You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
londonhowell 's review for:
Sadie
by Courtney Summers
Interesting read, not my favorite, but not bad.
Pros:
I liked the idea of the podcast. It’s not revolutionary or anything, but it was an interesting idea, especially since I was listening to the audiobook version.
I have to say, the character of Sadie drew me in. And the way she often messed up and got way beat up along the way lent her some realism. Plus, you could argue that her physical state helped reflect her devolving life and mental state.
I felt like the subject of was handled fairly delicately but still managed not to pull punches—however, that’s from the perspective of someone who hasn’t dealt with it much up close, and I’d be interested to hear other perspectives on whether it was well-handled or not.
In some places, the author plays well on her unreliable narrators, and I wish that had been used a little more because it not only caught my interest, but also got me thinking. Best examples are the entire character of Clare and the disagreement about whether passing off her addiction as a disease was Sadie’s idea or May Beth’s.
Cons:
The full-cast audiobook version was a neat idea, but in the end didn’t work for me. Too many voices sounded canned, and it just got awkward with when to voice them and when not to. Weirdly, Kendall’s voice came through with authenticity—wish the same had been true for some of the more prominent characters.
Once in a while Sadie wanders off on a tangent that doesn’t contribute much at all. I let it go because you could argue that it’s the character’s realism—we all think in tangents at times—but it just felt unnecessary. Same with some of the side plot points, as well as McCray’s vacillating about whether he wants to do the story. If it doesn’t fit, either cut it or make it hit harder and guide the story somewhere new.
Final verdict:
Sadie was interesting enough that I wanted to read through, and I finished it pretty quickly. But when the book was over, I just didn’t feel the impact. The plot was overall solid and interesting, but the execution was just too leaky. I wanted to like it more. Also, the jury’s still out on whether I like the ending or not. I didn’t love it, but I also don’t have something standing out in my head about how it could have ended better.
Pros:
I liked the idea of the podcast. It’s not revolutionary or anything, but it was an interesting idea, especially since I was listening to the audiobook version.
I have to say, the character of Sadie drew me in. And the way she often messed up and got way beat up along the way lent her some realism. Plus, you could argue that her physical state helped reflect her devolving life and mental state.
I felt like the subject of
Spoiler
pedophilia and child abuseIn some places, the author plays well on her unreliable narrators, and I wish that had been used a little more because it not only caught my interest, but also got me thinking. Best examples are the entire character of Clare and the disagreement about whether passing off her addiction as a disease was Sadie’s idea or May Beth’s.
Cons:
The full-cast audiobook version was a neat idea, but in the end didn’t work for me. Too many voices sounded canned, and it just got awkward with when to voice them and when not to. Weirdly, Kendall’s voice came through with authenticity—wish the same had been true for some of the more prominent characters.
Once in a while Sadie wanders off on a tangent that doesn’t contribute much at all. I let it go because you could argue that it’s the character’s realism—we all think in tangents at times—but it just felt unnecessary. Same with some of the side plot points, as well as McCray’s vacillating about whether he wants to do the story. If it doesn’t fit, either cut it or make it hit harder and guide the story somewhere new.
Final verdict:
Sadie was interesting enough that I wanted to read through, and I finished it pretty quickly. But when the book was over, I just didn’t feel the impact. The plot was overall solid and interesting, but the execution was just too leaky. I wanted to like it more. Also, the jury’s still out on whether I like the ending or not. I didn’t love it, but I also don’t have something standing out in my head about how it could have ended better.