There were things I loved about this, including the premise and setting. The thought of a hotel with magical water and the entire idea of hotels becoming holding areas for enemies of the state was so fascinating - I had never heard of this before and always appreciate reading new kinds of WW2 stories (esp. those on American soil). Unfortunately the book was just meh f0r me. There was so much promise, but so much vagueness as well. Hannelore's story deserved so much more. I didn't understand the tie on the story about the father from the beginning of the book to the end (the letter) - it just didn't click. Overall, I don't regret reading but wouldn't jump to recommend.

I really enjoyed this book. Stiefvater's writing is so immersive and lyrical that I felt sucked into the narration.

Maggie Stiefvater has crafted an incredible story--the plot, the characters, the setting, just wow! I have many upperclassmen who enjoy reading historical fiction, and I think this will be a great addition to our collection.

I love Maggie Stiefvater's writing. She's a master at description and dialogue, and when I read her books, I feel like I'm living them. Unfortunately, I didn't want to be living this book; a couple chapters in, it felt like nothing was actually happening. Maybe the digital age has rotted away my patience, but with such a long list of ARCs to read, I couldn't justify seeing this one through.

Set in the 1940's in West Virginia, the hotel manager of one of the most luxurious hotels in the United States, must play hostess and maintain order when the State Department makes a deal to house Axis diplomats (German and Japanese) at her hotel. Though the hotel in the novel is fictional, this did happen when the U.S. entered WWII. So this is a delightful slice of historical fiction with a pinch of magical realism thrown in. The writing is flawless and the characters are well-developed. There's mystery, intrigue and romance. Highly recommend.

I would recommend to people who like flowery writing. Although this is nothing like her other works, people should still give it a try especially if they like historical fiction. The pacing was slower for my taste and I wish I was more interested but I’ve come to the conclusion that it was not a book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I have such mixed feelings about this book. While overall I did like it, I felt like it dragged on in some parts and was very confusing in others. It took me forever to actually finish the book.

I did feel like there was too much going on with side stories and trying to connect everything got very confusing.

Was it horrible no…but it took more focus and work than I’d like to give when I’m trying to escape into a fictional book.

I know other people will love it but for me it was a 3/5 stars.

This novel is a lovely historical fiction novel, based on real events I had never learned about before, with an interesting magical realism twist. A lot of readers seem to be complaining that “nothing happens” in this book, and it is definitely slow paced. But the slow pace in this book did not bother me much because the plot is not really what the book is about. It’s about the setting, which was so rich and detailed that the Avallon felt like it must be a real place, and the characters, most of whom I found interesting enough to keep my intention despite the slow moving plot, and most of all it’s about the relationships and interactions between characters, which in my opinion has always been one of the things at which Stiefvater excels most brilliantly, that and her gorgeous writing style. All of these things, which are the author’s true strengths, are on full display in her adult debut. If you’re the type of reader who needs a fast and engrossing plot, this isn’t the book for you, but if you can hang in for a slower-paced discovery of a place and the characters who live there, give this one a try. I’d recommend it for fans of Becky Chambers – it’s less cozy and more literary, it’s a lot lighter on the SF/F elements, and it’s historical rather than futuristic, but it still gave me very similar vibes.

Representation: POC characters, neurodivergent character

If water has memory, who is to say it couldn't transfer that memory to people who drink it? This is the premise of sweetwater, the natural springs that the Avalon hotel is built around. June Hudson is the general manager of the Avalon and it is her responsibility to keep the clients and the sweetwater happy. But the State Department takes over the Avalon and brings in captured Axis diplomats. June must convince her staff to offer luxury to Nazis while keeping the sweetwater from turning.
What worked for me: I love the way Stiefvater works a little magic into a "normal" world and she did it again with her sweetwater. I loved reading about luxury hotels in the 40s. The characters were all really relatable and engaging.
What didn't work for me: The fact that Will Patton hasn't narrated it into an audiobook yet.

I haven’t been so hooked by a book in ages. This was a beautiful mix of magical realism, old wives tales, espionage, humanity and red tape. The characters were beautifully fleshed out, and the story had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy to read!

This was a fascinating tale based on similar situations during World War II. The history part was unknown to me so I found it fascinating. All in all an entertaining read

I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend to fans of WWII fiction but I feel like the ending was missing something.

I really enjoyed Stiefvater's YA books and she's an amazing writer so I was thrilled to see her latest novel was for adults. The writing is as beautiful as ever and really lets us into the world of the Avallon Hotel. We get glimpses into the secrets characters are hiding but Stiefvater masterfully draws out the tension. Our main characters June and Tucker somehow remain enigmatic even as we find out their tragic backstories. The minor characters from the state department, the displaced guests, the staff are all fascinating with their own issues and motivations.

I think why this fell flat for me is that Stiefvater spends most of the book ratcheting up the tension between basically all the characters for very little payout. I love a HEA but it felt almost out of place for how everything was set up. I don't want to spoil it for anyone so I won't add anymore.

Overall I did enjoy this book and I will definitely read more by this author and definitely recommend to certain readers.

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater are some of my all-time favorites, but for some reason, I struggle to stick with any of her other books. I was hoping her adult debut could be another favorite, but unfortunately this is another one just not for me.

This was a bit slower of a read than I prefer. The underlying theme of examining complicity and how willing you are to stand up in the face of wrong doing was certainly fit for our current cultural climate in 2025. The idea of listening to your heart in times of chaos is a fitting lesson. I just wish there was more intention and movement within the story itself. It was enjoyable but more emotional and introspective than I would have guessed going into it.

Realizing it's been ages, YEARS possibly, since I've read a book by Maggie Stiefvater, and it feels so good to be back in the saddle. I really enjoy her style of writing (poetic without being TOO purple prose-y, accessible) and I think she's really great at writing a large cast of characters. Even the romance I appreciated.

As a West Virginian, I was especially excited to read The Listeners, and it completely lived up to my expectations. The setting felt true to home, and Maggie Stiefvater captured something really powerful about the tension between history, morality, and place. I loved how the story unfolded with just a touch of magic, and the writing was beautiful without ever feeling heavy. June is a quiet but fierce protagonist, and I found myself thinking about her long after I finished. This book made me feel proud and a little haunted in the best way.

I loved this well researched story about an amazing piece of history. The unusual characters and the magical quality of the sweet water were mesmerizing.

To be frank, I’m amused by people being surprised Stiefvater wrote this. She’s an Appalachian girl and hotels in both Virginia and West Virginia (where this book takes place) really DID host the diplomats after Pearl Harbor. It’s not surprising in the least, to me, an Appalachian transplant, that she would write this. Makes sense, even. I enjoyed the writing and story thoroughly!

2.75 Stars

Thank you NetGalley, Viking Penguin, and Maggie Stiefvater for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thoughts:
One thing I will never fault is Maggie Stiefvater’s writing. I have fallen in love with it time and time again. This was unlike Maggie’s previous book lanes, but it still had her bones in it with her love of history and magical realism. However, writing aside I was not a fan of much else. I wanted a more in depth dive into our characters, the plot, the love story, the setting, and that is not what we were given. The pacing of the story dragged, and I found myself divided on whether I was eager to find out what happens next or eager for the story to be over.

Ultimately, I will always pick up a book that has Maggie Stiefvater’s name attached to it, but this one was a major let down.

Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
E-book

Pace:
Slow to Medium to Slow

Cover thoughts:
Intriguing! It reminds me of the liminal spaces aesthetic trend going on currently.

Triggers:
War, Suicide Attempt, Self Harm, Classism, Ableism, Antisemitism, Abandonment, Grief, Loss, Death of Parent, Violence, Abuse, Hate Crime, etc.

I love Maggie Stiefvater's books and this one didn't disappoint. It kept me engaged as a reader and I would highly recommend this book!