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elysenicole213's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the most interesting books I've ever read. The plot devices and writing style are truly unique.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Child death
Moderate: Sexual assault
sincerelykai's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Wow. This was, really, really hard to read. I truly believe that it was beautifully written - and the mix between Sadie's POV and the podcast transcripts was brilliant. It deserves all of the hype it gets because it was absolutely gut-wrenching for me. The only reason this is getting just a little less than four stars is merely my overall personal enjoyment while reading - it took me forever to finish and I was never truly motivated to finish it until the last quarter of the book. That could have been my reading mood, however, because I would still 100% recommend this book! Especially for those who love true-crime podcasts. (I might re-visit and update my star-rating later). Another reason why I am semi-disappointed is the ending. We do not have Sadie's death entirely confirmed and I would rather know than not. HOWEVER, it does work well with the podcast layout as with most true-crime podcasts there are no true 'ends' after investigations. So I am at a cross-roads between completely hating the ending, and applauding it for its correlation to the realm of true-crime podcasts. Just be cautious and review the content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Abandonment
janneke2302's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is such a difficult book to rate. It was an amazing and impactful story and I absolutely loved reading it. But it didn't have the ending I wanted. I think that makes a lot of sense, given the story, but I still really wanted a happy ending. I also wish there would have been one more chapter from Sadie's POV, because I really want to know what happened between her and Keith and the end. The current ending fits the story really well though and I should have seen it coming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Car accident
desiderium_incarnate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Ich kann nicht sagen, dass ich es genossen habe dieses Hörbuch zu hören, weil die Geschichte selbst so gruselig ist. Es ist gut erzählt und die Story zieht einen wirklich, besonders dadurch wie realitätsnah sie ist, in ihren Bann. Ich glaube nicht, dass mir dieses Buch so schnell aus dem Kopf gehen wird. Man hofft, wie auch bei Fällen im echten Leben auf ein gutes Ende, aber die Wahrheit ist, manchmal gibt es nur Ungewissheit.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
bendersreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Rape
Moderate: Addiction and Child death
Minor: Suicide attempt
thedesireader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Gaslighting
livpasquarelli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, and Abandonment
skyrobert's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I listened to the audiobook of this, and it was sooo good. Multiple narrators, Sadie’s stutter, and emotions conveyed very well. It was engaging and I couldn’t stop listening. But what made the rating drop for me was the ending. I knew the ending was coming close because of how the podcast was wrapping up. I thought no, no, it can’t end like this. But then, it did. With no idea what happened to Sadie. Personally, I’d like ending a lot better no matter what happened to her. She completed her mission, even if it was after what happened to her, after she lived and ran or died. I never really loved endings where it was like what happened. I read to know what happened, not be left in the dark. So whether the ending was good or bad, I wanted one. I wanted answers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
the_books_music_life's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I almost cried at the end of this book. This book hits so hard and hits with so many different emotions I can't even really describe the feelings I had when I was reading this. I would 100% recommend the audiobook, it's full cast with sound effects and it's like listening to a true crime podcast.
The book follows the main mystery of what happened to Mattie Southern and her sister Sadie, who is on her own search for answers and justice, and goes missing along the way. The book is in dual perspective and follows that of Sadie and West McCray a radio personality who does a podcast investigating Mattie’s murder and Sadie’s disappearance.
I got three paragraphs in and I already love it. The format is something I’ve never seen done before, it’s set in a podcast series format and it bounces between the podcast narrator and Sadie. I can get lost in the story and forget it’s not a real life true crime case I’m listening to but a fictional story
I think this book is something everyone should read but I recognize not everyone can because of the subject matter. While nothing is explained in gory details or shown physically happening the book deals with the murder of a child, child molestation, drug abuse, child abuse and parental abandonment. So be sure to read the content warnings before going into this book.
Sadie has a stutter that is prevalent in her narration and it adds to the characterization of Sadie and helps the reader relate to her. All the characters are fleshed out and feel like real people, down to the choices they make.
The way we, as readers or listeners, are brought into the flashbacks Sadie experiences of her trauma so well done, you almost think it’s actually happening instead of it being a flashback. Which is true if you have ever experienced a flashback. The more I read I can’t help but be angry at Mattie and how hurtful and mean and how she never seemed to appreciate all that Sadie had done for her.
The ending had me so worried, I was so scared that what I thought was going to happen would but thank god it went a different way. I feel like the ending will be hit or miss; some will love it, some will hate it. I felt it was a good, realistic and felt right for the story.
The book follows the main mystery of what happened to Mattie Southern and her sister Sadie, who is on her own search for answers and justice, and goes missing along the way. The book is in dual perspective and follows that of Sadie and West McCray a radio personality who does a podcast investigating Mattie’s murder and Sadie’s disappearance.
I got three paragraphs in and I already love it. The format is something I’ve never seen done before, it’s set in a podcast series format and it bounces between the podcast narrator and Sadie. I can get lost in the story and forget it’s not a real life true crime case I’m listening to but a fictional story
I think this book is something everyone should read but I recognize not everyone can because of the subject matter. While nothing is explained in gory details or shown physically happening the book deals with the murder of a child, child molestation, drug abuse, child abuse and parental abandonment. So be sure to read the content warnings before going into this book.
Sadie has a stutter that is prevalent in her narration and it adds to the characterization of Sadie and helps the reader relate to her. All the characters are fleshed out and feel like real people, down to the choices they make.
The way we, as readers or listeners, are brought into the flashbacks Sadie experiences of her trauma so well done, you almost think it’s actually happening instead of it being a flashback. Which is true if you have ever experienced a flashback. The more I read I can’t help but be angry at Mattie and how hurtful and mean and how she never seemed to appreciate all that Sadie had done for her.
The ending had me so worried, I was so scared that what I thought was going to happen would but thank god it went a different way. I feel like the ending will be hit or miss; some will love it, some will hate it. I felt it was a good, realistic and felt right for the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, and Grief
talk of drug abuse, talk of prostitution, flashback of trauma, talk of trophiesvalerydaniella's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
I am speechless
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Pedophilia