Review: Sadie by Courtney Summers

Happy Pub Day to Courtney Summers!

Did you ever read a book that just made you so sad you couldn’t shake it for a few days and ultimately had to wait to really process it?? THAT is THIS book. I don’t mind sad books (I’m fresh off of Rust & Stardust and the themes of these of these are both similar) I don’t sit and wallow reading these types of books, I actually just reflect on how amazing it is that someone can put pen to paper (OK, OK computer key to screen?) and come up with something that affects me so deeply and resonate with me for so long. A good book, in my definition is one that you FEEL. That stays with you. That is THIS book.

There is some hype following this book – really clever marketing, and social campaigns – and I think it’s deserved. It delves into the taboo subjects of rape, child molestation, neglectful junkie parents and some other distasteful plot lines. They’re important and courageous plot lines though – not harsh, or too colorful. Meaning – you’re not going to read and cringe over detailed descriptions – she leaves much of the horror to the imagination. But you can easily imagine the horror that Sadie and her little sister went through – without having Ms. Summers paint a detailed picture.

The story follows out title character, a runaway named Sadie, pretty cleverly though a Podcast called “The Girls”. West McCray is our host and through 8 episodes, we follow West trying to figure out where Sadie has gone. In alternate chapters we actually follow Sadie just a few steps ahead of West and see what she’s really up to. Did she leave because of her sister’s murder? To avenge or follow the killer? Or did she leave because she was sad, and need out of her trailer park, because she had nothing left there. Maybe she just left cause she could.

As we follow Sadie and West on parallel journeys across the midwest we learn about Sadie’s family, her upbringing, the hard childhood she endured. We see how she is so deeply affected by the loss of her sister Maddie and the neglect of her mother Claire. She’s somewhat of a sleuth when it comes to to tracking down what she’s looking for. Hell hath no fury like the love of a sister! We watch her strategically put pieces together, and subsequently see West do the same – also, deeply affected by the story of these little girls.

The writing is sharp, the plot moves fast and the Podcast is truly an awesome aspect to the narration. I relished every moment of this book and the ending, while a bit abrupt, was still satisfying – as life is sometimes abrupt. I felt this immensely and I enjoyed it just the same.

Get it now on Amazon here —> Sadie by Courtney Summers

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wednesday Books (September 4, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1250105714
• ISBN-13: 978-1250105714

Some more info about Sadie:

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 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.

About Courtney:

COURTNEY SUMMERS lives and writes in Canada. She is the author of What Goes Around, This is Not a Test, Fall for Anything, Some Girls Are, Cracked Up to Be, Please Remain Calm, and All the Rage. Courtney s already known for her well written and dark young adult novels, earning rave starred trade reviews on every book. With a fierce and independent female lead, SADIE (September 4, 2018; Wednesday Books) continues in this vein told in part as a podcast, similar to Serial, about a missing girl determined to avenge her sister’s death. A propulsive and harrowing read that will keep you riveted until the last page, Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career.

Thanks for reading! Let me know if you’ve read Sadie and what you thought!

We can cry together!