The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe

The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen

by Katherine Howe

I have not read a single book by Katherine Howe that I have not thoroughly enjoyed, and this YA novel was no departure. It was the perfect antidote to the cabin fever days of cold weather and muddy ground in March.

Wes is a film student at a summer workshop in New York City. He is helping a friend with sound as they film a séance when he catches sight of a girl like no one else he has ever met.

Now that I’ve seen her, I feel like she can never be unseen. She looks . . . I suck at describing people, and beautiful feels especially pathetic.

She’s in the camera shot and his friend, Tyler, tasks Wes with getting her to sign a release. She disappears before he can do so.

At the same time, Wes catches the eye of another girl at the séance, Maddie. She’s a little more worldly than Wes.

She smiles mysteriously at me and whispers, “I see you, Wes.”

A strange shiver travels around behind my ears when she says this.

Wes is unique because, as a film student, he really looks and sees things that other people may gloss over. He’s hoping that if he produces a good enough documentary for the workshop, on the theme of what people want most, he can transfer to NYU.

But first he has to find the other girl and get the release signed for Tyler.

It’s like she captures the light. Like it moves through her, and gathers within her, and makes her exude a fragile glow. I swallow and realize that I’m staring, and I haven’t said anything, and that’s totally weird, and I’m probably freaking her out. When I open my mouth to speak I discover I’ve been holding my breath.

When Wes finds the girl, he learns her name is Annie, but he still doesn’t get her signature before she takes off again. Then she shows up in his dorm room. Wes learns that Annie has problems of her own, and he finds himself wanting to help.

I love the difference between Wes’s perception of events and Annie’s. The way the author handles Annie’s perception of her experiences is unique and riveting. Historical detail weaves throughout the story, along with detailed scene setting.

I can’t wait to read the next book by this author.