Name: Shadow Sister
ISBN: 9781728264479

Lily Meade

Shadow Sister

Great opening line. Sets the main character's sentiment directly.

Ariel Johnson

"My sister is a bitch, but that doesn't mean I want her dead." - Casey

Casey, observing Sutton after video taping her re-introduction to her dog, Romeo.

The only emotion on her face in the entire video comes from that single smile directed at me in the beginning, her empty black eyes staring directly into the lens.

This has so many more meanings under the surface with this story. Great line.

I'm happy to be the shadow sister, invisible until necessary, forgotten by choice. - Casey

Part of an excellent conversation Casey has with her dad.

"I'm who I am because of who made me." - Casey

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.

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.

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.

Shadow Sister

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