As soon as I saw Ann Fraistat was coming out with a new book I immediately became overjoyed. Her last book “What We Harvest” was easily one of my top favorite 10 books of all time. I’m so thankful I got to read this next book early! To start, I’m a huge scaredy cat, and I normally don’t enjoy books with more “scary” themes, but Ann’s books are so good I just have to read them anyways.

The way she writes is so engaging, and I connect so well with her characters. Libby was no different. I felt a strong connection with Libby because of her struggles with her mental illness. I knew how she felt when she questioned her own reality, and her own thoughts and empathized with her. This book deals with some heavy themes, and definitely had me on the edge of my seat.

One thing I always think to myself when I read Ann’s books is: I’ve never read a book like this before, and as an avid reader, that’s a cool thing to experience.Thank you NetGalley, and thank you Ann!

It is a perfect spooky, gothic read for the month of October and I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves horror, regardless of your age. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was definitely a breath of fresh air. It was so different and unique compared to a lot of books in the genre. I loved exploring all the secrets of the house with the characters and uncovering the story with them. After reading this I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. A must read for fans of house of hollow and horror fantasy lovers.

OH MY GOSH this book was amazing!

The tension was so high, the atmosphere was super eerie, and Ann's descriptions truly made everything even more terryfing and gross.

As well, the family dynamics in this between Vivi, Libby, and their mother were perfect. They felt so raw and real.

I LOVED the romance. Flynn and Libby are absolutely adorable together, one of the sweetest couples I've read.

The biggest plus for this book was the mental health representation. Ann had it woven so deeply within this story, into every little thing and every big thing and it was beautifully done.

I loved this book and I love Ann's writing. I will definitely be picking up more from her.

Thank you so much Delcorte Press for my e-ARC!

A Place for Vanishing was SUCH a breath of fresh air in the worlds of thriller and horror. Of course there are tons a great reads in those genres but this was a truly unique gem. Ann Fraistat created an absolutely electric world with so much intricate detailing that I thought this had to be based upon true events.

Libby, a girl once filled with passion for theater and a spark for life, has felt her world dulled as she struggles through her Bipolar III diagnosis. In an attempt to recover from a shared family trauma, Libby, her mother, and sister move to get a fresh start at her deceased grandparents' home - one she had no clue even existed. The family ties to this house go further back though, all the way to a famous medium and her husband from the 1800s. As the girls try to bring the secrets of the home and their family to the surface, Libby and her family find themselves being dragged into a darkness they did not know could exist.

The imagery and feeling created by the author pulled me deep into this world with Libby. I could feel her every emotion to the point where it was a bit nerve-racking. I loved all these characters. Typically when I encounter a teenage romance, I feel a bit icky but this was done perfectly. But the best thing about this read was the respectful discussion and representation of mental illness. A lot of people who have struggled will read this and I hope it makes their heart feel light and proud of themselves the same way I felt. Definitely looking to Ann's next book after this!

This was so good. Honestly so scary I had to sleep with the lights on. The MC is really sympathetic and I loved the design of the house as well as its terrifying historu.

A house with a dark history, bugs everywhere, and a gothic mystery that is perfect for a spooky time. When Libby and her family move back into her mother's childhood home after Libby's suicide attempt and release from the hospital, it was suppose to be a fresh start but the house is filled with a history of people disappearing and weird bugs keep appearing as well as strange bug masks... Libby's mother refuses to talk about the past and especially about the house. The only real clue Libby has about what strangeness is happening around her house comes from the mysterious boy next door who has been performing seances on her house grounds. Libby knows something odd is happening, especially when the bugs begin to appear, infesting her home, and the fact that the masks have powers does not help either. Something is haunting this house and if she doesn't figure out what... it'll destroy her and her family. This was a fantastic spooky read, it got the horror elements of bugs and their creepiness down to a tea, and the mystery was a fun on. i enjoyed that we got to see Libby dealing with her mental health while also trying to figure out what exactly is happening to her family and the house. It's a difficult time for her to navigate both her own mind and the craziness that is happening around her. This was just an all around fun spooky time and I found myself perfectly creeped out by the bugs (as someone who fears bugs this one hit the spot for me). I really had a great time with it and would definitely recommend it!!

*Thanks Netgalley and Horror | Teens & YA for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I have been searching for books that scare me this month, and surprisingly, my YA Gothic Horrors are fairing better than regular horror, and A Place For Vanishing was no exception! It was a haunted house story, complete with spirits, mediums and seances, but with such a unique and well thought out take on it.

The author incorporated a few themes in this book that really made the story seem more real. Libby, the MC, was dealing with a recent Bipolar III diagnosis that was represented very well on with her symptoms, meds, and constructive ways to help deal with the illness. Later, we find out that masks attached to the house are imperative to the magic, er monsters the house. From the synopsis: "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." This really served a dual meaning and carried throughout the entire story.

The bugs. So many bugs!
🐛🦋🐜🐝🪲🦗🦟🪰🦠
This was another very unique concept that was fully fleshed out throughout the book, even a little too much for my liking, but I'm sure that's just my own bug bias.

If you are looking for a unique take on a haunted house story and want to be creeped out, you'll definitely want to try A Place for Vanishing, coming out in January 2024.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ //5

A Place For Vanishing
by: Ann Fraistat

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was delightful. I sat down and devoured this book in one sitting. I did not want to set this one down! This book is a beautifully written gothic horror with a haunted house and an exceptionally eerie feeling that leaves you wanting more! My favorites!!! This book has you page turning and guessing and you get to the end with a feeling of the wild trip you just took. As I always say, check triggers before reading books. I found a love in Ann’s writing and will continue to be on the lookout for more of her books.

Rich, dark, and hauntingly atmospheric. I loved this book from the very start. The writing was top-notch—a perfect blend of action and descriptive detail. It somehow managed to be fast-paced, while still being filled with the lushness and description present in slower novels.

Great world-building. Fraistat gives us more than just a haunted house, she plays on a common lizard-brain phobia amongst humans—insects. This book is haunting and creepy, thought provoking and spine chilling; and, at the same time, it is seductively opulent.

Full and rich character development (and very diverse characters). These are real people with real interests, fears, hope and dreams, and real problems. They are perfectly imperfect. And I was thoroughly invested the main character's journey through life in this new house, while having to be constantly mindful of her cyclothymic disorder (bipolar III).

Great writing. Great plot. Great characters. This is one of the best books I've read in a long time.

In the wake of a recent bipolar disorder diagnosis and a life-altering scare, Libby's world is left trembling. Seeking a fresh start, her mother relocates Libby and her younger sister Vivi to their ancestral home, a sprawling historical marvel that harbors unsettling secrets.

The story commences with an unsettling aura, brought on by the enigmatic masks that adorn each room and a deluge of insects that infest the ancient structure. What truly sends shivers down Libby's spine, however, is how the entire town, including the enigmatic Flynn, seems to be well-versed in the ominous history of the house, with tales of people mysteriously vanishing from its depths.

It becomes clear that something in this house craves attention, longs to be unleashed, and Libby, Vivi, and their mother stand perilously close to its dark desires.

One aspect that truly shines in this book is the portrayal of mental health. While the author's sources of reference and experience remain a mystery due to the absence of acknowledgments in my early copy, it's evident that the topic was handled with care and honesty. The narrative delves deep into the family's journey with mental illness, painting both the struggles and the triumphs in vivid strokes. The narrative interweaves this exploration of mental health with a sinister undertone, creating a narrative tension that is both compelling and unnerving. While not every decision made by Libby's mother sat well with me, the explanations ultimately satisfied my curiosity.

Having previously read Ann Fraistat's "What We Harvest," I was already enamored with her storytelling prowess. "A Place for Vanishing" is no exception. When Libby and her family step into her mother's childhood home, they unwittingly step into a house with a history fraught with darkness and disappearance. "Madame Clery's House of Masks" has seen its fair share of unsettling events, and Libby takes it upon herself to unearth the secrets hidden beneath the masks that populate the property.

The narrative's success lies in its ability to conjure an eerie atmosphere, particularly within the House of Masks. The house, with its stained glass windows, concealed staircases, and locked doors, exudes an irresistible charm while simultaneously concealing its dark enigmas. The vivid descriptions are immersive, and I found myself yearning for illustrations of the windows scattered throughout the house and the mural in the kitchen. The presence of insects adds an unexpected layer of creepiness that complements the house's enigmatic history.

All in all, "A Place for Vanishing" is a compelling read that expertly blends the elements of mental health, family dynamics, and supernatural intrigue. It's a captivating journey through a world where the lines between reality and the fantastical blur. The characters are deeply fleshed out, their struggles and fears resonating with authenticity. This book tackles heavy topics, so do be mindful of trigger warnings.

To sum it up, "A Place for Vanishing" is a thrilling way to kick off the spooky season. It's a tale that is both eerie and atmospheric, offering a gripping narrative from start to finish. The fine balance between reality and the supernatural, coupled with unreliable narration, creates a chilling and spellbinding atmosphere. The characters are complex, and their personal journeys are deftly intertwined with the house's mysteries, resulting in a narrative that is both chilling and enthralling.

If you're seeking a story that blends a haunted house with intricate character development and mental health themes, this book comes highly recommended. It's a fantasy horror tale that will keep you hooked from beginning to end, making it a perfect choice for those who relish the thrill of a well-crafted spooky story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Delacorte Press for providing me this amazing book's digitial reviewer copy in exchange my honest opinions.

Eerily atmospheric and with stunning prose you won’t soon forget, A Place for Vanishing is the perfect spooky read for October. This gothic horror boasts all of my favorite tropes — mysterious love interests, creepy houses with secrets, and spine-tingling hauntings — and perfectly pairs it with a fresh twist on contemporary elements of the genre.

As a seasoned fan of the haunted house genre, I thought I knew what I was in for when I started this book, but Fraistat surprised me at every turn. Every bug-riddled, mask-filled page of A Place for Vanishing is vivid, original, and absolutely compelling.

Amazing! I love Ann Fraistat’s book ‘What We Harvest,’ so I had to get this one as soon as possible. I think I like this one even more! I was hooked from the very beginning of the story. A Place for Vanishing is the perfect contemporary gothic horror story. Libby and her family return to her mother’s childhood home. This isn’t an ordinary house. This house is a relic, a haunted house people believe. People that have lived in this house have vanished. Bugs and blue roses cover the property inside and out. Libby, Vivi, and their mother uncover the boarded up windows. Each window is a stained glass image. Each one a type of insect, and a blue rose stained glass window in their mother’s room. Most of the windows are missing the mask they should have hooked on them. All of them except Libby, Vivi, and their mother’s windows. As time goes on Libby learns more and more about the history of the house.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire story.

*thank you to NetGalley for an arc.

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.

Y.A. gothic horror is my favorite niche genre and this is an excellent edition to the genre.

I really enjoyed this book! It gave a lot of chills and moments of genuine shock and all but I really joined such a grounded take on mental health and what it does to the people around you. Great job!

After a recent bipolar disorder diagnosis and a major fatal scare, Libby is reeling. Longing for a new start, her mother moved Libby and Libby’s younger sister Vivi to her childhood home, a sprawling historical landmark.

It starts with an uneasy feeling, the strange masks adorning each of the rooms, and the copious amounts of insects infesting the home, but it’s the way that everyone in town, including handsome Flynn, seems to know about the lore of the house and its long run with people disappearing from it that truly starts to scare Libby.

There is something in this house that wants to be seen, wants to be released and Libby, Vivi and their mom could be in real danger.

I really liked the mental health portrayal in this book. I read an early copy and acknowledgments weren’t included, so I’m unsure what references or experiences the author pulled from. It was done with care and honesty, though. There is a lot of talk about how the family copes with a mental illness, good and bad. There is a lot of grief and healing done throughout the book, alongside this other really sinister storyline and they worked well together. I didn’t like every decision made, especially by Libby’s mother, but it is explained in a way that ultimately satisfied me.

A Place for Vanishing is the perfect spooky read!

I read Ann Fraistat's book, What We Harvest last year and was captivated on how unique the story was. A Place for Vanishing is no different. When Libby and her family returns to her mother's childhood home, she soon finds out that their home has a sinister and deadly past. Madame Clery's House of Masks has been the site of several disappearances throughout its history. Libby decides to figure out what truly is going on in the house and what secrets are behind the masks hidden throughout the property.

I loved the eerie atmosphere of this book and the House of Masks. The House with its stain glass windows, hidden stairwells and its locked doors was captivating and full of secrets. The descriptions were amazing, and I wished we had some illustrations of the windows placed throughout the house and the mural in the kitchen. The bugs added an extra level of creepiness that I was not prepared for but added to the story of the house and it's past that I enjoyed. Overall, I immensely enjoyed this book, even if I didn't want to turn off the lights when I was done.

Please be aware that this book does discuss mental illness and suicide.

A Place for Vanishing comes out January 16th!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to review A Place for Vanishing. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

“A Place for Vanishing” by Ann Fraistat is a gothic horror tale about a girl named Libby and her family. After a traumatic suicide attempt driven by her bipolar disorder, Libby, her mother, and her younger sister Vivi relocate to her mother's ancestral family home. Libby isn’t sure if she likes the house with its weird décor and mysterious history of being a ghost house where 9 people were murdered or disappeared. When things turn sinister Libby, Vivi, and the neighbor boy Flynn must stop the cycle before it’s too late.

I really liked the book, mainly because I was in love with the imagery or the homes décor, the bugs, and the ghosts. Its “Coraline” meets “The Haunted Mansion”, which is spooky and perfect. I connected with Libby and her mental health and her strained relationships with her family. Its whimsy, cottage core vibes, witchy, and Victorian in the perfect combo. I could picture it all so well. 5 out of 5 stars, perfect.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. A Place for Vanishing is instantly holding a place amongst my favorite horror reads. Ms. Fraistat has such a way with words, especially when setting a creepy and dark atmospheric tone. The way that she describes the house that the MC moves in to made me physically uncomfortable (in the best way), and the interactions with her sister and mother made me unsettled. I fell in love with her writing in her first novel What We Harvest, and this book just proves that she gets better and better with each work! I loved the premise, and the unpredictability of events, as it kept me guessing until the last page. Ms. Fraistat will remain an auto-buy author for me!