Hotel Magnifique
on Goodreads (28,848)
What’s inside...
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.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-17
Length
400 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What magical element of the Hotel Magnifique intrigued you the most and why?
If you could create a magical room in the hotel, what would it be like and what magical things would happen there?
How do the characters in the story show courage and friendship?
Do you think the rules at Hotel Magnifique are fair? What rules would you change if you were in charge?
How would you help a friend in a mysterious and magical place like Hotel Magnifique?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in their responses, and share your own thoughts to encourage a two-way conversation.
Ask follow-up questions based on their answers to delve deeper into their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Discuss similar experiences in your child's life that relate to the magical and mysterious elements of the story to make connections to the real world.
Encourage your child to draw or create a representation of their own magical room, discussing the features and magical elements they would include.
Use the themes of courage and friendship in the book to discuss these values, asking your child to give examples of when they have shown or seen these traits in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and empathy
Explanation: In 'Hotel Magnifique', characters often face challenges that require them to act with kindness and understanding toward each other. These interactions showcase how empathy can resolve conflicts and build stronger relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their daily interactions by being considerate and understanding towards friends and family, helping to nurture a supportive and caring environment.
Example Lesson: Value of courage and facing fears
Explanation: The protagonists in the book often embark on adventurous tasks that require bravery. Through these narratives, the book illustrates that courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to face it.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to tackle new challenges, such as trying out for a sports team or speaking up in class, demonstrating that bravery can lead to personal growth and self-confidence.
Example Lesson: The significance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'Hotel Magnifique', characters must collaborate to solve problems and overcome obstacles. This highlights the effectiveness of working together and pooling diverse skills to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value cooperative play and group activities, understanding that teamwork can make tasks easier and more enjoyable, while also building interpersonal skills.