Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Sadie by Courtney Summers

33 reviews

nikkiahaley's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

This was a wonderful, amazing, difficult read. I listened to the audiobook and i think it is the way to read this. A full cast makes it gut wrenching. Especially with the podcast section of the book. 

This is the type of book that makes you want to scream for the characters, many got dealt a bad hand and are dealing with the aftermath of their choices and many are pieces of shits who deserve to get curb stomped. I think that is something that full cast audiobook adds. The podcaster we follow we get to know, we learn his motivations, the things that he is struggling with. We hear Sadie's inner monologue and her pain for her sister. We hear maybeth saying "not another dead girl". 

This book is going to put me in a book hangover. Everyone should read this. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence

mari_lit's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, and Grief

Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Rape, Death, and Addiction

glitterdeww's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don't often pick up mystery thrillers, but I'm so glad that I read Sadie, by Courtney Summers. This is a gripping novel following the titular character, a nineteen year old girl full of guilt, grief, and rage after the murder of her little sister. If you have access to the audiobook of this novel, (check your local library app) I would highly recommend it. It's voiced by a full cast, and because half of the book follows a radio show host trying to piece together what happened, it sounds very much like a true crime podcast.

There are many ugly things in this book, so check content warnings. There's not a lot of graphic detail, just description enough to explain what happened to these girls. It's hard to look at, but like most difficult things I think it's important to understand what ugliness actually exists. I also want to stress that there's beauty in this novel, too. But it's the kind that makes your heart ache. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Murder, Addiction, Child abuse, Grief, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Violence, Rape, and Sexual violence

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Details:
Narrated by full cast
Unabridged

Well, what a fantastic production this was. I'm so glad I went ahead and waited until I had an Audible account to get to this one. The full cast really made this story special.

The way this story unfolded was genius. I felt like I could really connect with Sadie and the people that tried to help her on her journey.

It left me with a weird feeling of melancholy and heart ache. What Sadie set as her mission was valiant and selfless and I was with her for the whole of it.

I thought we'd have a more closed conclusion, but with a story like this, I mean it mirrors real life so well... there never really is a conclusion to the mysteries of life.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Abandonment, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse

angelokaspar's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death and Pedophilia

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse

nat_wegas7's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Child death, Cursing, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Addiction, Alcohol, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Car accident, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Stalking, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting

miaaa_lenaaa's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I miss sadie :(

‘I don't expect it to bring her back. It won't bring her back. It's not about finding peace. There will never be peace.BI'm not under any illusion about how little of me will be left after I do this one thing.’

‘A world at the end of the world.’

‘I don’t want him to do what he's doing, talking to me like I'm some wild thing, like I can be calmed down with the gentleness he's dressed his voice in.’

‘"It'll h-heal f-fine."It'll heal ugly.” Most things do’

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Child death, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Grief

anielabooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book had been in my TBR for probably over a year before I decided to pick it up. I’d heard the audiobook was a good format to read it because of the podcast element. After listening to it, I wholeheartedly agree. Not only is the podcast element to the story heightened by the format, but Sadie’s stutter is portrayed amazingly by the voice actress. I decided to finally pick it up because it was available to borrow on Libby; I’m so glad I did. I’d definitely recommend this book to true-crime followers, especially those who listen to podcasts. The only reason I did not give this book 5 stars was because the beginning was a little confusing for me. That might just have been me getting used to reading audiobooks though; don’t let it discourage you.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Child death, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, and Blood

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Rape, Murder, Abandonment, Drug use, and Addiction

Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Bullying, Suicide, Stalking, Pregnancy, Grief, Death of parent, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Cursing, Violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Car accident, and Domestic abuse

bookishval's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I believe this story was meant to be reading in audibook and I'm so glad I did. Sadie is a story that's definitely going to stay with me for a long time. I often forget books, their plot and everything, but this won't be the case. Sadie, with a full cast of actors, made sure of that. I want to give my praise to Sadie's voice actor. She did such an incredible work in portraying her character. I could feel her pain, her frustration, her anger, and it was a tough experience, but one 100% worth listening.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, and Murder

Moderate: Rape

kbenavidez44's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Sexism, Self harm, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Violence, Drug use, Grief, Kidnapping, and Murder