Julia Vanishes
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3.5 • 2 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
"An exciting novel with magic and serial killers.... One of the hottest books coming out."—Hypable.com
Fans of Marie Lu, Leigh Bardugo, and Kristin Cashore will be captivated by this stunning first book in a must-have new fantasy trilogy about a spy who can vanish at will and who discovers that monsters, mystery, and magic are also lurking—just out of sight.
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 indeed 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 discovers shakes her to the core. She certainly never imagined that the traitor in the house would turn out to be . . . her.
Murder, thievery, witchcraft, betrayal--Catherine Egan builds a dangerous world where her fierce and flawed heroine finds that even a girl who can vanish can't walk away from her own worst deeds.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Egan's debut novel sparkles with storytelling that skillfully blends elements of steampunk, fantasy, adventure, and magic. First in the Witch's Child trilogy, it introduces readers to Julia, a young woman who is part spy, part thief, and full of secrets. Julia has thrived ever since she and her brother were taken in by Esme, the matriarch of thieves and cons in Spira City. While working as a maid for and surreptitiously gathering information about a wealthy household deemed unconventional by the neighbors, with strange noises heard from the basement and people coming and going at odd hours, Julia uncovers a secret that challenges her morals and sense of decency, but she's honor bound to share it, with disastrous results. Difficult choices have significant consequences in Egan's dark, unpredictable tale, and Julia's progression from a streetwise girl with a crush to a self-aware, self-reliant young woman relies strongly on her journey through conflicting loyalties and examination of long-held biases, especially those against witches. A beautifully rendered world and an exquisite sense of timing ensure a page-turning experience. Ages 14 up.
