Leo and the Crazy Genre Hotel is possibly one of the best children's books in the fantasy genre currently on the market! The characters are genuine, and the author traces the deeply connected relationships between each of the characters with masterful precision! This is a novel intended for literature lovers, history appreciators, and lovers of delving into multiple world cultures!

Young Leo embarks upon a grand adventure the summer of his 14th year, when he accepts a position working at Magnolia House, a local inn which has been in operation since 1926. Along his journey, he meets several characters straight out of favorite books, turns the destiny of a famed author around, and celebrates the marriage of his own mother to his former history teacher.

Leo and the Crazy Genre Hotel is a novel for readers who adore adventures and delving into world of fictional whimsy. While I prefer books that avoid contractions and untraditional sentence structure, the plot and elements of this book make it worthy of attention and appreciation.

Nearly, but not quite. The main character is delightful, and there is some lovely writing. There are also some wonderful story concepts - too many, in fact. It's like two plots crammed into one, and the whole 'crazy genre' concept, which is highlighted in the blurb, gets lost. Altogether, I think this is a book with a lot of potential, but it hasn't quite been realised.

I was initially interrested in this book from the gorgeous cover, and it did not dissapoint.

The story follows fourteen-year-old Leo, who anticipates a typical summer job at the Magnolia House Hotel. However, he soon discovers that the hotel is a sanctuary for characters who've fled their broken narratives. From a noir detective seeking a new storyline to a starlit wanderer challenging her predestined ending, each guest is on a quest to rewrite their fate. Leo's journey becomes even more compelling when he uncovers a hidden book club beneath the lobby and realizes he might hold the key to saving the hotel from a looming corporate threat. ​

Jolles' writing is both imaginative and accessible, making it perfect for readers aged 9 to 15. The narrative is rich with creativity, introducing a cast of characters that are as diverse as they are endearing. The hotel's concept—a refuge for characters escaping their stories—is both whimsical and thought-provoking, prompting readers to consider themes of destiny, choice, and self-determination.​

The pacing is well-balanced, with enough suspense to keep readers engaged while allowing moments of introspection and character development. The book's humor adds levity without undermining its more profound messages, making it a multifaceted read that entertains and enlightens.​

Overall, Leo and the Crazy Genre Hotel is a charming and insightful read that will resonate with young readers and adults alike. Tsvi Jolles has crafted a narrative that celebrates the power of stories and the courage it takes to change one's narrative.

This one's got a lot of heart and potential, but it didn't end up for me. On a line level, there was plenty of beautiful writing to be read. Maybe too much name-dropping than I would've liked, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. This was quick and easy to read. Perfect for a slow afternoon. The plot however... I understand that the target audience skews younger, but the plot required me to suspend my disbelief too much for my taste. The concept of a hotel as a refuge for story characters should've been right up my alley. Alas, it ended up falling flat for me. The characters were fun and quirky—maybe too quirky. Honestly, I couldn't help but think how incompetent the adults were while reading. Graciela ended up being annoying, Missy MIA for a large chunk of the story despite being the hotel manager—you get it. Because why does it fall to Leo to fix things? A lot of the development felt rushed as if I was just skimming the surface of the events instead of delving deep into the thick of things. I would've preferred more character work, too. It ended up difficult for me to immerse myself into the story. In fact, I found the foundations of the plot to be too wobbly for everything stand firm and make sense. Still, I can see other people enjoying this, especially those of a younger age. For me, however, this is a 2.5/5. Plenty of potential but lackluster execution.

I love that this story has Spanish speaking people representation. Specially in a realistic way for those who left their native land and have adopted English language and now have some Spanglish 😅🤣 I love the magical vibe throughout the story, the MC character development was very satisfying. It's a charming quick read that will leave you wanting more ✨️