I absolutely loved this novel!

Sister Spirit is a supernatural thriller which follows Tara, an adopted teenager who feels disconnected from her origins, and examines timeless questions of belonging, self-definition, and the elusive nature of personal roots.

The journey in this novel is more than just a physical adventure; it is a rite of passage into understanding the intersection of personal and cultural history. Specifically, through Tara’s journey the novel looks at the ancient, often invisible forces that shape who we are, and challenges the notion of identity as something fixed or easily definable.

Growing up, Tara has always had vivid dreams but when her dreams start to get darker, the line between reality and the supernatural blurs. When her visions take her to the ancient Olumo Rock in Nigeria, Tara makes the bold decision to head there in pursuit of the truth. Tara’s exploration of her roots becomes a metaphor for the broader human experience of reconciling the past with the present, of making sense of inherited stories that are not always easy to face but essential to personal growth. Traoré subtly implies that identity is fluid, often shaped by layers of personal and inherited trauma.

Overall, this novel taught me many things about myself, and it’s the type of novel that will touch everyone in their own way. Something about this book allowed me to experience her world while getting a bit of a reality check of my own, and I’m sure it will too for whoever reads it as well!

Reviewed by Salma, Year 10, Cerdon College, Merrylands NSW

Age Guide 13+