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The Shadow Sister
Boston Globe Best Books for Summer 2023
*Featuring an exclusive case only available on the first print run!
"From its glorious first line to the final page, The Shadow Sister heralds an exciting and exquisite new voice. Lily Meade has arrived!" —Angeline Boulley, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Firekeeper's Daughter
Sometimes people are lost from you, no matter how much you wish they weren't and before you can even begin to know how big of a hole they'll leave behind.
Sutton going missing is the worst thing to happen to Casey, to their family. She's trying to help find her sister, but Casey is furious. She knows Sutton is manipulative, meanwhile everyone paints a picture of her perfection. People don't look for missing Black girls--or half-Black girls--without believing there is an angel to be saved.
When Sutton reappears, Casey knows she should be relieved. Except Sutton isn't the same. She remembers nothing about while she was gone—or anything from her old life, including how she made Casey miserable. There's something unsettling about the way she wants to spend time with Casey and watch her goldfish swim for hours.
What happened to Sutton? The more Casey starts uncovering her sister's secrets, the more questions she has. Did she really know her sister? Why is no one talking about the other girls who have gone missing in their area? And what will it take to uncover the truth?
Perfect for fans
Ace of Spades and House of HollowEmotional suspenseSpeculative fiction, including HoodooDiverse books featuring strong female leadsSister stories with complex family dynamics
*Featuring an exclusive case only available on the first print run!
"From its glorious first line to the final page, The Shadow Sister heralds an exciting and exquisite new voice. Lily Meade has arrived!" —Angeline Boulley, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Firekeeper's Daughter
Sometimes people are lost from you, no matter how much you wish they weren't and before you can even begin to know how big of a hole they'll leave behind.
Sutton going missing is the worst thing to happen to Casey, to their family. She's trying to help find her sister, but Casey is furious. She knows Sutton is manipulative, meanwhile everyone paints a picture of her perfection. People don't look for missing Black girls--or half-Black girls--without believing there is an angel to be saved.
When Sutton reappears, Casey knows she should be relieved. Except Sutton isn't the same. She remembers nothing about while she was gone—or anything from her old life, including how she made Casey miserable. There's something unsettling about the way she wants to spend time with Casey and watch her goldfish swim for hours.
What happened to Sutton? The more Casey starts uncovering her sister's secrets, the more questions she has. Did she really know her sister? Why is no one talking about the other girls who have gone missing in their area? And what will it take to uncover the truth?
Perfect for fans
Ace of Spades and House of HollowEmotional suspenseSpeculative fiction, including HoodooDiverse books featuring strong female leadsSister stories with complex family dynamics
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2023
53 people are currently reading
10848 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 529 reviews
November 15, 2024
Can't believe my book is here! I'm so excited to finally share it with you!
April 16, 2023
Sutton has gone missing, and Casey is doing her best to hide just how furious she is. They had a major argument before she disappeared and rarely got along. Casey is doing her best to play along with the perfect picture her parents are painting of Sutton even though she was manipulative and even stole an heirloom bracelet from Casey. So when Sutton miraculously reappears, Casey doesn’t know how to feel. Especially as Sutton just seems…wrong. And even scary. As Casey tries to uncover her sister’s secrets, she uncovers even more hidden truths that may just cost her everything she cares about.
Probably the strongest aspect of this book was the characters. They were written extremely well, even the secondary characters. I enjoyed how varied their backgrounds and motivations were, as well as how some of the secondary conflicts that arose were based off their personalities/backgrounds. And I honestly can’t even put into words how refreshing it was to read a POV from a girl who couldn’t stand her sister. It was written in a way that was relatable but still had some teen angst (not too much) and added a fascinating dynamic. I enjoyed how well the author incorporated both sides of the story so we could fully see why each sister thought the other was awful.
The resolution of the work was probably its weakest point. I wanted a bit more exploration of the ending, and more exploration of the antagonist. As it is, the villain felt too underdeveloped and cartoonish to be compelling or to offer a good explanation. The author also incorporated some subplots but didn’t fully flesh them out or resolve them, but that was a minor complaint for me. I quite enjoyed the magical realism aspect of the work and how the author incorporated it into their family’s history and traditional folklore.
As it is, this is a quick and easy read that would likely be highly enjoyable for YA readers. This was excellent for a debut novel, and I look forward to seeing what else the author writes. My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to read this work, which will be published 27 June 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Probably the strongest aspect of this book was the characters. They were written extremely well, even the secondary characters. I enjoyed how varied their backgrounds and motivations were, as well as how some of the secondary conflicts that arose were based off their personalities/backgrounds. And I honestly can’t even put into words how refreshing it was to read a POV from a girl who couldn’t stand her sister. It was written in a way that was relatable but still had some teen angst (not too much) and added a fascinating dynamic. I enjoyed how well the author incorporated both sides of the story so we could fully see why each sister thought the other was awful.
The resolution of the work was probably its weakest point. I wanted a bit more exploration of the ending, and more exploration of the antagonist. As it is, the villain felt too underdeveloped and cartoonish to be compelling or to offer a good explanation. The author also incorporated some subplots but didn’t fully flesh them out or resolve them, but that was a minor complaint for me. I quite enjoyed the magical realism aspect of the work and how the author incorporated it into their family’s history and traditional folklore.
As it is, this is a quick and easy read that would likely be highly enjoyable for YA readers. This was excellent for a debut novel, and I look forward to seeing what else the author writes. My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to read this work, which will be published 27 June 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 4, 2023
This YA novel is the first by Lily Meade and I hope we get many more from her. She is the best new author I have read this year (#1 out of 7) Can I also say the cover art is gorgeous?
The novel starts as a tale of toxic sibling rivalry. Casey and Sutton are upper middle class biracial sisters. They do horrible things to each other. They say horrible things to each other. They each think the other is favored by their parents. One sister thinks the other gets more attention because she is a light skinned and athletic.
And then Sutton goes missing...and just as mysteriously reappears with no memory of anything or anyone except Casey. Sutton is definitely not the same as the girl who goes missing. Casey is determined to find out what happened.
This is also a story about generational trauma in Black families. To an extent, the toxic sibling rivalry is tied to that generational trauma. It is an important story to tell.
BONUS: The author is a huge Taylor Swift fan and she left Easter eggs for Swifties throughout the story.
WARNINGS:
If you do not like to hear about, or do not want to delve more into, the Black experience, skip this book. Don't leave a one star review because you were annoyed or uncomfortable. Read something else.
Evangelical Christians might want to skip this, too. It puts a critical light on Evangelicalism.
The novel starts as a tale of toxic sibling rivalry. Casey and Sutton are upper middle class biracial sisters. They do horrible things to each other. They say horrible things to each other. They each think the other is favored by their parents. One sister thinks the other gets more attention because she is a light skinned and athletic.
And then Sutton goes missing...and just as mysteriously reappears with no memory of anything or anyone except Casey. Sutton is definitely not the same as the girl who goes missing. Casey is determined to find out what happened.
This is also a story about generational trauma in Black families. To an extent, the toxic sibling rivalry is tied to that generational trauma. It is an important story to tell.
BONUS: The author is a huge Taylor Swift fan and she left Easter eggs for Swifties throughout the story.
WARNINGS:
If you do not like to hear about, or do not want to delve more into, the Black experience, skip this book. Don't leave a one star review because you were annoyed or uncomfortable. Read something else.
Evangelical Christians might want to skip this, too. It puts a critical light on Evangelicalism.
May 18, 2023
Wow, what an impressive debut! I was captivated by this YA family-drama mystery-thriller with a touch of magical realism that explores intergenerational trauma and healing.
The plot was engaging, and the characters were well-developed, with authentic love-hate sibling relationships between the Cureton sisters and their unique relationships with their parents. I especially appreciated the historical accuracy of the hoodoo magic during slavery and its ties to modern-day African American spiritualism through Isaiah, the dad, who is a historian in the book.
The candid and powerful commentary on the experiences of being biracial in America, including the issue of colorism, was well-integrated into the narrative without overpowering the plot. The way the police responded to Black girls going missing, only showing concern after Sutton's disappearance went viral, is a sad and dark reflection of our society.
Semi-spoiler below.
Despite this, I highly recommend this book for its striking storyline that celebrates the power of family bonds, complete with poignant history and a bit of suspense. Congrats to Lily Meade on a superb debut, and the cover art is stunning. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read this work, which will be published on the 27th of June, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Full review.
The plot was engaging, and the characters were well-developed, with authentic love-hate sibling relationships between the Cureton sisters and their unique relationships with their parents. I especially appreciated the historical accuracy of the hoodoo magic during slavery and its ties to modern-day African American spiritualism through Isaiah, the dad, who is a historian in the book.
The candid and powerful commentary on the experiences of being biracial in America, including the issue of colorism, was well-integrated into the narrative without overpowering the plot. The way the police responded to Black girls going missing, only showing concern after Sutton's disappearance went viral, is a sad and dark reflection of our society.
Semi-spoiler below.
Despite this, I highly recommend this book for its striking storyline that celebrates the power of family bonds, complete with poignant history and a bit of suspense. Congrats to Lily Meade on a superb debut, and the cover art is stunning. Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the opportunity to read this work, which will be published on the 27th of June, 2023. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Full review.
February 21, 2023
Good gracious this cover is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! It is what drew me in to read the synopsis on this one and request it from NetGalley.
Casey and Sutton are sisters who rarely get along. Everyone thinks that Sutton is so perfect, but Casey knows the truth, that she is a manipulator. Sutton goes missing one day and a search group (ran by Casey’s best friend Ruth, who is the daughter of a local pastor), come across her running shoe. What could have happened to her? Did her boyfriend Andrew have something to do with her disappearance? Will she end up being like the other two local girls who went missing; Tamika Horn and Imani Brenton?
But then Sutton mysteriously reappears, having no recollection of where she has been or what has happened to her. She is acting weird and even the family dog who loves her most is cautious because something seems off. What on earth happened to Sutton while she was gone?
This is a very impressive YA debut novel by Lily Meade. I enjoyed the characters and could not wait to find out what happened to Sutton. I liked the fact that Casey and Sutton’s father’s occupation as a black historian was spotlighted and the inclusion of all the historical aspects of their genealogy. I loved the table in their home that displayed important parts of their heritage for everyone to see. The ending was satisfying but I feel like it was a tad rushed. I also wish there had been more discussion about the other missing girls. I think the author describes this book best in the author note saying, “This book is ultimately about trauma and healing.” Overall, this was a very good read. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Casey and Sutton are sisters who rarely get along. Everyone thinks that Sutton is so perfect, but Casey knows the truth, that she is a manipulator. Sutton goes missing one day and a search group (ran by Casey’s best friend Ruth, who is the daughter of a local pastor), come across her running shoe. What could have happened to her? Did her boyfriend Andrew have something to do with her disappearance? Will she end up being like the other two local girls who went missing; Tamika Horn and Imani Brenton?
But then Sutton mysteriously reappears, having no recollection of where she has been or what has happened to her. She is acting weird and even the family dog who loves her most is cautious because something seems off. What on earth happened to Sutton while she was gone?
This is a very impressive YA debut novel by Lily Meade. I enjoyed the characters and could not wait to find out what happened to Sutton. I liked the fact that Casey and Sutton’s father’s occupation as a black historian was spotlighted and the inclusion of all the historical aspects of their genealogy. I loved the table in their home that displayed important parts of their heritage for everyone to see. The ending was satisfying but I feel like it was a tad rushed. I also wish there had been more discussion about the other missing girls. I think the author describes this book best in the author note saying, “This book is ultimately about trauma and healing.” Overall, this was a very good read. 3.5 stars.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2025
The ending of this book saved it from being a 3 star read—and the ending was very satisfying. My difficulty with the book up until the last few chapters was that so many of the characters were unlikeable. I didn't like either sister, though I ended up not liking Sutton the least after we spent time inside her head. Casey was thoroughly unlikeable. Perhaps it was too difficult for me to understand the vitriol between the sisters (especially from Casey's pov) because I only have brothers. I'm the oldest of my siblings and I cannot comprehend being so constantly, needlessly angry at any of them. It was difficult to be inside the head of a character (Casey) so immature and selfish.
I realize the girls are young and I understand very well the inherent selfishness of teenagers—growing out of that happens as we mature—but these girls were awful. The mom was massively unlikeable and clearly contributed to the issues between the girls. The dad seemed impotent to affect any change in the household dynamics.
The book is well written and I'll happily read another by Meade. And, as I said earlier, the highly satisfying conclusion was worth staying the distance to reach. I do recommend the book, just be prepared to be annoyed as hell at the pettiness of teenage girls and the cluelessness of their parents.
I realize the girls are young and I understand very well the inherent selfishness of teenagers—growing out of that happens as we mature—but these girls were awful. The mom was massively unlikeable and clearly contributed to the issues between the girls. The dad seemed impotent to affect any change in the household dynamics.
The book is well written and I'll happily read another by Meade. And, as I said earlier, the highly satisfying conclusion was worth staying the distance to reach. I do recommend the book, just be prepared to be annoyed as hell at the pettiness of teenage girls and the cluelessness of their parents.
June 27, 2023
My sister is a bitch, but that doesn't mean I want her dead.
.
Happy Book Birthday to The Shadow Sister!!!!!!! Here is a story about sisterhood: often complicated, but an unbreakable bond.
Casey and Sutton DO NOT get along. They are familiar only in blood, or so it seems. When Sutton goes missing and reappears without her memories, Casey is forced to confront her feelings for her older sister head on: her anger, her suspicion, her hurt, her…love? Sprinkled throughout are moments with Sutton, giving us a glimpse of her mind, POV into her relationship with Casey, and a deeper look into who she is, not just what people believe of her. These are two very complicated young women, floundering after a life-altering trauma that is now forcing them to share space in a way they thought no longer possible. But there’s more going on than just their fractured relationship. Other Black girls have gone missing, and it’s hard to learn who to trust when so many details remain hidden…
In the direct words of the author Lily Meade herself, “Sutton and Casey are both strong personalities. They are unapologetic and stubborn. They aren't "perfect" Black girls, even though their circumstances demand they pretend to be. However, they - like you - are worthy of being loved, respected, and missed.” It’s easy for many to get frustrated with teenaged girls when they don’t do what you believe to be right, and doubly so when those girls are Black and held to a different standard. But remember, even the Black girls who ruffle a few feathers are deserving of patience, understanding, and the effort to keep them safe. Look forward to a thrilling tale of family, the lasting love of our ancestors, and the strength it takes to uncover truths the world would rather keep shrouded.
Congrats to Lily Meade!! I really enjoyed this! And shoutout to Sourcebooks Fire for my copy! Get yours today, friends!
TW: violence against children, death, violence, racism
.
Happy Book Birthday to The Shadow Sister!!!!!!! Here is a story about sisterhood: often complicated, but an unbreakable bond.
Casey and Sutton DO NOT get along. They are familiar only in blood, or so it seems. When Sutton goes missing and reappears without her memories, Casey is forced to confront her feelings for her older sister head on: her anger, her suspicion, her hurt, her…love? Sprinkled throughout are moments with Sutton, giving us a glimpse of her mind, POV into her relationship with Casey, and a deeper look into who she is, not just what people believe of her. These are two very complicated young women, floundering after a life-altering trauma that is now forcing them to share space in a way they thought no longer possible. But there’s more going on than just their fractured relationship. Other Black girls have gone missing, and it’s hard to learn who to trust when so many details remain hidden…
In the direct words of the author Lily Meade herself, “Sutton and Casey are both strong personalities. They are unapologetic and stubborn. They aren't "perfect" Black girls, even though their circumstances demand they pretend to be. However, they - like you - are worthy of being loved, respected, and missed.” It’s easy for many to get frustrated with teenaged girls when they don’t do what you believe to be right, and doubly so when those girls are Black and held to a different standard. But remember, even the Black girls who ruffle a few feathers are deserving of patience, understanding, and the effort to keep them safe. Look forward to a thrilling tale of family, the lasting love of our ancestors, and the strength it takes to uncover truths the world would rather keep shrouded.
Congrats to Lily Meade!! I really enjoyed this! And shoutout to Sourcebooks Fire for my copy! Get yours today, friends!
TW: violence against children, death, violence, racism
August 6, 2023
*Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for sending me a copy of this!*
I absolutely loved this one, and the audiobook was amazing too. It was a little predictable at points but that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.
I absolutely loved this one, and the audiobook was amazing too. It was a little predictable at points but that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.
December 9, 2023
It was fine….i REALLY liked the ending but the beginning and middle were eh
July 9, 2023
um... what the heck did I just read.
where do I even begin to rate this book? I'll do the best I can but this review is going to be very chaotic.
Characters
I didn't like either Sutton or Casey. As the book went on, you kind of saw more of the reason behind their hate to each other, but I still didn't like them. Now, maybe that shows how they're not perfect, but when you're reading a book and you detest both of the main characters throughout the whole story, is that a good thing?
Normally in a book with sucky main characters, I'm able to find a side character or more that I would've liked to see more pagetime of and that I liked. But Ruth, Casey's best friend, lacked depth and was just a flat character to me. Andrew is... ugGH I don't like that guy he has no relevance. It's not that he's a bad character, he just didn't stick out to me and was annoying at times.
Not a strong start so far.
Plot.
you know this is about to be important because there was a period
HOLY CRAP WHAT WENT ON. So this book is more of a spiritual supernatural type deal that's supposed to signify the strong bond of family... but it was more than a little confusing. Because of a few key details thrown in, like Sutton screaming when she was hit with dirt and found dirty on the side of the road, I guessed that I thought it was a pretty predictable plot, but it didn't explain why she would have amnesia. AND THEN THIS MASSIVE CURVEBALL WAS SMACKED INTO MY FACE THAT MADE ABOUT ZERO SENSE.
Apparently is the bad guy with a completely unclear motive (that I'll explain later). He buries (?) Sutton and then because the power of frickingfriendship my little pony family made her able to
MOTIVE.
caps lock and a period? it's about to go down my guys
For those of you that didn't read my five paragraph essay spoiler, the motive made no sense and didn't have any backing or explanation behind it.
The one thing that this story does to deserve two stars is the fact that I couldn't put it down. I was hOOKED. (even though the story itself kinda sucked) It was addicting to keep reading.
Anyways, if you're into supernatural stuff and don't want to think while reading a book that's still pretty addicting, go ahead and read this one.
where do I even begin to rate this book? I'll do the best I can but this review is going to be very chaotic.
Characters
I didn't like either Sutton or Casey. As the book went on, you kind of saw more of the reason behind their hate to each other, but I still didn't like them. Now, maybe that shows how they're not perfect, but when you're reading a book and you detest both of the main characters throughout the whole story, is that a good thing?
Normally in a book with sucky main characters, I'm able to find a side character or more that I would've liked to see more pagetime of and that I liked. But Ruth, Casey's best friend, lacked depth and was just a flat character to me. Andrew is... ugGH I don't like that guy he has no relevance. It's not that he's a bad character, he just didn't stick out to me and was annoying at times.
Not a strong start so far.
Plot.
you know this is about to be important because there was a period
HOLY CRAP WHAT WENT ON. So this book is more of a spiritual supernatural type deal that's supposed to signify the strong bond of family... but it was more than a little confusing. Because of a few key details thrown in, like Sutton screaming when she was hit with dirt and found dirty on the side of the road, I guessed that I thought it was a pretty predictable plot, but it didn't explain why she would have amnesia. AND THEN THIS MASSIVE CURVEBALL WAS SMACKED INTO MY FACE THAT MADE ABOUT ZERO SENSE.
Apparently is the bad guy with a completely unclear motive (that I'll explain later). He buries (?) Sutton and then because the power of fricking
MOTIVE.
caps lock and a period? it's about to go down my guys
For those of you that didn't read my five paragraph essay spoiler, the motive made no sense and didn't have any backing or explanation behind it.
The one thing that this story does to deserve two stars is the fact that I couldn't put it down. I was hOOKED. (even though the story itself kinda sucked) It was addicting to keep reading.
Anyways, if you're into supernatural stuff and don't want to think while reading a book that's still pretty addicting, go ahead and read this one.
Read
November 4, 2025I just just confused from page one Dnf
April 23, 2023
Casey hates her sister Sutton most days, so when she goes missing, Casey is incredibly conflicted. Even though they don't get along, Casey hates to see what her sister disappearing does to her parents. When Sutton appears with no memory of her past, except that Casey is her sister, Casey is suspicious. Is amnesia a ruse for more attention? A ploy to trick her parents? Casey does not trust it and is determined to find out just where Sutton went, and what happened to her when she disappeared.
Sister's hating each other in books is not new, but this author does it well. Both Sutton and Casey come across as imperfect people, without being overboard. The strain on their relationship is well thought-out and explored. Usually, I would side with one character, but I found both of them to be super compelling! We also get a little backstory into how the feud came about and how much it rocked their relationship. Every relationship has growing pains; seeing them overcome and bond was lovely.
There is a magical realism element in this book which was done beautifully. We also explored Casey's family history as slaves, and how hard they had to work to get to where they are now. The ancestry aspect is incredibly moving.
Unfortunately, those are the only parts I liked. Everything else is underdeveloped and half-fleshed out. The most disappointing aspect for me was the mystery. Overall, it only plays a part in the very beginning and end. It is barely mentioned or used in the middle, which is odd. If your daughter comes home with amnesia, whatever happened to them must have been incredibly traumatic. I expected the parents to be more determined in figuring out what happened to her, but instead, they are just complacent. The other girls that went missing are barely mentioned or explored. The villain is so cartoony it is laughable, and the motive did not even make sense, which is incredibly frustrating. If the author had just made it about the family healing from trauma, I would have probably given this four, maybe five stars.
Outside of Casey and Sutton, no other character is fleshed out. Some key characters too, like the boyfriend, parents, and the villain! Everyone is also presented as either good or bad, with no room in the middle. Lily Meade created such dynamic main characters, yet all the secondary characters fade into the background and have no impact on the story.
Overall, a solid YA debut. I am excited to see what else the author writes!
Big thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
Sister's hating each other in books is not new, but this author does it well. Both Sutton and Casey come across as imperfect people, without being overboard. The strain on their relationship is well thought-out and explored. Usually, I would side with one character, but I found both of them to be super compelling! We also get a little backstory into how the feud came about and how much it rocked their relationship. Every relationship has growing pains; seeing them overcome and bond was lovely.
There is a magical realism element in this book which was done beautifully. We also explored Casey's family history as slaves, and how hard they had to work to get to where they are now. The ancestry aspect is incredibly moving.
Unfortunately, those are the only parts I liked. Everything else is underdeveloped and half-fleshed out. The most disappointing aspect for me was the mystery. Overall, it only plays a part in the very beginning and end. It is barely mentioned or used in the middle, which is odd. If your daughter comes home with amnesia, whatever happened to them must have been incredibly traumatic. I expected the parents to be more determined in figuring out what happened to her, but instead, they are just complacent. The other girls that went missing are barely mentioned or explored. The villain is so cartoony it is laughable, and the motive did not even make sense, which is incredibly frustrating. If the author had just made it about the family healing from trauma, I would have probably given this four, maybe five stars.
Outside of Casey and Sutton, no other character is fleshed out. Some key characters too, like the boyfriend, parents, and the villain! Everyone is also presented as either good or bad, with no room in the middle. Lily Meade created such dynamic main characters, yet all the secondary characters fade into the background and have no impact on the story.
Overall, a solid YA debut. I am excited to see what else the author writes!
Big thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
June 14, 2023
This tale is told mainly from the point of view of a well off, mixed race but mainly African American teenage girl. Due to her position, she has some liberal views that direct some of her narrative thinking. Such thoughts like about racism, privilege, and class and how they, in the main character's point of view, may have had an impact on who and how her sister was searched for and what may be wrong. These "politics" do not have a huge effect the overall story, but if you are sensitive to such things, I would say this book is not for you. While I did not agree with every one of Casey's opinions, I did not mind stepping into someone else’s shoes for a different take. This is what storytelling sometimes is. Different perspectives that we have to be open to. Often times these make the book even better.
I instantly fell in love with the main protagonist, Casey. How could you not with an opening line of, "My sister is a bitch, but that doesn't mean I want her dead." She has a sassy personality that was easily relatable.
The Shadow Sister is very character driven. Depending on Casey's suspicions to push the story forward. She does get her sister back, but her sister isn't the same. Is it because of foul play or something deeper? Supernatural even? This drives Casey crazy, as she wants to push everyone away, but can't give up either.
"I'm happy to be the shadow sister, invisible until necessary, forgotten by choice." - Casey
Lily Meade does an excellent job of upping the suspense until the end with a mix of Casey's own naivety, her sisterhood bond with Sutton, and cultural history that includes magic and superstitions. Casey discovers quite a bit about herself, her sister, and her family through her investigations. I was left sucked in and guessing through the whole story.
"I'm who I am because of who made me." - Casey
The last few chapters, the pacing changed so that the author could tie the story up. While the events were fantastical, and brought the drama to an epic conclusion, the decision Casey had to make to get where she needed to be felt rushed. Not quite matching the careful consideration given through the rest of the story. This is mainly why I couldn't give a full 5 stars. I highly recommend this one though. It is an EXCELLENT debut story from an inspiring author.
I instantly fell in love with the main protagonist, Casey. How could you not with an opening line of, "My sister is a bitch, but that doesn't mean I want her dead." She has a sassy personality that was easily relatable.
The Shadow Sister is very character driven. Depending on Casey's suspicions to push the story forward. She does get her sister back, but her sister isn't the same. Is it because of foul play or something deeper? Supernatural even? This drives Casey crazy, as she wants to push everyone away, but can't give up either.
"I'm happy to be the shadow sister, invisible until necessary, forgotten by choice." - Casey
Lily Meade does an excellent job of upping the suspense until the end with a mix of Casey's own naivety, her sisterhood bond with Sutton, and cultural history that includes magic and superstitions. Casey discovers quite a bit about herself, her sister, and her family through her investigations. I was left sucked in and guessing through the whole story.
"I'm who I am because of who made me." - Casey
The last few chapters, the pacing changed so that the author could tie the story up. While the events were fantastical, and brought the drama to an epic conclusion, the decision Casey had to make to get where she needed to be felt rushed. Not quite matching the careful consideration given through the rest of the story. This is mainly why I couldn't give a full 5 stars. I highly recommend this one though. It is an EXCELLENT debut story from an inspiring author.
December 22, 2022
ARC review. This was captivating but ultimately, there were too many plot holes. Nothing seemed to connect. We are told that Sutton and Cassie hate each other. But there is no real reason why. Sure sibling rivalry is a thing but this kind of deep-seated hate usually comes with some sort of explanation and that is largely missing here. We get a build-up for 260+ pages and then it's all resolved in the last ten pages in a nice neat bow, which isn't how missing girl cases go. I don't understand the motives behind Sutton's disappearance. And we are told that Sutton is one of many Black girls to go missing in this town but then when it comes to the big reveal, their identities don't seem to matter. The magical realism is severely underdeveloped as is the topic of intergenerational trauma. Lots of potential but fails to live up to it.
November 30, 2023
This book had a lot of potential but fell short for me. The writing was OK. The most disappointing part was the ending - no explanation as to why, how, or conclusion. Emotionally, it was like a slow moving train that made too many stops. The cover is amazing, but it's the only aspect I found better than mediocre.
August 5, 2023
I read the first draft of this and it was UNPUTDOWNABLE. I can't say more without giving things away but this will linger in your consciousness. A very affecting read, sharp and emotional.
Edit: just read the published draft and it’s EVEN BETTER. Twisty, dark, heartbreaking and triumphant!
Edit: just read the published draft and it’s EVEN BETTER. Twisty, dark, heartbreaking and triumphant!
July 2, 2023
A compelling and intense read with a mystery that had me powering through this book, desperate to know what was going on.
While I admittedly figured out the ‘whodunnit’ early on, the ‘why did they do it?’ kept me guessing right up until the reveal in the best way. With discussions of generation trauma, racism, sisterhood and faith, The Shadow Sister was an addictive and provocative read that allowed left no room for anything but my full attention. Lily Meade is such an exciting new voice in YA and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Also highly recommend the audiobook.
TW: racism
While I admittedly figured out the ‘whodunnit’ early on, the ‘why did they do it?’ kept me guessing right up until the reveal in the best way. With discussions of generation trauma, racism, sisterhood and faith, The Shadow Sister was an addictive and provocative read that allowed left no room for anything but my full attention. Lily Meade is such an exciting new voice in YA and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Also highly recommend the audiobook.
TW: racism
December 29, 2022
So I went back and forth on the rating on this one a few times. This is a where I liked the character of Casey but I was less impressed with the plot execution. Overall, this YA story is super easy to get into, so I might check out this author's other work in the future.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2024
4.5/5 I love this book. At first, I thought "Shadow Sister" was just that- the sister who lives in the background and is ultimately forgotten. But it's far from just that, even before reading the author's note, I felt the trauma and work to heal for this story to form. It was a fantastic read!
January 26, 2024
Reading the about the author and this book, I didn’t get what she said she conveyed through the characters except for the father.
And if ever a book needed an epilogue, this was it.i still don’t really understand the ending and why the killer killed. I assumed it was about land, but nope.
And if ever a book needed an epilogue, this was it.i still don’t really understand the ending and why the killer killed. I assumed it was about land, but nope.
June 11, 2023
I was drawn to this book based on the description and the diversity in what I thought was going to be a mystery/thriller.
What I enjoyed: the main characters were well developed and the dynamic between the sisters and how they didn’t get along is relatable to anyone that has siblings. The mention of their ancestry added a deeper element to the story.
What I didn’t like: this story seemed really underdeveloped to me. I went in expecting a sort of thriller in a way - sister goes missing, sister comes back and acts strange, I’ve read books with similar plots where the remaining sister almost becomes an amateur sleuth trying to find out what happened but that wasn’t how this book went which was very disappointing for me. The villain was… pretty much a joke. The villain was so one-dimensional and the resolution of the book left me feeling meh.
What I enjoyed: the main characters were well developed and the dynamic between the sisters and how they didn’t get along is relatable to anyone that has siblings. The mention of their ancestry added a deeper element to the story.
What I didn’t like: this story seemed really underdeveloped to me. I went in expecting a sort of thriller in a way - sister goes missing, sister comes back and acts strange, I’ve read books with similar plots where the remaining sister almost becomes an amateur sleuth trying to find out what happened but that wasn’t how this book went which was very disappointing for me. The villain was… pretty much a joke. The villain was so one-dimensional and the resolution of the book left me feeling meh.
April 13, 2023
Wow, I loved this. This story is a YA mystery/thriller that follows Casey, a high schooler whose sister Sutton has gone missing. Casey and Sutton did not have a good relationship and fought with each other before Sutton went missing. Sutton is found, and can't remember anything except for Casey. She has a completely changed behavior and now leans on Casey for help and support. Casey is suspicious that her sister is manipulating everyone and playing mind games, so she goes around trying to find out what happened to her sister.
The plot and characters kept me invested in this story, I had no idea what direction the story was going and what to expect, but the mystery kept me very intrigued. I loved the different elements in the book, like generational/religious trauma and family relationships and dynamics. Casey and Sutton were fascinating characters, and I was eager to learn more about their behaviors and feelings. I also appreciated how the author wove about black girls going missing and the racial aspects of the story. The ending was crazy, and I'm still confused about it, but there were definitely some magical/ancestral/generation forces at play.
I wish we had more closure at the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and you should read it if you like YA thrillers with good storytelling and characters. This book comes out June 27th, so read it and message me your thoughts 🌚.
The plot and characters kept me invested in this story, I had no idea what direction the story was going and what to expect, but the mystery kept me very intrigued. I loved the different elements in the book, like generational/religious trauma and family relationships and dynamics. Casey and Sutton were fascinating characters, and I was eager to learn more about their behaviors and feelings. I also appreciated how the author wove about black girls going missing and the racial aspects of the story. The ending was crazy, and I'm still confused about it, but there were definitely some magical/ancestral/generation forces at play.
I wish we had more closure at the end, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and you should read it if you like YA thrillers with good storytelling and characters. This book comes out June 27th, so read it and message me your thoughts 🌚.
June 20, 2023
This was a book I had to read because of that gorgeous cover. And I was lucky enough to trade for an ARC copy of it. Sounded like such an exciting story too. I was expecting some mystery. A good sister relationship story. I got none of that. Yeah. This one ended up being a two star for me. Pretty disappointed, honestly.
I'm unsure how to write down my thoughts about this book. Will try to keep it short. Though I have a bunch of feelings about this. Sigh. At first I thought the writing was pretty good. But the more I read, the more I realized how very bored I was and how I did not care for anything that happened. So, yeah. It was not very good.
This book is told from the point of view of Casey. She is around sixteen years old, with her older sister Sutton about a year older than her. I think. Probably. The book begins a week after Sutton went missing. They are all trying to find her. Though Casey does not really believe anything bad has happened to her, she kind of think she just ran away to hurt them. I could have liked getting to know Casey. She seemed sweet. She had a best friend whom I liked more. She cared for their dog, which I liked. But Casey was such an awful person towards her sister. And I hated that. I hated it so much. We get to see a few small chapters from the point of view of Sutton, set in the past. And Casey was awful to her. But to her, it was Sutton who was the problem. I did not see that at all. The past chapters were awful. I so did not like them.
I actually liked Sutton. The before version of her, at least. What we got to know about her. She also had a boyfriend, whom I liked. He was barely there in this book. No romance at all. A few side stories, like with the coach, which didn't really matter. Or the cheer squad. I did not care for either. Then there were their parents. And oh, how I did not like them. They were not written very well, to be honest. So boring. I didn't like the way they talked to their children either, it just felt weird. But they were there at least. Somewhat.
One plus side to this book: the black family history. Their dad was black, their mom white. His family had a great and sad history and I liked getting to know more about it. It was also a little messy, sadly, so not that easy to read about. This book has a small mention of magic. Felt rushed and not that magical either. Wish it had been written more about, done better. There was the bracelet they were arguing about. The flashback scene about it, it was not good. It just made me hate Casey more and I disliked that so much.
Anyway. Time to talk about the plot of this book. Sutton has been missing for a week. She suddenly turns up, alive. But with no memory. Though she remembers Casey, at least some part of her. She is different. Casey, of course, treated her so badly for ages after she came back, believing she was faking the whole memory loss. It just made me more angry and sad. Sigh. Sutton deserved better. Hmph. Also, I may have spoiled the entire story for myself, though, by peeking at the ending. As that plot twist isn't known. Oops.
I guess this book was more about the sisters than the actual mystery of what happened to Sutton. Or the other missing black girls. We get to know nothing about them. I feel a little cheated by the summary, to be honest, ha. But yeah. It was about the girls slowly connecting again, after years of not being friends. But, well. I did not like it. I still felt angry towards Casey and how she had treated Sutton. Ugh. And I so wish the mystery had been better. Some small Taylor Swift mentions. But using a different/fake name. Weird.
What I must mention is the ending. It was not good. At all. I'm completely disappointed in it. The villain reveal had been obvious for ages. And it happened way too fast and was over even faster at the end. Then the book just ends, in the middle of the woods. With so many questions still not answered. It was not good and I was not happy about it. Sigh. Of course, I did not really care either, but I still wanted to know some things. Honestly, this whole book was just such a disappointment. It made no sense either.
The Shadow Sister has such a beautiful cover. Which I love. But the book ended up being disappointing to me. I sadly did not like it much. A few parts I hated, how the sisters treated each other for years. I did not like how so many answers were just not there, how boring the mystery and thriller part was. The story was exciting at times, I wanted to know what had happened with Sutton. But we never really got to know. It was way too tame, honestly. I'm sure others will like this one, though. Probably. It simply wasn't for me.
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This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2023...
I'm unsure how to write down my thoughts about this book. Will try to keep it short. Though I have a bunch of feelings about this. Sigh. At first I thought the writing was pretty good. But the more I read, the more I realized how very bored I was and how I did not care for anything that happened. So, yeah. It was not very good.
This book is told from the point of view of Casey. She is around sixteen years old, with her older sister Sutton about a year older than her. I think. Probably. The book begins a week after Sutton went missing. They are all trying to find her. Though Casey does not really believe anything bad has happened to her, she kind of think she just ran away to hurt them. I could have liked getting to know Casey. She seemed sweet. She had a best friend whom I liked more. She cared for their dog, which I liked. But Casey was such an awful person towards her sister. And I hated that. I hated it so much. We get to see a few small chapters from the point of view of Sutton, set in the past. And Casey was awful to her. But to her, it was Sutton who was the problem. I did not see that at all. The past chapters were awful. I so did not like them.
I actually liked Sutton. The before version of her, at least. What we got to know about her. She also had a boyfriend, whom I liked. He was barely there in this book. No romance at all. A few side stories, like with the coach, which didn't really matter. Or the cheer squad. I did not care for either. Then there were their parents. And oh, how I did not like them. They were not written very well, to be honest. So boring. I didn't like the way they talked to their children either, it just felt weird. But they were there at least. Somewhat.
One plus side to this book: the black family history. Their dad was black, their mom white. His family had a great and sad history and I liked getting to know more about it. It was also a little messy, sadly, so not that easy to read about. This book has a small mention of magic. Felt rushed and not that magical either. Wish it had been written more about, done better. There was the bracelet they were arguing about. The flashback scene about it, it was not good. It just made me hate Casey more and I disliked that so much.
Anyway. Time to talk about the plot of this book. Sutton has been missing for a week. She suddenly turns up, alive. But with no memory. Though she remembers Casey, at least some part of her. She is different. Casey, of course, treated her so badly for ages after she came back, believing she was faking the whole memory loss. It just made me more angry and sad. Sigh. Sutton deserved better. Hmph. Also, I may have spoiled the entire story for myself, though, by peeking at the ending. As that plot twist isn't known. Oops.
I guess this book was more about the sisters than the actual mystery of what happened to Sutton. Or the other missing black girls. We get to know nothing about them. I feel a little cheated by the summary, to be honest, ha. But yeah. It was about the girls slowly connecting again, after years of not being friends. But, well. I did not like it. I still felt angry towards Casey and how she had treated Sutton. Ugh. And I so wish the mystery had been better. Some small Taylor Swift mentions. But using a different/fake name. Weird.
What I must mention is the ending. It was not good. At all. I'm completely disappointed in it. The villain reveal had been obvious for ages. And it happened way too fast and was over even faster at the end. Then the book just ends, in the middle of the woods. With so many questions still not answered. It was not good and I was not happy about it. Sigh. Of course, I did not really care either, but I still wanted to know some things. Honestly, this whole book was just such a disappointment. It made no sense either.
The Shadow Sister has such a beautiful cover. Which I love. But the book ended up being disappointing to me. I sadly did not like it much. A few parts I hated, how the sisters treated each other for years. I did not like how so many answers were just not there, how boring the mystery and thriller part was. The story was exciting at times, I wanted to know what had happened with Sutton. But we never really got to know. It was way too tame, honestly. I'm sure others will like this one, though. Probably. It simply wasn't for me.
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This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: https://carinabooks.blogspot.com/2023...
July 2, 2023
I received an ARC of this book and am so grateful that I did!! This was an absolutely amazing story! It addresses the bonds of sisterhood, intergenerational trauma, crimes against young women of color and so much more! I was drawn to the characters from the start and intrigued by the story line throughout. Awesome plot twists! It just became available to the general public on June 27th and I encourage everyone to read it!
October 11, 2023
THE SHADOW SISTER, by Lily Meade, is a novel that took me completely by surprise. A debut book, that I was so taken with that I immediately gave it all the stars, and still have the characters and tale in my mind.
When Casey's older sister, Sutton, goes missing, she is thrust into the cameras at her mother's insistence to tell about how wonderful Sutton is--even though the two seemingly hated each other, and had been viciously antagonistic towards each other for years.
Then Sutton returns, but with no apparent memory of what had occurred to her, or any recollection of anyone other than her sister, Casey. As the story progresses, we see Casey's emotions turning at all times. Does she believe Sutton is faking? Did she really lose her memory? And the biggest question of all--did she ever REALLY know her sister to begin with?
The story touches on many subjects, including the difference in their police department of looking for black girls verses white, and the stark differences money--and the side of town you live on--make. These are some of the things that really brought the story to the top, emotionally, for me. Their father talks about their ancestors' history and slavery, while their mother is white, born to privilege. The love the parents shared was as poignant and real as the emotions Casey deals with in the aftermath of her sister's change.
The ending brings all of this together in a way I won't even try to explain. It was simply phenomenal! I can't recommend this book highly enough for those looking for an emotionally charged, haunting story that will stay with you.
Highly recommended.
When Casey's older sister, Sutton, goes missing, she is thrust into the cameras at her mother's insistence to tell about how wonderful Sutton is--even though the two seemingly hated each other, and had been viciously antagonistic towards each other for years.
Then Sutton returns, but with no apparent memory of what had occurred to her, or any recollection of anyone other than her sister, Casey. As the story progresses, we see Casey's emotions turning at all times. Does she believe Sutton is faking? Did she really lose her memory? And the biggest question of all--did she ever REALLY know her sister to begin with?
The story touches on many subjects, including the difference in their police department of looking for black girls verses white, and the stark differences money--and the side of town you live on--make. These are some of the things that really brought the story to the top, emotionally, for me. Their father talks about their ancestors' history and slavery, while their mother is white, born to privilege. The love the parents shared was as poignant and real as the emotions Casey deals with in the aftermath of her sister's change.
The ending brings all of this together in a way I won't even try to explain. It was simply phenomenal! I can't recommend this book highly enough for those looking for an emotionally charged, haunting story that will stay with you.
Highly recommended.
June 18, 2023
I ultimately enjoyed this book, but I wanted more of the magical realism throughout, not just quickly at the end. I also am left wanting a lot more info on the "bad guy".
But ultimately, this was a book about Black voices, trauma, heritage... I'm really glad that was such a huge message in the book. 🦋
But ultimately, this was a book about Black voices, trauma, heritage... I'm really glad that was such a huge message in the book. 🦋
July 31, 2023
Typically, I do not allow covers to draw me in. It usually doesn't end well, and this was no exception.
Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to like here. I enjoyed the writing style, and it is a strong debut. I especially liked the use of magical realism. I also thought the use of the sister's ancestry was well executed. I found these sections to be the most interesting. However, I really struggled with the pacing and the characters.
I am a fan of unlikeable characters. However, both sisters are terrible people, and I didn't care about either sister. My other issue was I knew who the "bad guy" was from the first chapter, but I never understood their motivations. Further, the side characters needed further development.
As for the plot, I don't think this book knew what it wanted to be. The mystery aspect gets swept to the side for the entire middle section of the book. Then, the blurb says: Why is no one talking about the other girls who have gone missing in their area? The problem is the author barely talks about the other missing girls. This plot point needed to be fleshed out further.
I would have enjoyed this more if there was a deeper exploration of trauma, both generational and from what Sutton goes through.
I do think a lot of fans of YA mysteries may enjoy this book
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to like here. I enjoyed the writing style, and it is a strong debut. I especially liked the use of magical realism. I also thought the use of the sister's ancestry was well executed. I found these sections to be the most interesting. However, I really struggled with the pacing and the characters.
I am a fan of unlikeable characters. However, both sisters are terrible people, and I didn't care about either sister. My other issue was I knew who the "bad guy" was from the first chapter, but I never understood their motivations. Further, the side characters needed further development.
As for the plot, I don't think this book knew what it wanted to be. The mystery aspect gets swept to the side for the entire middle section of the book. Then, the blurb says: Why is no one talking about the other girls who have gone missing in their area? The problem is the author barely talks about the other missing girls. This plot point needed to be fleshed out further.
I would have enjoyed this more if there was a deeper exploration of trauma, both generational and from what Sutton goes through.
I do think a lot of fans of YA mysteries may enjoy this book
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this Advanced Reading Copy. I chose this book for its absolutely beautiful cover, but then was sucked in immediately by the story. This is such an engaging young adult story and I know middle schoolers and high schoolers will devour this book as it has so many of their sought after favorites: everyday young adult life, mystery, super natural, historical fiction, romance, cheerleading, and drama.
Sutton and Casey are sisters who are constantly butting heads and arguing. They have different values, friendships, interests, and ways of communicating. Casey's world is flipped upside down when Sutton disappears and her family must participate in the search, juggle media attention, and navigate their complicated emotions about Sutton, a master manipulator, now being portrayed as a perfect, innocent young woman. However, what happens when Sutton mysteriously reappears, but remembers nothing except her "love" for Casey?
As a reader, I was in for a wild ride in which my spidey senses were tingling and moments of blood chilling fear. I had no idea that I would also be taken on a multigenerational historical expedition tracing the girls' family back to slavery. In addition, the story takes on young love, complicated friendships, differing religious views and family values, and pressures in youth sports.
I am very impressed and hope that there will be more from Lily Meade in the future.
Sutton and Casey are sisters who are constantly butting heads and arguing. They have different values, friendships, interests, and ways of communicating. Casey's world is flipped upside down when Sutton disappears and her family must participate in the search, juggle media attention, and navigate their complicated emotions about Sutton, a master manipulator, now being portrayed as a perfect, innocent young woman. However, what happens when Sutton mysteriously reappears, but remembers nothing except her "love" for Casey?
As a reader, I was in for a wild ride in which my spidey senses were tingling and moments of blood chilling fear. I had no idea that I would also be taken on a multigenerational historical expedition tracing the girls' family back to slavery. In addition, the story takes on young love, complicated friendships, differing religious views and family values, and pressures in youth sports.
I am very impressed and hope that there will be more from Lily Meade in the future.
June 23, 2023
So I really liked the cover, especially the butterflies 🦋. I really loved that first sentence to start off the book! I was like "Wow she didn't hold back!" Being a sister is sometimes tough but most times are good, in this case though it was mainly tough. Which doesn't really make sense because I'm thinking where did all this "hatred" suddenly come from? Why be so mean to each other so often? But it played a huge role, so I understand. Now I enjoyed it, but like with most books there were some elements that I just didn't like. For example, if Sutton was actually dead and it was her "spirit" or whatever that came back, why wouldn't she smell like death if her hair was falling out, her fingernail fell off and she didn't bleed?? I'm like that should've happened. Another thing is they never got to talk about when Ma Remy "promised" Sutton her bracelet, the last conversation they had, she didn't mention anything about giving it to her, she just assumed. I had a feeling it was the pastor but I mean what were his true motives? Other than the whole "cleansing" things. Did he go mentally insane after his wife died or what? That didn't make any sense to me. Basically the whole ending was just rushed, when did Sutton remember who killed her and where? Why didn't she say anything? Why was their ancestors there to begin with? Ruth should've had more of a reaction to her dad literally killing people and almost killing her! Why did their mom hate Andrew so much? There was a lot of plot holes and not enough explanations. But for a debut novel, it was good! Thank you Sourcebooks and Lily Meade for this ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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