The Vanishing Season

This is no place for anyone with a heart.

— On the surface, it's about these flawed characters in a really compelling love triangle (the best I've read to be honest). And yet, this was truly just a story about isolation, loneliness, and longing. So beautifully written, and so sad. Just my cup of tea.

It's been several days since I finished this one and I'm still not sure what I think. it was gorgeous and lyrically haunting. I responded to it emotionally. I never could predict it which I love and rarely find. I think the ending was my problem. It was incredibly unsatisfying. I'm not sure how I feel about the implications of that ending. This book also wanted to be a statement on female friendship, but ultimately tried to elevate a toxic friendship. It was cringier than expected

The only other book I read by Jodi Lynn Anderson is Tiger Lily, a dark retelling of Peter Pan from the perspective of Tiger Lily (duh). It was beautiful and so, so dark. I expected a murder mystery with The Vanishing Season, something also a little dark and brooding with a bit of magic.

I did not get what I expected.

I spent most of the time wondering how everything connected, or what the outcome would be. In the end I was so flabbergasted. After two books I've come to realize that Jodi Lynn Anderson does not write happily ever afters. Her books are sad and unfair and beautiful. There is no way to talk more about this book without ruining it for you so I will stop now. Read it and it will be hard to forget.