An eerie and atmospheric gothic horror, complete with haunted house, séances, and ghosts! What more could a girl ask for?

After her bipolar diagnosis and suicide attempt (potential trigger warning), Libby and her family move into her mother's ancestral home attempting a fresh start. At first glance, the house appears to be hella creepy—decades of decay, an overabundance of creepy crawlies, and freaky stained glass windows depicting various insects and other unsettling scenes. Soon enough, Libby uncovers disturbing news about the house's sinister past including masked séances and strange disappearances, and begins to suspect the the answer to unlocking the truth lies in the strange insect masks attached to several of the windows.

<blockquote><b><i>"We all wear masks—to hide our imperfections, to make us stronger and braver. But if Libby keeps hers on for too long, she might just lose herself—and everyone she loves."</i></b></blockquote>

As you read, you come to realize just how multi-layered the above quote really is. Like the metaphorical masks worn by people like Libby to hide what's they're feeling inside, but also referring to the disturbing insect masks which not only house a spirit of their own, but also endow the wearer with supernatural abilities attributed to that particular insect.

This book was amazing! Hard to put down and kept me on the edge of my seat. I fell in love with the characters—they were so real and yet so broken. Libby's bipolar disorder was treated with respect and compassion, and it really added a whole other dimension to the story, as opposed to just being there for the sake of diversity. The character and world building was phenomenal as well, the tension slowly simmering throughout until everything really came to a boil at the final séance. I'm very much looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A Place for Vanishing will be published on January 14, 2024, but you can preorder it at Amazon now.

Many thanks to Random House/Delacorte Press for providing me with a digital advance reader copy for review in exchange for my honest opinion. #APlaceforVanishing #NetGalley

A Place for Vanishing is hands down one of the best books I've read this year. Weeks later, I'm still thinking about the book, not only about the main character but also her mother and how much the book had to say without explicitly saying it.
APFV is so well written and everything is so easy to picture and imagine. You truly step into The House of Masks it is creepy and lovely and atmospheric in the most wonderful ways.
Libby went through so much, before arriving at The House of Masks and throughout the story and even though she comes out stronger, she's not magically fixed. I can't tell you how refreshing that is, and how many young people need to know that they are whole and worthy even if they need medication or help in other ways. I related to Libby's struggles with her mental health and how going through those struggles as a teenager are completely different than they are at other ages and stage. As I read APFV I felt a lot of the same emotions that I did when I was younger.
Now that I'm an adult with kids of my own it was kind of eye opening reading about the relationship between Libby and her mother. Libby never really stops to think if her mom might be dealing with her own mental health struggles, and I think that's so realistic. Not heartless or maliciously, just in a way where kids expect their parents to have all the answers and be solid. Unfortunately, no matter how much a parent wants to be that for their child, it's not always possible. Seeing her mom struggle with her own mask and trying to hold everything together, until she lost herself completely, that really hit me.
I wish that we got to see more of the characters from the past. We saw a little bit of two characters and how they got pulled into their fates but I wish we got to see more of the others. I have thoughts about how the other people ended up where they did but I don't want to speculate too much.
I truly can't stress how well everything was handled. Even though the book was creepy and gross at time, it still managed to be beautiful and heartwarming. It is such an amazing book of friendship, young love, and families finding their way back to each other. The mental health representation was so well done.
At the end of the day it is a paranormal mystery and there is a ton of bugs. If you don't like bugs, this might not be the book for you. I can not stress enough how many bugs and bug appendages are in this book. It's a lot.
I loved it. I can't wait to reread it and see what I missed the first time around.
Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC.

Fresh of a bipolar diagnosis and a hospital stay for a suicide attempt, this new house is suppose to be a new start for Libby and her family. Her mom’s childhood home is a mysterious place, marked by disappearances dating back over a century to the homes original owners. Full of creepy stained glass and infested with bugs, Libby must uncover the secrets of the house quick, or she may just lose herself…and everyone she loves. A Place for Vanishing is a haunted house horror sure to give you the heebie jeebies.

I haven’t stopped thinking of this book in the days since finishing it. This is what horror books should be. The pacing of this book was immaculate. The suspense builds up slow, leaving the reader to truly wonder what’s at play and what the stakes are. The story was unique, kept me guessing and I never saw the culmination of the build up coming. This book is the perfect amount of creepy and wonderful. The actual plot of the book is unique and really well written. It’s engrossing and kept me wanting more. I was a little let down by the ending and epilogue, as it felt like an easy way out.

Our characters here are really well planned and executed. Libby is a heroic main character. While still raw and triggering, the author did a really nice job handling her mental health in this book. It was nice seeing Libby grow as a character as the book progressed and become more comfortable with herself and her diagnosis. Her relationship with Vivi is realistic and I loved the dynamic between them and how it shifts as the story progresses and more information is shared. Not a big fan of the romance in this one, only because it felt a little rushed.

All in all, this is a haunting story that will make your skin crawl.

"A teen girl and her family return to her mother's childhood home, only to discover that the house's strange beauty may disguise a sinister past, in this contemporary Gothic horror from the author of What We Harvest.

The house was supposed to be a fresh start. That's what Libby's mom said. And after Libby's recent bipolar III diagnosis and the tragedy that preceded it, Libby knows she and her family need to find a new normal.

But Libby's new home turns out to be anything but normal. Scores of bugs haunt its winding halls, towering stained-glass windows feature strange, insectile designs, and the garden teems with impossibly blue roses. And then there are the rumors. The locals, including the mysterious boy next door, tell stories about disappearances tied to the house, stretching back over a century to its first owners. Owners who supposedly hosted legendary masked séances on its grounds.

Libby's mom refuses to hear anything that could derail their family's perfect new beginning, but Libby knows better. The house is keeping secrets from her, and something tells her that the key to unlocking them lies in the eerie, bug-shaped masks hidden throughout the property.

We all wear masks - to hide our imperfections, to make us stronger and braver. But if Libby keeps hers on for too long, she might just lose herself - and everyone she loves."

Here for all the Gothic horror.

Top five reads of 2023. This book creeped me out. 100% a must read.

WARNING: If you are not comfortable with bugs as the form of horror, do not read this book.

Now that is out of the way, let me tell you about the book that made my skin crawl. Having to try and sleep between reading sections was not a good move because I couldn't get the bugs out of head.

Libby and her family find themselves at a home that has an unsettling past because they need a fresh start due to Libby's suicide attempt. There is more to be unraveled here but spoilers, so go with it.

The YA of this book is very well done. Libby and her sister Vivi (this similar naming is literally the worst) are well written characters that act their age. They have issues that will be unraveled as they communicate, and they are true to the nosey teens, with low risk assessment abilities. Due to Libby's mental health she is an untrustworthy main character that second guesses herself and what is real.

The slow build up of the plot really makes this book. Discovering the paranormal aspects along with the girls had me on edge throughout the story. Throw in the teen romance, teen emotions, plus all the family secrets, it really seals the levels of plot arcs happening.

There was no way the book could have prepared me for the last 25%, I wasn't ready for what the truth of the masks and the disappearances turns out to be. There were signs throughout the story, don't get me wrong. I just couldn't fathom the plot taking the turn it did. I can't even give you a reference to another book that did something similar because it will give it away.

Also, way to slip in that sweet ace rep, like so much perfection to the way it's referenced, this is how it's done. So natural it's like people actually live this way?! I am obsessed with how it was written in. Thank you to the author.

I loved it. Bugs are creepy af. When you make them a catalyst to a ghost / spirit story, it's going to get freaky. Everything gets wrapped up with a jump forward as the last chapter which is my FAVORITE way to end these type of intense books. I need that rainbow people!

You'll love this book if you enjoy your paranormal ready to have a bit of suspense, and surprises.

TW: Suicide is HEAVILY discussed in this book. From how it effects the family members, to how it effects the person. After thoughts, and lead up thoughts. The actual attempt is described in this book. I cannot stress enough how much suicide is discussed in this book. I am pretty sure this book is an allegory for all aspects of suicide, and mental health.

This book was so good! I enjoyed the creepy vibe it gave me, even though I’m not a fan of bugs haha. It was written so well, and I connected with each character.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CREEPY CRAWLY HAUNTED HOUSE BOOKS I'VE EVER REAAAAD!

This book seriously gave me the ick in the best way. I gasped out loud at some of the descriptions and seriously had some nightmares. Trigger Warning: Do you not read if you do not like bugs. I don't like bugs but that worked in favor for me reading this book.

I loved that there was a mystery here. Where are her family members going? At least nine family members have gone missing since the 1800s. And I looove a good mystery. Libby, who is the FMC and recently diagnosed with Bi-Polar, and her family (mom and sister) move to this vacant family heirloom for a "fresh-start" according to her mother.

I thought all of the characters were super flushed out. The only thing I struggled a little bit with was Libby & Flynn's connection. It seemed to kind of happen out of nowhere with no real progression but I got over that because I did enjoy Flynn's character.

I also liked the way Ann Fraistat dealt with the mental illness issue. She did a wonderful job showing how it affected the entire family - as well as Libby.

This was a great addition to the Haunted House genre and it is a book I would definitely recommend.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC for my honest review.

The topic of mental health, and other dark triggers like suicide can be VERY invasive and hard to deal with but it was handled remarkably well. This was a fast paced gothic horror that is very accessible for teens and older, and also a perfect place to start your horror journey

Finally, I finished this! The cover and blurb drew me in. The first half I was questioning everyone and everything. Even Libby. Maybe it was all in her head? I feel bad even questioning a fictional character like that after everything she went through, but she wondered it as well ..probably what made me wonder it. That added a creep level factor to this.
The house itself just seemed horrifying and I don't understand how anyone would willingly go there, let alone live there. The stained glass? The mosaic? The masks. It's all a big heck no for me. It gave off The Haunting vibes. Very spooky setting and story telling. That ending felt a bit rushed but in thankful because whoooof, it was a bit much!

Be warned there is heavy mental health in this and a past suicide attempt mentioned

Fast paced and enjoyable. The topic of suicide and mental health can be intense but the author fit it in well. The family secrets and supernatural happenings were totally unexpected it definitely was a wild ride!

I would have never thought i could be a horror thriller reading girlie. But look at me writing this review. I was thankful enough to get this ARC from netgalley of A Place for Banishing by Ann Fraistat.

This book sucked me in and I did not want to put it down. It was that good.

This story starts off with Libby who was just diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Her mom decided it would be best to move into their family home. That no one has lived in for ages. As soon as they got there, Libby had the ick. She had no idea what was going on but the house just felt wrong. Or was that her newly diagnosed disorder. She wasn’t sure what was her just over thinking or what was truly going on.

She had to investigate, only to come to find out there were disappearances from this house over the years. She even showed her mom one of the articles online and her mom told her to stop searching to stop trying to find something wrong.

her mom only wanted to see the bright future in this house that it was going to give her and her sister she didn’t want to hear the negativity. her mom was so happy in this house, and Libby could feel was her disorder getting in the way.

So she made it her mission to figure out what secrets this house was holding so she didn’t have to continue to feel the ick about the house.


The way this book had so many shocks to me was amazing! I truly loved this style of writing! Definitely a new genre for me.

This is an extremely well-done horror. It had me captivated from the start. A spooky, eerie, gothic vibe that will keep you flipping pages. If you can' t take insect horror, this may not be for you. I would highly suggest reading this, I have not read anything like it before. I enjoyed the character connection. Tigger warnings: mental health and depression. 5 star

"A Place for Vanishing" by Ann Fraistat initially reeled me in with its spooky house and creepy gothic vibes. Libby, our protagonist, and her family are trying to start fresh in this strange new home in the aftermath of a suicide attempt.

For the first part of the book, Fraistat does a great job of building suspense and weaving in the complexities of Libby's bipolar III diagnosis, as well as the repercussions of her suicide attempt on her family. The portrayal of mental illness is handled with sensitivity and depth, adding a meaningful and important layer to the narrative.

But then, things in the book take a bit of a weird turn. The creepy factor ramps up with all these paranormal happenings, but it starts to get rather strange and far-fetched rather than spooky. It required a suspension of disbelief that goes well beyond the usual paranormal tales. If you aren't a fan of bugs, consider this your major trigger warning.

As for the ending? It felt a bit too easy and out of left field, even for a story with ghosts and other paranormal elements. So, I'm going with 3 out of 5 stars on this one. The beginning had me hooked, and the mental health representation was great, but the whole final action sequence and how it wrapped up just didn't hit the mark for me.

Whew! This horror, and I do mean horror! story by Ann Fraistat had me on the edge of my chair! What an imagination she has, and what a storyteller. This was the scariest book I have read in a long time! Parts were totally disgusting, and downright petrifying! What an incredible premise she has and this is a must read for anyone who likes to have the you know what scared out of them! Bugs…yuck!, beetles, wasps, sharp blue rose thorns!, cockroaches….ewwwww! They’re all here and a haunted house. No spoilers here, but when you read this book, leave all the lights on!

When Libby's mom moves them to the weird old house in her family, it's supposed to be a fresh start for Libby after a suicide attempt & new bipolar diagnosis. Instead, Libby, her mom, and Vivi her younger sister are ported into a fresh nightmare. A house crawling with bugs with strange stained glass windows of specific insects with peculiar masks to match. It isn't long before Libby finds out the past of the house including the disappearances of 8 family members including her own grandparents. When strange dreams start, paired with her Mom's off-kilter behavior, she reaches out for help to a local guy with his own reasons for getting involved.

Ann delivers a top-tier YA horror novel with spirits, creepy houses, family trauma, and more. From beginning to end this was a delightfully horrifying read which left me squirming. A perfect read for younger horror fans, and anyone who loves all things haunted house.

Ann Fraistat is an amazing writer, and this book in particular, which deals with heavy topics, is extremely well done. It always seems very courageous when writers go to vulnerable places in their work, so hats off to her.

The cover for this book is stunning. I love creepy house books because you're never quite sure if it's the house, or the character imagining things.

If you like horror books I WOULD suggest getting this book!!

This has a main character Libby her and her mom an sister live in this creepy house and there is insects crawling around. The vibes of the book is so Earrie and spooky I just loved it. This was one of the most scariest books you can read! I’m so happy I got into this to read it thank you net galley!

This definitely is for a spooky horror reader!

This creepy, horror novel gave me chills! Note: I highly recommend if you like horror stories, but if you are really creeped out by insects don't read this book because it will certainly traumatize you!

Description:
A teen girl and her family return to her mother's childhood home, only to discover that the house's strange beauty may disguise a sinister past, in this contemporary gothic horror from the author of What We Harvest.

The house was supposed to be a fresh start. That's what Libby's mom said. And after Libby’s recent bipolar III diagnosis and the tragedy that preceded it, Libby knows she and her family need to find a new normal.

But Libby’s new home turns out to be anything but normal. Scores of bugs haunt its winding halls, towering stained-glass windows feature strange, insectile designs, and the garden teems with impossibly blue roses. And then there are the rumors. The locals, including the mysterious boy next door, tell stories about disappearances tied to the house, stretching back over a century to its first owners. Owners who supposedly hosted legendary masked séances on its grounds.

Libby’s mom refuses to hear anything that could derail their family’s perfect new beginning, but Libby knows better. The house is keeping secrets from her, and something tells her that the key to unlocking them lies in the eerie, bug-shaped masks hidden throughout the property.

We all wear masks—to hide our imperfections, to make us stronger and braver. But if Libby keeps hers on for too long, she might just lose herself—and everyone she loves.

My Thoughts:
There's a mystery here. Family members kept disappearing without a trace from this house, never to be seen again. The disappearances started in the 1800's and at least nine family members have disappeared over the years. The main character, Libby, is dealing with her bipolar disorder and trying to keep her family intact. I admired her strength and courage, as well as her ability to try to analyze her the things happening in her mind. I liked the character Libby as well as her new neighbor, Flynn. I also liked the way Ann Fraistat dealt with the mental illness issue and showed how it affected the entire family. This was a scary book for sure and it kept my attention throughout even though it gave me a few nightmares.

Thanks to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on 01/16/24.

It was overall a pretty interesting book and I liked the idea for the story.
It’s spooky and eerie and keeps you wondering what is happening in the house. I liked exploring the house with Libby and finding answers to the disappearances of all the people who previously lived in the house or visited it.. Definitely couldn’t tell how the story would unravel so it kept me guessing until the very end.
if you like spooky, paranormal and suspenseful I think you will enjoy this book!