Sadie by Courtney Summers Published by Wednesday Books on September 4, 2018
Pages: 320
Format:eARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review, via Netgalley
Sadie hasn't had an 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 meagre 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.
Well, this was quite an enjoyable ride! Let me be clear- this is a tough one to read, in the sense that wow, life is unfair. But, that’s the same reason I liked it so much- it was brutally, unflinchingly real. Because sometimes, life deals you a shitty hand, and it just doesn’t quit. Let us talk about the things I enjoyed about the book, shall we?
The Things I Enjoyed:
- Sadie tackles some very dark, very disturbing topics, but handles them well. Like I said, life wasn’t easy, fun, or fair for Sadie or her sister Maddie. And that is putting it mildly. While it’s horrifying to read about as the secrets keep unfurling, it also feels eerily real. The author does a great job with the atmosphere of the book, I was able to feel the desperation of the situation.
- Podcast format is genius. I adore this concept so, so much. I wasn’t sure if I would, to be honest- I am not really a podcast listener myself- but it was the perfect idea for this book. It’s such a great way for the reader to see outside of just one or two viewpoints, and gives a fuller, clearer picture of the situation from all angles. Plus, it’s just fun to read, let’s be real. (P.S. You can actually listen to the podcast, how is this not the coolest freaking thing ever?)
- Grim, but hopeful. Don’t misunderstand, it’s still mostly grim. But there’s little lights that shine through- from a passing altruist, to a surrogate grandmother who cares for the girls when no one else seems to, it gives that feeling that maybe there are still good guys out there. That all hope isn’t totally lost (even when it seems like it pretty much is).
- Sadie’s love for Mattie is really powerful. I won’t sugarcoat it, Mattie’s death is very hard to digest. Not only was she so very loved by Sadie, she was just a young girl who should never, ever have been harmed. No person should, obviously, but it seems like more of a gut-punch when it’s a child, no? As difficult as it was to read about, it was also quite beautiful.
- It’s compulsively readable. I think because the format made for a fast-paced reading experience, and the fact that it was just so unputdownable, I basically had to finish the book as quickly as possible. Because I wanted to know all the things!
The Things I Wasn’t As Fond Of:
- The ending is rather open.View Spoiler » And while it did work for the story in a way… it just is personally frustrating. Some people are good with more open endings, but I am not those people. So this is probably more of a personal preference, but something to be aware of.
- I did guess quite a few of the plot points early on. But that might just be because I am awesome, who can tell?
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a realistically dark and gritty mystery, you’ve found it in Sadie. Extra points for the fabulous format, sisterly bond, and dash of hope.
Do you listen to any podcasts? Also, don’t forget to enter my giveaway where you can win your own copy of Sadie!!
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I’ve heard nothing but praise for this book and I honestly want to give it a try, but that open ending …. I’m very very bad with them as I find them very unsatisfying. But gahhh everything else sounds so good! I’m especially curious about the podcast format.
I’ve actually never ever listened to a podcast! ? Which is odd because I like audiobooks?! So you’d think I’d have fallen into a podcast at some point but alas I am 509 years old and have not. But anyway, I have this book on my kindle!! I am ashamed that I haven’t read it on time but not really surprised. ?I’m the worst. Super excited to get to it though!
I so need to read this! I’m glad to hear that you liked it – which does sound weird when it focuses on such dark topics. I love those books though! I like podcasts, but I haven’t listened to them too much. I need to start walking more when the weather cools off and listen again.
-Lauren
I’ve seen this cover everywhere but hadn’t actually sat down to read what it was about until I opened your review. I LOVE dark YA mysteries that are being written nowadays. And because it’s a genre I’m mostly unfamiliar with, I think it helps with my enjoyment of it, because I usually don’t guess the plot twists? Or maybe I’m just really bad at guessing plot twists in general. xD
I am with you. The format was brilliant. I loved getting a different POV for the same thing. First, we experienced it with Sadie, then we got input from other sources. Brilliant.
I’ve seen SO MANY good things about this book! I don’t love the open ending, but I think if this book is as good as everyone says, I could overlook it! Thanks for sharing 😀
I feel like Courtney Summers EXCELS at atmosphere. At least in the limited exposure I’ve had to her stuff. I love the podcast angle too, and the fact that there is an ACTUAL PODCAST. That is pretty amazing, I want to listen!
That ending though (cause yeah I read spoilers…)
I keep hearing about this book, but I didn’t know what this was about. What an interesting idea for a story! I love the unique podcast idea. I haven’t listened to many podcasts lately because I’ve been using car time to either think about writing or listening to audiobooks, but I do like podcasts. Thanks for sharing!
I really loved the podcast format! It was so unique and really added another layer to the overall story. I also agree that the ending was a little too open for my liking, but it fit the rest of the book. It also seemed to be the inevitable ending for Sadie herself. She left home with a single-minded focus, and she saw that through to the end.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
Ooh, this sounds really good except for that open ending (I didn’t read the spoiler, though). I’ve been looking for some good YA thrillers to read because I think the YA book I half-wrote would work better as a contemporary thriller than as a paranormal (I was kind of trying to stuff the paranormal elements in because I like magical books better than thrillers—but I don’t think it works as well that way!) This one sounds like a great book to read for some research!
I’m reading this soon and I’m glad I know about the open ending in advance. I hate them but at least I’ll be prepared.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
While I was in NYC I seriously saw this book in every bookshop I went in and I never went to see what it was about because as pretty as the cover is it did not reflect what this book is obviously about and now I’m kicking myself for not buying a copy. This sounds like an intense and such an original read. I don’t think it sounds like any other books I’ve read and I am definitely going to try and get a hold of a copy after reading your review.