Sadie vs Patron Saints of Nothing

Another tough round as both books were excellent reads with strong protagonists dealing with some very heavy issues. The holiday break was the perfect time to devour both novels. I read Randy Ribay's Patron Saints of Nothing on a very long and flat car trip to Saskatchewan. Admittedly, I read this novel first because it looked like something I wasn't going to enjoy. I was wrong. It was easy to connect with Jay as he ventured back to his native Philippines in search of the truth about his cousin's death during President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. The story is well developed with only a few lapses (the love interest in Mia who already has a boyfriend didn't seem to add anything).
This book had me looking up more information on the Philippines; it's history, geography, and the  outrageous tactics of the current government, surprised at how little I knew from brief news reports.
Patron Saints of Nothing is well written and would be enjoyed by those who have ever had to come to terms with the truth, who feel like they are more than the one thing the world has labelled them as, who have had to face the reality of a place and people they thought they knew, and who have had to show courage and compassion in a time of grief. So basically, everyone would appreciate this book.

All that being said, the clear winner of this round for me is Sadie by Courtney Summers. Told through two narratives in two different time periods (while Sadie is searching for Keith and after Sadie has been missing for several months), the story is powerful. It's horrific. It's riveting. It's raw. It will linger with you and seep into your thoughts when you have to put the book down to make dinner or walk the dog. The pod cast - novel format with a main character who stutters may be challenging and truth be told I did end up listening to the last half on audio book (at the recommendation of my daughter). But whether you read it or listen to it, this story is a difficult one. Through the pod casts and Sadie's narrative you learn that Sadie’s 13 year old sister, Mattie was found murdered. Sadie is vehemently going after the man who hurt her and who she thinks is responsible for her sister's death. Although Sadie knows she could die, she doesn’t feel she has anything left to live for and will not stop until she finds him.
With child abuse, pedophilia, rape, drug and alcohol abuse, and graphic violence, it is not a story of happily ever after. It is a heart wrenching story. Yet I loved this book.