This was honestly such a fun and entertaining audiobook that I couldn’t stop listening to it. I also adored the narrator’s voice because it made it so easy to distinguish all the characters from one another.

It’s an YA urban fantasy debut novel about an underground magic train system in San Francisco. Ruby Santos, eighteen year old Filipino American, is dealing with a lot - her mother’s recent death that left a lot of unpaid hospital bills, her dad’s debts and alcohol consuming problems, them struggling to get by and having to move out to their house’s basement to be able to rent the top, and the fact that she has to forget all about her dreams to be an artist. On top of that, she discovers that her dad has led a secret life as a delivery person for a magical train station underworld “jumping” train lines to deliver packages for a really powerful family. Ruby ends up taking over her dads job to repay his debt and keep their house, but soon realizes that this is no ordinary job. She gets entangled with this dangerous magical underworld and illegal trading more than she expected and ends up falling for the one boy she shouldn’t be falling for. After all, he is the son of her cruel boss, bound to train her for the job and learn train magic.

This plot was so refreshing and unique, and I ended up liking both Ruby and Montgomery as well as side characters. I just absolutely loved the concept of being able to travel around the world through a train portal magic. We also got to see and discover a lot of new places, which was really fun. Also, the poetry elements that were introduced and intertwined with the magic were so neatly done!

The only thing that stopped me from rating it higher is that I wanted a bit more of fantasy elements and explanation about Montgomery’s family business and train system itself. It was pretty vague, but still very enjoyable.

This book was more than just a fantasy story – it deals with a lot of important topics, such as navigating your grief, finding and accepting yourself, fighting for what you love and the lengths you are willing to go to protect what is dear to you. It also focuses a lot on the poverty and alcoholism problems, which I think was greatly executed.

The ending felt a bit too smooth and perfectly wrapped up, but still left a door for a probable continuation of the story. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a character driven story with a slow burn romance and a small portion of magic.

Thank you, Netgalley, the author and RB Media publisher for the copy!

A bit of a slow beginning that had my attention by the end.

Ruby is a teen who had to grow up fast and take on responsibilities to keep her family going, and it shows in every facet of her life. From the odd jobs she works to cover bills, to the dreams of art school relegated to some nebulous future time, to the social life she neglects in order to be on call for her alcoholic dad: every day is a push to survive.

Backed into a corner, Ruby makes a desperate decision that sets her on a dangerous path. What unfolds next is a dizzying world of magic that opens up wild possibilities and ruthless retaliations only a misstep away. Her only ally is an untrustworthy boy with a handsome face and hidden kindness.

I love a book that does a good job of building realistic characters with complicated loyalties, and <i>The Vanishing Station</i> does not disappoint. Ruby is torn between duty and dreams, faced with prioritizing herself or her family when doing both seems impossible.

I'll admit I'm a little fuzzy on some of the concepts (the trains are still trains, but they're alive? they have conscious thought and can teleport you?) but found myself surprisingly unbothered by the vagueness. The ideas are creative and intriguing, giving a taste of possibility while leaving the impression there's so much left to explore.

I was not expecting to love this so completely. I love the narration.
I love the brooding caring bad guy boss and our protagonist. I love the house and her pain. I love the renters even!
This was just the most fun book I have listened to in a while.

I was given an advanced reader copy in audiobook format. I really enjoyed the read and the narrator did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life and making sure they each had their own voices.

The idea that there's magic in underground networks that run in different places all over the world is amazing and diffrent.
Add in some wonderful characters and you have a story that is mind-blowing experience.
I throughly loved this read.

I do not read a lot of YA books. I saw the title of this one and thought I needed to read it. I am so glad that NetGalley allowed me to read it. I have highly enjoyed listening to it. I love how the main character is so responsible by taking care of her family.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The narrator and author did a great job delivering a magical story covering difficult grief and addiction. It's a unique story that's never been heard of before and I would gladly recommend it to others. I've watched a few Filpino TV dramas, and this story had that familiar feeling of viewing one. I could see this becoming a TV adaptation with all the magical aspects, drama, suspense, and slow-burn romance. It would leave people hooked, especially the teens.

This was a modern YA fantasy with magical portals in the trains. It follows a you adult, Ruby, who is trying to lead the life her late mother would have wanted for her. I Iistened to the audiobook and loved the narrators voice for all the characters, it was easy to tell who was saying what.

Couldn’t get hooked on this - maybe it was the narrator tho? I have been struggling with audios so still try if you want to!