Book Review by Biff Rushton

Local author Cassidie Salley talks with us about her new gothic fantasy novel, Vanish in the Ambre . We spoke with Salley previously back in April about her book After the Light Died , and are now hosting her Book Launch Party at Wildfire Park in Leander on October 24th from 5pm to 9pm! There will be trick or treating, live music, and a food truck. Come in costume to receive a free Lioness Books tote bag! AS: Tell us about your new gothic fantasy book “Vanish in the Ambre”! CS: “It’s set in modern-day Texas, in a town called Trickem (based on the real-life town of Trickham!). All sorts of witches and fantastical creatures live there, but the town’s largest population is their infestation of ghosts. Our main character, Becca Newman, is a necromancer, specializing in reviving people’s pets and familiars. She’s on the job one day reviving a familiar when she stumbles upon a secret she wasn’t supposed to find.” AS: Do you have any favorite moments from the book—or writing it—that you can share with us? CS: “At the very beginning of the book is a chapter where Becca goes to the movies and a ghost interrupts her watching. That was the first time this story really clicked for me, trying to merge the modern-day teenager just trying to hang out with a deep and dark haunting. I spent the rest of the book trying to chase that energy I found in that one chapter.” AS: What messages or sentiments do you hope readers will take away from your book? CS: “While this is a very silly and (hopefully) funny book, a lot of its deeper themes are about grief and loneliness. Losing yourself after a traumatic event, losing friends and wondering what happened, trying to find yourself but still being labeled an outsider…all of this stuff is hard, and unfortunately a lot of young people can relate to it. While Becca is certainly not perfect, she is unapologetically herself. She’s alone because of it sometimes. Then one day, people who appreciate that about her start gravitating towards her. If there’s one thing I want people to take away from this book, it’s to not be afraid to be yourself even in the midst of grief and loneliness, because the right people will find you. If there’s another thing I want them to take away, it’s to not be afraid of being vulnerable in that grief, because sometimes that’s the only way to heal.”