The Hotel Between

Twelve-year-old Cameron discovers a magical hotel that can connect to any place in the world through its doors. Along with his wheelchair-using twin sister Cass, he enters the Hotel Between hoping to find their missing father. The Hotel Between operates according to strict rules and is staffed by people with extraordinary abilities called Pathfinders. Cameron must navigate the hotel's mysteries while learning to use magic called Threading, which allows him to manipulate the connections between places. The story combines elements of portal fantasy with a contemporary search for family and identity. Through their adventures in locations spanning the globe, Cameron and Cass confront questions about trust, belonging, and the true meaning of home.

Readers report this middle-grade fantasy delivers creative world-building and portal magic, comparing it to The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. The magical hotel concept and twin sibling relationship resonated with young readers. Liked: - Fast-paced adventure and unique magical system - Diverse characters and cultural representations - Strong family themes and sibling dynamics - Detailed descriptions of magical locations Disliked: - Some found the plot confusing with too many unexplained elements - Character development felt rushed for supporting cast - Middle section pacing slowed for some readers - Several noted it took time to understand the magical rules Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (115+ ratings) Kirkus: Starred Review Notable reader comment: "A creative twist on portal fantasy with heart, though the magical mechanics could be clearer." - Goodreads reviewer Barnes & Noble readers rated it 4.3/5 (50+ ratings), praising the imaginative setting but noting some plot complexity for the target age group.

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🌟 Author Sean Easley was inspired to write The Hotel Between after years of working in the travel industry, where he developed a fascination with hotels and their hidden spaces. 🌟 The magical hotel in the story can connect to locations anywhere in the world through its doors, similar to the concept of "portal fantasy" found in classics like The Chronicles of Narnia. 🌟 The main character, Cameron, has a twin sister with spina bifida, and their relationship reflects the author's interest in exploring family dynamics and disabilities in middle-grade literature. 🌟 The Hotel Between combines elements of urban fantasy with real-world locations, including Singapore's Marina Bay Sands and Spain's Sagrada Familia. 🌟 The book was selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and was nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award, which is one of the most prestigious children's book awards in the United States.