AT THE AVALLON, REAL POWER COMES TO THOSE WHO WATCH AND LISTEN…
High in the Appalachian mountains is a place quite unlike any other. The Avallon Hotel and its enigmatic General Manager, June Hudson, are famed for offering unrivalled luxury, season after season, to those who come from far and wide to indulge in its beautiful hot springs and take the healing waters. Everything is perfect. Perhaps too perfect.
So when the Avallon is called upon to help the war effort – to oust its guests and host three hundred diplomats and Nazi sympathisers – June’s priority is business as usual. But as dark alliances and unexpected attractions crack the polished veneer of the hotel, she is forced to reckon with the true price of luxury.
After all, only June knows the sacrifice required to keep everyone happy – her staff, the FBI and, above all, the tumultuous sweetwater running through the heart of the hotel.
The Listeners is a story of love, lies, secrets and betrayal, based on real events and steeped with eerie Appalachian magic – and brought to life by a truly unforgettable ensemble cast of characters.

As soon as I heard about this book I was intrigued. A historical adult debut from Maggie Steifvater? A strong female main character? A magical undercurrent (pun intended)?

This book is a slow burn, in every sense. The story is quite slow, the romance is a very slow burn, and the whole book is a meander through a historical yet touched with magic world.

I loved:
– Our strong female main character, June, and the characters who looked up to her
– Our wide cast of characters
– The absolutely beautiful writing – I saw a quote describing this as art, and I completely agree
– The interactions between our characters, and their quirks and personality
– The atmosphere

Although I loved many aspects of this story, I do wish I felt the book had more to bring to the table. I left feeling slightly lacking and feeling as though the water and magical realism aspects never amounted to the interest it presented. I enjoyed what I read, but wanted more.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

★★★★
3.5 out of 5 stars

-Beth

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