Plot Summary

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly

Stephanie Oakes
Guide cover placeholder

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2015

Book Brief

Stephanie Oakes

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2015
Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Montana • Contemporary

Publication Year

2015

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes is a young adult psychological thriller about a teenage girl with no hands, Minnow Bly, who ends up in juvenile detention after escaping from a religious cult. An FBI agent offers her a deal for her cooperation, prompting Minnow to disclose secrets from her past, navigated through flashbacks revealing her life within the cult and her journey to reclaim her freedom. The book includes graphic descriptions of violence and trauma.

Dark

Mysterious

Emotional

Suspenseful

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.2

12,577 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes is a compelling novel praised for its gripping narrative and strong character development. Readers appreciate its intense and thought-provoking themes, though some find the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s a powerful story of resilience and identity that leaves a lasting impact.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly?

A reader who enjoys dark, introspective YA novels with strong, complex female protagonists and psychological depth would likely enjoy The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes. Fans of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness will find similar compelling narratives and emotional intensity.

4.2

12,577 ratings

73%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

416

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Montana • Contemporary

Publication Year

2015

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!