I'm sorry to say I really struggled with this one. It was a slow start and I just couldn't get in to it. I DNF at 40%

The Grand Abeona is a luxury hotel floating in space, home to a wide variety of people – guests and staff alike, who all have their secrets to discover…

Floating Hotel is actually a series of Vignettes rather than one cohesive story – each chapter focuses on one character with their own backstory, flashbacks and story to tell. It’s sadly a narrative technique that I don’t really get on with terribly well – it means you are introduced to a lot of characters you have to keep track of, and it sacrifices a main story plot a little too much in my opinion if not done well.

There are a lot of mysteries on board the ship – with spies aboard, a scientific conference trying to decode a secret message and love poems appearing on people’s desks. However, I didn’t really think one chapter from each point of view was really enough time to get to delve deep into certain plot points. The ending tries to pull some threads together, but it just felt very rushed, and I actually didn’t really understand what was happening. I wish we had focused more on the more interesting characters and plots – such as the torturers and the code-crackers and less on the film nights and chef viewpoints which just seemed to drag the story and ultimately did not matter for the main plot.

Overall Floating Hotel is a Vignette piece that wasn’t for me – I wanted more of a substantial plot. Thank you to NetGalley & Hodder & Stoughton – Hodderscape for the chance to read the ATC in exchange for an honest review.

Floating Hotel follows the interconnected lives of those staying and working in a hotel floating through space. Each chapter follows a new character and delves a little into their backstory. Some I liked more than others. I adored how each character’s stories overlapped, especially spotting one particular waitress who pops up in multiple chapters.

Due to the switching POVs and unclear direction, this read was a slow start for me. The story didn’t fully grab me until the 39% mark. From then the story flew by. Now I know how the story ends I wouldn't mind rereading to see those earlier POVs in a different light.

Although this is a sci-fi book, the setting often felt more like a cruise ship. It’s heavy on the hospitality. I enjoyed this, but I can understand if others would want to avoid it for that reason. We get the point of view of chefs, wait staff, managers, lifeguards, housekeeping, and entertainment. You get a sense of how the hotel is run and the satisfying confirmation that even in space chefs can be a little tetchy.

I struggled with Dunk's point of view the most, I disliked the hunt for meat on his home planet. We were no longer at the hotel, on a side mission that didn't build to anything else, and to my knowledge, Dunk didn’t really link back in. The plus side to this style is if you dislike one point of view it won't be long until it switches and never reappears.

Overall I really enjoyed my time with the floating hotel. The writing style is fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The cast of characters are all unique and I found myself pleasantly surprised by some of the POVs.

4.5*

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton/Hodderscape for a digital review copy of "Floating Hotel" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Described as Grand Budapest Hotel in space and perfect for fans of Becky Chambers I knew I had to read Floating Hotel as soon as I started seeing it 'floating' around social media (sorry) and I'm so glad I did as I loved and enjoyed this book thoroughly.

Told through a series of character focused vignettes, this book gives us an insight into the lives and loves of the staff and guests aboard the majestic Grand Abeona Hotel, the luxurious, though ageing floating hotel of the title.

There is a background mystery running throughout that comes to the fore at the end of the book, but for the majority of the story this is a gentle, comparably cosy scifi with a lovable band of misfits and rogues who have come together in a found family unit which is one of my favourite tropes in fiction.

The pacing and narrative style may not work for everyone but it's something I enjoyed and which clicked for me and I found Grace Curtis's writing style to be beautifully flowing. I wanted to read on as I got to know the characters and became more aware of the background storyline but I also liked that each chapter was essentially self contained by focusing on an individual character so I could dip in an out. By about 65% in however I couldn't stop reading as the switch was made to the tenser, more high paced mystery plot.

The sudden turn to the mystery plot so late in the book however was also a bit of a shock to the system and did feel a little truncated, especially the ending which was truly an abrupt ending. Basically, I'm greedy and wanted more detail and development for that side of the story and I wanted more about our characters after everything unfolds so I was left feeling a little dissatisfied - can you tell that I just wanted more! There is an open ending feeling though to the closing of the book with lots of potential for more stories about these characters and their futures so I'm not so secretly hoping that we may get a book two in the future!

Floating Hotel is a lighthearted and mysterious read about an intriguing cast of characters aboard a grand space hotel called the Abeona. I really enjoyed the structure of the novel and the character-driven narrative. The subplots were fun and interesting, and I enjoyed how it all came together at the end. This is a low stakes sci-fi romp with much heart.

I hate leaving a negative review, but this was really not for me. I felt the whole story line was difficult to follow and the formatting was really off putting. It made the whole experience frustrating. Also I feel there is no plot at all within the story and I didn't care for any of the characters.

Overall I am very disappointed in this but maybe the formatting contributed to this more than the actual story.

In her follow up to her brilliant debut Frontier, this is another beautiful sci-fi adventure adventure that will mesmerise you right from the start.

I read Grace Curtis’s debut, ‘Frontier’, last night and I really enjoyed it. I reviewed it right here! But I loved ‘Floating Hotel’ and it got my second five-star rating of 2024.

I’m really hitting my sci-fi era at the moment - I’m currently making my way through the ‘Red Rising Saga’ and ‘The Expanse’ series - and this was a really lovely change of pace in the sci-fi realm. It reminds me more of Becky Chambers’ style of sci-fi with a strong focus on character and world and found family with less action. ‘Floating Hotel’ hit the spot for me and I adored it.

The Grand Budapest Hotel in space, Floating Hotel is a hopeful story of misfits, rebels and found family, perfect for fans of Becky Chambers, Martha Wells and Aliette de Bodard.

Welcome to the Grand Abeona Hotel: home of the finest food, the sweetest service, and the very best views the galaxy has to offer. Year round it moves from planet to planet, system to system, pampering guests across the furthest reaches of the milky way. The last word in sub-orbital luxury - and a magnet for intrigue. Intrigues such as:

Why are there love poems in the lobby intray?

How many Imperial spies are currently on board?

What is the true purpose of the Problem Solver's conference?

And perhaps most pertinently - who is driving the ship?

At the centre of these mysteries stands Carl, one time stowaway, longtime manager, devoted caretaker to the hotel. It's the love of his life and the only place he's ever called home. But as forces beyond Carl's comprehension converge on the Abeona, he has to face one final question: when is it time to let go?

I love a book that tells a story of a group of people one character at a time, an ensemble cast, if you will, but it’s not an easy feat. Grace Curtis nailed it. I was invested in every single POV and all of them added and built on the main plotline and mystery, each adding in their own history and experience to what’s really happening on the Abeona.


One of the main themes of ‘Floating Hotel’, other than found family and home, is the crimes and oppression of capitalism and corporation. I’m noticing this a lot as I journey through sci-fi and they seem to go hand in hand with the pushing of humanity’s crimes and our trail of destruction out into the galaxy once we’re drained Earth of all of her resources. It escalates the problems that already exist under a capitalist society: housing, jobs, poverty, displacement, oppression of the lower classes and minorities, and the insatiable greed of those in power at the expense of everyone else.

This is a novel that thrives on the slow accumulation of knowledge and putting together the puzzle pieces so I’m not going to say anymore about the plot, just know that the entire novel is magic. ‘Floating Hotel’ is one of my favourite books of the year so far; it’s found family, anti-capitalism, character-driven sci-fi at it’s best.


‘Floating Hotel’ by Grace Curtis will be released in the UK on 21 March 2024 by Hodderscape.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for the review copy.

Floating Hotel is a cozy sci-fi novel that is perfect for fans of Becky Chamber and The Grand Budapest Hotel and as a fan of both, I felt like this book is written for me. This book is set in a hotel in space and It was a really lovely and fun read. Each chapter follows different characters, from passengers to hotel staff, which might be challenging for some readers due to the various points of view, but I found it to be quite entertaining. I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I love Grace Curtis’s books. I feel like the premises are very unique and the characters have a lot of personality and growth. I really enjoyed Floating Hotel.

4.5*
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Floating Hotel takes place aboard a hotel in space, and is at it's core a dystopian tale of a world where an all-powerful emperor strips planets of their resources and exploit their inhabitants, but also a murder mystery, told through the perspective of a new hotel staff member or guest in each chapter.

The narration, through deep dives into individual characters and their stories, is what makes this book truly unique. The character introductions are never tedious, you become immediately invested in each new person. I was so, so attached to this ragtag crew of misfits who have, in various ways, ended up at the hotel, and it made the whole book feel deeply emotional all the way through. As for the plot, it's created as you go, from one chapter to the next, but you as the reader sort of have to piece it together yourself from what happens to and around the characters. This kept the focus on the characters, even though the plot was very present in the background, and it feels like you're solving the mystery yourself even though it's made to be easy for you. I will say I did predict some major plot points, but I also didn't necessarily mind, because of how focused I was on the characters and their lives.

For being such a character driven book, Floating Hotel surprisingly fast paced, and for being described as "cosy sci-fi" (which I have to agree with, it is really cosy), it's surprisingly dark and bloody. It's surface level fun but with emotional and political depth in a combination I found super interesting. It's also so immersive, it reads like a movie, and feels very visual. I think that this, in part, is because of how much is happening in the background and described on paper despite not actually being relevant to the story. It's like the background actors of a movie, making it feel alive. This also ties in with how each character have their own personal lives and issues and grievances with the Empire that all come into the light through the various POV's, alongside the plot events.

Overall, this is such an interesting, unique book, somehow managing to be both cosy and dystopian, which incredible characters and a fun plot. I do think it loses a bit of intricacy in having so much going on at once, and that it could have been a little bit more in depth on all fronts, which is why I'm knocking off half a star, but I still immensely enjoyed the reading experience!

I absolutely loved this book; it’s quirky, almost artsy, and full of fascinating characters and has a wonderful twisting narrative that allows us to explore the amazing Grand Abeona hotel on it’s voyage through the stars. We hear the stories of both crew members and guests, not all of whom are who they seem. There’s mystery, intrigue and some beautifully crafted storytelling.
A definite recommend for fans of Becky Chambers and Wes Anderson, a real joy to experience.

I was lucky enough to get an arc of this from @NetGalley, so thanks to them and to @hodderbooks and Grace Curtis for letting me sneak an early copy!

A fantastic character led story, Floating Hotel follows the workers on the Grand Abeona Hotel, a spaceship catering to the rich and famous. With each chapter narrated by a different character, along with insights from rebellion leader the Lamplighter, we have multiple running storylines, BUT don't go into this one for an action filled plot. There is action and drama, murder and mystery, rebellion, but the focus here is really on the people. How each of them found a home on the Abeona, whether guest or staff, how it offered them refuge and peace. From the stowaway come Manager, the criminal kitchen staff or the murderous musicians, Floating Hotel weaves a picture of the hospitality industry that is true to life. Where people from different backgrounds (and different planets!) connect and make lasting friends, finding a place to call home among the stars.

Oh boy, this was the messiest of mess and not in a good way.
I usually enjoy books which don’t have a plot, I’m all for the vibes, but this book has no plot and absolutely no vibes. I was so bored i thought I would DNF it so many times but I really didn’t want to because it’s an ARC. The writing is good but that’s pretty much it. Each character gets their own chapter and 1. There’s way too much back story, 2. It makes the story very choppy. Also in my opinion, it’s not found family, they’re barely colleagues. Finally, it was supposed to be a mystery and I think this part of the book was lost in outer space because where is it???

This was such a lovely, fun read. I loved the mismatch cast of characters who all found their home and a chosen family aboard a floating space hotel. I loved the customers who were entertaining.

The murder / mystery aspect was brilliant. I enjoyed trying and failing to piece it all together.

I found the ending both brilliant and heartbreaking.

I really enjoyed this one and will definitely be recommending it.

This book was brilliant. I enjoyed how each chapter was told from a different characters perspective which helped you get to know everyone on the ship and understand their backstories and relationships. By the end it feels like you are part of the crew on board the ship and I definitely got attached to the characters too. I rated this book 4 stars and would definitely recommend it to friends and I will also be looking out for other books by this author.

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

I consider this book a mystery book undercover as a sci-fi. The main plot is that there is someone leaking secret information about the emperor. The signal has been traced back to the hotel dating back years, so it's suspected that one of the employees must have been behind it. And people are going to great lengths to find out.
Where the mystery plot was intriguing — it got me thinking about who could have done it — I found the sci-fi aspect lacking. I'm a big fan of unique world-building and this just felt too plain, too earthly, especially with the lack of tech on board. It was a deliberate choice from a character, but paper messages were delivered through a tube system and only live piano music made me wonder if this book even wanted to be a sci-fi.
The story is set centuries in the future where people live on many different planets, but I'm missing the part where they are shaped by their own history, culture and food. I'm told that they are from a different planet, but I don't feel like they are.

The narrative switching characters makes sense — the story affects many different people and they all play a role in it. I know not everyone likes that, but it didn't bother me. Unfortunately, that was mainly because I did not care for any of the characters. At the beginning of a chapter, there would be an infodump about their backstory, which was more told than shown, and at the end, they just came across as passive to me. If there was a little problem in the chapter, it often got solved by outside influence, instead of as a result of their actions.

Although the definition of cosy in fiction will differ from person to person, I don't see this book as cosy. I'm missing the connection between the characters, the pleasant interactions that make me feel warm and fuzzy inside. I did not have an interest to check in at the hotel myself.

So at the end of the first few chapters, I hoped that the next character would be one I would like — a hope I gave up after a while. I did finish the book in the hope the end would be good, but alas, it was very rushed.

3 stars - a cozy sci- fi fantasy.

I’m a bit on the fence about this book some things I enjoyed but some things I didn’t. The writing was engaging enough to keep me reading but I felt bored at some parts of the story.

Set on a hotel in space that travels around the galaxy - each chapter is from a different perspective of the staff and guests of the hotel. There is an ongoing mystery as a sub plot but overall the story is very character based.

Having said that I didn’t feel a connection to many of the characters in fact the only one I truly liked was Carl. I also liked Daphne but felt like we didn’t get to know much of her.

I liked the floating spaceship hotel setting and the found family aspect of the story.

I felt the book to be quite slow and it took me longer than normal to get through it - I don’t mean this as a bad thing but if you are someone who likes fast paced, plot heavy books this one won’t be for you.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this ebook.

The Abeona: a hotel in space, with an ensemble cast of crew and guests. They all have their own stories, most of which overlap to a greater or lesser extent: an amiable manager; an anonymous political dissident; a professor and a mathematician attending a conference; some imperial spies; a chef; staff members who have fallen from fame, and those that have joined the hotel from more chequered backgrounds.

To the extent that there is an overall story, it is told, chapter by chapter, from the varying perspectives of each of the characters - sometimes overlapping in time with each other, and sometimes carrying the story forward. These vignettes are almost like fully formed short stories of their own - with each character vividly drawn, and uniquely distinct. This laying of stories and characters gradually builds an intricate picture of the vibrant life on the hotel, while weaving in a few mysteries and a (very) small amount of jeopardy, as the plot ambles forward.

While it was nice to immerse myself in the life of the Abeona, the stucture of the book isn’t without its issues. The switch in point of view in every chapter was a little jarring until I got into the rhythm of it - the need to ‘reset’ to a new perspective at (almost) every chapter. Some of the characters that have a chapter devoted to their point of view play quite a minor role in the overall plot - so, while their backstories and relationships with other characters were engaging, I wonder how necessary their inclusion was. Some of the major characters had an emotional authenticity that I found quite poignant and moving (Angoulême being particularly memorable), and I would have liked to have explored their lives a little more.

This *could* have been a plot-driven book if it had gone into greater depth with the mysteries, imperial spies, and shady backstories - the material is certainly rich enough. But, for me, that’s not what this book is. The book is about the characters of the staff, the guests, and the Abeona itself. The resolution of the plot in the closing chapters successfully ties up all the loose ends and mysteries that had been developed throughout the story, although this did seem a little weak. But, for me, this didn’t really matter, as the overall plot was a vehicle to tell the stories of the individual characters - it’s just good form to give the story an ending.

Thank you #NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the free review copy of #FloatingHotel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Grace Curtis has done it again! Floating Hotel is her new cosy sci-fi novel with a unique structure. The multiple points of view showing us snippets of backstory and the roles of the passengers & crew of the Abeona was wonderful and I loved seeing all the different perspectives & personalities.

Some of my favourites were Ooly & Azad's work on decryptic a code, Dunk's hunt for an Ox, Reggie's film nights & Uwade's search for the sonnets. Throughout it all there's an over arching plot which is full of secrets and helps propel the story along.

Overall, this is another fantastic novel from Curtis and once again shows she knows how to write such unique characters & craft amazing settings. Looking forward to her next novel and a big thanks to Hodder & Stoughton + Netgalley for the arc!