Ghosts and Confusion // ARC Review: The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe

The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe
Amazon // Goodreads //
Published: September 15, 2015
G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
ARC via Andye @ Readingteen.net

A haunting, contemporary love story from the New York Timesbestselling author of Conversion

It’s summertime in New York City, and aspiring filmmaker Wes Auckerman has just arrived to start his summer term at NYU. While shooting a séance at a psychic’s in the East Village, he meets a mysterious, intoxicatingly beautiful girl named Annie.

As they start spending time together, Wes finds himself falling for her, drawn to her rose petal lips and her entrancing glow. But there’s something about her that he can’t put his finger on that makes him wonder about this intriguing hipster girl from the Village. Why does she use such strange slang? Why does she always seem so reserved and distant? And, most importantly, why does he only seem to run into her on one block near the Bowery? Annie’s hiding something, a dark secret from her past that may be the answer to all of Wes’s questions . . . 

Ghosts and transcending time. Old and new. Cools clothes and missing rings with people’s faces in them. Cute guys that apparently are nice (not really sure. Only met the dude once.) and other cute guys who fall in love way too freaking easily. It feels like insta-love. It’s not really. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think this book was spread about an overly long time period. What was it? It felt like a week, maybe? And when we talk about love, and a slightly not committed love, in a week’s span. Well, I don’t know about you, but I feel like a deer in the headlights. So love. Then there is the plot to talk about. . .

Or the lack there of? This book surrounds a ‘ghost’ and her quest to figure out why she is where she is. She’s missing her cameo (something which I had to look up what it is, but actually sounds kind of cool) and her whole hunt for it is kind of like a treasure hunt. They have to follow clues and a trail (of sorts) in order to figure out where her missing ring is. This whole time, Wes’s is trying to get into NYU as a transfer film student. Apparently, he is, like, crazy talented. Onto the actual review and not just summary (of sorts) of THE APPEARANCE OF ANNIE VAN SINDEREN.

Okay, as much as I hate to say it, I was majorly disappointed with ANNIE VAN. *ducks under covers to hide* I KNOW, I KNOW. Ever since I saw the cover and added it to my wish-list on goodreads I’ve been building it up in my head to transcend all over novels. The cover is one of my favorites of the year. It’s right up there with the cover for BLOOD AND SALT.

Why? Well, here are a few of the reasons.

One was the complete lack of a plot. Or maybe there was a plot, there just wasn’t anything all that exciting about it. I mean, yeah, you’re missing your ring and super confused and what’s with these crazy folks living in your house? I mean, what is up with that? I kept waiting (and waiting and waiting) for something to happen other than random thoughts about should I or shouldn’t I kiss her? Oh self, you must stop thinking romantic thoughts about these two charming young women at once! Oh self, they’re just so pretty. *bangs head on wall* I would say this boy needs to get out more but. . .I think that’s just his personality.

Annie, in all seriousness, was actually a decent character. I mean I didn’t love her, but she wasn’t a complete fool. *thinks about it for a little bit* Well, she wasn’t as bad as Wes. Wes has some issues he needs to resolve, I think. She is very determined. And has great sense in clothes. And I do think she does grow though out the book, which is mighty fantastic. I appreciate growth.

Here are some things I wish were discussed more before just moving on.

For something that I think could have really build a backbone for ANNIE VAN, the film stuff actually wasn’t mentioned as much as I though it would be. I mean, this is a huge part of both the boys lives, and we really just get glances of it. AND GOODNESS. I WISH THE OTHER LAD IN ANNIE’S LIFE WAS PROPERLY INTRODUCED. THAT, MY DEAR, IS MY ONE WISH.

All of that being said, I didn’t really either like or dislike ANNIE VAN. I read it in one sitting if that counts for anything for any of y’all. It took me like two hours. Although the writing was smooth, I just didn’t connect to the characters. In books, I (and I think anyone who reads) wants to connect with the characters. Am I wrong? Do you not want to feel what they feel? Anyway, this book didn’t stun me like I anticipated it would. THE APPEARANCE OF ANNIE VAN SINDEREN was a quick, easy read that didn’t require much thought. Annie is a likeable character; Wes, not quite as much so. I wouldn’t go out to the store and grab myself a copy really quick. But I would keep it on my TBR for a rainy day read.