Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc. I found this story to be so unique. We have two feuding sisters (feuding to put it extremely lightly) that outright hate one another. The first line struck me and I was hooked from the beginning. Sutton is missing and her sister Casey is upset that she is missing but who can blame her when she's had to deal with a sister like Sutton? Also demeaning her and making her feel less than, there didn't seem to be much love at the outset of this story. As the reader I was left to wonder if Casey hurt her sister, Sutton is found alive early on in the story, but the real question of Sutton's disappearance isn't if she was dead but why she disappeared and how come she was gone for so long with no word of her whereabouts. The more Casey starts to uncover about her sister and her secrets, the more questions she has.

The Shadow Sister kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire ride and I love a thriller. I related to being at odds with your sibling. After all, it is a natural part of being a sibling, and having disagreements, but I enjoyed the deep character work that Meade put into this work. This is the first book that I have read by this author, I can't wait to read more.

This cover is absolutely beautiful!!! This was a really impressive magical realism debut! I enjoyed everything about this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for the ARC of The Shadow Sister!

Casey is not distraught over her missing sister. The two sisters have not gotten along ever but especially lately. But then Sutton reappears and the only person she recognizes is Casey and suddenly she acts like she loves her. Casey thinks Sutton is up to something but she cannot figure out what. But the police are no longer put much effort into investigating her missing persons case now that she has returned. As Casey tries to figure out what her sister is up to she discovers that there have been other black girls going missing in their town and no one seems to care.

I really enjoyed The Shadow Sister! It delves into some deep racial and religious issues and handles it well. I DID NOT see that twist coming and it was so good! I highly recommend this book. I do not read many mysteries but I was reallllllly engrossed in this one! The dual POV between Casey and Sutton rounded out the story well. All of the relationships in the book were so nuanced it really felt like a real family going through different stages of grief and adapting to their new normal once Sutton returned.

When Casey’s sister Sutton goes missing, Casey has to confront the fact that perhaps her sister was missing from her life even before she physically didn’t come home one night. Casey and her sister haven’t gotten along in a while - Sutton is underhanded and manipulative - definitely not the angel that her family is painting her as in the media. But, of course, they have to make it seem like she’s a picture of perfection - or else why would anyone care about another missing black girl?

But then Sutton returns. Their mother and father are relieved and grateful beyond measure and Casey knows she should feel the same… only she doesn’t. It’s not that she isn’t happy her sister is safe - she definitely is; it’s more that Sutton isn’t acting the same. She is different in a way that is subtle - a way that only Casey seems to notice. And it’s more than the fact that Sutton remembers nothing about her life before going missing or even what happened to her. Her entire disposition is different and it’s making Casey more than uncomfortable - especially the way she constantly wants to spend time with Casey or stares at her aquarium for hours watching her goldfish swim in circles. Something - Casey doesn’t know what - isn’t right.

So Casey decides to get to the bottom of things - after all, no one else is. What exactly happened to her sister? Why did she go missing? And what happened to her while she was gone?

I will be the first to admit that I did not have high expectations for this book. It was marketed as being great for fans of Ace of Spades… which I didn’t vibe with at all. But the writing was superb and pacing was excellent. I could have read the entire thing in one sitting. There are quite a few twists and turns and the ending was not predictable. The book is deeply character-driven and explores the complexities of sibling relationships on an impressive level. Additionally, if you love books that cover sociological topics such as systemic injustice, racism, and communal identity. Highly recommend!

I loved the romance! they understood each and could be themselves together. The chemistry between them was amazing! I also loved the slow-burn and the sexual tension between the main characters. There were several scenes that made me blush and smile so much. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I honestly felt like I was living in the world with the characters. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I cried, I laughed and I smiled. This book will stay in my heart for a long time.

I really enjoyed this mystery novel. It was truly heartbreaking at times and I caught myself gasping a few times at some of the twists.

I will definitely be reading more from this author because this one kept me interested the entire time.

Lily Meade's "The Shadow Sister" is a compelling and emotional exploration of sisterhood, loss, and the complexities of family dynamics. The story follows Casey, whose world is shattered when her sister Sutton disappears. As she grapples with the mystery surrounding Sutton's disappearance, Casey confronts her own conflicted feelings towards her sister and the underlying tensions within their family.

Meade's writing is poignant and evocative, capturing the raw emotions of grief, anger, and guilt that Casey experiences. The portrayal of the sisterly bond, with its mix of love, rivalry, and resentment, is both realistic and heartbreaking. The narrative also delves into deeper themes of racial identity, colorism, and the challenges faced by marginalized communities.

The mystery surrounding Sutton's disappearance is intriguing, with well-placed clues and red herrings that keep the reader guessing. The pacing is steady, building tension and suspense as the story unfolds. The supporting characters, including Casey's family and friends, are well-developed, each with their own unique perspective on the events.

However, "The Shadow Sister" is not without its flaws. The ending, while satisfying in some respects, may feel abrupt to some readers, leaving certain questions unanswered. The exploration of social issues, while important, can sometimes feel heavy-handed, detracting from the overall narrative flow.

"The Shadow Sister" is a powerful and moving novel that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the complexities of family relationships. It's a story about love, loss, and the enduring bonds that connect us, even in the face of adversity. While not without its flaws, the novel's strengths in character development, emotional depth, and suspense make it a worthwhile read for fans of contemporary fiction and mysteries alike.

This book captivated me with its engaging plot and well-developed characters. The writing style was compelling, keeping me eagerly turning pages. While there were a few moments that didn't fully resonate with me, overall, it was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to others. Transported into a richly imagined world and complex characters, Lily Meade's book captivates readers easily with their writing style and pace.

Don’t let the rating turn you off! This is a high 3.5 star read for me and that’s still good in my rating system. I just didn’t enjoy the beginning of the book as much as I would’ve liked to. It has a slow start.

Once the mystery starts unfolding and it gets to the meat of the story I was hooked. As someone who hasn’t always got along with my sister or understood her - I liked seeing that in a book. Instead of sisters who just love each other and are besties.

I did enjoy this story alot, based on the cover (that I do really love) I wouldn't have thought this was a mystery but more of a fantasy. Lots of Taylor Swift easter eggs for the Swifties. Definitely recommend!

In Lily Meade's Young Adult debut novel, Casey is a biracial high schooler grappling with the sudden disappearance and subsequent return of her older sister Sutton. When Sutton returns claiming to have amnesia, Casey delves into her sister's unsettling behavior, uncovering family secrets intertwined with supernatural elements, and revealing the complexities of sisterhood and the weight of ancestral legacies. Meade's narrative navigates themes of racial identity, generational trauma, and the quest for truth, offering a gripping exploration of fractured bonds and ancestral guidance. Though the story's resolution feels rushed, its emotionally resonant portrayal leaves a lasting impact, resonating with readers long after the final page.

An engaging read that I thoroughly enjoyed! Creepy and original. Will 10 out of 10 read Lily Meade again! Highly recommend and will purchase several physical and digital copies for library collections. Thank you!!

While there were a lot of interesting elements at work in this book, it overall was just unfortunately not for me. It took a while for things to build up, and it made my interest in the mystery weaker, even when things started ramping up. I found the historical aspect the most interesting. I also found the narration of both Casey and Sutton draining, even as an audiobook,

I’m so glad I finally got around to reading this book. It was definitely a wild ride. I stated in a previous review that thrillers about sisters where one goes missing is something that seems to really capture my attention. This book was no exception.

I feel like this book took it a step further and included the missing sister, Sutton, being found. She returns home but isn’t acting the same as before. I liked how Casey was wary of her since they didn’t get along prior to Sutton’s disappearance and now Sutton only wanted Casey by her side.

I found myself trying to guess the ending. I had no idea what was in store. I definitely didn’t expect it and for whatever reason, it totally worked for me. I hope to see some of my fellow bookstagrammers read this one just so we can discuss it. I will definitely check out more from this author in the future.

Unfortunately The Shadow Sister was not the book for me. I was really excited by the synopsis but I found the start of the book to be slow and I lost interest. After attempting to continue with the story a few times, I was unable to finish reading it.

I don’t typically read speculative fiction or fantasy, so this book was a new reading experience. I loved the concept of a teen who goes missing under suspicious circumstances and reappears under even more questionable circumstances. In this book, Casey’s disappearance and reappearances raises questions that no one is really prepared to answer. The pacing of the plot is manageable, and there aren’t noticeable plot holes. The fantastical element isn’t overly predictable, but to someone new to the genre, it can be a lot to keep up with. Overall, enjoyable read.

Thank you for the ARC Copy of The Shadow Sister. This was a fun thriller fantasy to read and I thought it was a great story. I loved all the characters and I thought they all had a great connection and I could feel it as I read it. This one just flowed very well and was a great book for a YA one.

Unfortunately this one just want for me. I thought it had potential but I just couldn't get into it as much as I hoped for.

Told from a dual-perspective split between two sisters: Casey and Sutton. The novel opens with Casey managing her family's expectations of how she should manage her sisters' disappearance after a run with Andrew--she is furious but cannot let it show. Sutton manufactures a trip for her jeep to Seattle (via Andrew, her ever loyal boyfriend) to settle a score of some kind). There is an element the author maintains, the family legend of their grandma and the bracelet gifted to Sutton that draws readers in and questions what is real.

The story is gripping and the flashbacks to Sutton's POV three years, five years prior, and day of her disappearance maintains a mystery that is hard to put down.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks publishing for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of the book.

Casey and Sutton do not get on, so when Sutton goes missing, she's sure it's just another one of her sister's selfish and dramatic stunts for attention. However, as the days go by, Casey struggles to cope with her warring feelings of hatred towards Sutton, who always seems to get under her skin, and the grief lingering beneath the surface that she may never argue or see her again. When Sutton is found miraculously alive, Casey is relieved, but all is not as it seems, she may be alive, but she doesn't remember anything or anyone. Diagnosed with traumatic amnesia, Sutton only seems to remember one person, Casey. Sure that this is another one of her sister's twisted games, Casey is determined to unearth her sister's deception, delving deeper into the mystery of her disappearance, but things slowly appear to be much more complex than they first appeared.

'The Shadow Sister' is an eerie, disquieting mystery, that captivated me from the very first page. A complex and raw portrayal of sibling rivalry and love, it feels at once relatable and refreshing. Full of beautifully human characters, who grab hold of you and refuse to let go. I adored Casey and Sutton, both stubborn, head-strong and unapologetically themselves, they are two powerful young women.

This story explores some really poignant themes including black history and generational trauma and culture, it's profoundly moving, thought provoking and an incredibly important read. I especially found the items from the families ancestry being immortalised and celebrated, for all they've lost and how hard they've worked to get where they are incredibly touching and so beautiful.

Overflowing with gorgeous and immersive writing, palpable teenage angst, and powerful messages of familial love, trying to figure out who you are, and the strength and unbreakable bond of sisterhood and generational trauma. The last couple of chapters chilled me to my bone. I had to put it down and pace for a little while because I was shocked. I guessed who the perpetrator was early on, but the plot twist actually broke me, and that's when you know it's an astounding and remarkable book.