The Good Sister by Kyla Stone

​I came upon this book without knowing anything about the plot, thinking it would be an easy, fun read. It would be a dynamic between two sisters, possible jealousy, possible sibling rivalry. So I picked it up and began to read it. And boy, Kyla Stone has a way with words! In the short read of 45 pages, she has packed character development, character arc, dialogue, setting, foreshadowing, and a satisfying end.

The opening scene with flies is gut-wrenching, because it foreshadows something sinister. The relationship of Emmalyn with her new boyfriend is sweet. He seems like a clueless slob, but appears to love her, and is the only real relationship she has. Then comes Emmalyn’s family, in the midst of a challenging time, and the reader longs to know what is happening. We know it is something ominous and creepy, and the author hints at the issue.

I particularly liked the way Stone dealt with the relationship between the sisters: genuine and intense. The scene about Ava, the little sister, destroying Emmalyn’s school project without remorse, but with delight, lasted with me a long time. We know no one is inherently bad. But why does Ava behave in that manner? Is she acting out? Is she just seeking attention?

And then comes the hard truth. You know it is happening. You know what it must be. And when it happens, you want to cry for the family.

​Stone has knitted a story highlighting harsh reality with raw intensity that was at times difficult to digest, but rendered me incapable of putting it down. 

Buy it here.

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