not a remove-a-star issue for me, because I do want YA to be accessible by the entire spectrum of ages that YA covers. It just felt like the subject matter and the synopsis warranted a bit of an older tone.
I can see why people will enjoy this, and I did like a few aspects like the romance and the sort of playful/whimsical-ness the story had. I also like a hotel setting, I feel like it is such a cool place to set any sort of story. Overall, not for me, but I think some of our younger teens might enjoy this if my library ends up with physical copies!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ecopy of this book. I really enjoyed this. It was a great blend of fantasy and reality with a hint of that childhood magic. Bringing in the complacency of having everything, but being trapped inside a pretty cage. Life is never going to be easy, but as long as you keep looking for an escape there is a way to overcome. These types of books are so desperately needed during these times.

This is a book that seemed like it would be right up my alley, but unfortunately, the story just didn't fire on all cylinders.

First, there was a disconnected between the story that bookends the Houdini hotel portion and the actual hotel portion itself. The hokey sister-obsession seemed forced and unnecessary. Anna is not a character that I liked at any point, but Max was someone I just wanted to have a happy ending.

For the crux of the story, following Anna and Max continually leads to more and more questions that didn't have answers. The addition of the older generations also seemed to detract from what seemed to be a love story for the younger two. I was never quite sure what the goal/genre were, so I struggled with the juxtaposition of the confliction foci.

Overall: 3 stars

I'll tell my students about: language, magic, death, mental health/trauma

**Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the free DRC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

I think I had low expectations after reading Hotel Magnifique, which contains a similar premise but, for me, failed to deliver. I enjoyed MIDNIGHT AT THE HOUDINI much more than I thought I would, and felt that the world building and character development was appropriate for a YA novel. It was fast-paced despite some predictable twists, and I just really enjoyed the pretty straightforward, yet suspenseful, story. The world building, rules of magic, and backstories were a little sparse but lacked major plot holes, and it helped the whole story maintain a naivety that felt refreshing. I do think more backstories could have been expanded on, but I think it ultimately would have changed what the story was trying to relate about Anna. I always find pop culture references cringey, but Dawson managed to incorporate them in a way that didn't feel like an adult forcing Gen Z lingo for relatability. Fans of Stephanie Garber and Erin Morgenstern (the latter was even referenced within the book) would enjoy this delightful, slightly dark read.