Item: Julia Vanishes (Witch's Child #1)
Rating: 4.5
Author: The Candid Cover

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Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan is one of the most epic books I’ve read in a while. This fantasy novel has everything–witches, a spy, thievery, and a main character who can vanish. What I especially enjoyed was the original way that the witchcraft was incorporated. I adored this book and would definitely recommend it.

Review: Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan

Title: Julia Vanishes (Witch's Child #1)
Series: Witch's Child #1
Author: Catherine Egan
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Rating: four-half-stars

Series Rating: five-stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

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.
Her latest job is paying very well indeed. Julia is posing as a housemaid in the grand house of Mrs. Och, where an odd assortment of characters live and work: A disgraced professor who sends her to fetch parcels containing bullets, spiders and poison. An aristocratic houseguest who is locked in the basement each night. And a mysterious young woman who is clearly in hiding--though from what or whom? Worse, Julia suspects that there's a connection between these people and the killer leaving a trail of bodies across the frozen city.
The more she learns, the more she wants to be done with this unnatural job. To go back to the safety of her friends and fellow thieves. But Julia is entangled in a struggle between forces more powerful than she'd ever imagined. Escape will come at a terrible price.
One that will she will be paying over this book and the two to follow.

❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃

Review: Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan

Julia Vanishes is such a unique novel! This book is all about a girl who pretends to be a maid so she can spy on the people in the house. This book contains witches, magic, and thievery, three things that I absolutely adore in books. This is truly the ultimate fantasy novel!

❀ Julia is an Enjoyable Character

I really enjoyed Julia as a character in Julia Vanishes. She has the ability to be unseen, which made me really jealous of her. Julia can use her ability to spy and steal with ease, and even though she didn’t really disappear to help the greater good, I was still intrigued. Julia is also very smart and pretty much fearless. I really admired her ability to keep her head when faced with terrifying situations.

❀ Original Use of Witchcraft

The use of witchcraft in Julia Vanishes is very original. The witches in this book don’t cast spells with wands, but with a pen and paper. What is really interesting is the fact that witchcraft is illegal in the book and pretty much anyone with a pen will be drowned. I loved the way the magic in the story was explained, and I definitely want to see more!

❀ A Unique Novel

Julia Vanishes by Catherine Egan is a unique fantasy novel with a brave main character who can be invisible. The use of witchcraft in the novel is like no other and very well developed. I can’t wait for the story to continue in book two!

About Catherine Egan

My superpowers: high-kicking, list-making, simultaneously holding two opposing opinions
My weaknesses: fear of flying, excessive list-making, lame-ass mortality
My allies: The Canadian Mounties, my made-for-walking-in black boots, Mick, the English Language
My enemies: decaf, low blood sugar, the passage of time
My mission: the coexistence of ambivalence and joy.

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