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Sadé and Her Shadow Beasts
For fans of ONWARD and A Monster Calls, this is an unmissable illustrated story about grief and love for young readers 9 and up.
Twelve-year-old Sadé has been escaping to an imaginary world ever since her mum passed away - with its candy-floss lilac sky, she goes on endless adventures atop her purple-winged bird, Nix. But soon she discovers that frightening shadow beasts live here too and they are seeping into the real world.
Luckily, when her sister signs her up to an anonymous grief counselling group, Sadé finds her anxiety gets better.
But then she's asked to perform spoken word in the talent show. The beasts won't let her get on Tiger appears with her long sharp claws, Lion with his piercing blue eyes, and Fox stands on his giant hind legs.
Will Sadé find the courage to say what she needs to - can she banish the shadow beasts for good?
A story about a girl dealing with the death of a parent - with the help of a school support group and a colourful world only she can see.
Twelve-year-old Sadé has been escaping to an imaginary world ever since her mum passed away - with its candy-floss lilac sky, she goes on endless adventures atop her purple-winged bird, Nix. But soon she discovers that frightening shadow beasts live here too and they are seeping into the real world.
Luckily, when her sister signs her up to an anonymous grief counselling group, Sadé finds her anxiety gets better.
But then she's asked to perform spoken word in the talent show. The beasts won't let her get on Tiger appears with her long sharp claws, Lion with his piercing blue eyes, and Fox stands on his giant hind legs.
Will Sadé find the courage to say what she needs to - can she banish the shadow beasts for good?
A story about a girl dealing with the death of a parent - with the help of a school support group and a colourful world only she can see.
- GenresMiddle GradeFantasy
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2022
4 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Faturoti
8 books30 followersRachel Faturoti is a British-Nigerian YA and children’s fiction writer, editor, and poet with a passion for broadening the scope of authentic Black representation in YA and children’s fiction. She believes it’s important for readers to see themselves represented well in stories.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 17, 2022
4.5/5 stars
"Your stories are part of me, but I store more of you inside of me…"
If you have been with me for a while now, you know my continuous quest and passion for books that deal with grief, illness, disability and body, especially within the children’s and YA-genre. Because(say it with me guys:) representation matters, especially to young readers! So if you’re going to pitch a book to me as “an illustrated story for fans of Onward and A Monster Calls , about grief and love for readers 9+”, you bet your bottom dollar I’m going to be all over that! I’m happy to say: this is a great one!
12-year-old Sadé has always loved words and stories, especially the ones she crafted with her mum, of an imaginary world filled with candy-floss lilac skies and magical beasts. That all changes when Sadé’s mum passes away, and part of the colour seems drained from her world, making place for sad thoughts and shadowy beasts. With her dad lacking the words to talk about their grief, and the growing anxiety and pressure she feels at school, Sadé soon finds these Shadows spilling into the real world.
With the help of an online grief-support-group, as well as her caring friends, Sadé must find her place and her voice back, in order to banish the Shadow Beasts for good.
Sadé’s journey goes above and beyond in terms of representation of important topic to young readers; it’s a tale of grief over the loss of a parent, family, Nigerian-British culture, diverse friendships, bullying and more. It’s packed to the brim with memorable characters, with Sadé herself topping that list. Her imaginative mind and her distinct voice (both in her poetry as well as her regular narrative) make being inside her head a bitter-sweet joy. Having lost my mum at a similar age, and finding solace in poetry and stories, I deeply related to her, and wished I’d had a character like this at the time I was her age. Sadé’s spunk and humour, as well as the lively cast of warm friends and family that surround her, create a balance and keep the story from ever feeling too heavy. A great example of this is in the way the grief-counselling-group is presented. I was a little hesitant when it was introduced, but it’s a great way of discussing the heavy topics in short bits, interspliced with some much needed humour of strange user-names and the struggles of “online-school” that many a modern middle-schooler will be used to.
Although it’s is own thing entirely, this story was more “Onward” than “A Monster Calls”. Although one of my favourite books of all time, the latter left me a sobbing mess on the floor. Onward however left me with a smile on my face: a heartfelt, but fun journey all together. That’s how I felt after finishing Sadé and her Shadow Beasts.
With a debut like this, and a passion for diverse childrens- and YA-literature that speaks from her bio, I can’t wait for Rachel Faturoti’s next release, which is only a few short months away. In the meantime I’m happy to have another book to add to the list of middle-grade grief-fiction that I can wholeheartedly recommend.
Many thanks to Hachette Childrens Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Sadé and her Shadow Beasts will be out in stores in early July 2022.
"Your stories are part of me, but I store more of you inside of me…"
If you have been with me for a while now, you know my continuous quest and passion for books that deal with grief, illness, disability and body, especially within the children’s and YA-genre. Because(say it with me guys:) representation matters, especially to young readers! So if you’re going to pitch a book to me as “an illustrated story for fans of Onward and A Monster Calls , about grief and love for readers 9+”, you bet your bottom dollar I’m going to be all over that! I’m happy to say: this is a great one!
12-year-old Sadé has always loved words and stories, especially the ones she crafted with her mum, of an imaginary world filled with candy-floss lilac skies and magical beasts. That all changes when Sadé’s mum passes away, and part of the colour seems drained from her world, making place for sad thoughts and shadowy beasts. With her dad lacking the words to talk about their grief, and the growing anxiety and pressure she feels at school, Sadé soon finds these Shadows spilling into the real world.
With the help of an online grief-support-group, as well as her caring friends, Sadé must find her place and her voice back, in order to banish the Shadow Beasts for good.
Sadé’s journey goes above and beyond in terms of representation of important topic to young readers; it’s a tale of grief over the loss of a parent, family, Nigerian-British culture, diverse friendships, bullying and more. It’s packed to the brim with memorable characters, with Sadé herself topping that list. Her imaginative mind and her distinct voice (both in her poetry as well as her regular narrative) make being inside her head a bitter-sweet joy. Having lost my mum at a similar age, and finding solace in poetry and stories, I deeply related to her, and wished I’d had a character like this at the time I was her age. Sadé’s spunk and humour, as well as the lively cast of warm friends and family that surround her, create a balance and keep the story from ever feeling too heavy. A great example of this is in the way the grief-counselling-group is presented. I was a little hesitant when it was introduced, but it’s a great way of discussing the heavy topics in short bits, interspliced with some much needed humour of strange user-names and the struggles of “online-school” that many a modern middle-schooler will be used to.
Although it’s is own thing entirely, this story was more “Onward” than “A Monster Calls”. Although one of my favourite books of all time, the latter left me a sobbing mess on the floor. Onward however left me with a smile on my face: a heartfelt, but fun journey all together. That’s how I felt after finishing Sadé and her Shadow Beasts.
With a debut like this, and a passion for diverse childrens- and YA-literature that speaks from her bio, I can’t wait for Rachel Faturoti’s next release, which is only a few short months away. In the meantime I’m happy to have another book to add to the list of middle-grade grief-fiction that I can wholeheartedly recommend.
Many thanks to Hachette Childrens Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Sadé and her Shadow Beasts will be out in stores in early July 2022.
December 29, 2022
Sade and her Shadow Beasts is a richly imagined tale about the battle to stay afloat in the face of loss. I was rooting for Sade all the way, hoping she would find a way out of her private darkness. The author showed that such a journey is often messy, complex, and ridden with uncertainty.
This book is written with so much heart, and I particularly liked Sade's inner world. It was described so vividly that I could practically see it. All the spoken word poetry was a nice touch too. I don't want to give too much detail or any spoilers, but I will say that this book is a realistic yet sweet portrayal of how to triumph over loss (or any internal battle that seems too big for you to fight).
It highlights how Nigerian culture can clash with British/Western culture when it comes to seeking professional help/therapy--a conversation that is long overdue in the Nigerian community. Most importantly this book gives hope. With the right support we can rise and adjust. Things might not go back to how they were before, but we can create a new normal in which we thrive.
Bravo to Rachel Faturoti for penning such a brilliant debut. Sade and her Shadow Beasts is a valuable and important addition to the children's/teen genre.
This book is written with so much heart, and I particularly liked Sade's inner world. It was described so vividly that I could practically see it. All the spoken word poetry was a nice touch too. I don't want to give too much detail or any spoilers, but I will say that this book is a realistic yet sweet portrayal of how to triumph over loss (or any internal battle that seems too big for you to fight).
It highlights how Nigerian culture can clash with British/Western culture when it comes to seeking professional help/therapy--a conversation that is long overdue in the Nigerian community. Most importantly this book gives hope. With the right support we can rise and adjust. Things might not go back to how they were before, but we can create a new normal in which we thrive.
Bravo to Rachel Faturoti for penning such a brilliant debut. Sade and her Shadow Beasts is a valuable and important addition to the children's/teen genre.
August 3, 2022
Gosh, this is just gorgeous. So much about this to just relish in - an incredibly portrayal of grief; a brilliant group of friends; a positive portrayal of how school can help; a gorgeous family; an incredible main character; the importance of finding your voice. Sade’s beasts and her stages of grief were incredibly characterised. I loved the honouring of her mam. The end made me totally well up. This just, yeah, incredible.
August 21, 2022
I received this book for free via a Toppsta giveaway in exchange for an honest review and also with the intention of passing it along to someone who might need it.
This is one of those times where I don't know how to start a review. There is so much I want to say but also so much I am keeping inside. Which is how I deal with everything in life. Especially grief.
This book did provide me with a release of emotions on a few occasions. Times I had to stop and centre myself to get to the next chapter. The author created so many believable characters and scenarios that hit home with me despite the fact that the book is from a 12 year old girl's perspective.
The isolation of grief even around those that are feeling it too is too real. The thoughts that flash through your mind. The fears and self-blame that try to control you. The beasts within.
It also shows so many characters dealing with grief on their own way. From those not ready to accept it to those who have temporarily allowed it to overcome them. The ones that will seek help and those who will reject it. How people are remembered and how their legacy loves on with others.
This is quite simply a beautiful book for anyone experiencing grief to read. There is so much I am forgetting as I am typing this but also I have the pleasure of remembering the words in the book.
In my opinion this needs to be a book available in all secondary schools as it will help someone there. I can look back on it and say that it has helped me.
This is one of those times where I don't know how to start a review. There is so much I want to say but also so much I am keeping inside. Which is how I deal with everything in life. Especially grief.
This book did provide me with a release of emotions on a few occasions. Times I had to stop and centre myself to get to the next chapter. The author created so many believable characters and scenarios that hit home with me despite the fact that the book is from a 12 year old girl's perspective.
The isolation of grief even around those that are feeling it too is too real. The thoughts that flash through your mind. The fears and self-blame that try to control you. The beasts within.
It also shows so many characters dealing with grief on their own way. From those not ready to accept it to those who have temporarily allowed it to overcome them. The ones that will seek help and those who will reject it. How people are remembered and how their legacy loves on with others.
This is quite simply a beautiful book for anyone experiencing grief to read. There is so much I am forgetting as I am typing this but also I have the pleasure of remembering the words in the book.
In my opinion this needs to be a book available in all secondary schools as it will help someone there. I can look back on it and say that it has helped me.
July 17, 2022
I don't think my review can do this book justice, but I'll try.
Sadé's mum used to tell her stories and listen to hers in return. Their favourites were the stories Sadé set in her magical world, with its candy floss clouds, rapping roses and Nix, Sadé's best friend. The fact that she's a giant purple bird is irrelevant. But since her mother died, Sadé's world has lost its colour. Battling grief and a family who can't seem to come together, Sadé must find a way to restore her friends and her world before the darkness in it swallows her up as well.
This is an absoloutely beautiful book, heavy with fabulous illustrations. I'm not sure if the ones in my proof are the finished versions; if so, they're amazing, and if not I can't wait to see how they can be made even better. Sadé is a wonderful character. I loved that, with only one or two exceptions, everyone around her was trying their best; they weren't always sure what the best thing to do was, but they kept trying and learning and they always meant well. (That's not always an excuse, I know, but it does help!)
This is a wonderful story, both for people who've suffered some kind of loss and those who haven't. I can't wait to start selling it; it needs to be on shelves everywhere. Just fantastic.
Sadé's mum used to tell her stories and listen to hers in return. Their favourites were the stories Sadé set in her magical world, with its candy floss clouds, rapping roses and Nix, Sadé's best friend. The fact that she's a giant purple bird is irrelevant. But since her mother died, Sadé's world has lost its colour. Battling grief and a family who can't seem to come together, Sadé must find a way to restore her friends and her world before the darkness in it swallows her up as well.
This is an absoloutely beautiful book, heavy with fabulous illustrations. I'm not sure if the ones in my proof are the finished versions; if so, they're amazing, and if not I can't wait to see how they can be made even better. Sadé is a wonderful character. I loved that, with only one or two exceptions, everyone around her was trying their best; they weren't always sure what the best thing to do was, but they kept trying and learning and they always meant well. (That's not always an excuse, I know, but it does help!)
This is a wonderful story, both for people who've suffered some kind of loss and those who haven't. I can't wait to start selling it; it needs to be on shelves everywhere. Just fantastic.
June 3, 2022
This is such a beautiful and uplifting story that deals with heavy subject matter in an honest and sensitive way. This is an excellent book to help younger (and older) readers who are dealing with grief or have experienced loss in some form. Having lost close family members when I was young this really resonated for me, and the escape into my imagination with art and writing.
Sadé is a fantastic character, very easy to like and root for. Her development and finding confidence in herself throughout the story is very relatable. Understanding that not everyone can excel in everything is a very good message too. She leads the reader with her on a big emotional journey, and I love how she uses her imagination to deal with bereavement but also find a connection to her mother, whilst finding that she has a real gift for poetry.
The fantasy world with Sadé’s Shadow Beasts adds a whole other layer to this fantastic story, which has me longing to escape to such a world.
Highly recommend this stunning Middle Grade debut, and one that should be in every school library.
Sadé is a fantastic character, very easy to like and root for. Her development and finding confidence in herself throughout the story is very relatable. Understanding that not everyone can excel in everything is a very good message too. She leads the reader with her on a big emotional journey, and I love how she uses her imagination to deal with bereavement but also find a connection to her mother, whilst finding that she has a real gift for poetry.
The fantasy world with Sadé’s Shadow Beasts adds a whole other layer to this fantastic story, which has me longing to escape to such a world.
Highly recommend this stunning Middle Grade debut, and one that should be in every school library.
March 26, 2022
Sadé and Her Shadow Beasts is a resonant story on childhood grief, told through the lens of the main character's vivid imagination, her gift for words, and a grief support group.
Faturoti blends Sadé's voice, along with her poetry, and interactions in the grief support together in harmony. This creates a clear picture on how Sadé's grief over losing her mother has affected her in a very real way.
At no point does Sadé's grief seem simple or out-of-the-box. And yet, it is not too heavy that this is a difficult read or that it feels pointed in how grief should be tackled. It takes real skill to find that balance and Faturoti pulls it off in accomplished fashion.
I can’t wait for readers to laugh, to cry, and to know they have a voice that matters!
UNPROFESSIONAL Review:
RACHEL ABSOLUTELY KILLED IT! ALL HITS NO MISSES!
Faturoti blends Sadé's voice, along with her poetry, and interactions in the grief support together in harmony. This creates a clear picture on how Sadé's grief over losing her mother has affected her in a very real way.
At no point does Sadé's grief seem simple or out-of-the-box. And yet, it is not too heavy that this is a difficult read or that it feels pointed in how grief should be tackled. It takes real skill to find that balance and Faturoti pulls it off in accomplished fashion.
I can’t wait for readers to laugh, to cry, and to know they have a voice that matters!
UNPROFESSIONAL Review:
RACHEL ABSOLUTELY KILLED IT! ALL HITS NO MISSES!
May 1, 2022
A fantastic, honest and uplifting exploration of grief. I think will resonate with and support younger readers who have experienced bereavement as it deals with parental loss in a deep and sensitive way.
Sadé is a brilliant main character who goes on a big emotional journey towards healing and also finding confidence in her own talents, including coming to terms with the idea that it’s OK to not excel at everything. The way in which this all came together at the end of the story was satisfying and realistic.
Of course I have to mention Sadé’s secret world and fantastical beasts – I loved this colourful element which added another layer as they start to spill out into the real world.
Overall this is a beautiful written and moving story which I’d highly recommend. Thanks to the Hodder Children's Books and NetGalley for an advance copy.
Sadé is a brilliant main character who goes on a big emotional journey towards healing and also finding confidence in her own talents, including coming to terms with the idea that it’s OK to not excel at everything. The way in which this all came together at the end of the story was satisfying and realistic.
Of course I have to mention Sadé’s secret world and fantastical beasts – I loved this colourful element which added another layer as they start to spill out into the real world.
Overall this is a beautiful written and moving story which I’d highly recommend. Thanks to the Hodder Children's Books and NetGalley for an advance copy.
July 3, 2022
I have just finished reading Sadé and I'm still on the brink of tears. I would describe it as a mix of Alice in the Wonderland and A Monster Calls. This is a truly wonderful middle grade book that is filled with colour and whimsy and also teaches you that it's okay not to be okay. It's a combination of spoken word and prose which is handled so well that you truly do feel like you're in the mind of an imaginative and sensitive twelve year old child. Also, the book itself is filled with tons of gorgeous illustrations. I'm quite critical when it comes to reviews and I would 10/10 recommend this!
October 4, 2022
This is a brilliant fiction for teenagers to help them understand a bit more about grief that follows a bereavement, as well as anxiety, coping strategies and support that might be available in schools. I would recommend this to teenagers, professionals working with teens, and parents/carers who might have a child in their life who will need some support following a loss. It would also be a good book for a teen to read if they are friends with a grieving teenager as it paints a could picture of someone’s inner world which hopefully will build sympathy.
May 8, 2022
This magical book tells the story of a girl dealing with her grief after the traumatic death of her mother. You cannot help but fall in love with the character of Sadé, her sisters, her friends at school and her support network. The book is peppered with Sadé’s poetry and the description of her imagined world sucks the reader into Sadé’s space. This story will help anyone dealing with loss, which is timely right now and the magic will stay with you long after you’ve closed the last page.
Read
November 19, 2022Sade and her Shadow Beasts is enjoyable, powerful and very thought provoking. This book would help children dealing with a loss as it demonstrates techniques in the story for coping mechanisms.
Through Sade we see how grief taints everyday life but how she battles forth.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing this arc in return for a honest review.
Through Sade we see how grief taints everyday life but how she battles forth.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing this arc in return for a honest review.
July 6, 2022
This is a gem of a book that helps a child through the coping strategies for grief. The main character is delightful and I love her rich, vocal, colorful world. Highly recommend. And the illustrations are gorgeous :)
October 12, 2022
What a beautiful book this is, inside & out. The cover & illustrations are stunning & the story is brilliant. Grief is never easy, I lost my mom 9 years ago so this is one of the reasons this book spoke to me. Definitely reccomend to all ages.
July 23, 2022
Gorgeous tale of grief, healing, community and family.
October 27, 2022
This was a beautiful book about grief and the effects it has. It was wonderful to read about grief from child viewpoint. Absolutely felt my heart warming towards the end.
May 23, 2023
It is a masterpiece in grief and encourages empathy in children. It celebrates the different ways in which grief can manifest and black rep in children. I implore you to pick up this book and spread the word about this fine book on grief. It can be read by anyone aged nine and above. Perfect for middle grade pupils.
November 17, 2022
So a few weeks ago I picked up Sadé and Her Shadow Beasts from my shelf with the intention of reading a chapter or two before getting an early night... cut to 11pm and I'd finished the whole thing without stopping once.
Rachel Faturoti's debut middle grade book follows our main character Sadé as she tries to cope with the loss of her mother by escaping to an imaginary world. In the run up to the school talent show where Sadé wants to perform spoken word, something more sinister makes its way into the real world. Will Sadé find the courage to say what she needs so she can banish the shadow beasts for good?
This is an excellent book that you should all add to your lists immediately. Sadé is such a great protagonist to root for and I liked the fact that Faturoti not only wrote about Sadé's grief but also the way others in the story dealt with it too and how that impacted interactions and relationships throughout. The imaginary world that Sadé created is so vivid and wonderfully described.
This made me laugh and cry and want to hug the book at the end. I won't need any convincing to immediately pick up anything Rachel Faturoti writes in the future.
Rachel Faturoti's debut middle grade book follows our main character Sadé as she tries to cope with the loss of her mother by escaping to an imaginary world. In the run up to the school talent show where Sadé wants to perform spoken word, something more sinister makes its way into the real world. Will Sadé find the courage to say what she needs so she can banish the shadow beasts for good?
This is an excellent book that you should all add to your lists immediately. Sadé is such a great protagonist to root for and I liked the fact that Faturoti not only wrote about Sadé's grief but also the way others in the story dealt with it too and how that impacted interactions and relationships throughout. The imaginary world that Sadé created is so vivid and wonderfully described.
This made me laugh and cry and want to hug the book at the end. I won't need any convincing to immediately pick up anything Rachel Faturoti writes in the future.
July 24, 2022
"I wish Mom was still here to write with me"
What a stunning debut! 12 year old Sadé is struggling - not just with the loss of the vibrant, imaginative Mom she used to tell stories and create entire worlds with but with the loss her 'Old Dad' the kind, fun man she knew before he became the so withdrawn and caught up in his own grief that he can't be the father Sadé need right now.
On top of that, Sadé's grandmother - the one adult she can still depend on - is returning to Nigeria soon, and the magical world Sadé's conjured up in her head has started to change into something more sinister and to seep into Sadé's real-life.
When her sister signs her up for grief counselling at school (which includes an anonymous chat group full of other bereaved students, some of who are downright hilarious) Sadé begins to learn how to process her feelings, and starts to rediscover her own creative voice - and the magic that comes with it.
A beautifully written, gorgeously illustrated story packed with heart, humour and music that leaps off the page the way the Sadé's magical creature come to life in her heart Sadé & Her Shadow Beasts managed to be a wonderful reflection on grief - and hope - without ever feeling too sad, dark or heavy for young readers. The focus on friendship & healing makes it an ideal for any child who may have suffered a bereavement themselves (or any adult, for that matter, it certainly helped me!
That said, Sadé's magical world, love of word-play & rap and the brilliant cast of fun & diverse characters will appeal to all readers. My nine year old is currently glued to this ssotry & having a great time playing detective trying to figure out the "secret identities" of the rest of the students in Sadé's support group (although she has also come to me for a hug a couple of times - this is definitely a book best read with a pack of kleenex handy).
In case it wasn't clear, I absolutely adored it!
What a stunning debut! 12 year old Sadé is struggling - not just with the loss of the vibrant, imaginative Mom she used to tell stories and create entire worlds with but with the loss her 'Old Dad' the kind, fun man she knew before he became the so withdrawn and caught up in his own grief that he can't be the father Sadé need right now.
On top of that, Sadé's grandmother - the one adult she can still depend on - is returning to Nigeria soon, and the magical world Sadé's conjured up in her head has started to change into something more sinister and to seep into Sadé's real-life.
When her sister signs her up for grief counselling at school (which includes an anonymous chat group full of other bereaved students, some of who are downright hilarious) Sadé begins to learn how to process her feelings, and starts to rediscover her own creative voice - and the magic that comes with it.
A beautifully written, gorgeously illustrated story packed with heart, humour and music that leaps off the page the way the Sadé's magical creature come to life in her heart Sadé & Her Shadow Beasts managed to be a wonderful reflection on grief - and hope - without ever feeling too sad, dark or heavy for young readers. The focus on friendship & healing makes it an ideal for any child who may have suffered a bereavement themselves (or any adult, for that matter, it certainly helped me!
That said, Sadé's magical world, love of word-play & rap and the brilliant cast of fun & diverse characters will appeal to all readers. My nine year old is currently glued to this ssotry & having a great time playing detective trying to figure out the "secret identities" of the rest of the students in Sadé's support group (although she has also come to me for a hug a couple of times - this is definitely a book best read with a pack of kleenex handy).
In case it wasn't clear, I absolutely adored it!
September 24, 2022
I buddy read this with Izzy, and I was so excited about this one, partially because I share a very similar taste with the author (especially in Disney Channel Orginal Movies) so I was pretty sure I would absolutely vibe with her debut and I was, thrillingly, right. It’s about a girl named Sadé, whose mum has recently died, and she has been escaping into her own fantasy world for comfort, until things start going wrong and her creatures morph into something more malevolent and start spilling into the real world. At the same time, she’s trying to find her voice with spoken word poetry, and also navigate the challenges of her family dynamic changing and joining her school’s new grief support group. Sadé is such a wonderful character with so much depth and strength of character even though she doesn’t always see the latter, and her sibling relationships with her supportive older sisters are some of my favourites I’ve read in ages. I loved learning about elements of Nigerian culture as well, and Sadé’s imaginary world is so interesting and beautiful and I’d be so down to read a spinoff set there as well, in fact. Oh, and like I said to Rachel after I read it, this has the first “that’s what she said” joke I’ve ever read in middle grade, and I’m SO HERE FOR IT. I’m obsessed with that kind of Brooke Davis energy, and it made me laugh, and I think Rachel is such a talent.
September 5, 2022
Bookseller Review – Sade and Her Shadow Beasts
Another huge 'thank you' needs to be said to both the author, Rachel Faturoti, and to the publishing team at Hodder Children's Books for gifting me the beautiful proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
TW: prolonged illness, death, bullying.
I consider myself to be very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time, where I met the author of this gorgeous book. We were introduced by a mutual friend at an author event in London and got to talking and Rachel told me all about her upcoming debut, 'Sade and Her Shadow Beasts' and right then, this book jumped straight to the top of my TBR pile (sorry, lovely other books...).
Firstly, the cover is absolutely stunning! The warm tones of Rumbidzai Savanhu's illustrations (which I got to see for the first time on publication day, as the proof didn't have them yet) reflect perfectly the tone of the book and especially the mental images conjured by Sade's world. The characters of Lion, Tiger and Nix couldn't look more prefect.
In terms of the warnings mentioned above, the themes of loss and grief and handled so beautifully, in ways we can all relate to. There are, of course, many ways in which people grieve and this book is a stunning example of how this can be articulated to a younger audience in ways they will immediately connect to. I wish there had been something like this around when I was at this age!
I cannot recommend this book enough, and again, thank you so much to Rachel for gifting me this book that I will be talking about for years to come.
Another huge 'thank you' needs to be said to both the author, Rachel Faturoti, and to the publishing team at Hodder Children's Books for gifting me the beautiful proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
TW: prolonged illness, death, bullying.
I consider myself to be very lucky to have been in the right place at the right time, where I met the author of this gorgeous book. We were introduced by a mutual friend at an author event in London and got to talking and Rachel told me all about her upcoming debut, 'Sade and Her Shadow Beasts' and right then, this book jumped straight to the top of my TBR pile (sorry, lovely other books...).
Firstly, the cover is absolutely stunning! The warm tones of Rumbidzai Savanhu's illustrations (which I got to see for the first time on publication day, as the proof didn't have them yet) reflect perfectly the tone of the book and especially the mental images conjured by Sade's world. The characters of Lion, Tiger and Nix couldn't look more prefect.
In terms of the warnings mentioned above, the themes of loss and grief and handled so beautifully, in ways we can all relate to. There are, of course, many ways in which people grieve and this book is a stunning example of how this can be articulated to a younger audience in ways they will immediately connect to. I wish there had been something like this around when I was at this age!
I cannot recommend this book enough, and again, thank you so much to Rachel for gifting me this book that I will be talking about for years to come.
July 19, 2024
This is for all the ones who think they are at fault for something they aren't. My favourite character was Sade, who is so capable of anything she put her mind too but let her fears and anxiety take over. Totally would recommend. Amazing book!
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