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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
*audiobook*
I think this is a type of book that is better for audiobook. It has a podcast type of style and I think it allowed me to dive into deeper by listening. The ending felt a little anticlimactic, but sometimes that's the real world. This was different, and I enjoyed it.
I think this is a type of book that is better for audiobook. It has a podcast type of style and I think it allowed me to dive into deeper by listening. The ending felt a little anticlimactic, but sometimes that's the real world. This was different, and I enjoyed it.
I was enthralled through the entire book -- Sadie's mournful, revenge-focused narrative and West's podcast -- but didn't love the ending. (For more on the strengths & weakness of the plot, read any of the roughly 7,000, mostly glowing, reviews on GR.)
I wish his darkness lived outside of him, because you have to know it's there to see it. Like all real monsters, he hides in plain sight.
The contrast between the different, fictional* Colorado towns that Sadie & West visit was really interesting -- how darkness lurks in all of them, even when it's not so obvious, just like the darkness inside predatory men doesn't always show on the outside.
*I started searching up town names to see how far Sadie was traveling and found that most are completely made up, with the exception of Montgomery, which existed, but is much different from the perfect, upscale community depicted in the book.
Read for book club, May 2019.
I wish his darkness lived outside of him, because you have to know it's there to see it. Like all real monsters, he hides in plain sight.
The contrast between the different, fictional* Colorado towns that Sadie & West visit was really interesting -- how darkness lurks in all of them, even when it's not so obvious, just like the darkness inside predatory men doesn't always show on the outside.
*I started searching up town names to see how far Sadie was traveling and found that most are completely made up, with the exception of Montgomery, which existed, but is much different from the perfect, upscale community depicted in the book.
Read for book club, May 2019.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this more than I expected, specially since YA isn't my usual genre but I'm glad I tried I hated the ending though, I am not a fan of ambiguous endings, so for that I can't give it 5 stars
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
I never listen to audiobooks, but this one DEMANDS to be listened to as one. The production is incredible and the story is moving, provocative, tender, and scathing. An incredible piece of art.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Violence, Murder
A compelling, eviscerating condemnation of the preying upon and disposable use of girls. Raw and wicked.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Wednesday Books for the ARC!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Wednesday Books for the ARC!
"People don't change, they just get better at hiding who they really are."
This was a journey of grief and it was absolutely heartbreaking. The experience of reading this and what Sadie and Mattie go through is a punch in the guts. It's about love and pain and it describes this so well, in a gritty way, this all-consuming pain that leaves you numb. The love for her sister is all that made Sadie worthy in a society and family where she never was worthy, the only love in her life gone. The fact that Sadie had nothing left and thus abandoned everything to search for her sister's killer makes it unforgettable.
It left me empty, thinking about all the scars and trauma some have, including these characters. Also, the idea that these people who are actually monsters, but live a normal life and are seen as good guys made me really angry.
The story was fast-paced, I wanted to know what had happened and at the same time, I didn't want to. The format was a cool way to implement a podcast to give the reader more info and to make the book a little more original. Also, it was very refreshing and great to have the representation of a character with a stutter, which made it even more difficult for Sadie to utter her pain. Sadie was an undoubtedly interesting character, who you just instantly root for, you just want her to be okay and find peace.
And the ending. Ugh, it left me speechless. It fits so well, as it's a quiet thriller, full of messiness, but this leaves a bit of resignation and it feels full circle, despite it being open. A brilliant and harrowing novel that will hurt you, yet gives a voice to all the girls that go unheard.
“And Sadie, if you’re out there, please let me know. Because I can’t take another dead girl.”
This was a journey of grief and it was absolutely heartbreaking. The experience of reading this and what Sadie and Mattie go through is a punch in the guts. It's about love and pain and it describes this so well, in a gritty way, this all-consuming pain that leaves you numb. The love for her sister is all that made Sadie worthy in a society and family where she never was worthy, the only love in her life gone. The fact that Sadie had nothing left and thus abandoned everything to search for her sister's killer makes it unforgettable.
It left me empty, thinking about all the scars and trauma some have, including these characters. Also, the idea that these people who are actually monsters, but live a normal life and are seen as good guys made me really angry.
The story was fast-paced, I wanted to know what had happened and at the same time, I didn't want to. The format was a cool way to implement a podcast to give the reader more info and to make the book a little more original. Also, it was very refreshing and great to have the representation of a character with a stutter, which made it even more difficult for Sadie to utter her pain. Sadie was an undoubtedly interesting character, who you just instantly root for, you just want her to be okay and find peace.
And the ending. Ugh, it left me speechless. It fits so well, as it's a quiet thriller, full of messiness, but this leaves a bit of resignation and it feels full circle, despite it being open. A brilliant and harrowing novel that will hurt you, yet gives a voice to all the girls that go unheard.
“And Sadie, if you’re out there, please let me know. Because I can’t take another dead girl.”
Dark and gritty in a way that’s not sitting quite right with me, but I think that’s what the author intended. There certainly shouldn’t be anything comfortable about a book that deals with themes of pedophilia and violence.
For all that, “Sadie” is beautifully written and I enjoyed the podcast scripts interspersed between chapters told from Sadie’s perspective; I thought it was a unique way to get other characters’ perspectives on events the reader had already experienced through Sadie’s eyes. (Though, as a journalist, I didn’t always swallow the way the scripts were written — i.e., how often the reporter inserted himself into the story.) And despite the difficult topics this book explored, it also had a lot to say about the lengths people will go to, good and bad, in the name of loving someone.
The story raised compelling questions in my mind, too, about if Sadie’s actions were justified. Does the abused deserve vengeance on their abuser? Is it wrong for me, as the reader, to want Sadie to succeed in her quest of killing the man who sexually abused her and who murdered her sister? I’m not sure I can answer those questions, but they definitely made me think.
All that said, I was really dissatisfied with the open ending. I spent pages and pages following Sadie’s journey, and I think that deserves more resolution than simply finding out via the podcast script that her abuser died of an infected stab wound. As I reader, I felt really cheated by not getting to know what happened to Sadie — what Jack did after he hit her over the head, what occurred during the alluded-to altercation, what they said to each other, if Sadie stabbed him intentionally or in self-defense, if Jack killed Sadie or if she got away. Perhaps Summers’ point is that so many missing girls’ stories don’t have endings and their loved ones have to live with the not-knowing. But in the context of a book, I felt robbed of the payoff I was supposed to get — answers to questions, loose ends tied — for turning all those pages.
This book is a hard one to recommend because it’s such a tough, dark read; but if you’re up for the challenge, “Sadie” certainly has something to say that’s worth listening to.
For all that, “Sadie” is beautifully written and I enjoyed the podcast scripts interspersed between chapters told from Sadie’s perspective; I thought it was a unique way to get other characters’ perspectives on events the reader had already experienced through Sadie’s eyes. (Though, as a journalist, I didn’t always swallow the way the scripts were written — i.e., how often the reporter inserted himself into the story.) And despite the difficult topics this book explored, it also had a lot to say about the lengths people will go to, good and bad, in the name of loving someone.
The story raised compelling questions in my mind, too, about if Sadie’s actions were justified. Does the abused deserve vengeance on their abuser? Is it wrong for me, as the reader, to want Sadie to succeed in her quest of killing the man who sexually abused her and who murdered her sister? I’m not sure I can answer those questions, but they definitely made me think.
All that said, I was really dissatisfied with the open ending. I spent pages and pages following Sadie’s journey, and I think that deserves more resolution than simply finding out via the podcast script that her abuser died of an infected stab wound. As I reader, I felt really cheated by not getting to know what happened to Sadie — what Jack did after he hit her over the head, what occurred during the alluded-to altercation, what they said to each other, if Sadie stabbed him intentionally or in self-defense, if Jack killed Sadie or if she got away. Perhaps Summers’ point is that so many missing girls’ stories don’t have endings and their loved ones have to live with the not-knowing. But in the context of a book, I felt robbed of the payoff I was supposed to get — answers to questions, loose ends tied — for turning all those pages.
This book is a hard one to recommend because it’s such a tough, dark read; but if you’re up for the challenge, “Sadie” certainly has something to say that’s worth listening to.
4.5
This book was so great and the audiobook is superior! I listened and read at the same time and it was the best Choice!
This book was so great and the audiobook is superior! I listened and read at the same time and it was the best Choice!