Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
ISBN-13: 9780758226792
Pub. Date: August 2008
Date Read: October 2008
“On Halloween night, Kate Endicott marched the Sisters of Misery and Cordelia along the loamy path that wound its way deep into the core of Misery Island. Blindfolded, strands of hair snarled tightly in knots in the back of their heads, they made their way across the island, all in a line, each clutching the hand of the girl in front of them. No one knew whose turn it would be that night; all of them feared being the Chosen One.”
Maddie Crane’s mom has ensured that Maddie grow up with all the things she believed were missing from her life. She’s got her in a prestigious school, with the right clothes and hanging out with the popular girls but Maddie doesn’t feel like she really fits in.
Maddie is lucky that she’s in Kate Endicott’s good graces or else her life might be miserable. Kate is from one of the most wealthy and influential families in Hawthorne, Massachusetts and she knows how to use people to her advantage thus making her the leader of the Sisters of Misery, a small clique of the most powerful and popular girls. These girls make fun of those who aren’t like them, they are vicious and vindictive, and when Maddie’s cousin Cordelia comes to town she’s the clique’s next prey.
Cordelia is a beautiful free spirit and from what she’s seen of the Sisters, she doesn’t think much of them and isn’t afraid to tell them so. Maddie tries to be keep the peace but her loyalty is divided between them although she is starting to feel more of a connection with Cordelia. Despite the warnings of their grandmother and Cordelia’s mom, who have seen “signs” that warn of danger if they continue to be friends with the Sisters of Misery, Maddie can’t quite escape the clique and on one fateful night her loyalty will be tested when Kate and the other girls lead them out to the island for an initiation rite.
When Cordelia disappears, Maddie has to question everything about her friends, her life and even herself. She can’t remember what happened on Misery Island that night but she knows she failed her cousin and herself.
While I had a few quibbles with the story, mainly that I wished the other members of the society had been a bit more developed, I did enjoy reading about Maddie and Cordelia. I thought both characters were shown with their good and bad qualities and actually made me feel they were believable.
The author sets up the ending perfectly for a sequel due out next year. The Sisters of Misery has elements of secret societies, mysticism and a good deal of suspense all of which make this a thrilling read.