Book Review: The Good Sister by Wendy Corsi Staub

The Good Sister by Wendy Corsi Staub
Publisher: Harper
Publish Date: Sept. 24, 2013
Paperback, 432 pages
ISBN: 9780062222381





My Review:
I love Wendy Corsi Staub and was very excited to get to read this one for review. And not only was it Wendy Corsi Staub but it had a plot line that centered around the dangers of the internet for teenagers. So I had to read it. And it was a good book, it kept me hooked and kept me reading, but sadly it seemed missing something for me. It was still a good read and not something I was sorry I spent my time reading, but still there was just something.

First there are the characters, Carley has been troubled ever since starting Sacred Sisters Catholic School. There have been obvious bullying events. Also she has been separated in high school from her best friend since they were in diapers. And not only is there separation there has been a rift between them as well so Carley's only friend is "Angel" who she meets online in a bullying forum. Angel understands her much better than anyone else in her life does. Jen is Carley's Mom who is trying her best to communicate with Carley and understand what is going on in her life. She's an attentive Mom and caring, but finds it hard to get through to Carley, but she knows there is something more going on especially when other teens who have no reason in the community begin to commit suicide. I liked the characters, Carley while truculent is relatable. There is a lot of bullying these days taken to extremes like in this book and I was sad for her and wanted her to find a friend. I rooted for both Jen and Carley in this book because I did like them both and that was the redeeming quality of the novel. The fact that the characters were likeable.

Where the book fell more flat for me was in the plot. It was plotted out wonderfully. I understood where Ms. Staub wanted to go with the book and loved that part. But somewhere in the execution it just lost me. It's like it took a long time to set up and then suddenly was speeding along but not in a good way. I would get kind of lost at times. Then bam! It was the ending everything was explained and tied up in a neat bow. It just felt slow then rushed. Maybe there was a page/word constraint and she was working with that. I understand that. And while I still enjoyed the book, it was here in the plot that I just found it to be lacking that thing that makes me say Wow! when I finish a book.

With likeable characters and an interesting plot, The Good Sister is still a book to be checked out especially if you like/love Ms. Staub. I will willingly admit that these are all my opinions and this maybe the book you gush about. And if you do, please leave me a comment because I would love to see your review and hear what you loved. Maybe I missed something completely. So if you love a good mystery centered around revenge and internet danger, this could be just the book for you. But for me I think I will eagerly await Ms. Staub's next book!


My rating: 3.0/5.0

About the Book:
In New York Times bestselling authorWendy Corsi Staub's electrifying new thriller,a mother races to save her daughter beforeher darkest nightmare comes true.

Sacred Sisters Catholic girls' school has hardly changed since Jen Archer was a student. Jen hoped her older daughter would thrive here. Instead, shy, studious Carley becomes the target of vicious bullies. But the real danger at Sacred Sisters goes much deeper.

The only person Carley can talk to is "Angel," a kindred spirit she met online. Carley tells Angel everything—about her younger sister, about school, about the sudden death of her former best friend. Angel is her lifeline. And Angel is closer than she knows.

When another schoolgirl is found dead, Jen's unease grows. There are too many coincidences, too many links to her past. Every instinct tells her that Carley is the next target. For someone is intent on punishing the guilty, teaching the ultimate lesson in how to fear . . . and how to die.

***I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***