After their mother’s death, Jani takes her sister, Zosa, to Durc to find a better life. Unfortunately, regret and poverty follow them. The Hotel Magnifique moves every day, treating the guests to new cities and new worlds, as it travels. When it appears in Durc, Jani is convinced a golden ticket to a better life lies within those enchanted walls. But after they sign their contracts and enter the hotel as maids, Jani quickly realizes they traded their ticket for a gilded cage. Bel, the doorman, is her only friend, and the only one that can see the Hotel for the dangerous trap it is. They must work together to break the magic spells and rescue their fellow servants from the clutches of Alistair, the hotel maître. The powerful sumnaire controls the hotel’s magic and binds the workers to their dark fate. Jani and Bel must work together to overthrow Alistair and free their fellow prisoners.
Hotel Magnifique is a dark fantasy, enchanting from the first page. Jani is a flawed, but honest main character and her regret and frustration drive the plot along. Zosa, however, isn’t quite as developed, the reader cares for her because Jani cares for her. I loved the descriptions of the enchanted rooms rearranging for each guest. The Hotel felt decadent yet sinister, as Alistair held their fate in his hands. My only real comment is I wish the story didn’t end. I was immersed in the magic of the Hotel Magnifique.
Hotel Magnifique is a standalone Young Adult fantasy that enchants readers and carries them on a wild ride through magic and danger and love. This book is breathtaking, terrifying, and lovely at the same time.
I recommend this book to readers who like Caraval, Once Upon a Broken Heart, and Sing Me Forgotten.