What a wonderful book this is, full of magic, mystery and wonderful characters. I have seen it described as a mix of The Night Circus and Caraval, two of my favourite books, and I can see why it attracts that description. However, it is a fantastic book in its own right, and whilst I would urge Erin Morgenstern and Stephanie Garber fans to read this, I would also urge anyone who enjoys books that transport you to a magical land, that you can feel, taste, smell and experience as if you were there yourselves to also read it.

Set in a magical hotel, that appears at locations only once a decade, it tells the story of two orphan sisters, who want to find a way to escape the life they lead and return to the place of their birth. It includes a host of characters, often morally ambiguous, and like the sisters, you are never sure who to trust.

The character development is outstanding and the world building is exceptional. I 100% recommend this book.

Thank you to the author, Pushkin Press and NetGalley for an ARC in return for a honest review

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a review copy.

This book was so good. It definitely has night circus/ caraval vibes. But the story is soo much more than them. Jani is a strong amazing big sister who only wants the best for her little sister. She literally will do anything to try and get them back home.

However once they step into the Hotel Magnifique , their whole world is turned upside down. Amazing magic everywhere, enchanting them every step of the way. And there's Bel....

I adore this journey and thoroughly think it's something to pick up if you love light romance and a mystery to be solved

This book was so enjoyable that I suggested it as next month's book club pick at work. It was so well written and had such an engaging plot that I read it in one sitting. I was first drawn to this book by the cover - oops, bibliophiles shouldn't admit that, should they? haha - but I'm so honoured to have received the arc because I absolutely loved it. Emily J. Taylor will be an auto-buy author for me now and I firmly believe everyone should pick up a copy of Hotel Magnifique.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pushkin Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hotel Magnifique follows Jani amd Zosa, who desperate to escape their mundane lives in Durc, accept jobs at the Hotel Magnifique, a magical hotel that changes location every night at mightnight. However, Jani soon discovers that not everything is as it seems and she has to risk everything to save her sister and the rest of the staff.

The premise of this book sounded amazing, Caraval meets the Night Circus. However, I found the beginning of this book was a little too similar and I therefore found it to be slightly boring. Once the story started unfolding and taking a darker side, the pacing picked up and I found myself enjoying it more, but the ending felt a little rushed to me.

Jani's character was irritating at times. Literally everything she attempted ended in disaster! I have never read a character as unlucky as her (and she is credited in the book as a lucky character in the past). Her love for her sister powers her through all these mistakes, and I did find myself pleased with the ending she achieves through the book.

All in all, I'm glad I read this book, and I did enjoy it, there was just a few little niggles with plotting and pacing that made me rate it down to 3.5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a marvellous book this was. The world-building was top notch in this considering how many different places this hotel visits. Jani as the Main Character is a really refreshing take on a 17-year-old girl because she's not in a love triangle and she's looking out for her sister and I feel she was putting her own feelings aside because she needed to make sure her sister was safe and well cared for.

I would happily read this book again.

Hotel Magnifique is a magic it travels the world at midnight and is in a different location every day, only returning to the place you were picked up every 10yrs!

Sisters 17yr old Jani and 13yr old Zoza apply for jobs at Hotel Magnifique, Zoza is immediately hired while Jani is turned down, forcing her to come up with a new way to stay by her sister's side.

Hotel Magnifique was a wonderfully enthralling book, Jani is really loveable and relatable which isn't always the case with MC she has an insatiable curiosity for the workings of the Hotel (wouldnt you??) . Highly addictive read that I couldn't put down!

3.7 Stars

One Liner: Great world-building; characters need work

Jani and her younger sister, Zosa, are barely scraping by in Durc. Jani knows that the only way to escape fast and earn enough to back home would be by finding a job at the mysterious and magical Hotel Magnifique. Of course, no one really knows where the hotel comes from or how it travels. But no one denies its magic and allure.
Jani and Zosa do find a job as the staff. Jani is delighted and amazed until she realizes that Hotel Magnifique hides sinister seamlessly behind smiles and whimsical enchantments. It doesn’t help that her every step causes some or the other trouble for her and Bel.
Bel is the handsome doorman at Hotel Magnifique and the only ally Jani has. As things get complicated and dangerous, Jani has no choice but to risk everything to end the danger. That’s the only way to go home! Can Jani do what she needs to do to save her friends from evil?

My Observations:

The setting and world-building are wonderful. The hotel, its rooms, the enchantments, etc., are descriptive, detailed, and a treat to read. The fictitious setting matches the dark mood of the storyline.
Jani is the narrator of the book, and we get to see her do more than a few stupid things. I’m glad I went into the book expecting it. That made it easy to enjoy the flow rather than think too much about her actions. That said, I probably need to visit the hospital if I bite the inside of my cheek as many times to stay silent. (Kuch zyada hi ho gaya!)
Bel was a really cute character. I like how he has layers, though he needs more space to show his potential. In fact, almost every other character has the same issue. There isn’t enough to connect with them. The focus is on Jani stumbling through things she isn’t supposed to.
The pacing is a little uneven too. The story seems to go in circles from 25% to 55%. The major breakthrough happens at 60%, and things rush from there. Moreover, a crucial part of the story is ‘told’, which dampens the impact. The reveal has to be stronger. The scenes that follow it are, which almost make up for this, but not fully.
There’s some cute romance too appropriate for a YA book. I still think I like Bel more than Jani, but he loves her, so what can I say! He’ll survive (maybe).
The climax felt a little rushed. There’s one good decision Jani took at that stage, but still, it kind of left me wanting.

To sum up, Hotel Magnifique is a good debut with beautiful world-building and atmosphere. The characters and pacing need a little more work. It’s pretty much YA in narration, so be prepared for it.

Thank you, NetGalley, Pushkin Press, and Pushkin Children's Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I fell in love with this book cover as soon as I saw it! The gold font of the title, the peacock feathers, the key on the chain, the moon by the little hotel also depicted on the cover, it all
Sets the atmosphere for the book, majestic, mysterious and most likely marvellous!
These items and the colours on the colours used on the cover all suggest opulence and luxury, which certainly apply to the Hotel Magnifique. All the items on the cover are relevant within the book and story too. I think this cover is one of those you don’t necessarily notice everything on it at once, but every time you look it feels like it reveals more. The cover certainly does its job very well as it made me take notice of the book, and its going to look amazing on a bookstore shelf!

The two central characters in the book are teenage sisters Janine & Zosa Lafayette who live in the Bezier residence in Durc. When their mother died, Janine had decided to travel to Durc with the last of their money in the hope that her younger sister Zosa would become a singer, and she could get a job, unfortunately things didn’t go to plan. The only thing the girls have is an old necklace belonging their mother which Jani wears all the time. Jani has been working in a factory to pay for them to stay at Beziers. When Janine sees an advert for staff vacancies at the Hotel Magnifique she comes up with a new plan. Zosa can audition to become a singer in the hotel and she will apply for whatever other job is available be it cleaning or cooking she doesn’t care as long as they are together.

Durc is buzzing with the news that the Hotel Magnifique will be visiting. Those with money rush to buy tickets, those without money hang about outside hoping to be chosen as one of the lucky ones given a free ticket into the Hotel. The Hotel has an almost magnetic type of pull for people, everyone seems to find it irresistible, even if they don’t get to go inside, people hang around just for a look at it. Hotel Magnifique is literally a house of dreams and magic. With rampant rumours about what goes on inside and things like the pillows being the softest ever made as they are stuffed with spun clouds. Guests sip on liquid gold in champagnes flutes for breakfast. The fancy doormen are all Princes and each night the hotel crosses the world over 3 times! When the hotel appears in Durc it is squished between two existing buildings and it looks rather run down on the outside.

Zosa sings and is immediately given a contract to sign and told to report back to the hotel before midnight. At midnight every night the Hotel Magnifique disappears from its current location and appears at the next place it will visit. Usually, hotel guests stay for around 2 weeks though some stay much longer. When Bel a man from Hotel Magnifique arrives at the Bezier residence to collect Zosa, he meets strong resistance from the sisters, as Jani insists that she is given a job, any job, she will do anything as long as she can stay with her sister and they have never been apart from each other since Zosa was born. Without giving too many secrets away, Jani is hastily given a contract to sign, as everyone needs to sign contract to enter the hotel, even the guests sign one!

It soon becomes apparent to Jani that all is not magical, opulent and amazing inside the hotel. It may well seem like that for guests, but the staff see a very different side to the hotel and its Maitre and head Suminaire, Alastair. Jani starts work with some other new young girls and women under the supervision of Beatrice as a maid. Zosa is staying in a different part of the hotel and the two girls do not see each other as they wish too. When Jani asks one too many questions and ends up being somewhere she shouldn’t be she is cruelly demoted by Alastair and sent to work in the kitchens. Sadly, Jani sees the true awful side to Alastair and learns not everything is as it seems at the Hotel Magnifique. Unfortunately for Alastair, Jani is not prepared to stay quiet, or give up on seeing her sister.

That’s really all I want to reveal abut the plot of the book. The plot goes off in quite a few directions, the stories of the different members of staff and how they came to be working in the Hotel Magnifique. Then there’s the intricacies of how the hotel works the way it does and why. You also learn about how Hotel Magnifique came to be and its revealed how Alastair became known as the most powerful Suminaire, as well as the histories of the other Suminaire/magic wielders.

I found I liked quite a lot of the characters in the book, though my favourite character has to be Bel, the dark brooding young man always in the background, watching and ready to rescue Jani is she needs it. A wielder of magic himself, perhaps the strongest one in the hotel has a special job every night at midnight. Bel has seen both sides of Hotel Magnifique and soon finds himself becomes attached to the persistent sister of the new singer Zosa. He knew the hotel was a dark place and tried to dissuade Jani from coming with Zosa but Jani refused to listen. I also have to mention Beatrice, and her backstory. She really did become a friend to Jani despite the risks to herself. I loved the “ending” that the author gave Beatrice, it was perfect. Another character that doesn’t really feature in the book much is the Minette Bezier who rents the girls a room in her establishment. Minette was once a lucky receiver of a ticket for a stay in the Hotel Magnifique and has told the girls how magical the place is and how handsome the Maitre is and how he didn’t seem to have aged since the first time she ever saw him when she was a young girl to the time she actually stayed in the hotel. Minette is a sort of mother figure to those that stay in her home somewhat under her care. I thoroughly enjoyed being initially skeptical about the grand Maitre of Hotel Magnifique, Alastair, then as time went on and the hotel history was revealed and secrets unfurled, he made a perfect bad guy. The author does present the reasons for Alastair being so obsessed, single minded and set that no one will get in his way of his vision of becoming the ultimate Suminaire and master of all he surveys.

I felt an initial pull to the book primarily the cover, then read the blurb and knew I had to read the book. I adored Jani and Zosa, always sticking together, looking out for each other. Jani is the more practical older sister, the responsible one who has been working in a factory so Zosa didn’t have to. Zosa kind of has her head in the clouds. As the younger sister she seems more carefree. Instantly carried away by being able to sing in the hotel and signing the contract before Jani can even ask if there is a job for herself. Though the two sisters end up separated inside the hotel Jani is determined to look out for her sister and does the best she can.

I felt really immersed in the book, I hated having to put it down to sleep! Unusually I even sat and read some of it in the day time, which I can’t normally do. I’m more of a curl up and read in bed reader. There were lots of clues as to what may happen and I enjoyed guessing the “talents” of the different characters. I loved wondering what was going to happen next to Jani as well as what was going to happen next within the hotel too. Hotel Magnifique has happiness, and “pretty” magic but it also has a darker, twisted, sinister rather awful and shocking side too, and I loved it all! From the authors descriptions I could visualise the people, places, and surroundings. I think this book would make a brilliant movie or Tv adaptation, so long as they stick as close as possible to the actual book.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were Wow, the book lives up to one of the words in the title, it really is Magnifique!! I felt totally entranced from the first word to the last, amazing.

Summing up, you really need to read this one. I haven’t read either of the books it has been compared with, Caraval or The Night Circus though I do have both books on my kindle/book-shelf. The book I have read that it made me think of was Daughter Of The Burning City by Amanda Foody, which I also highly recommend reading. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for what is coming next from this author.

This was an intriguing magical story that kept me curious throughout the whole book. I liked the fact that it started as this perfect magical scenario but also had some dark twists. I also enjoyed the relationships between the characters, especially Jani’s love for her sister. I really liked Bel and the romance between them. However, I felt that it lacked some detail and world-building, but I liked the writing, and it was easy to read.

I would really recommend this book if you like magical stories such as Caraval.

Thanks to Pushkin Press for the digital copy!

This was as whimsical and magical as I expected it would be.

Felt very 'Night Circus' but set in a Hotel that travels around the world.

Story started a bit slow but really started to pick up when Jani was trying to unravel the mysteries and dark under-current of the hotel to the point where I couldn't put this book down.

The characters and magic were done really well and did not expect one of the twists at all which was a nice surprise usually see them all a mile away.

There is a slow burn romance that was done well and I loved that the main focus was on family and Jani trying to protect her sister.

There are a lot of French type words which took a bit to get used to and pulled me out of the story a little bit till I got used to it and conclusion felt slightly rushed.

Overall a very magical and unique read, despite it getting compared to Night Circus and Caravel it does its own thing and is done well.

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

Hotel Magnifique is an exciting young adult fantasy debut from Emily J Taylor. If you love the books The Night Circus and Caraval then you are going to absolutely adore this book.
In short with no spoilers, it’s a dazzling magical story of the enduring love of two sisters, a mysterious hotel that changes locations nightly, the strange and enigmatic inhabitants of the titular hotel, all wrapped in a heavy dose of French inspiration.
Emily J Taylor does wonder well, and the book is packed with rich world building and an interesting and at times dark system of magic. She definitely captures the ‘Magnificent’ in Hotel Magnifique. Once you have started this book you are going to have trouble putting it down.
A deliciously magical debut from a new voice in young adult fantasy 4 stars out of five.

☆☆☆½

Hotel Magnifique was fast paced and had an interesting plot (and some whimsy which I always love) but fell a little flat to me, whilst it definitely had an interesting premise I just felt it didn’t reach its full potential, it was kinda fun though and a quick read.

it's good but it doesn't quite manage to get over the sameness i associate with a lot of young adult fantasy.
i love the night circus and this book made me realize what people would dislike about it. i liked the hotel though, liminal spaces are the coolest.

This was such a magical book! I loved how Jani was such a strong character throughout and didn’t stop until she got what she wanted! The descriptions made me feel like I was watching a film as I read it. The plot was super interesting and I loved how Bel’s character stayed so mysterious due to his contract. I really want a prequel about Hella and Bel and just HM before Jani joined, especially more about Frigga. I loved all the characters.
The story was such a great pace and loved that it picked up halfway through so it didn’t drag too much. I’m glad the ending wasn’t too fast and it took its time.

3.5 ⭐️
A very fast and enjoyable read. As the blurb depicts the story revolves around a magical hotel with a dark and twisted side. I was a huge fan of Caraval, and so was really excited to pick this up. However, I did not enjoy it as much. Still, the story delivered a magical tale and a good time overall. I liked following Jani through her journey, and I especially liked Bel’s character, as well as the romance between the two. However, I felt like the story lacked in certain areas, especially the world-building. Despite this, I truly believe this could be a great read for someone who just wants a simple fantasy with magic and a story that is not heavily focused on the world-building aspect.

Huge thanks to Pushkin Press for the digital copy!

Two young sisters join the staff of the mysterious Hotel Magnifique where people check in by invitation only and are transported to surprise destinations during their stay. However, the magic tricks and illusions laid on to entertain the guests are not the only deceptions taking place....

Emily J Taylor really brought the Hotel staff and guests to life with her writing and I could really picture the scenes being described. The story started at a sedate pace, building the backstory, but ended at breakneck speed. I can't wait to read more by this author.

I hope you enjoy your stay at Hotel Magnifique as much as I did!

Thanks to the author, Pushkin Press and Netgalley.co.uk for the eARC of this book.

I found this book very difficult to put down!

It was really absorbing, with characters that you couldn't help but warm to. There was mystery and intrigue and twists and turns aplenty. The writing style was so easy to read and lose yourself in.

I will not hesitate to pick up the author's next book.

What I loved the most about Hotel Magnifique is how colorful the story is. It is full of colors, flavors, aromas, and magic. And at the same time, it´s actually pretty dark, a bit creepy, and deadly. I love such combinations. Overall, It´s got fantastic mysterious magic vibes

Initially, the hotel and all the magic in this enchanting world are very much shrouded in mystery. The reader has to discover everything - that is how the hotel and magic in general works - step by step together with Jani. I loved the magic and plot. It kept me on my toes. While we get some answers along the way, thus same things start to make more sense, others just make you ask more questions, making you more curious. I really enjoyed this discovery journey… following Jani´s attempts to uncover all the secrets of the hotel, its employees (including my dear Bel), and especially its powerful maître.

At first, the hotel seems like a paradise, a dream come true… that magical place full of extravagant things, incredibly rich guests (by the way, I am sad that we didn´t see much of them), and lavish events. It feels like everything you could ever imagine or dream of coming true. It´s simply glittering. Eventually, though, the book takes a darker turn, as Jani discovers all the rot hiding beneath the lustrous hotel walls.

Despite not falling for it myself, because I expected the darkness to flow on the surface (yeah, I am a very suspicious person), I think the author made an excellent job of trying to make the reader believe in all that glitter and gold.

That hotel is as bizarre as it is enchanting and I am all in for that. I wish I could visit such a place as a guest, even though it´s probably not a very wise idea because there are some truly nefarious things going on. I mean… all those glass eyes, people turned into birds, missing memories, deadly contract, the danger of disappearing into some void.

I would describe Jani as a very devoted, fierce girl which I admired about her. Anyway, sometimes she was acting a bit foolishly. From time to time, she felt a bit too stubborn for my taste, but I can appreciate that she has flaws. Good characters are always those who are not perfect. Bel got my heart. He is such a precious cinnamon roll character, yet there is a lot of passion hidden in him. Someone give the poor guy a hug. He deserves it.

I loved seeing Jani and Bel together. They worked well as a duo and I was sad to let them go at the end. I love their dynamics and appreciated how they slowly get to know each other a bit more while the sparks were flying around. I think it was a well-done slow-burn romance.

It was nicely wrapped. I loved the way it all tied down at the end, everything making sense and ending just how I imagined. To tell the truth, while I appreciate the ending I am still a little bit sad that this book seems to be a standalone. I would love to see more of these characters and their ongoing journey. I want to see more of all those wonderful places the hotel visits each day.

To summarize, I loved this magical piece of work. The hotel was very intriguing. You know, I just can´t get enough of magical buildings. Plus, I now need to read The Night Circus and Caraval because others claim that it is perfect for the fans of these two books. From what I know about them, I absolutely believe it. Yeah, this book felt truly magnifique.

I really enjoyed Hotel Magnifique from Emily J. Taylor. It’s a brilliant YA fantasy that is filled with magic, mystery, decadence, but also with a much darker and indeed sinister side to it. It’s a really fun read.

Hotel Magnifique is a hotel like no other. There is a magical world behind it’s doors. It moves location every night, stopping in the same place only once a decade. When the Magnifique comes to 17 year old Jani’s home town she hatches a plan to get her and her sister Zosa a job in the hotel, in the hope of escaping their dreary lives. Luck is on the girls side, but once inside Jani soon learns there is a lot more going on than meets the eye and that there is a much darker side to this magnificent hotel. Will Jani be able to undercover then true cost of residing in the Hotel before it’s too late?

Taylor’s world building is brilliant both outside of, and within the Hotel itself. Outside the Hotel we are afforded glimpses into some rather unique cities and towns, all of which are beautifully described. Yet it is the Hotel itself that provides the greatest backdrop to the story. With its grand lobby, spectacular guest rooms, changing ballrooms and moving staircases, the Hotel is something else! Driven by the magic that inhabits it, the Hotel is both decadent and spellbinding.

I really enjoyed the descriptions of magic throughout Hotel Magnifique. In the story those with magic are called suminaires. In some places they are accepted and revered whilst in others they are treated with deep mistrust, but the Hotel is supposed to be a safe heaven for all magic. The suninaires use artefacts to channel their magic. Taylor’s description of the artefacts and the magic channelled through them was just brilliant. I especially loved all the descriptions of the magic that make the Hotel so spectacular, even though we come to learn that there is darkness lurking under its gilded surface.

There is a romantic subplot that works nicely throughout. Given it’s a YA novel it’s a sweet friends/confidants to lovers type situation. There’s great chemistry between Jani and Bel which makes their evolving relationship work well. I also liked the running theme of what people are prepared to do (or in some cases not do) for the love of their sibling. Jani and Zoza’s relationship is a key cornerstone with the novel, though theirs is not the only significant sibling relationship we encounter.

Overall a very enjoyable read, one that had me hooked in and which I’d gladly recommend.

The expectations for this book were high. From the moment I read the synopsis I knew I wanted and needed to have this book and when I saw the book on Netgalley I also knew I had to request it. I was therefore incredibly happy when the publisher granted my request and even happier when I received my physical copy of the book sooner than I expected. I was therefore really looking forward to reading this story and to see if it really could keep up with books like the Night Circus.

Let me start this review with saying that making comparisons between this book and the Night Circus isn't fair towards both books. Where the Night Circus is a very atmospheric read, mostly relying on the feel of the book, this book is way more plot focussed. It was clear quite soon that this hotel hid some very dark secrets and was therefore not half as pretty and mesmerizing as the Night Circus. We learn way too much about the dark side way too soon to believe in its glimmer and glamor.

However, I really enjoyed the magic in this book. It was dark, it was sinister, it was in a way also full of possibilities. There were a few reveals in this book I really enjoyed. Of course I don't want to give away too much, but what I loved most is that the mythology and the way this magic works makes sure that there are no chosen or special ones needed in this story. After all, if magic can work in so many ways it's simply a matter of finding the right way to use it.

I also quite liked the heroine in this story. She was not some perfect angel, without faults and without mistakes. She had some things to learn and I really liked that we saw her learning those lessons, that we saw her grow, that we saw her realize what the word home actually means. I have to admit that I think the romance needed a little more depth and a little more time, but I totally believe that, even though this story is a great stand alone, the romance is actually only beginning.