Julia Vanishes

By: Catherine Egan

Narrated by: Erin Spencer, Will Damron

"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.

Critic reviews

"The first book in the Witch's Child trilogy has adventure, murder, romance, intrigue, and betrayal with a 16-year-old heroine that is both fierce and flawed at the same time. Catherine Egan is an exciting new talent." —Hypable.com

"Egan's debut novel sparkles. A beautifully rendered world and exquisite sense of timing ensure a page-turning experience." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Readers will find themselves immediately immersed in the narrative and invested in the fate of Julia, who is both feisty and flawed. There is a richness to this inaugural volume of the Witch’s Child trilogy, and readers will be hard pressed to put it down." —Booklist starred review

"Julia's a wonderful, fully realized heroine with moral dilemmas aplenty. For those readers waiting for the sequel to Marie Lu's The Rose Society, a well-realized page-turner in the same vein." —Kirkus Reviews

"A fast-paced, deftly written fantasy with a complex and memorable protagonist. I can’t wait for the next installment!" —Juliet Marillier, author of Wildwood Dancing

"Julia's complexities fascinate. In the suspenseful, action-packed debut of the Witch's Child trilogy, Catherine Egan spins out a dark and deep world of magic and crime." —Shelf Awareness

"Following Julia and her comrades makes for a tricky, frightening, relentlessly exciting adventure colored with moral ambiguity and magical intrigue." —The Horn Book Magazine

"This is a great choice for true fantasy lovers. The worldbuilding is exceptionally done. A truly outstanding first book in what is sure to be a sought-after series."--VOYA

"Right from the start, it’s nearly impossible to put this book down. Equally difficult is pinning down its genre, as it has elements of fantasy, mystery, romance, action, and adventure—there’s even a search for a serial killer. Egan’s world-building is as richly realized as her characters. Julia’s home of Spira City, a world of ritual cleansings, witch drownings, and religious power struggles, resembles medieval Europe; Julia is feisty, fierce and believably flawed, and her many dilemmas and difficult moral choices add real depth to an already-suspenseful plot. Happily, this is the first of a series, called The Witch’s Child, and there are more adventures to come." -- Lynn Rutan, The Booklist Reader

Excellent fantasy adventure w female protagonist

Julia, the main character, was the best thing about this book. She was a fully developed character who had it in her to be both good and evil. The writer made her decisions believable. The secondary characters were also well done to the point I kept wishing for more chapters that delved further in to their stories.

Spellbinding opening

Would you listen to Julia Vanishes again? Why?

Yes. The world-building is rich enough to repay a second listen at least.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Julia Vanishes?

Mrs. Ock (sp? So hard to know when you listen!) steals the show with her kindness.

What does Erin Spencer and Will Damron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Erin Spencer knows exactly how far to press a characterization. Her voices are distinct, but never distracting, though her tonal range is truly impressive. Will Damron has a much smaller role, but brings the detached creepy with aplomb.