The Malevolent Vanishing

by Stevie Hostetter, Kathy Hostetter (editor)

In the isolated marshlands, a sinister force lurks, ensnaring unsuspecting victims in a web of psychological terror and supernatural manipulation. The Malevolent Vanishing follows a group of friends who find themselves trapped between two unsettling realities – a decrepit diner and an eerie hospital. As they struggle to escape, they face their deepest fears and darkest secrets, manipulated by an unseen evil.

Danny, Lucy, and Josh are inexplicably transported to a nightmarish scenario where time and space lose meaning. Their desperate attempts to escape only lead them deeper into the clutches of an ancient and malevolent being known as Samael. With each passing moment, the boundaries between their perceptions and reality blur, revealing a twisted game orchestrated by a creature with unfathomable power.With psychological tension mounting and the sinister environment closing in, the friends must uncover hidden truths and muster the strength to challenge their tormentor. But as they edge closer to understanding Samael’s true nature, they face the ultimate Can they escape before they lose their sanity, or will they succumb to the malevolence that seeks to consume them?

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2024

Reviews

[D.G. Torrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing plot

This is an intriguing story that weaves through the past and present throughout. There are two exceptionally interesting characters, Samuel and The Stranger, that really kept me hooked.
Danny, Lucy, and Josh are in a race against time to save themselves against a lurking evil. Trapped in a diner with 30ish other people. All in all a great read, with some good ideas too.

[Sejucot Rylon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Malevolent Vanishing tells a story that spans thirty years, weaving together two different narratives involving the same group of characters. The book is told through multiple points of view, including Samael, the Stranger, and a group of friends made up of Lucy, Joshua, Danny, Monica, and Lewis. We follow them from their teenage years into adulthood as the story shifts between timelines.

I have mixed feelings about this one. There were moments where I struggled to tell what was real, what was a vision, and what may have been a dream. That sense of disorientation made it difficult at times to stay fully locked into the story. The premise itself is strong, but I felt it could have been more effective if one storyline had been told first, then transitioned clearly into the next. Instead, it often felt like I was reading two separate stories cut back and forth. One chapter places you in a hospital in 1998, and the next pulls you back into a diner in 2020.

Despite that, Stevie Lynn Hostetter succeeds in making the story engaging and thought provoking. The book encourages the reader to question what they are seeing and to sit with discomfort rather than being handed clear answers. If you enjoy psychological horror set in surreal environments where reality feels unstable, this book will likely resonate with you.
The twist near the end was unexpected and helped bring the larger picture into focus, offering clarity about what was truly happening beneath the surface. Samael is an effective antagonist, not because of physical violence, but through psychological manipulation and control. His presence feels oppressive, and the author conveys his character with strength and intention.

Overall, I would give The Malevolent Vanishing 3 out of 5 stars. It is an ambitious psychological horror with a strong premise and a compelling antagonist, but the execution and shifting timelines may not work for every reader.

[Lucas W Mayberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1998, 4 kids, Daniel, Josh, Lewis and Lucy faced unimaginable horror as people started disappearing in their small town. They thought they had survived that horror but years later in 2020 they are brought together again and have to face the terrible entity known as Samael. However, who is the mysterious disciple known as The Stranger who will stop at nothing to thwart the quartet’s plans. This is a genuinely chilling horror with some twists that you don’t see coming in regards to the identity of The Stranger and the nature of the creature that is Samael. It’s a short and enjoyable read and I will definitely read more from this author.

[Sarah Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

I liked the idea behind this book, there was suspense and twists (especially when you find out who the stranger is) that i didnt see coming. I havent read a book before that had as minimal dialogue as this, and at times it did feel a little rushed. However, Hostetter's poet comes out in her descriptions, which are fantastic. Overall, a good read.

[Katherine Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several books by this author, and I think this is one of her best. The writing is good in this book as well. It’s a short read at 137 pages, and I powered through it pretty quickly, which shows that the pacing is strong.

I loved the descriptions of the old diner and its inhabitants, and when they get trapped, it gets sinister very quickly. Samael is an interesting fellow, and the book rocked along well.