ARC Review: Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

Tuesday 3 March 2015

22465597
Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
Released: 10th March 2015
Published by: Hodder and Stoughton
Genre: YA Psychological Thriller
Source: Publisher
Pages: 324
My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Goodreads | Bookworld | Book Depository
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Oliver delivers a gripping story about two sisters inexorably altered by a terrible accident.

Dara and Nick used to be inseparable, but that was before the accident that left Dara's beautiful face scarred and the two sisters totally estranged. When Dara vanishes on her birthday, Nick thinks Dara is just playing around. But another girl, nine-year-old Madeline Snow, has vanished, too, and Nick becomes increasingly convinced that the two disappearances are linked. Now Nick has to find her sister, before it's too late.

In this edgy and compelling novel, Lauren Oliver creates a world of intrigue, loss, and suspicion as two sisters search to find themselves, and each other.
I won an ARC of this book from Hachette Australia

Vanishing Girls is a poignant, and at times disconcerting psychological thriller which explores the intricacies of a sisterly dynamic alongside a mystery which is just as enthralling. This is truly an addictive read, and Lauren Oliver has won me over with her debonair writing style combined with a storyline which is both intelligent and thought-provoking. 

Even though it was often the three of us, he was my best friend, my giggle-till-you-snarf-soda, my antidote-to-boredom, my talk-about-nothing person. And for once Dara was mine too. For once, I was the apex of the triangle, the high point that kept the whole structure together.
Until once again Dara had to be on top.

There almost seems to be two separate plot points going on in this novel - Dara and Nick's complex power-struggle, and the disappearance of Madeleine Snow. However, once you read on and these events converge there is so much more depth and intrigue which I found (and if you wanted to get psychoanalytical I'm sure there are some Freudian influences too). From the very beginning, I was drawn into the minds of these two sisters - who did seem so loving, so caring and so bonded together in a way that only close siblings can be. Yet, as their differences came forward and their relationship more constrained and toxic - it was fascinating to read about how this fit in to the scope of their family life and with their mutual friend Parker. There's always something undeniably alluring about a book with characters that are less than perfect, and Vanishing Girls is no exception.


Sometimes people stop loving you. And that's the kind of darkness that never gets fixed, no matter how many moons rise again, filling the sky with a weak approximation of light.

What lifted this novel to another level was the incorporation of different mediums to create the sense of brewing danger for both girls and the urgency to 'find' them. From emails, Dara's diary entries and pieces from the 'Shoreline Blotter' delivering news in a no-nonsense format with some creepy comments, the tension was taut and palpable at every moment. These intense sections were in part broken up by Nick's taste of normalcy at her new FunLand job, but overall the tone was quote somber.

I run, breath high in my throat, heart hammering against my ribs. I hear my name, shouted again and again, until it becomes meaningless: just the wind, or the sound of the ocean, beating invisibly, ceaselessly, somewhere far off in the distance.

Another interesting aspect of the story was the split in time periods 'before' and 'after' the car accident which changed the lives of Nick and Dara irrevocably. There are just so many elements to the book itself, making it multifaceted and almost like a sinister present which you need to carefully unwrap. The familial dynamic was also in there with its own set of issues, a psychologist had their say, and my head was spinning in some ways as I was disoriented at times with all that was going on. Despite this, after giving it some thought I found this technique to be a smart one as it really ensured that I DID NOT SEE THAT TWIST COMING, BUT WOW. Although in hindsight it should have been obvious, it was well executed and there was a logical explanation which was good. 

Don't ask me how I know. I just do. If you don't understand that, I guess you've never had a sister.
FINAL THOUGHTS

Vanishing Girls delivers exactly what it promises - a beguiling mystery which will pull you in with the more you read. I can't wait to see what Lauren Oliver releases next because this book has some wow-factor which we're all looking for in a fantastic thriller.

14 comments :

  1. Great review. I didn't like that the plot of the vanishing girls was so secondary. The synopsis indicated the missing sister would be a major event, but it didn't happen until more than halfway through the book. The ending was pretty awesome though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Cynthia :) I know what you mean - it did stray from that a bit, but I still loved how it was incorporated - and the ending wowed me! I guess with a psychological thriller the plot can be so unpredictable.

      Delete
  2. It sounds like this one really grabbed you Genie, I like the sound of the thriller and the alternating point of views. I'm still hesitant on this one though, because it reminds me too much of 17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma. The relationship between Dara and Nick sounds really fascinating! Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really did Jeann! I haven't read 17 & Gone, but since it does sound similar and I do want to read it now since I enjoyed this one.

      Delete
  3. ooooOOoOOOh, this does sound good. Since reading Dangerous Girls I've been drawn to books like this lol. Lauren Oliver is a bit of a hit and miss author with me, but I'll give her a go :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha I know what you mean Em - there's something compelling about those thrillers - hope you like this one :)

      Delete
  4. I really cannot wait to read this! I love the sound of it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMG THE USE OF DIFFERENT MEDIUMS IS AMAZING! It reminds me so much of Night Film and I loved its use so I'm sure I would love it in Vanishing Girls too. I'm going to start this book next, I hope I enjoy it as much as you do! I hope I get a kick out of the twist as well, I want to be really surprised :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sooo want to read Night Film because of that reason - it sounds like something I'd love! Hope you like this one Joy and that the twist surprises you :)

      Delete
  6. I loved this one as well! And totally agree with Joy, it really reminded me of Night Film, in the best way possible! The writing just hit all the right buttons for me and really encouraged me to put my faith back into Oliver's writing (in terms of being for me. I wasn't really having a good run with her other ones tbh) Loved the review, Eugenia! You've captured all my thoughts <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's great to hear Jess - I agree, the writing just worked and made me enjoy the story even more :)

      Delete
  7. I have been really lazy about this author and even though I own quite a few of her books I haven't gotten around to any of them! I am so going to change this now, especially as this sounds like such a great one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is definitely a great one to start with, it blew me away!

      Delete

Feel free to leave a comment below - I love reading them!