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13th out of 33 books
—
33 voters
Vanish
by
Tom Pawlik
2009 Christy Award winner!Three strangers each encounter the same mysterious storm and awake the next day to find that everyone else has vanished. There's Conner Hayden, a successful but unscrupulous trial lawyer who has forsaken his family for his career; Helen Krause, a middle-aged model struggling to come to grips with her fading beauty; and Mitch Kent, an enterprising...more
Paperback, 365 pages
Published
June 18th 2008
by Tyndale House Publishers
(first published June 4th 2008)
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Got this book for Kindle for free. The blurb sounded interesting enough, and I love me some scifi/thriller/horror novels. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest horseshit piles of apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic Christian fiction I have ever read, and that's saying a lot given that I am an atheist that has read some of the very trashy Left Behind series. Plus, nothing in the blurb made that obvious. Well, now you know.
The really disappointing part of this was that the half of the novel before th...more
The really disappointing part of this was that the half of the novel before th...more
4 likes · like · see review
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Let me begin by saying “Vanish” was a very scary novel. It centers around three main characters: Conner Hayden, a divorced trial lawyer is spending the weekend with his daughter Rachel; Helen Krause, a middle-aged model is having dinner with her son Kyle who is leaving for New York; and Mitch Kent, a mechanic, is about to meet up with his girlfriend to ask her to marry him. During the course of the evening, a mysterious dark clouded storm takes over Chicago. Not remembering anything about the pr...more
The story starts out with snapshots in the lives of the three main characters – Mitch, Conner and Helen. After noticing an on-coming storm, all three wake up to find everyone else has disappeared. While searching for signs of life, they find one another and begin their journey to find out what has happened to the world as they knew it. They come in to contact with strange beings they think may be aliens and find other people, some of whom disappear just like the others.
I started reading this boo...more
I started reading this boo...more
The title is excellent foreshadowing of what I wished this book would do about 1/2 way through it.
Vanish starts out reasonably well with a sci-fi/mystery vibe. There is a strange storm that occurs one night and leaves only a few people "alive" on Earth. These people eventually meet up and seek safety from the "aliens" who seem invulnerable to bullets, or any type of protection and seeming;y can kill just by touch.
Despite the campy feeling of the first quarter of this story, I found myself rootin...more
Vanish starts out reasonably well with a sci-fi/mystery vibe. There is a strange storm that occurs one night and leaves only a few people "alive" on Earth. These people eventually meet up and seek safety from the "aliens" who seem invulnerable to bullets, or any type of protection and seeming;y can kill just by touch.
Despite the campy feeling of the first quarter of this story, I found myself rootin...more
2 likes · like · see review
Conner Hayden: divorced lawyer struggling to relate to his teenaged daughter. Mitch Kent: tattooed mechanic on the eve of proposing to his girlfriend. Helen Krause: aging career woman and lonely ex-model.
Three people with nothing in common — except that each is hiding a secret.
After a mysterious storm rolls over Chicago, Conner, Mitch, and Helen are forced into an unlikely alliance — for they seem to be the only people left on earth, and something in the shadows is stalking them.
Vanish is tightl...more
Three people with nothing in common — except that each is hiding a secret.
After a mysterious storm rolls over Chicago, Conner, Mitch, and Helen are forced into an unlikely alliance — for they seem to be the only people left on earth, and something in the shadows is stalking them.
Vanish is tightl...more
I loved this book! It was easy to devour, and I was totally blown away by the ending — Not what I was expecting at all!
Vanish by Tom Pawlik is the first book in the series.
I think Tom takes a very creative and liberal approach in this book, but I take it for what it is; a work of fiction that entices our minds to look beyond the here and now. I love how Christianity is sprinkled throughout this book, but is not heavy, so a wide range of audiences can relate and enjoy this book.
The chapters are n...more
Vanish by Tom Pawlik is the first book in the series.
I think Tom takes a very creative and liberal approach in this book, but I take it for what it is; a work of fiction that entices our minds to look beyond the here and now. I love how Christianity is sprinkled throughout this book, but is not heavy, so a wide range of audiences can relate and enjoy this book.
The chapters are n...more
This was the very first book I read on my iPhone Kindle app and I downloaded it because it was free. The simple fact that I had to turn the page some 10-15 thousand times to get to the end gives evidence that the book was worth reading. It was strange and sometimes scary, but I couldn't stop turning the pages. I didn't realize it had a Christian theme until close to the end, but remember that I was reading this on a 2X3 inch screen and my perspective was a little off since this was a totally new...more
Hmmmm... I made myself finish this book only because I was half way done with it and really wanted to know if it would ever be revealed what was going on. You really didn't realize what was going on to the end of the book.. and that was entirely too long to go. The characters were underdeveloped so even though I really wanted to know what was going on, I didn't care about the characters one bit! I was just angry that I made it half way through this book and still didn't know what was happening....more
This book was more in the 2.75 range. It was a decent read but a little disappointing in some areas. People have likened it to Stephen King's "The Dome" but with a biblical message. It's about about 5 strangers who wake up after a odd storm only to find out everyone has disappered (but it's not the rapture). The book had me guessing at times...is it aliens?...is it hell?...though I'm not one who tries to figure the mystery out before the book ends. I liked to be surprised. The book had potential...more
Just to clarify, this is Christian fiction and the book pulls its themes and core very strongly from the faith, so like most of my reviews for books of this nature--I'd say it's more aimed at folks who have a relationship with Christ than those who don't.
Now, onto the book itself! Let's start off with the good--
Once you get past the somewhat repetitive openings (introducing each character one at a time), the pacing is quick and the characters work really well off each other. You can each feel w...more
Now, onto the book itself! Let's start off with the good--
Once you get past the somewhat repetitive openings (introducing each character one at a time), the pacing is quick and the characters work really well off each other. You can each feel w...more
I really gave this book a good go. I didn't finish after reading over half of it. I was not interested in the main characters, I didn't really identify with them and since there were so many of them, I didn't have enough vested in their backstories to care about what happened to them. I understand that the creatures are probably more scary with some mystery to them but it was taking way too long to identify what they were, why they were there, why everyone seemed to vanish? It just wasn't holdin...more
Mar 03, 2009
Creative A
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Lovers of House and other Frank Peretti novels
Shelves:
books-read-in-2009
Ugh. I hated this book. The only reason I'm giving it three stars is because the prose was written well, and for the most part, tension/suspense was achieved. The author has some skill and it's not his fault I hate this kind of book. So based on that alone, here are my comments:
One - the beginning was a little repetitive. Three complete strangers have simultaneous experiences of a chill, a storm rolling in off Lake Michigan, see odd colors/shapes inside, and then all suddenly realize this is "no...more
One - the beginning was a little repetitive. Three complete strangers have simultaneous experiences of a chill, a storm rolling in off Lake Michigan, see odd colors/shapes inside, and then all suddenly realize this is "no...more
Large dark clouds churned; lightning flashed, acrid smoke of a chemical fire drifted in the sky. Something was wrong. This didn’t look right. These thoughts were those of Connor, Mitch, and Helen right before they got dizzy and fell asleep. All of them woke up to find their lives forever changed. Where did everyone go? Why were they all alone? Each left their homes in a desperate search for others – there had to be others.
Connor, Mitch and Helen find one another in their search for the Vanished...more
Connor, Mitch and Helen find one another in their search for the Vanished...more
Thought-provoking tale which follows various people in strange circumstance. These people meet & try to survive the bizarre circumstances, including menacing "aliens", in a suddenly-empty world. The only commonality amongst these strangers seems to be their lack of faith - however, the story eventually reveals sad, tragic, shocking incidents in their past. I'm very glad to have read this story; it provides a glimpse into the supernatural (i.e. spirit world) that is ignored or denied by socie...more
Three strangers each encounter the same mysterious storm and awake the next day to find that everyone else has vanished. Their paths cross and the work together to find answers. They discover that they are being watched and followed by the "observers" who force them to relive vivid hallucinatations of events from their past. Then the "observers" become aggressive.
This suspense thriller is fast paced and intruiging with a Christian theme of belief in God and life after death. A very interesting r...more
This suspense thriller is fast paced and intruiging with a Christian theme of belief in God and life after death. A very interesting r...more
Enjoyed the first half ... most of the people on the planet vanish and we are left with the survivors to discover what has happened. It was at turns post-apocalyptic and then seemed more sci-fi. I couldn't figure out where it was heading or what the explanations would be. Then the author blindsided me as it turned into a Christian story. Don't get me wrong - I'm not against the various Christian-end-of-times stories. After all, I enjoyed the first few "Left Behind" series books for the sheer end...more
Stayed up till 1am reading this book, so I'm paying for it now.
This was free on Kindle so I wasn't expecting much, but it was pretty suspenseful and kept my attention. The whole Christianity thing was way too heavy-handed, though. I definitely wouldn't have read it if I had known in the beginning that it was a "Christian suspense" book. By the time I realized, I was already hooked in the story. But the religious parts really grated on me and I skipped over them.
This was free on Kindle so I wasn't expecting much, but it was pretty suspenseful and kept my attention. The whole Christianity thing was way too heavy-handed, though. I definitely wouldn't have read it if I had known in the beginning that it was a "Christian suspense" book. By the time I realized, I was already hooked in the story. But the religious parts really grated on me and I skipped over them.
I enjoy it enough that I turned around and bought the sequel immediately. I am concerned that most religions left behind or spiritual awakening books seem to center around Chicago - where I live. Not sure how I feel about that. Ha ha.
The suspense is excellent, and this book was definitely a page turner. I did not necessarily like the characters, but I don't think they were supposed to be likeable. I am interested to see how they develop in the the following novel.
The suspense is excellent, and this book was definitely a page turner. I did not necessarily like the characters, but I don't think they were supposed to be likeable. I am interested to see how they develop in the the following novel.
I got this book free when I purchased my kindle. I thought the first half was interesting but I knew it was going to take on a religious theme in the last half so I didn't really enjoy that part. I think the "reveal" could have been more exciting and if it had to be a religious book at least really commit to that. The ending just dropped and didn't really explain how the main character learned from the experience. Wouldn't recommend this book.
Hateful Christian-Themed Narrative. Warning: if you would prefer NOT to read close-minded, hateful, violent, Christian-themed soul-threatening literature, avoid this book. It is a rapture novel - ultimately a horror story in which the villain is God. I am not Christian, but I grew up that way and I know that Christianity, at its heart, is a peaceful and loving faith, and not the dark twisted representation in this book.
I really liked the basic plot of this book. But it lost me when the details came out about each of the people left behind. By the time I got to the end of the book, I felt like the author's message of being a good Christian was being shoved down my throat. If I had known this was a reliously backed story, I would of probably skipped it. The end was so very self righteous that it ruined everything before it for me.
I liked this book. My husband bought me the Kindle for Christmas, and I downloaded this book for free to try it out. I ended up reading this in 2 days. For whatever reason I have been drawn to these kind of books for the 8 months. Granted, this isn't as powerful as most, but it was still a good, thought provoking read. I thought it was just going to be a mystery about a group of people being the last ones on earth...hmm
I didn't realize this was Christian YA before I picked it up, and I'm glad because I'm not sure I'd have read it if I had. No particular reason why, it's just that I generally don't tend to those types of messages in books. It was actually one of the more frightening books I've ever read, at least before the reader knew what was happening. There were a few times I was reading it and had to turn on a light, I was so afraid. A good read for anyone who likes suspense and mysteries.
Terrible. I got this as a free Kindle download. I would like a refund for the time I spent reading it. The description gave it a sci fi thriller billing...but it was actually Christian fiction. Not a cool bait and switch. It was terrible Christian fiction at that. You could smell the Jesus saves redemption ending from somewhere in the first chapter and as a result there was nothing thrilling at all about this story.
I chose this book because it seemed to have a Scici feel when I read the blurb. I enjoyed it. Halfway through, I realized that it was actually Christian fiction. The concept is similar to the Left Behind series, but in my opinion, much better written. I don't usually read Christian fiction because it always seems so unbearably preachy to me. This one was not. It had a light touch almost all the way to the end.
It was an amazing book except for the ending. I absolutely loved the zombie/post-apocalyptic-esque story, but I didn't realize this was a religious book. In my opinion, this would have been absolutely amazing with a different ending, and minus all the religious references. Not sure if I would recommend to somebody not already religious because of the ending, but rewrite the end and I'd give it five stars.
Holy cow! This book was amazing. I read it on a Friday at work. I could not put it down. It started off really creepy and I didnt want to read it at night at work for fear of nightmares. It ranks right up there with The Shack. What an intense journey into the interworld between heaven and hell and the choice we make everyday to lead us to one place or another. Great book.
The first 3/4 of this book is completely devoid of any plot/character developments. There is occasionally a sense of terror that kept me going, hoping that something would happen... Then the end came, and I was left completely dumbfounded. Rather than being an interesting alien mystery, we have religious BS. I really need to start researching books before I read them...
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Completely not what I expected. This book took me for a total loop! I couldn't believe the ending! When I picked it up I had no idea it was Christian Fiction and I loved it. I'm a sucker for Christian Fiction though. It has a Sci-Fi element that leaves you suspended and you HAVE to keep reading. It kept reminding me of movies like Signs and Knowing but then twisted it around quite interestingly. It was great!
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Tom is a highly imaginative Christy Award-winning author from Tyndale House Publishers. His first novel, "Vanish" won the Operation First Novel Contest sponsored by the Christian Writers Guild and Tyndale House. Released in June 2008, "Vanish" went on to win a Christy Award in the Visionary category. His follow up sequel, "Valley of the Shadow" was released in June of 2009. His th...more
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Tom is a highly imaginative Christy Award-winning author from Tyndale House Publishers. His first novel, "Vanish" won the Operation First Novel Contest sponsored by the Christian Writers Guild and Tyndale House. Released in June 2008, "Vanish" went on to win a Christy Award in the Visionary category. His follow up sequel, "Valley of the Shadow" was released in June of 2009. His th...more
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