This book was an easy read. It was a slow build up to the magic of it and some of the surprises were obvious but it was a fun enough read anyway. ( )

I enjoyed this book, I liked this magical fantasy story, I mean who wouldn't like a hotel that appears randomly that's filled with mystery and mysterious people. The length of what a sister would do for another, I personally don't have a close connection with my sister but I would do whatever I could for my brother so I could relate. The book had everything I enjoyed, magic, mystery, loyalty, twists and turns.
What I didn't like and why it isn't 5 stars is mild, there was a part that felt just maybe rushed or chaotic but other than that I love this book and it's one I would reread and recommend for sure. ( )

This book wasn't for me, which is fine. I need to stop reading books that have blurbs about "for readers of (very popular book) and (critically acclaimed book) because that's just marketing nonsense. This book only had minor plot details in common with the two books mentioned in the blurb. ( )

First book of 2023 and it had to be a fantasy!!!

Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor is a standalone fantasy which is perfect for lovers of Night Circus or the Caraval series. As a lover of both these books/series and their authors, I SECOND THIS STATEMENT.

While it has a similar backdrop of magic and travel, the book stands its own ground when it comes to everything else. The author has effortlessly created a fictional world where magic rests with suminaires and ‘RICH’ people without magic can experience their marvels at Hotel Magnifique run by the greatest suminaire of all, Alistair.

All Jani, an ordinary girl, wants is to go back home with her sister but they are broke. When she finds the flier for jobs at Hotel Magnifique, she decides to apply with her sister. Unfortunately, only her sister gets hired. She does everything in her power (aka stubbornness) to go onboard Hotel Magnifique. But things are not as simple as they seem.

Determined to get to the bottom of her questions and find a way home, Jani with the help of Bel, Beatrice and some other acquaintances she makes along the way, works hard and fast.

This is as spoiler-free as I can get since every reveal in the book is spectacular and I want you to read and discover the story as it unravels. In Spite of this being a standalone, the author does a great job of setting the fictional world and building the characters while not rushing the story. The last standalone fantasy that satisfied me with both of these aspects was Sorcery of Thorns.

I really enjoyed the different kinds of magic that different suminaires could perform and the twists in the last 150 pages are really good. The MC as usual for me, was annoying with her stubbornness but without that, there would not possibly be a growth in her character and I ended up loving her. Also, a new book boyfriend alert by the name of Bel? Maaayybe ;)

One of the best things about the book is that there are no loose ends. It is a very satisfying read. I am not sure why it is not a 5 star read for me. It may be because it was not as good as some other fantasies that I read or because I took my sweet time reading it instead of devouring it in a short period of time. Nevertheless, I rate it 4 ink pots out of 5.

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Perfectly fine to listen to on a day off while doing chores around the house. I shall forget it quickly. ( )