Vanishing Girls in The Not-So Austen Bookclub

Dec 31, 2014 Kristen rated it liked it

Shelves: 2015-releases, arc-or-galley

This and other reviews are on my site, My Friends Are Fiction

My Thoughts:
I wasn’t sure about Vanishing Girls when I started it…I’m not typically all that into contemporary but this book looked, from the summary, to have a bit of a twist and mystery aspect. The vast majority of the novel was focused on Nick and Dara’s broken relationship with each other and their childhood best friend (and maybe more) Parker.

The novel flips between Nick and Dara’s point of views so you get to see how the other This and other reviews are on my site, My Friends Are Fiction

My Thoughts:
I wasn’t sure about Vanishing Girls when I started it…I’m not typically all that into contemporary but this book looked, from the summary, to have a bit of a twist and mystery aspect. The vast majority of the novel was focused on Nick and Dara’s broken relationship with each other and their childhood best friend (and maybe more) Parker.

The novel flips between Nick and Dara’s point of views so you get to see how the other felt about their accident, Parker, parents and one another. It was so incredibly sad to see the sisters have such a rift between them. I have an older sister and couldn’t relate to their jealousy, hatred and insecurities. My sister and I were team mates and though we hung out with the same group in college we never competed in the nature of these two sisters.

Because of this I found it interesting to consider that some sisters have this type of relationship-interesting and really heart breaking. Dara and Nick avoid each other throughout the novel and only through the flashbacks do we see them interact and how they used to be. Watching them grow apart was really difficult though I’ll admit I was intrigued.

I had issues really liking many of the characters though I did feel that they all had unique personalities and their wants, motivations and desires were realistic. I had so many issues with how the sisters treated one another and really it broke my heart. Also, Parker. Don’t get me started on this guy. I was not a fan though my heart broke for him in some ways. Overall I enjoyed Nick’s perspective more than Dara’s. I’m the baby-sister and I couldn’t relate to Dara’s emotions towards her sibling-I could see that some sisters probably feel this way but I’m thankful that I did not. That’s me reading this book- extremely happy my sibling dynamic was nothing like theirs.

For me the entirety of the novel had a creepy aura that I enjoyed. Something felt off as I read and this kept me reading. Nothing was outwardly wrong I just had this prickling sensation. Nick works at an amusement park and the place felt haunted (and rumor was that there really was a resident ghost). The story barely touched on this but I really enjoyed the creepy addition.

Lauren Oliver has a beautiful writing style that some might find wordy but I really enjoy. The novel, for the most part, had a slow pace until the final stretch. There was a twist, as all novels have, but I won’t go into it in detail but I will say I felt it was a tad sloppy. Regardless of that, I didn’t see it coming so that always wins points in my mind.

Final Thoughts:
Vanishing Girls was a sad and difficult read due to the sisters ever present rift and the negative emotions between them. The writing was beautifully done in my opinion and that creepy feel that Oliver was able to subtly include added a lot to my reading experience.
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Dec 29, 2014 Magic Shop rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, library-books, really-loved

Wow, this book was really something. I read mostly all of Lauren Oliver's books, so I was excited to read this one. It had unique parts along with that twist which I did not see coming. Looking back I guess there were a few clues leading to it, but it was a surprise. The plot was good like a thriller with a little romance added in, but I liked how it wasn't that big of thing and it focused more on Dara and Nick and the mystery.

Speaking of Dara and Nick, they were pretty good, but I felt like th ...more

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