I found the unique world fascinating. this is the first book i’ve read by this author, and it has intrigued me enough to want to pick up some of her other books (which i’ve heard a lot of good things about). maggie stiefvater has a way with words and knows how to write a captivating and different world.

I also like how the characters are fresh and aren’t comparable to many others. everything felt new and exciting to discover and learn about. despite all this, I did find a slight disconnect between myself and the characters (but that’s a me problem 😂)

i struggled a lot with the writing style and getting fully immersed with the book, to the point where it felt like a chore to pick up. there was a lot of potential, and i was definitely interested in the world but felt a lack of connection to the story and characters that really hindered my reading experience.

the listeners is a perfect weaving of historical and magical realism to get lost in a fantastical world.

I'm afraid that I have been unable to finish this book for now. I liked the blurb and expected to enjoy the story, however I have been confused by so many characters with more than one name and I'm not sure whether I am reading as something happens or a past event. The story moves very slowly and I find myself feeling bored. I sorry to write a disappointing review and maybe I will come back to it another time.

This was a very interesting read, it was different to other I have read by the author and not what I expected. I don't overly enjoy books about the war so this was not the book for me.

Having previously read several Maggie Stiefvater's YA books I was eager to try this book, but I'll stick to her YA books.
The book felt like it started in the middle of the story and I never felt like it got answers or explanations for the happenings. I spent most of the book confused and that meant I dragged my feet reading it.
The setting was beautiful and beautifully written. Great imagery that I really enjoyed.
The characters were ok.
And overall the book was ok, just confusing.
Grab this book to read on the commute maybe to some beautiful destination.

I liked the premise of this novel. However, the slow pace, multiple characters and crossing of genres made it difficult to concentrate on the story. I ended up not finishing.

Unfortunately I just found this book too slow, I understand there's a build up of foreboding and imminent dangers, but I just couldn't get to grips with what was happening and felt confused more than enthralled.
There are some interesting characters and the gothic horror of the hotel and the Sweetwater was such a strong lead, I just felt lost amongst the other plotlines and in my opinion convoluted storytelling.
I'm afraid it just wasn't the right book for me

Honest review, I cannot give this an accurate rating because I had to DNF it 50% through. I truly truly wanted to give this one a shot because I LOVE Maggie Steifvater and many of her books are my childhood. While I was surprised in the direction of her adult debut I still had high hopes. However, I truly realize that historical fiction isn’t for me. Fantasy if it can be called that did not feel like it was present and I could not get into this book reading it. I tried again via audiobook once I released and again the pacing was too slow and it was too much character and no plot for me that I had to give up.

I will keep a look out for future books of her, and while the writing was still great I do hope to pick up more fantasy books from her in the future instead.

Thank you so much for the ARC regardless, I will not be posting to review sites however since I DNF.

“The Listeners” by Maggie Stiefvater it’s a beautifully written, atmospheric story that combines magic, history, and a touch of romance in a way that feels both haunting and deeply personal. The setting—a grand hotel high in the Appalachian Mountains—felt almost like a character itself, with its old-world charm and the secrets it seemed to hold within its walls. The hotel’s healing waters, which are piped into every room and supposedly have restorative powers, added that eerie, mystical layer that kept me intrigued.
The story centres around June 'Hoss' Hudson, a fierce and charismatic hotel manager who’s known the hotel’s power since she was a girl. She’s a complex character—plain-spoken, hardworking, and charming—and I found myself wishing I could meet someone like her. Her connection to the hotel and its history was compelling, especially as she navigates the strange, supernatural forces at play and the tense wartime atmosphere of 1942.
The novel isn’t just about June, though. It’s woven with perspectives from various characters, like Tucker Minnick, an FBI agent tasked with overseeing the German guests, who are staying at the hotel under suspicious circumstances. His guarded, stark personality slowly softens as he falls for June, and their relationship adds a lovely, if understated, romantic touch.
What I appreciated most was how Stiefvater’s poetic prose created a sense of otherworldly grandeur. The story’s themes of belonging, obsession, and truly listening—both to oneself and others—resonated deeply. The supernatural elements felt natural within this world, and I loved how the hotel’s history and the characters’ secrets intertwined in a web of mystery and magic.
That said, I did find the pacing a bit slow at times, especially with some of the detailed backstories and the focus on the hotel’s location and its waters. It occasionally felt a little drawn out, but I think that’s part of the charm—allowing the story to breathe and build that atmospheric tension.
Overall, I really enjoyed “The Listeners”. It’s a story that stays with you, with lyrical writing and a richly crafted setting. I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets adapted into a film someday; it has that cinematic quality, and I kept imagining who would play June—she’s such a strong, charismatic presence. If you love stories that blend magic realism with historical depth and a hint of romance, I think you’ll find this a mesmerising read.

A gripping, drama set in a famous and exclusive hotel in which wealthy customers pay for luxury in a place where their every need is anticipated. Behind the scenes everything is ordered and organised by Hoss, a young woman who came to the hotel as an impoverished maid and worked her way up not only through her close relationship with the owner but her uncanny relationship with the eerie and powerful sweetwater springs that run through the hotel and grounds. The waters must be appeased but when WWII breaks out and diplomatic enemies become the guests, things start to go awry. A captivating and strange book bordering at times on folk horror.

This is Maggie Stiefvater's first foray into adult fiction and according to some other reviews I've read it is quite different to her usual style and some of her YA fans struggled with the change. Fortunately I hadn't read anything else by her so went into it with no preconceptions.

The writing style is very prosaic, almost dry, and it took me at least a chapter to get used to but it was also lovely and very perceptive, like this oblique reference to PTSD:

'This world forged them with their armour on the inside, and if trauma tugged that skeleton free from their skin, they no longer had the structural integrity to stand. Now war would flay tens of thousands of men at a time, returning them to peace broken.'

It is a very paced novel. It moves at a snail's pace in places, but the story kept intrigued throughout. It's an interesting setting: an isolated luxury hotel run by grass-roots Americans (many of who have sons fighting in the war, and some who have lost sons) which is being used as a detention centre for Axis power diplomats and their families as they await an exchange deal to be negotiated between their respective governments. An afterword said that several of the events either in the story or referenced were based on true events, and that always adds an element of interest for me.

The author wrote “I wanted to write controlled, intense, strange, sensual, truthful novel set firmly in a genre I'm increasingly thinking of as Wonder”, and I think Wonder is a good word to describe the very light touch of magical mysticism that runs through the book, only becoming more overt later on.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for this eCopy to review

When I first stepped into the eerie halls of the Avallon Hotel, I expected mystery and intrigue—and Maggie Stiefvater certainly delivers. The Listeners is a slow-burning, atmospheric novel that blends historical fiction, wartime espionage, and subtle supernatural elements.

Set in January 1942, the novel follows the transformation of the Avallon Hotel & Spa—once a luxury retreat, now a covert facility for captured Axis diplomats. June Porter Hudson, the hotel’s fiercely competent manager, is tasked with maintaining its high standards while secretly accommodating war prisoners.

Meanwhile, FBI Agent Tucker Minnick lurks in the shadows, listening through the walls in search of intelligence. As tensions rise, so do strange occurrences—the sweetwater beneath the hotel, rumoured to hold inexplicable properties, begins to exert an eerie influence on the events unfolding.

As Tucker and June navigate moral dilemmas and divided loyalties, they must determine whether survival means bending their principles or holding their ground in the face of impossible choices.

Stiefvater’s prose is elegant and immersive, bringing the wartime setting to life with meticulous detail. The exploration of morality, espionage, and class divides is intriguing, and the haunting, quiet supernatural elements add an extra layer of unease.

The Listeners has remarkable atmosphere and thought-provoking themes, making it a worthwhile read for those who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of eerie mystery.

I requested this one because I have loved a lot of Maggie Stiefvater books and as soon as I heard about this one I was on the fence. I really struggle with war books but thought I could push through it because it's Maggie but I sadly couldn't.

No one's fault but my own. I need to accept that not every book by an author is going to be my favourite.

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater is about a hotel which houses individuals who may or may not be Nazi sympathisers during World War Two. I loved this book, the magical element and suspense. If you like war stories, magic and what it means to find a home in people and places, then this book is for you.

3.5

Thank you to Headline and NetGalley for providing me an eARC to review!

I enjoyed while I was reading, and then read a very similar book straight after which has muddled my memory a bit but.....I really liked the main character a lot and her dynamic with the staff/owners of the hotel as well as the magic water. I just didn't think the romance was super necessary cause I liked the angst with the owner a lot more, though I'm glad she found someone who respected her!!!

I think I was hoping for a bit more in terms of the politics/implications of keeping a bunch of axis diplomats in the hotel, but I also respect the decision to focus more on the impact that would have on the people around it. I would definitely like to reread to solidify my opinions, but enjoyed a lot more than I was expecting since I was hesitant on the concept going into it.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy of The Listeners through NetGalley (thank you, Headline Review!) and from the first page, I was completely engrossed. The promise of Appalachian magic pulled me in, but it was the setting, a luxury hotel in remote West Virginia, housing WWII prisoners of war as ‘guests,’ that really hooked me.

As someone who loves stories about hotels and hospitality, I was fascinated by the world Stiefvater creates, where opulence and tension coexist behind polished doors. June, the hotel’s general manager, is a standout character, strong, composed, and faced with impossible choices that weigh heavily on every page.

There’s mystery, a sense of something supernatural in the very air and water, and a slow burning romance that had me completely invested. The magical realism is woven so subtly and beautifully into the historical setting, it feels alive, especially the water, which seems to have a life of its own.

This book is beautiful and quietly devastating. Every character is shaped by their circumstance, and Stiefvater captures the heartbreaking truth that sometimes, there’s no choice that leads to happiness for everyone. A beautiful, emotional, unforgettable read.

This book really threw me for a loop—I went in expecting a blend of historical fiction and magical realism, but the fantasy element was barely present. To me, it read as pure historical fiction, which wasn’t what I had anticipated.

June stepping into the role of general manager was one of the reasons I kept turning the pages. I loved learning more about her journey to that position and getting a deeper look at her bond with both the staff and the hotel itself—it added an interesting layer to the story.

The pacing was incredibly slow, mostly due to the extensive attention to detail—every place and action was described meticulously. While some might appreciate that level of immersion, I found myself skimming by the 30% mark because it started feeling tedious.

One element I really wanted to see explored more was the sweet water beneath the hotel—it was barely mentioned, and I think that could have added some much-needed intrigue. Despite all the descriptions, a lot of things still felt vague, and I finished the book feeling more confused than anything.

That said, it’s not a bad book—the premise had promise.
It just wasn’t quite my kind of read, and once I realized the magical realism was minimal, I struggled to stay engaged.

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: war, suicide attempt, xenophobia, abandonment, mental illness, racism, brief mention of alcoholism, bullying, ableism

Thank you so much for approving me for a review copy of The Listeners. At the moment I'm really struggling to engage with this novel although I think the writing is beautiful and so for now I am going to put this one down and may pick it up at a future date.

Again, thank you for the approved request and sorry to let you and the author down.

Lynn :D

It’s so great to have an author I read when I was young be now writing for adults. I enjoyed this just as much as I enjoyed many of her YA books when I was younger. It’s so great to have a new book to enjoy from her.

I was really pleased to see this book so focused on disability in the holocaust. One of the characters is a non-verbal child (and I think Autistic though that wasn’t stated outright) and a big part of the plot was concerned with prevented her from being deported because of what would happen to her in Nazi Germany. It’s good to see this acknowledged as I think a lot of people forget how terrible it was for the disabled.

I enjoyed the mystery of the water and how it dictated so many of June’s actions. How she was constantly trying to keep the water happy. I loved the idea that the water was a reflection of what the humans were doing and how it could be corrupted.

Overall, I just really enjoyed this book. Some might find it slow, or have not a lot happen, but I was honestly engrossed by it all, I found it a really interesting read.

Sadly this book was a pdf which I didn't see beforehand. For this reason I couldn't download the book to my device...

Star rating not meaningful as I couldn't read the book.

This was good. It somehow wasn’t what I expected, which is like a neutral thing - I don’t feel particularly good or bad about that. I did struggle to get into this one (I put it on pause for two weeks) but once I was into it, I flew through.

I really liked this story, and I LOVE all these characters. This was my first Maggie Stiefvater, but this was screaming to me from before I learned its name. I love how she’s written this, and I think this is my sign to pick up The Raven Boys.