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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
Well written, but so dark. It's not for everyone.
A serial podcast tries to track a teen named Sadie who disappeared after her sister was murdered, and then her identification was found many states away and many weeks later. These parts are transcripts, and have a very particular voice and are looking back to retracing her steps.
Then, in alternating chapters, we see in real time what happened to Sadie from her point of view.
It's well written, and an interesting story, but none of it is good...I mean the story, it's dark and sad.
A serial podcast tries to track a teen named Sadie who disappeared after her sister was murdered, and then her identification was found many states away and many weeks later. These parts are transcripts, and have a very particular voice and are looking back to retracing her steps.
Then, in alternating chapters, we see in real time what happened to Sadie from her point of view.
It's well written, and an interesting story, but none of it is good...I mean the story, it's dark and sad.
I'm really surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this story. I had seen very mixed reviews and the more people said they were disappointed by it, the more I hesitated to read it, but I started it on a whim and I certainly don't regret the decision! Sadie is a young adult mystery/crime thriller told through an interesting format: a mix of podcast and first person POV. It delves into pretty dark topics including child abuse (off page) and drug/alcohol abuse and addiction. It's not a happy story by any means and there isn't much of a happy ending (though tbh, I'm still a little salty about that ending!), but I think it's worth the read.
I'm glad I chose to listen to the audiobook because it helped me get into the story and connect with the characters and their journeys. The audiobook is a full-cast production and I think the voice actors did an amazing job--especially the ones who played Sadie and West McCray, the radio personality who investigates Sadie's disappearance.
Sadie was such a troubled young woman, and my heart went out to her and all she's been through. It's dark and painful to read. You can sense how much Sadie treasured her sister, Mattie, and you could feel how Mattie's death drove Sadie right to the edge. There's a certain desperation about her character that stems from not caring about living anymore, and it was so hard to witness it unfold… But this desperation to bring the killer to justice was also what drove Sadie on. That said, it took a while for her character to grow on me. Her bitterness and rage was often a lot to take but ultimately my heart broke for her because of how little she asked for and was given in her life, and how much she had to give in return, despite that.
My favorite part of the audiobook was the podcast sections. Listening to McCray follow the trail and becoming more invested in Sadie's well-being happened at the same pace as my own attachment to the story. It felt real and believable, and like I was really listening to a IRL podcast. When the pieces started coming together you could feel how it shook McCray especially since he had his own daughter. His plea at the end really had me tearing up a bit too because it was heartbreaking. That said, that open ending was a bit of a … disappointment? I mean, it was satisfying because justice was served, but I also had so many questions that went unanswered… I just wanted to know and I'm upset that we won't ever. This might be more of a personal preferences as I don't like open endings, but I wish it was a clean resolution.
If you're curious and have access to or the means to purchase the audiobook, I would highly recommend it. Summers successfully drew me in and kept me hooked until the very end. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes out with next!
I'm glad I chose to listen to the audiobook because it helped me get into the story and connect with the characters and their journeys. The audiobook is a full-cast production and I think the voice actors did an amazing job--especially the ones who played Sadie and West McCray, the radio personality who investigates Sadie's disappearance.
“I realized pretty early on that the who didn’t really matter so much. That anybody who listens to me, I end up loving them just a little.”
Sadie was such a troubled young woman, and my heart went out to her and all she's been through. It's dark and painful to read. You can sense how much Sadie treasured her sister, Mattie, and you could feel how Mattie's death drove Sadie right to the edge. There's a certain desperation about her character that stems from not caring about living anymore, and it was so hard to witness it unfold… But this desperation to bring the killer to justice was also what drove Sadie on. That said, it took a while for her character to grow on me. Her bitterness and rage was often a lot to take but ultimately my heart broke for her because of how little she asked for and was given in her life, and how much she had to give in return, despite that.
My favorite part of the audiobook was the podcast sections. Listening to McCray follow the trail and becoming more invested in Sadie's well-being happened at the same pace as my own attachment to the story. It felt real and believable, and like I was really listening to a IRL podcast. When the pieces started coming together you could feel how it shook McCray especially since he had his own daughter. His plea at the end really had me tearing up a bit too because it was heartbreaking. That said, that open ending was a bit of a … disappointment? I mean, it was satisfying because justice was served, but I also had so many questions that went unanswered… I just wanted to know and I'm upset that we won't ever. This might be more of a personal preferences as I don't like open endings, but I wish it was a clean resolution.
“How do you forgive the people who are supposed to protect you? Sometimes, I don't know what I miss more; everything I've lost or everything I never had.”
If you're curious and have access to or the means to purchase the audiobook, I would highly recommend it. Summers successfully drew me in and kept me hooked until the very end. I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes out with next!
This was a suspenseful, powerful story, but know that it had a LOT of language in it. Deals with child abuse, but not graphically. Just the language.
Sadie’s story broke me and shook me to the core, Courtney Summers knows how to turn words into emotions and… I have no other words than, that this is a MUST READ, absolute
very interesting format, part first person narration/ part podcast format. great story telling.
*4.5
The audiobook for this was incredible, particularly for the podcast sections. Definitely recommend listening to it as opposed to reading it physically
The audiobook for this was incredible, particularly for the podcast sections. Definitely recommend listening to it as opposed to reading it physically
I listened to the audio book version so I’m sure it’s written just the same. Pretty much a podcast in book form. To be honest I don’t think I would have actually sat down and read it, so I do think the audiobook is great. Not gonna lie it left me teary eyed at the end.
Summary: When Sadie's sister is murdered, she takes it upon herself to track down her sister's killer. Revenge will be hers...or will it?
My first reaction upon finishing the book: What the...?!?!
Five reasons I like this book:
1. Sadie will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end. At the end of each chapter, you're still that Sadie will succeed in avenging her sister. You're also not sure that she's right about who the killer is.
2. This book is set up as a podcast that takes place after Sadie's story. The reader goes back and forth between the podcast telling the story and Sadie's actual story.
3. Sadie is an unconventional protagonist. She's poor, she didn't graduate from high school, and the only purpose she seems to have is to protect her younger sister. But, the girl has got some fight in her. Don't underestimate Sadie!
4. Courtney Summers draws attention to the inherent problems that go along with poverty...without pushing an agenda.
5. This message to girls: It is never too late to fight for your right to your own body!
Recommended age:
14 and up
My first reaction upon finishing the book: What the...?!?!
Five reasons I like this book:
1. Sadie will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end. At the end of each chapter, you're still that Sadie will succeed in avenging her sister. You're also not sure that she's right about who the killer is.
2. This book is set up as a podcast that takes place after Sadie's story. The reader goes back and forth between the podcast telling the story and Sadie's actual story.
3. Sadie is an unconventional protagonist. She's poor, she didn't graduate from high school, and the only purpose she seems to have is to protect her younger sister. But, the girl has got some fight in her. Don't underestimate Sadie!
4. Courtney Summers draws attention to the inherent problems that go along with poverty...without pushing an agenda.
5. This message to girls: It is never too late to fight for your right to your own body!
Recommended age:
14 and up
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes