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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Damn ok. I came in with really high hopes for this one, and knew I needed to listen to it as an audiobook. I really did enjoy it. I can’t help but think it would have been better if the male narrator, the podcast guy, had been different, slightly. Picking him seemed too on the nose.
Some of the dialogue was a little junky— not with Sadie, but during the podcast— like I could tell this was a story about a podcast, but not a real podcast. U feel me?? It kind of took me out of it for a bit at the beginning— I kept being like, ohhhhhh noooo it’s not going to be as good as I hoped. But after about an hour, I was into it. I got comfy w/it. The Sadie parts completely got me. Her character was incredible.
Also, the pacing!! So fast, but so good. Finished it in two days— it’s easy to get sucked into this book, and it’s pretty short— only 8 hours.
Anyway. Recommend. But as an audiobook. I don’t know if simply reading would give you the full effect.
Some of the dialogue was a little junky— not with Sadie, but during the podcast— like I could tell this was a story about a podcast, but not a real podcast. U feel me?? It kind of took me out of it for a bit at the beginning— I kept being like, ohhhhhh noooo it’s not going to be as good as I hoped. But after about an hour, I was into it. I got comfy w/it. The Sadie parts completely got me. Her character was incredible.
Also, the pacing!! So fast, but so good. Finished it in two days— it’s easy to get sucked into this book, and it’s pretty short— only 8 hours.
Anyway. Recommend. But as an audiobook. I don’t know if simply reading would give you the full effect.
Don't know how to put together my thoughts into coherent sentences. Don't know how to rate this. Don't know what feels right. Start: 5 Stars. End: 5 Stars. Middle: 3 Stars.
3 of 5 stars
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When I first heard about Sadie, I thought that I would absolutely loved it. I mean, the way the book was structured --- in Sadie's perspective on one hand and a podcast on another, it was a unique way to present a story. I tried picking this up a couple of times but I always put it off because it intimidates me. But when I actually did, I can't help the disappointment I've felt.
This book didn't hit me hard the way I wanted it to. I know this was full of unlikable characters because of the circumstances of the story but even the main character Sadie, who I thought I supposed to sympathize with, frustrated me the most. I didn't like a single thing about her, her personality and the way she handled things. I know that I should understand her. Her perspective should be the way to see exactly where she stands, how she see and feel things. But I can't connect with her and any of the characters. I found myself mostly frustrated. I didn't exactly know how I felt about the story itself for the most part. Though I admit the last quarter made it hard for me to put the book down because of the building anticipation. I waited to see how the book would end. But the way it ended? I hated when authors did that!
I know it was more realistic to be unable to find Sadie. I mean, in real life, there are a lot of missing person stayed missing. But when authors did that, it can be infuriating. Aside from knowing that Jack was badly injured when he reappeared that day and we know who inflicted it, there were a lot of vague conclusions about what really happened to Sadie. And I hated when authors ended a book that way. It was as if they didn't know how to end it and just let the readers settled it the way we want. I really don't like incoherent conclusions because it bothered me.
But despite all of that, I have to admit that the audiobook of this is the most amazing audiobook I've ever listened to, maybe even the most incredible out there. Having a full cast narration, complete with the required background sound, was the reason I had to stay with this book until the end. The knock, the footsteps, the car door slammed, every single sound necessary was there! I hoped it was how all the audiobook was made.
Overall, it was an okay book for me. If it wasn't for the audiobook, I think I'll rate this book lower. Just sad I didn't love this as much as I wanted to.
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When I first heard about Sadie, I thought that I would absolutely loved it. I mean, the way the book was structured --- in Sadie's perspective on one hand and a podcast on another, it was a unique way to present a story. I tried picking this up a couple of times but I always put it off because it intimidates me. But when I actually did, I can't help the disappointment I've felt.
This book didn't hit me hard the way I wanted it to. I know this was full of unlikable characters because of the circumstances of the story but even the main character Sadie, who I thought I supposed to sympathize with, frustrated me the most. I didn't like a single thing about her, her personality and the way she handled things. I know that I should understand her. Her perspective should be the way to see exactly where she stands, how she see and feel things. But I can't connect with her and any of the characters. I found myself mostly frustrated. I didn't exactly know how I felt about the story itself for the most part. Though I admit the last quarter made it hard for me to put the book down because of the building anticipation. I waited to see how the book would end. But the way it ended? I hated when authors did that!
I know it was more realistic to be unable to find Sadie. I mean, in real life, there are a lot of missing person stayed missing. But when authors did that, it can be infuriating. Aside from knowing that Jack was badly injured when he reappeared that day and we know who inflicted it, there were a lot of vague conclusions about what really happened to Sadie. And I hated when authors ended a book that way. It was as if they didn't know how to end it and just let the readers settled it the way we want. I really don't like incoherent conclusions because it bothered me.
But despite all of that, I have to admit that the audiobook of this is the most amazing audiobook I've ever listened to, maybe even the most incredible out there. Having a full cast narration, complete with the required background sound, was the reason I had to stay with this book until the end. The knock, the footsteps, the car door slammed, every single sound necessary was there! I hoped it was how all the audiobook was made.
Overall, it was an okay book for me. If it wasn't for the audiobook, I think I'll rate this book lower. Just sad I didn't love this as much as I wanted to.
Sadie and Mattie's story is heartbreaking. Their mother, Claire, had Sadie at 19 and Mattie six years later. She was a drug addicted alcoholic that brought home men she met at the bar. One of which ended up sexually abusing both girls and killing the youngest. Claire abandons them when Sadie is 16 and their neighbor, May Beth, ends up watching out for them as best she could. It's May Beth that enlists the journalist to try and find Sadie since the authorities botched the job.
Sadie lived for Mattie. Dropped out of high school when their mother left in order to take care of her baby sister. Made sure she was fed, had a roof over her head, and had good memories of their terrible mother. When Mattie would up dead, Sadie goes after the killer. She's young, tough, and all edges. She's been through a lot in her young life and while she's cynical in many ways and her anger is justified. When she's driving through nice neighborhoods following a lead she can't help but hate how perfect and privileged everything and everyone is without seeming to earn it or appreciate it. She would come slightly undone with a kind word and or small kind gesture from another which spoke to how starved for love and affection she was.
What stood out clearly, and rightfully so, was her astute identification of the blatant sexism she experienced based on her appearance and her gender in general. She was constantly underestimated and she'd mentally call it out as insulting and offensive. She'd mentally repeat, "I'm dangerous. I have a knife." And while she did this mostly to convince herself and to work herself up to killing her sister's murderer, I can't help but side with her and want it to be true. I became angry for her when people would visibly relax when she'd turned out to be a girl rather than a male. Or when others wouldn't feel threatened by her presence or because she stuttered.
The most heartbreaking line in the entire novel is, "I can't describe how bad it feels, this inability to communicate the way I want, when I need to. My eyes burn, and tears slip down my cheeks and I can't even imagine how pathetic I look. Girl with a busted face, torn-up arm, begging for the opportunity to save other girls. Why do I have to beg for that?"
I rated it a three because, much like an actual podcast, there's no true resolution on Sadie. Yes, Mattie's killer ends up dead but Sadie is never found. Which proves the point made in the novel several times: just another lost girl.
While that is the point of the novel, it's still unsatisfying not knowing if Sadie survived.
Sadie lived for Mattie. Dropped out of high school when their mother left in order to take care of her baby sister. Made sure she was fed, had a roof over her head, and had good memories of their terrible mother. When Mattie would up dead, Sadie goes after the killer. She's young, tough, and all edges. She's been through a lot in her young life and while she's cynical in many ways and her anger is justified. When she's driving through nice neighborhoods following a lead she can't help but hate how perfect and privileged everything and everyone is without seeming to earn it or appreciate it. She would come slightly undone with a kind word and or small kind gesture from another which spoke to how starved for love and affection she was.
What stood out clearly, and rightfully so, was her astute identification of the blatant sexism she experienced based on her appearance and her gender in general. She was constantly underestimated and she'd mentally call it out as insulting and offensive. She'd mentally repeat, "I'm dangerous. I have a knife." And while she did this mostly to convince herself and to work herself up to killing her sister's murderer, I can't help but side with her and want it to be true. I became angry for her when people would visibly relax when she'd turned out to be a girl rather than a male. Or when others wouldn't feel threatened by her presence or because she stuttered.
The most heartbreaking line in the entire novel is, "I can't describe how bad it feels, this inability to communicate the way I want, when I need to. My eyes burn, and tears slip down my cheeks and I can't even imagine how pathetic I look. Girl with a busted face, torn-up arm, begging for the opportunity to save other girls. Why do I have to beg for that?"
I rated it a three because, much like an actual podcast, there's no true resolution on Sadie. Yes, Mattie's killer ends up dead but Sadie is never found. Which proves the point made in the novel several times: just another lost girl.
While that is the point of the novel, it's still unsatisfying not knowing if Sadie survived.
Read this full review and many more at: Ashes Books & Bobs.
4.5 Stars.
Many thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this novel early.
It seems like Sadie is everywhere in the book world right now, with rave reviews being given right and left. I just knew it would be my kind of read – I can’t get enough of vengeance-seeking females. I crave justice in this world more than anything, but can’t find a way to right every wrong of the world, especially the wrongs done to children, so I depend on fiction to give me the satisfaction of seeing people get their just desserts. The world can be cruel to women, many of us end up broken in irreparable ways before we even enter adulthood. Sadie takes readers to the hard and heavy parts of a female’s world, without being overly descriptive in the details. I really appreciated the author’s ability to convey some of the worst things that can happen to a woman, without making the story graphic or difficult to read. One knows, without having to know.
The writing in this story is spectacular. I can’t begin to convey how enveloping the whole story was. I felt like I was on the road with Sadie, when she was uncomfortable in the car for hours on end, I was uncomfortable; when her hands ached from holding the steering wheel tightly, my hands ached; when she was utterly exhausted, I felt it, too. I was able to imagine without being inundated with tedious description. Sadie was lost and didn’t want to be found, but still craved human connection and love. She was made hard and cynical but still had a softness in her soul, despite the terrible things she had experienced. She had a soul-hollowing loneliness about her that was incredibly heartbreaking to behold. Yet, I truly loved everything about her character and was rooting for her throughout the story.
“Sometimes I don’t know what I miss more; everything I’ve lost or everything I never had.”
I especially enjoyed the changing perspectives between Sadie’s point-of-view and West McCray’s podcast as he interviews Sadie’s friends, acquaintances, and family. This allowed me to get to know a variety of characters without having to delve fully into their minds, giving a viewpoint I haven’t experienced in a novel before. I was incredibly impressed with how well-done the podcast part of the story was done. It kept the mystery alive as we followed weeks behind Sadie’s actions.
This was a slightly slower read for me, I think because it was so incredibly immersive and heavy, yet I couldn’t get enough. Even as the story ended (and that ending!!!), I wanted more! I was torn between four and five stars, so I decided a half star was in order here. This was thought-provoking and one of the most realistic works of fiction I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. If you’re into darker reads and broken characters, I can’t recommend this book enough.
4.5 Stars.
Many thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this novel early.
It seems like Sadie is everywhere in the book world right now, with rave reviews being given right and left. I just knew it would be my kind of read – I can’t get enough of vengeance-seeking females. I crave justice in this world more than anything, but can’t find a way to right every wrong of the world, especially the wrongs done to children, so I depend on fiction to give me the satisfaction of seeing people get their just desserts. The world can be cruel to women, many of us end up broken in irreparable ways before we even enter adulthood. Sadie takes readers to the hard and heavy parts of a female’s world, without being overly descriptive in the details. I really appreciated the author’s ability to convey some of the worst things that can happen to a woman, without making the story graphic or difficult to read. One knows, without having to know.
The writing in this story is spectacular. I can’t begin to convey how enveloping the whole story was. I felt like I was on the road with Sadie, when she was uncomfortable in the car for hours on end, I was uncomfortable; when her hands ached from holding the steering wheel tightly, my hands ached; when she was utterly exhausted, I felt it, too. I was able to imagine without being inundated with tedious description. Sadie was lost and didn’t want to be found, but still craved human connection and love. She was made hard and cynical but still had a softness in her soul, despite the terrible things she had experienced. She had a soul-hollowing loneliness about her that was incredibly heartbreaking to behold. Yet, I truly loved everything about her character and was rooting for her throughout the story.
“Sometimes I don’t know what I miss more; everything I’ve lost or everything I never had.”
I especially enjoyed the changing perspectives between Sadie’s point-of-view and West McCray’s podcast as he interviews Sadie’s friends, acquaintances, and family. This allowed me to get to know a variety of characters without having to delve fully into their minds, giving a viewpoint I haven’t experienced in a novel before. I was incredibly impressed with how well-done the podcast part of the story was done. It kept the mystery alive as we followed weeks behind Sadie’s actions.
This was a slightly slower read for me, I think because it was so incredibly immersive and heavy, yet I couldn’t get enough. Even as the story ended (and that ending!!!), I wanted more! I was torn between four and five stars, so I decided a half star was in order here. This was thought-provoking and one of the most realistic works of fiction I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. If you’re into darker reads and broken characters, I can’t recommend this book enough.
This book got me. I’ve never read any of Summers’ work, and I knew nothing about the plot line when I got an advanced copy in the mail. I’m also not usually one that strays too far from cheesy romance books. But this was an excellent story. It’s heavy, hard to read, and definitely sad, but I finished it in two days and could have finished it in one sitting had I had the time. I loved the format of partial podcast/interviews and partial narrative, it was very unique and made for an interesting read with multiple perspectives. I definitely recommend that everyone read this book.
You know what's great? When I know what the heck happens to the protagonist at the end of the book. This book breaks the promise to the reader that all suspense/thriller novels need to have - namely WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PROTAGONIST?!?!?!?!?
Ugh.
Note: audio edition is fantastic. But I hate everything about this ending and want to burn everything down.
Ugh.
Note: audio edition is fantastic. But I hate everything about this ending and want to burn everything down.
read this as an audiobook bc it’s told like a true crime podcast which was kinda interesting!! but i wasn’t really as into it as i thought which kinda sucks
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I went into Sadie by Courtney Summers not really knowing what to expect, and I think that's the best way to go into it!
What I Liked:
What I disliked:
If you're looking for a book, any book at all, and you don't know what to read, I'm telling you: you have to pick up Sadie by Courtney Summers! You will not be disappointed.
I went into Sadie by Courtney Summers not really knowing what to expect, and I think that's the best way to go into it!
What I Liked:
- The audiobook! I was lucky enough to experience this novel as an audiobook the first time I picked it up, which I highly recommend doing. Each chapter starts with a podcast, and Macmillan went through the trouble of making the listening experience as amazing as possible, because they make it sound like an actual podcast. It's amazing and really adds to the story overall. The storytelling was just amazing.
- The plot. The plot mainly follows Sadie and what happened to her. Her sister was murdered and Sadie's car was found abandoned, without her in sight. It just kept me hooked the whole time.
- The power of family. I loved reading a book about how strong family and sister bonds can be.
- The way the story is told. The mix of the podcast with Sadie's POV makes it so interesting. The reader has to sort of piece everything together on their own which only adds to the fun.
What I disliked:
- seriously nothing!
If you're looking for a book, any book at all, and you don't know what to read, I'm telling you: you have to pick up Sadie by Courtney Summers! You will not be disappointed.