Book Review: Vanished

Book #13 for 2025: Vanished by Nicole McKeon, 3.5/5 ★
332 pages / published April 2023 / available here

Goodreads Blurb: Eccentric social outcast Lady Gwenevere St. James knows many secret things: magic, alchemy, artifice, and even the truth about the long-forgotten faeries. But she does not know why common criminals are using rare and dangerous magic to kidnap orphans from the streets of New London. After rescuing one young girl, Gwen vows to save the rest, no matter the cost. But the handsome Scotland Yard inspector is also investigating the case, and he thinks Gwen knows far too much about the kidnappings to be innocent. To save the children, Gwen must dodge the Inspector, bully a coven of witches, and outsmart her marriage-minded mama, all while managing a wily young pickpocket and a headstrong raven. But an unexpected secret hides at the center of the mystery, one that will force her to confront the most painful event from her past, and possibly sacrifice her future.

My Review: I really loved this book in the beginning – a smart, Sherlock-esque, full-of-gumption protagonist and an interesting yet gritty gaslamp fantasy setting – it’s a promising start. Unfortunately, I became less invested after the halfway point. While I think McKeon is a great writer and that ultimately this is a well-constructed story, the content veered too dark for me. I really enjoyed each of characters, perhaps with the exception of the Inspector, but I suspect his arc will grow over the series. There were some things that felt a little clunky, but given how tight and face-paced the writing was, it was still an enjoyable read. The ending also felt pretty obvious from quite early on. However, I liked the setting, Gwen, and the writing style a lot. While I am curious to see where the series goes, if I continue, I’ll go into the next book with a different expectation for content. It feels unfair to rate the book lower for that, since it’s just personal preference, but it was definitely too much for me and feels worth sharing.

CW: minimal profanity, violence/violence to children/gun violence, terminally ill child, kidnapping, parent abandonment/loss, suicide (on page), minor drug use, dark witchcraft