Wonderful book! “The Year of Disappearances” by Susan Hubbard
First of all I have to tell you, I’m not a big fan of vampire books. Oh, I’ve read some of course, but I just don’t'get it.’So why am I so enthused about a vampire book? Because this one is soooo different. There are no hot sex scenes, no blood gushing from necks with vamps slurpeing scenes. Nope, this is a quiet little book that almost makes you believe vampires are real and they live among us.
The entire book is narrated by fourteen-year-old, Ariella Montero, who is half vampire and half human. She spent the first thireen years of her life in exile from both species. Now, you don’t have to read the first book in the series, “The Society of S,” but I strongly recommend that you do. It explains all the characters, their interactions and just why Ariella was raised solely by her vampire father.
“The Year of Disappearances” takes place mainly in Florida where Ariella – Ari for short, now lives with her mother. They are in the process of rebuilding their home after a hurricane destroyed it. Someone is stalking Ari and she is determined to find out who. Yes, she lives like a human, going about in daylight, but must put on strong sunscreen to prevent a bad burn. She can also read minds, hypnotize people and become invisible. The vamps in this book are mainly vegetarians – they eat fish, and take suppliments so they don’t have to drink human blood. Are you hooked yet?
Ari makes friends with two of the local teenage girls, only to have one of them disappear. Because of something that happened in the first book (I don’t want to spoil it for you) the FBI is once again looking at Ari. She and her mother decide it’s time for Ari to go to college – even though she’s only fourteen. She was home-schooled by her father and is brillient. At college, Ari starts to fall in love – and that brings up a whole host of other problems for Ari.
I could go on and on but I have other books to read and blog about. Susan Hubbard is one of the best authors I’ve ever read. She uses all five senses in her lyrical writing making the reader truly feel she’s there, in the story. I lived in Florida for a number of years and got to hate the heat, humidity and bugs but after reading “The Year of Disappearances,” I wanted to go and live there again!
So, run out NOW and get a copy of “The Society of S,” and then read “The Year of Disappearances.” Then come back and let us know what you think. Personally, I can’t WAIT for the further adventures of Ari and the rest of her vampire nest.
