This was a great horror novel for YA readers!! When I was growing up, there was not a lot of horror for kids my age in my opinion… and that’s how I ended up reading Stephen King’s IT in the 8th grade. This book however is good! It has plenty of creepiness without having extremely graphic scenes.

I especially appreciate that this author wrote about Black experiences, as young people need to be able to have representation in literature.

I honestly don’t know what I expected with this book, but I was amazed by it. I was not familiar with the authors work until I came across the tweet that immediately made me want to read the book when I saw the pitch. This Shadow Sister was such a thrilling and shocking read, but that’s only twists and turns I didn’t expect I truly would recommend this.

This is definitely a story for fans of a certain teenage sleuth. I enjoyed the way this story showcases sisterly resentments and how sibling relationships are often more complicated than the siblings can even describe.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ability to read this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review. Meade hooks you into this suspense inducing thriller. Casey is helping her family search for her sister Sutton yet you get an inside look at the animosity and sibling relationship these two have had in the past. There is light brought to the lack of media attention brought to black girls who go missing. Lucky for Casey's family there are connections in access to resources to help find Sutton but that doesn't stop Casey from wondering a questioning the world around her. Plot twists and a suspenseful ending keep the reader glued.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

Casey's sister Sutton goes missing and miraculously returns but she's not the same. No one knows what happened while she was away. This was a great debut novel with a jaw dropping ending! I do wish it went a bit further to show how it was resolved, but I really loved it. I hope this author writes more. I will definitely read it vb

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

Thank you to NetGalley and SourceBooks Fire for an ARC of The Shadow Sister in exchange for an honest review.

The Shadow Sister follows Casey, a young girl, who is searching for her older sister, Sutton, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. When Sutton suddenly reappears, Casey isn't too quick to start warming back up to her sister, as their relationship wasn't so great before Sutton disappeared. As the days go by and Sutton tries to readjust, Casey slowly picks up on behaviors that may mean that Sutton did not come back as the same person. What really happened when Sutton disappeared?

The Shadow Sister was nothing like anything I had ever read before. The sibling relationship between Sutton and Casey is actually super realistic. Most authors tend to gloss over how much siblings actually argue and by the end of the book, I actually believed that both sisters were going to put in genuine effort to repair their relationship and come back to one another.

Something that made this book super interesting and unique to me was that there were almost three different storylines happening including the present-day centering around Casey and what is happening during the search for Sutton, flashbacks to different events that occurred before Sutton disappeared, and the family legacy. I spent a lot of the book wondering how all of the storylines were going to come together by the end of the book and to my surprise, they came together to a masterful degree. I also loved that the ending left a lot to the reader's imagination as to what would've happened after the end of the story.

Overall, I would give this book 5/5 stars! I loved every moment and would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA thrillers/mystery books.

Impressive debut! I was captivated by this YA family-drama mystery-thriller with a touch of magical realism that explores intergenerational trauma and healing!

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 is easily relatable.

From the first chapter we get into the nitty gritty and we learn first sentence Casey’s sentiments about her sister. I honestly had no idea where this story was going until the final chapters. Like I was very surprised because what?! Like any mystery, you are trying to figure out what happened and who did what. But I was not prepared for what was to come. I was wrong on all accounts and that usually never happens.

Recommended! Looking froward to reading more from this author!

It's complicated! Casey has to deal with her feelings towards her sister throughout this book. They had taken sibling rivalry to a new level. Then Sutton is gone, disappeared. What happened to her? So many feelings to compartmentalize. Then Sutton is found, but has no memory of what happened and she now likes Casey and only trusts her. The family dynamics and background are interesting. This book is intense and will leave you with a lot of questions about what the future holds.

This book is utmost a book about sisterhood, complicated and real. It was intense and a quick read because it sucks you in. I think it’s a dang good debut book. I can’t wait to see what Meade comes up with next

The Shadow Sister is an absolutely brilliant YA debut! Lily Meade has brought her characters to life. Casey and Sutton are sisters with a complicated and complex relationship. The way that Ms. Meade wrote this story to have flashback scenes was both wonderful and complex at points but quite powerful.

This is a perfect read for young adults and not so young adults who enjoy the thriller/mystery genre. It has dynamic characters, an engaging storyline, some tension, and an ending that most will enjoy.

This one really surprised me. As I was reading, I kept thinking how bratty the sisters were, but I really wanted to know what happened to Sutton, and what happened in their relationship to make them change. I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the focus on the family and their ancestors and heritage, and the racial issues.

Lily Meade has managed to create such an interesting world and characters that you really care about. I look forward to reading more from Lily Meade in the future.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

Wow, what a fantastic YA debut! This story kept me guessing and completely enthralled all the way through. Powerful characters and just the right amount of twists and turns.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the e-arc!

The Shadow Sister is an absolute knock-out YA debut! I read this in one sitting and was so sad when it was over. Lily Meade's writing brings characters to life. Casey and Sutton are sisters with a complicated relationship. I really enjoyed seeing flashbacks between the sisters and watching them try to find each other again.

This book uses family genealogy in such a unique way. I was so invested in Casey and Sutton's family history. The plot involving family artifacts was so engaging and well done.

This is a perfect read for young adults who are just starting to get into the thriller/mystery genre. It has dynamic characters, just enough tension, and a satisfying ending.

thank you to netgalley, the author and the publisher for this advanced copy

a fantastic thriller that kept me guessing

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. this was fantastic, just what i have come to expect from this author and look forward to carrying in my book store.

Casey’s sister is missing, but she doesn’t miss her.
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Sutton and Casey used to be close when they were younger, but as older teens now they both not only can’t get along, but are constantly fighting. Now Sutton, a half-Black girl, has gone missing and in order for everyone to pay attention to her disappearance they’re talking about how perfect she was: the best cheerleader, student, doting boyfriend. Casey can’t stand the lies they’re sharing with the media about Sutton…but then she returns. Only this girl who shows no emotion other than happiness at seeing Casey, is not acting like her sister. She’s always humming and watching a goldfish swim in its tank. What happened to Sutton while she was gone and is this all an act?
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This was a great YA mystery. Honestly I was on the edge of my seat the entire book hoping to find out what happened to Sutton. This novel is also rooted in a lot of Black history during the Civil War and beyond, which was interesting to read about. I can’t wait to get this title in my school library!

CW: death, missing girls, kidnapping, blood, hospitalization, death of a parent (recounted)

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What caught my eye was the cover of this book. Reading what it was about drew me in further. That's pretty much where I stop though. The writing style is fine but I just didn't care for the sisters. I couldn't get over that. I did like the twist at the end though. I just wish there was a little focus on the explanationon the elements of the ending. While the book seemed drawn out about the sisters relationship the ending seemed to feel hurried.