This is such a departure from Maggie Stiefvater’s other books and I feel like it stands out as her adult debut. The way she builds the setting is great, you can tell a lot of research went into this to portray the historical elements in as much detail as possible. The result is a really atmospheric book with some elements of magical realism. The characters are three dimensional and interesting. The plot could be a bit slow, but I enjoy her writing enough that I didn’t mind.

Having read (and fallen in love with) "The Raven Boys" as a kid, I was thrilled to be able to read an ARC of Maggie Stievfater's new adult fiction novel.

Set in a luxurious hotel during WWII and focusing on character progression over plot, "The Listeners" is about difficult choices, overcoming denial, and letting go of one's old self. The writing is beautiful and the characters are interesting, but my favourite part was the atmosphere and the magical realism surrounding the narrative.

Thank you Netgalley and Headline for the chance to read this eARC.
Not much to say other than this just wasn't quite what I thought it would be and I found myself rather bored. Lovers of historical fiction may enjoy this more.

What a unique and magical read this was!

In this book we follow June, who is the General Manager of the Avallon hotel in West Virginia. The book takes place during the Second World War, when the Avallon is asked to take in an array of individuals with connections to the war. If you love character-driven stories, magical realism, and historical settings, you’ll probably love this one!

Maggie’s prose is to die for! It’s lyrical and has an almost meditative quality which feels like balm for the soul. The combination of the gorgeous prose and the hints of magical realism really just sweeps you away.

One thing I particularly love about the writing in The Listeners is the way that Maggie zooms in on seemingly mundane details about our characters/the hotel, because it’s these details which bring the entire vision to life. There’s also a romantic subplot which is BEAUTIFUL and every little interaction is written to absolute perfection! June is such an endearing main character - she’s written as such a strong FMC whilst remaining realistic about the 1940s time period. She’s also got 3 dachshunds which makes me love her even more!

I know I’m loving a book if I can connect to it emotionally, and The Listeners truly made me FEEL!! The way the book deals with themes of childhood trauma, nostalgia, and love (in many forms) is so beautifully handled. The entire reading experience felt like a gentle hug. The book also has incredible rep for neurodiverse characters!

This book is so strange and wonderful and if you pick it up I promise you it will be one of the most unique reads of your year!!

Thankyou so much to Headline Books and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

This book is as sumptuous as the Hotel it takes place in. For those concerned that the blurb mentions no magic (For a Maggie Stiefvater book?!) relax of course there's magic. It soft and tied to nature and both whimsical and terrifying at the same time.

A West Virginian Mountain Girl born and raised, June Hudson has risen to General Manager of the Avallon Hotel under the mentorship of its late owner. The Avallon offers unrivalled luxury for the wealthy patrons who can afford to enjoy the Spa's healing waters.

When the war arrives at the Avallon's front door and they are forced to become a luxury detention centre for axis diplomats and sympathisers June is forced to face the cost of luxury and the sacrifice only she can make to keep the staff, the detainees, the government, and the fickle sweetwater that is the heart and soul of the hotel happy.

I loved June and her quiet, determined fortitude that coupled with Appalachian forthrightness and fortitude keep the hotel running like a well oil machine even as the war and the FBI keep throwing spanners into the moving parts.

Her relationships are so beautifully drawn, both with the Gilfoyles, the family that owns the hotel and views her as one of them, up to a point and her strained, complex romance with Edgar that counterbalances and is exposed by her blossoming relationship with Agent Tucker Minnick. Tucker is the second POV and Stiefvater slowly unwraps the man underneath the agent and the history that brought him here so deftly you can't help but cheer for him and June.

The tension that strains at all the central characters as they consider who they are looking after and the choices between right and wrong that face them runs throughout the story and Hannelore's arc had me deep in my feelings.

The magical Sweetwater is a character in and of itself and as the only person who can communicate with it, June is the only person who can balance its mood and its potentially destructive force.

Stiefvater has referred to trying to write books of "wonder", books that provoke awe instead of Horror that evoke terror and this book does just that. It's both whimsical and yet hits hard topics in a real and meaningful way. I couldn't stop reading and the world lingers long after you've turned the final page.

The listeners is a historical fiction set in 1942 about a hotel, the Avallon, and June Hudson, who is the general manager.

This is definitely a setting and atmosphere based story rather than a plot focused one. Through the pages the Avallon hotel becomes vivid and the atmosphere of the hotel is the main aspect that is explored. We do get to know a handful of characters but they aren’t as distinct as in some of Maggie Stiefvater’s other work. Plot wise hardly anything happens but that didn’t bother me too much.

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, especially as someone who loves magical realism, but i don’t think the story needed the slight magical realism element. It feels like a pure historical fiction and in my opinion the magical realism didn’t play a very tangible role.

The writing was the highlight for me. Maggie Stiefvater weaves sentences so beautifully and the pages just fly by. I also found that the book really hooked me in the second half and I read that in one sitting. There were even moments towards that end that did move me.

If you are interested in this story of a hotel during WW2, the people who run it, and the diplomats that are staying there, I’d say pick this one up! Just expect a slower story with beautiful prose.

This is a very lyrical, very hard to put down novel that plays to Stiefvater's strength. I really enjoyed it.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

I missed Maggie Stiefvater’s strange brand of magical realism! This time it’s set during the aftermath of Pearl Habor, giving it all a historical edge that was incredibly interesting to read about!

I loved June as a main character, and her connection to the strange Sweetwater. It never leads to a really high stakes plot ; but I still really enjoyed this character driven journey.

Maggie Stiefvater’s The Listeners is a hauntingly lyrical novella that blends folklore, gothic imagery, and emotional depth into a compact, mesmerizing tale. With her signature poetic prose, Stiefvater draws readers into a story that feels both timeless and unsettling. Centered around themes of grief, music, and the supernatural, the narrative unfolds with quiet intensity, echoing the atmosphere of an old ballad. While brief, the story leaves a lingering impact—perfect for fans of dark fairy tales and introspective fantasy.
I was drawn into this story, i loved the characters. I felt all sorts of emotions reading this book. Loved the ending.

June has spent her life working her way up the ranks at the prestigious Avallon Hotel in West Virginia. After years of memorizing every person, task, and eccentricity, she’s finally the manager and the beating heart of the beloved property. She’s also managed to ingratiate with the Guilfoyle family— the wealthy aristocrats who own the Avallon— but not enough to truly ever feel like one of them. That’s why it feels like a massive betrayal when the Guilfoyle heir (and June’s occasional lover,) Edgar, announces that he’s made a deal that he’s made a deal with the State Department as World War II is waged in Europe: The Avallon will clear out its guests and become the new home to German and Japanese diplomats and celebrities until such a time that they can be exchanged for Americans held in Germany and Japan.

These people may be hostages in the technical sense, but to maintain the facade of diplomacy, June and her team are expected to give this group— comprised mostly of Nazis and sympathizers— a luxury experience featuring their award-winning hospitality.

With this uncomfortable re-opening comes two new mainstays at The Avallon: FBI agent Tucker Minnick, who thought he'd buried his West Virginia roots decades ago but must return for this punishment turned assignment, and Hannelore, an autistic, non-verbal 10-year-old and the daughter of two German diplomats whose only doubts in the Nazi party spring from its “programming” for children like Hannelore. Together, these three characters become the eyes and ears of The Avallon's strange new reality, always present but rarely considered.

I've liked every Maggie Stiefvater book I've read, but The Listeners marks her first foray into adult novels. Even as a YA writer, I always felt her novels were a little more mature (dispositionally speaking) than your average YA, so it's definitely a smart move. The Listeners allows her to explore complex themes and periods in history, and she did so with aplomb. Because it's Stiefvater, there's also a hint of magical realism that becomes part of the bones of the story, as well as some excellent, tiny bits of whimsy (i.e. the daschunds.)

The Listeners hit hard in lots of ways— witnessing the everyday, casual actions of awful people, the horrors that await defectors who will still be forced to return to their home nation, exploring trauma and sense of belonging— but one particular storyline couldn't have hit me harder. Stiefvater looked to expose the cruelty of the past, but it also feels shockingly aligned with current events as the US government looks to disparage the disabled community.

On top of our main three characters, who served as excellent arbiters to the tale, there were some well-written secondary characters that truly stood out. I especially loved “411,” an unnamed woman who hasn't left the room of the same number in several years, and the only guest neither June nor the FBI can quite manage to kick out of the hotel. There are also some complex side characters, both personally and politically: The man June has always cared for who's only cared superficially in return, the German journalist who's spoken out against Hitler's regime, the handsome German stunt pilot who the younger hotel workers want to be. All of the people at The Avallon create a rich tapestry against which the story is set.

The Listeners is a languid, carefully-crafted period piece that will leave an impression. It's a little slower than my average novel, but it was so poignant that I didn't mind at all.

4.5 stars rounded up

As a huge fan of The Raven Cycle, I was highly anticipating Maggie Stiefvater’s debut adult novel. The gentle and meandering prose felt incredibly soothing, the plot kept me guessing and was ultimately very satisfying. I loved how much research you could tell had gone into this book, and that it was a real labour of love for the author. Knowing that the story was based on actual events made it all the more fascinating. The main character, June was interesting and nuanced and it was a pleasure to see her come into her own throughout the book. I think this is the kind of book that you would get even more from with a reread, and I look forward to reading it again in future, and finding myself lost in the Avallon Hotel all over again.

The Listeners gave all the Maggie Stiefvater vibes of her YA novels - mystical with a side of history and romance- with a adult upgrade. I've followed Maggie's socials throughout this process and loved finally having the story in my hands, it was so worth the wait. She said her readers have aged up and so wanted to write a story for them, and this delivered on that account. I am not typically a WWII reader, but I trusted Maggie to break into this genre.

I loved that this showed the transition of those in West Virginia still picking up after the Great War and Great Depression. The Avalon is a luxury hotel that has now been selected to host Axis diplomats. It is become a prison without looking like one, they still must cater to their needs just like any other client, while facing rations and staff getting recruited. This addresses who "deserves" to be treated with luxury, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.

There are multiple POVs, mostly June Hudson, the GM of the Avalon. We also get an FBI agent and an autistic German daughter. It was interesting seeing the situation from all of these perspectives. There is a slight lean toward a love triangle, but really isn't focused on or angst involved. It is just a means of character development, and I loved how it turned out - would read a whole other book with just their adventures. I was guessing at the twist at the end pretty early on, but loved the discovery.

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for providing an eARC for my honest feedback.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

A historical book with just a bit of magical realism, transport us to 1940s USA and gives us the challenge - how do we survive when enemies are in our home? I really enjoyed June, our MC, but had a more difficult time following the plot: sometines the pacing felt rushed. I would have loved more chapters from Hannelore POV, especially how she is connected to Avalons magic

3.5

Beautifully haunting and subtly magical, The Listeners takes Maggie Stiefvater’s signature voice and applies it to an entirely new setting and story.

The Avallon lives and dies on the whim of the sweetwater, and June Hudson is the one responsible for keeping it afloat. A woman with a strong Virginia accent in 1942 is not someone anyone expects to find running one of the most luxurious hotels in the country, and yet June does exactly that. After saving one of the Gilfoyle children when only a child herself, June becomes almost a part of their family and is raised to take over the running of the hotel - something some of the Gilfoyles are less than happy about, but not for the reason you’d think. When WWII breaks out, June is informed that her hotel is required to play host to some political adversaries however, as tensions rise, keeping the sweetwater sweet may become harder than she thinks, to the detriment of them all.

The Listeners is unlike anything I’ve ever read by Maggie Stiefvater and yet it gripped me immediately. I’m not generally a big reader of historical fiction, but as someone who loves both the Shiver and Raven Cycle series, I wanted to give it a shot, and I was swept away.
June was such a compelling character, pulled between the hotel and employees she cares for deeply and the family she was in some ways a huge part of and in other ways completely outside. Her various employees all came together to provide a tableau of daily life in a luxury hotel, and all added to the worldbuilding in a multitude of ways.
The relationships were messy and honest, the realities of life in a time period where everyone is struggling and scared.
I loved the quietly creepy and somewhat menacing presence of the sweetwater - it was almost a character in and of itself - with the power to both keep the hotel and spa famous and also destroy everything on a whim.

Overall, I would highly recommend The Listeners. If you’re a fan of Stiefvater’s YA books it won’t necessarily feel familiar, but it has that same entrancing mystery I always love in her books.

Magical realism, historical fantasy set in a luxury hotel during the early 1940s

Following the attack on Pearl Harbour, diplomats, their families, journalists and others connected to Axis countries, are rounded up and held in hotels while the government try work out what to do with them.

The Avallon, famed for it's luxury and quality must kick out it's guests and replace them with these unwanted interlopers, along with the government agents and border guards sent to keep them in check. The staff have family fighting, some have lost loved ones already, and many a gradually conscripted - but June Hudson, the general manager, is determined that these new guests receive the same care as any other. In fact, it's vital that tempers are kept calm, or risk the sweetwater, that flow through the hotel, turning sour.

I'm really not sure how to either rate or review this one. I enjoyed everything that I was reading - I liked the setting; the magical realism; the characters and their relationships; the look at class, privilege and belonging. But I also found it all a bit vague, like a watercolour when I wanted something HD. It doesn't lack substance, I just wanted more solidity and the characters needed more depth and reality to them in order for me to form a connect and care about them.

Even saying all of that, Maggie Stiefvater really knows how to create an interesting, otherworldly setting that seeps into your skin and I'll be thinking about the Avallon for a while yet.

The Listeners is a historical fiction novel set in the 1940s with a pinch of magical realism.

June is the general manager of the Avallon Hotel and currently preparing the hotel for a lush Burns Night spectacle when the US government commandeers the hotel for the housing of foreign diplomats from Axis countries. It's refreshing to see a woman in a managerial role at that time and Stiefvater manages to write her FMC very convincingly. FBI agent Tucker Minnow seems equally intriguing, but the reader only learns more about his backstory once he and June start to get to know each other better. Naturally, there is a lot of staff at the hotel that makes for interesting secondary characters.

Although I liked seeing this time period from a non-European perspective and in a non-EU setting, I never really got into the story. Maybe it was the slower pace, maybe it was the magical realism element that I wish had either been left out entirely, or had been more "fleshed out". Or maybe, having read Stiefvater's YA work, I had too high expectations.

I recommend this to anyone who likes slower paced stories set at the time of WWII but not in a combat situation.

Trying to review a Stiefvater book is like trying to describe what it means to feel something. You can, but it’s better for the person to experience it firsthand, there’s an ineffable quality that must be had. It won’t be the same for you and me.
Based on true events from WW2 and luxury resorts, The Listeners adds a bit of magic that allows a heightened sense to rise and allows us to see the spaces between events. The ancient and mystical mountains of West Virginia provide the perfect backdrop to a story of opposing powers, loyalty, and defying expectation. The true magic in the pages is unpacking humanity through choices, good and bad, and seeing the courses that follow—defining humanity by how humans wield the power they’ve been given. It is a story of longing and hope and waiting and listening. But what you listen to makes all the difference.
I love the setting, though I am biased. The characters are ones you might expect, but expect to learn them inside and out. It’s a story about a hotel and a war and the people who are working to keep their families and nation safe. It’s a story about perception and reality and how you can’t always tell one from the other. It’s a story about hidden truths and the ones staring you in the face.

Compelling, mysterious and subtle, The Listeners hooked me in slowly and didn't let me go.
For the first 25% of this book, I couldn't decide if it was for me or not. Suddenly, I was 80% through without realising. I guess it was for me after all!

The Listeners isn't fast or flashy. It's slow and meandering, much like the sweetwater running beneath the hotel. It's a very human story, rooted firmly in real history, where the characters really shine.

I was a little worried when my request for The Listeners was approved, because I love Maggie's work so much, but as a rule I don't consume anything set around WWII: I was concerned that I had boxed myself into a disappointment. I am happy to report this was an unfounded concern. Maggie Stiefvater has been one of my favourite authors since teenagehood, when her werewolf series, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, captured my imagination. I have read, since then, almost everything she has published, and every new book has convinced me of her skill, but more than that, of the ineffable sense of person-ness she is capable of putting to page, it is almost magic. The Raven Cycle, an utter stand out, remains my benchmark for humanity played out on pages, for the melding of the real and unreal, but The Listeners might give TRC a run for its money.

The Listeners is delightful and compelling, in her interview with The Bookseller Maggie referred to this not as fantasy, or historical fiction, but 'Wonder' a new genre she was pioneering, and I understand now what she meant. This is unlike anything you have read before, because it is fantasy, and reality. It is class struggles. It is a WWII narrative. It is a romance, and a family drama, and rumination on parenthood and childhood. It is horror, without the fear, and literary without the pretension, and historical fiction without the familiar, and a tale of people without banality. It is almost spy fiction, and almost romance fiction, and almost fantasy fiction. It is speculative, but it is also deeply, unerringly real.

I fell into this, dove into the sweetwater and let it close over my head. It was a fever dream. Consuming. Brilliant. Truly exceptional.

To quote Maggie herself: Stiefvater, 'You incredible creature.'

5 stars.

It took me a few pages to get into this, but after that there was no looking back, I was absolutely hooked. I've not read anything like it. I knew what happened to those who were persona-non-grata in the UK during the war but hadn't ever considered those in the States. The little touch of magic from the water adds another layer and the individual stories are lovely. All in all, this is a fabulous book.