If you are waiting for the next Harry
Potter story and looking for a fantasy novel to read, then try Julia
Vanishes by Catherine Egan. In
this story magic has been outlawed, but witches (and other powerful beings)
still exist. As with Harry Potter, reading Julia
Vanishes requires some persistence and patience to get the names
of the characters and locations straight at first – there is more happening than just
good vs. evil and it is not always clear who (or what!) is on the “right” side. 
As a reader, one comes to increasingly sympathize with Julia who disguises herself as housemaid Ella in order to report on the activities of the members of Mrs. Och’s household. Although her own mother was drowned as a witch, Julia thrives on adventure and frequently spies or steals by using her ability to vanish at will. At first, she is mostly writing reports for an unknown employer, but the novel improves and the pace quickens as Julia/Ella increasingly takes risks and forms alliances. There is even some romance with a fellow thief.
Elements of Julia Vanishes –
like the violence, torture, and youth fighting an unjust and evil system controlled by
adults – also made me think of The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow. Another highly recommended series of titles which
have a strong heroine struggling with her powers and how best to fight
oppression are by Kristin Cashore – start with Graceling, followed by Fire
and then Bitterblue. Julia
Vanishes received starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers
Weekly and is extremely likely to have a sequel or two itself.
