Great mental health discussions and representation. Overall this book was weird and kind of gross, not too strong on the horror or thriller aspect but overall a fun read. Would not recommend if you have any issues with bugs though.

This book makes me glad I started reading horror 😭 this book was really the perfect blend of eerie (but enticing) horror, sisterhood/family and romance

I absolutely loved the MC's character growth over the course of the book (esp the "wanting to live", "life is precious" understandings at the end 😭). I also loved the sister/family bonds (and the way they were tested but also strengthened) AND the very adorable romance between the MC and the boy next door.

CWs - MC is diagnosed with bipolar III which leads to frequent highs and lows (including suicidal thoughts + a suicide attempt in the past). Other TWs - death, murder, lots and lots of creepy insects, ghost stuff, death of parent, sibling/parent dealing with the grief of their sibling/child being suicidal, self-harm

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Thank you to netgalley and Random House Children's for allowing me to read this book. This book gave me all the spooky and creepy vibes and I loved every moment of it.

This was an amazing book that I wish I could give more than a 5 to. The descriptive writing style was unique and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout much of the book. I easily read 3-4 books a week, but this one was extra special both in terms of characters and world building. It was eerie and beautifully written. It was a combination of horror and fantasy about two sisters who returned to their mother's childhood home where many individuals had mysteriously disappeared through the ages. It combined spiritualism and mystery. I highly recommend this book.

TW: suicidal ideation, depression, and mental health discussion
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for my arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another pleasant YA surprise for me, "A Place for Vanishing" by Ann Fraistat follows teen, Libby, and her mom and sister moving to her mom's childhood home which may or may not be haunted.

The summary sounded creepy and the light gothic horror that I needed after my semester. To start with Libby, I adored this girl. Libby's family move is prompted by her recent bipolar III diagnosis. Preceding her diagnosis, Libby makes an attempt that rocks the lives of her younger sister and mom. I thought that the discussions around her diagnosis and the way her family reacts to it were handled really well and realistically. I think we like to think that people would react differently but I think the realities of how a family would react to an attempt were realistically presented.

I also love how the house is described and how it becomes a character of its own throughout the narrative. I think it's cool to read Libby's journey as being represented by the mystery of the house. And the way that Fraistat describes the bugs, the wallpaper, the stained glass windows, and Libby's mom's descent were so unsettling and creepy. I mean, it was so gothic and I enjoyed it so much. And then, my favorite part, is when things finally come to a head and become revealed; the detail and descriptions of the gore, the thorned vines, oh god, it was just so gross and creepy. There's a moment where Libby is describing the feeling of a thorned vine going into her leg through a cut and it's just so horrific. I loved it!

I do think that there are some things that other readers may have issues with. Things like how slow the build-0up was; the payoff was so worth it but I can see another reader really hating it. That said, before things picked up, I did start to get really bored. but I pushed through and it ended up working out for me. Another thing is how Libby's mom and sister treat her; this was hard for me to read through even knowing that it was realistic but I know that others will read this and feel frustrated and annoyed at how they treat Libby. But again, it was a realistic depiction and it helped to ground the story. And another review pointed out that the big bad villain was confusing for her and thinking about it now, I get that. I can see another reader being confused with who the bad guy is. Even though it is explained, the way we get there is a bit confusing. I also am now realizing that I don't really understand the villains' motivation. Again, it is explained but it just didn't feel like enough for me.

All of that said, I have to give this book a 5 because of Fraistat's writing style and abilities with handling Libby's BPD, the creepiness, and the overall idea of the novel. I had fun reading it.

The story unfolds around Libby, whose family seeks a fresh start in a new home following her bipolar III diagnosis and a preceding tragedy. However, the supposedly normal house they move into turns out to be anything but, setting the stage for a narrative filled with eerie secrets and chilling mysteries.

The description of the setting was beautiful! The house, with its winding halls, peculiar stained-glass windows, and a garden of impossibly blue roses, becomes a character in itself. The author skillfully blends the mundane with the mysterious, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the strange occurrences and unsettling rumors surrounding the property.

Libby's character is compelling, and her journey is intricately tied to the mysteries of the house. The exploration of mental health through her bipolar III diagnosis adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to empathize with her struggles and victories. The dynamic between Libby and her mother, who is determined to maintain a facade of a perfect new beginning, adds a layer of familial tension that enhances the overall story.

4/5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

THOUGHTS

You know, I really wasn't digging this one for about 80% of the book. But I guess I shouldn't have doubted Ann Fraistat's horror abilities. Because that last 20% upped the ante on every page. The creep, the ick, and skin-crawling-ness all came together to stick the landing... and make everything that came before worth it. This book takes a long time to set itself up, but the payoff is spectacular. What a way to kick off the New Year!


PROS
Creepy, Creepy Bugs: If insect infestations make your skin crawl, this book probably won't be for you... unless that's what you're looking for! I didn't know I was looking for it, but I am so glad I got it. This book is tinged with spiritualist history, undergirded by a relentlessly unhinged energy, and absolutely brimming with scurrying, scuttling, and rot. Ethereal is perhaps a good word to describe this book... but only if ethereal comes with a healthy dose of damp and mold.

Graphic Body Gore: It won't be for everyone, so squeamish readers beware! But Ann Fraistat really knows how to embrace body horror--and not just in a way that's blood and guts. As I said above, the payoff here is absolutely worth it. I knew what Fraistat could do after What We Harvest, but that book feels like nothing compared to this one. This book pulls out all the stops. It will make you cringe. It will disgust you. And that's just what you want in horror.

Foreboding: The balance here between "something's not right" and "it's too late" is absolutely perfect. I think it can be hard to lay that sort of foreboding groundwork. Readers need to feel that something's going to go wrong without that foreboding feeling dragging--or without being shocked when something does go absolutely wrong. And this book nails it. You get the tantalizing feeling that these choices might not be the right one, but you're not left with a lot of time to linger. Things go wrong so fast, so quickly, so irredemably that you can't really blame the characters. You might beg the characters to slow down before committing, but at the same time, you recognize that you, too, would get caught in the exact same trap. It's a rock-and-a-hard-place situation.


CONS
Slow Build: As much as I think the payoff made this book work it, it does take a long time to get there. Others might not be as patient as me (to their detriment). I found this book pretty uninspiring for way over half of it, and many readers just won't give it the chance it deserves. It's worth it, but you've got to commit to it to get there.

Toxic Positivity: I know this is part of the family conflict, but I still found it really, really irritating. It was hard to read Libby's mom dismissing her negative thoughts and feelings. Feeling or experiencing something negative isn't bad. And dismissing and ignoring all negative emotions really isn't the way to help somebody going through (or coming out of) a mental health crisis. So that was really hard to read, even if that was kind of the point.

Confusing Villain: The one really big issue I had here was with the villain. I think this book is really good... with this one exception. No spoilers, no naming names (I really do think you should read this book!). But it just felt like one of the Big Bads here didn't have the motivation to really make their story compelling. I needed a why, and I didn't get one.


Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8/10
Fans of Liselle Sambury's Delicious Monsters will enjoy this new rotting corpse of a house full of layers of unresolved family trauma. Anyone who adores Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House will love the twists and turns in this historical home.

A Place for Vanishing sounds strange when you think about it. And this book is strange but not in a bad way. Libby has recently been diagnosed with a mental illness after an attempted suicide. Her mom has decided to move the family into the old family house that has been vacant for many years. This house has a history. Not a good history either. Libby and Vivi are about to face this history head on.
I loved that the book brought up mental illness and dealing with the after of being diagnosed. Libby's character felt spot on. The story was interesting. It was a little slow moving at the beginning but once you get about half way in it picks up. The character development was good too. It was a good read.

I loved this book from page one, it was creepy and HAUNTED! yes, it's an actual haunted house story with actual ghosts! Not that I don't love a good twist where all the weird stuff we've just gone through isn't real, but true haunted house stories are absolute favorites. Also, it's weird, in the best way, and sort of gross in the creepy crawly bug area, they are everywhere.. all the time... doing bug things... Also, there are content warnings for suicide and depression.
Honestly, when I picked this up to start reading I had no idea what I was getting into. I didn't remember if I ever read the synopsis I just knew that I LOVED Ann Fraistat's last book and had a feeling I was going to love this one as well and I was so happy that I was right! I could not put this book down! I loved Libby, she was struggling so much and still trying to put on her normal face for her mom and sister after something tragic that happened. I loved watching Libby and her sister grow closer while trying to survive the House of Masks ( the legit name of the family home they are moving into.. Like that doesn't immediately say this place is going to be weird and creepy..) All of the stuff starts happening pretty much right away, which I loved and the tension, suspense, and hauntings went up right until the very end even after Libby and her "friend" Flynn have figured out what's really going on in the house. With a little help from the beyond.

This book was fun, and while reading it in the middle of the night I became extra aware of all the random noises my old farmhouse makes, and every time one of my cats stared off into the distance seemingly at nothing. It gave the perfect vibes and atmosphere, and the characters were well-developed, and the writing sucks you in. I can't wait to buy this book and read it all over again!

First off trigger warnings for suicide and depression. Also if you really really don't like bugs this isn't for you.
#APlaceForVanishing by #AnnFraistat was a pretty quick read for me mainly because I really didn't want to put it down. I love haunted house stories this was definitely that but also not that at all, I know confusing right?

After a near tragedy Libby, her mother and sister move to the family house that her mom has avoided for years. Upon arriving Libby is right away ill at ease, something about the house doesn't feel right. Could be its the giant stained glass windows depicting bugs, or the tiles on the floors also depicting bugs and brutal feasts of animals killing others and bugs everywhere. In this house everywhere you turn it feels like you are being watched and the air is filled with an overwhelming cloying scent of the blue roses that only grow on this property.

Libby soon learns that this house has a very dark past and that several of her family members have simply vanished within it walls. Libby soon wonders if her mind is playing tricks on her with weird noises in the night and the bugs showing up everywhere. Her sister will hardly speak to her and moving into the house makes it even worse, her mother too has begun to behave oddly, her teeth constantly stained with blue from drinking the rose petal tea. Libby swears in the night she can see masked figures out in the yard holding what seems to be a seance but no one believes her.
This house is unraveling her mind and the minds of her family, with the help of the boy next door she hopes to figure out the mystery of the house in enough time to stop them from vanishing too.

I want to thank #Netgalley for the oppertunity to read #APlaceForVanishing by #AnnFraistat in return for a fair and honest review.

This one pulled me in from the start! I appreciated how the MC's mental health struggles paralleled the horrors of the house - and are eventually 'overcome' in a way that doesn't feel cheap. Full of creepy-crawlies, some YA romance, spirits, family, and seances.

This book was different. I enjoyed the plot and characters. A little creepy but enjoyable and I liked the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Children's for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

PSA: If you hate bugs involved in a horror setting do NOT read this book. I'm not kidding, there are a TON of bugs.

I could NOT put this book down--the suspense had me at the edge of my seat! The characters serve their purpose in furthering the creepiness of the setting and the house itself feels like its own terrifying character. The author uses fantastic prose to emphasize the creepiness and gothic aesthetic of the book.

One thing I was worried about was the protagonist, Libby, and her recent bipolar diagnosis being used as, well, a typical ableist horror story but the author did NOT go down that route and I was very happy with that. Libby has Bipolar III and is going through therapy but it is not part of the horror angle whatsoever. It's just part of her life and she deals with it and it works out well. So thank you, Ann Fraistat, for doing a great job in your research and involving a disabled character in the story without making the horror be the disability.

I was also extremely happy that this was actually paranormal horror and not like "Oh psych there were no ghosts it was just one dude behind a curtain the entire time!" because those books have been driving me up the wall.

My only minor complaint is that I feel like the cover doesn't really reflect the story all that much. I wish it was an illustration of the house itself or one of the spooky windows the author describes in great detail. The cover makes it look a bit generic and basic when the story is anything but.

A fantastically spooky gothic read!

The mental health angle interested me, but the way it’s explored feel clunky. Actually, this entire book felt clunky from pacing to characters. I think this just isn’t for me, some of the imagery was cool, but overall I was more exasperated than entertained or tense.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House, and Delacorte Press on behalf of Ann Fraistat for an ARC of this book!

I was drawn to this book not only for Ann Fraistat (whom I've read before and enjoyed), but also for the wickedly beautiful cover. After reading this ARC, I do feel the wickedly beautiful cover houses a story that is in its own way 'wickedly beautiful' with its intriguing, spooky, and mysterious elements combined with detailed writing that make it quite the roller-coaster ride!

The story begins with such a punch of drama already and then slowly draws you in. Then you find yourself in different blips of curiosity: Libby's mental illness, the house itself and the masks, the previous people who lived in the house, and the impact of the house in the local and haunting community.

Mystery and curiosity are such huge elements in this book and Ann Fraistat writes with such detail that the insect imagery (which is a ginormous part of the whole story) was easy to imagine!

The drama and action REALLY ramps up last few chapters [and so does the gore]. Lots of intense scenes that had me sweating for the characters!

This is definitely the perfect book to read during Spooky Season (or any season of you want to be spooky all year around!).

Ann Fraistat definitely amped up the spooky factor and beautiful vivid imagery in this book!!

I am so pleasantly surprised by this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect when starting it, and I had a bit of a time getting into it, but once the plot picked up, it didn’t slow down until the end. There were some truly jaw-dropping moments, and I really appreciated the main character’s struggles with her mental health and how that affected her actions and thoughts throughout the story. Really great!

A recent episode in which Libby was diagnosed as bipolar spurs her mother to move Libby and her sister to her Mom’s childhood home in hopes of a fresh start. The house, known for its strange seances and residents who go missing is anything but the fresh start Libby needs. Bugs infest every room, blue roses grow in the garden, strange occurrences, and bug masks that might be part of a more sinister agenda. The house is keeping secrets that Libby wants to uncover but it might just be the last thing she does…

A Place for Vanishing is a unique YA paranormal fantasy involving an unusual house with some very creepy bug masks. The premise and beautiful cover art for this novel was what captured my attention. This is a “new to me author” and I enjoyed many aspects of this novel. I’m always interested in books that have a unique plot and this one definitely was unlike anything I had read before. As much as I wanted to love this one it just wasn’t love at first read for me. If I had to say what it was that didn’t work for me it would be a combo of things that ultimately left me feeling nothing for the characters. I will say the book does pick up about halfway through and things start getting very weird, creepy, and even a bit gross (bugs) but it just wasn’t enough to make me love it. Definitely give this one a chance if you are looking for something a bit different than the usual creepy house trope.

As a lover of horror and young adult books I absolutely loved this novel. In a haunting tale that weaves together contemporary issues with a sense of gothic foreboding, Fraistat crafts a mesmerizing narrative. The story immerses readers in the eerie beauty of a family's new home, intertwining a teen girl's personal struggles with the dark secrets that lie within its walls. The atmosphere is richly textured, with the house itself becoming a character shrouded in secrets. The supporting characters, including the mysterious boy next door and the locals with their tales of disappearances and masked séances, add layers of intrigue to the unfolding mystery. Libby's determination to uncover the truth, despite her mother's resistance, propels the narrative forward and keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This is a triumph in contemporary gothic horror, offering a compelling exploration of mental health, family dynamics, and the dark secrets that lurk beneath the surface. Highly recommended for fans of atmospheric horror and psychological depth.

I HATE HATE HATE horror anything. But this BOOK OMG!!!!!! I couldn’t put it down. It was as intriguing, like I stuck on this book and I had to finish it to see what happened to Libby and Vivi, and their mom who has been acting weird since they moved into this new home, and the young man named Flynn who does creepy SH** in their backyard at night. SAY WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I remember telling myself that “I cant read this book at night I will have nightmares” this book was creepy AF!

Libby suffers from mental illness she was unable to really control until it almost took her life, and because of that her mom and sister are starting again in a new town and in a home that is their legacy, it’s a landmark, and its creepy AF and it’s where 10 people had disappeared throughout the years, and Libby finds out that her actually grandparents were victim to this home. And I say again, SAY WHATTTTTTTT!!!!! I had to keep going, I couldn’t stop reading this book.

Adding the bugs in the mix, some magic, and some supernatural stuff, and the action scenes, and some really emotional ones too, I was loving IT!!!!! The ending!! Libby is my fave character, what she had overcome, with her body and mind, becoming stronger, after her ordeal, and being true to herself was the icing on the cake. There are some trigger warnings to take in mind in this book when it comes to Libby and her diagnosis, but this book was just WOW!

I really enjoyed Ann Fraistat’s prior book, so I was eager to see what she’d write next. A Place for Vanishing immediately intrigued me, and hit all the right notes for what I’m looking for in a Gothic horror, especially a haunted house with a long history. The prose is atmospheric, capturing the claustrophobic nature of the setting perfectly…not to mention the visceral nature of the bugs and other horrors at play.
One aspect that both intrigued and worried me was the inciting incident for the plot being Libby’s bipolar III diagnosis. On the one hand, I had never heard of this particular condition, only being familiar with bipolar I and II, so I was intrigued to learn a bit about it. However, there was a part of me that worried about how mental health issues could be weaponized against the mentally ill person in horror books…however, this did not happen, with her character feeling nuanced and believable for someone dealing with mental health issues, and the treatment is, from my basic understanding of mental health care on a general level, pretty compassionately depicted.
The house was a real enigma, and I enjoyed following Libby as she attempted to unravel it and figuring out what happened to previous inhabitants of the house, including members of her family.
I did think the book was a tad too long, and while the story laid breadcrumbs fairly well to keep my interest, the pacing lagged throughout, with it really only picking up at the end. While I do think it could be trimmed somewhat, I did feel the payoff was worth it either way.
This was a more or less enjoyable read, and I’d recommend it to readers looking for an an immersive, if slow-paced Gothic horror story.