The Shadow Sister by Lily Meade follows Casey, and her recently gone missing sister Sutton. After Sutton reappears with amnesia and strange, new, behaviors Casey begins to wonder, what actually happened to her sister?

What I liked: The writing overall was enjoyable and easy to follow. The story had a consistent flow and did not deviate too far off of what I was expecting thing the book to be about. I really liked how Meade inserted chapters from Sutton’s point of view so we could get a better feel for her, rather than only Casey’s perception. This book was heart wrenching in the way that you see the demise of the relationship between three sisters, but then how it is built up again.

Feedback: I thought the inclusion of the other missing girls gave this book another layer. I really wish they were included more in the story, and have even made this more on the true crime/mystery side of fiction. The ending was also a little abrupt, and I think greater inclusion of their family’s history would have helped make this smoother.

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️. I found this book enjoyable, and by the last third I could not put it down. The lead up was a little slow, but once Sutton was found, things began to get more interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I really enjoyed this one and I think the teens in my library will too. It was reminiscent of Krystal Sutherland's House of Hollow, but with a more "real world" feel to it. I thought the pacing was well done.

I had no idea where this book was going for most of it, but I’m happy with where it ended up. The story kept me engaged all the way through. The sibling rivalry at the beginning seemed a bit much-my sister and I used to fight a lot, but dang, Sutton and Casey are on a whole other level. I also was glad the mystery began unraveling when it did because much longer and it would’ve begun to drag. The suspense was great, I really loved the premise, and the exploration of race throughout the book. This was such a wonderful debut novel and I would definitely read more by this author.

Immediately sucked me into the story and didn't let me stop reading until I discovered every morsel of information I could. A wild and illuminating ride!

This was a captivating read and I flew through it! I was drawn in by the mystery, and the novel has just the right amount of spookiness. Though I guessed the twist, it was still an engaging experience. The characterization of the sisters was lovely. Seeing their conflict through Sutton’s chapters was a nice touch that helped flesh out their personalities and spoke to the complexity of family. I do love a tale of imperfect parenting, and this has it in spades.

At around the two thirds mark, the writing unraveled a bit. The pacing grew rushed, and some plot points were introduced, but hardly explained and hastily resolved. I did find the conclusion moving, despite the sprint to the finish. An excellent debut novel, I look forward to seeing what’s next from Meade!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, I am voluntarily leaving a review.

A story of sibling rivalry, love and loss, and intergenerational trauma, The Shadow Sister follows Casey’s journey to discover what her sister, Sutton, is hiding when she is found, claiming no memory of what happened to her or anything from before, after being abducted. Casey and Sutton don’t realize how much deeper their bond is than simply being sisters who hate each other. Incorporating hoodoo, and family beliefs from when their father’s family were enslaved in the south, the girls learn that blood can go beyond this worldly plane.
A quick read, but one definitely worth adding to your tbr!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for a digital ARC!

I absolutely loved this book! The characters were both complex, the plot twist was something that I did not see coming, and it was paced very well. This is a must read for everyone this summer.

The troubled sister relationship between Sutton and Casey was one that usually isn't explored in YA novels and this one did it so well. The book also had a great message about sisters.

The ending was a little rushed, but overall it made sense and was enjoyable. I'm so glad I was able to read this book!

I love sister stories. I also love being part of the readership who discover a fantastic debut novel by an author who is sure to become a new favorite. It’s even better when those two things appear in the very same book.

First, let me say that the characters in this book are rich and layered. What they believe to be true isn’t always objectively true (happens to us all). I feel like writing a character who both comes across as genuine and genuinely wrong is really challenging, and Lily Meade makes it look absolutely effortless.

The rich themes of family, history, and reclaiming personal power are expertly threaded through the narrative of this book. I loved the way the characters explored family history and relationships. I also loved the elements of magical realism– again, something that I think is not easy to write in a way that feels believable and anchored in the real world. Yet it’s brilliantly done here.

I also really appreciated the author’s note and the care she takes in explaining her connection to some parts of the story. That only deepened my appreciation of the book, and I think added even more to the conversation within the text about intergenerational trauma and reclaiming power.

I’ve been super choosy about which books I’m adding to my shelves lately (my bookshelf runneth over!), but I will definitely be adding this one. I absolutely recommend this story for readers who, like me, love sister books or stories about family and the transformative power of love.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

This book was, wow. It was so incredibly good! I couldn’t stop reading once I started. It kept me going and going as we discovered more and more about what happened to sutton. It’s an amazing story that shows how much love for your family can do.

This YA isn't for me. I wanted to love it, but there was just something about the storyline that I didn't like. I'll definitely still recommend it to those that enjoy YA, just because it wasn't for me doesn't mean it's not a great book. The cover is absolutely beautiful! Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

(4.5🌟)

This book! I started reading it thinking it's gonna go one way but was immediately proven wrong after the first few chapters. The mystery aspect really worked for me. It kept me turning the pages to find out what actually happened and I'm happy to say that the payout is very much satisfying.

Casey, Sutton and their parents are all complex in their own ways and I would finish reading one chapter disliking one character, only to end another no longer feeling the same. At the end of the day (or book in this case), I can't help but feel like the author has done a great job in creating characters that feel like normal everyday people, what with all our complicated feelings for ourselves and one another.

Because of this, I also kept going back and forth throughout this book on whether or not I actually like Casey, Sutton and their parents. Now that I've finished, I think I neither like nor dislike them. I kinda like this tbh. It's not often I end up feeling this way and still really really enjoyed reading said book. Definitely speaks to the author's skill, methinks.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!! This one was something. It was a slow start for me but how everything came together was perfect. I loved how Casey did not give up. I don't want any spoilers in my review so I'm going to leave it at Family is Everything. Great read and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last word. I also like that there were flashback chapters to help understand the story better.

First off, I have to say that this is absolutely fabulous! It reminds me a little bit of Tracy Deonn's Legendborn series, with a dash of Sixth Sense... take that as you will. Second, this has spooky elements and they can hit close to home.

The sisters in this story hate each other, but all sisters fight...fight over attention, things, protecting the other sister. Lily Meade captures the relationships and changing dynamics of teenage angst of not fitting in, and sprinkles in a little magic (whether you believe in it or not). From the opening line "My sister is a bitch, but that doesn't mean I want her dead." to the last, you get the dueling perspectives of Casey and Sutton as they deal with Sutton being missing and what happens when she comes back.

Touching on themes of racism, not fitting in because of being mixed, missing children, lies, losing family members, intergenerational trauma, family history, strained family dynamics, religion and religious trauma.

Highly recommend for those who liked Legendborn, This Poison Heart, or Cemetery Boys. Romance is not a major plot line in this book.
4.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the free eARC. This did not effect my opinion at all, I had this book on pre-order already.

I know stories are kinda marketed on subliminal messages but I cant think around the tale. Lily covered so many introspections in regards to heritage ,what many of us have lost, peace of mind, light-skin privilege's and assimilation. Reflecting on it is sad. At its core the story is about what would happen if given a second chance? What would happen if a Black Girls color was palatable enough? What would you do if something really happened to "her"?! What would happen if you had the right kind of parent? Nothing. Although Sutton and Cassey parents seemed to have a deliberate plan a role they consistently played yet in all its perfection it still exploded in their face. The system failed the entire family and then some the tax bracket, area code, private schools did not mean a damn thing. A particular rapper who shall not be named here made a statement this story wholeheartedly encased. I quote poorly "at the end of the day you are still (rhymes with bigger) in a coup..

This was intense!
I really couldn’t figure out what happened that would make Sutton come back emotionless and with no memory even acting inhuman at times.
Definitely thinking the worst but wow that twist at the end I still have chills. It is people like that the scare the s#!t out of me. But hells yes to the magic in the blood and ancestry.
There were so many suspects and questionable people around these teens. I really couldn’t figure it out.
And loved the author's note! Totally agree books about joy and empowerment are wanted in the book community too.
I feel like this is a narrative about how certain communities that are there to support us aren't supporting all of us. Not equally as Americans, humans, individuals deserving of respect and dignity. There are two that are called out heavily and for good reason. I see it, its glaring in the news media everywhere when someone goes missing who they deem important and who they stigmatize as something else. It's gross and I don't get it. It makes a large population of women open to being taken or sold with no recourse because no one is seriously looking for them. It's scary.
But seriously this book was so good

Thank you sourcebooksfire for e-ARC for the honest and voluntary review.

Thank you to Source Books for the arc!

I probably should’ve read this a lot sooner but this was so good! Fast paced, character driven. It reminded me of an eerie small town thriller about family bonds and generational trauma.

Really loved this. 10/10

This is an extremely absorbing story that moves along at a rapid pace to its shocking conclusion. Anyone who's ever experienced any degree of sibling rivalry can relate to this story. However, the book doesn't only deal with issues regarding sibling rivalry. It also delves into traumatic family history as well as slavery and racism. If you don't mind a story with an aura of supernaturalness about it, you may enjoy this one. If you like your stories strictly rooted in the reality of the everyday world we know, you may not.

This debut YA novel is sure to hit home with many readers. While it appears to be based on a true story, according to the author's notes, it is a story that will resonate with many that have had similar experiences with their ancestry.

The story focuses on sisters Casey and Sutton. The rest of the characters are supporting but not fully developed since their role is minor. These sisters have a love/hate relationship. It happens with teenagers, but later in life, they will appreciate each other, hopefully! The beginning focuses on Sutton's disappearance and the search for her. The story does jump back and forth in time, but it is done well and helps to broaden the depth of the story and explain some nuances of what Casey or Sutton were thinking or experiencing.

While Sutton is discovered, she is not herself, and what follows is the journey to find whoever kidnapped her and why she can't remember anything. When the truth is revealed in the end, it is quite a surprise. Obviously, I'm not going to tell you anything because that would spoil the story. So just go read the book!

There is the mystery of who kidnapped Sutton. There are several possibilities, but the truth was quite a surprise. As the story unfolds, it does reveal how wealth has its privilege. To give you more details would also ruin the mystery of the book. So once again, just go read the book!

I loved all of the historical aspects of the story. Their father is a historian researching their family tree and its roots in slavery. I found this very fascinating because many families were broken up and sold, and they may have never found each other again.

I enjoyed this book more than I expected. And for a debut novel, the author gets a big thumbs up from me.

We give it 4 paws up.

Absolutely loved!

A twisted speculative that kept me wanting to know what will happen next.
Emotionally gripping and terrifying all in one.
Thriller lovers will want to finish this in one sitting. As for me, I finished it in 3 days. Nearly a record for me. But I had to know why happen to Sutton.
Recommend a thousand times over.
5 stars.

This book just wasn’t for me. I felt like the pacing was a little too slow and I never found myself eager to pick the book back up. It wasn’t the writing that I didn’t care for but the development of the story.