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A Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier is a novel I knew I would enjoy from page one. This one has such a unique setting, and I loved the balance between upbeat and ominous events in the plot. The large cast of characters and the whimsical yet haunting atmosphere are also highlights. This is such an engaging read that those in search of a fresh contemporary will love.
Author: Kerstin Gier
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Genres: Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: January 28, 2020
Rating:
A Castle in the Clouds follows a girl as she navigates secrets, romance, and danger in an aging grand hotel.
Way up in the Swiss mountains, there's an old grand hotel steeped in tradition and faded splendor. Once a year, when the famous New Year's Eve Ball takes place and guests from all over the world arrive, excitement returns to the vast hallways.
Sophie, who works at the hotel as an intern, is busy making sure that everything goes according to plan. But unexpected problems keep arising, and some of the guests are not who they pretend to be. Very soon, Sophie finds herself right in the middle of a perilous adventure--and at risk of losing not only her job, but also her heart.
Review: A Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier
This book follows Sophie, an intern at the Castle in the Clouds hotel who is working over the holidays. We accompany her through her daily tasks and encounters from misadventures with the children staying at the hotel to more sinister twists. This story has both humour and mystery, and while it may be more slow-paced, I couldn’t put it down.
❀ A Large Cast of Characters
Because this is a very character-driven story, there is a large cast of characters. This can be difficult to execute, and normally I find books with too many characters difficult to keep track of. However, each of the characters in this book are unique, and I loved getting to know everyone at the hotel. Sophie is a smart main character, and reading her reactions to the unusual situations she finds herself in is entertaining. She is also relatable, as she is still trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life, and I loved her voice. But what I find really special about this book is the way the author captures the personalities of the children at the hotel. They are each realistic and distinct. Every character has their own quirks, which makes the reading experience even more engaging.
❀ Lovely Writing Style
Kerstin Gier has a lovely writing style–her words are entrancing. One of the highlights of the book is its atmosphere. This is such a unique setting, and I was happy to see it being done justice. The descriptions of the old hotel are charming and cozy, and they make for an immersive story. But later on, the fairytale atmosphere becomes spooky as the mystery picks up, and we get the sense that something in the hotel is off. Everything flows so nicely, and I was fully drawn into the story, which I have not experienced in a while.
❀ Immersive Atmosphere
A Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier is a cozy yet thrilling story about a girl working in an old hotel. The large cast of characters is one of the book’s strengths, as each guest in the hotel has their own eccentricities. I also adored the writing style and the immersive atmosphere the author has created. This is such a perfect read to curl up with this winter, and I would definitely recommend it.
About Kerstin Gier
Kerstin Gier is the bestselling author of the Ruby Red trilogy, as well as several popular novels for adults.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.