I love this book so much, I'll write my review 6 years too late. The audiobook was amazing and the story was so heartbreaking.

"Sadie" by Courtney Summers is a profoundly gripping and emotionally charged novel that delves into the depths of grief, revenge, and the unyielding bond between siblings. Summers masterfully crafts a narrative that is both haunting and deeply moving, securing her place as a formidable voice in contemporary young adult fiction.

The novel follows Sadie, a determined and complex protagonist, who embarks on a quest to avenge her younger sister Mattie's death. Summers presents Sadie's journey through a unique and compelling structure, alternating between Sadie's first-person perspective and a true-crime podcast, which adds layers of depth and intrigue to the unfolding mystery. This innovative storytelling approach not only keeps the reader engrossed but also offers a multifaceted look at Sadie's character and the impact of Mattie's loss on her life.

One of the most striking aspects of "Sadie" is Summers' unflinching exploration of difficult themes such as child abuse, neglect, and the failures of the systems meant to protect vulnerable individuals. Summers handles these subjects with sensitivity and nuance, never shying away from the harsh realities of Sadie and Mattie's world, yet always treating their stories with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Sadie herself is a remarkable character, depicted with incredible depth and complexity. Her pain, determination, and resilience are palpable, making her journey profoundly impactful. Readers cannot help but root for Sadie, even as her quest for vengeance leads her down increasingly dark and dangerous paths. Her voice is raw and authentic, drawing readers into her world and ensuring they feel every ounce of her anguish and resolve.

The inclusion of the podcast narrative is not just a novel technique but also a critical commentary on the public's fascination with true crime and its often overlooked human element. Through this lens, Summers critiques the way stories like Sadie's are consumed and discussed, urging readers to remember the real people behind the headlines and podcasts.

"Sadie" is a masterclass in storytelling, with Summers demonstrating a remarkable ability to weave a tight, compelling narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is emotionally resonant. The novel's pace is relentless, driving forward with an intensity that mirrors Sadie's own single-minded pursuit of justice. Yet, it also allows for moments of heartbreaking vulnerability, offering a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the lengths to which we will go for those we care about.

In conclusion, "Sadie" is a powerful and unforgettable novel that leaves a lasting impact. Courtney Summers has crafted a story that is not only a gripping tale of revenge and mystery but also a deep, empathetic look at the bonds of sisterhood and the scars left by trauma. It is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that is as meaningful as it is captivating.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review.

My only criticism of this book is that the ending does not wrap up - maybe it was intentional because I think Courtney could write another one on Sadie. You will fall in love with her courage and her loyalty to her sister. If you have a sibling you will totally understand why she will do anything for her -- and I mean anything! I don't believe the triggers are too awful because Courtney lets you know what did happen but without all of the details. I love her writing style and I loved the way the book flowed. But like I said -- I either want the story to have a complete fulfilling ending or at least another book.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read and review this book. Usually I don't read young adult thrillers or thrillers in general, but this book was okay. Maybe it is just not my genre. It took me a while to get into the book, and it was a little predictable. I can see why a lot of people enjoy the book though. Definitely give it a try! The writing style was nice, and I liked some of the characters.

I have won this book in a giveaway online and did not have the time to read it. I believe this book got archived before I had the chance and would have read it as I heard great things about it.

I was offered a free unedited copy of this book from NetGalley, and it is my first book by this author. I decided to give it a try based on reviews by someone who has very similar tastes to my own, and I’m so glad I did.

This book has dark themes, but the writing was wonderful. It keeps you hooked and wanting to find out what exactly happened to Sadie.

I also loved the set up of the book. It alternates between Sadie’s point of view, and that of a radio host in the style of a podcast. It was unlike anything I’ve read before, and it worked perfectly.

My single complaint is that we never find out what happened to Sadie. I know most won’t find this to be an issue and I understand the reasons behind this, but it’s still difficult not getting that satisfying answer at the end.

Just finished this one and am completely blown away. I wasn't expecting anything going in and was not prepared. It hit all the right buttons and I hope we get a sequel one day!

In all honesty, at first I was annoyed at the back and forth, I almost wish the whole book was in podcast form. It was a unique storytelling device that I really enjoyed. I did end up enjoying Sadie's part and understand why she was allowed to have her own voice.

Absolutely loved it either way.

Fucking depressing. I'm writing this review after reading Courtney Summers' new novel, I'm the Girl, and I'm thinking maybe she's not the author for me. I liked Sadie more than I'm the Girl (A LOT more) but still, this was such a depressing, hopeless book. And that's not enjoyable for me to read! What a terrible escape. There is NO happiness in this book, I'm not sure why everyone likes it so much. It really brought me down.

This book is one of the best ever written. Courtney created a riveting dark story that had me engaged from beginning to end. I bought the audiobook and can only say this work is perfect. I buy everything this author writes. End of story.

REALLY annoyed that this took me so long to get to because it was SO GOOD. It's a terrifying and fascinating story of a young woman out for revenge and the societal dangers of just being a girl or a woman. I know a lot of people had issues with the ending, but I thought it worked.

Just trying to clear my Netgalley shelf of older content that I read but forgot to or didn't rate/review. The first book I read from NetGalley that I immediately purchased for my classroom libary!

WOW!!! This book got me. Grabbed me right from the beginning and didn't let go until a couple of days after I finished this atmospheric tale.
Told from Sadie's POV and a podcast this book had such a different format... I might have read a similar story but this book blew the others out of the water.
READ THIS BOOK!!! You won't be disappointed.
I also think that there is a real podcast that goes along with this book. I didn't listen due to the fact that I got this as an ARC.
Thank you to the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book.

Not an easy read at all, but worth it. I don't read or listen to a lot of true crime, but I am fascinated by it nonetheless, so this was an enjoyable, albeit difficult, read.

I completely adored this book. I loved the podcast type style the story was told in, it has actually made me seek out other books in this format and hope that others get published. The end was kind of EHHH I wanted more answers than I was given but other than that I loved the book.

I finally read this in 2021. I absolutely loved this book. I know there was alot of hype around it when it first came out and man it really deserved that. I absolutely loved the relationship that Sadie and Mattie had. I think it really showed how much of a strong bond sisters can have. The ending was not what I expected at all.

I absolutely adored this book and finished it one sitting. Courtney Summers does an amazing job of revealing information little by little to keep you on the edge of your seat. The best part about this book was the main character. You get to know her so deeply and she makes an impact. I also really like the representation of someone with a speech impediment (stutter)—it was really interesting to see how this influenced the way she interacted with those around her. This was my first Summers book, but now I check out everything she writes!

I enjoyed this novel, which was written in the style of a serial podcast. I enjoyed this unique style of writing. West McCray is a radio personality who is investigating Sadie, a local girl who goes missing while looking for her sister's killer. I recommend this novel.

Excellent audio. I felt like I was watching a tv show and listening to an actual podcast. Really well done. I love Courtney's ability to make all things extra creepy. I love a good detective mystery and this did not disappoint. I read this very quickly because I needed to find out what happened to Sadie. Twists and turns throughout. Just an all around excellent novel.

I read (listened) this as an audio book.

Before I listened to this book, I would never have called myself an audio book lover (apart from Stephen Fry's Harry Potter series and the Dolphin Diaries on cassette when I was young to fall asleep). However, after a recommendation to listen to this book rather than read it I was so pleased I listened and took the chance on it.

Sadie is a book about two girls, one who at the start is dead, the other missing. You follow the journalist investigating what happened to the missing Sadie, and you follow Sadie in the past and what she did. You meet other characters along the way, the girl's mum, the surrogate grandmother, and witnesses who meet Sadie on her journey.
It's a short audio book, coming in at just over 7 hours, though listening at a 1.5 speed had this done much quicker.

Sadie's actress was really well done, - the voicing I found all believable and the sound effects were a nice touch, it really felt immersive on the drive home and I was always craving more. In terms of the writing, Summer's handles dark material here. Murder, sexual abuse, addiction, poverty, crime- so so many. It's all handled well, it's just.. this book is not a joyful read, I was crying in places.

I must admit my jaw dropped at the end, one because UGH and two HOW THEY HELL COULD YOU END IT THERE -
I feel I have no closure, but Summer's has been awfully clever in that respect. In real life you don't always get that, and this book was immersive to evoke the same feelings in the reader.

Because of how good this book was, it's inspired me to listen to more audio books, and I'm really pleased it did.

I know many readers enjoyed this dark contemporary thriller, but I felt like I was left with too many questions in the end. I do NOT like to be left hanging, I like resolution whether it be good or bad. I think the strongest thing this story had going for it was the dual perspectives, which really shine in the audiobook version. Sadly, overall, I was hoping to get more emotionally swept up in such a heavy story but just couldn't feel connected to Sadie the way I wanted to.