I really enjoyed reading Vanished: Seven Woman Magicians Who Simply Disappeared by Anna Hayes. The book is a vibrant and engaging dive into the Golden Age of Magic, chronicling the lives of trailblazing women who defied Victorian norms to perform death-defying illusions and claim global fame. Hayes brings to life the remarkable stories of magicians like Anna, the mindreader; Adelaide, who seemed to float in midair; and Talma, who dazzled audiences by showering the stage with gold coins, among others. The detailed illustrations and historical context add a rich layer of depth that makes the narrative both informative and captivating.

However, I felt that the portrayal of Bess could have been more independent of her association with Houdini. Throughout the book, Bess seemed to exist in his shadow, which was a bit disappointing considering the book’s focus on celebrating these remarkable women as pioneers in their own right.

Overall, Vanished is a fascinating read that sheds light on a forgotten chapter of history, celebrating the resilience and creativity of women magicians during a time when they had little voice in society. I’m giving it 4.5 stars—a commendable tribute to these extraordinary performers, with just a minor shortfall in fully distinguishing Bess’s own legacy.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This is a children’s nonfiction book all about women magicians. The author focused on 7 different women magicians in history.

This was a great read! It was very interesting to learn about these magicians. I liked the pictures as well. There was a lot of good information and I think kids will enjoy this one!