Sisters of Misery

Maddie Crane doesn't always feel like she fits in with the wealthy girls she hangs out with, but they've always been her best friends. And until her cousin Cordelia shows up in town, she doesn't give it much thought. Cordelia is different - magical, ethereal and unimpressed with the other girls - and she creates instant enemies. But Maddie is drawn to her, and starts to wonder what she sees in her supposed friends. The Sisters of Misery, as they call themselves, won't put up with Cordelia's attitude, and they decide to teach her a lesson on Halloween. When their plans go awry, Maddie is determined to find out what really happened on that fateful evening. As she digs deeper into the mystery of Cordelia's fate, she's drawn into the web of small-town deceptions. But the biggest shock comes when she finds out even her own family is living a lie. Spell-binding, suspenseful, and shocking, Sisters of Misery will hook you right from the opening scene, and pull you into the drama as Maddie tries to find the answers to her burning questions. And when it seems that Maddie has found out all she needs to know, the last answer will chill you to the bone. Now, finally free of Cordelia and her home-town, Maddie learns that Cordelia isn't through with her, leaving a whole new set of questions that must be answered in the sequel. Though at times I found it disturbing in its sheer brutality, Sisters of Misery is an enjoyable and gripping read that will keep you glued to the page. I highly recommend it. Reviewer: Alice Berger, Bergers Book Reviews

Ever since she can remember, fifteen year old Maddie Crane has been a member of the "Sisters of Misery" led by the beautiful but not so nice Kate Endicott. Even though she's a member of the popular crowd, Maddie often feels like an outsider and even more so when her Aunt Rebecca and her beautiful cousin Cordelia LeClaire move in with her family. Rebecca and Cordelia are different and Maddie gets a glimpse of what life outside of Hawthorne, Massachusetts can be like. Soon Cordelia's arrival sets off a chain of events that will force Maddie to look at herself more closely than she ever has before and in doing so she will discover disturbing truths not only about herself but her family. "Sisters of Misery" is an excellently done gothic novel for young adults. There is a nice spooky tone to the book starting with the town of Hawthorne and its inhabitants. The book is in the first person, narrated by Maddie, and author Megan Kelley Hall does a wonderful job of capturing Maddie's voice as she becomes aware of just how evil people can be. While she's hardly a saint, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Maddie as she seems to be the adult in her family - her mother is too worried about her status in town, her aunt is a nervous wreck, and her beloved grandmother is not well. The mysterious Cordelia reminded me a lot of Stephen King's Carrie but with a backbone. Kate Endicott is a true villain with no redeeming qualities. "Sisters of Misery" has some nice plot twists and while some are tied up by the end of the book, there is a sequel coming out next year called "The Lost Sister" and "Sisters of Misery" ends with a cliffhanger that will leave readers anxiously waiting for the sequel to see what happens next. "Sisters of Misery" is a nice spooky gothic novel for young adults.

Hawthorne is right next door to Salem; and at the times of the witch hunts three women were killed on Misery Island. Now Hawthorne is a conservative town that on the surface seems to belong on a postcard. Maddie Crane belongs to the Sisters of Misery, which is led by vicious Kate Endicott. Maddie knows she will never leave the club because she fears what the members will do to her. She is excited that her coaunt Rebecca, a free spirit and her daughter Cordelia have returned to live in Hawthorne. After a rough start, the Sisters of Misery and Cordelia go to Misery Island. Kate has plans for Cordelia and Maddie passes out when it is her turn to be part of Cordelia's initiation. When she wakes up the next morning at her home, she does not remember what happened including how she got home. When the Sisters return to Misery Island to free Cordelia, she cannot be found. Afraid of what she and the others might have done, Maddie searches for clues to learn what did occur; unaware that her inquiry will lead to more tragedy. This young adult fantasy will appeal to older readers as well. The character driven tale contains a gothic tone and atmosphere as the main characters are interesting people who have kept secrets for decades. Maddie is a follower; afraid to lead or leave a group she loathes until the Cordelia incident serves as a catalyst to challenge the power of the Sisters of Misery. There are a crop of new girls to replace their mothers as Sisters who control Hawthorne. Fans will find it difficult at first to accept a young girl like Kate is evil because of her age, but will accept the truth as Megan Kelley Halls makes her malevolence seem genuine. She and Maddie are fascinating antagonists who turn the SISTERS OF MISERY into an enjoyable read. Harriet Klausner

Maddie Crane is a young resident of Hawthorne, a small town with a violent history. Though not as famous as the Salem Witch Trials, the persecution of any outcast female in Hawthorne at that time was just as bad, if not more brutal. Hawthorne's past carries into the present though, as this small town seems set on not welcoming newcomers, especially Maddie's aunt Rebecca and beautiful cousin Cordelia. Much of this grief comes from Maddie's circle of so-called-friends, the Sisters of Misery. But soon, petty rumors escalate into a midnight excursion to Misery Island, a night that Maddie cannot remember no matter how desperately she tries, the night that Cordelia goes missing. True to their heritage, residents of Hawthorne immediately dismiss Cordelia's disappearance as just another runaway teen and don't throw themselves into the investigation as Maddie does. Maddie knows that Cordelia would never just run away from her mother, but what is Maddie's search to uncover clues going to cost her? Sisters of Misery was a truly chilling and suspenseful read. There were so many secrets and twists to the story that kept me perpetually surprised and eager for more. It was incredible how Megan Kelley Hall was able to weave in Hawthorne's haunting past and its present-day superstitions into Maddie's story. I also really liked the incorporation of fortune-telling or Maddie's family's ability to see clues about the future. Maddie's insecure yet determined character only added to the essence of the story. This novel keeps you guessing into what really happened to Cordelia, and I kind of liked how at the end, not all my questions were answered; it leaves room for a sequel. It was mildly annoying at times that some details seemed to be snuck in, but the fact that Sisters of Misery was an incredible story overcompensated for that. Sisters of Misery is definitely one of the best stories I've ever read, and I eagerly await the sequel, The Lost Sister. Any reader will be able to get attached to this suspense-filled book with mythical aspects, a historical angle, and many, many twists and turns.

Maddie Crane is a New England prep by default, not by choice. It seems that her entire life has been dictated by her mother and her controlling clique of friends, The Sisters of Misery. It has always been easier for Maddie to just go along with The Sisters, to avoid incurring their wrath. She might be nice, but Maddie doesn't have courage. She is always a follower, never a leader. Cordelia LeClaire, Maddie's cousin, is a free spirit, a natural beauty with confidence and an easy smile. In a small town like Hawthorne, a beauty like Cordelia stands out. When Cordelia comes to Hawthorne to live with Maddie's family, the two girls overcome their initial differences and establish an almost sisterly bond. Maddie admires and even envies Cordelia's effortless poise, stunning looks, and quick wit. Unfortunately, The Sisters of Misery, led by Kate Endicott, are not so thrilled with Cordelia's arrival. Hawthorne has never taken kindly to outsiders and Cordelia is no exception. When Cordelia begins to attract the attention of several of Hawthorne's dashing young men, including Kate's boyfriend, Maddie knows that trouble lays ahead. The Sisters do everything in their power to make Cordelia's life miserable. Maddie is stuck in the middle, and forced to choose between her cousin and her lifelong friends. It isn't until Halloween that Maddie and Cordelia realize that powers more sinister than they had ever imagined are alive and at work in Hawthorne. After hours of unspeakable torture and terror, Cordelia vanishes without a trace. Although she cannot remember the events of Halloween night, Maddie knows that she played a role in Cordelia's disappearance. She will never be able to forgive herself for not protecting Cordelia and she must uncover the truth to find peace. But if Maddie isn't careful, she may be the next one to disappear. Somebody doesn't want Cordelia to ever be found. SISTERS OF MISERY is an absolutely stunning debut by Megan Kelley Hall, perhaps the best Gothic novel that I have ever read. Hall knows how to create suspense like nobody else and she isn't afraid to delve into the most horrifying depths of the human psyche, places we don't want to admit exist. Secrets are revealed and mysteries slowly unraveled, with enough plot twists to keep readers on their toes! The sequel, THE LOST SISTER, comes out in August 2009, and I honestly do not think that I can wait that long. Reviewed by: Amber Gibson