Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
This book was wonderful, a 4.5 out of 5 stars for me, as it falls in the same vein as some of my other absolute favorites (Wintersong, The Night Circus), though I had a few minor moments that kept me from over-the-top loving it.
I loved Aila as our protagonist. She's so flawed, yet genuinely means well, and has such a true-to-life relationship with her younger brother. I related to her in so many ways, I couldn't help but cheer for her more than most heroines I come across in fiction.
The story was fascinating, although it lost me here and there. I found myself wanting to know more; early on, we're plunged so quickly into the story that sometimes I hoped for more explanation regarding the Disappearances than I feel we got. The revelation about the cause of the Disappearances was interesting, but I only felt 80% convinced by it; part of it had to do with me racing at breakneck speed to get to the end of the book (because I was so hooked by the final third of the story), but part of it had to do with simply wanting more explanation and feeling that things moved too fast.
The dual narration mostly worked for me. I liked being introduced to Stefen early on, because his role at the end of the story didn't feel so out of the blue.
The thing that carried me through this book, most of all, was the love story. Some other reviewers mentioned it seemed to understated, but BOY did it work for me. I don't want to provide spoilers, but the span of pages having to do with Aila and a certain disappearance complicating her relationship with Will had me SCREAMING. GIGGLING.
All-in-all, I enjoyed this immensely. A surprising, exciting, smart mystery.
I loved Aila as our protagonist. She's so flawed, yet genuinely means well, and has such a true-to-life relationship with her younger brother. I related to her in so many ways, I couldn't help but cheer for her more than most heroines I come across in fiction.
The story was fascinating, although it lost me here and there. I found myself wanting to know more; early on, we're plunged so quickly into the story that sometimes I hoped for more explanation regarding the Disappearances than I feel we got. The revelation about the cause of the Disappearances was interesting, but I only felt 80% convinced by it; part of it had to do with me racing at breakneck speed to get to the end of the book (because I was so hooked by the final third of the story), but part of it had to do with simply wanting more explanation and feeling that things moved too fast.
The dual narration mostly worked for me. I liked being introduced to Stefen early on, because his role at the end of the story didn't feel so out of the blue.
The thing that carried me through this book, most of all, was the love story. Some other reviewers mentioned it seemed to understated, but BOY did it work for me. I don't want to provide spoilers, but the span of pages having to do with Aila and a certain disappearance complicating her relationship with Will had me SCREAMING. GIGGLING.
All-in-all, I enjoyed this immensely. A surprising, exciting, smart mystery.
Great cover on this book. It is simple, but a great representation of the story and it has some unique title work.
I am not sure, but it appears as if this book is the author's debut. Perhaps she writes under a different pen name? In any case, I was beyond impressed with this story. When I requested this ARC, I wasn't aware that this was going to be set back in the 1940's. I may have passed it over had I known that and what a missed opportunity that would have been!
The writing was fantastic. The plot was unique and intricate. Layer by layer the author peels away the mystery of the Disapperences in such a way that it has you turning the pages frantically. There is magic and friendships. Interesting secondary characters. Twists and turns. A smidge of young romance. Well developed and likable main characters. And finally SHAKESPEARE! How can I NOT love a book that brings the Bard into the mix?
Two HUGE thumbs up from yours truly.
A bit of a slow start, but I loved how the mystery came together and how the characters were developed. I've never read anything like it, or anything that has so many references to Shakespeare.
One of the best books I’ve read this year! Absolute killer mystery, I loved it!
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
What a lovely book! I read most of this on my commute to work, and really enjoyed getting lost in it (which helped a lot with my anxiety about travelling alone!) the idea and the setting was wonderful, and I loved the romance. BUT- my only problem with this book was the ending. It was so rushed!
I would've happily read another 100/200 pages for a less rushed ending, it was all resolved, but hardly had any time to appreciate it.
I would've happily read another 100/200 pages for a less rushed ending, it was all resolved, but hardly had any time to appreciate it.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow! This book is not like anything I’ve ever read! It’s a bit historical fiction, a bit mystery, and a bit magical realism…and I loved it! I’ll try and write this review without giving away much of the plot, as it’s all intricately woven together.
Alia Cummings Quinn is sent to live in Sterling, after the unexpected death of her mother and WWII draft of her father. Along with her brother, Miles, they are taken in by her mother’s childhood friends (now married) the Cliftons. But Sterling is not fond of the new additions, namely because they’re pretty sure that Juliet Cummings Quinn was a catalyst for what is known as The Disappearances (every 7 years something disappears from reflections to stars to dreams), while also being the only person to escape them.
For the first 1/3 of the book it was good, but I was a little confused. There are periodic italicized chapters told in another POV and the story is unraveling backwards somewhat due to the mystery. And if I’m being honest, at first I was thinking this book was just okay. But then things started to click and I was thinking about the book after I was done reading, and replaying scenes in my head.
The mystery deepened and I definitely didn’t see what was coming—at least not in the way it unfolded. Shakespeare’s works are woven throughout and he is not only Alia’s connection to her mother, but an integral part to The Disappearances. Alia was a reliable narrator, and although she seemed younger than 16-17 years old at times, I figure it was appropriate for the 1940s time period. I also loved the slow-simmer romance and how it finally came together. I even got a little teary-eyed. The secondary characters are also very strong and well-rounded, one of my favorites being Beas, but George provided much needed comedic relief while also being extremely intelligent.
For me, this book falls into the same categories as The Night Circus, A Million Junes, The Love That Split the World, and even The Raven Cycle…a group of friends looking to solve a mystery with elements of magic. I very much enjoyed it and long after reading it, the story has stuck with me. 4.75 bumped to 5 stars.
Alia Cummings Quinn is sent to live in Sterling, after the unexpected death of her mother and WWII draft of her father. Along with her brother, Miles, they are taken in by her mother’s childhood friends (now married) the Cliftons. But Sterling is not fond of the new additions, namely because they’re pretty sure that Juliet Cummings Quinn was a catalyst for what is known as The Disappearances (every 7 years something disappears from reflections to stars to dreams), while also being the only person to escape them.
For the first 1/3 of the book it was good, but I was a little confused. There are periodic italicized chapters told in another POV and the story is unraveling backwards somewhat due to the mystery. And if I’m being honest, at first I was thinking this book was just okay. But then things started to click and I was thinking about the book after I was done reading, and replaying scenes in my head.
The mystery deepened and I definitely didn’t see what was coming—at least not in the way it unfolded. Shakespeare’s works are woven throughout and he is not only Alia’s connection to her mother, but an integral part to The Disappearances. Alia was a reliable narrator, and although she seemed younger than 16-17 years old at times, I figure it was appropriate for the 1940s time period. I also loved the slow-simmer romance and how it finally came together. I even got a little teary-eyed. The secondary characters are also very strong and well-rounded, one of my favorites being Beas, but George provided much needed comedic relief while also being extremely intelligent.
For me, this book falls into the same categories as The Night Circus, A Million Junes, The Love That Split the World, and even The Raven Cycle…a group of friends looking to solve a mystery with elements of magic. I very much enjoyed it and long after reading it, the story has stuck with me. 4.75 bumped to 5 stars.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a brilliant story! The Disappearance was nothing like I was expecting upon purchasing this fabulous book! Murphy has a wonderful brain, oh what it is to image one night you go to bed and can hear music only to find the next day when you wake it's gone. Murphy does a lovely job describing the town, her characters are deep and their actions are meaningful and believable given the circumstances. However the chapter changes between characters is a bit jarring and the ending. Oh my the ending, I must admit I really had to staring to justify why that even worked and if it did why this curse didn't effect more then the town. I will not spoil the ending but I found it lack luster and for a remarkable story disappointing. Still overall The Disappearances is brilliant.
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The villains origin story is that he was ill/disabled as a child and it made him bitter which is not only boring but also super ableist. There were a number of continuity errors. it is set in the 1940s but the characters acted as though they were in the 2000's (aside from the mentions of WW2).