Well, what can I say? I loved this book.
I had no idea what to expect when I picked up Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall, except for the first couple of chapters I had read for BookishFirst, who provided me with this advanced reader's copy. I had nothing to worry about. This book swept me off my feet so fast that I was halfway through the book before I realized just how much I was enjoying myself.
Rules for Vanishing was everything I want around this time of year: eerie, mysterious, spooky, and full of questions. I had to know what happened next at every crazy turn along The Road.
The characters in this book are what make it great, even though the story was great in itself. They were relatable, flawed, brave, diverse, and they truly cared for each other. Their histories were varied and riddled with complications and old wounds and because of this, their coming together had a sentimental, electric effect. This book made me remember running around with a group of kids at that age, only never in such dire circumstances.
I also have to commend Marshall for the tangible spookiness in this tale. I love horror, scary movies, scary books, and all things Spooky Season so I'm not an easy scare. While I wouldn't say this book "scared" me per se, it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, wanting more. The plot and the atmosphere are drenched in fog and confusion and malevolent spirits and I loved every second of it.
I really cannot recommend this book enough. Too often with YA horror it feels like it's holding something back, but this story did not. I've never been brought out of a slump so effectively. Will definitely be recommending this one.
I had no idea what to expect when I picked up Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall, except for the first couple of chapters I had read for BookishFirst, who provided me with this advanced reader's copy. I had nothing to worry about. This book swept me off my feet so fast that I was halfway through the book before I realized just how much I was enjoying myself.
Rules for Vanishing was everything I want around this time of year: eerie, mysterious, spooky, and full of questions. I had to know what happened next at every crazy turn along The Road.
The characters in this book are what make it great, even though the story was great in itself. They were relatable, flawed, brave, diverse, and they truly cared for each other. Their histories were varied and riddled with complications and old wounds and because of this, their coming together had a sentimental, electric effect. This book made me remember running around with a group of kids at that age, only never in such dire circumstances.
I also have to commend Marshall for the tangible spookiness in this tale. I love horror, scary movies, scary books, and all things Spooky Season so I'm not an easy scare. While I wouldn't say this book "scared" me per se, it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, wanting more. The plot and the atmosphere are drenched in fog and confusion and malevolent spirits and I loved every second of it.
I really cannot recommend this book enough. Too often with YA horror it feels like it's holding something back, but this story did not. I've never been brought out of a slump so effectively. Will definitely be recommending this one.