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My Sister Rosa
by
What if the most terrifying person you know is your ten-year-old sister?
Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he’s also certain that she’s a diagnosable psychopath—clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he’s the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart ...more
Seventeen-year-old Aussie Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa. But he’s also certain that she’s a diagnosable psychopath—clinically, threateningly, dangerously. Recently Rosa has been making trouble, hurting things. Che is the only one who knows; he’s the only one his sister trusts. Rosa is smart ...more
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of My Sister Rosa
4.5 stars!! Maybe a 4.75, I don't know, I'm still reeling from the ending.
This was phenomenal. Rosa is so twisted, creepy and scary. I would be terrified if I had a sister like her!
Despite all she has done to him, and put him through, Che still cares deeply for Rosa, even if he too is a little scared of her. He was a wonderful protagonist. Probably one of the most realistic teenage male characters I have ever come across. The way he has so many conflicting emotions, his decisions, his voice, it ...more
This was phenomenal. Rosa is so twisted, creepy and scary. I would be terrified if I had a sister like her!
Despite all she has done to him, and put him through, Che still cares deeply for Rosa, even if he too is a little scared of her. He was a wonderful protagonist. Probably one of the most realistic teenage male characters I have ever come across. The way he has so many conflicting emotions, his decisions, his voice, it ...more
Feb 03, 2018
❄️BooksofRadiance❄️
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-mystery-thriller
3.75⭐️
Pheeeww, where to begin...
The story's told from the first person POV of Che and as much as I dislike first-person narratives with a passion, surprisingly, I didn’t seem to mind it here because it's a coming of age story in which Che reaches many of the important benchmarks of bein ...more
“Rosa is a ticking bomb. I don’t think it matters what you call it: psychopathy, sociopathy, antisocial personality disorder, evil, or the devil within. What matters is how to prevent the bomb from exploding.”
Pheeeww, where to begin...
The story's told from the first person POV of Che and as much as I dislike first-person narratives with a passion, surprisingly, I didn’t seem to mind it here because it's a coming of age story in which Che reaches many of the important benchmarks of bein ...more
Okay...um, WOW FREAKING WOW. This book was amazing. I had this gargantuan feeling that I would like this book because a) boxing (!!) and b) psychopaths. I am intensely interested in brain thingies and mental thingies (aren't I also eloquent?) and I just sooooo knew this would be a good book. AND I WAS NOT WRONG. OKAY, HOLY WOW. WHERE DO I EVEN START?!??
Lists. Obviously. Liiiiiists.
(But first, the story is basically about a boy who's little sister is an undiagnosed psychopath and he's basically ...more
Lists. Obviously. Liiiiiists.
(But first, the story is basically about a boy who's little sister is an undiagnosed psychopath and he's basically ...more
4.5 stars!!! I really enjoyed this book and my issues with it that took away a half star were very very minimal. I would totally recommend! I may add a better review to this later, and I'm thinking of filming a video review if anyone is interested?
I received a free copy of this book from Soho Teen. I had no obligation to review this book and all opinions are my own. ...more
I received a free copy of this book from Soho Teen. I had no obligation to review this book and all opinions are my own. ...more
Feb 16, 2018
☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
horrible-families
Q: ‘We’ve done an excellent job with our children, don’t you think?' (c) A number on them, more like it.
Q: Rosa was a toddler when I first made her promise not to kill. (c)
Q: I want to scream at them that I’m their seventeen-year-old son, not Rosa’s co-parent. But I am, even if they’ll never admit it. (c)
Bizarre, underresearched and overrated. Most of characters might want to try to get their heads out of their respective asses. It might miraculously cure them of their numerous conditions and ...more
Q: Rosa was a toddler when I first made her promise not to kill. (c)
Q: I want to scream at them that I’m their seventeen-year-old son, not Rosa’s co-parent. But I am, even if they’ll never admit it. (c)
Bizarre, underresearched and overrated. Most of characters might want to try to get their heads out of their respective asses. It might miraculously cure them of their numerous conditions and ...more
Dec 05, 2016
Adam Silvera
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2016-reads,
favorites
This is one of my favorite books of 2016 and I will continue talking it up at all my future events. The majority of thrillers I read are on the adult side, and I'll tell you now that although MY SISTER ROSA is so different content-wise from GONE GIRL/THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN, it's equally addicting. When the premise of a book is a 17-year-old is trying to protect from the world from his 10-year-old psychopathic sister, you just know there's no happily ever after to expect. I knew it was going to be
...more
I had high expectations going into this book, and all of them were met!
My Sister Rosa is the story of a boy named Che, who moves from Sydney to New York with his mother, father and 10 year old sister, Rosa, who also happens to be a psychopath. Nobody except Che knows Rosa is a psychopath and if they do have some sort of idea, they deny it completely.
I read this book almost solely because the premise sounded absolutely awesome, and Justine Larbalestier delivered exactly that, and then some. This ...more
My Sister Rosa is the story of a boy named Che, who moves from Sydney to New York with his mother, father and 10 year old sister, Rosa, who also happens to be a psychopath. Nobody except Che knows Rosa is a psychopath and if they do have some sort of idea, they deny it completely.
I read this book almost solely because the premise sounded absolutely awesome, and Justine Larbalestier delivered exactly that, and then some. This ...more
Underwhelming tbh. I was expecting a twisted thriller about a creepy little sister and instead I got a book about a guy that is obsessed with boxing that happens to have a strange little sister. There was also A LOT of discussion about religion, which is so not my thing. Probably wouldn't have picked this up if I had known about that. Either way though this was just pretty meh for me. Meh meh meh.
...more
Jul 12, 2016
Laurie Anderson
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ya,
best-of-the-best
Starts out as a fun YA w terrific characters and then gets really scary in a wonderful, creepy, horrifying way. Stunning conclusion. I really loved this book!
What an awful little girl. 
But that terrible little creature made for a fascinating read. This was an interesting short book that was a little less creepy than I was hoping for but was still a very entertaining read. It is predictable and some of it is not as accurate as many will hope in terms of the psychology aspects but its a fiction book so I do not niche pick.
Overall though I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! ...more
But that terrible little creature made for a fascinating read. This was an interesting short book that was a little less creepy than I was hoping for but was still a very entertaining read. It is predictable and some of it is not as accurate as many will hope in terms of the psychology aspects but its a fiction book so I do not niche pick.
Overall though I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! ...more
Wow!!
There are so many things I love about this book. If I ever find the time I will write a full review on my blog.
I love how diverse all the characters were:
- there was a girl who had two mothers
- a character who was neither a girl or a boy
- a character classed herself as Korean-american
It was good to see that not all the character were the same.
I loved the story!
Absolutely amazing read.
There are so many things I love about this book. If I ever find the time I will write a full review on my blog.
I love how diverse all the characters were:
- there was a girl who had two mothers
- a character who was neither a girl or a boy
- a character classed herself as Korean-american
It was good to see that not all the character were the same.
I loved the story!
Absolutely amazing read.
I loved this very dark and disturbing book. The book centers around 17 year old Che and his life that revolves around his creepy little sister Rosa- who he strongly believes is a psychopath. It's a little on the slower side but well worth the read. The twist at the end- never saw it coming!!!!!
...more
"The flight is long: Rosa will get bored, she'll look for ways to make trouble without Sally and David, our parents, finding out. That's the game she plays. My job is to stop her."
Question: do you like contemporary romances and books about mundane everyday life?
If you do, then congrats. Stop reading this review right now and buy My Sister Rosa. It has spades of diversity, a male protagonist dealing with everyday problems, and a creepy sister for that extra kick.
But if you're like me and went ...more
Audio 5 stars
Story 4.5 So Fucked up Stars
This needs to be a series or at least have there should be a follow-up book. Rosa is one creepy kid that I would not want to cross paths with. 😰
Story 4.5 So Fucked up Stars
This needs to be a series or at least have there should be a follow-up book. Rosa is one creepy kid that I would not want to cross paths with. 😰
Nov 14, 2016
Emily (Books with Emily Fox)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery-thriller-horror
3.5 but I'll round it up!
Imagine having an adorable and brilliant 10yo sister… but what if she was a psychopath?
The premise of this book really intrigue me and I had to read it! You're following a 17yo boy who tries to keep his sister under control while trying to live his own life.
I enjoyed the book - it slowed down a bit in the middle then picked up again.
With that said, I think I would have enjoyed it more as an adult book than YA. It’s definitely creepy and worth the read!
...more
Imagine having an adorable and brilliant 10yo sister… but what if she was a psychopath?
The premise of this book really intrigue me and I had to read it! You're following a 17yo boy who tries to keep his sister under control while trying to live his own life.
I enjoyed the book - it slowed down a bit in the middle then picked up again.
With that said, I think I would have enjoyed it more as an adult book than YA. It’s definitely creepy and worth the read!
...more
What is good: suspense and dread and fascinating conversations with a 10-year old (alleged) psychopath who doesn't really understand how human emotions work and wants to learn how to pass for a normal person.
What is not: perfect in every way teen romance that is incredibly boring; equally boring descriptions of boxing; even more boring pages and pages of boring texting. I respect that Larbalestier is such a socially conscientious and earnest writer (just check out her blog), but very often her ...more
What is not: perfect in every way teen romance that is incredibly boring; equally boring descriptions of boxing; even more boring pages and pages of boring texting. I respect that Larbalestier is such a socially conscientious and earnest writer (just check out her blog), but very often her ...more
How do I even BEGIN to talk about this book? It was brilliant. Terrifying. Diverse. Gripping (read it in one sitting). There was so much going on and it was so TWISTED.
Gah.
If this is what 2016 promises in terms of YA, I am ridiculously excited.
Full review to come!
_____________________________________
After reading this book, you’ll think everyone’s a psychopath.
Seriously.
But of course, that’ll come AFTER you get over the shock of this book, because let me tell you, it is a wild ride.
I had the ...more
Gah.
If this is what 2016 promises in terms of YA, I am ridiculously excited.
Full review to come!
_____________________________________
After reading this book, you’ll think everyone’s a psychopath.
Seriously.
But of course, that’ll come AFTER you get over the shock of this book, because let me tell you, it is a wild ride.
I had the ...more
Nov 06, 2016
Cheryl
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arc-giveaway,
young-adult-fiction
Seventeen year old Che Taylor is tired of moving around from country to country. As he sits in the plane next to his ten year old sister, Rosa, he wishes he could go back to Australia. His parents are planning to settle in New York City where friends have found an apartment for them. For awhile now, Che has felt uneasy about his little sister. She is adorable—so many people have commented about how much she resembles Shirley Temple with her blonde hair, huge blue eyes, and dimpled smile. But Che
...more
When the blurb is more interesting than the book :(
I expected more of this book. It was such a promising plot, I mean the person that you want to protect the most is the person that scares you the most, of course I'm going to fall for that.
Plot
Che had a lovely family, an interesting family, a weird family… but it was his ten years old sister that was too pretty, too smart, too good to be true. Che made a psychopath list and Rosa checked it all, so he made her promise not to kill and not to make ...more
I expected more of this book. It was such a promising plot, I mean the person that you want to protect the most is the person that scares you the most, of course I'm going to fall for that.
Plot
Che had a lovely family, an interesting family, a weird family… but it was his ten years old sister that was too pretty, too smart, too good to be true. Che made a psychopath list and Rosa checked it all, so he made her promise not to kill and not to make ...more
For all of the easily-pleased people giving this book 5 stars (really? Do you not read often?) I recommend We Need to Talk About Kevin, which is what Larbalestier could only dream of emulating.
Maybe ten-year-old psychopaths aren't horrifying enough for this jaded reader, or maybe this book just sucks, but, either way, I was super disappointed. The build up to this book was strong considering Laurie Halse Anderson, an acclaimed YA author (though she hasn't written anything decent in years), state ...more
Maybe ten-year-old psychopaths aren't horrifying enough for this jaded reader, or maybe this book just sucks, but, either way, I was super disappointed. The build up to this book was strong considering Laurie Halse Anderson, an acclaimed YA author (though she hasn't written anything decent in years), state ...more
Great read since the very beginning, Truley a chilling read. Loved the twist at the end of the book totally didn't expect that.
...more
This review appears on Happy Indulgence. Check it out for more reviews!
Have you ever met a psychopath? Although they represent less than 2% of the world’s population, how would you know if you’ve encountered, talked to or grew up with one?
That’s what makes My Sister Rosa absolutely terrifying. Che talks about his experience looking after his 10 year old sister from birth, who is also a psychopath. She can’t feel empathy, and takes pleasure in causing pain on others. Her emotionless words and co ...more
Have you ever met a psychopath? Although they represent less than 2% of the world’s population, how would you know if you’ve encountered, talked to or grew up with one?
That’s what makes My Sister Rosa absolutely terrifying. Che talks about his experience looking after his 10 year old sister from birth, who is also a psychopath. She can’t feel empathy, and takes pleasure in causing pain on others. Her emotionless words and co ...more
Wow just wow!! One of the best psychological thrillers I've ever read! Highly recommend it!
...more
4.5 stars.
This book was...wowsers. It was compelling and creepy and messed up and I COULDN'T STOP READING IT. I mean, a story about a 17 year old guy who's concerned that his 10 year old sister is a psychopath was never going to be the easiest of reads, but holy hell.
What I loved
- The diversity. Not only does this book spend a lot of time dealing with characters who aren't neurotypical, but the love interest is a dark-skinned African-American girl with two mothers, one of whom is a preacher an ...more
This book was...wowsers. It was compelling and creepy and messed up and I COULDN'T STOP READING IT. I mean, a story about a 17 year old guy who's concerned that his 10 year old sister is a psychopath was never going to be the easiest of reads, but holy hell.
What I loved
- The diversity. Not only does this book spend a lot of time dealing with characters who aren't neurotypical, but the love interest is a dark-skinned African-American girl with two mothers, one of whom is a preacher an ...more
Actual rating: 4.5
Duuuuuuuude. You all know I love morally grey characters, but Rosa is like above and beyond that. She's not morally gray, she's a legitimate psychopath. I love the way her character was dealt with though. She wasn't a typical, horror character. She was real, which makes her even freaking creepier. Because people like her really do exist.
Che was a super interesting character. I loved seeing things from his POV and finding things out alongside with him as shit went down.
The stor ...more
Duuuuuuuude. You all know I love morally grey characters, but Rosa is like above and beyond that. She's not morally gray, she's a legitimate psychopath. I love the way her character was dealt with though. She wasn't a typical, horror character. She was real, which makes her even freaking creepier. Because people like her really do exist.
Che was a super interesting character. I loved seeing things from his POV and finding things out alongside with him as shit went down.
The stor ...more
Jan 20, 2016
⭐Aimee⭐
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2016,
sent-from-publishers
I received a copy of My Sister Rosa from Allen and Unwin New Zealand to review. I’ve never read a book by Justine Larbalestier before but as soon as I read the synopsis for this I wanted to read it.
I don’t even know where to start this review. I’ve never read a book like this before and I was hooked from the first chapter. This book and Rosa are so disturbing. Rosa wasn’t made out to be a scary psychopath like the ones out of movies and TV shows, Justine made her human and that’s what made it so ...more
I don’t even know where to start this review. I’ve never read a book like this before and I was hooked from the first chapter. This book and Rosa are so disturbing. Rosa wasn’t made out to be a scary psychopath like the ones out of movies and TV shows, Justine made her human and that’s what made it so ...more
Mar 14, 2016
Madison
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who like books about mental illness'
OH MYYYYYYY GOOOoOOooSH.
How do I even begin to explain this story?
Damn, the first half of the book was mild but the second half.. HOLY HELL.
Everything went to hell and my heart is shattered to a million pieces all because of a little girl.
Rosa likes to kill and force her friends to kill small animals and I have seen quite a few murder documentaries and all of the murderers killed small animals when they were Rosa's age.
So let's just say Rosa freaks me the hell out. Che is the main character and ...more
How do I even begin to explain this story?
Damn, the first half of the book was mild but the second half.. HOLY HELL.
Everything went to hell and my heart is shattered to a million pieces all because of a little girl.
Rosa likes to kill and force her friends to kill small animals and I have seen quite a few murder documentaries and all of the murderers killed small animals when they were Rosa's age.
So let's just say Rosa freaks me the hell out. Che is the main character and ...more
An absolutely chilling account of a teenager struggling to live with his ten year old psychopathic sister, and to protect the world from her.
The characters are fabulous, from the main character Che, to his array of friends, to the icy little sister Rosa, whom almost no one suspects of being a monster disguised as Shirley Temple. I felt nothing but compassion for Che and the stress he has to live under. It's a great story of a good person trying desperately to survive in a situation where he has ...more
The characters are fabulous, from the main character Che, to his array of friends, to the icy little sister Rosa, whom almost no one suspects of being a monster disguised as Shirley Temple. I felt nothing but compassion for Che and the stress he has to live under. It's a great story of a good person trying desperately to survive in a situation where he has ...more
Well DAMN!! This book is CRAZY!!! My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier is about a teenage boy's suspicion that his 10 year old sister Rosa is a psychopath. The book starts off slow and I wasn't really into it but once the plot really kicks in it sucks you in and won't let you go. I was chilled to my bones reading this book and I am now more certain than ever that I don't not ever want to have children. This book is terrifying in such a low key way that you don't even realize it until later. I
...more
I enjoyed My Sister Rosa. The story is about a family who moves from Australia to New York for work. Che feels like he is the only one who know for sure that his little sister is a psychopath. He feels like he always had to be on his toes making sure his sister isnt doing something she isnt suppose to. On top of this story being about siblings it is very much about Che and trying to understand what it is he wants out of this life.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA Thriller about a boy who realizes his little sister is mentally insane and may be a serial killer, published in the last five years maybe 2017. [s] | 5 | 21 | Jan 05, 2020 06:18PM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier, Starting Oct 15, 2019 | 7 | 23 | Nov 01, 2019 09:36PM | |
| DiverseCity: Chapters 41-42 | 3 | 13 | Mar 31, 2018 01:32PM | |
| DiverseCity: Chapters 36-40 | 3 | 10 | Mar 31, 2018 01:17PM | |
| DiverseCity: Chapters 26-30 | 3 | 8 | Mar 30, 2018 02:36PM | |
| DiverseCity: Chapters 21-25 | 3 | 7 | Mar 29, 2018 03:58PM |
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Justine Larbalestier is an Australian young-adult fiction author. She is best known for the Magic or Madness trilogy: Magic or Madness, Magic Lessons and the newly released Magic's Child. She also wrote one adult non-fiction book, the Hugo-nominated The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction (Best Related Book, 2003), and edited another, Daughters of Earth: Feminist Science Fiction in the Twentiet
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1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“Didn’t anyone ask you where your parents are?"
"They asked. Especially about my parents."
"What did you tell them?"
"I said I ate them."
"Jesus, Rosa.”
—
7 likes
"They asked. Especially about my parents."
"What did you tell them?"
"I said I ate them."
"Jesus, Rosa.”
“Killing things shouldn't make you happy, Rosa. That's why they're worried.”
—
4 likes
More quotes…
