Well...this is definitely one of the most unique Christmas books I've read. The fantasy element just wasn't working for me, I thought it was an odd touch. I really didn't feel the chemistry between Astra and Jack and I honestly felt bored a lot. The setting was incredibly whimsical but I DNF at 65% because I honestly don't care to know how it ends.

2.75 rounded up. While this was a sweet and quick read with a pretty interesting synopsis, it didn't deliver. The characters fell flat and one dimensional, nobody asked questions in some of these super odd encounters, and there were a few bizarre conflicts that didn't really mesh with the story. I really wanted to like this but there was a lot left to be desired.

Four words to describe this: whimsical, endearing, refreshing, and imaginative. Heather Fawcett is truly amazing with her middle grades. Ember is feisty and caring and outspoken and I love that she learns it's ok to ask for help and have a support system. Her little friend group was so sweet. The dragons were lovely and super cool and there were some tear jerking moments during the hunt.

3.75 rounded up. I was hoping this would be absolutely amazing and fall in love with it like I did with The Deep, but, not the case. It was super magical, haunting, and beautiful but there were some elements that fell flat. The magical components were nice but left a lot to be desired, although I loved there were pages about different Walker women. The romance was lackluster, I didn't get the sparks at all and it definitely felt forced. I understand its role in the overall twist, but it wasn't my fave. The twist was good but I hoped for better.

3.5 rounded up. I really liked the premise and overall idea for the story. I love when books have old houses that have secrets and hauntings and things lurking in shadows. Kate Alice Marshall's writing was fantastic here, unsurprising, and definitely delivered on the eerieness. My issue is that there were too many horror elements being used and they didn't quite fit together, making some parts confusing or questionable.

I really wanted to love this and I went in believing I would. A magical traveling hotel? Sounds like a fun time. It just...didn't deliver. On anything. The plot was weak, writing was dull, I didn't particularly like any of the characters enough to make up for the lackluster details. Also, the more it went on the more the magic didn't make sense and I felt like it was never actually explained.

This had so many great elements, from family and adventure to enemies and rebellion, not to mention magic and middle eastern mythology. I think this had a fairly unique premise and that's why it stands out to me. I could picture this world and the people in it and it was captivating. My only issues is that I would have loved more depth to the characters themselves and more world building, but that's just me being picky. 4.5 rounded up.