“Summers has pulled no punches when it comes to diving into the darker side of teen lives.” –BustleA gripping novel about the depth of a sister’s love; poised to be the next book you won’t be able to stop talking about.A missing girl on a journey of revenge and a Serial–like podcast following the clues she’s left behind. Sadie hasn’t had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising … easy life. Growing up on her own, she’s been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.
But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie’s entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.
When West McCray–a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America–overhears Sadie’s story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie’s journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it’s too late.
Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page.
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I just finished this book and I have to say, I am blown away. I listened to the audiobook and the experience was captivating with its full-cast audio presentation.
This is a story of revenge that is heartbreaking and heavy to read. The book is inquisitively written and wonderfully narrated.
This book is about a nineteen-year-old missing girl Sadie who is on a journey of revenge. She did not have an easy childhood and was raising her six-year younger sister Mattie as well. When thirteen-year-old Mattie is found dead, Sadie is determined to bring her sister’s killer to justice and hits the road and follows the clues which she finds on this journey.
This story is told by Sadie’s POV and a podcast hosted by West McCray. This book was very different from the ones I have read and is a punch to the gut. This story will remain with me for a very long time and I highly recommend it.
TW: Pedophilia, child sexual abuse, drug abuse, and child neglect.
I am never going to forget this book. It will stick with me forever, and if that isn’t a 5 star book, then….
Seriously, every minute of this was 5 stars. It was deep and thoughtful, but also action packed and kept the momentum going at a good pace. Sadie’s character as a bit of an anti hero was brilliant. And that ending!? What. An. Ending. I hated it but loved it.
This novel hits you hard! Sadie steals your heart from the very onset of the novel and never lets go. Plus, I love that the MC has a speech disability that colors her world view. The plot twist at the end is heart-wrenching and remarkably clever. While I can’t say that I’m obsessed with the book, I can say that it was a very enjoyable read.
For my full review please visit: https://www.krwardbookreview.com/
Sadie was a very sad but compelling story. The main character goes through a lot of abuse and trauma. In the end, she was able to gain the revenge she wanted.
Sadie’s life was already an unhappy one, her main bright spot being her little sister Mattie, whom she practically raised. But then Mattie dies, and some time later, Sadie decides to do what the police can’t–track down Mattie’s killer. This leads Sadie on a road trip to find the man she knows is responsible. Three months later, a radio personality is asked by Sadie’s surrogate grandmother to find the missing girl. He follows her trail and turns the investigation into a podcast.
It was really difficult to rate this book in the end, because it was dark and disturbing, but also unique and interesting. Sadie’s perspective is shown in first-person, present tense as she travels from town to town looking for her sister’s killer. The podcast is shown in a script format–West McCray (the radio personality) explaining to us what he finds, and also interviewing people along the way.
Before I get any further with my review, I feel a content warning is in order. There are certain things that are treated very carefully–pedophilia, drug abuse, and murder. There is also a lot of language. I started out listening to the audiobook, because it was highly recommended, given that the podcast sections are presented like a real podcast. However, I had to switch to a format where I read Sadie’s portions myself and listened to the “podcast” during those parts, because Sadie’s portions are so heavy with language, I couldn’t stand listening to it. I can handle it in text better, because apparently I tend to mentally bleep out those words. But I also didn’t care for the person who read Sadie’s part, because she sounded angry all the time, no matter what she said. Simply describing a room, she was angry. It was a bit much. So the joint format worked well for me.
One of my favorite things about the book, which I started out thinking would make it boring or repetitive, was McCray’s follow-up on things we’d already seen Sadie do. Because he trailed her 3 months later, we were able to see the aftermath of some of her actions. And the way McCray got caught up in her story added a comforting human element the rest of the story seemed to be lacking–not because other characters were heartless or didn’t care, but because the circumstances just didn’t lend to them being very kind, compassionate, etc.
The book being YA leads me to warn that if you’re thinking of allowing your teenager to read it, read it first. The language alone may put off a lot of people. However, I do think the book is worth reading–I just know I wouldn’t let my daughter read it as a teenager.
One of the best books I read in 2018. Dark, compelling, and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page.
I started reading this book thinking it would be a thriller full of mystery and maybe a bit of horror. But I was disappointed quite a lot. It was quite the depressing story.
Sadie is a podcast, and I quickly realized I don’t really like podcasts.
Thankfully, I had the audiobook or else I would have dnf this book 10 chapters in.
Although I must say- the audiobook was amazing.
I was invested a bit in the story when it was Sadie telling us what she was doing.
Her trying to find the killer of her sister was interesting to read about and kept me interested enough to continue.
I did not like the end, as it wasn’t as clear of what happened and if it is truly over. But I do have a wild imagination enough to connect some dots and make up a story.
Sadie was and intriguing character, but I believe that she had some kind of a physiological problem because of how driven towards revenge she was. I can understand her struggle on how she loved Maddie the way she did, and it was all because of her messed up origin.
Her trying to stay clear of the radar was not so believable, because how dumb is the police? Wouldn’t they get suspicious or anything?
Also some of the characters she hung with at some point were really dumb- even the little girl at the end was smarter than they were.
And not to talk about the money issue. How could have she been supporting herself? There is always a limit to money, and she looked like she had an endless supply of it even as she did steal quite a lot.
Some of the information she was giving to us was questionable, but interesting when it was revealed.
Honestly, the story wasn’t as enjoyable as I wanted it to be, and the end was not satisfying as I hoped it would be after the whole book.
I loved the way this story was told, switching between Sadie’s first-hand account and a podcast. I couldn’t put it down. To tell more would wander into spoiler alert town, so I won’t. But read this!
Now I understand the hype. Sadie reads like a YA Gillian Flynn novel written in half podcast, half narrative. Sadie is the story of two sisters, The Girls as the podcast is aptly titled. When Sadie’s younger sister, Mattie, turns up dead, Sadie goes on the hunt for her murderer…and also goes missing.
The alternating chapters tell two different tales as the podcast takes place after Sadie’s quest, trying to solve the mystery of what happened to Sadie while Sadie’s chapters give the reader the horrific and gritty details of Sadie and Mattie’s life and uncover the truth of what really happened. While the podcast script took me a few chapters to get used to, the story kept me captivated.
Very well-written with interesting characters to pull you in–the main character, Sadie, talks with a stutter; this, to me, offers a unique perspective not often seen in books. Great plot that is gradually intriguing and hard to put down once you get sucked in, keeping you on the edge of your seat as Sadie continues further into her journey.
Sadie…Oh Sadie how your heart and mind are tormented by the lost of your sister and the search for her murdered.
I found that Sadie story was a very difficult, but not difficult that you don’t want to read, difficult because of the events that takes place. The life that Sadie lives, that Mattie lived. I loved the intertwining of past and podcasts. The dual narration allowed the reader to fully grasps the vents. The interviews allowed us insight of the many facets that have come to know Sadie, yet sadly not no her.
Sadie will as book that will continue to reflect on because Sadie, well Sadie deserved better then her character was given. But without the painful reminder that not everyone has a happy life Sadie is able to teach us so much more.
I didn’t know anything about this book other than it was a thriller and the tag line on the cover which says “If she dies, she takes the truth with her”. I NEVER read a book without having some idea about what the book is about. I did with this one and I highly recommend that you read this book knowing only what I did. You will not regret it.
I know some people just hate going in blind and I can understand that. You don’t want to waste your time on something that you don’t know anything about. So I have left a full review below.
19-year-old Sadie has had a hard life. She is raising her sister Mattie single-handed. Even before her druggie and alcoholic mother took off and left them without a word. Mattie is the only bright spot in Sadie’s life and she is completely devoted to her. When Mattie is murdered, Sadie is determined to find the man who killed her sister. Sadie’s story is told in a very unique way. This book switches between the PoV of Sadie who is looking for the man who killed her sister and the podcast The Girls which is about the journalist looking into the case of Sadie’s disappearance. I fell in love with Sadie’s character. Sadie is not an easy character to get to know. She doesn’t give up her secrets or her thoughts easily and even then you feel like she hates revealing them. I didn’t want to put this book down. I was so invested in Sadie and her story. This book has so many great twists and turns. I loved the writing especially Sadie’s chapters. I didn’t see the ending coming. This book is young adult but I think many adult readers will love it as well. I listened to the audiobook and followed along in my hardback. The audiobook is amazing. It is a full cast and one of the best I have ever listened too. I can’t wait to get my hands on All Cracked Up an older book by Courtney Summers which is being re-released in February by Wednesday Books.
Rating: 5 stars
This was a very powerful book, but I sadly found the ending severely lacking. So I’m being generous in giving this two stars.
The writing in this book was stellar. The chapters alternate between Sadie’s first person POV and transcripts for West’s podcast. The story was well thought out and you really felt pulled into the words. I felt completely captivated by the story; so much so that when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it. I honestly had started thinking it was going to be a favourite read of the year. I spent 90% of the book certain it was going to be a 5 Star read.
But sadly, the ending ruined the book for me. I won’t say why because of spoilers, but it actually has left me feeling that reading this book was a massive waste of time. A part of me thinks giving it 2 stars seems a little too harsh considering how captivating the majority of the book was, but I can’t stop this feeling.
Summers writing style is unique and effective. She is a gifted and talented story teller who can draw you in effortlessly, and make you feel like you’re living these moments right alongside her characters.
I just didn’t care for the ending. At all.
After her sister Mattie is murdered, Sadie is on the hunt for her killer. We follow her story in two parts, through Sadie’s eyes and via transcription of a podcast that is being done about Mattie’s death and Sadie’s disappearance.
West McCray, the man who is doing the podcast, is clearly vested in Sadie’s story. It’s easy to think that people investigating such things just don’t care, but you don’t get that vibe at all with West. This was definitely not an easy read, because Sadie has been through a lot in her life. Her mother is addicted to drugs and has a parade of men coming through her life. One of those men molests Sadie for almost a year. Sadie also has a stutter which has made her a bit of an outcast because people think she must not be smart.
I did feel that Sadie’s quest was a bit of a fool’s errand. It’s clear she didn’t have a ton of money saved or the street smarts to go about hunting down a man. She gets herself into a few situations that are dangerous and the only protection she has is a switchblade. But I can see why she felt she had to do this.
We learn so much about Sadie’s relationship with her sister and her mother. I appreciated that the relationship between Sadie and Mattie was honest, it wasn’t perfect, because it never really is. I thought the way the story was told in alternating parts was creative. You also don’t get all the information out at once, rather you get it in pieces throughout the book, which packs an emotional impact. This was not an easy read, but it’s definitely a book you will want to read straight through without stopping. I’m looking forward to reading more of Summers’ works.
This book is not my normal style that I easily follow and fall in love with., but Sadie has a way of breaking your heart and making you love her and want her to pull through right to the very end.
If all Courtney Summer books are like this she is going to be a writing legend.i very rarely give above a 3.75 rating for a book unless it has really made me believe and care for for the characters. A 5 star rating has happened only 6 times before. It really is a masterpiece in my opinion how she captures the rawness of human emotion and just how sick the human mind can be.
5 out of 5 stars
This is one of the most beautiful, heartbreaking and tragic books I have ever read. It is definitely one of the best audio books I have ever listened to. The cast was amazing.
Sadie has been alone much of her life. Just her and her sister and occasionally her Mother when she was not high or spending her time with one of her many live in boyfriends. Shortly after the girl’s Mother Claire takes of Sadie’s younger sister Mattie turns up murdered. Sadie knows who did it even though there has been no proof. Sadie wants revenge. She will do whatever it takes to bring her sister’s murderer to justice so she sets out on a journey to track him down and then she goes missing, her car found abandoned by the side of the road.
West McCray a radio personality creates a podcast for the sole purpose of finding out what happened to Mattie and Sadie.
Half of the story is told in podcast form and half is told from Sadie’s POV. The narrator’s were fantastic and the voice for Sadie was a real stand out and she did a wonderful with her stutter. I can’t even describe just how much this book moved me. I had many moments where I was actually just sobbing. I know that there are people that were disappointed with the ending but honestly I feel that this was the only way the book could end. This book isn’t about wrapping things up in a bow. This was a realistic book and in real life we don’t always get happy endings.
OMG! This was quite the intense read. I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Reading Sadie was like seeing a tragedy about to happen and being incapable of turning away. I was scared for Sadie and the road she was headed down. Through both Sadies pov and that of radio personality West McCray as he interviews people and searches for answers. It was told in such an intriguing dynamic and really drew me in. Sadie is tragic and sad. It really broke my heart reading this book and the ending really tore me up. This is an intense read, so be prepared to be completely rocked as we travel with Sadie on her road to revenge and that of West McCray trying to unfold the clues left behind. Definitely worth the read.
I’m not a fan of this book at all. It seemed to be two novellas written side by side and it was not organized very well. The story ended abruptly with no answers and most of the story was repeated from the different view points. Very let down by the hype behind this book.
I am completely blown away by this book. Sadie by Courtney Summers was captivating, dark and moving in ways that truly stuck with me. I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in one evening. Days later, I was still thinking about this book.
This book was masterfully put together like a podcast called “The Girls” where our host West McCray takes us through eight episodes. We follow him on this investigation of a missing runaway named Sadie. There are alternate chapters where the reader follows Sadie a few steps ahead of McCray, so we can actually see what she is doing. I sat there enthralled by these questions of, did she leave because her sister was murdered? To avenge the killer? Or was it just because she was too sad and needed to leave the memories from the awful trailer park she calls home?
Through these parallel journeys, we learn about Sadie’s history, her family, her upbringing and the horrific childhood she had to endure. We’re brought face-to-face with how deeply affected the loss of her sister Maddie is one her and even the neglect of her mother Claire.
As we delve deeper and deeper into the mystery, Sadie hunts down more details of the person who murdered her sister Maddie, one has to remember, Sadie is still a young woman. But bloody hell, she makes a phenomenal detective! As she strategically puts all the pieces together, and later McCray does too, I found myself mesmerised by the story, taking in each little details, rushing to the end to find out what happens. And let me tell you, that ending has stayed with me for days.
I was hooked from the very beginning of Sadie. Courtney Summers blew me away with her style of writing, the podcast and parallel of Sadie’s journey. What a clever way of writing this book. I cannot wait to read more books by Summers, she is definitely on my list of ‘to watch’ authors.
If you’re looking for a captivating, suspenseful and even moving quick read, look no further than Sadie by Courtney Summers. This book will leave you feeling haunted for days after. It was a pleasant surprise and I can’t wait to read more from the author. Courtney Summers certainly has gained a new fan with this book!
Read my full review here: https://bit.ly/2BCUqgE
I listened to the audiobook, which was really well done! The story drew me in, and I both loved and hated the ending.