"Pack a bag for Elsewhere and prepare to depart by midnight."

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary
Hotel Magnifique is revered as the only place in the world that is safe for magic users. Filled with dazzle and wonderment, the hotel moves locations every midnight. Guests clamor for an invitation, but after their stay, guests don't remember anything. Jani is just trying to make a life for her and her sister after their mother passed away, and she has always dreamed of better things. When the hotel comes to town, she knows they could never afford a stay. And so, her and her sister find employment and enter the mysterious and magical hotel. Once there, Jani begins to see the cracks under the shiny veneer and realizes everything may not be as it seems. With only a handsome doorman named Bel as an ally, she sets up to try and free her sister and the staff from the ruthless maître d'hôtel.

Review
I absolutely love magical hotel stories that are just a bit twisted. Hotel Magnifique completely delivered on that front!

I was absolutely enchanted by the descriptions of the hotel and the magic at play. I really felt like the author made the hotel setting come alive, and set the stage really well for the story to play out. The magic system was also really interesting, with the hotel being the only safe place for magic users (the reason for that being a bit twisted). The development around the lore and history of magic was also quite interesting and made sense for the hotel to become what it was.

At its core, this is a story about Jani's love for her sister. After their mother's death, Jani becomes the guardian for her younger sister and is her sole provider. She agonizes over whether or not she has made the right decisions for her sister. After entering the hotel, the sisters are separated by separate jobs, and as Jani discovers the twisted secrets of the hotel, she knows she must do whatever it takes to save her sister.

I thought the plot was fast paced, and there were reveals at every corner about how the hotel operated. I loved seeing the glittery hotel get more twisted and more dangerous. One thing I will say, is that the villain of this story did read a bit flat, but nonetheless it was still an engaging and really fun read!

Book Review:
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First, I want to thank Penguin Teen for giving me the opportunity to review this Hotel Magnifique by Emily J. Taylor. In the description of this book, they say Hotel Magnifique is for fans of Caraval and the Night Circus and I think they hit the nail on the head with those comparisons.

This story is set against the backdrop of a Belle Époque-inspired hotel where magic exists safely in a society where outside of the hotel walls, magic is feared. We follow Jani, a seventeen year old girl who has always been enthralled by the idea of Elsewhere. She is resigned to stay in her current life, barely making it, and wants to help her younger sister, Zosa, chase her dreams of being in the spotlight as a singer. So when the magically hotel, Hotel Magnifique, comes to town, Jani decides it's now or never to try and get out of their current situation. Jani and Zosa go to interview for jobs in the hotel, excited about the potential to make more money while the hotel travels the world, magically appearing in new cities overnight. However, when Zosa is offered a job as a singer and Jani is turned away, Jani must find a different way to get inside the hotel and stay with her sister. In her efforts to do so, she comes across a mysterious worker, Bell. With Bell as her only ally, Jani begins to uncover that the contracts to work inside the hotel are unbreakable and underneath all of the mystical and magic are dark and dangerous secrets. Jani then embarks on adventure of trying to uncover the secrets of the hotel, which she soon discovers may risk everything she loves in the process.

I definitely found this book to be very similar to Caraval and Night Circus in the way it makes you feel and how it reads. It's full of adventure, romance, and mystery and all of those things keep you turning the pages until the very end. Mark your calendars for this one, it comes out on April 5th, 2022!

This book reminded me so much of Caraval that I felt like it really took away from my enjoyment! There was just so much similarity that it felt like fan fiction. Not a strong plot and the characters were kind of flat.

Really fun read and surprisingly (and pleasantly so) darker than I thought it would go!

I haven't read 'Night Circus' so I can't draw comparisons but it was basically 'Spirited Away' for me.

Full RTC. Thank you so much to Penguin for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I saw Hotel Magnifique advertised as a mix between Caraval and The Night Circus since I LOVED Caraval I obviously had to jump at the opportunity to read this one! This is exactly what I expected, Hotel Magnifique brings us a beautiful and magical young adult fantasy with immersive world-building and some really interesting and compelling characters. There's definitely the same eerie and mysterious feel you get from Caraval and it's packed full of an adventures story.

I loved the plot of the book and the story was so magical and will keep you guessing and wanting to learn more about the secrets and the hidden aspects of the hotel. I loved that there was a little romance present but it wasn't the main focus and never really took center stage, Jani and Bel also have a very unique and interesting chemistry that keeps you hooked on their relationship as well.

The ending of the book was SO good - it wrapped everything up and gave you the perfect feeling of closure that you typically want. My ONE complaint is that the prologue felt like a different story or at least a different genre, but it does set the stage for the story really well!

This is my favorite cover of the year. Hands down. This is stunning and I want to hang a print of it on my wall.

I really enjoyed this lush fantasy novel--it's just the kind of fantasy I enjoy. Sometimes I feel like fantasy can get bogged down in explaining how the magic works or how the world works--this was much more focused on detailing the world and making you feel a part of it, with lush and vivid descriptions. I could see and feel the velvet and the rich colors. I could feel the heat of the kitchens. Fully immersive writing!

This very clearly sets up for a sequel--I'm not sure if this is a planned duology or series, but I would absolutely read the next book. A highlight of 2022 publishing thus far!

This is the story of Jani and Zosa. Two sisters who have have had some tragic things happen to them during their very young lives. They hear of Hotel Magnifique coming to town. A place filled with magic and adventure. The problem is that the sisters cannot afford the ticket instead the hotel and the two week stay. They decide to apply for jobs in order to gain access. What follows is a crazy journey filled with extraordinary circumstances, magic steeped in mystery and intrigue, and an experience unlike anything the 2 sisters every imagined.

This book was crazy good. I loved the mystery behind the story and the characters that made this book enjoyable. The mystery part was fun and I was stumped and surprised at the plot twist at the end. The book kept me engaged and I needed to know what happened. I know that his book has been compared to The night Circus, but I have not read that so I truly enjoyed every aspect within this story. If you love a book with a crazy magic system and a tad bit of romance. Pick this book up! You will love the story! I give this book 5 stars

Jani wants a better life for her and her sister after their mother had passed away and they had moved to a new part of the world. However, there is the prospect of the Hotel Magnifique, a traveling hotel where magicians can find a safe haven to practice and guests can traverse for a high price. When Jani finds out the hotel is hiring, she'll do whatever it takes to get her and her sister inside. What Jani doesn't expect, however, is the shocking truth and reality of what really composes the hotel and the people who run it.

I was absolutely obsessed with this book! It's described as a perfect book for fans of Caraval and The Night Circus, and I have never read a book with a more perfect description. This story has the absolute whimsy and dangers as Caraval, but a similar concept to Night Circus, but with more depth to the working systems of magic and how it operates with the world around it instead of being mostly vague. I was left in awe with the magic system and what all composed it, to the point of being speechless.

Taylor also does a great job with the worldbuilding and including vivid imagery that puts us the readers in Jani's perspective. There were times where there was just so much imagery that it was overwhelming, specifically when it came to the Hotel, but even then I wasn't really bothered because it makes sense that Jani would be overwhelmed with the sights and sounds of the Hotel Magnifique. I will admit there was a lot of infodumping at the very tail end of the novel, but the build-up to it was so good I couldn't really complain.

Now the characters were in an entirely different ballgame. They were AMAZING. I loved Jani as a character and she was very headstrong and also compassionate about her sister and her life. Although it did lead to her being super nosy and butting into other people's businesses. Then again, if she didn't, we probably wouldn't have had the riveting story that we do. She drives this story and it really keeps you on the edge of your seat. However, I will say that Bel absolutely stole the show. His character was so riveting and is definitely the dark-haired brooding boy that everyone seems to love. His chemistry with Jani was through the roof and he was such a good addition to this story. He really shows the readers how high the stakes really are for everyone else involved in the Hotel Magnifique. Jani's sister I think didn't really play a significant role until the very end, and that slightly disappointed me. But then again, her sister is the reason for Jani's purpose in the story so it makes sense. I just wish there was more for her.

Hotel Magnifique is probably one of my favorite reads of the year. It's mystical, magical, and mortifying, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book!

I received a copy of this book as an e-ARC from both NetGalley and Penguin Teen. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

✨ 𝐑 𝐄 𝐕 𝐈 𝐄 𝗪 ✨⁣
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𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 by 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐉. 𝐓𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐨𝐫⁣
☆ ☆ ☆ ⁣
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I love going into books blind, and I won’t lie and say that anything other than this gorgeous cover pulled me in. 😍 I mean, look at it!⁣
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I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading and discovered the exciting premise of a magical, traveling hotel. Thrilled, I knew I was in for a wild ride!⁣
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While the magic of 𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 is incredibly intriguing and unique, a good chunk of this book fell rather flat for me. I found myself incredibly bored through most of the middle of the book and wasn’t intrigued again until the end, when some really exciting information about the villain is revealed. Until then, it felt like the heroine was doing nothing but going around in circles and whining. 😅⁣
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Still, this is definitely one of the better, new YA fantasies I have read of late, and I’d say it’s worth picking up!⁣
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Thank you so much to @penguinteen for my e-ARC! 𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 publishes 4/5!

This was exactly the kind of magical fun I want from YA fantasy, albeit with a dark side. "Like Caraval" gets overused, but in this case I think it genuinely fits the vibes of the book.

Hotel Magnifique is about a mysterious magical hotel that shows up for just one day every 10 years, and the two sisters who get swept into its deceptively beautiful hallways. What will a girl do to save her little sister? Just about anything, even if it means uncovering dangerous secrets and confronting power-hungry magicians...

I had a fabulous time reading this. I needed something that would sweep me away and this did just that. I flew through the story and loved all the whimsical magic, the dark twists and turns, the romance, and the coming of age of a determined young woman. There is a portion toward the end where we get a bunch of revelations dropped in an info-dump sort of way from a character. That bit felt clunky and indicative of this being a debut novel in a way other parts of the book did not. That said, I had a good enough time with the rest of the book that it didn't significantly detract from the overall enjoyment.

Note that while I never found this to be a heavy book, it does end up having darker elements, so check content warnings if you need them. Overall though, I was a fan! I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Content warnings include violence, murder, enslavement, drugging, threat of violence, and loss of loved ones.

An imaginative YA fantasy adventure that ends up feeling just a little haphazard.

Jani, our determined (and impulsive) heroine, is appalled to find that the mystical, magical, traveling hotel she's gotten herself and her sister into is not their passage to a safer, better future. The magic is dazzling, but the facade of safety wears thin and begins to rapidly crumble.

Similarly, the magical feats described throughout the book are dazzling but the plot is driven by an ill-informed but determined Jani stumbling and bashing her way through it all. It didn't feel as satisfying as it might if the characters, relationships, and magical foundations had been a bit more developed.

It's a fun world to plunge into, though! Fans of magical moving houses, vaguely French fantasy worlds, bigger-on-the-inside dimensionalism, sisters and orphans tales, transformative enchantments, sinister hearts lurking behind dazzling smiles, and posh magical amusements and amenities will thoroughly enjoy their time here!


Content notes:
Violence, Vomit, Blood, Confinement, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Torture, Abandonment, Death of parent

This book is The Night Circus meets Caraval, set in a hotel. It's full of magic and mystery with a bit of darkness layered underneath. Jani and Zosa's bond is so strong, with Jani being quite headstrong herself, you can't help but root for their reunion. Not to mention the STEAM rising off of Bel, my word! This is a hotel that I'll certainly be dreaming about. I loved the epic descriptions of magic throughout and I'm personally craving some of those magic oranges right now.

*Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

3.5 stars
This was a whimsical story along the lines of "Caraval" and "The Night Circus," though I haven't read the latter and can't really comment on it. If you liked the strong sisterhood element of "Caraval," and the mystery of the location, then I think you'll enjoy this one! At about the 50% mark, it starts to get dark and intense, but there's quite a bit of buildup to that point. I was really intrigued by the hotel and the magic in this world, but it was lacking development for me; I wanted to know more, especially considering there's so much time in the first half that seemed wasted, almost?, and we could have been developing the world and the rules for it. I also didn't love our main character--she seemed like more of a means to learn about the hotel and Do the Thing than an actual character, if that makes sense. She went through the motions but was just lacking personality, which I found disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I did really love the idea behind this and it was an entertaining read, I just wish there'd been more development!

Firstly, thank you @penguinteen for granting my request for an e-arc! This wasn't a title I've heard a lot about, but once I read the description, I was instantly interested. This was recommended to readers who enjoyed Caraval, which I wasn't a huge fan of, but I still wanted to give this one a try. I didn't want to know much about this when starting the book, and I think that's the best way to read Hotel Magnifique. I really enjoyed reading this! It had a fantastical hotel California vibe, which I really liked. I definitely liked the plot more than the characters. The characters were enjoyable and likable, but nothing about them really stood out as overly unique. That being said, the plot was so fast paced and I finished this in a few days because I was so curious about how the book would end. I would definitely recommend to readers of the young adult genre!

I really tried, but, sorry--I just could not get into this one. Couldn't quite take moving from on place to another.

Interesting read. It reminded me of another book I read so this one sadly isn't really memorable. A slow paced book with a mystery. I did like the description of the surroundings it captured my interest. I feel like this book had it's potential but it's a miss for me.

Thank you PenguinTeen to the earchin exchange for an honest review.

Similar in scope to CARAVAL, THE LADIES OF THE SECRET CIRCUS and NIGHT CIRCUS but this one is based on an enchanted hotel that appears and disappears at will. Jani and Zosa are sisters who long for a better life than barely scraping by at the tannery. They get an offer to work at an incredible enchanted hotel that magically appears for only a well off few before traveling on. While both girls are delighted by the hotel, the offer and the chance to transform their lives the feeling of relief is fleeting. Soon the charm has worn off, tyrants appear, danger looms and they are powerless to get out of their contract and go home to the life they left. A true fantasy world dazzling in its display and deadly in powerful hands - this will appeal to young adults who are looking to escape completely in a fantasy world. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE was a slow burn read for me. It took a minute to really take off, but once it did, I was thoroughly enchanted by this magical hotel with dark secrets. I am not going to lie, I had a hard time imagining a hotel that can magically move from place to place, so honestly I imagined a cruise ship for most of the book. That has literally nothing to do with how I ended up feeling about this book. lol. Anyway, I really started becoming invested in Jani's story when the novel takes a super dark turn about a third of the way through. After that, I couldn't look away. This book shines its brightest the darker it gets, and it does get dark as issues of agency and greed come to the surface as motives and Jani learns that she and her sister's golden opportunity is actually something horrifying. While I would love to go in more depth about the specifics of what I loved about the plot, a lot of it is spoilery and I will refrain from doing so. I really enjoyed the tender moments between Bel and Jani, and the swoony romance between them. I also liked the sister bond at the center of this book between Jani and Zosa and the role it plays in moving the plot forward. HOTEL MAGNIFIQUE is absolutely mesmerizing, a magical and glittering story about family and freedom, perfect for Caraval fans.

A glittering hotel filled with magic has a dark history and is filled with horrible secrets. I loved the descriptions of the hotel and all the different enchantments in it. I do wish the magic system had been clearer, but overall the magic was cool. There are a lot of similarities to The Night Circus in this book, but about halfway through it really starts to separate itself and move to a new and distinct story.

I requested this one just for the cover, and because it was compared to The Night Circus. It is AMAZING. The world building is gold, the characters were believable and the story flowed really well. Definitely going to recommend this one to our YA patrons!!