Stiefvater's previous books are very dear to me, especially the raven cycle series, so it's with a heavy heart that I tell you that this novel didn't really work for me.
When it comes to this author's books, I'm all for the vibes and the characters, but unfortunately they both fell flat. I believe the characters truly had the potential to be bright and shine on the page, but all I got to see were faint sparks toward the end of the novel. I will say that I saw glimpses here and there of what I like to find in Stiefvater's works, but they were just glimpses and did not feel like fully developed ideas.
Overall I think the core idea and intention were there, but the execution lacked in some aspects and the novel didn't really deliver for me.

DNF at 40%. This is not a badly written book, hence my star rating, but for the reasons listed below, I couldn't finish it.

On paper, The Listeners is a bit of me: historical fiction with magical realism and a romantic subplot?? My favourite sub genre actually. But in practise, the plot was so glacially slow that I struggled to stay interested and the characters felt bland and underdeveloped. I also wanted the author to lean more into the magical realism aspect but maybe that comes later in the book.

I found the idea of setting a WW2 era book in the US an interesting one. I wasn't against it but something about it didn't work for me. The stakes felt too low, we were told that the German/Italian/Japanese characters were the enemy but because we were so far from any action, they just seemed like boring diplomats who didn't add much to the story. Of course, as the reader I know they were on the wrong side of the war but if you took away my assumed knowledge, it felt like we were so far from the action it was irrelevant. Of course I did DNF so maybe things improved.

Unfortunately a miss for me which is a big shame.

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater offers a mysterious, slow-burning blend of historical fiction with a whisper of magical realism. Set in a luxury American hotel turned diplomatic holding facility during WWII, the novel creates a compelling backdrop filled with tension and quiet strangeness. The hotel, the Avallon, is more than just a setting — it feels like a living character, shaped by the mysterious “sweet water” and the emotions of its inhabitants. It’s an eerie and immersive concept that adds a mythological quality to the narrative.

June, the hotel’s general manager, is a strong and thoughtful protagonist, navigating an impossible situation with poise and quiet determination. Her role, and the complicated ethics of serving enemy diplomats while trying to maintain neutrality, are some of the book’s more thought-provoking elements. The supporting cast is memorable, and the unique setting is used well to explore identity, loyalty, and power in times of conflict.

That said, the story moves slowly — often more focused on mood than plot — and some key elements (like the romance, or the nature of the magical water) feel underdeveloped. The romance, in particular, lacks buildup, appearing abruptly without much emotional groundwork. Additionally, while marketed as fantasy, this novel leans much more heavily into historical fiction with only the lightest touch of the fantastical. Readers hoping for a stronger speculative element may come away disappointed.

Overall, The Listeners is a strange, atmospheric novel with a captivating premise, but it doesn’t always land. Its slower pacing, ambiguous plot turns, and lack of clarity in some reveals may leave readers wanting more cohesion. Still, fans of Stiefvater’s previous work — especially those who appreciate her lyrical style and interest in the surreal — may find it worth exploring. Just don’t expect a typical fantasy or fast-paced wartime drama.

I went into this book blind as I love the authors other works but although well written with fleshed out characters I found my mind drifting and would often skim read. Definitely very different from previous books.

This is a book that grows on you like moss. It started really slow, made me care for this hotel more than I probably should, and then let me crash in a cold flood. All the puns intended.

Loved our main character, June is brilliant. He story is both inspirational and heartbreaking, and I'm glad I got to read it. In an almost Schindlerian plot, we get to read stories of regular people caught in extraordinary times and events beyond their control. Elaborate exploration of the meaning of belonging, of finding your own space and direction.

This is an interesting take on a historic fiction with elements of magical realism, and if this continued with more stories about what Sandy is doing, I'd be reading that as well.

It does have some pacing issues, so at certain points, it was a little hard to stay with it.

The Listeners is a sweeping tale of the Avallon luxury hotel, its proprietor and its role as host to prisoners of war during WWII.

The Avallon and June are two characters so intertwined that their relationship - the push pull of dependency and need - is the most interesting aspect of the narrative. Stiefvater brings in one or two love interests but, for me, they fall short of the depth and complexity of what June feels for the Avallon. Forever balancing the needs of the hotel guests, the hotel itself, the mysterious sweetwater and, eventually, her own needs - the book meanders through plot without haste.

Full of interesting side characters and shrouded in mystery, The Listeners waits patiently for things to happen. For readers who luxuriate in a plot that unfolds in its own time, this may be exactly what you're after, however it was a little too slow in places for me.

June Hudson is the general manager of the Avallon Hotel. she has known the hotel all her life. It is owned by the Gilfoyle family and seems to have a power of its own.
Then war comes to the hotel and the family must play host to three hundred plus enemies and June has to play host.
There are secrets everywhere and some people are not who they seem.
Agent Tucker Minnick is the person tasked with the investigation and who knows what he will uncover.

A slow paced book with characters who I feel I should have been more invested in, however the main character for me ended up being the Avallon Hotel itself and the location. This isn’t an action packed read, it steadily builds up and the final hour really held my interest. It was a completely unique subject, I didn’t know this commandeering of hotels for Nazi ‘sympathisers’ happened.

Дебютна доросла проза Меґґі Стівотер, в якій усе, як пише Меґґі, і усе не те, чим здається. І мені хотілося би, щоб усе виявилося іншим, аніж здається аж до кінця, але...почнемо з початку.

Хосс, або Джейн Гатсон, головна менеджерка розкішного готелю для багатих. Сенс існування Авалону, побудованого у Аппалачах на солодких водах, один — дарувати жителям розкіш. І без того багаті люди приїжджають в дорогий готель, хтось вірить в чудодійні солодкі води, хтось насолоджується тим, що простір і обслуга до їхніх послуг і готова задовольнити будь-який каприз. І нема в Хосс, чи в будь-кого з обслуговуючого персоналу, нічого важливішого за те, щоб бути Авалоном, щоб Авалон задовольнив усе, найдивніші і надзвичайніші потреби — весілля, крусани, жити подалі від солодких вод. Я вже думала, що це буде рецензія біднячки.

Але я чекала, і була нагороджена (не всі нагороди нам потрібні, ой не всі) — на порозі другої світової війни агенти фбр обрали Авалон місцем для своїх політичних ігрищ. Усі, хто роками платив за розкіш Авалону, мав негайно забратися, лишитися мав тільки персонал. А вже завтра до Авалону привезуть нацистів країн Осі. І готель зобов'язаний прийняти їх не менш, як багатіїв. Хосс, надто прив'язана до готелю, ніби і є ним, щиро впевнена в тому, що ким би не були гості, вони все ще гості Авалону і готель має дати те, що дає завжди — розкіш.

Поки нацисти чекають депортації зі штатів Америки.

В одному з найдорожчих готелів.

Щоб їх прийняли, як поважних гостей.

І менеджерка тільки "за", хай би що говорив кухар, покоївка чи ще хтось, чиї рідні загинули у цій війні.

Це могла бути рецензія біднячки, але це буде рецензія українки, в якої більше не лишилося напівтонів.

Частина тексту пишеться з точки зору Хосс, яка асоціює своє буття з розкішним готелем, і іноді страждає, що власник готелю недостатньо її цінує, частина від одного з агентів, Мінніка, і з'являється ще одне лице — до Авалону прибуває Ганналор з батьком, німецьким нацистським дипломатом, матір'ю, і лікарем. Ганналор не говорить, їй 14 (?), і вона наспівує певну пісеньку, якої її навчили. Я не профі, але маю підозру, що Ганналор в спектрі, і сприймає світ дещо інакше. Хосс одразу помічає, що дівчинка прислухається до вод і готелю, як і сама вона, і тут же визнає свою з нею схожість (чому?), і прив'язується?

Поки готель розкішно приймає нацистів, дипломатів Осі, менеджерка переживає і любовні переживання, поки контролює персонал, щоб вбивць гарно годували, щоб агенти гарно спали. Любовна лінія одна з найбільш приємних в цій книзі, її зміни та настрої, і фінал. Друга приємна річ в цій книзі — хлопець, який був наче братом Хосс, бо вони росли разом, і він пішов на війну, а повернувся вже в кріслі колісному і не реагує на цей світ. Так, світе, подивися, що на нас чекає. Втрати. Розчарування. Біль. Найкращі хлопчики більше ніколи не будуть такими, як раніше. Ніхто не буде таким, як колись. Поки ти годуєш нацистів з золотих ложечок і напуваєш солодкою водою, Хосс. Може, не дарма солодка вода на смак, як попіл?

Підійдемо до частини, яка найбільше мене розчарувала — адже Ганналор не така, як її батьки-нацисти! Лише дівчинка (яку в ховали в нацистських ідеалах), яку треба рятувати. Обов'язково-обов'язково всі захочуть рятувати ні в чому невинну дитину. Але ми хто такий в нас наївний? Хто такий хороший і вірить в мир в усьому світі? Хто ця маленька неполітична булочка? Попалися?! Вітаю, ви в клубі "нєвсьотакадназначна". Назву кілька моментів: батьки цієї дівчинки багаті, ну вони дипломати і розкішне життя для них звичка, батьки цієї дитини мають вплив, ресурси та вибір, і вони його зробили. Ця дівчинка має усе, чого немає в жодного з нас, щоб мати прекрасне безхмарне майбутнє, її батьки мають усе, аби змінювати майбутнє на краще для неї. Але якщо батьки обрали саме таке майбутнє, саме владу, яка вбиває таких, як Ганналор (фашисти першою своєю ціллю обрали людей з інвалідністю, щоб знищити усіх незручних в ім'я чистоти раси), то чому ці багаті американці, які живуть в розкішному готелі, який далеко в горах ховає їх від війни, обирають рятувати цю "нещасну дитину"? Свята наївність. Позбудьтеся цієї цноти, допоки не пізно. Я емпатична аж до блювоти, але до ворога не може бути емпатії, інакше він забереться під шкіру голками, як це робила русня. Якщо нацисти хочуть рятувати своїх дітей, вони мають робити це також і самі.

Також з мінусів, менш значних, бо в порівнянні зі співчуттям до нацистів, готель, що мав би бути ще одним персонажем — ні, не відчула. Не було у Авалона ніякої волі, ніякого слова. Хосс, яка відчувала готель, я в це також не повірила, жодного бажання Авалона, ніякого злиття чи розлуки.

Absolutely loved this book! From page one I was hooked and couldn’t wait to pick the book back up.

I can’t wait for more from this author!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There was so much unfolding in this book that I couldn't put my finger on what specific genre it was! With Maggie Stiefvater you definitely get a strong story.

Thank you to the publisher for the earc!

I should be more careful when reading synopsis, as I completely missed the fact that it’s set in WW2. I’m not a fan of historical books, even if it’s a historical fantasy such as The Listeners was. If you’re interested in the lives of diplomats after Pearl Harbor, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book!

Maggie Stiefvater beautifully blends a story of both historical and personal significance, reaching back into a dark time in our history than is becoming increasingly relevant while examining the benefits and costs of being brave, loyal, and compassionate to each other and ourselves. Her beautifully lyrical writing pulls you in, and the characters shine with deep emotion and gritty reality. The setting is also a fully realized character - the mountains, the sweetwater, the hotel - they all exude their own influence on the characters and the story, shaping their lives, personalities, and actions. Books like this are hard to talk and write about sometimes because they make you think so much that your head starts spinning with all the ideas and connections and emotions. The biggest compliment I can give is I immediately want to read it again.

I loved getting to know June, through her relationships with the Gilfoyle family members, and her connection to the sweetwater, and the family she built at the Avallon, and her slow realization of what truly mattered to her. She is a woman who cares deeply about those around her, partly because of who she is but also because of how she grew up. June was abandoned, but she found a home at the Avallon, a place she felt she belonged, a role of importance, where it felt like she was valued and doing good work. All those things coalesced into this feeling that she had no future outside of the Avallon, either because she owed it for what it gave to her or because it needed her and couldn’t survive without her. But what about what June wants and needs? This story is June’s story of finally seeing the truth of herself, and believing those who say she deserves more than the small joys she’d been allowing herself.

Agent Minnick. Tucker. Sigh. His journey of self-realization was no less powerful - after a lifetime of trying to be the perfect government man, to show that he’d changed and made up for any mistakes he felt he’d made in the past, the universe drew him back to the place where he could confront those emotional demons and connect to his grief, freeing him to be himself. I love how he slowly let down those walls, partly for himself but also for June, for this woman he is captivated by and afraid of and can’t imagine living without.

The sweetwater itself is its own entity that I still don’t fully understand, but seems to spring from the unique nature of the Virginia mountains, connected to the people, absorbing and sending our emotions to those around it, touching it. The water is why I need to read this on repeat. I feel like there’s a metaphor in there about how people spoil what is natural, and eventually nature rises up in resistance, reclaiming what is rightfully its own and clearly out the evil intentions and emotions of humanity. Visiting Casto Springs and feeling the difference between the water there and that of the Avallon is really telling.

The historical element of this book, that of the detainment of Axis dignitaries and their staffs after Pearl Harbor and the negotiations for exchanging them with American prisoners was both fascinating and horrifying. I can see why they felt they needed to treat their detainees well in order to encourage the their enemies to treat the Americans in their custody well, also (though we know that didn’t actually ensure anything), but I agree that it would be incredibly difficult to stomach, especially considering the attitudes of some of the worst Nazis, especially those in the German delegation. The way the Avallon was set up, to treat their guests as special and important no matter who they are, made it the perfect place to keep detainees like the dignitaries, but I think what June discovered is you *can’t* fully separate who people are outside the hotel from how you see and treat them inside it. You can’t un-know which men wish death on their waiter because of his ethnicity and which is planning on euthanizing a child for being different. In the end, June does the only thing she can do - follow her conscience to save who she can, risking her life and livelihood in the process. And how the people around her react is telling of their own character and morality, and what side of history they end up on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance copy of this book for review purposes. If it wasn’t obvious, I highly recommend this one, especially for fans of historical fiction with a side of magical realism. I feel like I have barely done the book justice with this review because I left so many things out, but you didn’t come here for a dissertation.

The Listeners releases on June 3, and you can preorder a copy or place a hold at your library today! Also, you should follow Maggie Stiefvater on BlueSky - she’s been posting drawings of dachshunds inserted into works of art for the past 2 months and plans on continuing until publication day. It’s been so fun to see what she comes up with every day! Also, if you’re wondering, “why dachshunds?” - as Maggie says, the books not really ABOUT dachshunds but there are 3 in it and they are always there.

Set in the depths of West Virginia during World War Two The Listeners blends history with romance and a touch of magic. It’s beautifully written but you need to persevere as it is quite slow!

Overall thoroughly enjoyed The Listeners. I was surprised that Maggie was writing such a historical novel but I knew she would undoubtedly bring a twist, and she did! I loved the setting of the Avalon and the magical elements of this story balanced by the historical period. I do wish the sweetwater had been utilised in a more magical way. It felt a bit underwhelming by the end despite it being present and adding tension the whole time. I really loved the ensemble of characters, The romance story line was sweet, a nice subtle slowburn which I really appreciated.

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater is a hauntingly beautiful blend of historical fiction and magical realism, set against the quietly tense backdrop of 1942 West Virginia. The story unfolds in The Avallon Hotel, a grand, luxurious retreat known for its elegance—and now, its unlikely new role as a holding space for Axis diplomats, their staff and families.. At the centre of it all is June, the fiercely capable General Manager, who’s worked her way up from orphaned girl to beloved pillar of the hotel and its staff. They call her Hoss, which I googled and it's a term of respect for someone strong and capable (usually for a man) so that gives the reader and idea of what the hotel staff think of June.

June isn’t just running the hotel—she’s tied to it, and to the sweetwater, a mineral spring with mysterious properties that only she seems to understand. When The Avallon is quietly transformed into a wartime holding facility, the tension among guests and staff runs deep. Japanese, German, and Italian delegates dine under the same roof as Americans whose loved ones are on the front lines. And amid this uneasy truce, June must keep the hotel running with poise and diplomacy.

Enter Agent Tucker Minnick—an FBI agent stationed at The Avallon to keep a watchful eye on proceedings. He’s quiet, composed, and straightforward, with an air of confidence that makes him easy to trust. He’s not complicated—except for one deeply personal piece of his past that connects him to the land and the sweetwater. He and June, although initially wary of each other, are slowly drawn together. What develops between them is a tender, slow-burn connection rooted in attraction, shared values, and growing affection.

Interspersed throughout are chapters told from the perspective of Hannelore, the young daughter of one of the German diplomats. Hannelore is neurodivergent, though the book never labels her—and doesn’t need to. Her perspective is written with a gentle sensitivity that feels authentic and grounded. Her character adds a quiet but powerful emotional depth, especially as the story hints at the danger she would face if returned to Nazi Germany, where those who were seen as different were often treated cruelly. Hannelore feels real—vulnerable, perceptive, and deeply affecting.

Stiefvater’s prose is lyrical and immersive, weaving together the quiet mystery of the sweet water with the fraught emotional landscape of wartime America. While the story doesn’t shy away from the ugliness of the era—class, xenophobia, nationalism, loss—it’s also infused with warmth, hope, and a sense of found family. The secondary characters bring colour and texture, and The Avallon Hotel itself feels like a character—rich in history, secrets, and magic, something to be feared and respected.

This is my first Maggie Stiefvater novel, and her first foray into adult fiction—and it’s an enchanting, poignant success. The Listeners is a story of love, loyalty, and healing in the face of uncertainty. I was fully swept away. Five stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC—opinions are entirely my own.

The Listeners is historical fiction, set in a luxury hotel in the US in 1942. America has just been fully drawn into WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbour, and the Avallon Hotel has been recruited by the FBI to host Axis diplomats, journalists and their families at a time of huge uncertainty.

It is mysterious and atmospheric, with a steady foundation of unease throughout. When I picked this up it was tagged as Fantasy, which honestly I think is a bit of a stretch. There is just a hint of magical realism, a somewhat open, but also hidden, secret at the heart of the hotel. It impacts the setting and the atmosphere, certainly, but it doesn't actually have that much impact on the story. If you removed that element there wouldn't be all that much change to the plot, but there would be to the feel of the novel. This is not the book if you're looking for a fantasy novel, but is for enjoyers of historical fiction, particularly if you'd enjoy an enigmatic, almost mythological quality to the story.

I am a huge fan of Maggie Stiefvater and have been since her Wolves of Mercy Falls days. I have followed her writing with delight over the years (The Scorpio Races is one of my all time favourite books) and I was really excited to learn that she was publishing her first adult novel.

This book did not disappoint. Stiefvater is the queen of atmosphere and this book is just teeming with it. The Listeners is historical fiction with a side of magical realism. Set in 1942, the five star Avalon Hotel has been requisitioned by the US government to host Axis power diplomats in the wake of Pearl Harbour. The book follows hotel boss June as she wrestles with the dilemma between maintaining the hotel’s reputation of providing a personalised five star service to all guests against the fact that the “guests” are essentially prisoners, some of whom may be spies and nazis.

Running through this dilemma is the silent threat of the sweet water turning - the hotel is a spa hotel, with a spring running through the grounds, and the staff are all very respectful/afraid of the water. The fate of the hotel is intrinsically linked to the health of the sweet water and it reacts to whatever is happening around it. Anger, sadness and frustration can cause the sweet water to “turn” which could lead to the distruction of the hotel. June is the only person who knows how to placate or negotiate with the water. This is woven very finely throughout the novel and while it’s clear that the locals believe the water to be alive, it could easily been seen by incomers as a bit of local mythology. The fantasy element is very subtle and you can decide yourself whether there are actual magical events taking place.

This book has the same feel to me as All the Crooked Saints and The Scorpio Races and I really loved it. Anyone who enjoys Stiefvater’s beautiful, haunting writing will appreciate this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for approving me for this ARC. I read Maggie Stiefvater’s first series, The Wolves of Mercy Cycle, about 15 years ago when it was first released. I wasn’t a Twilight fan but I did remember enjoying this. I did try reading The Raven Boys a year or so ago but struggled to get into it. I remember coming across this book on Waterstones and liking the premise before realising who the author was, and was really happy to see it come up as an ARC for request and then to be accepted.

The Listeners is wildly different to her previous books. It reads like historical fiction with just a hint of fantasy, so I put it firmly in the magical realism category. This is set during 1942 during WW2, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, and the book, I find, is more a study of human beings and social class from the viewpoint of June Hudson, the hotel’s general manager. The novel is set at the Avallon Hotel, a luxury hotel, that is overtaken by enemy diplomats and the waters that run through the hotel (similar to a hot springs hotel) through its taps and bathhouses have a power that is referred to by June and the staff throughout and everyone treads carefully with how they treat the water.

I found it a fascinating insight into the human psyche through June’s observations of the guests throughout her time there. If you are expecting Stiefvater’s typical paranormal romance, this is not it, but I loved it. This was a refreshing different novel in this fantasy genre. Fairyloot is releasing a special edition of this book and the cover reminds me of Titanic.

The book did start to lose its way a little in the middle and there wasn’t much plot left to it. I was also a little confused by the romance because whilst it was slow burn, I didn’t quite get where the attraction came from. Other points, it took me ages to work out June’s age (she’s 35) so it was a little difficult to picture her and I still don’t understand why she’s called Hoss.

Overall, it felt like a coming of age story in many ways even though the protagonist is older. I loved the start but felt it started to drag halfway through. It is a historical novel with a dash of magic (and I mean a little). Is it worth reading? Yes, but come to it expecting the unexpected, not your typical fantasy.

I rate this 3.5 stars, rounded up.

4.5⭐

It's been a little while since I have read a Maggie Stiefvater book so I had forgotten just how beautiful and immersive the story and writing could be. While based around a certain period of time in history, it was a interesting and gripping read.I will admit it did take me a little while to get into this but once I did I couldn't put The Listeners down.

The way she can write so many different characters in a way that makes them feel so human and less stereotyped just proves the magic she has in her writing and storytelling. While this was a completely different book than I am use to, it was a really good book to take me out of my comfort zone and I'm so happy I decided to give it a chance.