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Vanishing Girls
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Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged.
When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now ...more
When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now ...more
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Becky
Young adult. The protagonists and situation are all teen drama.
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Showing 1-30
A slow build to a disappointing conclusion.
Vanishing Girls pulls out an ambitious reveal towards the end that would have caused uproar of the very best kind about five to ten years ago. However, I agree with Wendy's summation of the "twist"... in 2015, this just isn't that original or different anymore. A person who's read a bunch of psychological thrillers will see the ending coming from a mile off.
But that's not all. I've steadily developed more and more of a dislike for the way Lauren Oliver ...more
Vanishing Girls pulls out an ambitious reveal towards the end that would have caused uproar of the very best kind about five to ten years ago. However, I agree with Wendy's summation of the "twist"... in 2015, this just isn't that original or different anymore. A person who's read a bunch of psychological thrillers will see the ending coming from a mile off.
But that's not all. I've steadily developed more and more of a dislike for the way Lauren Oliver ...more
I don't know. The writing is, because it's Lauren Oliver, very compelling--I read this in one sitting because I wanted to know what would happen next.
But I think the twist is one that we see so often these days that the timing just doesn't make it feel surprising--and when I guessed what it was, I was dismayed because I don't think this conceit holds up at all well under scrutiny. Or at least it demands that you accept what you're told in the reveal despite all the evidence that you've been sho ...more
But I think the twist is one that we see so often these days that the timing just doesn't make it feel surprising--and when I guessed what it was, I was dismayed because I don't think this conceit holds up at all well under scrutiny. Or at least it demands that you accept what you're told in the reveal despite all the evidence that you've been sho ...more
Updated review for my friends who I may have confused yesterday.The verdict is now more clearly specified at the last part of this review. The ones in bold letters.^^
I’m so confused! I don’t know if I should throw the book or fondle it.
This is a story about two sisters, Dara and Nick, who used to be the best of friends but whose relationship starts to crack because of jealousy, competition and well, a boy.
The complication intensifies when the accident happens and everything from that point o ...more
I’m so confused! I don’t know if I should throw the book or fondle it.
This is a story about two sisters, Dara and Nick, who used to be the best of friends but whose relationship starts to crack because of jealousy, competition and well, a boy.
The complication intensifies when the accident happens and everything from that point o ...more
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“The lying is the hardest part.”
I should’ve paid attention to who gave this one kudos. E. Lockhart of We Were Liars fame? Yeah, that could have been a flashing neon sign that I would find Vanishing Girls to be . . .
Ha! Just kidding. My reaction was more like this . . .
According to the blurb Vanishing Girls was supposed to be the story of two teenaged sisters (one of which goes missing on her birthday), another missing young gir ...more
“The lying is the hardest part.”
I should’ve paid attention to who gave this one kudos. E. Lockhart of We Were Liars fame? Yeah, that could have been a flashing neon sign that I would find Vanishing Girls to be . . .
Ha! Just kidding. My reaction was more like this . . .
According to the blurb Vanishing Girls was supposed to be the story of two teenaged sisters (one of which goes missing on her birthday), another missing young gir ...more
Writing/Style: 5 stars
“Twist” Ending: 1 star
This Sea Salt and Caramel Corn Candle pairs well with this book
Okay, for about 80% of the book, Lauren Oliver had me. The writing was mostly tight and I loved the descriptions. However, there were some things that stood out to me as odd:
1. The Nick/Parker/Dara romance.
No. Just no. I know this is a YA trope where someone has a romance between siblings, but it just feels incestuous. Also, would you honestly want to date someone who has been with one of ...more
“Twist” Ending: 1 star
This Sea Salt and Caramel Corn Candle pairs well with this book
Okay, for about 80% of the book, Lauren Oliver had me. The writing was mostly tight and I loved the descriptions. However, there were some things that stood out to me as odd:
1. The Nick/Parker/Dara romance.
No. Just no. I know this is a YA trope where someone has a romance between siblings, but it just feels incestuous. Also, would you honestly want to date someone who has been with one of ...more
DNF @22%
Let me start by saying: THE BOOK WAS GOOD. THE CHARACTERS WERE NOT!
Vanishing girls by Lauren oliver is an interesting YA Mystery i adored the whole concept of the story, The diary and the journal articles were a bit confusing but the writting was good, what i didn't like were the characters! Dara and Nick, i HATED these girls. Nick is the "Good girl" has friends, pretty but not as pretty as her sister and kind of prude. Dara is the polar opposite of her sister, slut popular hot reckles ...more
Let me start by saying: THE BOOK WAS GOOD. THE CHARACTERS WERE NOT!
Vanishing girls by Lauren oliver is an interesting YA Mystery i adored the whole concept of the story, The diary and the journal articles were a bit confusing but the writting was good, what i didn't like were the characters! Dara and Nick, i HATED these girls. Nick is the "Good girl" has friends, pretty but not as pretty as her sister and kind of prude. Dara is the polar opposite of her sister, slut popular hot reckles ...more
I was not sure what to expect. Unfortunately, I lost interest just before it started to be really interesting. The ending was amazing - except for the last chapter.
I just did not see the twist coming.
I just did not see the twist coming.
Review also posted at Young Adult Hollywood.
Vanishing Girls is without a doubt my favorite Lauren Oliver book so far.
In this novel, follow the story of sisters, Dara and Nick. They are inseparable until a car accident put a rift between the two of them. After, the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl, Dara vanished. And Nick is convinced, maybe the two disappearances are somehow connected to each other.
There is nothing new about the concept of this book. I’ve read a handful of stories before th ...more
Vanishing Girls is without a doubt my favorite Lauren Oliver book so far.
In this novel, follow the story of sisters, Dara and Nick. They are inseparable until a car accident put a rift between the two of them. After, the disappearance of a nine-year-old girl, Dara vanished. And Nick is convinced, maybe the two disappearances are somehow connected to each other.
There is nothing new about the concept of this book. I’ve read a handful of stories before th ...more
Oct 18, 2014
Melanie
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary,
books-i-own,
2015-favourites,
not-bad-at-all,
writing-envy,
mystery,
romance,
arc,
young-adult,
i-cried
See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I have a very rocky relationship with Oliver’s books. While she caught my heart with Before I Fall, Panic and the later books in her Delirium trilogy did not have me impressed. So I went into Vanishing Girls very much cautiously, and I ended up getting exactly what I was hoping for.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I have a very rocky relationship with Oliver’s books. While she caught my heart with Before I Fall, Panic and the later books in her Delirium trilogy did not have me impressed. So I went into Vanishing Girls very much cautiously, and I ended up getting exactly what I was hoping for.
Sometimes day and night reverse. Sometimes up goes down and down goes up, and love turns into hate, and things you counted on get washe...more
"Don't ask me how I know. I just do. If you don't understand that, I guess you've never had a sister."
I have a sister. She's six years younger than me, more popular, cleverer and a far better person than I'll ever be, no lie. We have stupid inside jokes. She calls my boyfriends douches, and I extend her the same favor because a) they are, and b) they don't deserve my sweet baby sis. Last week, she bought me a caramel latte for no reason except she knew my deep abiding love for anything caramel ...more
THIS BOOK MADE ME CRY.
GOSH DARN IT, ONION-CUTTING NINJAS!
You're probably wondering, "Whoa, is this actually a contemporary drama or something?" Well, it's not, my dear friends - it's a psychological suspense thriller about two sisters who drifted apart after a car accident; a story of regret, bitterness, and ultimately, forgiveness. This is an atmospheric story about how a sister tries to make amends, but ultimately finds herself in a chaotic situation that would change their life forever. I ...more
GOSH DARN IT, ONION-CUTTING NINJAS!
You're probably wondering, "Whoa, is this actually a contemporary drama or something?" Well, it's not, my dear friends - it's a psychological suspense thriller about two sisters who drifted apart after a car accident; a story of regret, bitterness, and ultimately, forgiveness. This is an atmospheric story about how a sister tries to make amends, but ultimately finds herself in a chaotic situation that would change their life forever. I ...more
The full review is now live on 100% Rock!
It's a strange relationship the one between sisters. You're the best of friends your entire lives, until suddenly you're not. One of you gets left behind, one day, whilst ...more
How could my Dara, Little Egg, Nosebutton, who used to wrap her arms around my shoulders and stand on my toes so we could pretend to be one person as we staggered around the living room, have turned into someone who used the word fuckable, someone I barely knew, someone I feared, even?
It's a strange relationship the one between sisters. You're the best of friends your entire lives, until suddenly you're not. One of you gets left behind, one day, whilst ...more
3.5/5 stars. Overall this was a good YA contemporary with some psychological thriller elements in the second half of the book.
Some random thoughts about this book:
- The narrative jumped around a lot which got confusing and kind of awkward to read sometimes. We get chapters from Nick's and Dara's point-of-view before and after the accident and there are also journal entries, articles, mails and photographs included. The photographs annoyed me (I'm not a big fan of including pictures of the charac ...more
Some random thoughts about this book:
- The narrative jumped around a lot which got confusing and kind of awkward to read sometimes. We get chapters from Nick's and Dara's point-of-view before and after the accident and there are also journal entries, articles, mails and photographs included. The photographs annoyed me (I'm not a big fan of including pictures of the charac ...more
Dec 10, 2018
Darinda
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
goodreads-giveaway,
ya-contemporary
Two sisters, Nicola (Nick) and Dara, were once best friends. As teenagers, their relationship has become strained, and it is forever changed after a terrible car accident.
This story is told using alternating timelines - before the accident ("then") and after the accident ("now"). The story is also told using multiple points of view - Nick's POV, Dara's POV, random news reports, and entries from Dara's diary. I found the hopping around to be a bit jarring. It wasn't hard to follow the story, but ...more
This story is told using alternating timelines - before the accident ("then") and after the accident ("now"). The story is also told using multiple points of view - Nick's POV, Dara's POV, random news reports, and entries from Dara's diary. I found the hopping around to be a bit jarring. It wasn't hard to follow the story, but ...more
Poignant, touching and terribly messed up. Oliver’s got me as a fan.
Most of y’all know of my shaky relationship with Oliver’s books. Generally, it’s a hit or miss for me. And yet I always crawl back, because when your writing is as beautiful as hers, you’ll always have my attention. You could say I was apprehensive upon diving into Vanishing Girls. On one hand, it has this deliciously dark premise promising twists and turns (and it's blurbed smashingly, if I may say so). On the other hand , ...more
“I guess that's the really nice thing about disappearing: the part where people look for you and beg you to come home.”
DNF at %42
I love Lauren Oliver and her writing however, this book made me really uncomfortable and irritated. I just can't continiue reading this. I wonder why Author choose to write something like this. I still can't wait to pick up her next book but this one just wasn't for me...
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
“The truth is this: it doesn’t take any skill to almost-die, or to almost-live either.”
This was an intriguing story about two sisters separated by a dangerous accident, and their relationship before and after it happened.
“Dara is bored to tears alone one Saturday night.
Dara is hopelessly scarred for life.”
I really liked Dara and Nick, and it was so sad the way they were ...more
“The truth is this: it doesn’t take any skill to almost-die, or to almost-live either.”
This was an intriguing story about two sisters separated by a dangerous accident, and their relationship before and after it happened.
“Dara is bored to tears alone one Saturday night.
Dara is hopelessly scarred for life.”
I really liked Dara and Nick, and it was so sad the way they were ...more
This is my first Lauren Oliver and I was originally hesitant to begin it due to the mixture of opinions this book has received. Thankfully, I was firmly placed in the category of those who love it, although I can see where some of the more negative opinions stem from.
This is a very slow-building novel. Much of the first portion is filled with descriptions of protagonist, Nick's, summer. She has returned to her childhood home after a few months spent recuperating with her father, after to a tragi ...more
This is a very slow-building novel. Much of the first portion is filled with descriptions of protagonist, Nick's, summer. She has returned to her childhood home after a few months spent recuperating with her father, after to a tragi ...more
I find it interesting that a quick scan of other reviews shows that many readers didn't like it for the very reason that I give it five stars! There are lots of complaints about, "Oh, blah blah, sisters fighting, and then the ending! Whatever." These people are being silly, and they need to look at this book again.
This is much more like my beloved BEFORE I FALL than her DELIRIUM books. There aren't big fight scenes, nobody's trying to overthrow the government. These are real people having real ...more
This is much more like my beloved BEFORE I FALL than her DELIRIUM books. There aren't big fight scenes, nobody's trying to overthrow the government. These are real people having real ...more
Another winner from Lauren Oliver. Dark, suspenseful, and insanely gripping.
RTC. I don't know what to make of this book.
Initial reaction: It's a compelling narrative in many places, don't get me wrong, but I wasn't happy with how it seemed to drag its heels in places, and then the ending didn't really resonate with me as much I'd have liked, chiefly because not all the pieces set up fit together well.
Full review:
"Vanishing Girls" is the first book from Lauren Oliver that I've read in a while (the Delirium trilogy included, and I still need to read the last book in that series). So as much as I've adored her stori ...more
Full review:
"Vanishing Girls" is the first book from Lauren Oliver that I've read in a while (the Delirium trilogy included, and I still need to read the last book in that series). So as much as I've adored her stori ...more
This has got to be my favourite Lauren Oliver book EVER! I've read Panic and Rooms and enjoyed the latter a lot, but loathed the first. So I was a bit nervous about starting Vanishing Girls. BUT IT WAS PERFECT. It had everything I love about Lauren Oliver's incredible writing, plus a huge sister/family angle and a gut wrenching ending that left me hiccuping in the corner.
Like Nick, I have a little sister. So this particularly struck home with me. But even if you don't have a sister, pshht, don' ...more
Like Nick, I have a little sister. So this particularly struck home with me. But even if you don't have a sister, pshht, don' ...more
you know how it’s not a good joke when the punchline is 'they’re gay'? if your thriller’s plot twist is surprise, they have a mental illness, it’s not good either
➸ Trigger warnings for (view spoiler) ...more
➸ Trigger warnings for (view spoiler) ...more
This psychological thriller was okay, but not very thrilling.
Character's were interesting, but development was slow across the book.
The sister relationship was quite unusual? They didn't really feel like sisters to me... IDK
The mystery/thriller vibes were only right at the end which was sad.
Writing was really nice & pacing was good!
The plot seemed to lack direction for most of the novel though...
Ending thoughts: Very clever indeed! (view spoiler) ...more
Character's were interesting, but development was slow across the book.
The sister relationship was quite unusual? They didn't really feel like sisters to me... IDK
The mystery/thriller vibes were only right at the end which was sad.
Writing was really nice & pacing was good!
The plot seemed to lack direction for most of the novel though...
Ending thoughts: Very clever indeed! (view spoiler) ...more
2.75
I just want to love a Lauren Oliver book, dammit!! This is the third one to leave me feeling just "meh" about it. It has all the elements I like in a thriller, and it had a good plot, a good ending...but not as successful as other novels, even though I hate to compare.
Her writing is the only thing holding this together, I never get annoyed by her style or word choice or tone...her story telling is just lacking for me. There is no doubt she is a talented author...I just feel like she has so ...more
I just want to love a Lauren Oliver book, dammit!! This is the third one to leave me feeling just "meh" about it. It has all the elements I like in a thriller, and it had a good plot, a good ending...but not as successful as other novels, even though I hate to compare.
Her writing is the only thing holding this together, I never get annoyed by her style or word choice or tone...her story telling is just lacking for me. There is no doubt she is a talented author...I just feel like she has so ...more
3.8 stars.
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This review is originally posted on The Bookish Girl
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You can get this book from Book Depository
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I have to admit this is the first Lauren Oliver book I could finish; I read Before I Fall a couple of years ago and I couldn't finish it. I have to say, I'm impressed by this book.
This book revolves around two sisters, Nick and Dara, who used to be each o ...more
-----------------------------------------------
This review is originally posted on The Bookish Girl
-----------------------------------------------
You can get this book from Book Depository
-----------------------------------------------
I have to admit this is the first Lauren Oliver book I could finish; I read Before I Fall a couple of years ago and I couldn't finish it. I have to say, I'm impressed by this book.
This book revolves around two sisters, Nick and Dara, who used to be each o ...more
3.5 stars
I've read all of Lauren Oliver's YA books except Requiem and I've always enjoyed her books. She has such a distinct style and vibe to her books. I feel like even if her name wasn't on the cover, once I started reading the book, I could tell for sure that it was a Lauren Oliver book.
I think all her books have mixed reviews and it's kind of a toss up if someone will love or hate her books. I personally like her stand-alones way more then the Delirium series and even though I seen a lot o ...more
I've read all of Lauren Oliver's YA books except Requiem and I've always enjoyed her books. She has such a distinct style and vibe to her books. I feel like even if her name wasn't on the cover, once I started reading the book, I could tell for sure that it was a Lauren Oliver book.
I think all her books have mixed reviews and it's kind of a toss up if someone will love or hate her books. I personally like her stand-alones way more then the Delirium series and even though I seen a lot o ...more
Wow... I started this book when I was looking through my kindle for something to read. Noticed I haven't read this one yet, and said 'why not'? I also started reading this book not loving it. I liked the characters, the drama (even though I'm not the drama queen, myself), the story. But it was going really slow. Until about halfway. When everything clicked together, one by one like clockwork. The little girl, the sister, Parker. Everything was so much deeper and meaningful, it filled my heart, s
...more
Aug 26, 2014
Lauren ✨ (YABookers)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of We Were Liars
Shelves:
fav-2015-reads,
highly-anticipated-2015,
mystery,
favorites,
contemporary,
edelweiss,
owned
I received a free copy via Edelweiss for review purposes.
First Impression: Damn, this book was something else.
I love books with unreliable narrators, intentional or not. And, as someone with two sisters (one of them being my twin), I really loved Dara and Nicks relationship, despite the dysfunctionality.
A fantastic book for those who like suspenseful, darker and character driven novels.
Review: I'm not an 'avid' fan of Lauren Oliver. I enjoyed her book Delirium, but have never really got aroun ...more
First Impression: Damn, this book was something else.
I love books with unreliable narrators, intentional or not. And, as someone with two sisters (one of them being my twin), I really loved Dara and Nicks relationship, despite the dysfunctionality.
A fantastic book for those who like suspenseful, darker and character driven novels.
Review: I'm not an 'avid' fan of Lauren Oliver. I enjoyed her book Delirium, but have never really got aroun ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crazy for Young A...: August: Vanishing Girls Discussion Thread | 16 | 29 | Aug 29, 2017 02:08PM | |
| Hey, can someone explain the ending a bit better? I was following along, but I sort of don't understand what happened once she goes to the bar. | 4 | 242 | Apr 12, 2017 03:29PM |
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Lauren Oliver is the cofounder of media and content development company Glasstown Entertainment, where she serves as the president of production. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of the YA novels Replica, Vanishing Girls, Panic, and the Delirium trilogy: Delirium, Pandemonium, and Requiem, which have been translated into more than thirty languages. The film rights to both Replica
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“Sometimes people stop loving you. And that's the kind of darkness that never gets fixed, no matter how many moons rise again, filling the sky with a weak approximation of light.”
—
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“That's what life is, pretty much: full of holes and tangles and ways to get stuck. Uncomfortable and itchy. A present you never asked for, never wanted, never chose. A present you're supposed to be excited to wear, day after day, even when you'd rather stay in bed and do nothing.”
—
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