My thanks to Rootcity Press for making available an eARC via NetGalley of ‘When We Vanished’ by Alanna Peterson in exchange for an honest review. It was published on June 2 and I have now purchased its ebook edition in support of this author and independent imprint.

This is the opening title in Peterson’s Call of the Crow Quartet. I was drawn to this title by its cover art as well as the overall title of the series. I love the crow family and the novel’s Pacific Northwest location suggested that it might draw on the rich mythology associated with the region.

This is a YA/Teen eco-thriller in which its young protagonists become caught up in the plots of an extremely sinister company that are conducting secret experiments linked to food production. The chapters cycle through the viewpoints of its four young protagonists.

Sixteen-year old Andi Lin is at a friend’s house when she accidentally overhears a conversation that suggests a research study at the local food corporation Nutrexo could be dangerous. As her father had left home to take part in one of the company’s clinical trials, she becomes worried. He had been in frequent contact at first but recently her attempts to reach him had failed.

She decides to investigate and finds an ally in her neighbour Cyrus, whose mother used to work for
Nutrexo. There is a protest being held outside the Nutrexo offices and Andi and Cyrus attend with a plan of breaking away and getting inside the building. Also attending the rally are Cyrus’ older brother, Naveed, who is Andi’s unrequited crush, and Roya, their 8-year old sister.

Their search for answers ends up leading them all into danger and a confrontation with the head scientist at Nutrexo’s secret research facility.

This was excellent! Peterson is clearly passionate about the subjects covered within including food justice. Some scenes are distressing but rightly so given the subject matter.

This is also a topical issue for readers in the U.K. as a proposed trade deal with the USA is raising alarms linked to such imports undermining our current high standards of food production and animal welfare, an issue very important to British consumers, including myself.

Following the narrative Peterson includes a section that provides suggestions for getting involved in bringing about change in food production. These are relevant no matter the country of residence. Her website also provides additional information and resources, including the story behind the story, a glossary of phrases used by her culturally diverse characters, and the #ownvoices books and other resources that she accessed in her research.

Aside from a page-turning eco-thriller, it is a well written contemporary coming of age story. Crows do also feature in interesting ways at key points of the narrative.

I have nothing but praise for this novel and will be eagerly awaiting the next in the series, ‘Where Shadows Grow’.

Highly recommended.

3.5/5

A solid, fast paced read.

Told in multiple POVs, the story mainly revolves around this huge food corporation called Nutrexo, who are conducting various clinical trials, including human trials, genetic engineering and such. Andi Lin, who happens to overhear a conversation about the human trial and whose father also being a part of the trial, sides with Cyrus and decides to find out the truth, which leads them to serious trouble and more shocking facts about Nutrexo.

It is a solid read. There were moments that made me hooked and there were moments that I found not believable. I also didn't like the romance aspect of the story, which felt a bit forced. Overall it was a good read.

While there were truly magical parts, I had a hard time believing the arc of this story. I think the agenda that corporations are bad, GMOs are bad, processed foods are bad, was pushed to the detriment of the story itself. Then there were the parts that felt like they were trying to be quirky but instead clashed with the overall story like corporate business being conducted within the confines of a video game. Add to that a very odd situation with love interests. Combined it all just didn't make sense! But stepping back a bit, it was a good story of kids working together and being loyal to each other and their families. That saves the book for me. I just think it gets lost in all the pieces. Also, be forewarned there is animal abuse.

One of my biggest flaws is that I always judge a book by the cover. I have been doing it for years now, and I simply can’t stop. I rarely read a book with a cover that does not appeal to me (maybe that is why I am not the biggest fan of the full-on romances). When We Vanished was one of my victims. I saw it on NetGalley a couple of months ago and fell in love. I liked the contrast between the colours, the font, all that. I dove in it without even thinking about what it could be about, and I have to say, it took me by surprise.

The story follows Andi and her journey to save her father when he left to join a secret research project at a well-known food company. As the weeks passed, she heard less and less from him and soon realised something wasn’t right. With help from her neighbours: Cyrus, Naveen, and little Roya, she tried to dig and find what is happening. Their investigation leads them to a confidential research facility. They were looking for Andi’s father, but they never expected to find how dark and complicated the truth was.

The story is being told from four perspectives, each of them being different. All the stories were well developed, and they all brought something to the action, but I liked Roya’s perspective the most. She is an 8-year-old kid, who was caught in this mess by mistake. Because she was a kid, her way of thinking was more playful from the average, and I liked that. On top, she is very smart for her age. At first, Cyrus can be un likeable, but as you keep reading, he starts to grow on you. Naveen’s chapters were a bit confusing by the end, but it somehow kept me plugged in.

What you will see different from other teens & YA are the themes. This book deals with clean eating, addictive substances in food, animal welfare, etc. I have never seen anything like this before, and I was bewildered. It can be seen from afar that there was a lot of research put in this book and that Alanna Peterson spent a lot of time writing. Throughout the novel, some little details will change completely the reading experience. In the end, everything you have read about connects, and the story becomes more complex. For example, Roya’s flute. In the first few chapters, we learn that Naveen loves craving, and that he made a gift for Roya using his talent. Until later in the book, we learn that the gift was Roya’s favourite flute.

Even if the book deals with complicated subjects such as clean eating and substance addiction, it was very clear and extremely well written. The action was simple, yet complicated at the same time. The ending was a kind of closure, but not all the details were revealed. This could be a stand-alone, but a sequel is welcomed.

Last but not least, the interactivity. Throughout the book, a site is mentioned multiple times, and to my surprise, it is real. You can access it, and you can find a lot more than the book tells. You can stay connected to the novel’s universe even if you finished the book, and I am up for that. The site’s name is https://www.nutrexotruth.com/ and I suggest you check it out.

Overall, I am truly glad I read this book. Not only I got to be part of an amazing universe, but I learnt something too (how important is for you and for the environment to watch what you eat). I can definitely see this book in school libraries (even if it is a bit violent), and it is only a matter of time until I will see it in mine. I received a digital copy to review, but I will definitely buy this book in a paperback format. This is the kind of work you want to have in your library to go over in a few years, maybe even read it a couple of times after finishing. I highly recommend it!

This was a fast-paced and really exciting read with themese I haven't seen explored a lot in YA before.

The story is told in four perspectives, and was easy to follow despite this. I particularly ennjoyed Roya's perspective and her style of thought as it's different from my own, and was genuinely refreshing to see in a YA novel. I also really enjoyed Naveed and Andi as characters. All of the main characters were well-written with their own distinct personalities and voices, and I appreciated how all of them had flaws. Despite being a very fast-paced novel with a fair amount of action it didn't feel like the characters suffered.

I also liked the exploration of mental health in this, and whilst nothing was ever officially diagnosed in the narrative, it was clear the characters were suffering and were impacted by what was going around them or being done to them. It was nice to see what happened to them had consequences and the author didn't ignore the very obvuous mental health implications of it all.

I thought most of the themes were handled really well, and I was really intriguied by them as I'm starting to learn about the things mentioned in this book can, do and have happened in real life. Whilst the themes were handled well I would have liked to have seen a deeper dive on some of the themes, particularly clean eating as the author didn't mention how class can impact your ability to do this. However, it is not something that's impacted my rating as this is the first book in what is meant to be a series and so the author can explore the themes in greater depth later.

My only problems with this book are with Cyrus, the romance and the antogonist. My problems with Cyrus are my own fault and not the author's as whilst he is well written and a fleshed out character he's just not my cup of tea. However, I do believe the romance included in this and the antagonist were undeverloped and I would have liked to have seen a greater depth in regards to these two things. Also, I am unsure as to whether or not the main romance in this novel was needed as I don't think it added anything significant to the overall narrative.

Overall, a solid YA book and a fantastic debut novel. I'm looking forward to seeing where the rest of the series go and I'll definitely be on the lookout for it!

This was such an enjoyable read! I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it going i ti to it but i was pleasantly surprised. The story is so different from many of the books I have read recently and I believe that’s part of why it was so good.

A complex, deep story of family dynamics, friendship, and social responsibility with a mystery to solve!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.

Andi Lin’s dad left home to participate in a clinical trial carried by food corporation Nutrexo. Whilst he was in frequent contact at first, he is nowhere to be found anymore. When she hears details about the company’s harmful research, she is worried her dad is involved.

With the help of her neighbour Cyrus, Andi embarks in an investigation to find her father. But Cyrus has a secret of her own. Will Andi find out?

This novel was unexpected, in a very good way. It is told from the point of view of the main four characters, and the author has seamlessly intertwined them.

There is good character development, with themes around family dynamics and social responsibility without being too pushy. All in all, these are good themes for a YA book, and should hopefully stay with you for a while.

When We Vanished was a fun read, straight forward, and well written. I look forward to the sequel.

Disclosure: I would like to thank Rootcity Press for a copy of When We Vanished by Alanna Peterson. This is my honest review.

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A protest at a local eco-corporation turns dangerous for four teens who have gone to discover information about a study using human subjects.

This isn't the kind of book i'm used to read and it was a really good surprise ! I really enjoyed reading this story and i can't wait to read the next book. I wasn't a fan of the romance aspect of the story, it felt forced and it sometimes took over the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I did enjoy this book quite a lot. The action starts within a few chapters, and it keeps going all the way through until nearly the end of the book. It is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The four main characters are great. I enjoyed reading chapters from each POV, and I especially loved sweet little Roya. I am glad that there was some cultural diversity in this novel, and it was shown more deeply than other books that want the brownie points for being multicultural.

This novel deals with issues that are true to life - genetically modified foods and what troubles can follow. I was a bit hesitant when it was clear what the book was preaching, as I personally have a problem with the current push towards 'clean' eating (largely because it does not take into account wage disparity, food deserts, and the fact that farmers on organic farms are often treated as poorly as slaughterhouse animals and their non-organic farm counterparts), but overall this did not hinder my enjoyment of the book. It slowed down quite a bit in the last 20% or so, making me think that portion could have been a bit shorter.

Overall, it was a good read for me. I did not go into it realizing that there would be a sequel, but now that I know that, I will definitely be on the lookout.

A very lukewarm read for me. Too often it feels like the romances (which feel half-formed and somewhat forced) snag the bulk of the attention, and the actual plot of the book feels lost in between these moments; if it were a more compelling relationship, I wouldn't mind, the love square and related tropes (like realizing your feelings for someone after you understand they have feelings for you) are done in a way that I personally don't like. The characters don't seem to be too developed beyond their romantic feelings they may or may not have for one another; the action sequences aren't too compelling (I couldn't really manage to feel any suspense.) I don't think any of the characters responded in a realistic manner to everything that happened to them; the villains were cartoonish; and overall, I just think it wrapped up too quickly. There is a lot to unpack in the setup of the story yet it feels like nothing happens at all. It's as if the story was intended to be character driven, but... they're just too one dimensional and flat for me. I expected to like this, given the five star reviews I skimmed; I love a good commentary on capitalism, but this is just not it to me.

I’m giving this book 4 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I did not regret reading this book.

’Baba said if I was lost...I just need to play my flute, and they’ll find me.’



After I read the description, then, read the book, it was not what I had expected. The book was very fast-paced and very enjoyable! It’s a quick read, so I finished this in two sittings.

This book is about a girl whose father was a test subject in a food-company’s experimental lab. She wants to find him after there were rumors about the company, but her plan to rescue her father didn’t play out the way she wanted it to.

What I liked about this book:

The Characters
1) Andi She was a very well-fleshed-out character! Her desire is to find her father in the research facility. Her relationships with all the other characters: Roya, Cyrus, Tara Snyder and Naveed were very realistic. She was a lovable protagonist.
2) Cyrus I love this character! He is Naveed’s younger brother, and he is a coding prodigy. I enjoyed being on the character’s journey throughout the book, and he seems to be this geeky and sweet boy that wants to impress people. I love that trope.
3)Naveed I didn’t end up liking Naveed that much. I understand his reason for withstanding Dr Snyder’s plans, but *I believe he shouldn’t have been that dogmatic.* (Well, that’s just my opinion.) He has a lot of backstory with his girlfriend, Brooke, and he was very fleshed-out as well.
4) Roya The eight-year-old girl, sister to Naveed and Cyrus. She is so adorable! I obviously enjoyed the chapters that were in her point of view, since she is so childish, and it would be very interesting to see things in a child’s perspective. I like the faith she puts into saving her brother, Naveed and how the flute is special to her.
5) Tara Snyder The evil/mad scientist takes shape in a blonde woman. She actually turned out to be my favorite character. Many villains often come out flat and unreasonable, but she is the complete opposite. She has a reason behind her actions, and a very in-depth backstory that *kinda* justifies her actions. She is as fully fleshed-out as the other characters, and I absolutely adored her as a character, but obviously not as a person. ;)

The crows
Alanna Peterson does a good job in foreshadowing the crows’ role in the story. At the start of the book, the crows start dying mysteriously, and I absolutely adored Roya’s relationship with the black birds. She obviously has a very deep love for these animals (and the EcoCows as well). The foreshadowing wasn’t for nothing, and it played a huge role in the story.

Multiple POVs
The book circles around the POVs of the four main characters of the story: Andi, Cyrus, Naveed and Roya. I adored Cyrus and Roya’s povs the most, but all of them were enjoyable.
Nearing the end of the book, Naveed’s pov temporarily shifts to verse. I felt that this was abrupt and out-of-place despite the well-written verse and poems. (But again, that is only my opinion)

And you thought that I would write this review without mentioning ROYA’S FLUTE? She has a very strong relationship with her wooden flute that Naveed carved. I love how much faith is restored in her after she receives the flute from the evil Dr Snyder. And the silver star charm is the cutest. Alanna Peterson did an amazing job in writing Roya’s pov as well!

And let’s get to the message this story carried out. This book obviously points out the truth about different food corporations in a very down-to-earth, yet poignant way. The story made us care for the characters, and go through this journey with the to learn the truth behind the gates of a enormous corporation. This message is successfully conveyed in the context and the plot of the story, and serves a good cause. I read ‘About the author’ in the end of the book. I really like how she wrote this book for a cause: to spread the word about evil food corporations; and wrote a compelling YA novel that can change people’s perspectives.

Disappointments
1) I was confused about the names of the parents in this story. Obviously, with many kids involved, the names of their parents had to be mentioned, but I couldn’t remember them all, and it was confusing at times.
2) I liked how Naveed’s pov temporarily shifts to verse, but I felt that it was out-of-place, and doesn’t fit the story. Though, the poetry was well-written
3) The book was very fast-paced in the start, but once it started reaching the 80% mark, the pace slowed down exponentially, and it made me skim for the last 20% of the book.

Conclusion

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely!
Would I read the sequel? The ending did not have much foreshadowing, and I initially though it was going to be a standalone, but I would definitely check out the sequel.
How did I pick this book up? I was scrolling through the ‘Read Now’ section in NetGalley since I was looking for a quick read. This book’s cover totally caught me. (In oppose to the saying ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover.’ But it’s absolutely gorgeous.)

Andi’s Dad has signed up for a human trial with Nutrexo but suddenly stops communicating. Andi is worried and this only gets worse when she hears about problems with some of the possibly harmful research projects, and then there is the unexplained deaths of crows nearby. She decides, with Cyrus’ help, to try & find out what is going on. Under the cover of a local protest they head to Nutrexo’s headquarters with a plan to find out what is going on. However, things do not go to plan and Andi & Cyrus, along with Cyrus’ brother Naveed and his sister Roya, end up being kidnapped by Nutrexo’s ‘mad scientist’, Dr. Snyder. Will they be able to escape and warn everyone what is going on and who can they trust?
This is a page turner which leaves you wondering what is coming next. Along with the characters in the story you try & decide who is trustworthy and what Nutrexo are really up to. Well worth a read and there are more to come!

This was absolutely a 5 star read for me! The author masterfully penned a debut novel that kept you captivated the entire time and feeling like you were a part of the journey with the characters.

The book centers around the idea of GMOs, food justice, and corporations. I've never read a YA novel that focuses on these topics and the author's message never felt in your face. It makes you reflect on if and how things like human trials occur and the whole process of how food is made. The synopsis doesn't even scratch the surface of where this book goes which I loved because you almost go into it blindly and find so much more than what you were looking for.

When I first started, I thought it would be a slow-burn but it quickly jumps off within the first few chapters and turns from a 'who done it' kind of thriller to a 'Okay we know who's involved, so how do we stop them' story. And even when you know everyone involved, there are still secrets being discovered throughout the entire book. I liked how the characters in this were all unaware of the plans of the others and anything they did had an effect on the others without them realizing. It made the alternating POVs that much more gripping.

The author did a great job of attaching you to all of the characters. I especially wanted more of Erika and hope that we see more of her in a later book. The love found in this book ranging from Roya's flute playing to Cyrus' cooking was the greatest feature in this novel and gave the characters so much depth. I like that the author also gave the antagonists back stories and at times I almost found myself sympathizing with them which shows how amazing the writing is as it allows you to draw your own conclusions about the characters.

I especially loved how there's an actual website for a website mentioned in the book, and I can't wait to explore it as I love when authors have bonus features that allow you to keep learning more even after you've finished the book. The author skillfully set the story up to allow for more books, and I can't wait to see these characters again and learn more of their secrets.

This coming of age story will interest readers ages 13+. I was impressed by this debut novel. With multiple POV, and a unique premise, this page turner kept me up past my bedtime.
Triggers include: profanity, violence, racism, torture, abduction, disease outbreaks, death, cruelty to animals, and sexual violence. thank you for my free copy in exchange for my honest opinion. My son loved having this opportunity to read a galley during quarantine!

Don’t Trust Your Cravings: A Review of When We Vanished
APRIL 24, 2020

When We Vanished (Call of the Crow Quartet, Book One)
Written by Alanna Peterson
Published by Rootcity Press
Available June 2, 2020

After Andi Lin’s family record store goes bust, her dad enlists in a clinical trial run by food corporation Nutrexo that promises big bucks. But when Andi cannot get in touch with him, she starts to worry—especially when she learns that Nutrexo’s involved in a harmful research study. Andi’s next-door neighbor Cyrus is also wary of Nutrexo; his mom worked for them years ago, and he knows she’s keeping secrets from her family.

Alanna Peterson writes a complex and compelling mystery that indicts the U.S. food industry. Even the most innocent-seeming things take on a scary new meaning in When We Vanished. Take Blazin Bitz, that delectable chip from Nutrexo: no one can resist them! And soon enough Andi, Cyrus, and Cyrus’ siblings know why when the break into SILO, Nutrexo’s top-secret research facility. What they discover there is not for the squeamish. These instances of violence, medical experimentation, and animal cruelty—while crucial to the plot—may upset readers. But there is also plenty for readers to enjoy: wonderful recipes and food imagery, teenage crushes, and unyielding family bonds. These enjoyable parts don’t play second fiddle to the action—the relationships and personalities that make up the characters’ world drive this thriller into unexpected places. With so many overlapping plots, even one concerning the main villain’s background, you’d think the reader would lose track. Not so—every single story sucks you in. Good thing When We Vanished is the only the first installment of the Call of the Crow Quartet. There is plenty of material here for a series.

Thank you Netgalley for the free read in exchange for an honest review!

First the cover caught my eye, then the description sounded interesting. I rarely read YA but I am so glad I decided to read this! Turns out it is set in Seattle (where I live) and it is just so good!
The main characters are teenagers who uncover disturbing information about a large food corporation that is doing research on human subjects. It involves their parents in different ways and they jump headfirst into trying to save people and uncover the dangerous secrets. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say the story is very fast-paced and goes through a protest in downtown Seattle to a secret research silo in rural Washington, with the kids in danger throughout most of the book!
The writing was good; it was clear and drew me in immediately. The teens felt very real to me. One thing I like about YA is that it often deals with issues that adults think are too "grownup" for teens, even though teens actually are dealing with these things all the time. In this book, besides the food corporation evil research drama, the kids are also dealing with love, friendship, parental depression and drug abuse, decision-making, self-confidence, racism, and more.
The story also not so subtly advocates for food justice, which I also love. I am so glad I picked up this book and I look forward to reading the next three in the quartet.

Most of the YA novels have either romance or magic or fantasy as the plot. But When We Vanished has an interesting plot about devious food corporations, greed and desire for success. This book kinda shattered the YA stereotype for me!! A fast, compelling and thought provoking read with reliable characters and a good amount of mystery and thrill for a YA novel. I am surprised that this book is debut by Alanna Peterson!! I particularly enjoyed how desires and consequences are penned down by the author. I must say it played out really well with the plot!
Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the ARC. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way.

This is definitely an interesting and New concept for YA. This book delves into the world of GMOs and our food supply (and the potential dark underbelly). It's a fast-paced and engaging read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

WRITING STYLE: 4.5/5
SUBJECT: 4/5
CANDIDNESS: 4.5/5
RELEVANCE: 4.5/5
ENTERTAINMENT QUOTIENT: 5/5

A novel complete with a even portion of thrill, mystery, and a fierce feature of food industry.

Ultimately, an entertaining, thrilling and full of compelling and interesting characters, including plotline.

The story includes a wild-whim context of GMO foods, science, food labs, and interesting details of the corporate food industry.

Strongly recommended for young adult (15-19)!

4 STARS OUT OF 5.