Sisters of Misery by Megan Kelley Hall

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.

Rating: 4.5

Review copy from publisher Kensington