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inlaraland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
HISTORICAL / FICTION / MYSTERY /: May is fourteen years old when she receives a life sentence to become a "sin eater". This practice includes her being branded with the letter "S" and shunned from society around her. Her job is to visit the dying and listen to them confess their sins which she then swallows by eating various dishes which corresponds to those sins. While still trying to grasp the reality of her new life, May also finds herself ensnared into a deadly mystery at the heart of the Queen's Court.
Now, I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone but I personally enjoyed it immensely. I think if you're a fan of historic settings, mysteries, or Margaret Atwood's work, then this might be for you!
There's a lot of interesting themes that are explored in this novel. From highlighting corruption and violence under an oppressive system to emphasizing a woman's right to choices. I find the use of food imagery in this novel to be quite unique as well, especially when each food corresponds and symbolizes specific sins in this novel. This novel gives a unique perspective on the "hell is a teenage girl" narrative. May tells her story as a witness of what unfolds around her rather than actively influencing the events through action. She soon learns that her punishment is actually what empowers her.
This book was so good that I found it hard to stop myself from reading it. This novel perfectly displays the horrors of not having control over one's body, but the journey of May coming to her own under such harsh conditions is one worth exploring.
Now, I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone but I personally enjoyed it immensely. I think if you're a fan of historic settings, mysteries, or Margaret Atwood's work, then this might be for you!
There's a lot of interesting themes that are explored in this novel. From highlighting corruption and violence under an oppressive system to emphasizing a woman's right to choices. I find the use of food imagery in this novel to be quite unique as well, especially when each food corresponds and symbolizes specific sins in this novel. This novel gives a unique perspective on the "hell is a teenage girl" narrative. May tells her story as a witness of what unfolds around her rather than actively influencing the events through action. She soon learns that her punishment is actually what empowers her.
This book was so good that I found it hard to stop myself from reading it. This novel perfectly displays the horrors of not having control over one's body, but the journey of May coming to her own under such harsh conditions is one worth exploring.
mitskacir's review against another edition
2.0
A really interesting premise that didn't explore as much as it could have. What kind of world is built when people can be expunged of all their sins before death? There are a lot of moral and ethical parallels to real-world Christian practices that don't really get explored here. The Sin Eater is mostly a mystery novel that drags and spends more time with individuals than with society at large. Ended up listening to it sped up so I could finish it more quickly.
mariagoodcat's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
felix_x's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
fizzypixie's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
melindor's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
indiindi's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trashley_123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
emmaimp103's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
notlikeshrek's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a bit slow to get through, but very worth it in the end. The use of history, sin, and food as plot points throughout the story make for a very interesting read. While reading it also reminded me a bit of all the dystopian books I read as a kid :) A very unique and original story, would definitely recommend!