I’ve heard a lot of good things about Maggie Stiefvater’s YA books, so I was looking forward to picking up her first adult novel. The Listeners is an intriguing mix of historical fiction with some magical realism running beneath the surface. I love the idea of a mountain hotel where the water is almost a living entity in and of itself, picking up on the moods of the staff and guests, and influencing it in turn. It’s June’s, the general manager, job to keep the water happy, which often comes at a cost to herself.

She faces her biggest challenge yet when the government commandeers the hotel during WWII in order to hold Axis diplomats while an exchange is arranged for Allied diplomats overseas. Even as the FBI hunts for secrets among them, June is forced to balance the need to maintain the Avallon’s reputation for luxury and elegance with her own moral qualms about having to serve enemies of the state.

June is a compelling main character, a woman in charge at a time when that would have been very unusual. But it is clear to see why the staff respect and care for her so. The supporting cast of characters is great as well — with such a big hotel, there are lots of interesting personalities for us to meet. June’s story is tangled with that of FBI agent Tucker Minnow’s, their romance developing as we finally come to learn more about Tucker’s backstory. I do have to say that the romance between the two seemed to come completely out of left field. I didn’t sense any tension or interest between the characters in the first part of the story, and then suddenly they were keen on each other. It would have been nice to see that aspect of the story built up a little more.

This is definitely a slower paced novel, with a focus on character rather than plot, and a dreamy, atmospheric writing style. Some things still feel unresolved at the end of the novel, and it did feel like the writing was rather vague in parts - for example, I’m still not entirely clear on what the deal is with 411. Perhaps I missed it, but I think some of the reveals in the story were potentially so subtle they could easily be missed. The plot, when it was there, was also a little meandering, and it wasn’t always clear where things were going.

I do feel like the magical element of the sweet water could have been played up a little more, as could have the relations between all of the delegations within the hotel. The story focuses mainly on the Germans, which is perhaps understandable, but the Japanese and Italian characters are relegated to the background - potentially more could have been brought out here. I also understand that June’s job is to run a luxury hotel for anyone, no matter the terrible things they do outside its walls, but it feels like the atrocities many of these diplomats’ countries have performed is sort of glossed over. June does have a few moments of conflicting emotion, but I personally think they could have been stronger and more present. Sometimes it feels like the acts of the war have been somewhat forgotten, and we end up with a relatively lighthearted story in places.

The story does have a really interesting premise, and if you are looking for a unique book set in WWII which is not directly focused on the fighting itself, definitely check this one out.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is my first book by Maggie Stiefvater, and I have to say, if all of her work is so alive with atmosphere and vibes, it won't be my last.

You won't find fantasy here. This is a historical novel based on true events, crossed with magical realism. And while the magic is intriguing, it is in the background, while woven into the story seamlessly.

There is the Avallon hotel, a luxury establishment, finding itself amidst WWII and having to host Nazi diplomats. There is June, running the hotel and having to find her own path in these cruel times. There are other guests of the Avallon that are very unique characters, including dachshunds.
And there is the sweetwater, the heart of the hotel, and source of the magic.

The story consists of three POVs and a plot that is all atmosphere and little to no action. This book is not about a heavy plot though (the theme itself is already providing plenty of that), it is of the quiet kind, looking into the hearts of the characters and the hotel itself. It's more like a river flowing, but you're always in fear of the flood hitting.

Stiefvater has found a very unique aspect of WWII, and has taken some true events to weave them in with her fiction and added magical elements.

4/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @headlinebooks for the eARC!

#TheListeners #Netgalley #Bookstagram #MaggieStiefvater

Some of Maggie Stiefvater’s books seem to take a while to warm to. They are a slow, beautifully crafted immersion in something normal, maybe familiar, yet utterly strange. This is one of them.

The first few chapters set all the scenes. Since we’re in a luxury hotel about to be over-run by a pack of secret service agents, there are a lot of characters. Some I never got my head around, but others became clearer as they emerged from their stereotypes. Most of the hotel staff never suffered from that problem, and after a short while, neither did the enforced guests.

Stiefvater has returned to her love of history to painstakingly combine the intricacies of post-Pearl Harbor America with the post-Depression mountain mining communities. And the luxury of the super-rich and others who think they are above the law. It’s a magical combination, pervaded throughout by Stiefvater’s legends. It’s not really fantasy, but maybe it’s magical realism. Above all, it’s a story of duty, politics, right-wing arrogance, and acceptance of others.

The Listeners is beautiful, intriguing, and gripping. After those first three chapters, I couldn’t stop reading.

This is the first Maggie Stiefvater book I’ve read, so I came into it a blank slate, expecting a solid historical fiction novel with some speculative elements. That’s exactly what this book delivers—though it’s quite particular in its style, and because of that, it won’t be to everyone’s taste.

The Listeners is set in 1942 at a luxury hotel called Avalon in the Appalachian region of West Virginia. Due to an agreement between its owner and the U.S. government, the hotel is converted into an internment site for Axis dignitaries—Germans, Italians, and Japanese nationals—who are awaiting deportation. The story centers on June, Avalon’s general manager. The hotel, once a glamorous retreat for the wealthy, is uniquely located near a mountain spring known as sweetwater, which introduces the book’s speculative element.

It’s clear the novel is thoroughly researched. Stiefvater goes to great lengths to root the story in actual historical events, and that effort shines through. You can feel both her dedication and her passion in the details. The fascinating historical context—Nazis in an American hotel during World War II—is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The second, without question, is the character work. June is a standout, as is FBI agent Tucker Minnick, but even the side characters—hotel staff, the owner’s family, and the interned dignitaries—are layered and compelling.

Readers hoping for a fast-paced plot may be disappointed, as this isn’t a story driven by action. That didn’t bother me—I tend to prefer character-driven narratives—but it’s worth noting. My biggest quibble is the underused speculative element of the sweetwater. It’s an intriguing concept, but in my opinion, not fully integrated into the story. The main plot could have unfolded just as well without it, which made it feel like a missed opportunity.

Still, I really enjoyed this book. It’s a great pick for historical fiction fans, especially those who appreciate rich atmosphere, thoughtful characters, and a slow-burn narrative.

Thank you NetGalley, Headline and Maggie Stiefvater for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, since the Raven Boys is one of my favorite books of all time, and though it was nothing like I expected, I truly loved it.

If you’re the kind of person who need a strong plot to keep going, maybe this isn’t the book for you, the beginning was kind of slow, and for a long time I just felt like I had no idea where the story was going, which made me feel really confused, but at some point I realized that I had to slow down and take everything in, every word, every sentence was there for a reason, and once I started taking my time with the book, that's when I finally got to enjoy the reading experience and to appreciate the gorgeous prose, which has always been one of my favorite things in Maggie Stiefvater’s books.

I feel like this is the kind of book that’s meant to be reread, and every time you do so, you’ll appreciate it even more. For now I’m giving it 4 stars, but I just have the feeling that this could increase upon a reread.

Also, would really recommend reading it in the colder months of the year, the vibes and atmosphere are just incredible.

America has just joined world war two, and a Luxury hotel in the Appalachian mountains host been taken over by the FBI to house German, Japanese, and Swiss diplomats, as well as Nazi sympathisers. June Hudson is the general manager, she knows the all of the mysteries of the hotel, and the secrets of all the guests. Based on true events this is a tale about love, betrayal, secrets, and the devil's maths. 'Deep down she knew that overcoming adversity successfully wasn't the same as being unaffected by it'...Read it!

It's been a long time since I last read a Maggie Stiefvater book and I forgot just how enchanting they are. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an uncorrected proof of this book through work and wow!! What a book! Maggie has a way of writing about a magic in such a subtle way without revealing too much, like describing something out of the corner of your eye, leaving the true magic to the imagination. I loved her depiction of character, the inner workings of the hotel, the sweetwater, the dachshunds, the tangled politics of the diplomats and the second world war, and simply her way of describing the world. Pure magic!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Review for this ARC!

“The Listeners” is a beautifully atmospheric read which shows us a different view of WWII and how it affected those in America, but more than that it is the story of a wonderfully unique cast of characters as the war comes to directly affect their own little world – the Avallon Hotel. The story is told from three distinct POVs as we follow the effect that the stay of the Nazis and Nazi sympathisers has on the hotel and the sweetwater which makes it the luxury stay that it is.

I will be the first to admit that I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book going in. As most probably everyone else who planned on reading this book I am a huge fan of Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle (and Dreamers trilogy!), but unlike some other reviews I’ve seen, I didn’t go into this expecting a similar experience (why anyone would think that it would be, based on the description, is beyond me anyway). So my expectations were pretty average, but I was quickly blown away.

I think this book is a quiet one. The focus is a lot on individual characters and the relationships they have with each other, as well as the relationship they have with the sweetwater. Despite being set during WWII this is not an action-laden book. What it is, however, is a beautifully crafted, atmospheric work, which has an entire building feeling like one of the characters, leaving you wanting to travel there to see its beauty and luxury for yourself.

Really the element of this book one must compliment the most are its characters. Not just the three whose POV we get to read from, but every single significant character felt like their own person, someone you couldn’t help but either love or hate. Some of them gave me real affectionate, protective feelings, while others just made me want to kick them. But the human (and animal) characters aside, I most enjoyed the way the sweetwater was portrayed. I really dislike putting anything even vaguely spoiler-y into ARC reviews, so I shall stop here, but just know Stiefvater managed to give an element of nature a personality, even goals I would say.

Another facet that was handled very nicely is the way that the individual diplomats, ordinary people and celebrities of the enemy powers were portrayed. It would’ve been easy to simply make all of them this stereotypical, one-sided bad guy and be done with it, but instead we see characters who are undeniably more victim than perpetrator, ones who are kind and ones who are rude, and yes, also those that are evil are treated with more care than just being “bad” – they are given a personality, internal/external conflicts, all while never denying the inherent badness of their goals and beliefs.

The romance in this is, I would say, far from its most relevant part, which is good because in my eyes it is unfortunately also the least well executed part of this book. There is not much I can say that isn’t a spoiler, but just know that I think this book would’ve been equally good without the romance element that we ended up with.

On the elements of this work’s historical correctness I am embarrassed to say I can’t judge much, since my education regarding WWII was, as expected for a German, more focused on our wrongdoings and their effects on Europe, but from the things I do know it certainly appeared to be very well researched and respectful of the topic.

Overall I wouldn’t recommend this book to people just looking for The Raven Cycle 2.0, but I would greatly recommend this book to fellow lovers of historical fiction who want a beautifully crafted work which looks at the effect of the ongoing WWII on a specific and unique cast of characters, with a wonderfully executed element of magical realism. If one of the foremost things you liked about TRC is how Stiefvater writes, rather than just what she writes, you will love this.

I'm going to be so honest, I don't really know how I feel about this book. I read the Raven Cycle almost 10 years ago, and to this day it remains one of my favourite series. I was SO excited when I heard Maggie was writing her adult debut and SCREAMED when Hachette Australia reached out to see if I would like a proof to read and review! The Listeners is very different to anything Maggie has written before - it's a historical fiction with a hint of magical realism, and whilst I have read and enjoyed books in that genre, I don't typically go for books set during the war so this was a little different for me! The synopsis also isn't something I was quite expecting, but I trust Maggie so I was keen regardless.

I do enjoy Maggie's writing overall, I felt as though I was transported into the Avallon and was actually in there amongst all of the luxurious chaos. I really did enjoy June's character and getting to know her, I loved her unique story and was so interested to find out how she became the general manager of the Avallon when the odds would've been stacked against her. I enjoyed her relationship with the staff and with the hotel itself, her character really worked to draw me in to the story and captivated me!

I think where things fell a little flat for me, personally, was with the progression of the actual plot of the book and the other characters. I was expecting a little more action and mystery, with more about the diplomats and their relations, as well as a deeper dive into the Sweetwater and the mystery surrounding the hotel's relationship with it! I'm still not completely sure how it all works or what really happened with it to be quite honest, things felt quite vague so I didn't really capture the entire essence of it all. I definitely could see that the historical aspects of the book were very well researched, however, and that absolutely came across as I was reading!

The other characters didn't seem to have quite the same depth for me as June did, the hotel employees and diplomats felt like people popping in and out when needed, and even Tucker didn't really capture my attention. I think the romance also seemed to come out of nowhere, I wasn't really seeing the tensions building or emotions forming between the characters throughout the first half of the book, and then things suddenly picked up and I was here like 👁️👄👁️

There are a few other things that had me hemming and hawing, but I don't want to go into detail about those as we're still a ways out from publication and would love to see what other people think when more reviews appear. Thank you Hachette Australia and Headline for providing me with an early review copy!

This took a bit of an effort to get into as it starts off quite slowly but I was so glad I stuck with it.

The Listeners tells a WW2 story from an entirely new angle. The tale of the Avallon a luxury hotel and its staff who has to host diplomats from enemy nations while peace with the Allies is discussed.

There’s a great cast of characters here - special shout out to insightful and feisty June (and who could forget the dachshunds!) - and a thread of the supernatural infuses the story.

Once this story had me, it had me and I was sad to check out of the Avallon whent the end came.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for granting me a digital copy in exchange for a honest review!

OH, BOY. Where do I start!

Being Maggie's self-proclaimed biggest fan, I could not believe I'd gotten an ARC of her adult debut! When your favorite author puts out something distinctly new from her previous work, there's always a bit of nervousness that you might not enjoy it--and I'm SO happy to say this was not the case.
The Listeners is part historical fiction (whish was what scared me the most as it's not my preferred genre), part magical realism; a combination that through the magic woven in Maggie's writing works perfectly.
There is a big cast of characters, but at no point I was confused, and the protagonists were absolutely delightful. June is a powerhouse, enigmatic and yet relatable, funny without trying, the kind of character that you admire as much as they intimidate you. Tucker, oh Tucker!!! I wish we'd had a little more of his POV, because I love him very much. I was instantly intrigued by the mystery of his past and how it tied him to the Avallon and June herself, and though this book is not a romance, it's my humble opinion that no one writes romantic relationships like Maggie.
Hannelore's presence was also intrinsical to the story, and seeing the events unfold in her POV was very interesting.
The writing is as lovely as ever, and definitely recognizable for all the readers that, like me, are lifelong Raven Cycle fans (in fact, despite the difference in tone and genre, I think this is the book that is most 'similar' with TRC in terms of writing and general vibes out of all of Maggie's backlist!) will not be disappointed.
I'm so excited for whatever Maggie is cooking up next in the adult space and cannot wait to put my hands on a physical copy!

Thank you to the publisher for granting my wish and approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 3.75-4.0 stars.

This was unusual and magical as it weaves history with a sentient magic set in WW2 in the Appalachian mountains at a beautiful and luxurious hotel. June is the manager of the hotel and what a character!

June is witty and fiercely loyal, she is an integral part of the hotel and I thoroughly enjoyed her POV.

The story is a slow burn that feels rewarding at the end. It’s hard not to get immersed into this unusual story, it was just a little too slow in parts for me, but all in all I had a good time.

What a brilliant, thoughtful, unusual story. Stiefvater in The Listeners takes an almost unknown aspect of the Second World War, and weaves a truly powerful story that has both enthralled and intrigued me. I have been reading this while travelling in the States, and the journey has not always been smooth, and yet this book has transported me away to a past time and place, and it will stay with me forever. Highly recommend this one.

Maggie Stiefvater's adult debut is a hypnotic blend of historical fiction and magical realism. Set in a luxurious Appalachian hotel during WWII, it follows June Hudson, the enigmatic manager who must host detained Nazi diplomats while navigating the hotel's eerie, sentient sweetwater.

The prose is lush and immersive, though the pace drags at times. What shines are the atmospheric setting and complex characters—especially June and FBI agent Tucker Minnick, whose slow-burn dynamic crackles with tension. The magical elements are subtle but haunting, lingering long after the final page.

A slow burn that rewards patience, *The Listeners* is perfect for anyone who loves historical fiction with a mystical twist. Just be warned: you'll never look at mineral water the same way again.

First of all I would like to say thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been reading Maggie Stiefvater books since I was a teen so was so happy to see that she has released an adult novel. This is very different to anything she has written before but still keeps the same atmosphere just with more adult relationships and character dynamics. The romance is a slow burn so don’t be expecting anything to happen too quickly. As it is an adult novel it lacks some of the lightheartedness in some areas however I understand the reasons why as it is not a YA novel like we are so used to.

I would recommend this to everyone who enjoys a mystical story and who grew up on YA fantasy and are now trying to move on to adult fantasy.

4.5 stars rounded down.

The Listeners is different from what I normally read, and from what I was expecting from Maggie Stiefvater. I really enjoyed it.

The story is gripping and the characters are wonderful, especially June. The writing is very good, as expected from this author, but you do have to pay attention. Lots of things are implied or only referred to obliquely, and there was quite a bit of slang that I wasn't familiar with and had to look up. The book is rewarding for those who pay attention though (those who listen?), and I imagine it will be great for rereads as well.

I have read other reviews that say the story is slow, but I disagree. There may be a lack of action, but every scene has purpose and feels very deliberate. The book doesn't waste your time.

I don't know much about this time period, so I can't say anything about the historical accuracy, but I can say that the setting felt vivid and well realised, and different enough from current times to be very interesting.

My only small criticism is that the romance started a little abuptly. I could have used a few more scenes to establish the character's feelings. It doesn't detract much from the story though, as the romance storyline is ultimately a fairly small part of the book.

Please give this a try! I know the premise sounds kind of weird, and it's pretty different from The Raven Cycle, but it's well worth your time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

I enjoyed this book. It is set in a luxury hotel in the USA during the second world war. It is a fantasy story but that is almost in the background. The hotel has sweetwater running underneath that threatens its success. I have never read any other books by this author but I was aware of some excitement about this book. The protagonist is June Hudson, a local girl and she has been elevated to the position of hotel manager.
After Pearl Harbour the hotel is made to take diplomats and their their families awaiting repatriation to countries including Germany ,Japan and Hungary. Looking after them is a challenge, especially trying to keep up the high standards the hotel has. The sweetwater becomes unsettled.
The plot is slow but the attention to detail and the richness of the narrative makes this a pleasant read. Good escapism.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Headline for providing me with an ARC of this incredible book (in exchange for an honest review) - I had already enjoyed Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle series, so I had high expectations for this novel, and it still exceeded them!

Set against a backdrop of 1940s West Virginia, we are transported into the world of unfathomable luxury & tranquility in the Avallon Hotel, a striking contrast with the rest of the country (and the hotel’s staff) struggling through rationing, conscription, bereavement and fear. Our protagonist June is the hotel’s beloved general manager - a woman so insightful & formidable, so dedicated to shielding everyone else from hardship or hurt even at the expense of her own wellbeing, that the reader cannot help but feel the same intense loyalty & love for her as her staff do! It falls to her to keep life in her hotel running smoothly, even while hosting hundreds of Axis diplomats who are being detained in the US, not to mention tending to the taxing demands of the very living & feeling (perhaps even magical) spiritual waters that run throughout the hotel.

This is such a powerful story of identity & reinvention, found family, self-sacrifice, conflict, and strength in the face of extreme adversity. Stiefvater is an evocative writer who paints such a vivid picture in every chapter; some of her turns of phrase (particularly those commenting on the nature of relationships or of war) are extremely moving, which juxtaposes nicely with her delightful & funny descriptions of life among the staff of the hotel. I also appreciated how compassionately she handled the portrayal of some of the worst-treated identity groups during that time period - more specifically, her portrayals of neurodivergence, disability and (to a much lesser extent) homosexuality.

Despite aspects of the story touching on extremely dark subjects, I found this story to be more heartwarming, inspiring and thought-provoking than dark or despairing. That being said, there are understandably a lot of potentially sensitive topics woven through this story, so I will list Content Warnings below for those who find them helpful - fair warning for MINOR SPOILERS IN THE CW LIST BELOW!

——————

Content Warnings:
- alcohol use
- bereavement, including loss of a partner & parent/mentor
- bigotry - racism & xenophobia (including racial slurs), ethnic cleansing, Nazism, ableism & eugenics (particularly relating to autism & schizophrenia)
- child abandonment & homelessness
- drowning
- mental health - PTSD/shellshock involving catatonia (depicted in detail), schizophrenia (briefly mentioned, not depicted)
- suicide (multiple - only one attempt depicted in detail)
- war, injuries caused by explosives, rationing, conscription (some described in detail), concentration camps & genocide (mentioned, not depicted), violence

I was confused for most of this, but I still enjoyed it.

If you've ever read anything by Maggie Steifvater you'll know it's really a lot of vibes. This has the classic ones, atmospheric and spooky. It has this undercurrent of sinister vibes which serves the story well. However it meant I felt like i was always missing some context? Some backstory (Like what was the deal with 411, seriously?) and so I felt a little at arms length from the characters.

However I think a different look at the second world war was interesting, learning about what happened to the ambassadors left in america and the growing tensions between the factions and countries. This is a slow moving novel with little plot, but if you like Maggie Steifvater's writing, you'll like it anyway.

‘The Listeners’ is set during the Second World War after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. The U.S.A. has just joined the allies and is in the process of negotiating a safe swap of diplomats and other nationals. While these negotiations and arrangements are being sorted out, the foreign nationals on U.S. soil are gathered together and housed in requisitioned hotels across the country. The Avalon Hotel owned by the Gilfoyle family and run by June Hudson, a local mountain girl turned General Manager is a luxurious spa hotel in the Appalachian Mountains and is where the story begins.
There are a host of well rounded characters with themes interwoven between the hotel staff, the detainees, the owners, the management and the FBI agents, but it doesn’t become overwhelming and I found it easy to follow. Of course all these themes make it very difficult to put down!
All in all a very enjoyable read.