Wow. I'm not sure I can properly put into words what an incredible book this was. It was such a unique read. Incredibly atmospheric, creepy, fast-paced, and so much more. I read as much as I can, and I've never read anything like this! Too often, I read a book, and it feels like I've been here before, but not this one. I'm impressed by the creativity and moved by the mental health representation. We need more like this. Mental health is as important as physical health. I can't wait to see what Ann brings us next!

This book was certainly different than what I usually read but I completely loved it and will follow the author and her work in the future. I loved the gothic vibes and the fact that the book came off as a thriller. I loved how some parts were able to creep me out but also still have me invested in the story and the characters. Definitely recommend to YA readers who love gothic vibes!

Loved this book! The creepy, crawlies were awesome. It kept me turning pages to the end. Loved the look at healing and learning to deal with mental health issues.

So I'm pretty sure I will never sleep again after reading this book, but even though I sort of hate it for that I have to say it certainly does what it sets out to do. There are plenty of genuinely frig tening moments and the imagery is pure nightmare fuel, especially if bugs creep you out, but this book also has a lot more to offer than scares and eerie atmospheres. The characters are all on their own important and interconnected journeys, with Libby's new neighbor trying to help his mom make ends meet after his father's disappearance, Libby's mother struggling with guilt over what she sees as her failure to protect Libby, Libby's sister pushing Libby away out of fear of losing her for good, and Libby trying to simultaneously rebuild her fractured relationships with her family, cope with her new diagnosis, and learn how to believe in her own strength and find a way to trust and value herself again. While I feel weird recommending a book that's haunting my brain with bloody mosquitoes, regurgitated cockroaches, and eight foot tall wasps, I'm still gonna say that if you're willing to brave the bugs (and creepy masks, evil spirits, etc) this one is well worth reading. And if you like being scared, definitely pick this up!!

This was a beautifully written young adult gothic horror. I absolutely loved this book! The author did an excellent job at creating the eerie atmosphere and I loved learning more about the House Of Masks. There was so much to this story and I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next.

Read this if you like:

📖 Gothic Horror
📖 Haunted Houses
📖 Mental Health Reps
📖 Atmospheric Settings
📖 Young Adult Reads

Heads up that this book does have content warnings.

This book was amazing! It gives reader the ability to further understand mental illness but also keeping you engaged with a haunting, horror & captivating story. One of the things I loved about it, it really is a haunting story not like others books with ghosts involved. Thank you for this ARC!

Something weird is going on in this house. Or with this family. Or both.
After an event that left her family traumatized and led to her bipolar iii diagnosis, Libby, her mom, and her younger sister seek a fresh start by moving into the home that's been in their family for generations.The home where almost a dozen of their ancestors have gone missing over the years. Are the strange things Libby is experiencing caused by the house or are they just hallucinations? With the help of their cute neighbor who has a vested interest in the house, Libby and her sister try to uncover the secrets behind The House of Masks.
 
This book was so atmospheric. The descriptive writing had me seriously creeped out at points. I could picture it all so clearly, I felt like a ghost in the corner watching everything unfold. It was eerie, dark, and mysterious. But what really stood out to me was the family dynamics and how they all acted after Libbys diagnosis. Vivi's hurt and anger toward Libby, the mom reiterating words from a pamphlet while simultaneously ignoring the most important advice, Libby struggling to hide her real feelings in fear of disappointing her family. It's messy, clumsy, and painful. Just like real life. I can't really speak to the accuracy of the bipolar disorder rep but considering it is a condition the author has, I am going to give the benefit of assuming it was handled with care.

Arc was from Random House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!!

Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC!

"A Place for Vanishing" by Ann Fraistat is a haunting and gripping tale that weaves together elements of mental health, family dynamics, and supernatural intrigue. Libby, grappling with a recent bipolar disorder diagnosis and a life-altering scare, finds herself in her mother's childhood home—a sprawling historical marvel with unsettling secrets.

Before I get into this review, I do want to note the concerns I’ve seen from others with the mental health representation and accuracy within the book. As I am not an expert on mental health and the Type III Bipolar Disorder, I am not able to provide an accurate analysis of this representation in the book. I highly recommend looking over reviews from those with this perspective before reading my own. I will mainly just be focusing on the plot/characters of this book within my review.

The atmospheric setting of the House of Masks is a definite strength of this book. The vivid descriptions of stained glass windows, concealed staircases, and locked doors create an immersive experience. The addition of insects adds a layer of creepiness that complements the house's enigmatic history. If you’re like me and you hate insects, especially when thinking about them touching you, then you will definitely think this part of the book is extremely creepy. I think these descriptions worked in favor of the book and the atmosphere it was trying to create as there is quite a focus on insects throughout the book. The author's storytelling prowess shines through as the narrative expertly balances reality and the fantastical.

The writing of the book was very well-done and worked well as a paranormal psychological thriller. The fast-paced progression, intense last 25%, and the inclusion of a small romance subplot with Flynn contribute to a captivating reading experience. The romance, while not really important to the plot’s progression, was developed well and felt realistic, especially with the inner monologue of Libby showing her perspective and thoughts on Flynn. Libby's character growth and her relationships with her family members, particularly her sister Vivi, add depth to the story. I think I preferred the growth and transformation of Libby’s relationship with her sister and her mother over the romance.

I recommend "A Place for Vanishing" for readers who enjoy a blend of haunted houses and intricate character development. The book navigates the fine line between reality and the supernatural, creating a chilling and enthralling atmosphere.

I just don't understand why it is that when there are so many ways to get a particular effect, writers use mental illness as entertainment to get where they want. And with the Internet, there's no excuse for not knowing more about the mental illness you choose to entertain people with.
There were a lot of things to like about the story, with its steady creeping of fear and dread. But it was focused on someone with a specific mental illness who is inaccurately portrayed. That's frustrating.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

I enjoyed this book! I loved the spooky aspect of the house and the way that we got to see how Libby acclimates- learning what's normal and what's not. I also really liked the idea of the masks!

A true horror story in all its perfection! When I went into this book, I had every expectation that it was going to have a haunted house creepy vibe to it. But the author really gave homage to a classic horror story in this one.

While using a phenomenal comparison and contrast between the main characters mental diagnosis and the experiences throughout the story, you really get to immerse yourself in everything that happens.

A family already torn apart by a near tragedy, they continue to experience the calling of death that is on their door step. Some of my favorite lines from the book:

"Clearly, this house was in need of, as Mom put it, 'a lot of love.' But was anything truly wrong with it - or was I only seeing, yet again, my own mental distortions?"

"Just as a caterpillar undergoes dramatic transformation to evolve into a butterfly, Myers believed that only in death could humans achieve their superior form."

More than impressed with the authors ability to write such an immersive story; one that aligns a higher message with the inner workings of the plot. I couldn't put this book down and I was even more terrified of bugs than I already was after getting through the first few chapters. When a book has the ability to bring the pieces of itself to life in this manner, I am also a hooked fan for life!

I tried to start this book and found myself losing interest pretty quickly. The protagonist from what I have heard is not represented correctly with her bipolar condition resembling schizophrenia more. While I'm not super informed on either of these two conditions, I trust those that do know and saw this as a blaring warning sign that left me, as a reader, not interested to read more. I skipped to the last chapter and still felt like I understood what happened in the whole book.

A heavy YA horror/fantasy that deals with family trauma, mental health (depression and Bipolar III rep) as well as suicidal ideation. I really enjoyed the atmospheric quality and creepiness of this story and the excellent therapy rep, however, for me it was WAY too long. I felt it would have benefited from some serious editing but regardless, I still very much enjoyed it and would recommend to fans of authors like Tiffany D. Jackson. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for providing me with an eARC of A Place for Vanishing in exchange for my honest review!

This viscerally atmospheric and eerie piece of YA gothic horror is just the sort of thing I needed to fill me with dread and disgust. Right from the first few pages, it oozes a powerful mood that wraps me up in the unnerving and rotting state of the house that makes up the book's central setting—a house that boasts bugs and blue roses as significant markers to create distinct images in our heads. Libby stands as a compelling and sympathetic protagonist who's wrestling with a whole cauldron of feelings in regard to her struggling mental health and her fractured family. The twists and turns aren't all that wild if you really want to foresee them, but this doesn't detract from how riveting the journey is as it consistently rolls along, unveils the chilling truth behind Libby's new home, and dishes out many moments that slither the creepy-crawlies through my body.

My only major criticism is something that I hadn't even considered until I checked out reviews from other readers who called out A Place for Vanishing due to its depiction of Libby's bipolar III. As someone who's not bipolar, I can't speak on this from a personal perspective, but I saw others take issue with this aspect coming across as poorly researched and exploitative. Same goes for the portrayal of Libby's past suicide attempt and how it's used to drive the plot forward. These things didn't jump out to me, but I can understand them becoming major problems for other readers.

Overall, I'm officially rating A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat 4.5 out of 5 stars, which I'll round down to 4 stars on Goodreads, and I'm eagerly looking forward to more of her work.

Thank you Netgalley, Ann Fraistat, and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the advanced ebook! I loved the creepy but beautiful house vibes! This book gave me Conjuring vibes but the story was also quite beautiful ... a young girl struggling with mental health just trying to maneuver through life and come to terms with oneself learning how to navigate through all that is thrown your way.

Vanishing Secrets Revealed
I arrived a bit tardy to the party, but when life gifted me a snow day with no excuses to avoid reading "A Place for Vanishing" by Ann Fraistat, I couldn't have been more thrilled. For four enchanting hours, I remained almost immobile, immersed in the tale. Following a recent bipolar disorder diagnosis and a life-altering scare, Libby's world is left in turmoil. In pursuit of a fresh start, her mother relocates Libby and her younger sister Vivi to their ancestral home, a sprawling historical marvel concealing unsettling secrets.

The narrative unfolds with an eerie ambiance, fueled by enigmatic masks in every room and a swarm of insects infesting the ancient structure. What truly unsettles Libby, however, is the town's collective knowledge, including the mysterious Flynn, about the ominous history of the house, marked by people mysteriously vanishing from its depths.

It becomes evident that something within the house craves attention, yearning to be unleashed, and Libby, Vivi, and their mother stand dangerously close to its dark desires.

A standout element in this book is the portrayal of mental health. Though the author's sources remain undisclosed in my early copy, the topic is handled with care and honesty. The narrative delves deep into the family's journey with mental illness, vividly depicting both struggles and triumphs. This exploration of mental health is intricately woven with a sinister undertone, creating a narrative tension that is both compelling and unsettling. While not every decision by Libby's mother aligned with my preferences, the eventual explanations satisfied my curiosity. I've already purchased "What We Harvest," another book by this author, anticipating another five-star read.

Overall, the writing is exceptional. I felt a sense of foreboding from the outset, and the suspense continued to build. The inclusion of breaks for family bonding and cutesy romance added a delightful touch. Gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a complimentary digital copy in advance.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy for the story so you really have to look at the stream from a fresh perspective because otherwise you’re going to think it’s just another bug about a creepy house so I would say please go into it with fresh eyes and tell me what you think because I thought that it was a good book and it has some supernatural elements in it which I’m always down for because I love her and thrillerone thing I don’t like is bugs, so I just wanna give you a heads up about the bugs, but I would definitely recommend the story

A Place for Vanishing is an interesting YA book about a family that moves into a home that is not what it seems to be. The main character, Libby, moves to her mom's childhood home which is anything but normal. Bugs haunt its winding halls, towering stained-glass windows feature strange, insectile designs, and the garden teems with impossibly blue roses. There are also rumors about people vanishing and weird séances. Libby has bipolar disorder and has had a rough go of it including a stay at a mental hospital. The fight scenes went on forever which caused me to start to skim the last quarter of the book. All in all, it was a good read, I think middle school and teens will dig this one.

Nothing like reading a book at night that keeps creeping you out. I had to keep stopping and telling myself I need to continue during the day only. With that being said this was a good horror and suspenseful book. The atmosphere was earie and the world building was phenomenal. I wanted to know more with what was going on with the house and its history. A family home passed down with many secrets and vanishings. This book follows Libby right after a life altering event, whom is then diagnosed with bipolar type three. I truly feel the bipolar representation wasn't very well executed and could have been researched better.

Slow passed that picked up more than halfway.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for giving me access to this book in exchange of an honest review.

WOW! Thank you you NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I absolutely loved this YA Gothic Horror. After a Bipolar incident and subsequent diagnosis, Libby and her family move to her childhood home for a fresh start. But it's all too obvious that something is lurking in the house, and it is t all the bugs. This had such a real depiction of Bipolar Disorder and an amazing aesthetic of a gothic, complete with haunted house. I adored all of the characters as well as the plot progression. The book had me hooked since Chapter two and the pace was fast all the way through. HIGHLY recommend!