Hotel Magnifique by Emily J Taylor – Book Review
Hotel Magnifique by Emily J Taylor – Book Review
Hotel Magnifique
Author – Emily J Taylor
Publisher – Razorbill
Pages – 400
Released – 5th April 2022
ISBN-13 – 978-0593404515
Format – paperback, hardcover
Rating – 5 Stars
I received a free copy of this book.
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Synopsis
For fans of Caraval and The Night Circus, this decadent and darkly enchanting YA fantasy, set against the backdrop of a Belle Époque-inspired hotel, follows seventeen-year-old Jani as she uncovers the deeply disturbing secrets of the legendary Hotel Magnifique.
All her life, Jani has dreamed of Elsewhere. Just barely scraping by with her job at a tannery, she’s resigned to a dreary life in the port town of Durc, caring for her younger sister Zosa. That is, until the Hotel Magnifique comes to town.
The hotel is legendary not only for its whimsical enchantments, but also for its ability to travel–appearing in a different destination every morning. While Jani and Zosa can’t afford the exorbitant costs of a guest’s stay, they can interview to join the staff, and are soon whisked away on the greatest adventure of their lives. But once inside, Jani quickly discovers their contracts are unbreakable and that beneath the marvelous glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets.
With the vexingly handsome doorman Bel as her only ally, Jani embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery of the magic at the heart of the hotel and free Zosa–and the other staff–from the cruelty of the ruthless maître d’hôtel. To succeed, she’ll have to risk everything she loves, but failure would mean a fate far worse than never returning home.
Review by Stacey
After the death of their mother, sisters Jani and Zosa travelled to the town of Durc hoping for a better life for them, but unfortunately, one couldn’t be found and they ended up working in a tannery. Upon hearing that the mysterious Hotel Magnifique is in town and they are looking for staff, the girls apply for jobs.
This is a book that is hard to review without giving any spoilers away, but I will try, hence I haven’t told you any more about it above. What I will say is that it is a truly amazing YA adventure novel. It is filled with magic, mystery, and mayhem. There is good and evil both at play and characters you will love and hate.
The hotel is unlike you will ever know, in that each day it lands in a different place in the fantasy world that has been created by the author. The guests pay a lot of money to stay there and are treated to the most enjoyable, out-of-this-world time whilst they are there. The staff though is a different kettle of fish and not everything is as it first seems, something more sinister is at play and Jani is determined to discover the truth.
I adored this book. It is fast-paced, exciting, unputdownable, enchanting, and totally unique. The hotel is brought to life on the pages and the descriptions make it easy for you to visualise what is happening.
Essentially this is a book of love, the bond between two sisters and the courage it takes to face anything or anyone, whether real or magical, who tries to come between them. It is a fabulous story and anyone who loves books filled with fantasy and magic should give it a read.
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Emily J. Taylor was born and raised in California and has since refused to stay put. She’s lived in four states and on two continents, all of which have conveniently given her an endless amount of story fodder. She currently works as a creative director in Minneapolis, where she spends the long winters dreaming up glittering worlds to spin into dark tales.
I am enamored with the cover, if the book is as imaginative as the cover, I can understand why you liked it so much
Glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like a great mix of elements.
Thank you DJ. I know that cover is super gorgeous. The book is fab too.
Thank you Nadene. It really is a fab read. I think it will be quiet popular when it is released.