This book was phenomenal! It was such a fresh and new idea; I loved how it was written! Bugs bother me immensely but they definitely bother me after reading this! It was so well-written and the characters just came alive. I especially loved how Libby was so flawed and weak, but ended up being so incredible and strong. I had no issues with the free ARC, it was well edited and put together neatly. Fantastic story, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

This was a creepy paranormal horror story! The author’s writing style kept me hooked, loved the character development, and also found the plot to be unique. I know this is geared toward younger adults, but I still enjoyed it as an older adult and would recommend for all age groups. I’ll be writing a more in depth review and adding to my Instagram page as a recommended read. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read in advance!

13 ghosts meet the Winchester mystery house in this bug riddled haunted house tale.

The descriptions in this book were so rich and visceral I felt like I could feel the wallpaper in this house and smell the overpowering scents. If you like ghost stories, the age of spiritualism and family coming together against all odds you'll love A Place for Vanishing. I could not put it down.

Trigger warnings for mentions of suicide, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, bipolar disorder, entomophobia, death, possession, bodily harm, gaslighting, family trauma, generational loss, missing persons, prescribed substance use, bullying.

This was written so well. I was creeped out from the very beginning and the sense of foreboding kept growing along the way. Small breaks for family bonding and cutesy romance. So lovely.

This is actually what I like Horror to be: black and white. People are redeemable. The Baddies are actually bad. Dabbling in the occult is a no,no.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary digital copy in advance.

If you are chasing after a real supernatural horror story, pick this up. I will say that I’m not a fan of real supernatural things and situations that were presented here. This is entirely my personal opinion and taste and is not a criticism of the author’s fantastic work. I don’t enjoy monsters in the sense of demons. I also don’t like the ghost hunting tools and ideas of mediums. It’s a little too far for my tastes. I won’t go into more details because, big spoilers. (Trigger warnings for possession and suicide). Though, I will say the concept of the house of masks was captivating and the tension was real and I see why the author chose these topics as the horror element because of how they tie into the struggles of the main character; they’re a mirror of some of the struggle of mental illness. Anne Fraistat built up emotional and climatic events well. It was a roller coaster of ups and downs. My favorite part of this story was processing and experiencing the main character’s mental health and diagnosis. Navigating Libby’s Bipolar 3 inside her mind also felt like living in a haunted house and the horror being your own body and voice. I understand that for her, the Bipolar 3 was “possessing” her like the beetle tried to. I liked the raw aspect of it and the reality and reactions of people and how they respond and the fight she had every moment of every day. I liked that learning about Libby’s diagnosis brought me with her through the uncomfortable encounters she had with her family and how they also processed her. Fraistat made me think and feel about how I should and could respond better to others in my life. Fantastic work! I would recommend this book if you loved A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher and are looking for an adult variation of this concept.
Thank you to Anne Fraistat, publishers, and Netgalley for this eARC to review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC! This book sounded like a wild ride from the description, and it delivers! The visuals provided in this book are amongst the most uncomfortable I've ever seen in a YA novel not entirely focused on gore. I also appreciated a realistic look at mental health, and the way it impacts families and self worth. While I think the book is targeted at younger audience than myself, and there were some things I didn't quite love, I believe Fraistat has a compelling story — I would recommend this to any child looking to start a dive into gothic literature!

I am going to do my best to describe how amazing this book is but even then I’m not sure I’ll do it justice.

We follow Libby on her journey from just coming out of a mental healthy facility to trying to adjust to life in a new town and an old house. From the moment they step foot in property, Libby feels something just isn’t right. While Libby, her mom, and little sister Vivi try to adjust to their new normal they can’t help but get sucked into the dark seedy underbelly of the truth of this old house.

I am not normally a horror kind of girl but I was so invested in Libby and her story. Freistat’s vivid descriptions of the eerie things Libby would hear still live rent free in my head. Her descriptions and setting of the scenes were wonderfully well done. But most of all, the way she wrote about Libby’s mental health and feelings of not being able to trust her own brain and trying to please others really resonated with me.

The end of this book had me crying and I was completely invested in what was happening.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an early copy of this book. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I hate to say it but this book might just make it onto my top 10 disappointing reads of the year. I was so intrigued by the premise and the synopsis and obsessed with the gorgeous cover that I had really high hopes for this one. But man, this book took everything out of me to actually finish it.

I contemplated DNFing at the 50% mark when I realized the book wasn't getting any better but I didn't want to had made it that far then give up. The beginning really held my attention well and I was actually interested in the story but this book was about 200 pages longer than it should have been. I felt like I read this book for an entire year when in reality it was less than month from start to finish. There were parts that were so slow and in my opinion, didn't even need to be in the story. Everything was super drawn out to the point where I was skimming a lot and I don't feel like I missed out on a single thing.

The idea was clever and completely original and I did enjoy all of the family dynamics just really, really not for me.

Many thanks to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for the gifted copy for my honest review.

If you have any kind of phobia regarding bugs – you may want to sit this one out.

Libby’s diagnosis and current mental health ratcheted this book up a couple of notches. Not only does she have her own stressors and triggers but everyone has been uprooted from their normal – both their lives and locations. A fresh slate may sound like a dream, but as the story progresses you get to see what lies underneath the effort of trying. I really enjoyed how Libby’s mental health and diagnosis were a constant companion in this book, and it was convincing. Seeing how Libby’s family and the boy next door struggled and supported her added yet another layer.

There were plot twists in this book that I definitely did not see coming. I felt as consumed by this book as Libby, Vivi and their mom felt by the House of Masks. The house was one of the most unique ones that I have read about in a book – stained glass windows, concealed rooms, unnerving decorative elements. The world-building and descriptions were on the level I dream about. I LOVE uniquely phrased descriptions of things, people, places, and this book has it in spades. I can hazard a guess as to where the spirits originated from, however; I would have appreciated a little more of a backstory on them.

The crumbling Queen Anne Victorian was massive. Solid. It sank into the earth like it had roots coiled five hundred feet down.

I would like to thank Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the chance to read this hauntingly atmospheric book. All opinions are my own. If you enjoyed books like Burn Our Bodies Down, House of Hollow, She Is a Haunting, or A Hunger of Thorns then I believe that you would love this one as well. If you haven’t read any of these but loved this book then I highly recommend those titles. Rounded from 4.5 stars.

This was an average read for me. I was intrigued by the premise and I was hoping to enjoy this story more than I did. This felt way too young adult for my taste and I couldn’t get into the story. There were also way too many bugs! If you don’t like bugs, I would recommend skipping this one. It was bug city! There were some scary moments and I liked the eerie atmosphere, but overall this book was not my favorite.

TW: suicide attempt, gore, bugs

When I saw this book, I had a feeling it was going to be good. And I was not disappointed. While the reading level leans heavily YA, the cadence, characters, and plot transcend genre boundaries, forming a captivating narrative that colored me impressed.

The magic of the story lies not just in its supernatural elements but in the intricate world crafted within the protagonist's house. It's a testament to Anne Fraistat's skill that a seemingly ordinary setting unfolds into a realm of unsettling wonder, adding layers to the storytelling.

What sets this book apart is its authentic representation. The asexual/aromantic and bipolar aspects are seamlessly integrated into the characters, enriching the narrative without overshadowing the plot. It's not a checkbox exercise but a sincere exploration of diverse identities.

The story unfolds with the allure of a well-kept generations-old secret, drawing readers into a world where reality and fantasy dance together. The characters feel like friends, and their struggles, joys, and complexities resonate long after the final page. And the creep factor was real - enough to make this adult woman look twice at her bedroom shadows at night.

"A Place for Vanishing" is more than a book; it's an experience. Fraistat has not just written a story; she has woven a tapestry of emotions, and getting lost in it was a creepy and beautiful journey.

Thank you to NetGalley for this amazing ARC!

I think this was sincerely one of the best ARCs I’ve ever received and was such a whirlwind enjoyable read. It had me stressed the whole second half of the book which I devoured in a matter of hours.

I haven’t read such a well done YA Horror book in years. Some of my favorites are The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff and The Devouring by Simon Holt. This is definitely entering into my top 5 for this genre.

I absolutely adored the gory descriptions in this book, they were disgusting and made my skin crawl. I was at the edge of my seat in anticipation and nail biting for the last 5%.

The little bit of romance subplot was also adorable and I don’t think it took away from the story, in fact, it added to it and felt very natural amongst the horrific things that were happening.

This was definitely an experience, I loved every minute of it, and I will be reading Ann’s other book for sure.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher Delacorte Press for a ARC in return for a honest review.

What can I say other than I was blown away by this. For a YA, I was on the edge of my seat in terrified anticipation. The bugs omg the bugs. It you are squeamish, I don't recommend. The visceral response some of these scenes pulled from me were insane. I felt like I had to double-check that I didn't have bugs on me. This ya horror was everything I could have asked for.

I loved how we saw Libby grow as a person and her self-confidence along with her after her attempted suicide. I think It was important not to shy away from it and have the reader go along with her as she reconstructed her life and worldview.

Not only do we get to see how she is dealing with the aftermath we also see the effects it's had on her mother and sister ViVi.as a reader it was hard seeing the strain in the relationships and your heart yearns for libby as she tries to repair them. Though it is hard for her to do that when she has yet to understand the true effect. I think my favorite part of this was seeing her identify why her mom and sister were acting distant. Not only did that help her heal, but it allowed her to see more of the results of her actions instead of being focused on just the trauma and guilt it inflicted on herself.

I loved the addition of Flynn and think he also helped her heal and had his own demons that libby was able to identify because of similar thought patterns. I didn't think we needed the romance and would have liked to see them just be friends, but I feel like all of YA has to have a romance nowadays.

The toughest part for me to review is definitely the mental health representation. I liked that it was featured in a horror book and was excited to have it play a part. Though as someone who isn't a professional or an individual inflicted by this specific disorder, I can not comment on the representation. I feel if this is something that could be triggering to look up reviews that have first-hand experience and can give a better judgment.

The storyline was intriguing and fast-paced, and I love the paranormal elements and all the vivid depictions of the house. The creepy imagery of the kitchen floor will live rent-free in my head till the end of time. I really liked the ending and their choice to stay. I felt like it was a huge step in growth for the whole family. To stand up and not flee.

I feel like I’ve read a lot of books lately in which the author had a great idea, a great ending, and no idea how to get there. So they ramble around until they get to the end and just either blow it out of the water or lose the reader because they are just done with the whole thing. I can still not decide which is this one. The entire middle was a test of my endurance. So by the end…which did Ann Fraistat do? Still deciding.

As a person with bipolar disorder, I signed up for this book hoping for good mental health representation. What I got was the absolute opposite. I am appalled that this book was published the way it is. I am a strong believer that if you are going to publish something then you should at least learn about the topic, and it was apparent that the author did limited research into the topic and just ran rampant with it and elaborated and made things up along the way. When it comes to diseases and health conditions we should not extrapolate or make things up because it sounds good. This is appalling and horrible.

I don’t usually post such low reviews on other sites, however in this case, I am making an exception. This book needs to undergo some serious revisions and probably be read by sensitivity readers. It’s not often I make suggestions like this, especially so late in the publishing game, but in the case of this book, if published as is, I think it would be damaging to a whole community.

I’m not the only one to make this observation, other readers, including mental health professionals, have pointed this out as well.

Books like this are how stereotypes continue. Do better.

Book Name: A Palace for Vanishing
Author: Ann Fraistat

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an ARC of A Place for Vanishing

Stars: 2
Spice: 0 YA

Standalone
Fast-Paced
FMC POV
Low Fantasy Horror with
Similar to Together We Rot

- Thoughts.
- Horror > Gothic
- Angsty Vibes
- Attempted Suicide
- Body Horror
- Mental Health
- Supernatural Horror
- Insects ….. everywhere
- Unsettling
- Slight “Romance”
- Unlikable Protagonist

felt a bit exploitative of mental health and suicide the discussion of which was almost pervasive continuous and depressing in and of itself (SERIOUS content warnings here). The romance was flat and the gothic vibes were replaced with outright supernatural horror which is enjoyable. I just felt that for a YA book, the content was too heavy and nuanced but the angst and tension were too simplistic for an adult audience. hence the low score.

Due to the low scores will not be posting this review on my social media channels

Newly diagnosed as bipolar, Libby and her family move into a new home as a fresh start. The house is teeming with bugs and there are rumors about disappearances tied to the house stretching back over a century. Libby's mother won't pay attention to anything derailing the family's new start in town, but Libby plans to. There are secrets in the house, and she's sure the bug-shaped masks scattered throughout the property are the answer. People always wear masks, after all, but if Libby keeps hers on too long, she might lose herself.

The opening line is killer and drew me in right away. From there we see the fragile connections between Libby, her mother, and her sister, and learn about the psychiatric hospitalization and cyclothymia diagnosis. Libby calls it bipolar III disorder and feels that her unstable mood and behavior are the reason why they all moved for a fresh start. But the house feels odd, neighbors are uncomfortable with them living in such a storied house, and Libby can't escape her sense of dread. There's so much unspoken between Libby and her mother, as well as Libby and her sister. It's those silences that let assumptions fester, which compounds the lows and rejection that Libby feels.

The house once belonged to a medium, who held seances on the property. Libby's mother doesn't remember much from the childhood she had in the house before her parents went missing, and it's just another thing that isn't discussed until it's too late. Instead, Libby at first fears she's hallucinating, or that the neighbor is trying to drive them out. It's not a spoiler to say that spirits are real, and she isn't told the full story of the house until it's too late. But the fight in the second half of the book makes her realize how much she truly wants to live, how much her family means to her, and that she isn't as weak or powerless as she thinks she is. She would do anything for her family, but they also would do anything for her. Strength comes in many forms, and Libby has a drive to continue. I really liked seeing that in her, and how she was able to rally when at her low points. The masks, metaphorical and literal, were a motif we can all understand. Sometimes people see us, sometimes they see only what's presented on the surface. Peeling away the layers reveals the truth, and allows a true chance to start over.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for an eARC of A Place for Vanishing!

CW; bugs, body horror, attempted suicide

An atmospheric and eerie horror that will give you chills. A house that is seemingly haunted and mysterious, mental health rep (bi-polar disorder), and characters that will draw you into the story so well that you'll find yourself finishing the book before you know it.

The character development feels on the younger YA side, which made it hard for me to connect to the characters of invest in their well being, but I am adult so this negative point falls on me. I did love how mental health was explored. I think it was a good start for teen readers. We didn't go on a deep dive, but felt like a teenager and family learning how to live with this and the events that happened.

The best part of this book for me was how well the horror was done. There were so many parts that just made me uncomfortable in a good way. Not often do horror books give me the creeps and this was perfect.



Plot: 4
Setting: 3.5
Character: 3

Pacing: 2.5
Ending: 3

Genre: 5
Writing: 3.5
Vibe: 3.4

3.6 (rounded up to 4)

OMG this book was so terrifying and amazing! My first 5 star read of the year.

First things first, the cover is gorgeous and will look lovely on my bookshelf.

This is a chilling story of a haunted house and mental health disease in a teenager. It becomes increasingly difficult to tell which is which, the house or the brain causing disturbing things to happen. Then shit hits the fan and it is solid fear for the 2nd half of this book! I thought this book did an excellent job of representing mental illness, and I suspect the author has a background in psychology or a personal exposure to bipolar disorder. This book was scary AF and I recommend to all those who love the YA horror genre. The details of creepiness in this house was more intricate and terrifying than any haunted house book I have ever read. I plan on reading What We Harvest because I need to read more of this author!

*Note: If you have a fear of insects, this book might not be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.