Book Description Review “A Castle in the Clouds is a rollicking, non-stop romp full of characters and character, and it kept me smiling all the way to the end.” ―NPR”Fans of old-fashioned mysteries such as Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None and Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game will enjoy this updated mystery.” ―School Library Journal Read more About the Author Kerstin Gier is the author of the Silver trilogy and the New York Times-bestselling Ruby Red trilogy, which has been translated into twenty-five languages. Read more Customers Review: I found chapters 1-7 a bit slow to start & I wasn’t sure about the story, but then the book took off after that and I found it hard to put down. It’s a cozy read about a high school dropout intern working at a posh European hotel. It’s primarily a rags to riches romance with Sophie torn between the hotelier’s son Ben and a very mysterious guy called Tristan. But there are also supernatural hints, a forbidden cat that might be at least one hundred years old, and a mystery that heats up in the second half of the book. Some of the book is a bit implausible but the characters are charming and Sophie is a strong & intelligent character. Some parts made me laugh out loud. I really enjoyed it.
I’ll admit, this sort of book doesn’t usually pull me in — or is my cup of tea. But from the first page of A CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS, I was engrossed! I love the snarky narrator, Sophie Spark. It’s what kept the pages turning for me, along with some very interesting twists and turns that I definitely wasn’t expecting from a contemporary. This book really kept me guessing – is this character a jewel thief?? Is this other character a murderer?? And why is there a FORBIDDEN CAT? I had to keep reading to find out. Also : WHO WAS SOPHIE GOING TO END UP KISSING?? She had a few options, and I was definitely interested in who it would be.From dealing with catty hotel intern students to sociopathic spoiled children, Sophie is funny throughout. This book gives you a good, warm feeling even as it keeps you guessing — and wanting to visit the idyllic CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS just for yourself.
As I finished this book I already started to miss Castle in the Clouds. This book was such a joy to read from start to finished. Castle in the Clouds is a cozy, slightly out of date, luxury hotel in the Swiss mountains where the uber rich have come to spend Christmas and New Years. The atmosphere was just perfect for a pre-Christmas or winter read, with the description of snow and cold. There is even a secret cat on the premise, which I absolutely loved!_Sophia Spark is a delightful character who I was able to connect with almost immediately. Sophie is a high school drop out, starting out her career as an intern at the hotel, living in the smallest of attic bedrooms. She seems just so real, sometimes witty, sometimes awkward and unsure, always fun to read about. Her inner dialogue was done just so right. Taunted by a slightly sociopathic nine-year old and some haughty cleaning temps, her life is a little hectic at the hotel. Luckily for her, she has befriended some wonderful staff at the hotel and might even be starting to feel comfortable at her new place. That is, until the hotel owner’s son Ben arrives for his winter break to work the front desk and Sophie must determine if he is friend or foe. And I really love the dynamic between Sophie and Ben – it’s not an instant easy romance. Neither are perfect or faultless or super ready to put their hearts on their sleeves._Aside from the setting, the characters absolutely make this book the delight it is. I enjoyed reading about the quirky, over the top characters. So many of the hotel staff were so endearing and each was unique and give a great dynamic, especially for a relatively short standalone novel. Even the grouchy ones had me smiling._While I would have been happy if the storyline was just about the hotel and it’s inhabitants, there is a slow burn mystery and slow burn romance to keep the pages turning. The mystery really only made itself clear near the end, but what an intense ending it was. I flew through the last 100 pages and wished the very ending was a bit longer. I also enjoyed that there were a few tiny supernatural happenings. Not full on fantasy, but enough little things that were important to the plot, but not overly explained._After this long rambling review, I just have to say that this book was delightful and I fully recommend this fun contemporary YA novel, especially for an atmospheric winter read! Thank you so much to the publishers for a copy of this book, I was delighted to give my honest thoughts.
THE STORY | Working as one of the new interns, Sophie Spark has her work cut out for her. This includes taking orders from entitled brats, which is not where she wants to end up, but for now, this is where Sophie’s life is at. She’s not exactly happy but working at the prestigious Castle in the Clouds hotel does have an undeniable magic.As she works to find a rhythm, two cute boys enter her life, both with different agendas, and all just as a mysterious set of events plague the hotel!Make a Reservation at the Fun & Magical ‘A Castle in the Clouds’Sharing a few reasons why you should ‘check in’ to this fun little hotel, and enjoy the stay!+ Author Kerstin Gier is popular as the author of the ‘Ruby Red’ trilogy. This may be the first book she’s written (at least in terms of U.S. translations), but it’s really quite entertaining. It’s been delayed (for the U.S.), but is now finally been translated from German to English, and published by Macmillan.+ When it comes right down to it, this book is pure delight reading, at least for me. Its the perfect cozy Sunday read. The novel doesn’t seem to have great early reviews, but its blend of whimsy and vintage “feel” works so well that I fell under the spell of the characters, atmosphere and theme with very little coaxing!+ Anyone who likes memorable characters will love these zany characters. Their presence almost reminds of a fun Marple episode, only in this space, we have a contemporary story.+ On the con side, though it’s minor in my book, things do get off to a slow pace. Plus, fun though they are, the influx of characters can make for some flurried introductions (as we fight to keep the ‘who’s who’ list straight), but once things begin to “click” in place, the pages turn rapidly.Between the setting and those aforementioned characters, this novel is pure fluffy magic. It’s entertaining and enjoyable, and for a “new and fresh” new year read, this is a book worth consideration of your 2020 TBR.CONTENT: I would count this as a “clean” secular YA novel. There may be one or two saucy remarks, or instance of innuendo, but overall, it’s a fun time without all the filth.Sincere thanks to the publisher for kindly sending me a copy of this novel; all opinions are my own. |
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