Majestica

Hattie is a maid in the most wonderful hotel in the world, the magical Majestica, where exotic creatures roam the grounds. Evelyn is still reeling from her adventurous mother’s imprisonment for stealing a stone that would wreak havoc on anyone who can manipulate magic. When these two characters are thrown together, friendship is the furthest thing from their minds. Hattie just wants to care for the hotel and Evelyn just wants her own adventure.

While on a rare tour of the grounds, the train crashes, setting off a chain of events that threatens the Majestica and Hattie’s understanding of her past while simultaneously challenging Evelyn to be more like her adventurous mother. If they can get past their differences, they may just discover why the magic stopped so they can save the hotel, and all its fantastical creatures, in time.

This story is a combination of Fablehaven by Brandon Mull and Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (watch for a well-known phrase!). Hattie’s stability combined with Evelyn’s growth over the course of the story create a combination that will make readers beg for a sequel, though it looks like this is a standalone. Excellent writing, excellent characters, excellent twist at the end.