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lindseyannd's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
If you’re a fan of audio dramas and true crime podcasts, I recommend go with the audio book.
If you’re a fan of audio dramas and true crime podcasts, I recommend go with the audio book.
chelseaschuth's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
“But love is complicated, it’s messy. It can inspire selflessness, selfishness, our greatest accomplishments and our hardest mistakes. It brings us together and it can just as easily drive us apart.”
“But love is complicated, it’s messy. It can inspire selflessness, selfishness, our greatest accomplishments and our hardest mistakes. It brings us together and it can just as easily drive us apart.”
susanneverreads's review against another edition
5.0
When I first picked this book up a year or so ago, I read the first bit and had to put it down. Not because it was a bad book, but simply because I knew I just needed the audiobook as well. When I found out my library had it, I instantly had it on hold. I started reading/listening the night I got it.
I could have easily finished this book within one sitting. The only reason I didn't is simply that life doesn't always allow that. This book is something else. I needed and still need to know what happened.
I HIGHLY recommend listening to at least the podcast sections of the book in audio form, which is what I did. It honestly takes it to another level. This book is something that I didn't know I needed to read. There are warnings people need to be aware of in case they cannot handle situations such as child abuse, pedophilia, violence, or substance abuse. Not that the book goes into much detail about certain topics, they are in this book.
I'm going to be honest, my brain is not fully wrapped around this book but yet at the same time, it is. As mentioned before, I didn't know that this book was something I needed to read. It almost opens your eyes to things. After all, people don't change. They just get better at hiding who they really are.
EDIT: I just read on a blog review that the podcast from this book is actually available. I was able to find it on Spotify by searching 'The Girls: Find Sadie'. I have not listened to it and I don't know if I will. I will update if I do and find that it is different than the books podcast. Though, I highly doubt that. Bouns: There is a interview with Courtney Summers as well on Spotify.
I could have easily finished this book within one sitting. The only reason I didn't is simply that life doesn't always allow that. This book is something else. I needed and still need to know what happened.
I HIGHLY recommend listening to at least the podcast sections of the book in audio form, which is what I did. It honestly takes it to another level. This book is something that I didn't know I needed to read. There are warnings people need to be aware of in case they cannot handle situations such as child abuse, pedophilia, violence, or substance abuse. Not that the book goes into much detail about certain topics, they are in this book.
I'm going to be honest, my brain is not fully wrapped around this book but yet at the same time, it is. As mentioned before, I didn't know that this book was something I needed to read. It almost opens your eyes to things. After all, people don't change. They just get better at hiding who they really are.
EDIT: I just read on a blog review that the podcast from this book is actually available. I was able to find it on Spotify by searching 'The Girls: Find Sadie'. I have not listened to it and I don't know if I will. I will update if I do and find that it is different than the books podcast. Though, I highly doubt that. Bouns: There is a interview with Courtney Summers as well on Spotify.
amandalyn's review against another edition
5.0
The audiobook of this novel was insanely good! I love full cast productions and this one was a stunning example. As always, Courtney Summers didn’t fail to break my whole heart. There were multiple times I had to fight tears on the train.
THE ENDING WAS SO RUDE THOUGH.
THE ENDING WAS SO RUDE THOUGH.
jhartford's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Death, and Child abuse
cawilliams29's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
One of the best YA books I've read in a really long time. The importance of this story can not be overstated, but more than that, the writing, character work and plot was brilliant.
Courtney Summers creates one of the most unforgettable protagonists with Sadie, I will never forget her story of abuse, survival, love and revenge.
The book goes between Sadies point of view and that of the podcast, 'The girls'. I can not recommend the audiobook enough for this reason! The production of the podcast and the full cast of characters is just phenomenal, I could have easily been listening to a true crime podcast, all of these characters were so real to me.
Summers converged these two plot points excellently, the way Sadies point of view would tie into the podcast episodes and the reveals, characters and story of Sadie unravelled brilliantly between the two.
We follow Sadie, who was abused as a child and following the death of her beloved younger sister goes on a dangerous journey of revenge and redemption, hunting for her sisters killer.
The podcast is looking for Sadie now she is missing and retracing her steps trying to find her and figure out what happened to her and her sister.
A harrowing tale of the abuse of children and the lengths one girl would go to stop it.
The writing, character work, plot and overall themes of this book were excellent. There is never any graphic detail of the dark themes but they are alluded to skillfully and in my opinion, gracefully. This is a story no one wanted to hear but everyone needs to.
The ending is a mixed bag, I never saw it coming but can't say I was too suprised either. Like the rest of the story the choices there made the story feel even more real.
It is difficult to read about Sadie and the other girls in this story, challenging to face the all too real reality that dangerous people often hide behind kind masks and society can't see through them until its too late.
This is a necessary and impactful read for all. Please pick up the audiobook.
Courtney Summers creates one of the most unforgettable protagonists with Sadie, I will never forget her story of abuse, survival, love and revenge.
The book goes between Sadies point of view and that of the podcast, 'The girls'. I can not recommend the audiobook enough for this reason! The production of the podcast and the full cast of characters is just phenomenal, I could have easily been listening to a true crime podcast, all of these characters were so real to me.
Summers converged these two plot points excellently, the way Sadies point of view would tie into the podcast episodes and the reveals, characters and story of Sadie unravelled brilliantly between the two.
We follow Sadie, who was abused as a child and following the death of her beloved younger sister goes on a dangerous journey of revenge and redemption, hunting for her sisters killer.
The podcast is looking for Sadie now she is missing and retracing her steps trying to find her and figure out what happened to her and her sister.
A harrowing tale of the abuse of children and the lengths one girl would go to stop it.
The writing, character work, plot and overall themes of this book were excellent. There is never any graphic detail of the dark themes but they are alluded to skillfully and in my opinion, gracefully. This is a story no one wanted to hear but everyone needs to.
The ending is a mixed bag, I never saw it coming but can't say I was too suprised either. Like the rest of the story the choices there made the story feel even more real.
It is difficult to read about Sadie and the other girls in this story, challenging to face the all too real reality that dangerous people often hide behind kind masks and society can't see through them until its too late.
This is a necessary and impactful read for all. Please pick up the audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Murder
miss_majuu's review against another edition
4.0
*4.5 🌟
This hit me hard. I don't think I can eloquently phrase my thoughts and opinions.
Highly recommend if the concept interests you but be aware of the content warnings because it's dark.
This hit me hard. I don't think I can eloquently phrase my thoughts and opinions.
Highly recommend if the concept interests you but be aware of the content warnings because it's dark.
fangslibris's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in just about one sitting because I could not put it down. Sadie was devastating. Each chapter twisted my gut further until by the end I felt Sadie's grief for myself. My heart broke reading it, and I have a feeling the effects will linger for quite some time.
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
5.0
Girls go missing all the time. And ignorance is bliss.
Sadie broke me to pieces. When I read books, I don't usually visibly show my emotions, but Sadie left my hands shaking and heart racing. Powerful, disturbing, and carefully written, Sadie will resonate with you long after you finish the last page.
Initially, I was worried I'd have a hard time following the format of the book. The chapters alternate between the transcript of a radio host's podcast about a missing girl, and the perspective of the missing girl herself, Sadie. The radio host, West McCray, is skeptical about the case at first, worried that there will be no unique story behind Sadie's disappearance. And Sadie—well, Sadie is a strong character. There's no better way to describe it. She's been through hell in all the worst ways possible and yet there is still energy in her. Whether that energy is used for good is debatable, but her story is captivating.
What Sadie experiences—which is something no child should ever go through—is horrifying. Courtney Summers' writing captures the heartbreak and struggle of Sadie and injects it directly into the reader. This book will draw the deepest kind of emotions out of you. However, I think the most emotional part was the contrast between West McCray's and Sadie's voice. West McCray makes it clear at first that he just wants a story. And is Sadie's story even worth telling? But slowly, as he learns more and more about the tragedy of Sadie and her sister Mattie, there is a shift in tone. He's not just narrating a podcast anymore. He has, to a limited extent, become close to Sadie in a personal way that those who have not seen what he has seen will not understand. "A girl goes missing" is a common story, but we cannot write any of these stories off as something generic. This happens all the time—and that is the problem. Sadie brings awareness to a problem we've all heard about, but adds a personal level that not all of us really want to get to. But we have to. Ignorance cannot be bliss when girls go missing every day.
Sadie broke me to pieces. When I read books, I don't usually visibly show my emotions, but Sadie left my hands shaking and heart racing. Powerful, disturbing, and carefully written, Sadie will resonate with you long after you finish the last page.
Initially, I was worried I'd have a hard time following the format of the book. The chapters alternate between the transcript of a radio host's podcast about a missing girl, and the perspective of the missing girl herself, Sadie. The radio host, West McCray, is skeptical about the case at first, worried that there will be no unique story behind Sadie's disappearance. And Sadie—well, Sadie is a strong character. There's no better way to describe it. She's been through hell in all the worst ways possible and yet there is still energy in her. Whether that energy is used for good is debatable, but her story is captivating.
What Sadie experiences—which is something no child should ever go through—is horrifying. Courtney Summers' writing captures the heartbreak and struggle of Sadie and injects it directly into the reader. This book will draw the deepest kind of emotions out of you. However, I think the most emotional part was the contrast between West McCray's and Sadie's voice. West McCray makes it clear at first that he just wants a story. And is Sadie's story even worth telling? But slowly, as he learns more and more about the tragedy of Sadie and her sister Mattie, there is a shift in tone. He's not just narrating a podcast anymore. He has, to a limited extent, become close to Sadie in a personal way that those who have not seen what he has seen will not understand. "A girl goes missing" is a common story, but we cannot write any of these stories off as something generic. This happens all the time—and that is the problem. Sadie brings awareness to a problem we've all heard about, but adds a personal level that not all of us really want to get to. But we have to. Ignorance cannot be bliss when girls go missing every day.
fantasynovel's review against another edition
4.0
a super competent thriller with a lot of my favorite tropes. it didn't quite merit 5 stars bc it didn't astound me in any way, but it was fun to read. i love a good revenge story. "i'm going to carve my name into his soul" is a quote that stuck with me. the story itself was better than the podcast.