Sisterhood Above All

By: Kathleen Barber and Amayah Shaienne

Narrators: Narrated by Charlotte Lobdell; Khaya Fraites; Suzy Jackson

ISBN: 9781250445087

Publisher: Macmilan Audio

Publication Date: 07/14/2026

Format: Audio

My Rating: 4 Stars (ALC)

JUL 2026 MUST-READ BOOKS

Any girl would kill to be a Gamma.

“Barber and Shaienne’s juicy, sexy, vicious collab is like America’s Next Top Model stitched with The Art of War. You’ll be equally riveted by the reality TV-level drama and the raw authenticity of the characters in this sure-to-go-viral sorority rush thriller.” ― Layne Fargo, bestselling author of The Favorites and They Never Learn

Being a Gamma at Southern State University means belonging to the most desirable, exclusive sisterhood there is. For Ava, it means even more―it’s the last connection she has to her beloved late mother, and she’ll do anything to wear the Gamma letters.

But the Gammas didn’t become the best house on campus by letting just anyone in, and every prospective pledge is expected to earn her spot. As president, Madison is the ultimate gatekeeper, and she has a special test for Ava.

Rival sorority Theta is nipping at the Gammas’ heels for the top spot on campus, and president Shay is proud they’ve gotten there by rising above the hyper-competitive gamesmanship that consumes other houses. She knows she’s made some enemies in her quest to change the Greek system from the inside, but she can’t imagine the depth of Madison’s resentment for her … or how far Ava will go to become a Gamma.

The sisterhood, the parties, the elite status―and the connection to her mother―are what Ava has always wanted, but she never guessed the cost of membership would be so high. Three women, two houses, one dead body: rush has never been this messy.

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My Review

SISTERHOOD ABOVE ALL: TOXIC AMBITION VS. DEADLY CONSEQUENCES

“Three young women, two rival sorority houses, and one dead body: the anxiety-fueled subculture of Greek life turns into a cutthroat psychological battlefield.”

In Sisterhood Above All, bestselling author Kathleen Barber (author of Truth Be Told) teams up with real-life Bama Rush content creator Amayah Shaienne to deliver a vicious, fast-paced, and wildly addictive campus thriller. Diving headfirst into the high-stakes world of Southern State University's sorority recruitment, they craft a soapy, sharp-witted narrative that exposes the dangerous lengths young women will go to for elite status, validation, and a sense of true belonging.

📌 The Hook

~An elite, hyper-competitive sorority rush.

~Two rival presidents are playing a dangerous game of social strategy.

~A brutal campus death that changes everything.

🛗 Elevator Pitch

A juicy, multi-POV psychological thriller that follows an eager freshman pledge and two fiercely competitive sorority presidents as they battle for social dominance on campus. When toxic rivalries collide with the dark influence of social media spectacle, a dead body surfaces—proving that the ultimate cost of membership is far higher than anyone anticipated.

🔍 Review Breakdown

Intro

At Southern State University, being a Gamma means belonging to the most exclusive and desirable sisterhood on campus. For freshman Ava, securing a spot is personal—it is her final connection to her late mother. But Gamma’s ruthless president, Madison, isn't about to let just anyone in, and she has an incredibly intense, secret test lined up for Ava. Meanwhile, the rival Theta sorority is fiercely nipping at Gamma’s heels for the top spot, led by president Shay, who wants to reform the toxic Greek system from the inside. As the pressures of rush week peak, old resentments flare, alliances shatter, and a chaotic dance of manipulation culminates in a shocking murder that leaves everyone a suspect.

Setting

The high-pressure, intensely manicured campus of Southern State University, where sprawling Greek mansions, elite parties, and flawless social media feeds disguise ruthless power struggles.

Vibe

Fast-paced, soapy, and fiercely paranoid. Think America’s Next Top Model meets The Art of War, infused with heavy Scream Queens dread.

Genre

Dark Academia / Campus Psychological Thriller

Themes

~The toxic underbelly of institutional sisterhood

~The destructive pressure of performative social media (#RushTok)

~Class, race, privilege, and the systemic desire to belong

~The cyclic nature of institutional hazing and multi-generational pressure

👥 Standout Characters

~Ava: The desperate, determined pledge who views the Gamma house as her emotional lifeline, pushing her to compromise her morals to survive the recruitment process.

~Madison: The calculating, elite president of Gamma who acts as the school's ultimate gatekeeper, fiercely protecting her throne from outside threats.

~Shay: The ambitious president of rival sorority Theta, trying to change the system from within while battling her own deep-seated resentment toward Madison.

✍️ Author Writing Standout

The collaboration between Barber and Shaienne is seamless. Shaienne brings undeniable, raw insider authenticity to the modern-day #RushTok subculture, while Barber anchors the plot with her signature multi-POV suspense and sharp social commentary. The short, rapid-fire chapters alternate beautifully between the three primary perspectives, slowly building a claustrophobic powder keg.

Takeaway

Blind loyalty to a group identity can completely erase an individual's morality; sometimes, the safety we seek in community exacts a toxic price.

Title Significance

"Sisterhood Above All "acts as both an institutional mantra and a warning. It highlights how the protection of the group's reputation is continuously prioritized over individual safety, truth, and human life.

Metaphor

The sorority bid card acts as a central metaphor—initially viewed as a golden ticket to elite status and familial healing, it slowly transforms into a dangerous contract that binds the characters to a web of lies and bloodshed.

Audio 🎧Standout

The narration team features Charlotte Lobdell, Khaya Fraites, and Suzy Jackson, who collectively deliver a masterpiece of vocal casting. Having distinct, highly expressive narrators for Ava, Madison, and Shay perfectly elevates each character's personality. They masterfully lean into the anxious, hyper-performative, and cutthroat tones needed for this frantic sorority environment, adding a layer of immersive tension that keeps you plugged in from start to finish. If you enjoy multi-cast thriller audiobooks, this one is an absolute must-listen!

💭 My Thoughts

“What begins as a quest for popularity and campus status fast becomes a frantic, paranoid race to cover up a murder before the spotlight destroys them all.”

The co-authors excel at pulling back the curtain on the hyper-curated world of Greek life, revealing the deep-seated jealousy and moral compromises hiding behind pristine social media aesthetics. The pacing is relentlessly fast, making it nearly impossible to put down as the web of secrets grows increasingly messy. While the characters are rarely strictly "likable" or easy to root for, their flaws make the evolving campus gossip and structural backstabbing incredibly compelling to watch. It is wild, character-driven, beautifully messy, and features a final sequence of twists that left me completely breathless. A phenomenal summer read that I highly recommend adding to your thriller stack!

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) Stars

"A brilliant, gripping campus thriller that masterfully utilizes its setting to explore toxic competition and the true cost of belonging."

📚 Recs/ (Read-Alikes)

If the cutthroat competition and dark campus secrets of "Sisterhood Above All" kept you turning pages, add these psychological thrillers to your TBR list:

~They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

~The Resemblance by Lauren Nossett

~Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison

Special thanks to Macmillan Audio, #MacAudio2026, and NetGalley for sharing an advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks

My Rating: 4 Stars (audio)

Pub Date: July 14, 2026

July Newsletter

July Must-Read Books

Praise

“The particulars and social tensions of Greek life are vivid and convincing, and the shifting perspectives heighten the suspense as readers uncover the rising stakes alongside the characters. Fans of the TV series Scream Queens will appreciate this deadly take on toxic sisterhoods...Pledging may have deadly consequences in this twisty campus thriller.”

―Kirkus

“[A] soapy thriller that takes readers into the cutthroat world of sororities while exploring themes of race, class, and privilege. With its devious, over-the-top characters, straightforward plot, and multiple POVs, this is perfect for fans of quick, fun mysteries.”

― Booklist

“I lost track of time, missed a meeting, and didn’t care―SISTERHOOD ABOVE ALL had me completely hooked. Addictive and twisty, Kathleen Barber and Amayah Shaienne’s thriller plunges you into the anxiety-fueled subculture of sorority rush, where power plays, toxic rivalries, and social media spectacle (#rushtok) collide. Beneath the hilarious satire and biting social commentary lies a heartfelt portrait of young women searching for belonging and forging community. I loved this novel.”

―Angie Kim, New York Times bestselling author of Happiness Falls and Miracle Creek

“Barber and Shaienne’s juicy, sexy, vicious collab is like America’s Next Top Model stitched with The Art of War. You’ll be equally riveted by the reality TV-level drama and the raw authenticity of the characters in this sure-to-go-viral sorority rush thriller.”

―Layne Fargo, New York Times bestselling author of The Favorites and They Never Learn

“With biting wit, tons of tension, and more twists than an artful updo, SISTERHOOD ABOVE ALL is the perfect poolside read. Like its fascinating cast of characters, it's smart, gossipy, and impossible to ignore, blending soapy campus drama with knife-sharp commentary on envy, competition, and just how far we'll go to belong.”

―Andrea Bartz, New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here and The Last Ferry Out

About the Author

Kathleen Barber is the author of Truth Be Told, which was adapted by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine as a series on AppleTV+, Follow Me, and Both Things Are True. A certified book coach and former attorney, she lives in Washington, DC, with her family.

Amayah Shaienne is a lifestyle content creator and student at the University of Alabama who quickly grew a following during Bama Rush. To date, she has garnered a following of nearly 200K across TikTok and Instagram and has her audience obsessed with all parts of her college life. She is excited to continue bringing her loyal followers along as she attends key college moments such as sorority rush, football games, and more. WEBSITE