My Sister Rosa
"Beats The Silence of the Lambs for suspense—it's the kind of book that had me literally gasping aloud as it rattled to its incredible conclusion."
—Cory Doctorow, New York Times bestselling author of Homeland
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 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, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she’s capable of.
Their parents, whose business takes the family from place to place, brush off the warning signs as Rosa’s “acting out.” Now that they have moved again—from Bangkok to New York City—their new hometown provides far too many opportunities for Rosa to play her increasingly complex and disturbing games. Che’s always been Rosa’s rock, protecting her from the world. Now, the world might need protection from her.
—Cory Doctorow, New York Times bestselling author of Homeland
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 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, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is and the manipulation she’s capable of.
Their parents, whose business takes the family from place to place, brush off the warning signs as Rosa’s “acting out.” Now that they have moved again—from Bangkok to New York City—their new hometown provides far too many opportunities for Rosa to play her increasingly complex and disturbing games. Che’s always been Rosa’s rock, protecting her from the world. Now, the world might need protection from her.
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Community Reviews
This is the kind of book that makes you grateful for your relatively normal siblings. Because while you might argue over who gets the last slice of pizza, Che Taylor is out here worrying about whether his little sister is going to... you know... murder someone.
Rosa is, quite frankly, terrifying. She’s a sweet-looking, blonde, blue-eyed ten-year-old who’s all smiles and charm. Except, beneath that angelic exterior, she’s essentially a pint-sized Hannibal Lecter without the fancy dinner parties. Her big brother Che is the only one who sees through her act—he’s been keeping tabs on her shady behavior for years, and let’s just say Rosa’s hobbies go way beyond stealing cookies from the jar.
What’s wild is that their parents are so oblivious. They just brush off Rosa’s creepy little tendencies like, "Oh, kids will be kids!" Ma’am, your child is out here manipulating people like she’s running for office. Che is a solid character—he's relatable, caught between wanting to live his life and his growing horror as he realizes how dangerous Rosa is. Watching Che juggle his own life while also being his sister’s keeper gives you a front-row seat to the "is she or isn’t she about to snap."
The book is a slow-burn thriller, and while it’s more about psychological tension than outright horror, the constant sense of dread Rosa creates is real. Every time she flashes one of her "innocent" smiles, you’re just waiting for the moment when things go full chaos mode. The fact that she’s ten only makes it worse because, let’s be honest, there’s something extra creepy about a sociopath who still gets recess.
If you like your thrillers with a side of familial dysfunction and a sprinkling of low-key terror, this one’s for you.
Rosa is, quite frankly, terrifying. She’s a sweet-looking, blonde, blue-eyed ten-year-old who’s all smiles and charm. Except, beneath that angelic exterior, she’s essentially a pint-sized Hannibal Lecter without the fancy dinner parties. Her big brother Che is the only one who sees through her act—he’s been keeping tabs on her shady behavior for years, and let’s just say Rosa’s hobbies go way beyond stealing cookies from the jar.
What’s wild is that their parents are so oblivious. They just brush off Rosa’s creepy little tendencies like, "Oh, kids will be kids!" Ma’am, your child is out here manipulating people like she’s running for office. Che is a solid character—he's relatable, caught between wanting to live his life and his growing horror as he realizes how dangerous Rosa is. Watching Che juggle his own life while also being his sister’s keeper gives you a front-row seat to the "is she or isn’t she about to snap."
The book is a slow-burn thriller, and while it’s more about psychological tension than outright horror, the constant sense of dread Rosa creates is real. Every time she flashes one of her "innocent" smiles, you’re just waiting for the moment when things go full chaos mode. The fact that she’s ten only makes it worse because, let’s be honest, there’s something extra creepy about a sociopath who still gets recess.
If you like your thrillers with a side of familial dysfunction and a sprinkling of low-key terror, this one’s for you.
If you love a good thriller. This book is not it.
1) This book is so fragmented, even though you are the same character (as the reader) throughout the book it’s so choppy, and young adulty, I mean really wet dreams? There is no ease or flow to this book....
2) Why are all the chapters so short? I’de rather no chapters than adding them wherever and whenever for no reason atoll.
3) Athe “twists” are heavily foreshadowed. So nothing is actually surprising or shocking.
4) It only becomes a tiny bit of a page turner like 15 pages from the end... AND THEN THE END IS JUST BAD
Wouldn’t recommend to anyone
1) This book is so fragmented, even though you are the same character (as the reader) throughout the book it’s so choppy, and young adulty, I mean really wet dreams? There is no ease or flow to this book....
2) Why are all the chapters so short? I’de rather no chapters than adding them wherever and whenever for no reason atoll.
3) Athe “twists” are heavily foreshadowed. So nothing is actually surprising or shocking.
4) It only becomes a tiny bit of a page turner like 15 pages from the end... AND THEN THE END IS JUST BAD
Wouldn’t recommend to anyone
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