Shaun David Hutchinson has written two of my favorite YA novels ever, so I am game for just about every book that comes from him. "Before We Disappear" represents a change of pace for Hutchinson, but a welcome one. With a more lighthearted tone, Hutchinson tells a story of magic and first love set against the backdrop of early 1900's Seattle. I fell in love with the two characters. There is some potentially triggering subject matter, but Hutchinson handles it with grace and nuance. All in all, this is a wonderful queer fantasy that will make readers swoon.

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the early copy. Sadly, I stopped reading at 50%.

"Before We Disappear" focuses on two protagonists in the early 1900s who are both practically indentured servants to self-centered "magicians". Both of them suffer at the hands of their "benefactors" until they run into each other and spark a romance.

It's not a bad book by any means, it's just not my kind of book. It's more historical fiction focused on two characters very slowly budding a romance.

I wasn't really a fan of the manipulative and creepy torture both protagonists went through and it was kind of a downer for me. It didn't help that the book couldn't figure out what it specifically wanted to focus on...the historical fiction? The romance? The fantasy? It didn't really know and didn't give a fair balance to each so it's disjointed. I love historical fiction but this book, despite being set in a really unique time, didn't go in-depth on it at all. The romance was sweet and endearing but VERY slow due to both of the protagonist's depressing backstories. The fantasy was minimal, it's just one character that has magic and no one else, apparently. Maybe they reveal more magic later in the book but I wish this book just had a stronger focus overall, just pick one thing and stick with it! Still not a bad book, just a lot of things fell flat in the end.

Two of my favorite things in one book: magic and gay characters. This beautifully constructed world takes all of the fascinating details about the World Fair in Seattle and the Gilded Age and wraps them in a world of magic through anachronistic queer characters. The plot twist was not all that exciting as I kind of predicted it, but what made the story great was the growing relationship between the two main characters. The side plots were not all that necessary and there was some repetition of the backstory that wasn’t necessary. BUT, I would read it again and try to find all of the details about the world I missed. The magical elements were wonderfully integrated and I loved learning about the characters’ worldview and passion for family and each other. This was a total departure from other books by the author.

I was drawn to this book thanks to the plot description and cover, but I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I thought I would. The story progressed slowly for me, and parts of the worldbuilding seemed a little incongruous at times.

Before We Disappear is a fun book! It has so many things: magic, illusion, thrills, romance....it's just a bunch of fun.

Set during the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle in 1909, Before We Disappear is told from the point of view of Jack and Wil. Jack works for Evangeline Dubois, a magician and con artist. Wil works for Teddy Barnes, a thief and all-around evil jerk. Jack and Wil meet, there are sparks, and there is story.

The story has a number of fun twists and turns. The writing is bright and quickly-paced. Jack, Wil, and all the characters around them are well drawn and interesting. There is magic, both illusionary and real, and the plot is full of fun twists and turns.

I read this book in a few hours. Enjoyed it immensely. It's a fun, diverting read!

This book was so much fun. It has the perfect blend of romance, magic and adventure.

Jack will be the guy you want to explore the world with. He's clever with a little bit of criminal in him. I love his confidence and his attitude and how easily he move through the world, knowing what tricks to use and how to find the information he needs.
Wilhem is sweet and scarred and very very lost. His situation is truly horrendous and it's a very warm story to read how these two opposites find each other and heal.

Of course I love the magic bits. Illusionist or real magic aside, I really enjoyed the descriptions and overall imaginative tricks the two magicians were playing on each other. The world was fun and even though familiar, there were some awesome surprises too. And as the story builds and Jack and Wil's relationship grows, so does the danger. I really felt like each of the characters were in serious trouble a few times. It wasn't like one of those stories where you think - oh yeah, nothing bad will ever happen. Because in this book, sometimes it did and I like having that real and present urgency carrying the characters towards their finale.

That's not to say it's all doom and gloom. The danger of the outside world is a solid balance to the budding relationship of Jack and Will as they learn how to trust each other and what family really means. I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I certainly didn't think I would be glued to it the entire time I was reading it. I think I skipped a dinner or at least a lunch.

Very entertaining and engrossing with illusionists, magic, twists and some double crossing. It was a well written and fast paced story. I hope there's a sequel. There's two characters that I would like to follow....

Full disclosure, I only requested this one because of how adorable Wil is on the cover with that book.* I have no idea why, I was just like awwwww and then I read the premise and was sucked in and so glad I requested a copy!

Jack and Wil are magicians' assistants and they meet at the Seattle World's Fair in 1909. They're both in abusive relationships with their magicians and when they find each other they slowly discover that there is so much more in the world than they ever thought and ultimately, they want to experience it together.

Jack was a wonderful character, he's charismatic and outgoing and even though his magician (Evangeline, the Enchantress) is emotionally abusive to him she's treated him a hell of a lot better than Wil. Wil is in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship with, Laszlo/Teddy, the man who kidnapped him when he was four.

'You are a good person, Jack Nevin.'
'I'll steal your heart,' he said.
'you cannot steal a gift freely given.'
Jack reached for me, and the time lost meaning. There are worlds other than Earth, other than the between, to explore, and we found them on the stage of the Beacon in the dark that night.

I mean SWOON RIGHT?! Where they really differ is Wil has REAL magic. He is able to transport himself and others or other objects distances via what he calls "the between". Now, I personally think Jack may also have some sort of real magic because of the way Wil describes him when he sees him in the between, but maybe that's just how he sees his soulmate?

The book started off a little slow, but as soon as Jack and Wil meet the book gets so much better and faster. It's also around the time we meet Ruth and Jessamy, Jack and Wil's partners in crime who are also adorable and should get their own book. There were so many wonderfully beautiful passages between Wil and Jack and I highlighted at the end, but seriously the book is worth reading. Hutchinson did a really good job of writing the franticness and helplessness of falling in love and having to fight for everything you want.

I knew I'd love Wil based on the cover, but I really adored his naivete and his love of books, the only thing Laszlo allowed him. It didn't hurt that he clearly loved Jane Austen and he read to try and understand the world around him and it never quite worked out the way he wanted, but he managed to exist and live and with Jack's help thrive!

We'd also spent a large portion of our time together talking about whatever crossed our minds. Wil could discuss Jane Austen's fiction as easily as Fredrich Nietzsche's philosophy. HE only had to read a book once to absorb and understand it, and he could defend his beliefs with a razor-sharp wit. At the same time, he was almost excruciatingly naïve.

These are some of the books mentioned throughout. There may have been more or this may have been all of them, but these are the ones I highlighted.

Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen
The Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
The Odyssey - Homer
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
Dracula - Bram Stoker
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea - Jules Verne
Journey to the Center of the Earth - Jules Verne

The thing I enjoyed most about the book was Hutchinson's decision to make LGBT individuals and love and racial minorities have roles in his book and society. It wasn't perfect for them, the racism was there and real, but it felt authentic the way he wrote it. He also included this in the author's note:

The only people who lived lives free of discrimination in 1909 were cisgender heterosexual white men, and none of my protagonists fit into that category. (Author's Note)

And similar to another book I read recently (Obie Is Man Enough) I felt that it would've been stronger if it were included as in the fore materials, but that didn't detract from it and really suspending disbelief enough to believe that Wil can travel the way he does makes that just as easy.

Recommendation: This was well worth the read. It starts off slow, but when it gets going it really gets going. I adored Wil and Jack and how much they both grew throughout the story and I have all my fingers and toes crossed Ruth and Jessamy will get their story. It's a mid-level angst book and fades to curtains when anything scandalous might happen :-D The final chapter of the book was adorable and made me laugh out loud and then swear because I wanted to keep going on the journey with Wil and Jack. I'll have to check out Hutchinson's other book at some point.

*I received a copy of Before We Disappear from the publisher via NetGalley in return for my honest opinion. No goods or money were exchanged.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

I was initially drawn to this book by the absolutely gorgeous cover, then I read the synopsis and I was sold! I'm always looking for more queer magician/circus/illusionist books so this went straight to my priority tbr. Then I realised that this book was inspired by Shaun David Hutchinson's short story in the "All Out" anthology and I was even more excited. I read that anthology a couple years ago and I remember absolutely loving SDH's story so much that I was hoping for a full length novel in the future!

I finished this one a couple months ago now but It's taken me a while to gather my thoughts for a review. The scenes of emotional and physical abuse were hard to read at times and I did think this book dragged in places. But overall I really enjoyed the slow burn romance, characters and atmosphere.

Such a great read! Will now be going down a Shaun Dadid Hutchinson rabbit hole!
Great character developent and budding romance. Loved seeing how the plot unfolded and things were resolved. I totally read another book about these characters too. I'm here for this ship.

Before We Disappear is a new YA novel by author Shaun David Hutchinson. With a historical setting, queer love, and a little bit of magic it's a story that captivates.

Set during the 1909 Seattle Exposition, two magician assistants find love. Jack is a pickpocket and can figure out any magic trick. He was saved from life on the streets by the magicians known as the Enchantress. He has never imagined life not being her assistant until he meets Wilhelm. Wilhelm is different from any of other boy he's ever met and happens to be the assistant to a rival magician. When he finds out Wilhelm is not willingly his magicians assistant he makes it his mission to set him free. Jack has to rely on those around him to help him save Wilhelm and like most magic tricks there's a chance nothing goes according to plan.

I don't want to go too into detail about the book and it's characters because I struggled to even write the synopsis summary without spoilers lol I will say that our two hero's stole my heart. I loved watching Jack and Wilhelm build trust with each other and a friendship that turned to love. Both boys are controlled in different ways by the adults in their lives, Wilhelm's being more severe and horrible than Jacks, but they find solace in each others company. I appreciated getting both of their point of views and being able to really feel the connection between them. Their romance is sweet, slightly cheesy at times, and innocent with excited kisses and dreams of a future together. I also loved the historical setting of the 1909 Exposition, and the author taking the liberties to make it a safe place for his characters to exists no matter who they love or the color of their skin.

Before We Disappear is my first time reading Shaun David Hutchinson's writing, and I really enjoyed it and wouldn't hesitate to read future releases by him. This is a great YA queer story with diverse characters, emotion, magic and a happy ending.


Content Warning: Physical and mental abuse by an adult to a minor.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced e-ARC of this book to review. I think I would rate this book a solid 3.5 stars, as I thoroughly enjoyed the magical world in which this book takes place but took some time to get invested. I love the setting of the Seattle Exhibition, and how historical events have been given touches of fantasy and mystery.

I also really appreciate how queer relationships (main and side characters) are presented in this work, as accepted and mostly exciting/joyful despite the time period or locations of the setting. At the risk of being punny, it was magical even! But I wouldn't say the book overall was a joy - with themes of kidnapping, lost families, terrible stand-in parental figures, abuse, other types of cruelty, and grief, I frequently had to step away from my reading. It's definitely not all rival magicians and sneaking away for cute dates. I appreciate an undercurrent of deception and trickery, since the theme is magical illusions, but I just didn't trust any of the characters for one second. Sometimes that was suspenseful, other times I was really uneasy about it.

Some of my non-review notes that I am not publishing but just wanted to share on NetGalley:
- in my copy, some of the years in early chapters weren't standard, jumping from 1908 to 1909 enough that I thought we were intentionally going back in time or skipping ahead. It took me awhile to see that the book is chronological and we are advancing ahead like a diary.
- the page count is incredibly long, and I'm not saying that arbitrarily. I don't mind a long book, but this had many repetitive chapters that could have been trimmed down as they don't advance the plot. For example, the pages of thinking of how to escape the captor went on very long and the theme was repeated for weeks with no advancements in either ideas or action.

Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson delivers a magical fantastical version of The Gilded Age in the American North West. Hutchinson paints a wondrous world of the Alaska Yukon Pacific Expo in Seattle 1909 where the winner could win a million in gold bars. Sleight of hand on the grandest level abound in the battles between Magicians. Which brings us to our thief with the heart of gold, Jack, a darling of a queer character that readers will root for from the jump. His foil is a mysterious Wilhelm, who has an awesome power that powerful people would want to exploit. Love and friendship burst forth as they interact, "It was everything I had never imagined, and nothing less than I had ever dared to dream. Kissing Wilhelm was magic and more."

Be ready to swoon, and enjoy a book bursting with well rounded heroes and villains and a twisty rollercoaster of a story that will thrill and delight. I highly recommend Before We Disappear, I wish we could return to a world with Jack and Wilhelm, and follow on another adventure.

5 stars!

I originally listened to this as a computer-generated audiobook for Netgalley, and while I loved the story, I wasn't always able to follow it well because the lack of proper intonation or pronunciation in some passages would make passages confusing. However, I pressed on and had a very favorable impression of the story, enough that it motivated me to seek out other books by the author. When the digital version of this book arrived, I requested it quickly but didn't get a chance to read it until now. I am so glad I did. First, enough time had passed that I wasn't sure about all the details and as I said, there were times when I would occasionally get confused about what was going on because I couldn't always figure out who was saying what.

3 months later, I read this and immediately saw how much better it was. In some ways, Jack and Wil felt like old friends because I already knew who they were. So I immediately started feeling invested in their stories. Jack and Wil are the magician's assistants to two rival magicians whose scruples are not exactly clean, although Wil's magician seems to be a particular brand of evil. The story takes place in Seattle at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific World's Fair Exposition where Jack and his boss, The Enchantress have been making a name for themselves. Laszlo/Theodore comes in with Wil to try to dethrone her while accomplishing other secret activities. When Jack and Wil meet, there seems to be an instant connection and soon after, Jack works to free Wil from Laszlo's control. With a great supporting cast of characters, this story had me reading it in a few sessions even though it's over 500 pages long. Even though this is essentially the second read for me, I couldn't wait to read the details of how they were going to succeed in their quest to free Wil. Although the gay relationships in this story were anachronistic, I totally enjoyed the story and did not feel a disconnect with the time period. In fact, I liked imagining gay couples being able to enjoy the wonders of the World Fair together. Also, I haven't read many books set during this time, so that was an added bonus for me.

I loved this book even more the second time around and I loved coming back and getting to know Wil, Jack, Ruth, and Jessamy all over again! And I even appreciated Evangeline and Lucia for their more admirable traits, lol. I look forward to getting the real audiobook and giving this book a third pass, but maybe in a few more months. I love this author's stories and I look forward to reading more books by him.

𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚:
A historical fiction featuring rival magicians that go from enemies to lovers

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
This was a cute book! I loved that there was multiple types of representation. We had a MLM, a lesbian couple, people of color!! I also loved that the author touched on the sexism and racism of the 1900s while keeping it mystical and magical!!!

I was super excited to get the arc to this Book!!! I loved “We are the Ants” I found it at a time where I really needed it

However I was slightly disappointed in this book! It started out fine and then got really slow near the middle!!! I’m not sure why?!? It could if just been me. However I’m happy I stuck around to the end!!! Overall the book was a pretty cute book! There are actually some students that I plan on recommending this too.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for giving me the ⁣ chance to read this book :)

Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson

A queer historical fantasy romance about two star-crossed assistants of two well-known magicians who fall in love amidst a bitter & dangerous rivalry that threatens to tear them apart. Jack and Wilhelm have an instant connection, and as the rivalry between the magicians intensifies, so does Jack and Wilhelm’s love.

Jack is an assistant to the Enchantress, one of the most well-known stage magicians at Seattle’s 1908 Alaska–Yukon–Pacific World’s Fair Exposition. Wilhelm - a boy that can seemingly perform real magic -- is assistant to Laszlo, The Enchantress' rival magician at the expo. Laszlo's tricks outshine the Enchantress with his otherworldly illusions that defy logic & the imagination.

Wilhelm and Jack are navigating new love and toxic relationships. Both are members of abusive households. Not only are they struggling to escape their abusive parental relationships but they must also learn to love themselves and each other.

A standalone tale about the magic of first love. I recommend this book to those seeking out queer representation and romance. This is the first novel I have read by the author but I will definitely be reading more.

Check out Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson and be sure to get this queer historical fantasy romance wherever you buy books!

✦ Goodreads ➜ https://bit.ly/3tRa81J
✦ Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/3Ev2Bud
✦ Apple ➜ https://apple.co/3hJvc5u
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✦ Nook ➜ https://bit.ly/3lCvfkG

TAGS: fiction, romance, historical romance, LGBTQIA, gay, queer, mm romance, young adult romance, first love

MY RATING: 3.5/5 stars

MY RATING SYSTEM:
1 star = I don't recommend the book
2 stars = I would not read the book again
3 stars = I enjoyed the book
4 stars = I liked the book and would recommend to others
5 stars = Everyone should read the book; I would read the book again & again

*Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books & Shaun David Hutchinson for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review #BeforeWeDisappear #NetGalley @NetGalley @HarperChildrens #HarperChildrens @harperkids #harperkids #ShaunDavidHutchinson @shauniedarko

A well-told tale of rival magicians (a la The Prestige) told from the point of view of their teen assistants, who have important roles in their acts. The surrogate parents figures, as in most YA books, are not helpful to their wards. Jack and Wilhelm's similarities (they are both loyal to a fault) and differences (Jack has a hero complex) make them an easy couple to root for. The background of the World's Fair in Seattle in 1909 gives the book a shimmering quality.

Charming pickpocket Jack Nevin performs as a magician's assistant with his beautiful, demanding, con artist foster mother, Evangeline. Gentle, bookish Wilhelm Gessler, born with the power to teleport, is forced to use his magic to help his abusive captor, Theodore Barnes, commit brazen thefts. When both of their guardians are hired to perform as illusionists at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle, WA, the boys are instantly drawn to each other, and Jack becomes determined to help Wil escape his bonds.

Hutchinson's latest young adult novel, like the very illusions he describes, is mostly flash with little substance underneath. The first third or so is laden with exasperating, info-dumping exposition following nearly every other line of dialogue, which interferes with the rhythm and pacing of the writing. The boys come to trust each other far too quickly: despite repeated laments that the knowledge will endanger him, Wil all too readily entrusts Jack with his secrets. The supporting characters (Jack's foster sister, Lucia, in particular) are flat and one-dimensional. The story clips along at a breezy pace, but nothing that happens is very surprising.

And yet, despite its shortcomings, Before We Disappear is an unabashedly entertaining book. The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition explodes into joyous life in Hutchinson's vivid descriptions, and readers will certainly be swept up in the same awe and excitement as the attendees. Little details, such as Jack's side job as a bootlegger and the titles of Wil's favorite, contribute to a strong sense of time and place. Jack and Wil are both likeable narrators with distinct voices, and they develop a genuinely affectionate rapport that, refreshingly, lacks the shallow, angst-filled drama that colors far too many YA romances.

Ultimately, readers won't care if this book isn't perfect. They'll be too busy cheering for Jack and Wil as the power of love ultimately defeats evil and paves the way for a brighter future.

This is the story of Jack Nevin, who is the assistant of The Enchantress, one of the greatest magicians of the age. He was taken in off the streets by The Enchantress when he was young and alone and under her tutelage has become a great illusionist as well as pickpocket and lockpick. It is also the story of Wilhelm, who is more or less a prisoner of Laszlo, a conman and thief turned magician at the World’s Fair in Seattle. Wilhelm is unique in that he can actually do real magic, making people and things travel over short distances. When Jack and Wilhelm meet, there is is an almost instant connection and Jack decides that he must free Wilhelm from his captivity, no matter if it crosses the woman who saved his life and gave him a home.

I stayed up reading this book until ridiculously late on starting it. I couldn’t put it down and once I was halfway through or so and looked at the clock and realized it was 3AM, that I should probably put it down. The story is riveting, and I absolutely loved Jack and Wilhelm while absolutely hating The Enchantress and Laszlo. I also really ended up liking some of the minor characters, like Ruth, who is a dancer at the World’s Fair and occasional bootlegger that Jack meets, as well as Jessalyn, who acts as Laszlo’s assistant.

It was really well written, easy to sit down with for hours at a time, and the romance between Wilhelm and Jack was adorable. The turn-of-the-century America setting was really easy for me to imagine, and so it felt somewhat like a film going on in my head. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes adorable YA romance, turn-of-the-century settings, or just easy magical reads.

Before We Disappear was one of my highly anticipated reads of the year. As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I would fall in love. This book is set in Seattle of 1909. While displaying some of the discrimination people of color would have faced, it sets a world where queer people would have been accepted during this time. It focuses on a mlm relationship with a wlw relationship in the background.
Jack is cared for by Evangeline, a magician named the Enchantress, and becomes her assistant for her magic shows. With his sleight of hand tricks he is able to steal other magicians tricks to keep the Enchantress’s shows alive. They set out for America to perform at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific World’s Fair Exposition after being forced to flee Paris. However, Laszlo, a new upcoming magician, threatens to upstage the Enchantress. With Jack’s nimble tricks, he is sent to discover Laszlo’s secrets to his illusions. However, he is shocked with what he finds.
Jack discovers that Wilhelm is behind Laszlo’s unbelievable tricks. Wilhelm has the ability to perform real magic referred to as his talent or Travel. Jack has a choice to make and is it really any choice at all?
I absolutely loved this book. Jack was sassy, made many jokes, and he was just an overall sweetheart. Wilhelm was timid, unintentionally funny, and deserves the world. This book made me cry, laugh, and smile. I felt so many different emotions while reading and a book that can do that is definitely worth the read.

Okay, will anyone mind if just keep Jack and Wilhelm with me forever? No? Perfect. These two boys honestly gave me so much joy. I loved everything about them—Jack’s conniving confidence, Wilhelm’s unshakeable hope—and I found myself rooting for them—separately and together—from the very beginning of the book.

A world expo in the 1909 was such an amazing choice of setting! I loved reading about all the whimsy and magic and wonder that existed in that time period, and it was the perfect place for this story. It was so interesting to see not only the use of illusions, but REAL magic. Honestly, I was thinking this story would be just about illusionists, so imagine my excitement when I first learned about a certain someone’s abilities. Honestly, the whole real vs. not real gave me some real Prestige vibes, and I can’t complain about that!

For the most part I loved this story, though I do wish it give me a little bit MORE. I’m not sure of what, but I felt like something was lacking, just a little. Not enough to make me dislike the book (because I REALLY enjoyed it) but just enough to keep it from being a GREAT book for me.

And did I mentioned how much I love Jack and Wilhelm? Because I would die for them. Just thought you should know.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!