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Hotel Magnifique
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2022)For fans of Caraval and The Night Circus, this decadent and darkly enchanting YA fantasy, set against the backdrop of a Belle Époque-inspired hotel, follows seventeen-year-old Jani as she uncovers the deeply disturbing secrets of the legendary Hotel Magnifique.
All her life, Jani has dreamed of Elsewhere. Just barely scraping by with her job at a tannery, she’s resigned to a dreary life in the port town of Durc, caring for her younger sister Zosa. That is, until the Hotel Magnifique comes to town.
The hotel is legendary not only for its whimsical enchantments, but also for its ability to travel—appearing in a different destination every morning. While Jani and Zosa can’t afford the exorbitant costs of a guest’s stay, they can interview to join the staff, and are soon whisked away on the greatest adventure of their lives. But once inside, Jani quickly discovers their contracts are unbreakable and that beneath the marvelous glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets.
With the vexingly handsome doorman Bel as her only ally, Jani embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery of the magic at the heart of the hotel and free Zosa—and the other staff—from the cruelty of the ruthless maître d’hôtel. To succeed, she’ll have to risk everything she loves, but failure would mean a fate far worse than never returning home.
All her life, Jani has dreamed of Elsewhere. Just barely scraping by with her job at a tannery, she’s resigned to a dreary life in the port town of Durc, caring for her younger sister Zosa. That is, until the Hotel Magnifique comes to town.
The hotel is legendary not only for its whimsical enchantments, but also for its ability to travel—appearing in a different destination every morning. While Jani and Zosa can’t afford the exorbitant costs of a guest’s stay, they can interview to join the staff, and are soon whisked away on the greatest adventure of their lives. But once inside, Jani quickly discovers their contracts are unbreakable and that beneath the marvelous glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets.
With the vexingly handsome doorman Bel as her only ally, Jani embarks on a mission to unravel the mystery of the magic at the heart of the hotel and free Zosa—and the other staff—from the cruelty of the ruthless maître d’hôtel. To succeed, she’ll have to risk everything she loves, but failure would mean a fate far worse than never returning home.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2022
About the author
Emily J. Taylor
2 books684 followersEmily was born and raised in California and has since refused to stay put. She's lived in four states and two continents, all of which have conveniently given her an endless amount of story fodder. She currently works as a creative director in Minneapolis, where she spends the long winters dreaming up glittering worlds to spin into dark tales.
Follow Emily on Instagram @emilycanwrite
https://www.instagram.com/emilycanwrite/
Follow Emily on Instagram @emilycanwrite
https://www.instagram.com/emilycanwrite/
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June 13, 2022Did someone say:
"the magical hotel that appears in a new location each morning"
"beneath the mysterious glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets"
"she’ll need to harness a power she never knew she had"
"and an intervention by the vexingly handsome bellhop"
This is giving me Hotel Del Luna vibes and I need this now.
"the magical hotel that appears in a new location each morning"
"beneath the mysterious glamour, the hotel is hiding dangerous secrets"
"she’ll need to harness a power she never knew she had"
"and an intervention by the vexingly handsome bellhop"
This is giving me Hotel Del Luna vibes and I need this now.
April 6, 2022
My first impression after reading blurbs and the synopsis was that Hotel Magnifique was essentially The Night Circus, but make it ✨hotel✨. And for the first third or so it was pretty much exactly that. Two sisters, Jani and Zosa, are trying to escape their difficult lives in the town of Durc, and finally get the opportunity to when the famous, magical Hotel Magnifique makes an appearance. They each take jobs in the hotel, which is as bizarre as it is enchanting, and can hardly believe they could be so lucky.
I’d read The Night Circus years ago and while I enjoyed it I wasn’t super interested in reading a re-hash of it. As a result the beginning of this story was kind of boring for me. Eventually, though, the book took a darker turn, with everything that glittered before starting to look a little more nefarious under a different light. For the next two-thirds of the novel the author relished prying off the story’s shiny paneling to reveal the rot hiding beneath. And at first I really loved this too, but after a while even that started to take on a repetitive quality.
I don’t want to get too into the specifics of what went on, but for the most part we followed Jani and her attempts to uncover secrets of the hotel and its employees. I liked a lot of pieces of the story, but some of how it was fitted together didn’t quite make a complete whole for me. The magic veered into vague and there wasn’t much in the way of explanations on how it all worked—it felt like a lot of hand-waving ~magic~ instead of a tangible system. The story just wasn’t as dazzling or dreamy as I think it wishes it was.
I kind of wish I had more to say on my experience with Hotel Magnifique. The ending wrapped up a little quickly, given how long it took us to get to the interesting parts in the beginning. But other than that, I’ve got nothing else! It didn’t leave as much of an impression as I was hoping it would, especially since there was plenty of good material to work with. But for a fantasy that’s a bit off the beaten path, it does its job.
*Thanks to Penguin Teen for an advance review copy!
**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!
I’d read The Night Circus years ago and while I enjoyed it I wasn’t super interested in reading a re-hash of it. As a result the beginning of this story was kind of boring for me. Eventually, though, the book took a darker turn, with everything that glittered before starting to look a little more nefarious under a different light. For the next two-thirds of the novel the author relished prying off the story’s shiny paneling to reveal the rot hiding beneath. And at first I really loved this too, but after a while even that started to take on a repetitive quality.
I don’t want to get too into the specifics of what went on, but for the most part we followed Jani and her attempts to uncover secrets of the hotel and its employees. I liked a lot of pieces of the story, but some of how it was fitted together didn’t quite make a complete whole for me. The magic veered into vague and there wasn’t much in the way of explanations on how it all worked—it felt like a lot of hand-waving ~magic~ instead of a tangible system. The story just wasn’t as dazzling or dreamy as I think it wishes it was.
I kind of wish I had more to say on my experience with Hotel Magnifique. The ending wrapped up a little quickly, given how long it took us to get to the interesting parts in the beginning. But other than that, I’ve got nothing else! It didn’t leave as much of an impression as I was hoping it would, especially since there was plenty of good material to work with. But for a fantasy that’s a bit off the beaten path, it does its job.
*Thanks to Penguin Teen for an advance review copy!
**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!
April 20, 2022
In a Nutshell: This could have been outstanding. It ends up above average. But as it is a debut work and aimed at the Teen/YA crowd, I’ll cut it some slack.
Story:
First things first. The blurb proudly declares: “perfect for fans of Caraval and The Night Circus.” I have read neither of these books yet, so don’t expect any comparisons in this review. My thoughts are of this book on its own merit as a YA Dark Fantasy.
One of the main qualities that a fantasy book ought to have is extraordinary world-building. And this book fulfils the criterion really well. The magical details of the hotel and its various rooms, the info about how the magic is used/contained, the various magicians and their techniques – I enjoyed all of these embellishments. The use of French words/names enhanced the mystical feel of the hotel. The story is set in a fictional country named “Verdanne” and moves across Verdanne and other made-up locations. Each of the places is well-carved and distinct, adding to the fantastical feel of the book.
The characters were either striking or insipid. The maître of the hotel is an intriguing character and serves his purpose in the story well. Unfortunately, most of the remaining striking characters are secondary in the story, getting only a few pages of focus. I would have loved to learn more about Beatrice the gear-spinning ‘mechanique’, Issig the ice blaster, and even Jani’s sister Zosa, whose few appearances livened up the story. Jani’s love interest is a character named Bel, who is appealing but unvarying. He generates a vibe that makes you want to know more about him but the book leaves him as a somewhat flatly-developed character, coming in only when the plot needs him. He is severely underutilised in the narrative, though he gets the most page space next to Jani.
This leaves me with Jani. Now what do I say about her?! Jani’s character is the most fleshed out in the story. Unfortunately, this doesn’t necessarily translate to making her likeable or relatable. Jani is irritating, naïve and impulsive. She doesn’t use her head before jumping into a situation and loves jumping to conclusions without understanding all the facts. She also demands that things go as per her wishes, even if circumstances demand a more restrained approach. In other words, Jani reminded me of many teenagers I know in real life. You see my conundrum here? The author nailed Jani’s character as per her age, but this didn’t lead to an enjoyable reading experience for me because for a major chunk of the book, all I wanted to do was give Jani a whack out of frustration. I simply couldn’t see how Bel tolerated her uneven personality. Well, they don’t say ‘love is blind’ for nothing! That said, the romance part of the book is cute and doesn’t overwhelm the main story. Plus, Jani redeems herself and saves everyone in the end, like all main characters are supposed to do.
The writing style is where the author’s inexperience clearly shows. The prologue and the epilogue (and the last few chapters of the climax) are outstanding. If the entire book had maintained this level of engagement on my attention, this would have been a 4.5 star book at the minimum. Sadly, it doesn’t. The initial chapters after the girls’ entry into the hotel follow a similar pattern. Jani has this insatiable curiosity that leads her to new places/rooms in the hotel, then there’s a description of what she finds there, and/or how she escapes when she isn't supposed to do what she did or be where she was. This starts dragging the story down as there was a constant feeling of déjà vu. The second half turns the tables and incorporates a lot more action and mystique into the narrative. The pace is also much faster in the latter half. There are a few plot holes but nothing major.
All in all, I found the first half of the book (except for the prologue) slow and repetitive and enjoyed only the details of the Hotel Magnifique. This half rates at 3 stars for me. The second half was much more delightful and I liked it to a great extent. This portion gets 4 stars.
Thus, 3.5 stars for the book, rounding up though I feel there was a lot of potential here that went to waste.
Recommended to readers who want a dash of light romance, an outstanding fantastical world, and are indifferent about a slow start or the lack of a loveable main character.
Trigger note: There are a few gruesome scenes in the story. If you are squeamish about such content, stay away.
My thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Hotel Magnifique”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
17 year old Jani is doing all she can to take care of her 13 year old sister Zosa after the death of her mother a few years ago. But even her best efforts lead to a minimally fulfilling existence. When she hears that the legendary Hotel Magnifique is going to be in town and hiring new staff, Jani decides that she will secure a job for them both there, no matter how. After all, the hotel appears just for one night in a decade and she can’t miss this chance.
Luck works in her favour and she somehow finds herself on the staff of the hotel. But while the hotel is as opulent as outsiders claimed, there seems to be something sinister and dangerous underlying its magic. What has Jani got herself and Zosa into? What’s the secret behind the mystical maître who runs the hotel?
The story is written in the first person perspective of Jani.
First things first. The blurb proudly declares: “perfect for fans of Caraval and The Night Circus.” I have read neither of these books yet, so don’t expect any comparisons in this review. My thoughts are of this book on its own merit as a YA Dark Fantasy.
One of the main qualities that a fantasy book ought to have is extraordinary world-building. And this book fulfils the criterion really well. The magical details of the hotel and its various rooms, the info about how the magic is used/contained, the various magicians and their techniques – I enjoyed all of these embellishments. The use of French words/names enhanced the mystical feel of the hotel. The story is set in a fictional country named “Verdanne” and moves across Verdanne and other made-up locations. Each of the places is well-carved and distinct, adding to the fantastical feel of the book.
The characters were either striking or insipid. The maître of the hotel is an intriguing character and serves his purpose in the story well. Unfortunately, most of the remaining striking characters are secondary in the story, getting only a few pages of focus. I would have loved to learn more about Beatrice the gear-spinning ‘mechanique’, Issig the ice blaster, and even Jani’s sister Zosa, whose few appearances livened up the story. Jani’s love interest is a character named Bel, who is appealing but unvarying. He generates a vibe that makes you want to know more about him but the book leaves him as a somewhat flatly-developed character, coming in only when the plot needs him. He is severely underutilised in the narrative, though he gets the most page space next to Jani.
This leaves me with Jani. Now what do I say about her?! Jani’s character is the most fleshed out in the story. Unfortunately, this doesn’t necessarily translate to making her likeable or relatable. Jani is irritating, naïve and impulsive. She doesn’t use her head before jumping into a situation and loves jumping to conclusions without understanding all the facts. She also demands that things go as per her wishes, even if circumstances demand a more restrained approach. In other words, Jani reminded me of many teenagers I know in real life. You see my conundrum here? The author nailed Jani’s character as per her age, but this didn’t lead to an enjoyable reading experience for me because for a major chunk of the book, all I wanted to do was give Jani a whack out of frustration. I simply couldn’t see how Bel tolerated her uneven personality. Well, they don’t say ‘love is blind’ for nothing! That said, the romance part of the book is cute and doesn’t overwhelm the main story. Plus, Jani redeems herself and saves everyone in the end, like all main characters are supposed to do.
The writing style is where the author’s inexperience clearly shows. The prologue and the epilogue (and the last few chapters of the climax) are outstanding. If the entire book had maintained this level of engagement on my attention, this would have been a 4.5 star book at the minimum. Sadly, it doesn’t. The initial chapters after the girls’ entry into the hotel follow a similar pattern. Jani has this insatiable curiosity that leads her to new places/rooms in the hotel, then there’s a description of what she finds there, and/or how she escapes when she isn't supposed to do what she did or be where she was. This starts dragging the story down as there was a constant feeling of déjà vu. The second half turns the tables and incorporates a lot more action and mystique into the narrative. The pace is also much faster in the latter half. There are a few plot holes but nothing major.
All in all, I found the first half of the book (except for the prologue) slow and repetitive and enjoyed only the details of the Hotel Magnifique. This half rates at 3 stars for me. The second half was much more delightful and I liked it to a great extent. This portion gets 4 stars.
Thus, 3.5 stars for the book, rounding up though I feel there was a lot of potential here that went to waste.
Recommended to readers who want a dash of light romance, an outstanding fantastical world, and are indifferent about a slow start or the lack of a loveable main character.
Trigger note: There are a few gruesome scenes in the story. If you are squeamish about such content, stay away.
My thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Hotel Magnifique”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
February 3, 2023
Actual rating 1.5 or 1.75
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
I loved the Caraval when I read it a few years back. Although with time I started to see the flaws it didn't make me hate it. I might not like the characters of Caraval or that writing style anymore, but I can't deny that the world is magical and one of my favorite. As a Caraval fan, I was pumped to see this book and requested it right away.
From the first page, I started to see the resemblance of Caraval in everything, from world-building (islands and traveling ehm ehm), stupid characters (more than Caraval one's), poetic or should I say stupid writing(laughing that made MC toe curl? I mean Whatttt?). So it was just a knock-off cheap version of Caraval and It was BAD. The only good thing was I guess magical world. The hotel which traveled from one place to another at midnight, sounds interesting right? I thought too.
Whenever I start to think that YA Heroines are getting mature, some book throws a whiny, self-absorbed, stupid, and more stupid character in my face. Jani was such a pain in my brain. She is everything a character should not be. Her sister was that character who acts as fuel to move to the story but doesn't really have any part in the main story. The romance was forced and other characters were bland (read fillers). The whole book made me really angry. It could've been a little bit better if Jani wasn't that STUPID.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
I loved the Caraval when I read it a few years back. Although with time I started to see the flaws it didn't make me hate it. I might not like the characters of Caraval or that writing style anymore, but I can't deny that the world is magical and one of my favorite. As a Caraval fan, I was pumped to see this book and requested it right away.
From the first page, I started to see the resemblance of Caraval in everything, from world-building (islands and traveling ehm ehm), stupid characters (more than Caraval one's), poetic or should I say stupid writing(laughing that made MC toe curl? I mean Whatttt?). So it was just a knock-off cheap version of Caraval and It was BAD. The only good thing was I guess magical world. The hotel which traveled from one place to another at midnight, sounds interesting right? I thought too.
Whenever I start to think that YA Heroines are getting mature, some book throws a whiny, self-absorbed, stupid, and more stupid character in my face. Jani was such a pain in my brain. She is everything a character should not be. Her sister was that character who acts as fuel to move to the story but doesn't really have any part in the main story. The romance was forced and other characters were bland (read fillers). The whole book made me really angry. It could've been a little bit better if Jani wasn't that STUPID.
June 19, 2022
You know the saying, “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy?” Well… I’d probably wish this book on my worst enemy.
December 13, 2021
2.5 stars.
This could have been such an amazing book. A magical Hotel travelling to different destinations each morning? How intriguing!
To my disappointment, the book failed to deliver. The plot wasn’t all that strong and while I wanted to enjoy it, I just couldn’t bring myself to care about it or about anything that happened to the characters.
The characters were, to be frank, bland.
We got Jani, the protagonist, who loves her sister and who other than that doesn’t have much more of a personality. I personally would’ve liked seeing more interactions between the sisters. We as readers get told that they have this great sibling bond, but it’s not actually shown within the story.
Then there’s the love interest Bel, who mainly just exist. Really, I can't come up with any character traits for him.
Overall this was just an extremely mediocre read that could have been great had it been better executed.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
This could have been such an amazing book. A magical Hotel travelling to different destinations each morning? How intriguing!
To my disappointment, the book failed to deliver. The plot wasn’t all that strong and while I wanted to enjoy it, I just couldn’t bring myself to care about it or about anything that happened to the characters.
The characters were, to be frank, bland.
We got Jani, the protagonist, who loves her sister and who other than that doesn’t have much more of a personality. I personally would’ve liked seeing more interactions between the sisters. We as readers get told that they have this great sibling bond, but it’s not actually shown within the story.
Then there’s the love interest Bel, who mainly just exist. Really, I can't come up with any character traits for him.
Overall this was just an extremely mediocre read that could have been great had it been better executed.
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
April 30, 2021
hi I've been waiting to 5 star this book since 2017! obviously biased but the version I read back then was amazing--dark, luxuriant, enchanting and everything you could wish for in a fantasy.
March 17, 2022
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.
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.
Want to read
October 4, 2021I don't know about you but I am feeling the idea of a magic hotel with evol secrets
April 10, 2022
This book definitely intrigued me with it’s beautiful cover and promise of wondrous magic. The story took a bit to get into and I think part of it is that the characters weren’t developed quite as much as I would like, but it definitely picked up. In this world magic is dangerous and without assistance those that have magic can cause great harm. Only one place is safe for magic Hotel Magnifique which comes to a different city every night at midnight. Guests pay extraordinary amounts to stay but when they enter they agree to forget all the details when they leave and only be left with the feelings of joy. Jani and her little sister Zorsa are barely scraping by in their small fishing city when the hotel comes and they both apply for jobs to change their fortunes. But all the magic in the hotel isn’t quite what it seems and Jani will discover what she thought she wanted isn’t what she thought it was.
April 9, 2022
3.5*** rounded up
The writing of the illusions in this was decadent and intriguing. The mystery and world building similar to that of Christelle Dabos’ “a winters promise” (which I love!!). Despite these lovely illusions, the hotel and magic is much more dark and sinister underneath, and our MC, Jani, finds this out.
This is the tale of two sisters wanting to escape their life and get jobs at the illustrious “Hotel Magnifique” - a magical type of hotel that disappears and arrives after midnight, and a rare few are offered a glimpse inside.
I enjoyed Jani and Zosa’s sister relationship and strong bond throughout this book. I also enjoyed Jani’s flirty behaviour with Bel too, a mysterious young man she meets involved with the hotel. This book had the right amount of fantasy romance for me- with wittiness and snark that I just LOVE in love interests: sort of like enemies to lovers. Despite the romance, this never detracted from the main plot of the book which is good for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed the descriptions of the magic and this hotel. I especially enjoyed reading all of the illusions and magic that summinaires could conjour up and their “power”. I also liked how the author described the darker and sinister elements of the magic, so you could tell the consequences and punishments were grave. This also had a fantastic sisterly bond and a cute romance.
My issue with this book is that Jani just continuously got herself into awkward or bad situations which always had negative effects- and this just got way too repetitive. It had me thinking “honestly, how much trouble can one character inadvertently get themselves into!?”
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-Arc!
The writing of the illusions in this was decadent and intriguing. The mystery and world building similar to that of Christelle Dabos’ “a winters promise” (which I love!!). Despite these lovely illusions, the hotel and magic is much more dark and sinister underneath, and our MC, Jani, finds this out.
This is the tale of two sisters wanting to escape their life and get jobs at the illustrious “Hotel Magnifique” - a magical type of hotel that disappears and arrives after midnight, and a rare few are offered a glimpse inside.
I enjoyed Jani and Zosa’s sister relationship and strong bond throughout this book. I also enjoyed Jani’s flirty behaviour with Bel too, a mysterious young man she meets involved with the hotel. This book had the right amount of fantasy romance for me- with wittiness and snark that I just LOVE in love interests: sort of like enemies to lovers. Despite the romance, this never detracted from the main plot of the book which is good for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed the descriptions of the magic and this hotel. I especially enjoyed reading all of the illusions and magic that summinaires could conjour up and their “power”. I also liked how the author described the darker and sinister elements of the magic, so you could tell the consequences and punishments were grave. This also had a fantastic sisterly bond and a cute romance.
My issue with this book is that Jani just continuously got herself into awkward or bad situations which always had negative effects- and this just got way too repetitive. It had me thinking “honestly, how much trouble can one character inadvertently get themselves into!?”
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-Arc!
June 27, 2023
Sigh.
This seemed promising, I'm not going to lie. I actually had high hopes for this and expected to love it. Coming from someone who completely adored The Night Circus -it's perhaps my favourite book of magic-, and had her feet leaping with Caraval. However, not everything was bad, I remain too optimistic to only see the bad in stuff. Now, why one star? Mainly because it was disappointing. I had too many problems with the story to give it more than this.
1) Setting
Now, hear me out. The setting was GOOD. The beginning was roughly similar to Caraval, like I could actually see it before my eyes; especially that scene where they're near the docks. Yeah, definitely Caraval. Now, the whole background story about the hotel only appearing for a certain amount of time reminded me too much of TNC, because that was sort of like the point of the book. It was good in general, but for being an enchanted hotel, I think the idea and the place could have been exploited better, and also a little deeper. Don't get me wrong, I loved the magic and the descriptions, but it felt short compared to what it promised. It's a freaking Hotel! I think we could have seen a little bit more of it but that never happened.
2) Story-wise
The story was perhaps my favourite point. It was a really nice touch to make it grow darker because I totally didn't expect it. You have to understand that, at all times, I had TNC and Caraval in my mind for reference (maybe not the best way to read it), so everything that happened was immediately being compared in my head. When the dark stuff started happening, it really took me off guard - in a very good way. I enjoyed the mystery. I actually had a theory and was proven wrong and that made me feel good because, for a second there, I thought things would get predictable. Something I did not necessarily enjoy was the small detail about making Jani a suminaire. It felt all-too-convenient, for some reason. Of course, our main character would find out that she had this wonderful powers after being lied to for her whole life. Typical. Another thing, Des Reves's character seemed very interesting to me and I think we didn't get to see enough of it. It was like all the story had been summed up in Celeste's tale and that was it. What truly motivated Nicole? What was exactly her relationship with Alastair? Who really controlled who? Sometimes I had the feeling it was Alastair behind all of it but it seemed he also let himself be influenced by Nicole, so I never truly understood what was going on there.
3) Characters
Probably, no, not probably, DEFINITELY, my least favourite part. This is just a big NO from me. Let's start with our (not) dear, Jani. I have never felt more frustrated with a character in my life, I actually considered dropping the book because of her. You see, there's this thin line that separates braveness from stupidity and she is constantly crossing it. She likes to tell herself and everybody around that she's capable of handling things on her own, that she can do whatever she wants to do, but somehow, it infuriates me that she knows the consequences of her actions and still chooses to do it. She is the most selfish character I've ever seen. Everything is suddenly about her and her sister. It doesn't matter if her actions hurt other people if it's for her own good. Jani doesn't take a 'no' for an answer, and whenever people refuse to help her, she manipulates them into guilt-tripping them, telling them that they don't care about her or what happens to her. Like ????? Of course, woman, they are going to choose to keep themselves alive! Plus, for someone who claims to be so independent, she surely likes asking for help A LOT. She didn't do a single thing by herself during the whole book and whatever she did do, she did it wrong. And obviously, plot armour is a thing, so we have every single character suddenly having a reason to aid her in whatever she needs. Her character is also awfully cliché. We have the typical sister that feels like she's not as good as the other, the one that has always been kept in the dark because apparently the other one is the one considered "special".
Now, Bel. He was nice. Just nice, though. I didn't see enough of him to call him a good love interest. It felt sort of forced. You could see that all the encounters they had would be filled with subtle flirting and questionable moments. It felt like the author was holding two toys and pushing them together like "Now, kiss!!" the whole time. Oh! That's another thing I wanted to mention. The K I S S. You see, normally when authors keep pushing the golden scene further and further away, it creates expectation. Genius move, honestly. But I think she took it a bit too far. Bel and Jani had an almost-kiss scene like four times? Which I found a bit ridiculous. Once is okay, twice makes you suffer deliciously, three times it's getting a bit annoying, and the rest is just history. And the cherry on top is... that kiss scene was completely discouraging. After so many almost-kiss scenes, I admit my hopes were up in the sky. But that kiss??? It was HORRIBLE. Total manipulation. It was the product of Jani being scared and desperate for help, so what do you do when you don't know how to convince a boy to help you? Of course, ask Teacher Jani and she will say, "Easy, just kiss him. Like that, you will mess with his feelings and confuse him enough to agree with whatever you say!" Yay!
An addition: What... what's the issue with the skin colours? I'm genuinely curious. It was mentioned EVERYWHERE and used to describe even the vaguest and non-important characters. It almost seemed like it was the only physical trait they had. I learnt about a dozen of different shades just because of this book. ?? The constant mention of colours made me feel uncomfortable.
In conclusion, I wanted to chuck the book out of the window. And myself with it. I'm so salty about this book and I cannot hide it. I probably sound like a 5-year-old complaining but I don't care. I just dipped my tongue into saltwater.
This seemed promising, I'm not going to lie. I actually had high hopes for this and expected to love it. Coming from someone who completely adored The Night Circus -it's perhaps my favourite book of magic-, and had her feet leaping with Caraval. However, not everything was bad, I remain too optimistic to only see the bad in stuff. Now, why one star? Mainly because it was disappointing. I had too many problems with the story to give it more than this.
1) Setting
Now, hear me out. The setting was GOOD. The beginning was roughly similar to Caraval, like I could actually see it before my eyes; especially that scene where they're near the docks. Yeah, definitely Caraval. Now, the whole background story about the hotel only appearing for a certain amount of time reminded me too much of TNC, because that was sort of like the point of the book. It was good in general, but for being an enchanted hotel, I think the idea and the place could have been exploited better, and also a little deeper. Don't get me wrong, I loved the magic and the descriptions, but it felt short compared to what it promised. It's a freaking Hotel! I think we could have seen a little bit more of it but that never happened.
2) Story-wise
The story was perhaps my favourite point. It was a really nice touch to make it grow darker because I totally didn't expect it. You have to understand that, at all times, I had TNC and Caraval in my mind for reference (maybe not the best way to read it), so everything that happened was immediately being compared in my head. When the dark stuff started happening, it really took me off guard - in a very good way. I enjoyed the mystery. I actually had a theory and was proven wrong and that made me feel good because, for a second there, I thought things would get predictable. Something I did not necessarily enjoy was the small detail about making Jani a suminaire. It felt all-too-convenient, for some reason. Of course, our main character would find out that she had this wonderful powers after being lied to for her whole life. Typical. Another thing, Des Reves's character seemed very interesting to me and I think we didn't get to see enough of it. It was like all the story had been summed up in Celeste's tale and that was it. What truly motivated Nicole? What was exactly her relationship with Alastair? Who really controlled who? Sometimes I had the feeling it was Alastair behind all of it but it seemed he also let himself be influenced by Nicole, so I never truly understood what was going on there.
3) Characters
Probably, no, not probably, DEFINITELY, my least favourite part. This is just a big NO from me. Let's start with our (not) dear, Jani. I have never felt more frustrated with a character in my life, I actually considered dropping the book because of her. You see, there's this thin line that separates braveness from stupidity and she is constantly crossing it. She likes to tell herself and everybody around that she's capable of handling things on her own, that she can do whatever she wants to do, but somehow, it infuriates me that she knows the consequences of her actions and still chooses to do it. She is the most selfish character I've ever seen. Everything is suddenly about her and her sister. It doesn't matter if her actions hurt other people if it's for her own good. Jani doesn't take a 'no' for an answer, and whenever people refuse to help her, she manipulates them into guilt-tripping them, telling them that they don't care about her or what happens to her. Like ????? Of course, woman, they are going to choose to keep themselves alive! Plus, for someone who claims to be so independent, she surely likes asking for help A LOT. She didn't do a single thing by herself during the whole book and whatever she did do, she did it wrong. And obviously, plot armour is a thing, so we have every single character suddenly having a reason to aid her in whatever she needs. Her character is also awfully cliché. We have the typical sister that feels like she's not as good as the other, the one that has always been kept in the dark because apparently the other one is the one considered "special".
Now, Bel. He was nice. Just nice, though. I didn't see enough of him to call him a good love interest. It felt sort of forced. You could see that all the encounters they had would be filled with subtle flirting and questionable moments. It felt like the author was holding two toys and pushing them together like "Now, kiss!!" the whole time. Oh! That's another thing I wanted to mention. The K I S S. You see, normally when authors keep pushing the golden scene further and further away, it creates expectation. Genius move, honestly. But I think she took it a bit too far. Bel and Jani had an almost-kiss scene like four times? Which I found a bit ridiculous. Once is okay, twice makes you suffer deliciously, three times it's getting a bit annoying, and the rest is just history. And the cherry on top is... that kiss scene was completely discouraging. After so many almost-kiss scenes, I admit my hopes were up in the sky. But that kiss??? It was HORRIBLE. Total manipulation. It was the product of Jani being scared and desperate for help, so what do you do when you don't know how to convince a boy to help you? Of course, ask Teacher Jani and she will say, "Easy, just kiss him. Like that, you will mess with his feelings and confuse him enough to agree with whatever you say!" Yay!
An addition: What... what's the issue with the skin colours? I'm genuinely curious. It was mentioned EVERYWHERE and used to describe even the vaguest and non-important characters. It almost seemed like it was the only physical trait they had. I learnt about a dozen of different shades just because of this book. ?? The constant mention of colours made me feel uncomfortable.
In conclusion, I wanted to chuck the book out of the window. And myself with it. I'm so salty about this book and I cannot hide it. I probably sound like a 5-year-old complaining but I don't care. I just dipped my tongue into saltwater.
Want to read
June 23, 2021"For fans of The Night Circus and Caraval" um, yes please!
January 17, 2024
My biggest complaint is that this appears to be a standalone novel that left me with MAAAAAANY unanswered questions and details that weren't fully fleshed out. The lore here is wonderful. And this is a book about Sisters and Suminaires.
I love the MCs and major supporting characters, but there was a lot more I wanted about other ancillary characters, including Zosa. We hear about Zosa non-stop, yet I never felt a strong emotional connection or even had a strong visual of her other than her voice and the golden feather. In the scenes in which she appeared, she seemed extremely one-dimensional other than the audition scene.
Jani was the most brought to life, and things started to get here with Bel, and yet I got to know Beatrice more intimately than Bel in most scenes.
I wanted SO much more about the hotel itself and about the rooms. So many missed opportunities to bring the setting to life.
All in all this was an amazing first novel of a series, but having it be standalone with trying to cover so much information left things missing for me. In fact, it drops it from a 4-star to a 3-star, asking, this is it? This is all the story encompasses? Why was there all of this buildup to stop there?
Lots of great blackish and gray characters, but again I want more. Hellas and Alistair also had some good starts to the backstory. I definitely loathed Alistair. This was an amazing start. But I want more backstories; how did we get here? What else comes with these artifacts? what happens now? What about everything else?
Emily J. Taylor has developed a beautiful idea here, and I hope she will expand upon it in the future.
Solid 3 stars.
I love the MCs and major supporting characters, but there was a lot more I wanted about other ancillary characters, including Zosa. We hear about Zosa non-stop, yet I never felt a strong emotional connection or even had a strong visual of her other than her voice and the golden feather. In the scenes in which she appeared, she seemed extremely one-dimensional other than the audition scene.
Jani was the most brought to life, and things started to get here with Bel, and yet I got to know Beatrice more intimately than Bel in most scenes.
I wanted SO much more about the hotel itself and about the rooms. So many missed opportunities to bring the setting to life.
All in all this was an amazing first novel of a series, but having it be standalone with trying to cover so much information left things missing for me. In fact, it drops it from a 4-star to a 3-star, asking, this is it? This is all the story encompasses? Why was there all of this buildup to stop there?
Lots of great blackish and gray characters, but again I want more. Hellas and Alistair also had some good starts to the backstory. I definitely loathed Alistair. This was an amazing start. But I want more backstories; how did we get here? What else comes with these artifacts? what happens now? What about everything else?
Emily J. Taylor has developed a beautiful idea here, and I hope she will expand upon it in the future.
Solid 3 stars.
September 5, 2021
Blurb coming soon but I loved it!
May 1, 2022
Publication Date: 05th May 2022
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Great world-building; characters need work
Jani and her younger sister, Zosa, are barely scraping by in Durc. Jani knows that the only way to escape fast and earn enough to back home would be by finding a job at the mysterious and magical Hotel Magnifique. Of course, no one really knows where the hotel comes from or how it travels. But no one denies its magic and allure.
Jani and Zosa do find a job as the staff. Jani is delighted and amazed until she realizes that Hotel Magnifique hides sinister seamlessly behind smiles and whimsical enchantments. It doesn’t help that her every step causes some or the other trouble for her and Bel.
Bel is the handsome doorman at Hotel Magnifique and the only ally Jani has. As things get complicated and dangerous, Jani has no choice but to risk everything to end the danger. That’s the only way to go home! Can Jani do what she needs to do to save her friends from evil?
My Observations:
The setting and world-building are wonderful. The hotel, its rooms, the enchantments, etc., are descriptive, detailed, and a treat to read. The fictitious setting matches the dark mood of the storyline.
Jani is the narrator of the book, and we get to see her do more than a few stupid things. I’m glad I went into the book expecting it. That made it easy to enjoy the flow rather than think too much about her actions. That said, I probably need to visit the hospital if I bite the inside of my cheek as many times to stay silent. (Kuch zyada hi ho gaya!)
Bel was a really cute character. I like how he has layers, though he needs more space to show his potential. In fact, almost every other character has the same issue. There isn’t enough to connect with them. The focus is on Jani stumbling through things she isn’t supposed to.
The pacing is a little uneven too. The story seems to go in circles from 25% to 55%. The major breakthrough happens at 60%, and things rush from there. Moreover, a crucial part of the story is ‘told’, which dampens the impact. The reveal has to be stronger. The scenes that follow it are, which almost make up for this, but not fully.
There’s some cute romance too appropriate for a YA book. I still think I like Bel more than Jani, but he loves her, so what can I say! He’ll survive (maybe).
The climax felt a little rushed. There’s one good decision Jani took at that stage, but still, it kind of left me wanting.
To sum up, Hotel Magnifique is a good debut with beautiful world-building and atmosphere. The characters and pacing need a little more work. It’s pretty much YA in narration, so be prepared for it.
Thank you, NetGalley, Pushkin Press, and Pushkin Children's Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #HotelMagnifique
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Great world-building; characters need work
Jani and her younger sister, Zosa, are barely scraping by in Durc. Jani knows that the only way to escape fast and earn enough to back home would be by finding a job at the mysterious and magical Hotel Magnifique. Of course, no one really knows where the hotel comes from or how it travels. But no one denies its magic and allure.
Jani and Zosa do find a job as the staff. Jani is delighted and amazed until she realizes that Hotel Magnifique hides sinister seamlessly behind smiles and whimsical enchantments. It doesn’t help that her every step causes some or the other trouble for her and Bel.
Bel is the handsome doorman at Hotel Magnifique and the only ally Jani has. As things get complicated and dangerous, Jani has no choice but to risk everything to end the danger. That’s the only way to go home! Can Jani do what she needs to do to save her friends from evil?
My Observations:
The setting and world-building are wonderful. The hotel, its rooms, the enchantments, etc., are descriptive, detailed, and a treat to read. The fictitious setting matches the dark mood of the storyline.
Jani is the narrator of the book, and we get to see her do more than a few stupid things. I’m glad I went into the book expecting it. That made it easy to enjoy the flow rather than think too much about her actions. That said, I probably need to visit the hospital if I bite the inside of my cheek as many times to stay silent. (Kuch zyada hi ho gaya!)
Bel was a really cute character. I like how he has layers, though he needs more space to show his potential. In fact, almost every other character has the same issue. There isn’t enough to connect with them. The focus is on Jani stumbling through things she isn’t supposed to.
The pacing is a little uneven too. The story seems to go in circles from 25% to 55%. The major breakthrough happens at 60%, and things rush from there. Moreover, a crucial part of the story is ‘told’, which dampens the impact. The reveal has to be stronger. The scenes that follow it are, which almost make up for this, but not fully.
There’s some cute romance too appropriate for a YA book. I still think I like Bel more than Jani, but he loves her, so what can I say! He’ll survive (maybe).
The climax felt a little rushed. There’s one good decision Jani took at that stage, but still, it kind of left me wanting.
To sum up, Hotel Magnifique is a good debut with beautiful world-building and atmosphere. The characters and pacing need a little more work. It’s pretty much YA in narration, so be prepared for it.
Thank you, NetGalley, Pushkin Press, and Pushkin Children's Books, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#NetGalley #HotelMagnifique
June 7, 2022
DNF at 80%
This book is agonizingly formulaic. It also has a new version of the not like any other girls trope. OUr main character is sassy and talks back to the love interest which makes her interesting to him. Um...that's just another way of saying unlike any other girls.
The main character, I don't care enough to look up her name so let's call her Mary, continuously wandered around the hotel and getting into things she wasn't supposed to so that the author could find a way for her to be alone with the love interest-let's call him Tony. This happened so many times; it was like the author didn't know how to get the characters alone so that they could swoon.
Of course someone has been lying to Mary and of course she gets mad and of course her mom is dead and of course she has to do whatever it takes to rescue her sister-so formulaic.
Don't bother reading this one, folks.
This book is agonizingly formulaic. It also has a new version of the not like any other girls trope. OUr main character is sassy and talks back to the love interest which makes her interesting to him. Um...that's just another way of saying unlike any other girls.
The main character, I don't care enough to look up her name so let's call her Mary, continuously wandered around the hotel and getting into things she wasn't supposed to so that the author could find a way for her to be alone with the love interest-let's call him Tony. This happened so many times; it was like the author didn't know how to get the characters alone so that they could swoon.
Of course someone has been lying to Mary and of course she gets mad and of course her mom is dead and of course she has to do whatever it takes to rescue her sister-so formulaic.
Don't bother reading this one, folks.
Read
April 7, 2022DNF at 48%
One of my anticipated books is now a DNF. Nice!!
One of my anticipated books is now a DNF. Nice!!
May 4, 2022
-DNF @ 20%
-its not giving. But it IS giving insta-love 😀
-shes so dumb she really should tone down her attitude🙄childish behavior. Pick me energy
-I, as the eldest sister of a household, hereby formally declare that if I have to read one more book with an MC who “has a younger sister and will do anything to protect her” (but is really there to give fake depth and for plot convenience) it will be my 13th reason. I have the tape ready.
-its not giving. But it IS giving insta-love 😀
-shes so dumb she really should tone down her attitude🙄childish behavior. Pick me energy
-I, as the eldest sister of a household, hereby formally declare that if I have to read one more book with an MC who “has a younger sister and will do anything to protect her” (but is really there to give fake depth and for plot convenience) it will be my 13th reason. I have the tape ready.
January 29, 2022
4.5 stars
A beautifully lush and spellbindingly enchanting YA Fantasy, Hotel Magnifique is filled with gorgeous prose, immersive world building and an expansive cast of interesting (and eccentric) characters that fans of Caraval and The Night Circus are going to adore.
Hotel Magnifique is a hotel like no other: it’s bursting with magic, of enchanting soirées and champagnes filled fountains, a hotel soo exclusive that only the extremely wealthly or extremely lucky have experienced a stay. It changes location every night, stopping in each place only once a decade. But when the Magnifique stops in her hometown, seventeen year old Jani hatches a plan to secure jobs there for herself and her younger sister—in hopes to escape their dreary life.
Luck is on their side and with a single signature each the sisters are swept into a life of opulence, adventure and magic. But Jani begins to notice the sinister goings on beneath the hotel’s decadent facade. Who is the shadowy maître who runs the hotel? And can Jani uncover the true price paid by those who reside there—before it’s too late?
As a fan of both Caraval and The Night Circus I was incredibly excited to delve into Hotel Magnifique and I’m glad to say it didn’t disappoint—every page is brimming with lush descriptions that I was easily found myself fully immersed in a world of midnight soirées, constantly shifting hallways and rooms that defy all sense of logic (in the best way imaginable.)
I absolutely loved the Lore surrounding the Hotel which was really well developed and the suminaires (the magicians who live and work at the hotel) were super interesting too, of all the suminaires that we meet Bel, Béatrice and Frigga were probably my favourites.
Jani was a really interesting protagonist and relatable protagonist, she’s stubborn and occasionally rash which leads her to regret many of her actions, but her devotion to saving the ones she loves is really admirable. I also loved her scenes with Bel that simmer with romantic tension. I did enjoy their budding friendship/relationship but I do wish it was explored a little more as it did feel a tiny bit too fast pacing wise.
I did however, absolutely love the backstories of almost all of the characters (that we encounter, including the antagonists ), they were phenomenally written and really well developed—the little clues dotted throughout were absolutely amazing, I know I’ll definitely have to reread this at some point to catch the all the details I missed.
There’s not much else I can say without possibly spoiling the plot but I do highly recommend reading this, especially if you loved the whimsy and magic of Caraval or The Night Circus.
Also, a huge thank you to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the e-arc.
A beautifully lush and spellbindingly enchanting YA Fantasy, Hotel Magnifique is filled with gorgeous prose, immersive world building and an expansive cast of interesting (and eccentric) characters that fans of Caraval and The Night Circus are going to adore.
Hotel Magnifique is a hotel like no other: it’s bursting with magic, of enchanting soirées and champagnes filled fountains, a hotel soo exclusive that only the extremely wealthly or extremely lucky have experienced a stay. It changes location every night, stopping in each place only once a decade. But when the Magnifique stops in her hometown, seventeen year old Jani hatches a plan to secure jobs there for herself and her younger sister—in hopes to escape their dreary life.
Luck is on their side and with a single signature each the sisters are swept into a life of opulence, adventure and magic. But Jani begins to notice the sinister goings on beneath the hotel’s decadent facade. Who is the shadowy maître who runs the hotel? And can Jani uncover the true price paid by those who reside there—before it’s too late?
As a fan of both Caraval and The Night Circus I was incredibly excited to delve into Hotel Magnifique and I’m glad to say it didn’t disappoint—every page is brimming with lush descriptions that I was easily found myself fully immersed in a world of midnight soirées, constantly shifting hallways and rooms that defy all sense of logic (in the best way imaginable.)
I absolutely loved the Lore surrounding the Hotel which was really well developed and the suminaires (the magicians who live and work at the hotel) were super interesting too, of all the suminaires that we meet Bel, Béatrice and Frigga were probably my favourites.
Jani was a really interesting protagonist and relatable protagonist, she’s stubborn and occasionally rash which leads her to regret many of her actions, but her devotion to saving the ones she loves is really admirable. I also loved her scenes with Bel that simmer with romantic tension. I did enjoy their budding friendship/relationship but I do wish it was explored a little more as it did feel a tiny bit too fast pacing wise.
I did however, absolutely love the backstories of almost all of the characters (that we encounter, including the antagonists ), they were phenomenally written and really well developed—the little clues dotted throughout were absolutely amazing, I know I’ll definitely have to reread this at some point to catch the all the details I missed.
There’s not much else I can say without possibly spoiling the plot but I do highly recommend reading this, especially if you loved the whimsy and magic of Caraval or The Night Circus.
Also, a huge thank you to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the e-arc.
December 8, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
After the death of their mother, sisters Jani and Zosa travelled to the town of Durc hoping for a better life for them, but unfortunately, one couldn’t be found and they ended up working in a tannery. Upon hearing that the mysterious Hotel Magnifique is in town and they are looking for staff, the girls apply for jobs.
This is a book that is hard to review without giving any spoilers away, but I will try, hence I haven’t told you any more about it above. What I will say is that it is a truly amazing YA adventure novel. It is filled with magic, mystery, and mayhem. There is good and evil both at play and characters you will love and hate.
The hotel is unlike you will ever know, in that each day it lands in a different place in the fantasy world that has been created by the author. The guests pay a lot of money to stay there and are treated to the most enjoyable, out-of-this-world time whilst they are there. The staff though is a different kettle of fish and not everything is as it first seems, something more sinister is at play and Jani is determined to discover the truth.
I adored this book. It is fast-paced, exciting, unputdownable, enchanting, and totally unique. The hotel is brought to life on the pages and the descriptions make it easy for you to visualise what is happening.
Essentially this is a book of love, the bond between two sisters and the courage it takes to face anything or anyone, whether real or magical, who tries to come between them. It is a fabulous story and anyone who loves books filled with fantasy and magic should give it a read.
After the death of their mother, sisters Jani and Zosa travelled to the town of Durc hoping for a better life for them, but unfortunately, one couldn’t be found and they ended up working in a tannery. Upon hearing that the mysterious Hotel Magnifique is in town and they are looking for staff, the girls apply for jobs.
This is a book that is hard to review without giving any spoilers away, but I will try, hence I haven’t told you any more about it above. What I will say is that it is a truly amazing YA adventure novel. It is filled with magic, mystery, and mayhem. There is good and evil both at play and characters you will love and hate.
The hotel is unlike you will ever know, in that each day it lands in a different place in the fantasy world that has been created by the author. The guests pay a lot of money to stay there and are treated to the most enjoyable, out-of-this-world time whilst they are there. The staff though is a different kettle of fish and not everything is as it first seems, something more sinister is at play and Jani is determined to discover the truth.
I adored this book. It is fast-paced, exciting, unputdownable, enchanting, and totally unique. The hotel is brought to life on the pages and the descriptions make it easy for you to visualise what is happening.
Essentially this is a book of love, the bond between two sisters and the courage it takes to face anything or anyone, whether real or magical, who tries to come between them. It is a fabulous story and anyone who loves books filled with fantasy and magic should give it a read.
October 11, 2022
What an extraordinary book! Author Taylor has a keen sense both for fantasy and description and she is outstanding in her descriptions of a magical world inside a mysterious hotel which shifts to another location at midnight each day. Sisters Jani and Zosa are barely surviving in the dreary port town of Durc and longing to return to their childhood home of Aligney. When the newspaper runs an ad to hire staff for the hotel, Jani jumps at the chance, believing her ability to work hard and her sister's impressive singing voice will guarantee them enough money to eventually return to their old home. Intrigue, magic and romance abounds in this great novel.
~Louisa A.
Find a Copy at Scottsdale Public Library
~Louisa A.
Find a Copy at Scottsdale Public Library
October 26, 2023
3.5 ⭐
۫ ˑ⊹ ۪ ❝You're not nothing to me. That's precisely the problem.❞ ۪⊹ˑ ۫
This was such a fun book! The idea of a wonderous and magical hotel, with all the mysteries and lore that surround it, were so compelling and intriguing. Taylor creates a solid backdrop for her story in a magical France where magicians are feared and outlawed and an orphaned young woman is struggling to fend for herself and her sister while wanting more in life than what the dice have cast for her. Nothing extremely new, but the story itself was original enough that you can definitely say this book is its very own, and the author has a wonderful imagination.
The plot was a bit slow-paced, but each chapter was stuffed with magic and wonder like an overfilled cannoli and I was never bored! Jani was a great protagonist and I enjoyed seeing her development. Bel was also cute, and their romance was sweet, if a tiny bit bland in my opinion. Another negative was that the climax seemed a bit lacklustre and coincidental, but hey, we love a nice happy ending.
Overall this was a great debut, not amazing or completely memorable, but fun! I will definitely look out for more from this author! <3
۫ ˑ⊹ ۪ ❝You're not nothing to me. That's precisely the problem.❞ ۪⊹ˑ ۫
This was such a fun book! The idea of a wonderous and magical hotel, with all the mysteries and lore that surround it, were so compelling and intriguing. Taylor creates a solid backdrop for her story in a magical France where magicians are feared and outlawed and an orphaned young woman is struggling to fend for herself and her sister while wanting more in life than what the dice have cast for her. Nothing extremely new, but the story itself was original enough that you can definitely say this book is its very own, and the author has a wonderful imagination.
The plot was a bit slow-paced, but each chapter was stuffed with magic and wonder like an overfilled cannoli and I was never bored! Jani was a great protagonist and I enjoyed seeing her development. Bel was also cute, and their romance was sweet, if a tiny bit bland in my opinion. Another negative was that the climax seemed a bit lacklustre and coincidental, but hey, we love a nice happy ending.
Overall this was a great debut, not amazing or completely memorable, but fun! I will definitely look out for more from this author! <3
May 11, 2022
Being swept away into a dazzling magical hotel that travels around the world should immediately mean that I loved this book, but I felt that the hotel itself and the places they travelled came second to the main character being really, really annoying.
Jani was extremely self centred and lacks empathy, only ever thinking about herself and her own feelings. There was never a moment where she stopped to think about how her sister might be feeling. On top of that she's prone to wild declarations that Bel has no feelings for her, despite him putting his whole entire ass on the line to save her over and over again.
This story seemed to have a basic formula. Jani would be told not to do something, which she would then simply do anyway, and then Bel or someone else would have to get her out of that situation before she found herself short of an eye. When she wasn't doing that she was badgering people repeatedly for information they weren't willing to give some girl that turned up yesterday.
The world building was loose at best, as the story only focused on Jani's search for answers about the hotel, and somehow the hotel wasn't really fully fleshed out either. There were so many unique and interesting characters that weren't Jani that could have told the story better, and instead I had to put up with this annoying girl.
Jani was extremely self centred and lacks empathy, only ever thinking about herself and her own feelings. There was never a moment where she stopped to think about how her sister might be feeling. On top of that she's prone to wild declarations that Bel has no feelings for her, despite him putting his whole entire ass on the line to save her over and over again.
This story seemed to have a basic formula. Jani would be told not to do something, which she would then simply do anyway, and then Bel or someone else would have to get her out of that situation before she found herself short of an eye. When she wasn't doing that she was badgering people repeatedly for information they weren't willing to give some girl that turned up yesterday.
The world building was loose at best, as the story only focused on Jani's search for answers about the hotel, and somehow the hotel wasn't really fully fleshed out either. There were so many unique and interesting characters that weren't Jani that could have told the story better, and instead I had to put up with this annoying girl.
September 3, 2023
Thank you PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook!
Do you ever have the desire to grab people by the face and as they fish lip at you in shock, shove your latest finished read at them demanding they read it? That is exactly how I feel with Hotel Magnifique.
I am probably one of the rare few that has not read Caraval yet, but I did love The Night Circus and can see why this is recommended to lovers of that novel. Richly atmospheric with a luxurious dark undertow that keeps you glued from start to finish. There is so much packed into this gem and has rekindled my love affair with young adult fantasy.
The characters are well developed and downright loveable or easily dislikable. Taylor did an excellent job crafting a hotel full of characters with unique ‘talents’ and painting backstories intricately for each one. Typically, I go into a little about the MCs but I honestly can’t think of enough words to describe how much I just utterly adored the heck out of Jani and Bel. Taylor ties in character growth, a slow build romance with excellent chemistry and tastefully done intimate moments and feeling into the heart of each one from main to side. The characters made this novel for me.
The magic was splendid. Well thought out in my opinion and easy to follow with a few good twists that I didn’t pick up on right away. I appreciated how the plot pieces kept falling into place and how the narrative was not filled with excess filler. I can’t forget to mention Taylor’s beautifully descriptive writing and how it translated perfectly through audio as well. The introduction and epilogue are read by Simon Hedger. Can I just point out that I could spend my day listening to that man narrate and swoon every time he annunciates any word… ever. He could read ingredients to me, and I’d die happy. Excellent choice to open and close the audio. Suzy Jackosn narrates the meat and potatoes and does an absolutely splendid job. She made Jani come to life in my mind as she struggles to free her sister. She keeps true to character voices and carries emotional tones at the perfect moments. An audio book I would highly recommend if you can’t tell already. Honestly, any format I’d recommend. This is truly a novel that I can tie the words darkly enchanting too happily.
Another thank you to Razorbill for the gifted digital copy! All thoughts are my own. Rating 4.5/5.
Do you ever have the desire to grab people by the face and as they fish lip at you in shock, shove your latest finished read at them demanding they read it? That is exactly how I feel with Hotel Magnifique.
I am probably one of the rare few that has not read Caraval yet, but I did love The Night Circus and can see why this is recommended to lovers of that novel. Richly atmospheric with a luxurious dark undertow that keeps you glued from start to finish. There is so much packed into this gem and has rekindled my love affair with young adult fantasy.
The characters are well developed and downright loveable or easily dislikable. Taylor did an excellent job crafting a hotel full of characters with unique ‘talents’ and painting backstories intricately for each one. Typically, I go into a little about the MCs but I honestly can’t think of enough words to describe how much I just utterly adored the heck out of Jani and Bel. Taylor ties in character growth, a slow build romance with excellent chemistry and tastefully done intimate moments and feeling into the heart of each one from main to side. The characters made this novel for me.
The magic was splendid. Well thought out in my opinion and easy to follow with a few good twists that I didn’t pick up on right away. I appreciated how the plot pieces kept falling into place and how the narrative was not filled with excess filler. I can’t forget to mention Taylor’s beautifully descriptive writing and how it translated perfectly through audio as well. The introduction and epilogue are read by Simon Hedger. Can I just point out that I could spend my day listening to that man narrate and swoon every time he annunciates any word… ever. He could read ingredients to me, and I’d die happy. Excellent choice to open and close the audio. Suzy Jackosn narrates the meat and potatoes and does an absolutely splendid job. She made Jani come to life in my mind as she struggles to free her sister. She keeps true to character voices and carries emotional tones at the perfect moments. An audio book I would highly recommend if you can’t tell already. Honestly, any format I’d recommend. This is truly a novel that I can tie the words darkly enchanting too happily.
Another thank you to Razorbill for the gifted digital copy! All thoughts are my own. Rating 4.5/5.
April 18, 2022
3★ | “I’m sorry you didn’t learn sooner that caring about anyone here only causes pain.”
REVIEW
The vibe this book gave me in the start was very mysterious and magical, and the premise also seemed full of potential. The way it started, it reminded me a lot of The Night Circus, which was a bit annoying but I tried to not compare the books. It's just that there were quite a few similarities in the beginning but as the book progressed, I realized that where The Night Circus was all fun, enchanting and atmospheric (while having its own mystery), this book was less fun in terms of the magical stuff, partly because it was taking a darker turn and got more focused on the protagonist finding out answers and uncovering secrets, and partly because the author didn't elaborate more about the "oh-so-magical" experiences the guests staying at the hotel were having.
I thought from time to time: why isn't this book giving me what I want? Like a magical hotel offering a chance to see a different place in the world each day, the Suites all having such fun names
etc. and said to give the guests such wonderful and magical experiences? That's what I was looking forward to.
But as the book started getting darker, I found myself more interested in it—not wanting to stop reading or caring about the enchantments of the hotel—but at the same time, I felt that it dragged. Either that or it was the writing, idk. It just felt odd that on one hand, so much was happening and on the other, nothing; I felt I'm still in the same place (plot wise). It seemed the potential the dark side of the story had was simply wasted, as if it lacked something. I think the way it was delivered could have been done better.
CHARACTERS and RELATIONSHIPS
I'm not talking about any side characters and I'm not going in detail. I'm just sharing how I felt and what I thought.
Jani
The overprotective elder sister who felt responsible for her younger sister. All she wanted was for her sister to be fine and happy but it's no secret how jealous Jani gets when it comes to really letting her sister have what she wanted. I kind of liked this in the start because I'd never read from the pov of a jealous sibling as a MC and was curious to find out how this goes coz usually, it's the side characters who get such roles (ehm ehm: Cinderella's sisters, ehm, Feyre's sisters from Acotar, lol)
Jani and Zosa —the sisters
Tbh, I felt no emotion between these two sisters. Not until the very end, at least. Since we only get Jani's pov, I'll only talk about it from her side. When she wanted to stick by her sister's side, it seemed to me that she cared less for her sister as a person and more about her responsibility. It also seemed she didn't care about her as long as she, too, got what she wanted. Even when it's written and shown that Jani worries about Zosa countless times, it doesn't feel real. Jani's concern about Zosa's safety and wanting to see her sister to make sure she's fine felt like the only thing about her life (which kind of was, given the story of their life), I just didn't have any interest in her, I was more interested in the hotel's secrets and the little romance. Anyways, I love reading about sibling bonds, but their relationship didn't have any depth at all.
Bel
The handsome boy keeping the world at a distance and not letting anyone in, showing he's always cold and everything he does is for a reason, and of course, having the first few impressionable encounters with the MC starting off with banter and then having a knife to his throat. You know, a Classic YA boy. The one thing I was glad of was that he didn't become a major jerk even tho he remained one for the most part. I actually liked him (despite not wanting to).
Jani and Bel —romance
Can't say it's enemies-to-lovers but they definitely go from the MC disliking him a lot to liking him a lot. It's obvious the guy has fallen for her first but ofc. our protagonist stays blind (or in denial). I'm glad their romance wasn't rushed but again, if it was slow-burn, I didn't like it. The emotions just were NOT there. While I crave romance in books, I think it would have been great if Bel and Jani became close friends and remained like that or that they went onto the romance stage after that.
do I recommend this book?
• For anyone who doesn't really expect much from a fantasy book except magic and some light romance filled with a bit of banter, I would recommend it. I think you'll enjoy it and have a nice time.
• But any Fantasy reader looking forward to having a great time exploring a new world and following the MC through it, discovering and exploring something and expecting it to be at least 4★ good, no.
___________________
THAT COVER? 💜🖤
REVIEW
The vibe this book gave me in the start was very mysterious and magical, and the premise also seemed full of potential. The way it started, it reminded me a lot of The Night Circus, which was a bit annoying but I tried to not compare the books. It's just that there were quite a few similarities in the beginning but as the book progressed, I realized that where The Night Circus was all fun, enchanting and atmospheric (while having its own mystery), this book was less fun in terms of the magical stuff, partly because it was taking a darker turn and got more focused on the protagonist finding out answers and uncovering secrets, and partly because the author didn't elaborate more about the "oh-so-magical" experiences the guests staying at the hotel were having.
I thought from time to time: why isn't this book giving me what I want? Like a magical hotel offering a chance to see a different place in the world each day, the Suites all having such fun names
• A Taste of Sin and Chocolate Suite.
• A Breath of Blooms Suite.
• Ode to a Fabled Forest Suite.
• Of Mischief and Masquerade Suite
• To Traverse a Forgotten Ocean Suite.
etc. and said to give the guests such wonderful and magical experiences? That's what I was looking forward to.
But as the book started getting darker, I found myself more interested in it—not wanting to stop reading or caring about the enchantments of the hotel—but at the same time, I felt that it dragged. Either that or it was the writing, idk. It just felt odd that on one hand, so much was happening and on the other, nothing; I felt I'm still in the same place (plot wise). It seemed the potential the dark side of the story had was simply wasted, as if it lacked something. I think the way it was delivered could have been done better.
CHARACTERS and RELATIONSHIPS
I'm not talking about any side characters and I'm not going in detail. I'm just sharing how I felt and what I thought.
Jani
The overprotective elder sister who felt responsible for her younger sister. All she wanted was for her sister to be fine and happy but it's no secret how jealous Jani gets when it comes to really letting her sister have what she wanted. I kind of liked this in the start because I'd never read from the pov of a jealous sibling as a MC and was curious to find out how this goes coz usually, it's the side characters who get such roles (ehm ehm: Cinderella's sisters, ehm, Feyre's sisters from Acotar, lol)
Jani and Zosa —the sisters
Tbh, I felt no emotion between these two sisters. Not until the very end, at least. Since we only get Jani's pov, I'll only talk about it from her side. When she wanted to stick by her sister's side, it seemed to me that she cared less for her sister as a person and more about her responsibility. It also seemed she didn't care about her as long as she, too, got what she wanted. Even when it's written and shown that Jani worries about Zosa countless times, it doesn't feel real. Jani's concern about Zosa's safety and wanting to see her sister to make sure she's fine felt like the only thing about her life (which kind of was, given the story of their life), I just didn't have any interest in her, I was more interested in the hotel's secrets and the little romance. Anyways, I love reading about sibling bonds, but their relationship didn't have any depth at all.
Bel
The handsome boy keeping the world at a distance and not letting anyone in, showing he's always cold and everything he does is for a reason, and of course, having the first few impressionable encounters with the MC starting off with banter and then having a knife to his throat. You know, a Classic YA boy. The one thing I was glad of was that he didn't become a major jerk even tho he remained one for the most part. I actually liked him (despite not wanting to).
Jani and Bel —romance
Can't say it's enemies-to-lovers but they definitely go from the MC disliking him a lot to liking him a lot. It's obvious the guy has fallen for her first but ofc. our protagonist stays blind (or in denial). I'm glad their romance wasn't rushed but again, if it was slow-burn, I didn't like it. The emotions just were NOT there. While I crave romance in books, I think it would have been great if Bel and Jani became close friends and remained like that or that they went onto the romance stage after that.
do I recommend this book?
• For anyone who doesn't really expect much from a fantasy book except magic and some light romance filled with a bit of banter, I would recommend it. I think you'll enjoy it and have a nice time.
• But any Fantasy reader looking forward to having a great time exploring a new world and following the MC through it, discovering and exploring something and expecting it to be at least 4★ good, no.
___________________
THAT COVER? 💜🖤
Want to read
February 17, 2022it's giving Hotel Del Luna (호텔 델루나) vibes
October 24, 2022
3.5 stars
I’m rounding up because I had so much fun. Caraval mixed with Night Circus mixed with Nevermoor… this was such a fun adaptation of a lot of popular young adult themes.
Characters: ★★★
Plot: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Jani lives with her younger sister in a boarding house, trying to make ends meet in a city filled with people. They're teetering on the edge of poverty, and their dreams are dimming with each year spent eeking away a meager life for themselves in the working class.
But then, one day, they get the news: The Hotel Magnifique is coming to town.
A magical, teleporting hotel catering to the richest of the rich and filled with wonders unlike any the world has ever seen, the Hotel Magnifique is a mysterious wonder. It travels from city to city, taking years—sometimes decades—to return to its former destinations. It's filled with sumaires (magicians) and enchantments. Once you get inside, it's a nonstop magical thrill ride. It is run by the most powerful sumaire who ever lived: the maître. And it only has one catch: once you leave the hotel, you forget about your magical time spent inside its walls.
Being there when the hotel magically appears in town is easy... It's getting inside the doors that is hard. You either need to win a ticket, be extremely wealthy and therefore invited, or get inside as a worker.
Jani and her sister try the employment route—and they get in (with a few hiccups).
Now ensconced in this traveling spectacle of magic, secrets, and dreams, Jani quickly discovers that the Hotel Magnifique is not all that is appears to be. With some blunt sleuthing, a lot of mistakes, and a knack for getting into trouble, Jani's in for an interesting ride.
Oh, and of course, there's a boy...
Welcome to the Hotel Magnifique. We know you'll enjoy your stay—you just won't remember it very well.
I have a soft spot for magical stories with heavy doses of whimsy.
I am also a sucker for stories centered on hotel locations—there is something so transient and eerie about a location that sees so much turnover and is both extremely visible and yet simultaneously invisible to the eyes of the passing public. It's a place of constant change and yet remains stagnant.
When you combine a magical setting WITH a hotel backdrop, you best bet I'm going to read that story.
Hotel Magnifique took all of the parts I loved about some of my favorite tales—the high stakes contracts, the endless rooms of magic, a setting that's both a beautiful respite and a bejeweled trap—and combined them into a new remix that I appreciated very much.
It was fun! It had familiar takes and new takes on prevalent YA themes. It incorporated real stakes and dangers—a HUGE plus in my book, as most YA stories have "stakes" and yet no one ever reaps the consequences. It also had a romantic arc that I authentically enjoyed as a back-burner side plot, which was fun.
I will say it had some moments of cliche, and leaned a bit too heavily on its whimsy to cover up a lack of detail—but those are quibbles to me. I had a wonderful time, and I think others will too.
Pick this up if you're a fan of Caraval, The Night Circus, or Nevermoor and you want to step back through the portal...
Blog | Instagram
I’m rounding up because I had so much fun. Caraval mixed with Night Circus mixed with Nevermoor… this was such a fun adaptation of a lot of popular young adult themes.
Characters: ★★★
Plot: ★★★
Enjoyment: ★★★★
Jani lives with her younger sister in a boarding house, trying to make ends meet in a city filled with people. They're teetering on the edge of poverty, and their dreams are dimming with each year spent eeking away a meager life for themselves in the working class.
But then, one day, they get the news: The Hotel Magnifique is coming to town.
A magical, teleporting hotel catering to the richest of the rich and filled with wonders unlike any the world has ever seen, the Hotel Magnifique is a mysterious wonder. It travels from city to city, taking years—sometimes decades—to return to its former destinations. It's filled with sumaires (magicians) and enchantments. Once you get inside, it's a nonstop magical thrill ride. It is run by the most powerful sumaire who ever lived: the maître. And it only has one catch: once you leave the hotel, you forget about your magical time spent inside its walls.
Being there when the hotel magically appears in town is easy... It's getting inside the doors that is hard. You either need to win a ticket, be extremely wealthy and therefore invited, or get inside as a worker.
Jani and her sister try the employment route—and they get in (with a few hiccups).
Now ensconced in this traveling spectacle of magic, secrets, and dreams, Jani quickly discovers that the Hotel Magnifique is not all that is appears to be. With some blunt sleuthing, a lot of mistakes, and a knack for getting into trouble, Jani's in for an interesting ride.
Oh, and of course, there's a boy...
Welcome to the Hotel Magnifique. We know you'll enjoy your stay—you just won't remember it very well.
I have a soft spot for magical stories with heavy doses of whimsy.
I am also a sucker for stories centered on hotel locations—there is something so transient and eerie about a location that sees so much turnover and is both extremely visible and yet simultaneously invisible to the eyes of the passing public. It's a place of constant change and yet remains stagnant.
When you combine a magical setting WITH a hotel backdrop, you best bet I'm going to read that story.
Hotel Magnifique took all of the parts I loved about some of my favorite tales—the high stakes contracts, the endless rooms of magic, a setting that's both a beautiful respite and a bejeweled trap—and combined them into a new remix that I appreciated very much.
It was fun! It had familiar takes and new takes on prevalent YA themes. It incorporated real stakes and dangers—a HUGE plus in my book, as most YA stories have "stakes" and yet no one ever reaps the consequences. It also had a romantic arc that I authentically enjoyed as a back-burner side plot, which was fun.
I will say it had some moments of cliche, and leaned a bit too heavily on its whimsy to cover up a lack of detail—but those are quibbles to me. I had a wonderful time, and I think others will too.
Pick this up if you're a fan of Caraval, The Night Circus, or Nevermoor and you want to step back through the portal...
Blog | Instagram
October 10, 2022
Actual rating 2.5/5 stars.
Sisters, Jani and Zosa, long to escape from their impoverished surroundings and venture to far-flung destinations. Hotel Magnifique may be able to make these dreams a reality, but only for those who are employed inside of it. Never could they become wealthy patrons, but they are determined to take on any role inside its walls and venture to all the destinations the hotel appears in. Their first wish is granted but the magic they anticipated also comes with a healthy dose of mischief.
I'm unsure why this novel did not work for me better when it had all the bones of being a whimsical, magical, and atmospheric read. It definitely achieved the former two, although the gothic eeriness I hoped to feel emanating from the pages, judging from the dark palette of the book cover and the spookiness hinted at in the synopsis, failed to appear. The mysteries were also abundant and littered ceaselessly throughout, meaning I remained engaged and intrigued through the entire course.
However, despite all this, I never felt a huge amount of investment and the stakes felt low, for some unknown reason. I can't explain what it is that caused this disconnect but it remained throughout, despite finding no obvious flaws with the structure or fault with the contents. I can imagine this being adapted into an animated film I would love to view but, unfortunately, this book isn't one I'd return to in the future.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Emily J. Taylor, and the publisher, Pushkin Press, for this opportunity.
Sisters, Jani and Zosa, long to escape from their impoverished surroundings and venture to far-flung destinations. Hotel Magnifique may be able to make these dreams a reality, but only for those who are employed inside of it. Never could they become wealthy patrons, but they are determined to take on any role inside its walls and venture to all the destinations the hotel appears in. Their first wish is granted but the magic they anticipated also comes with a healthy dose of mischief.
I'm unsure why this novel did not work for me better when it had all the bones of being a whimsical, magical, and atmospheric read. It definitely achieved the former two, although the gothic eeriness I hoped to feel emanating from the pages, judging from the dark palette of the book cover and the spookiness hinted at in the synopsis, failed to appear. The mysteries were also abundant and littered ceaselessly throughout, meaning I remained engaged and intrigued through the entire course.
However, despite all this, I never felt a huge amount of investment and the stakes felt low, for some unknown reason. I can't explain what it is that caused this disconnect but it remained throughout, despite finding no obvious flaws with the structure or fault with the contents. I can imagine this being adapted into an animated film I would love to view but, unfortunately, this book isn't one I'd return to in the future.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Emily J. Taylor, and the publisher, Pushkin Press, for this opportunity.
Shelved as 'on-pause'
January 3, 2023DNF @ 40%
I think I'm going to pick this back up again in the future, because the concept is interesting and I want to know what happens, but I'm just really not in the mood for this right now. The romance is feeling way too rushed and there isn't much chemistry between the characters, and the writing is making me super frustrated. Every single person's appearance is being described. Literally every single one of the people in the book, even if they aren't actually main characters or even side characters and it is annoying me to no end, because I do not care what they look like, and the words being used are super repetitive. But anyways, I'll probably pick this up again, I just don't know when
I think I'm going to pick this back up again in the future, because the concept is interesting and I want to know what happens, but I'm just really not in the mood for this right now. The romance is feeling way too rushed and there isn't much chemistry between the characters, and the writing is making me super frustrated. Every single person's appearance is being described. Literally every single one of the people in the book, even if they aren't actually main characters or even side characters and it is annoying me to no end, because I do not care what they look like, and the words being used are super repetitive. But anyways, I'll probably pick this up again, I just don't know when
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