Reviews

Before We Disappear by Shaun David Hutchinson

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition

2.0

2.5/5

I had a lot of fun with this book and the characters but I felt like it was missing something overall

pipn_t's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Really enjoyed this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse

flusswaerts's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

3.0

I loved the main characters, the setting and the premise, but the antagonists were incredibly one dimensional and, to me, felt a little dull.

ceruleanstar's review against another edition

3.0

3,5*?
I liked the story, characters and setting, but I think that the writing was kind of flat, like it didn't convey the emotions I felt it could have conveyed, you know? Just made me want for a bit more than what I actually got. Overall a good reading.

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book! Although it's set during the Alaska - Yukon - Pacific Exposition (1909) the rivalry between the illusionists gave me circus / carnival vibes. The author takes hefty historical liberties to bring this fantasy to life, but I didn't even mind.

If you want a fast-paced read that contains fantasy, heists, con artists, and a gay love story: Look not further!

danqie's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

mjauvalp's review against another edition

4.0

idk whos idea it was to write a YA magical realisim romance novel about the alaska yukon pacific exposition but i am not complaining i guess

midnightrox9's review against another edition

3.0

Some of the writing and dialogue felt quite stiff, and it felt like some parts were skimmed over too quickly, and other sections had too much detail given. But the two main relationships were quite sweet !!

drakoulis's review against another edition

5.0

This is my first book I read from this author, and it was quite unique !

First of all, it was totally different than expected. The first half of the book feels dark and grim. Wil is

Spoiler

a captive of his kidnapper forced to assist him in his crimes, while Jack has never known love and is following the greedy self-centered Enchantress Evangeline.

Neither of them is in a good place and both of them have a lot of mental baggage. Books with characters struggling to overcome chronic emotional abuse are not what I normally choose to read so I was very meh until the halfway point.

But the second part captivated me and made me fall in love!

Spoiler

Here Jack and Wil realize that they have something to really live for: each other. Jack shows Wil what real love feels like, Wil gives his heart to Jack so purely and brings the best in him.

. And there are so many sweet scenes of them together! That's something a lot of YA romance books are missing, the couple actually having happy and cute moments. This book had them! I liked the final showdown with

Spoiler

all their friends cooperating to save Wil and even selfish Evangeline helping them (with ulterior motives of course, she killed two birds with one stone) free Wil from Teddy!

The final paragraph was so so good!

shinymathrocks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0