Before We Disappear

By: Shaun David Hutchinson

Narrated by: André Santana, Mark Sanderlin

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

It’s a new star-crossed romance about the magic of first love from the acclaimed author of We Are the Ants and Brave Face, Shaun David Hutchinson.

Jack Nevin’s clever trickery and moral flexibility make him the perfect assistant to the Enchantress, one of the most well-known stage magicians in turn-of-the-nineteenth-century Europe. Without Jack’s steady supply of stolen tricks, the Enchantress’s fame would have burned out long ago.

But when Jack’s thievery catches up to them, they’re forced to flee to America to find their fortune. Luckily, the Enchantress is able to arrange a set of sold-out shows at Seattle’s Alaska–Yukon–Pacific World’s Fair Exposition. She’s convinced they’re going to rich and famous until a new magician arrives on the scene. Performing tricks that defy the imagination, Laszlo’s show overshadows the Enchantress, leaving Jack no choice but to hunt for the secrets to his otherworldly illusions. But what Jack uncovers isn’t at all what he expected.

Behind Laszlo’s tricks is Wilhelm—a boy that can seemingly perform real magic. Jack and Wilhelm have an instant connection, and as the rivalry between the Enchantress and Laszlo grows, so too does Jack and Wilhelm’s affection. But can Jack choose between the woman who gave him a life and the boy who is offering him everything?

It’s a stirring tale about the magic of love from award-winning author Shaun David Hutchinson.

A stellar contribution to the genres of Magic, fantasy and LGB

The setting was beautifully chosen and well detailed bringing the reader into a time that actually existed. The characters are well developed and compelling. With the exception of a few unnecessarily complicated words, the story is very well told. The protagonists are lovable.

Absolutely loved it!

This book was so wonderful I ended up completely emerged. I truly felt for the characters and wanted to jump into the book itself and protect some of them from the tragic situations they were placed in.

A Beautiful work of Fiction

I absolutely ADORED this story even with its flaws. it was heart wrenching and I couldn't stop for even a second! The villan is perfect and believable and it felt almost real! I hope we can get a short story to round this off but it was perfect.

the author note made me cry. We are here. We are valid. We deserve love.

Great suspense and intrigue! Love this story!

This young adult story took a real historical context and told a beautiful tale of cherished caring between LGBT characters with a magical finish.

Not Harry Potter but still good

Reminded me of The Prestige with a romantic theme. Always a great experience with Shaun David Hutchinsons novels.