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notblue's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know how a book can be so exciting and so slow at the same time :o
3.5/5
3.5/5
courtneysbooks's review against another edition
4.0
*Thank you NetGalley for sending me an eARC In exchange for an honest review* 3.5/Before We Disappear is an enchanting LGBTQ+ fantasy taking place in 1909 at the Seattle Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Two assistants, of rival magicians, fall in love under difficult circumstances.
Wilheim and Jack are the highlight of this book for me. Their relationship is sweet and well-developed. It was easy to fall in love with the side characters as well — Ruth, Jessamy and Lucia were all so interesting. Teddy can choke.
I did find myself incredibly frustrated with pretty much everything Jack did in this book lmao but it was still a fun read.
Wilheim and Jack are the highlight of this book for me. Their relationship is sweet and well-developed. It was easy to fall in love with the side characters as well — Ruth, Jessamy and Lucia were all so interesting. Teddy can choke.
I did find myself incredibly frustrated with pretty much everything Jack did in this book lmao but it was still a fun read.
sdematos1443's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
smtvash's review against another edition
4.0
My second Shaun David Hutchinson novel and I enjoyed this one much, much better.
The setting really felt alive and the world of magicians and thieves presented here was really engaging.
The characters at the center were pretty great as well, with the dynamic between the leader, Evangeline, and the young protags being very interesting as the book explores themes of trauma and domestic abuse.
I'll def be checking out more novels from Hutchinson and I love how diverse his queer stories have been so far.
The setting really felt alive and the world of magicians and thieves presented here was really engaging.
The characters at the center were pretty great as well, with the dynamic between the leader, Evangeline, and the young protags being very interesting as the book explores themes of trauma and domestic abuse.
I'll def be checking out more novels from Hutchinson and I love how diverse his queer stories have been so far.
castor_stay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
netslummer's review
4.0
My first thought when I opened this book on my kindle was "oh boy. 504 pages is far too many pages. Woof.".
It turned out I was wrong. Those pages flew by and, after the initial few slower chapters I barely noticed the heft to the story.
Jack is a thief and magician's assistant to The Enchantress. She uses Jack's skills to steal other magician's tricks and repurposed them and gives them more flair and makes them her own and a spectacle. After stealing from the wrong guy in France, they are forced to flee to Seattle where The Enchantress has secured a residency at a theater during the World's Fair.
Wilhelm can Travel in the between. He can move objects or switch places with people. Magic. Real magic. Teddy Barnes, his caretaker/captor, uses Wil's abilities to steal objects for notoriety. He moves his attention to the World's Fair in Seattle to attempt to become a magician and earn his fame this way.
Obviously these two magician's assistants meet and casually fall in love.
Can Jack save Wil from Teddy's grasp?
Jack and Wil are both excellent characters that you actively want to root for. Ruth and Jessamy are the same. Honestly I love them all a ton. The Enchantress is a big null zone for me but she is important. Teddy/Laszlo is repugnant and I spent 95% of the book wishing someone would just murder the guy.
This book is cute and doesn't feel nearly as long as it is. I really loved that there never was comments about queer relationships in the book. They were not a spectacle or anything noteworthy. It's refreshing to see queer love as just as normal as straight love.
There IS noted racism from unnamed background characters as well as full-ass monster Teddy (who we're meant to hate).
It turned out I was wrong. Those pages flew by and, after the initial few slower chapters I barely noticed the heft to the story.
Jack is a thief and magician's assistant to The Enchantress. She uses Jack's skills to steal other magician's tricks and repurposed them and gives them more flair and makes them her own and a spectacle. After stealing from the wrong guy in France, they are forced to flee to Seattle where The Enchantress has secured a residency at a theater during the World's Fair.
Wilhelm can Travel in the between. He can move objects or switch places with people. Magic. Real magic. Teddy Barnes, his caretaker/captor, uses Wil's abilities to steal objects for notoriety. He moves his attention to the World's Fair in Seattle to attempt to become a magician and earn his fame this way.
Obviously these two magician's assistants meet and casually fall in love.
Can Jack save Wil from Teddy's grasp?
Jack and Wil are both excellent characters that you actively want to root for. Ruth and Jessamy are the same. Honestly I love them all a ton. The Enchantress is a big null zone for me but she is important. Teddy/Laszlo is repugnant and I spent 95% of the book wishing someone would just murder the guy.
This book is cute and doesn't feel nearly as long as it is. I really loved that there never was comments about queer relationships in the book. They were not a spectacle or anything noteworthy. It's refreshing to see queer love as just as normal as straight love.
There IS noted racism from unnamed background characters as well as full-ass monster Teddy (who we're meant to hate).
gaycatsand_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
silly_little_clown's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book kept me engaged the whole time! I couldn’t finish the book in a shorter period of time because of life, but I think if I were given all the free time in the world I would’ve consume this book in three days max.
I love jack, wil, ruth and jessamy. I like their characterization and their growth towards the end of the book. It was really satisfying to see their relationships develop. The book is a bit open-ended(?) but I don’t really mind it since I think that fits the journey that they’re going to embark on more :D (however that doesn’t mean I would say no to a sequel or side story though haha)
I love jack, wil, ruth and jessamy. I like their characterization and their growth towards the end of the book. It was really satisfying to see their relationships develop. The book is a bit open-ended(?) but I don’t really mind it since I think that fits the journey that they’re going to embark on more :D (however that doesn’t mean I would say no to a sequel or side story though haha)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Torture, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Minor: Misogyny, Gun violence, Eating disorder, Stalking, Sexism, Homophobia, Racism, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
maditrescu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0