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Midnight at the Houdini
A girl discovers a surreal hotel where no one ever leaves. When the clock strikes midnight she'll be trapped there forever unless she's able to break free from magic that in turn breaks all her rules. Perfect for fans of Caraval and The Starless Sea!
The night is perfect and glorious and sparkling, too beautiful to be real. Like magic.
Anna may have grown up in glitzy Las Vegas, but she’s determined that no one will ever call her shallow. While her older sister Emily is the star of the family, Anna is the diligent stage manager, making sure that both their lives go perfectly to plan. But when Emily reveals a startling betrayal, Anna flees in the middle of a raging storm and takes shelter in a boutique establishment she’s never seen before: The Houdini.
Inside, Anna discovers a magic hotel . . . and a magical boy. Earnest, curious Max has lived his entire life inside the Houdini. Over the course of one surreal evening, he becomes Anna’s guide to the curious building. For the first time in her life, Anna is center stage, in a place that anticipates her every desire, with a boy who only has eyes for her.
But that’s because the Houdini has no other guests. No one ever enters the Houdini . . . and no one ever leaves. When the clock strikes midnight, Anna will be trapped in the Houdini forever. If Anna's ever going to find out who she is on her own in the real world, she’ll first have to make an impossible escape. But will she be able to do it if it means leaving Max behind?
The night is perfect and glorious and sparkling, too beautiful to be real. Like magic.
Anna may have grown up in glitzy Las Vegas, but she’s determined that no one will ever call her shallow. While her older sister Emily is the star of the family, Anna is the diligent stage manager, making sure that both their lives go perfectly to plan. But when Emily reveals a startling betrayal, Anna flees in the middle of a raging storm and takes shelter in a boutique establishment she’s never seen before: The Houdini.
Inside, Anna discovers a magic hotel . . . and a magical boy. Earnest, curious Max has lived his entire life inside the Houdini. Over the course of one surreal evening, he becomes Anna’s guide to the curious building. For the first time in her life, Anna is center stage, in a place that anticipates her every desire, with a boy who only has eyes for her.
But that’s because the Houdini has no other guests. No one ever enters the Houdini . . . and no one ever leaves. When the clock strikes midnight, Anna will be trapped in the Houdini forever. If Anna's ever going to find out who she is on her own in the real world, she’ll first have to make an impossible escape. But will she be able to do it if it means leaving Max behind?
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2023
165 people are currently reading
4841 people want to read
About the author
Delilah S. Dawson
172 books2,763 followersDelilah S. Dawson is the New York Times-bestselling author of Star Wars: Phasma, Black Spire: Galaxy's Edge, and The Perfect Weapon. With Kevin Hearne, she writes the Tales of Pell. As Lila Bowen, she writes the Shadow series, beginning with Wake of Vultures. Her other books include the Blud series, the Hit series, and Servants of the Storm.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
She's written comics in the worlds of Marvel Action: Spider-Man, Lore's Wellington, Star Wars Adventures, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, The X-Files Case Files, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, and her creator-owned comics include Star Pig, Ladycastle, and Sparrowhawk.
Find out more at www.whimsydark.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 409 reviews
October 28, 2024
I embarked on this literary journey with no prior knowledge, eager to be whisked away into a world where being trapped in a place after the stroke of midnight holds more enchantment than transforming into a pumpkin. The combination of Alice in Wonderland and Haunted Mansion elements, sprinkled with Caraval and Starless Sea vibes, piqued my curiosity and filled me with excitement. However, as I delved deeper into the story, I discovered that the execution of this intriguing concept didn't quite live up to my expectations.
The magical world-building and descriptions of Houdini's realm lacked the enthusiasm and vibrancy I had hoped for. The third-person narrative coupled with the present tense writing style also felt somewhat disconnected from the overall execution. The story unfolds within a span of twelve hours, with a multitude of characters crowding the pages. While multiple perspectives could have been a valuable tool to engage with the diverse cast, including the less-than-likable protagonist, Anna, the absence of such perspectives left the characterization feeling underdeveloped.
As a devoted reader of fantasy books, I could have potentially enjoyed this novel more if the characters had been more fully fleshed out, allowing me to forge a deeper connection with their journeys. Additionally, the inclusion of multiple perspectives could have added layers of depth to the story. Regrettably, these elements were missing, leaving me with a sense of semi-satisfaction and flatness throughout.
With a heavy heart, I am compelled to assign this novel a three-star rating, as it fell short of my expectations and left me somewhat disappointed. However, I remain hopeful that my next encounter with the author's work will be more promising, offering an experience that resonates with me on a deeper level.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Delacorte Press for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this digital copy. My honest opinions are a reflection of my personal reading experience, and I appreciate the chance to engage with new works of literature.
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The magical world-building and descriptions of Houdini's realm lacked the enthusiasm and vibrancy I had hoped for. The third-person narrative coupled with the present tense writing style also felt somewhat disconnected from the overall execution. The story unfolds within a span of twelve hours, with a multitude of characters crowding the pages. While multiple perspectives could have been a valuable tool to engage with the diverse cast, including the less-than-likable protagonist, Anna, the absence of such perspectives left the characterization feeling underdeveloped.
As a devoted reader of fantasy books, I could have potentially enjoyed this novel more if the characters had been more fully fleshed out, allowing me to forge a deeper connection with their journeys. Additionally, the inclusion of multiple perspectives could have added layers of depth to the story. Regrettably, these elements were missing, leaving me with a sense of semi-satisfaction and flatness throughout.
With a heavy heart, I am compelled to assign this novel a three-star rating, as it fell short of my expectations and left me somewhat disappointed. However, I remain hopeful that my next encounter with the author's work will be more promising, offering an experience that resonates with me on a deeper level.
I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Delacorte Press for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this digital copy. My honest opinions are a reflection of my personal reading experience, and I appreciate the chance to engage with new works of literature.
medium.com
July 14, 2023
This is a tough book to review, because the concept is so ambitious and I applaud the author for attempting to create such a meta experience for the reader, but I’m not sure it quite reaches its goal. I don’t want to say too much, but things start coming together around the 1/3 mark in a brilliant way, kind of an AHA moment, which showcases the author’s creative abilities. However, the writing style feels very much more catered toward the middle grade crowd, which is fine, except this book is marketed for YA readers. I think those who expect more mature writing in their young adult books will struggle with the flow and pacing due to this aspect. If you go into this one with the right expectations, I think it could be a really great experience for the right reader.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
February 19, 2023
A decadent feast for the imagination that had me racing through the pages. Step into the Houdini but beware: this hotel will have you enthralled!
February 19, 2024
This is a case of I loved the cover but the content in it was a disaster. This was so boring, like it took me 11 days to read!?!?!
December 18, 2023
December 2023
Kindle edition
RHR bingo 15
Added to the TBR because of magic. I think I would've liked this one more if it didn't mention Alice in Wonderland or Labyrinth. It takes the magic out of the story, leaving a been there done that feel. I felt sorry for Anna and Max. Anna seemed way too mature for her age and Max was the other end of the scale knowing only what the hotel showed him. It was a bit damning that Anna and Daniel were innocent and shouldn't have been there, more so that forgiveness was thrown around like confetti. Alice in Wonderland, Labyrinth mix in a hotel with a possessive mother.
Kindle edition
RHR bingo 15
Added to the TBR because of magic. I think I would've liked this one more if it didn't mention Alice in Wonderland or Labyrinth. It takes the magic out of the story, leaving a been there done that feel. I felt sorry for Anna and Max. Anna seemed way too mature for her age and Max was the other end of the scale knowing only what the hotel showed him. It was a bit damning that Anna and Daniel were innocent and shouldn't have been there, more so that forgiveness was thrown around like confetti. Alice in Wonderland, Labyrinth mix in a hotel with a possessive mother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2023
*:･ﾟ206/ 100
Happy Release Day! (09/05/2023)
This was a fun YA fantasy mystery with a romance subplot that had me guessing until the end! I loved the mystery plotline and the Alice in Wonderland vibes, but the second half introduced a lot of characters and plot points that ultimately cheapened the ending for me. This dived into deeper topics than expected and was a fun puzzle to figure out, but this isn't much to run home to, just a solid and good three-star!
Happy Release Day! (09/05/2023)
This was a fun YA fantasy mystery with a romance subplot that had me guessing until the end! I loved the mystery plotline and the Alice in Wonderland vibes, but the second half introduced a lot of characters and plot points that ultimately cheapened the ending for me. This dived into deeper topics than expected and was a fun puzzle to figure out, but this isn't much to run home to, just a solid and good three-star!
March 22, 2024
I absolutely adored this book until about 75 pages from the end. At this point the author inserted a ridiculous, unnecessary “don’t touch me without permission” line from the main character who then immediately wondered why her love interest seemed scared to touch her. This was followed up by a pointless dig at JK Rowling that had no place in the fantasy world so carefully set up in this book. So while I’m sure Rowling is drying her tears on her millions over this insult, I’ll just be glad I didn’t spend any money supporting obnoxious politics.
November 18, 2025
Lowkey boring lol. The plot wasn’t super interesting or well written imo. The romance was cute tho! Maybe a better move theme?
October 16, 2023
Midnight at the Houdini is a YA fantasy novel about a magical hotel and a girl revealing its secrets.
The concept of the book is pretty interesting, with the mysterious characters of the Houdini hotel, the odd hotel that felt like a trip down the wonderland, and the secret story that happened in the past and somehow connected everyone together. However, the execution didn't serve those ideas well. The main character, Anna, was annoying and spoiled, even though she tried to appeal like she was forced to live a life she didn't want to, fighting hard to be perfect. Her family problems, in addition, were presented to be more melodramatic than they were in reality. Maybe as a teenager, I would have been more sympathetic towards Anna, however, as she kept repeating throughout her narration, she was pragmatic and the logical one, so it was hard to be empathetic with her.
Also, the romance felt forced, especially since the two of them knew each other for like a day. Correspondingly, Max, who was supposed to be from another era, didn't act like it, which was a let down. Therefore, in the end, his family story was more interesting than the one the book was following.
Finally, the narration of the audiobook was enjoyable.
The concept of the book is pretty interesting, with the mysterious characters of the Houdini hotel, the odd hotel that felt like a trip down the wonderland, and the secret story that happened in the past and somehow connected everyone together. However, the execution didn't serve those ideas well. The main character, Anna, was annoying and spoiled, even though she tried to appeal like she was forced to live a life she didn't want to, fighting hard to be perfect. Her family problems, in addition, were presented to be more melodramatic than they were in reality. Maybe as a teenager, I would have been more sympathetic towards Anna, however, as she kept repeating throughout her narration, she was pragmatic and the logical one, so it was hard to be empathetic with her.
Also, the romance felt forced, especially since the two of them knew each other for like a day. Correspondingly, Max, who was supposed to be from another era, didn't act like it, which was a let down. Therefore, in the end, his family story was more interesting than the one the book was following.
Finally, the narration of the audiobook was enjoyable.
September 19, 2023
3.5 stars; I had hoped for something similar to Hotel Magnifique I guess, cause I loved that one, but while there were some magical moments, I didn’t love it. I think conceptually, it was awesome, but execution wasn’t what I wanted it to be
It’s YA, but I feel like it has more of a middle grade feel, writing wise. However there’s still some swearing and stuff so it’s YA. But like..pacing was off and it didn’t flow like I wanted it to😔
It had its moments though, and I was hooked from page one until we got about halfway through, then it started to lose me and by the end I was skimming
It’s YA, but I feel like it has more of a middle grade feel, writing wise. However there’s still some swearing and stuff so it’s YA. But like..pacing was off and it didn’t flow like I wanted it to😔
It had its moments though, and I was hooked from page one until we got about halfway through, then it started to lose me and by the end I was skimming
December 30, 2023
2.5⭐️ rounded down. This book was very mid. There was a lot of potential with the imagery and setting but the plot kinda fell flat for me
February 25, 2025
this honestly felt very flat and one dimensional. it was kind of repetitive and just felt played already. max was the only character i liked
September 10, 2023
review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2023/0...
Midnight at the Houdini is an atmospheric and mysterious YA urban fantasy with magical realism that revolves around Anna who has to take shelter from the storm in one of her father’s hotels, The Houdini, but nothing in the hotel is of the modern world and everything works by magic. When she meets Max who was born in the Houdini and has been stuck there ever since she discovers no one can ever leave Houdini and any guest that arrives turns into a ghost on the next midnight. And so Anna’s impossible race to escape begins. But can she outsmart Max’s mother, Phoebe, who is in control of the Houdini?
1. Amazing concept
I loved the concept of the magical hotel that has a mind and whims of its own, and a magical clock ticking making the characters race against time that keeps readers on the edge and the plot interesting.
As Anna explores The Houdini and tries to find answers to questions it raises more questions, making the mystery and the plot that looks obvious and simple in the climax more complicated.
2. Retelling of Tempest
I didn’t know until I read in reviews that Midnight at the Houdini is a retelling of Tempest. After reading the summary of the Tempest I could see many similarities here- The creation of the storm that leads Anna, her father and his friends in Houdini; Houdini’s magic and its connection to Phoebe; Phoebe’s revenge and the reason behind it… and many other small things.
3. Setting of Houdini
Houdini is a character in itself and it is the best part of the book. The inside of the hotels feels much bigger than the actual hotel size in the real world. I love the magical theme in the hotel and its ambiance of the historical era from hotel lobbies to paintings, rooms, wardrobes, elevators, music, and even the accent of the people alive in the hotel.
There are hundreds of rooms, circuitous lobbies, trap doors, and secret labyrinthine passages that make the plot adventurous and also give a claustrophobic feel. I was excited to see what next room Anna would find and where the trapdoor or the passage would take her.
It was amazing how Houdini could magic food and clothes and play music appropriate to the situation showing its playful nature. The way it helped Anna and Max show it’s kind and loving nature to good people but very scary for those who hurt it and people under its protection.
I loved Houdini’s story as well, how it came to existence gives answers to many questions like- where the magic comes from, why no one can escape, why it is helping Anna, and how Anna and anyone else can escape to the real world.
There are many book reference – Harry Potter, Narnia, Alice in The Wonderland, The Circus- and part of the setting is compared with books
4. Interesting theme and layers
The main theme of the story is revenge and forgiveness. There is layers of mother’s love, secrets, greed, deceptions, and betrayal. I like the message in the book about how people are prisoners of their own emotions and they can be free of them by letting them go by forgiving and moving on in life.
5. Dark, and whimsical atmosphere with light Romance
Houdini’s dark passages and whimsical magic make it creepy and atmospheric. Moast of the characters in this are creepy and sinister. Colin, the janitor who wants to hurt Anna, Phoebe who is determined to keep Anna and Max apart, and Anna’s father David’s friends- Sebastian and Toni- are plotting against him. The past of Houdini and Phoebe is dark and touching.
However, the romantic angle keeps the plot light enough to make it perfect for Young adults and even middle-grade readers. Both Anna and Max are different from each other in many aspects and they know each other for only a few hours and yet they feel the connection between them. It was interesting how both want different things- Anna wants to escape Houdini and Max wants to stay with Anna- but with the same end purpose, they both don’t want Anna to turn into a ghost. It adds tension to their relationship and distraction from their goals.
Why 4 Stars –
Characters are two-dimensional. They are either good or bad, there is no in-between. Both Anna and Max stay good throughout the book while Phoebe, Colin, and Sebastian and Toni, stay bad. As for Daniel I don’t think he changed, he sure is business-minded and has no time for family in the beginning but it never said he was the bad person like his friends. We see his caring side only once he enters the Houdini but he doesn’t act on it except saying, “I need to find my daughter”.
I don’t think Anna really understands the real reason why Emily chose the house far from their family home or the part about growing independently her father said in the beginning. Sometimes it was frustrating to read Anna’s frustration over not having control and logic in the Houdini.
Max was cute and adorable there is no question but I feel he kept insisting Anna not to find a way out too often for my liking rather than helping her find a way out and what help he did was in defeated manner like it’s-useless-and-he-knows-she-won’t-find-escape-but-he-would-do-anything-to-be-with-her. He wasn’t selfish by nature but in this instance, he sure looked selfish and clingy which I didn’t like.
Writing is simple. Third-person multiple perspectives was good here showing what each character is thinking and going through but sometimes it didn’t feel like perspectives aligned with the timeline seamlessly. We have a proper clock ticking for Anna but not for David and his friends which makes it a bit hazy how much time they spent where.
Overall, Midnight at the Houdini is enjoyable, atmospheric, and adventurous YA urban fantasy with magical realism.
Midnight at the Houdini is an atmospheric and mysterious YA urban fantasy with magical realism that revolves around Anna who has to take shelter from the storm in one of her father’s hotels, The Houdini, but nothing in the hotel is of the modern world and everything works by magic. When she meets Max who was born in the Houdini and has been stuck there ever since she discovers no one can ever leave Houdini and any guest that arrives turns into a ghost on the next midnight. And so Anna’s impossible race to escape begins. But can she outsmart Max’s mother, Phoebe, who is in control of the Houdini?
1. Amazing concept
I loved the concept of the magical hotel that has a mind and whims of its own, and a magical clock ticking making the characters race against time that keeps readers on the edge and the plot interesting.
As Anna explores The Houdini and tries to find answers to questions it raises more questions, making the mystery and the plot that looks obvious and simple in the climax more complicated.
2. Retelling of Tempest
I didn’t know until I read in reviews that Midnight at the Houdini is a retelling of Tempest. After reading the summary of the Tempest I could see many similarities here- The creation of the storm that leads Anna, her father and his friends in Houdini; Houdini’s magic and its connection to Phoebe; Phoebe’s revenge and the reason behind it… and many other small things.
3. Setting of Houdini
Houdini is a character in itself and it is the best part of the book. The inside of the hotels feels much bigger than the actual hotel size in the real world. I love the magical theme in the hotel and its ambiance of the historical era from hotel lobbies to paintings, rooms, wardrobes, elevators, music, and even the accent of the people alive in the hotel.
There are hundreds of rooms, circuitous lobbies, trap doors, and secret labyrinthine passages that make the plot adventurous and also give a claustrophobic feel. I was excited to see what next room Anna would find and where the trapdoor or the passage would take her.
It was amazing how Houdini could magic food and clothes and play music appropriate to the situation showing its playful nature. The way it helped Anna and Max show it’s kind and loving nature to good people but very scary for those who hurt it and people under its protection.
I loved Houdini’s story as well, how it came to existence gives answers to many questions like- where the magic comes from, why no one can escape, why it is helping Anna, and how Anna and anyone else can escape to the real world.
There are many book reference – Harry Potter, Narnia, Alice in The Wonderland, The Circus- and part of the setting is compared with books
4. Interesting theme and layers
The main theme of the story is revenge and forgiveness. There is layers of mother’s love, secrets, greed, deceptions, and betrayal. I like the message in the book about how people are prisoners of their own emotions and they can be free of them by letting them go by forgiving and moving on in life.
5. Dark, and whimsical atmosphere with light Romance
Houdini’s dark passages and whimsical magic make it creepy and atmospheric. Moast of the characters in this are creepy and sinister. Colin, the janitor who wants to hurt Anna, Phoebe who is determined to keep Anna and Max apart, and Anna’s father David’s friends- Sebastian and Toni- are plotting against him. The past of Houdini and Phoebe is dark and touching.
However, the romantic angle keeps the plot light enough to make it perfect for Young adults and even middle-grade readers. Both Anna and Max are different from each other in many aspects and they know each other for only a few hours and yet they feel the connection between them. It was interesting how both want different things- Anna wants to escape Houdini and Max wants to stay with Anna- but with the same end purpose, they both don’t want Anna to turn into a ghost. It adds tension to their relationship and distraction from their goals.
Why 4 Stars –
Characters are two-dimensional. They are either good or bad, there is no in-between. Both Anna and Max stay good throughout the book while Phoebe, Colin, and Sebastian and Toni, stay bad. As for Daniel I don’t think he changed, he sure is business-minded and has no time for family in the beginning but it never said he was the bad person like his friends. We see his caring side only once he enters the Houdini but he doesn’t act on it except saying, “I need to find my daughter”.
I don’t think Anna really understands the real reason why Emily chose the house far from their family home or the part about growing independently her father said in the beginning. Sometimes it was frustrating to read Anna’s frustration over not having control and logic in the Houdini.
Max was cute and adorable there is no question but I feel he kept insisting Anna not to find a way out too often for my liking rather than helping her find a way out and what help he did was in defeated manner like it’s-useless-and-he-knows-she-won’t-find-escape-but-he-would-do-anything-to-be-with-her. He wasn’t selfish by nature but in this instance, he sure looked selfish and clingy which I didn’t like.
Writing is simple. Third-person multiple perspectives was good here showing what each character is thinking and going through but sometimes it didn’t feel like perspectives aligned with the timeline seamlessly. We have a proper clock ticking for Anna but not for David and his friends which makes it a bit hazy how much time they spent where.
Overall, Midnight at the Houdini is enjoyable, atmospheric, and adventurous YA urban fantasy with magical realism.
September 7, 2023
I picked this book because of its title, figuring out that it had something to do with magic. And I was right: Anna Alonso was traumatized by this birthday party she attended back when she was a kid: her mom dressed her up in this super cute princessy outfit and all the girls at the party ended up making fun of her. After this major embarrassment, she focused on her academics, not going out, not hanging out with friends.,.. her only friend really was her big sister. Jumping forward to when Anna was 16: she plans her sister wedding. Everything is going great until Anna's dad makes this surprise announcement about offering the bride and her groom and condo in NY. Anna is devastated because this move made all her plans crash and burn. She hates her dad for pulling this on that special night that ends up in a never-seen-before thunderstorm. She is in a vehicle with her dad and two of her dad's best friends, Tony and Sebastian. her dad in this real estate mogul and they decide to take shelter in the closest building of theirs, which is the Houdini. The two friends are not thrilled to spend even a minute inside that old and dusty hotel, but Anna's dad wants them all safe, so that's where they're headed. And that's when the story really starts! This is all about the hotel, its mafic, what the backstory of this hotel is, how Anna's dad could even own a magical hotel, does the hotel want to hurt or protect Anna?, who are these people inhabiting the hotel?< can we exit this hotel?, is the hotel manipulating Anna, will Anna ever find her dad within the hotel?,.. I loved the backstory of the hotel and the people living in it, and the resolve was so good! You have to go blind into this book to enjoy the full experience of Houdini. I also enjoyed the Alice In Wonderland vibe throughout. So glad I read this one!
Thank you Net Galley and Delacorte Press for this e-ARC in exchange of a honest review.
Thank you Net Galley and Delacorte Press for this e-ARC in exchange of a honest review.
March 25, 2025
Coming off of Hotel Magnifique in book club this was a great book. We picked it to read after as a joke, thinking it was going to be just as bad as HM but were pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the story, the romance (surprisingly), and the mystery of the hotel. There were interesting twists and the characters were enjoyable. The pop culture references made me uneasy at first, but quickly I felt that they grounded the story. They made me feel like Anna was just a regular 17 year old from the year 2024 that fell into this magic world by accident.
December 20, 2023
In this retelling of The Tempest, a storm traps Anna and her father in a mysterious, magical hotel with a mind of its own and secrets beyond imagining.
My main problem with the book is that the characters feel insufficient. A lot of the beginning of book is focused on Anna's difficulties with her sister getting married and moving on, to the point where it seems like that should be a major recurring thing for the whole story. But it isn't. Anna and her dad's relationship feels like it should be more important, but I never understood their dynamic. Sometimes it seems he doesn't care at all, and the next, he's most concerned about finding her and making sure she's okay. Which is it? Anna and Max have a weird sort of insta-love that isn't quite insta on one side that never feels fully explained, so I didn't care one way or another if they worked out or even if they survived at the end of the book. Anna's dad's partners are mentioned and important, but I never got to truly understand their full story. Overall, it felt like the book was told through paper dolls. Beautiful, but I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the actors.
The writing was sometimes beautiful, sometimes just weird. I don't particularly like books in the present tense, but it worked okay for this book. It took me months to finish this book because the writing style kept distracting me to the point where I would give up and stop reading books completely for a few weeks. Some of the lines were mystical and interesting. But then you had lines like, "But this room is stuffy and as feminine as the inside of a woman's mouth," that made me stop reading for a minute. I... I don't even know what to do with that sentence. I've never really considered the inside of my mouth one of the most feminine parts of me. Was I supposed to? I don't understand what that line is supposed to mean, and I can't stop thinking about it -- and not in a good way.
What does shine in the book is the setting, which I would consider the most fleshed-out character of the book. It's eerie and whimsical and magical, making it feel like something out of Wonderland, The Haunted Mansion, The Secret Garden, and Narnia rolled into one with some Great Gatsby vibes to boot. Like with the characters, there isn't a whole lot of explanation here. You're supposed to just take what you get, but unlike with the characters, it works really well for the Houdini. No one really knows how it works, and that's okay. It just is dark and mystical and magical.
I do think readers who love a good setting and spooky mysteries would enjoy this book more than I did. But if characters are what make or break a book for you like they are for me, this book might not be for you. It's a creative concept with intriguing ideas that unfortunately fell flat.
My main problem with the book is that the characters feel insufficient. A lot of the beginning of book is focused on Anna's difficulties with her sister getting married and moving on, to the point where it seems like that should be a major recurring thing for the whole story. But it isn't. Anna and her dad's relationship feels like it should be more important, but I never understood their dynamic. Sometimes it seems he doesn't care at all, and the next, he's most concerned about finding her and making sure she's okay. Which is it? Anna and Max have a weird sort of insta-love that isn't quite insta on one side that never feels fully explained, so I didn't care one way or another if they worked out or even if they survived at the end of the book. Anna's dad's partners are mentioned and important, but I never got to truly understand their full story. Overall, it felt like the book was told through paper dolls. Beautiful, but I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the actors.
The writing was sometimes beautiful, sometimes just weird. I don't particularly like books in the present tense, but it worked okay for this book. It took me months to finish this book because the writing style kept distracting me to the point where I would give up and stop reading books completely for a few weeks. Some of the lines were mystical and interesting. But then you had lines like, "But this room is stuffy and as feminine as the inside of a woman's mouth," that made me stop reading for a minute. I... I don't even know what to do with that sentence. I've never really considered the inside of my mouth one of the most feminine parts of me. Was I supposed to? I don't understand what that line is supposed to mean, and I can't stop thinking about it -- and not in a good way.
What does shine in the book is the setting, which I would consider the most fleshed-out character of the book. It's eerie and whimsical and magical, making it feel like something out of Wonderland, The Haunted Mansion, The Secret Garden, and Narnia rolled into one with some Great Gatsby vibes to boot. Like with the characters, there isn't a whole lot of explanation here. You're supposed to just take what you get, but unlike with the characters, it works really well for the Houdini. No one really knows how it works, and that's okay. It just is dark and mystical and magical.
I do think readers who love a good setting and spooky mysteries would enjoy this book more than I did. But if characters are what make or break a book for you like they are for me, this book might not be for you. It's a creative concept with intriguing ideas that unfortunately fell flat.
May 23, 2023
This was a pretty fun and kind of eerie portal fantasy! The storyline was a quest to find an object before time runs out. It drew heavy inspiration from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and also nods to The Wizard of Oz, Narnia, the Labrynth, and other classic portal fantasies which give a feeling of nostalgia. It also contained lots of pop culture references to books and music, if you like that kind of thing.
The Criticism.
- The quest gets a little boring/uninteresting about halfway through. I find this can be pretty typical of quests, and even Tolkien fell victim to this pitfall.
- The characters were very underdeveloped. I would have liked to have motivations and behaviors better fleshed out.
- There was very little tension around romance and conflict, and so a lot of things resolved easily and conveniently.
- Certain points of conflict were a bit strange. I'm thinking of very specific things, but don't want to spoil.
Despite my criticisms, I really liked this story. The atmosphere was simultaneously creepy and whimsical. The romance was charmingly sweet, with that very new quality. I would heavily recommend this to young teens, and find that this would work well as a middle grade to YA crossover.
Content is squeaky clean. Kissing, plotting violence, I don't recall any profanity.
The Criticism.
- The quest gets a little boring/uninteresting about halfway through. I find this can be pretty typical of quests, and even Tolkien fell victim to this pitfall.
- The characters were very underdeveloped. I would have liked to have motivations and behaviors better fleshed out.
- There was very little tension around romance and conflict, and so a lot of things resolved easily and conveniently.
- Certain points of conflict were a bit strange. I'm thinking of very specific things, but don't want to spoil.
Despite my criticisms, I really liked this story. The atmosphere was simultaneously creepy and whimsical. The romance was charmingly sweet, with that very new quality. I would heavily recommend this to young teens, and find that this would work well as a middle grade to YA crossover.
Content is squeaky clean. Kissing, plotting violence, I don't recall any profanity.
November 13, 2023
Welcome to the Houdini, a hotel in a Las Vegas that might have been but no longer is. Anna's father owns the run-down version in the real world, but when a tornado strikes on her way home from her sister's wedding, Anna ends up in a much different hotel - one where white rabbits can serve as guides, rooms change their doors or only exist for certain people, and a boy named Max has grown up as if it were the early twentieth century. Part historical fantasy, part homage to classic children's literature, this is a book for anyone who has ever walked into a wardrobe or wanted to brave the Goblin King's labyrinth. But be careful - because when the clock strikes midnight, anyone who isn't the queen or her son will become a ghost...and never leave the Houdini again.
May 23, 2024
DNFed at page 123.
It's a good concept and the writer has beautiful prose and description, but the main character is so annoying, spoiled, and truly believes that everything should go her way and I can't do it. It might just be me, but she genuinely makes me angry - she's only 16, and yet she believes that her MARRIED SISTER should stay at her family home rather than start her own life across the country. Also, the fact that her catalyst for the way she is was being embarrassed and bullied at an elementary birthday party seems just over the top for me. It didn't seem like a huge deal at all and yet suddenly it's her entire reasoning for her logical, type A personality. The book took too long to get going and I just gave up.
It's a good concept and the writer has beautiful prose and description, but the main character is so annoying, spoiled, and truly believes that everything should go her way and I can't do it. It might just be me, but she genuinely makes me angry - she's only 16, and yet she believes that her MARRIED SISTER should stay at her family home rather than start her own life across the country. Also, the fact that her catalyst for the way she is was being embarrassed and bullied at an elementary birthday party seems just over the top for me. It didn't seem like a huge deal at all and yet suddenly it's her entire reasoning for her logical, type A personality. The book took too long to get going and I just gave up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
3.5*
This story of a girl trapped in a hotel that seems to exist in a different world and possesses magic and a mind of its own was fun to read.
I got the feeling of a fairytale from it, but tailored for the modern age. It's like all the dreams you have of a beautiful place that has everything you ever wished for, coming true but at the cost of your freedom.
Max, as a kid who has never known life outside the Houdini hotel was a more likeable and vulnerable character than Anna who seemed over mature for her age. Seeing the wonders of the hotel through his eyes was more enjoyable.
Overall, this was a lighter palate cleanser of a book.
This story of a girl trapped in a hotel that seems to exist in a different world and possesses magic and a mind of its own was fun to read.
I got the feeling of a fairytale from it, but tailored for the modern age. It's like all the dreams you have of a beautiful place that has everything you ever wished for, coming true but at the cost of your freedom.
Max, as a kid who has never known life outside the Houdini hotel was a more likeable and vulnerable character than Anna who seemed over mature for her age. Seeing the wonders of the hotel through his eyes was more enjoyable.
Overall, this was a lighter palate cleanser of a book.
August 21, 2023
This was an enjoyable ya fantasy book! I loved the overall concept of this book. The author had a very descriptive writing style which really helps to transport readers into the magical hotel that is the Houdini. I loved following main characters Anna and Max as they got to know one another and as Anna tried to find a way out of the hotel by midnight. This book had many references to The Night Circus, Narnia and Alice In Wonderland which I appreciated, especially since you could tell that those stories inspired the author. Overall this was a really good read.
November 17, 2025
How absolutely magical! I had such a fun time with this book. I love the concept of a magical and mysterious hotel that is stuck in the past. Max and Anna were so cute. I love how innocent their growing affections were. This book did read young at times but I didn’t mind it. I had low expectations due to the low reviews but am so glad I tried it anyway.
May 25, 2024
Kinda disappointed with this book. The potential it had, would have crushed it if it was written differently. I was expecting this great magical read but it reminded me of Alice in Wonderland but very lost and running in circles. I thought it would have been magical and sorta drawn me into it like Caraval but it didn’t come close.
July 5, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ecopy of this book. I really enjoyed this. It was a great blend of fantasy and reality with a hint of that childhood magic. Bringing in the complacency of having everything, but being trapped inside a pretty cage. Life is never going to be easy, but as long as you keep looking for an escape there is a way to overcome. These types of books are so desperately needed during these times.
December 11, 2023
"In a place without beginnings and ends, it's possible to go more than a bit mad."
first off, I want to applaud the author for coming up with not only an ambitious idea, but also executing it in such a magical way. I was immediately hooked from the cover and the title and although I found myself underwhelmed with certain aspects, I had a great time.
╰┈➤ characters
one of my main issues with this book is I felt that the characters lacked depth and proper development. you could tell that Anna is very ambitious (to the point it is having a negative impact on her life) but she doesn't really recognize that problem or change until the end of the novel. Max was a very soft, heartwarming character but again, just felt flat.
the antagonists were written a bit strangely. they weren't really given enough backstory for you to hate them? I mean, you could tell they were untrustworthy, but didn't really fully grasp why...
I found the romance to be a bit cheesy, seeing as it was sort of a "love at first sight" type of thing. Max and Anna had their moments but at the end of the day I wasn't really into it.
╰┈➤ plot
can I just say... the plot was PLOTTING. the concepts in this novel were so intriguing and I found myself constantly blown away by the many things revolving around the Houdini. it was giving Alice in Wonderland (there's a literal rabbit with a stopwatch for Pete's sake) and Caraval vibes the entire time and I was HERE for it. only issue is that the middle of the book felt a bit slow.
I also have to add that although I was a bit turned off by the use of present tense in the third person (I got used to it eventually) Dawson's prose was delightful. I was constantly impressed with her writing style and it worked so well with the story.
╰┈➤ final thoughts
overall, I found the novel intriguing and extremely creative but in the end, the execution fell flat. the pacing was off, but the overarching story and little details hidden in the Houdini sort of made up for it.
first off, I want to applaud the author for coming up with not only an ambitious idea, but also executing it in such a magical way. I was immediately hooked from the cover and the title and although I found myself underwhelmed with certain aspects, I had a great time.
╰┈➤ characters
one of my main issues with this book is I felt that the characters lacked depth and proper development. you could tell that Anna is very ambitious (to the point it is having a negative impact on her life) but she doesn't really recognize that problem or change until the end of the novel. Max was a very soft, heartwarming character but again, just felt flat.
the antagonists were written a bit strangely. they weren't really given enough backstory for you to hate them? I mean, you could tell they were untrustworthy, but didn't really fully grasp why...
I found the romance to be a bit cheesy, seeing as it was sort of a "love at first sight" type of thing. Max and Anna had their moments but at the end of the day I wasn't really into it.
╰┈➤ plot
can I just say... the plot was PLOTTING. the concepts in this novel were so intriguing and I found myself constantly blown away by the many things revolving around the Houdini. it was giving Alice in Wonderland (there's a literal rabbit with a stopwatch for Pete's sake) and Caraval vibes the entire time and I was HERE for it. only issue is that the middle of the book felt a bit slow.
I also have to add that although I was a bit turned off by the use of present tense in the third person (I got used to it eventually) Dawson's prose was delightful. I was constantly impressed with her writing style and it worked so well with the story.
╰┈➤ final thoughts
overall, I found the novel intriguing and extremely creative but in the end, the execution fell flat. the pacing was off, but the overarching story and little details hidden in the Houdini sort of made up for it.
January 24, 2025
Instagram: @kristinereads_
2.5
Swiftie Book Club: Lavender Haze (Midnights)
Meet me at midnight 🕛🐇🗝️🖤
This YA fantasy is a trippy midnight jaunt through a semi-haunted, semi-sentient labyrinthine Jazz Age hotel heavily inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
This premise had a lot of potential, and I have thoroughly enjoyed Delilah S. Dawson’s work before (Bloom), but unfortunately, this one didn’t meet my expectations. I’m not the best audience for surrealism, but I can be persuaded if the magical meandering and weird clue-drops end up meaning something. Here, I didn’t feel like they did. I was impatient for the book to get to “the point,” which is a sign that whatever the author is doing to drive the narrative isn’t working for me.
Readers familiar with Shakespeare’s The Tempest will recognize similar naming conventions and family dynamics, and yes, there is a storm at the beginning of the story, but I didn’t recognize any significant thematic connections to justify what felt like a handful of arbitrary and unnecessary characters (Colin aka Caliban chief among them).
The book reaches for a theme of forgiveness at the end, but overall I didn’t find it substantive. It didn’t work for us, but if you’re a fan of dream-logic plots or magical-realism funhouse settings, you might enjoy this.
2.5
Swiftie Book Club: Lavender Haze (Midnights)
Meet me at midnight 🕛🐇🗝️🖤
This YA fantasy is a trippy midnight jaunt through a semi-haunted, semi-sentient labyrinthine Jazz Age hotel heavily inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
This premise had a lot of potential, and I have thoroughly enjoyed Delilah S. Dawson’s work before (Bloom), but unfortunately, this one didn’t meet my expectations. I’m not the best audience for surrealism, but I can be persuaded if the magical meandering and weird clue-drops end up meaning something. Here, I didn’t feel like they did. I was impatient for the book to get to “the point,” which is a sign that whatever the author is doing to drive the narrative isn’t working for me.
Readers familiar with Shakespeare’s The Tempest will recognize similar naming conventions and family dynamics, and yes, there is a storm at the beginning of the story, but I didn’t recognize any significant thematic connections to justify what felt like a handful of arbitrary and unnecessary characters (Colin aka Caliban chief among them).
The book reaches for a theme of forgiveness at the end, but overall I didn’t find it substantive. It didn’t work for us, but if you’re a fan of dream-logic plots or magical-realism funhouse settings, you might enjoy this.
October 21, 2023
The premise had me more than a little intrigued, and the hotel setting reminded me of books like The Splendor or Hotel Magnifique, both of which I loved.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. For one, I didn’t like the writing style. Phrases like “as feminine as the inside of a woman’s mouth” took me right out of the story and were just confusing. I also struggled with the third person present tense.
The story was meandering and the stakes were super low. For all the urgency that “we have to get out of here before midnight or we won’t ever be able to leave” the main character spent a lot of time snacking and changing clothes rather than looking for a way out. (I lost track of how many times her wardrobe changes were mentioned.)
The romance was completely unnecessary and pretty instalovey.
None of the characters really stood out to me and I didn’t like Anna at all.
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. For one, I didn’t like the writing style. Phrases like “as feminine as the inside of a woman’s mouth” took me right out of the story and were just confusing. I also struggled with the third person present tense.
The story was meandering and the stakes were super low. For all the urgency that “we have to get out of here before midnight or we won’t ever be able to leave” the main character spent a lot of time snacking and changing clothes rather than looking for a way out. (I lost track of how many times her wardrobe changes were mentioned.)
The romance was completely unnecessary and pretty instalovey.
None of the characters really stood out to me and I didn’t like Anna at all.
May 23, 2023
This book reminds me of a game simulator! Each door Anna opens is a different level or an adventure, which is what I call it.
The style of writing, however, made it more difficult to get into the game or simulation or whatever you want to call it. I had to read it like past tense but still really couldn't get into the book.
I love the idea, and the author did a wonderful job with the storyline.
The cover of the book was enticing and honestly that's why I picked it up.
For the most part the story went with cover.
I'm giving this book 3 stars for the writing style of 3rd person or present tense style. Made it too hard to get into.
However someone else may give this book the love that I simply couldn't
I'm sorry. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
I will still recommend this book.
The style of writing, however, made it more difficult to get into the game or simulation or whatever you want to call it. I had to read it like past tense but still really couldn't get into the book.
I love the idea, and the author did a wonderful job with the storyline.
The cover of the book was enticing and honestly that's why I picked it up.
For the most part the story went with cover.
I'm giving this book 3 stars for the writing style of 3rd person or present tense style. Made it too hard to get into.
However someone else may give this book the love that I simply couldn't
I'm sorry. It just wasn't my cup of tea.
I will still recommend this book.
May 16, 2023
Thank you to Delacorte Press for the arc in exchange for review.
First lets address the elephant in the room, this concept of a magical hotel has been done better if not actually in the realm of YA vs what this was.
Midnight at the Houdini reads like a badly narrated upper middle grade novel., i went in expecting a rich magical world but what i got was a ripoff of other fantasy books that are more popular. This almost felt like the author read those books and ripped off the concept.
if the writing was not in third person and the characters were actually developed and written in YA like its being advertised as, then i might've enjoyed this more.
First lets address the elephant in the room, this concept of a magical hotel has been done better if not actually in the realm of YA vs what this was.
Midnight at the Houdini reads like a badly narrated upper middle grade novel., i went in expecting a rich magical world but what i got was a ripoff of other fantasy books that are more popular. This almost felt like the author read those books and ripped off the concept.
if the writing was not in third person and the characters were actually developed and written in YA like its being advertised as, then i might've enjoyed this more.
September 29, 2024
A supremely "meh" book. I almost DNF-ed it a few times, and especially the beginning and ending were definitely not my cup of tea. That being said, the concept was really intriguing and I really enjoyed the world-building of the hotel itself. Unfortunately, almost all of the characters were entirely unlikeable and ridiculous, and the romance was a farce. Why couldn't they have just become fast friends on an adventure to help each other? There was so much potential here, but aside from a tour of magic hotel, everything else was a major letdown.
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