Long winded

Julia Vanishes

Catherine Egan — 2017

This page-turning fantasy thriller introduces Julia--a thief and spy for hire. Witchcraft may be illegal in her world, but magic still rules. "The first book in the Witch's Child trilogy has adventure, murder, romance, intrigue, and betrayal with a 16-year-old heroine that is both fierce and flawed at the same time. Catherine Egan is an exciting new talent." --Hypable.com Julia has the unusual ability to be . . . unseen. Not invisible, exactly. Just beyond most people's senses. It's a dangerous trait in a city that has banned all forms of magic and drowns witches in public Cleansings. But it's a useful trait for a thief and a spy. And Julia has learned--crime pays. She's being paid very well to infiltrate the grand house of Mrs. Och and report back on the odd characters who live there and the suspicious dealings that take place behind locked doors. But what Julia uncovers shakes her to the core. She certainly never imagined that the traitor in the house would turn out to be . . . her. "Egan's debut novel sparkles. A beautifully rendered world and exquisite sense of timing ensure a page-turning experience." --Publishers Weekly, starred review "Readers will find themselves immediately immersed in the narrative and invested in the fate of Julia, who is both feisty and flawed. There is a richness to this inaugural volume of the Witch's Child trilogy, and readers will be hard pressed to put it down." --Booklist, starred review

Reviews

Melissa Palmer@melissapalmer404

Nov 5, 2023

Book #38 Read in 2016 Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan This is the first book in a planned trilogy. Julia, daughter of a drowned witch, has the power to be unseen by most people. She is in a merry group of con artists and thieves and is working as a house maid to spy on the owner of the house. Julia's job takes a difficult turn and she needs to enlilst the help of her "family" of thieves in order to make things right. This book took a little while for me to get into it but then I really enjoyed it. It is geared toward YA readers but to me, it reads more like an adult book. I will continue the series...it has enough action, mystery, interesting characters to keep me hooked. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

Sheila@duchess

Feb 7, 2022

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley by the publisher for an honest review. WHAT a book! I was not expecting to read this in one sitting, yet here we are. I feel like witches are making a comeback in YA lit - a trend that makes me very happy - and I am so glad this book has presented me with a new flavour of witchcraft! Easily the best thing about this book is Julia herself. At the outset she is a crazy intelligent, cynical, and tough thief/spy who was orphaned with her brother Dek. Both of them are living and working with a tight-knit group of criminals run by a woman named Esme. When we meet Julia she's already been through Some Crap, but things don't get easier for her at all. She has been given an assignment by an unknown client to spy on a mysterious wealthy woman, and the things she sees and the things she is coerced into doing prompts a painfully genuine transformation in Julia. I consider this book to be a witchy, YA take on Scott Lynch's Gentleman Bastards series. Expect monsters, murder, betrayal, and general mayhem! Perfect for those wanting to read the darker side of YA lit.

Alyssa @lyssreads

Nov 13, 2021

I like the idea behind it but the whole book was so boring - honestly; not one single chapter hooked me. There were literally no concrete plot.

MacKenzie Hamon@macham17

Feb 11, 2023

Lucie P@lulupn

Dec 8, 2021

Sarah Ford@sarahann

Oct 18, 2021