A gothic ghost story that slowly builds momentum until escape is almost impossible.

WIth a slow buildup and a main character recovering from a failed suicide attempt and struggling to reconnect with her family, I was worried this book would have the - unfortunately - common “twist” of “it was all in her head.” An ending that can be done well, but oftentimes instead falls into an ableist narrative demonizing mental health.

As the tension and the haunting ramped up, however, I was pleasantly surprised by the approach to mental health in this novel. Our main character has bipolar disorder, but while this does affect how she is able to interact with the world - it’s never used as an easy excuse or as a personal failing of hers. Trying to learn to live with it, and the tension that now surrounds her family after her failed suicide attempt - it sets the perfect scenario for her to be someone who realizes that there is something off about the house, while also being unwilling to cause any waves disturbing the “peace.”

As tensions rise, and the house begins to wake up, the secrets the house is holding tight will slowly begin to unravel and ensnare whoever is unfortunate enough to be caught in its web. By the time the truth is revealed, however, escape might be too late.

Once the story really kicked off in this book, I was hooked until the end. A classic gothic horror tale, I was on the edge of my seat as the story slowly revealed itself and we discovered just what this House of Masks is hiding.

A huge thank you to the author, Netgalley, and Random House Children's for providing me this e-ARC.

Just wow!! It’s been way too long since a horror book completely pulled me in like this—and now A Place for Vanishing is officially one of my 2025 favorites. I’ve always enjoyed horror stories set in homes. They just hit different—probably because we all live in one, so the fear feels extra close to home (pun intended).

This book is a perfect mix of beautiful and bone-chilling. The atmosphere is creepy and unsettling, and the author juggles so many emotions—fear, grief, love, and more—without ever dropping the ball. It’s haunting in the best way.

The family dynamic between the mother and her daughters is so raw and real. It doesn’t shy away from showing how trauma weaves itself into relationships, and that made this story and everything that happens that much better. It’s like watching a nightmare slowly leak into reality.

I want to say more but don't want to spoil anyhing—you need to read this for yourself. It’s perfect for Spooktober, or honestly, any crisp Fall evening when goosebumps are on the menu. Huge thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!

Libby and her sister Vivi return with their mother to her childhood home seeking a fresh start. Libby was recently diagnosed with Bipolar III, brought about by a tragic, shocking event. The family will have to navigate this new normal while settling into their new home that is not hwat it seems - or maybe it is EXACTLY what it seems.

Look, I hate bugs. Absolutely hate them and they are yucky. So the fact that various insects play a huge role in the book in numerous ways was not a lot of fun for me. But I stuck with it and I am SO glad I did because this book is fucking fiiiiire.

Libby's mom is content to live in blissful ignorance about the strange goings-on, even as Libby uncovers more and more information that makes it clear this is not the easy fresh start they need. Rumors abound regarding the house, mainly about the many disappearances that have occurred in its 100-year history, and the masked seances the original owners supposedly held on the grounds, surrounded by beautiful, impossibly blue roses.

I loved how the author developed the house practically as its own character. This created such a sense of foreboding and tension throughout the novel because there is no escape from it, this is their home now. The atmosphere created is suffocating at times, and I couldn't stop reading because I had to know what was coming next. The eeriness of the atmosphere made Libby's discoveries about the house's history all the more sinister.

Given Libby's bipolar diagnosis, mental health can't help but play a role in the story. I feel like this was well-done and we see the impact of the disorder on decisions Libby makes throughout the story, going through the cycles of hypomanic and depressive episodes. This does make Libby and un reliable narrator at times, but I don't think this is done in a malicious way; it was honest. While I was frustrated with Libby's mom at times, in the end it is clear why she made the decisions she did.

The cast of characters is small, which enabled fantastic character devlopment and we really got to know each individual. In addition to Libby, her mom, and sister, we meet Finn - the boy next door, so to speak, who has his own reasons for wanting to uncover the truth about The House of Masks.

The story progressed quickly, the atmosphere intense, the house threatening to consume everyone. I could not put this book down and it was a well-crafted story from start to finish.

Highly recommended.

2.5/3 It was too long. The summary gives plenty of description about what the book will be- the story of a family moving into an old home with a history of being haunted or dangerous-- so of course, let's move in. The main character is also recently diagnosed with bipolar, so I don't necessarily know that the diagnosis going hand-in-hand with a haunted creepy creature-filled house full of secrets was the best way to go. I'm assuming it's for the unreliable narrator angle however it also feels dangerous but without having any association, I'm simply speculating that it was an easy win to combine these two elements.

The descriptions felt like they provided the write about of creepy however they were fairly uniform and stereotypical and eventually felt repetitive- again- the length was its detriment though I recognize that chunky books have to work harder to keep my attention in general.

This book was difficult. If you struggle at all with mental health, be careful reading this. It took alot to keep with the book because how the MC is treated by her family because of mental health.
This book is super creepy. The family moves into a house that was left the the mom to "start over"
The fmc is creeper out by the windows in the house and the bugs. No one believes her at first because they blame it on her bi polar.
Then it spirals into crazy ghosts and living masks and bugs. Lots of bugs

I’m sorry to say I did not finish reading this book, and therefore will not be publishing any reviews. I did not realize some of the sensitive topics this book would address and am not in a good place myself to read about these issues.

A Place for Vanishing” by Ann Fraistat is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that captures the haunting complexity of memory, identity, and place. Set in a world where reality and dreams blur, the story follows its protagonist as she navigates an elusive landscape filled with personal and emotional landscapes that feel both grounded and surreal.

For YA readers who loved 'The Hazel wood' and the 'Dancing Jax' series or those who enjoyed the kids movie 'Monster House',

OMG, this book is sooo good I finished it in just 2 nights, reading under the covers so my husband wouldn't wake up. the first night, I had to stop because it got so scary. Seriously, I'm in my 50s, and was freaked out a bit. It's super cinematic - can't WAIT until it becomes a movie. And I swore I wouldn't go back to it... but the next night, I stayed up til 1am to finish it. What a wild ride!

Four stars for A Place for Vanishing. This creepy horror novel burrowed under my skin. Warning: if bugs freak you out, skip this. Fraistat wields them like weapons. The vanishing family members create a genuinely unsettling mystery. Libby, battling bipolar disorder while facing a haunted house, is a compelling protagonist. The house itself, with its blue roses and eerie masks, is a character. The bug element, while potentially off-putting, adds a unique, disturbing layer. A captivating, chilling read that will haunt your dreams.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy.

This was so, so, SO good. Seriously, this is horror at its best. It's beautiful, surreal, utterly creepy, and sucks you in like a bad dream. I also appreciated the raw, empathetic mental health rep (please do check the content warnings)! Ann Fraistat has got to be one of the smartest voices in YA horror right now, and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next. THIS is how you do a haunted house story!

This was a very ambitious story that managed to mostly stick the landing. It centers around Libby, her sister, Vivi, her mom, Sharon, and a fellow high school boy, Flynn.

What I Liked:

-That it wasn’t just another haunted house story
-That the topic of mental health was addressed
-That it was relatable that Libby had an awful way of talking to herself.

What I Didn’t Like:

-That the ending felt like it went on forever
-That her sister and mom seemed to guilt trip her over her failed suicide attempt

Oh, and if you’ve got a problem with bugs, you’ll definitely want to skip this one.

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

I really enjoyed this book for the most part. The story had a nice flow, and the writing was clear and engaging. The characters were relatable, and their journey kept me invested. While it didn’t push any boundaries, it was a fun and entertaining read that I’m glad I picked up.

A Place for Vanishing is a captivating and suspenseful read that draws you in from the very first page. The story follows Libby, who, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and facing a life-altering scare, finds her world turned upside down. Seeking a fresh start, her mother moves Libby and her younger sister Vivi to their ancestral home, an old, mysterious estate with unsettling secrets.

The characters are mesmerizing, each with depth and complexity that make you care about their journey. The suspense builds steadily throughout the novel, keeping you engaged and eager to uncover the dark truths hidden in the house. The blend of personal struggles and eerie mystery creates a powerful, immersive experience that will stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

I liked this book okay enough when it comes to prose and pacing. There were definitely some creepy vibes and spooky things, but that got overexaggerated quickly. I also wanted to see the mental health aspect more fleshed out.

Thank you so much to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the earc. All opinions are my own.

This ended up being a much deeper story than anticipated. Teenager Libby moves to an old family home after a suicide attempt with her younger sister Vivi and mother. Her grandparents went missing in this same house when her mom was 4 and it has been vacant since. Libby and Vivi were both donor babies and only have their mother. Stranger and stranger things start happening once the boards are ripped off the stained glass windows and there are bugs depicted everywhere.

**Book Review: *A Place for Vanishing* by Ann Fraistat**

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of *A Place for Vanishing*!

Ann Fraistat's novel is an immersive and eerie journey that will have you squirming in your seat, especially if you're not a fan of creepy-crawly bugs. The vivid descriptions bring the haunted house setting to life, creating an atmosphere that feels as claustrophobic as it is unsettling. The highlight of the story, for me, was the sister relationship—beautifully written and full of tension, love, and complexity, it grounded the story amidst all the supernatural elements.

However, as much as I appreciated the strong start, I did find the novel started to drag in the latter half. It became a bit too long and unfocused, with so many layers of details and side plots that the story started to lose its initial appeal. What began as a tightly wound, haunting narrative grew increasingly far-fetched and strange. I enjoy complex stories, this one felt a little too cluttered.

Overall, *A Place for Vanishing* is a solid read, especially if you enjoy YA literature and atmospheric horror like *The Haunting of Hill House*. It’s haunting, imaginative, and full of chills—though it may leave you wishing for a bit more narrative focus by the end.

This was my first book by this author and it did not disappoint. Thank you so much for this arc opportunity. It gave off all the Halloween vibes and I enjoyed it.

As a human being, but especially as a teen, it can be extremely easy to feel invisible. Touching on real-life issues that are scary and unavoidable, Libby is faced with a new challenge in a new setting. Great visuals and kept me guessing.

A creepy, gothic, YA haunted house story. The House of Masks is a character itself with gorgeous insect-themed stained glass windows, matching masks, hidden staircases, locked doors, and too many insects.