"Vanishing Bodies" by Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev delves into the gripping tale of Adam Micah, a man caught in an unending nightmare of disappearing and reappearing after each death. As a vanisher, Adam is thrust into a mysterious game orchestrated by an enigmatic entity known only as The Wisher, leaving him with fragmented memories and a constant sense of danger.

The story unfolds as Adam grapples with his newfound abilities and the relentless pursuit of The Wisher. Along the way, he encounters Lilyanne, whose love provides him with a sense of belonging and purpose for the first time. However, their budding relationship is threatened by Lilyanne's hidden past, which holds the potential to unravel everything they hold dear.

Against the backdrop of science fiction and suspense, "Vanishing Bodies" explores themes of mortality, conspiracy, and the human desire for answers. Mikheyev skillfully navigates the boundaries of science and physics, immersing readers in a world where the consequences of immortality are catastrophic.

With its blend of romance, mystery, and science fiction, "Vanishing Bodies" offers a thrilling and original narrative that will captivate fans of Isaac Asimov, Blake Crouch, Robert Heinlein, and Michael Crichton. As Adam delves deeper into the secrets of his existence, readers are taken on a suspenseful journey that challenges perceptions of life, death, and the unknown.

Adam Micah is struggling with the unexplainable nature of his existence as a vanisher. Despite his uncertainty towards his own emotions, Micah encounters love and danger in the form of Lilyanne along with the continuous pursuit by The Wisher, creating a fascinating blend of suspense and a touch of romance. While a little difficult to follow at times, the author does a good job of crafting a thrilling story that both captivates and challenges the readers imagination.

Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of NetGalley, the Publisher, and the author, Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev.

This is really unlike any other book I’ve read in probably several years.

There is A LOT to unpack here: love, greed, philosophical thoughts, history, science and sometimes just pure coincidence or bad luck - depending on the person that's the main character in the chapter you're reading.

I got a little lost in the story because it doesn’t unfold in a straight line from 'then' till now', and the fact that not all characters are introduced right at the start.
This made following the main story a bit complicated for me, but it also added to the feeling of reading something different.

The ending was lacking for me, but still overall good.

What an utterly strange and captivating story this was. Sometimes I needed a break so I started reading another book in a whole different genre. But of course I wanted to finish this one, as it was unlike anything I've read in a long time.
There is much to find in this story: love, greed, philosophical thoughts, history, science and sometimes just pure coincidence or bad luck - depending on the person that's the main character in the chapter you're reading.
I think it's fitting this story isn't unfolding in a straight line from 'then' till 'now' and that not all characters are introduced right at the start. This made following the main story sometimes a little complicated but it also added to the feeling of reading something different.
This author has a head full of ideas and thoughts, and I'm happy he shared some of them with his readers.

Thanks to Netgalley and BooksGoSocial for this review copy.

I actually really enjoyed this book and I wasn't sure if it would hit the mark for me at first. The plot is very thought out and complex and the author succeded in making sure the details were clear enough to follow and understand.

*received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This novel has an extremely interesting premise and a very promising start, unfortunately, it goes downhill from there. The plot is stilted and jumbled. At times the writing is indulgent and preachy. I did find the characters to be compelling but I couldn’t really bring myself to care enough about any of them.

This was a compelling and engrossing read. Despite the many complexities of the story, it flowed nicely and I couldn’t put it down. It is intelligent and fantastical, science fiction and romance all put together and quite well done. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of the book.

This was quite disappointing to me. The premise was really interesting but it just did not deliver. I couldn't get into the story and the writing style was definitely not for me. Life's too short and so many other books to read that I decided to just DNF it instead of trudging on and crying up in frustration.

I feel like this has a lot of potential but the delivery needs more work.

Vanishing Bodies
by Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev
Science Fiction Philosophy
Ages: 18+
NetGalley ARC
Release Date: September 26, 2023
BooksGoSocial

Adam Micah, or Aristotle Zurr-McIntyre, had a rough childhood; his father disappeared so his mother had to work and wasn't there for him, but a caring elderly neighbor made sure he had food in his stomach, even though she sometimes didn't remember to add the chicken.

But it was his dreams that bothered him, especially the one about his dad. Then he finds out that it really happened, and he was just like his father. When he dies he vanishes and reappears somewhere else, his memories fragmented.

I would say this book was written as philosophy and the sci-fi was added so more people would read this. And the poetry, ehh. Yeah, it added to the romance, but I still skimmed it, and the book after a quarter of the way through.

The blurb sounded so interesting, but the story lacked detail, depth, and personality. It read more like Adam wrote his journal on napkins and added more filler containing the memories of other people who had something to do with the events in Adam's life.

There were no twists or turns, and there wasn't much action; the few scenes that had some action were brushed over, no deep description. 'This is what happened.'

This story could be really good if details are added and the characters are developed to the point where they seem real, but as is, they are words on paper. Everything was quick including the action scenes. Things happened instead of happening. It was 1, 2, 3,... instead of 1, a, b, c, 2, a, b, c,... You get the point.

1 Star

Interesting concept of Biology and human genes. It’s scary to think of how far we would go for those that we love and for recognition. This takes science and mutations to the next level in sci-fi.

Vanishing Bodies is different than anything I've ever read. This story focuses on Adam (or Aristotle) as he moves through his life as a "vanisher," or someone whose body disappears when they die and appears somewhere else in the world with no memory. As you might expect, there is a group of people who want to study him and are consistently chasing him throughout his lives--yes, he ends up dying for multiple reasons throughout the book.

It was a very unique concept that intrigued me. I was heavily engrossed, but I found myself with a lot of unanswered questions at the end. Like why did Adam's dad age backwards when he vanished and reappeared? What happened to Dr. Bonn's research? And some others I won't put here for fear of spoiling the story. Great idea, but I just wish there was a little more information. Definitely worth a read for action and fantasy fans!

"Vanishing Bodies" by Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev is a mind-bending and thought-provoking science fiction novel that pushes the boundaries of immortality, mortality, and the complexities of existence. The story opens with a gripping and enigmatic scene, introducing readers to Aristotle Zurr-McIntyre, a young man with a unique ability to vanish and reappear after being killed. As he grapples with his identity as a vanisher and the mysterious entity known as The Wisher, the novel delves into a captivating exploration of life, death, and the pursuit of answers.

Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev weaves a complex and intricate narrative that seamlessly blends elements of science, physics, and conspiracy, keeping readers engrossed with every twist and turn. The concept of vanishing bodies and the repercussions of immortality add a fascinating layer of intrigue to the story, prompting readers to question the very essence of mortality and what it means to be human.

As Aristotle Zurr-McIntyre rematerializes in Atlanta and encounters Lilyanne, the novel takes an emotional turn. The introduction of love and human connection amidst the backdrop of existential uncertainty adds depth and resonance to the characters and their journey. Readers will find themselves invested in the blossoming relationship between Aristotle and Lilyanne, even as the shadows of their unknown pasts threaten to unravel everything.

Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev's prose is eloquent and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the novel's complex world and characters. The exploration of desperation and the search for meaning create a haunting and introspective atmosphere that lingers long after the final page is turned.

"Vanishing Bodies" is a daring and intellectually stimulating novel that challenges readers to contemplate the nature of life, death, and the profound impact of existence. Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev skillfully crafts a tale that captivates with its originality and depth, offering a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience. Fans of thought-provoking science fiction and those who enjoy delving into the philosophical questions of humanity will find "Vanishing Bodies" a rewarding and unforgettable read.

The blurb intrigued me a lot: someone vanishes every time he dies and reappears again somewhere else, and is being hunted down by a mysterious entity called The Wisher.

Sadly it left me disappointed. Now, there were things I liked. Some of the emotional scenes were told very well, and the first disappearances/reappearances were intriguing. Along the way it got quite repetitive though. And due to the memory loss our main character suffers from, we kept having the same thought processes and dialogues over and over without (in my opinion) much character growth. The more action-filled bits that were pretty good, and I wish the book had leaned more into that thriller aspect, and had found a more satisfying explanation and resolution to the Wisher element. Instead, a lot of the book was vaguely philosophical and introspective talk, which was not to my taste. And I could have done without the poetry. Also, I can’t help feeling there were some plot holes and inconsistencies left that should have been edited out.

All in all an intriguing concept with some cool bits, but not the book for me. 2.5 stars.

I loved the idea of this book and wanted to like it. However, the follow through didn't live up to the hype. The characters were one dimensional, the multiple viewpoints were confusing and often felt like they were only there to provide extra pages, and the end was anti-climatic.

"The Vanishing Bodies" is a science fiction thriller that promises an intriguing premise but ultimately falls short of its potential. The book explores the concept of a protagonist who possesses the ability to disappear and reappear after being killed, all while being pursued by a mysterious entity called The Wisher. While the book received praise for its unpredictability and genre-shifting narrative, it struggles to maintain a cohesive storyline and fails to deliver a satisfying resolution.

The author, Mikheyev, employs a variety of genres throughout the book, which adds an element of novelty to the story. However, this experimentation often leads to a lack of focus and cohesion. The narrative frequently diverts in different directions, making it difficult for readers to stay engaged and understand the underlying plot. As a result, the storyline feels disjointed and fails to hold together, which may have contributed to the reader's frustration in not being able to finish the book.

The characters, particularly the protagonist Adam Micah, show promise but lack the depth and development necessary to fully engage the reader. Although Adam's ability to vanish and reappear offers a unique twist, the exploration of his identity and the consequences of immortality feels underdeveloped. The romantic element introduced through Adam's relationship with Lilyanne adds some emotional depth but ultimately becomes entangled in the convoluted plot, leaving the reader with unanswered questions and unresolved storylines.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Vanishing Bodies" presents interesting ideas and touches on themes of mortality, desperation, and the human need for answers. The concept of vanishing and the exploration of the protagonist's evolving identity provide moments of intrigue and reflection. However, the book's execution falls short, leaving readers wanting more clarity and cohesion in the storytelling.

In conclusion, "The Vanishing Bodies" offers a unique and unpredictable science fiction premise but fails to deliver a satisfying and well-structured narrative. While some readers may appreciate the experimentation and genre-shifting approach, others may find the lack of coherence frustrating. Ultimately, this book may appeal to fans of unconventional science fiction stories, but those seeking a tightly woven plot with a clear resolution may be left disappointed.

Thank you netgalley for providing the arc.

This book was quite a disappointment. It had a really good premise, but the author didn’t have the skill required to fully realize it. And, in the end, it turned out to be yet another in a string of billions of love stories. It could have been so, so much more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Great premise for a story but it was missing something. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

This is a hard one to review, on one hand I loved the concept, the characters and the general writing, but the plot? It was lacking, a large part of what was driving the book just disappeared with no repercussions and left the story meaningless.

Adam/Ari is what’s known as a “mutant” or a “vanisher”, with genes inherited from his missing father. When he’s killed, his body vanishes, reappearing randomly anywhere in the world, unharmed but with memory loss and naked. Adam/Ari lives multiple lives this way, never fully remembering who he is and starting anew over and over, meeting interesting people and having experiences most could never imagine. Unfortunately for Adam/Ari people want his genes, scientists and millionaires and most dangerously “the wisher”, his paranoia is well deserved even if he doesn’t remember why and as the tale goes on he finds people who believe him only to lose them again to a hit carried out by the same people wanting to study his genes.. would’ve made more sense for them to kidnap him and experiment with that DNA and abilities but alas, not all rich men are smart which is also a realistic reputation although likely not intentionally

I love the concept of this book! Who wouldn't love the idea of eternal life?! And the option to reset your status and become younger thru 'death' is creative genius. But, of course, there is so much loneliness with outliving your loved ones. And there is confusion each time you arise from one death to a new life - each time this happens, more memories are lost. I really loved the characters, even the morally grey ones. I also enjoyed the way Ari struggles to figure out who he is and what is happening to him. Each time that he is 'reborn,' he tries to integrate into a family unit and start his life anew. He has such resilience and determination, fighting through the mist of his lost memories. Great surprise ending, and I like that not all of the questions are answered.

This reminded me a lot of the time travellers wife and I would recommend to people who read that. However this is unique in its own way with a really gripping premise and unique characters. I did struggle to get into this because I was confused at first and it took a few chapters to grasp what was happening but once I did I really enjoyed this and you really get taken on a fun adventure.