adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0

I am having a hard time with rating this book. I slogged through it. It wasn't that it was bad or not interesting but I never got wrapped up in it. I liked the characters just fine and the magic was an interesting touch but nothing really caught my attention.

Hutchinson never fails to make me fall in love with messy, flawed, REAL characters. I loved seeing him take his talents to a more fantastical story, and these characters will stick with me for a long time to come.

I found this to be a very easy read, and I absolutely adored the cover. While I found it difficult to suspend disbelief at times that racism would still exist but not homophobia, ultimately, I was able to get past that and ended up loving it enough to buy a physical copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC in exchange for my review!

I have to get this out of the way first. If you did not read Lazlo (Teddy) as Lazlo playing Jackie Montana from What We Do In The Shadows, you are doing yourself an incredible disservice. It was the first thing I pictured when he announced his stage name.

Okay now that that’s out of the way, this story was enchanting, light, with hints of heavy undertones. I loved the historical aspect of the Alaska Yukon expo in Seattle, I loved the fantastical elements. Hutchison has a way of writing that’s detailed but not overburdened, fast paced but still leaves no door open. Watching Jack and Wil’s love bloom as well as the friendships they both gained, the confidence to be themselves, it was perfection. This book is equal parts plot and character development and the vibes are spot on. I even feel like he handles the discrimination of multiple groups was deftly handled. I was captivated from beginning to end and I know my students will love this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Before We Disappear is an amazing romance/fantasy YA novel. My interest was piqued throughout the entire novel and I had a great time reading it. I would recommend this novel to people who enjoy fantasy and YA fiction.

Loved it! Such a fun fresh story and I enjoyed that it was partially set in Alaska. It is not common to find a YA book with Alaska in it. This cover is perfection.

Before We Disappear, while the story provided points of strength, did not draw me in to the world. When reading something fantastical, I love feeling immersed in the world and the magic system, and while the magic system was interesting, the world building fell a little flat in my opinion. Every part of the plot seemed to just kind of . . . happen. I sometimes was not sure why something was really happening, and what led to the decisions of the characters, particularly when it came to the romance. I understand that this is a young adult novel, but I didn't really feel any spark between the two characters. However, I still enjoyed the read and continued the novel to the end. While this was not my perfect match, I would certainly read other works by this author.

I really enjoyed the world's fair setting. I think books set in the short specific snapshots of time are really cool.
Pros:
- Wil and Jack were just so cute together.
-Found family
-Magic, real and not quite as real
-Alternating POV
-Ending
Cons
-Jack's determination not to see that the Enchantress is using him
-Teddy, just a horrible, horrible man
-Kind of weird that racism still existed but homophobia seemed not too. Not that it was bad just a little harder to suspend belief.

This book is set in 1909 with the backdrop of the World’s Fair, and follows two characters, Jack and Wilhelm. Jack is the assistant to The Enchantress, a beautiful stage magician. He is talented - assisting with “magic” and picking pockets everywhere. Wilhelm works with Teddy, another “magician” whose talent comes from others- COUGH-WIL-COUGH. Both the Enchantress and Teddy - or Laszlo, a new stage name - are set to perform at the World’s Fair. Jack and Wil meet and slowly they go from in-like to in love, despite some pretty intense secrets on both sides.

I loved this story so much. The setting was amazing, and I loved seeing the characters interact here. I also thought the idea of the two boys being tied to their “caretakers” for different reasons, but both wanting to get away and be their own person was great. There was some abuse that was hard to read, but I thought it was well done. I really wish there was a second one, I want to know where Jack and Wilhelm’s story goes!

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

A really cute romance. I loved the setting. I loved that it was about a con artist magician meeting a real one. Trying to rescue the real magician. I guessed a lot of the "twists" but it was super cute. I liked the side characters. The imagery was great. It kind of felt like a gay Night Circus.

This was enjoyable (I ended up listening to it after it was published - sorry I requested it and then took so long!). I like the world's fair setting. I liked the parental figures and the obligation and love we feel for them even when they don't treat us with the respect and love we deserve whether it's through physical abuse or verbal manipulation. The love story was adorable, and I wish we had more of it.

BEFORE WE DISAPPEAR, hits all the right notes, in my opinion.
It's beautifully written, with gorgeous prose and tension between characters who are absolutely endearing. Wilhelm and Jack are just darling and I feel the urge to protect them at all costs. Fangirling aside, I feel like this text also achieves something rather important in today's world: establishing historical narratives that inform and present the blatant truth that queer youth have been here all along.

I liked the characters, but wanted more of the side characters. The main relationship felt a little flimsy but overall it was enjoyable and I'll be recommending it.

Shaun David Hutchinson has done it again! Just like all of his other novels this one hooks you throughout and leaves you with an attachment to the characters and the story. I think there is also a so much more distinct style of writing this book brings to the table that you can see traces of in his other books, but I truly think this is his peak for at least right now!

I wasn’t sure where this was going, but I am happy to have picked up a galley of Before We Disappear because I think my heart needed some pining teen romance involving magic, both real and not, that occurs during the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific World’s Fair Exposition in 1909. I know that sounded like a mishmash of words, but everything just mentioned works out so well. I spent most of the time balancing between worry for Wilhelm and impatience for Jack to fix everything. I’m thankful that I read this delightful YA romance.

Also, Wilhelm is a cinnamon roll and needs to be protected at all costs. <3

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

I need to preface this book with the fact that I typically do not voluntarily pick up historical or fantasy books…and that’s exactly what this book. However, I adore Shaun David Hutchinson and gay YA, so it was a must. The author and gay YA components kept up their promise but the historical and fantasy made it ‘meh’ for me. There was nothing inherently wrong with this story, it was simply not my cup of tea. I think there is a group a people who will adore this book and I will definitely recommend this to them.

BEFORE WE DISAPPEAR REVIEW
BEFORE WE DISAPPEAR BY SHAUN DAVID HUTCHINSON

Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson is an amazing story set in early 20th Century Seattle, Washington (and a few other bits across the world) and follows the lives of two magician assistants. One, Jack Nevin, and orphan found by the amazing Enchantress who takes him in as he learns how to take what he needs from the world. The other, Wilhelm, a boy with a riddled past and a secret to keep. Locked into a world of crime, mystery, and magic it’s impossible to see how their collision will send them into new territory. As the boys fight to keep the new ground and friendship that could quickly become something else, more and more their fates are entwined.

Shaun David Hutchinson does an amazing job of building this world of magic, mischief, and intrigue; you can picture the 20th century Exposition fair, can feel the tension of the Prohibition era, and feel the lights of the Beacon stage. His characterization is phenomenal and you can only root for the two young men as they battle against all odds and threats to come together for a happier future— even supporting characters pull you into their orbit and show you how deep this world really is.

Life leads you to the most unexpected places and into the most improbable circumstances; but there is always hope in the dark; and this book just shows that perfectly.

I give this story 4/5 stars! Truly a fantastic work, and I cannot wait to see more!

I really, really wanted to like this book. The cover initially pulled me in at first, not gonna lie. I tried desperately for months to get into it, hoping the characters would catch my attention more than they did but in the end I just really didn't vibe with them at all.

This one had all the makings of a favorite: romance, historical, and gay magicians.

I'm sure it would appeal to someone else but I just think it's not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorite things about historical fiction is learning about an event or period of which i have little knowledge. Before We Disappear is set during the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle. Very interesting. While less historically accurate, I loved seeing multiple same-sex romances celebrated and accepted. All in all, a great read.