I’m sorry to say I did not finish reading this book, and therefore will not be publishing any reviews. I did not realize some of the sensitive topics this book would address and am not in a good place myself to read about these issues.

A Place for Vanishing” by Ann Fraistat is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that captures the haunting complexity of memory, identity, and place. Set in a world where reality and dreams blur, the story follows its protagonist as she navigates an elusive landscape filled with personal and emotional landscapes that feel both grounded and surreal.

For YA readers who loved 'The Hazel wood' and the 'Dancing Jax' series or those who enjoyed the kids movie 'Monster House',

OMG, this book is sooo good I finished it in just 2 nights, reading under the covers so my husband wouldn't wake up. the first night, I had to stop because it got so scary. Seriously, I'm in my 50s, and was freaked out a bit. It's super cinematic - can't WAIT until it becomes a movie. And I swore I wouldn't go back to it... but the next night, I stayed up til 1am to finish it. What a wild ride!

Four stars for A Place for Vanishing. This creepy horror novel burrowed under my skin. Warning: if bugs freak you out, skip this. Fraistat wields them like weapons. The vanishing family members create a genuinely unsettling mystery. Libby, battling bipolar disorder while facing a haunted house, is a compelling protagonist. The house itself, with its blue roses and eerie masks, is a character. The bug element, while potentially off-putting, adds a unique, disturbing layer. A captivating, chilling read that will haunt your dreams.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy.

This was so, so, SO good. Seriously, this is horror at its best. It's beautiful, surreal, utterly creepy, and sucks you in like a bad dream. I also appreciated the raw, empathetic mental health rep (please do check the content warnings)! Ann Fraistat has got to be one of the smartest voices in YA horror right now, and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next. THIS is how you do a haunted house story!

This was a very ambitious story that managed to mostly stick the landing. It centers around Libby, her sister, Vivi, her mom, Sharon, and a fellow high school boy, Flynn.

What I Liked:

-That it wasn’t just another haunted house story
-That the topic of mental health was addressed
-That it was relatable that Libby had an awful way of talking to herself.

What I Didn’t Like:

-That the ending felt like it went on forever
-That her sister and mom seemed to guilt trip her over her failed suicide attempt

Oh, and if you’ve got a problem with bugs, you’ll definitely want to skip this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

I really enjoyed this book for the most part. The story had a nice flow, and the writing was clear and engaging. The characters were relatable, and their journey kept me invested. While it didn’t push any boundaries, it was a fun and entertaining read that I’m glad I picked up.

A Place for Vanishing is a captivating and suspenseful read that draws you in from the very first page. The story follows Libby, who, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and facing a life-altering scare, finds her world turned upside down. Seeking a fresh start, her mother moves Libby and her younger sister Vivi to their ancestral home, an old, mysterious estate with unsettling secrets.

The characters are mesmerizing, each with depth and complexity that make you care about their journey. The suspense builds steadily throughout the novel, keeping you engaged and eager to uncover the dark truths hidden in the house. The blend of personal struggles and eerie mystery creates a powerful, immersive experience that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

I liked this book okay enough when it comes to prose and pacing. There were definitely some creepy vibes and spooky things, but that got overexaggerated quickly. I also wanted to see the mental health aspect more fleshed out.

Thank you so much to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the earc. All opinions are my own.

This ended up being a much deeper story than anticipated. Teenager Libby moves to an old family home after a suicide attempt with her younger sister Vivi and mother. Her grandparents went missing in this same house when her mom was 4 and it has been vacant since. Libby and Vivi were both donor babies and only have their mother. Stranger and stranger things start happening once the boards are ripped off the stained glass windows and there are bugs depicted everywhere.

**Book Review: *A Place for Vanishing* by Ann Fraistat**

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of *A Place for Vanishing*!

Ann Fraistat's novel is an immersive and eerie journey that will have you squirming in your seat, especially if you're not a fan of creepy-crawly bugs. The vivid descriptions bring the haunted house setting to life, creating an atmosphere that feels as claustrophobic as it is unsettling. The highlight of the story, for me, was the sister relationship—beautifully written and full of tension, love, and complexity, it grounded the story amidst all the supernatural elements.

However, as much as I appreciated the strong start, I did find the novel started to drag in the latter half. It became a bit too long and unfocused, with so many layers of details and side plots that the story started to lose its initial appeal. What began as a tightly wound, haunting narrative grew increasingly far-fetched and strange. I enjoy complex stories, this one felt a little too cluttered.

Overall, *A Place for Vanishing* is a solid read, especially if you enjoy YA literature and atmospheric horror like *The Haunting of Hill House*. It’s haunting, imaginative, and full of chills—though it may leave you wishing for a bit more narrative focus by the end.

This was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. Thank you so much for this arc opportunity. It gave off all the Halloween vibes and I enjoyed it.

As a human being, but especially as a teen, it can be extremely easy to feel invisible. Touching on real-life issues that are scary and unavoidable, Libby is faced with a new challenge in a new setting. Great visuals and kept me guessing.

A creepy, gothic, YA haunted house story. The House of Masks is a character itself with gorgeous insect-themed stained glass windows, matching masks, hidden staircases, locked doors, and too many insects.

Ann Fraistat's A Place for Vanishing is a captivating blend of mystical realism and psychological depth, weaving a haunting tale of memory and loss. Fraistat's evocative prose and richly drawn characters create a mesmerizing atmosphere that lingers long after the final page. This novel is a powerful exploration of how the past shapes our present and future.

A creepy YA horror filled with devious insects and a haunted house. Very atmospheric with a great plot. Plus some good mental health recognition if that’s your thing.

This was such a luscious book and the writing definitely kept me in the book at all times. There was not a moment that I was bored and I enjoyed every single one of the characters in this book. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

I absolute love anything by Ann Fraistat so I was super excited when I was approved to read this early ☺️

a place for vanishing is about Libby and her family as they struggle with her recent diagnosis of having bipolar and moving into a new (very old), weird house.

I had a lot of fun reading this one, it was unique in its horror. ive never read a book where the protagonist had bipolarism so I enjoyed the unique perspective of Libby. it hit home a lot because Libby had a lot of struggles that I've experienced so I related to her a lot.

something that I didn't particularly like was the pacing. at times, it felt very slow and others I feel like it almost rushed a little.

thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and to ann fraistat for the advanced reader copy of "a place for vanishing". i had a great time while reading this one! usually young adult horror doesn't do it for me, but "a place for vanishing" kept me on the edge of my seat. the element of the story that truly had my skin crawling was all of the bugs!! i have a major fear of bugs, so reading this had me so itchy, but in a good way! the setting of madame clery's house of masks was truly so spooky, i was LIVING. as a future psychotherapist, i really appreciated the mental health representation that fraistat implemented into "a place for vanishing".