As a person who is not a fan of fantasy and has lightly dipped her toe into fabulism, I went into The Disappearances curious about how I would interact with the story. Friends, I was not disappointed!

I’d rather spend it traveling the world than building a big house or having a lot of things. I’d rather build memories instead. Because those are the things you carry with you always, everywhere, things that can’t be destroyed or taken.

The Disappearances is one of the best paced books I’ve had the pleasure of devouring. One of my biggest issues in reading fantasy is usually the length or the stall of the story in the interest of a journey (not of the metaphorical type). The Disappearances consistently kept me engaged and guessing about the mystery aspects. Emily wove little clues into the story, just enough to keep you coming back. It’s this build up that you don’t even realize is happening until you uncover what’s really happening.

No story is complete without a cast of characters for you to love. Aila is easy to root for, as she discovers her mother’s role in the disappearances of the stars, dreams, scents, and reflections. It’s her cast of supporting characters, the teens and the adults, that build the story. Every character has a place within the story; it wouldn’t be the same without each of them.

The Disappearances is full of mystery, suspense, and a bit of romance, which was a surprising and welcome element. Emily's writing is gorgeous and poetic, without being over the top. This is not a book that feels like everything and the kitchen sink but a book with a voice that will not be ignored.