Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips grabbed me from the beginning. Set on the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia, in the first chapter two young sisters disappear. Every chapter after is a new month and follows different women and girls who live on the peninsula.

This book almost reads like short stories, but some characters appear in multiple chapters. The disappearance of the girls affects the women in different ways, but is the theme throughout. So many of the experiences depicted in this book rang true with familiar emotions that so many of us have probably felt: a girl who is hurt when her best friend’s mom thinks she’s a bad influence and won’t let them see each other anymore, a college student who questions her relationship with her controlling but comfortable boyfriend when she connects with someone new, a woman who is devastated and angry when a careless friend leaves her door open and her dog gets out. Every chapter drew me in immediately and I instantly was invested in the lives of literally every single character, which I feel like almost never happens for me when you only get to know characters for a short time.

The sense of place in this book is also strong. The descriptions of the city and small communities were such that I could really picture the peninsula. The writing is very atmospheric.

The mystery of the disappearance, while mostly in the background, is compelling too. I don’t want to give too much away, but my heart was racing at the end. This book is truly stunning. I highly recommend it. I absolutely loved it and I will read everything Julia Phillips writes.