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A review by the_books_music_life
Sadie by Courtney Summers
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: Abandonment, Violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Grief
talk of drug abuse, talk of prostitution, flashback of trauma, talk of trophies