Release: June 2nd 2020
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Rootcity Press
Source: Amazon
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo
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Andi Lin overhears details about a harmful research study at the food corporation Nutrexo. And now she’s starts worrying about her dad’s involvement. He left home to participate in one of the company’s clinical trials, and was in frequent contact at first. But her recent attempts to reach him have been met with silence.
Fearing he may be in danger, Andi sets out to investigate. She finds an unlikely ally in her neighbor Cyrus. His mother once worked for Nutrexo and is hiding secrets of her own. Their search for answers leads them to the head scientist at Nutrexo’s confidential research facility. There they learn that the truth is more complicated and more devastating than they ever could have imagined.
This captivating debut is at once a page turning thriller, a contemporary coming of age story, and a thought provoking look at the consequences of our desires for power, success, and control.
About the Author:
Alanna Peterson graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with degrees in molecular biology and nutritional science. She has worked in a variety of settings throughout her career, including a microbiology lab, a research kitchen, an intensive care unit, a food justice nonprofit, and a shaved ice booth. She is the award-winning author of the Call of the Crow Quartet, a series of young adult thrillers. More information about her books (including resources, recipes, and content/trigger warnings) can be found at alannapeterson.com.
When We Vanished Review:
“When We Vanished” exceeded my expectations and turned out to be an exciting young adult thriller that I could not put down.
Let me begin by saying how this book was a surprise. When I started reading it, I had no idea what was in store for me. There are so many thrilling moments in the tale that had me at the edge of my seat. Some moments that stood out for me were when they hear the sounds of the helicopter or when they find out who gets arrested. While this might not make sense in my review (as I tried to make it abstract and spoiler-free), you will relate to it once you read the story.
There is more to appreciate in the story apart from the thrilling moments. Firstly, I admired the author for highlighting the risks of processed foods and how the corporations managing them are not trustworthy. She implements these subjects into the storyline, and it made me think about what goes on in our bodies when we eat something from outside. I appreciate the author for taking the initiative and applying it in this fascinating tale. Secondly, I loved Cyrus’s family. Judging by their names, I assume them to be a Parsi or Muslim family settled in America, and I liked how the author represented them.
All the characters, including Andi, Cyrus, Naveed, or even adorable Roya, were distinct. The story is top-notch as they get entangled in a conspiracy and have to face the creepy Dr. Snyder. On a side note, the geeky side of me also liked Cyrus’s technical skills and how the author included his chat conversations with Dev.
Overall, “When We Vanished” is an excellent start to the series and excited me for the next book!
