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A review by aquadoozy
The Sinner by Shantel Tessier
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Loved the Ritual, but The Sinner was a much tougher read, it took me ages, a lot of picking up & putting back down before I finally dug in and kept going.
The last third of the book made up for the first part of the book.
The Ritual had a nice balance of spicy smut and plot, yes it was a lot of spice, but still balanced in a way.
The Sinner was not. The beginning was mostly sex. And childhood trauma/abuse. And sexual assault. Rinse and repeat multiple times.
It was a lot. Excessive. Definitely too much. Almost seemed like the author went this dark purposely for shock factor. The first, The Ritual, was dark yes, but not so dramatically traumatizing. It was definitely a large shift of tone.
From what others mentioned in reviews, I expected more sex toys, a sex dungeon, etc. A lot more play than what we got in the Ritual. I was not expecting an overdose of rape, SA, and child abuse. Oh an an actual overdose because the fmc can never not be fucked up. Whether it's from drugs or a sex high. Or both.
It certainly didn't help that I found neither of the main characters to have any redeeming qualities. Ellie was a sex obsessed druggie who knows she has huge issues and doesnt absolutely nothing to help herself.I could understand her teenage self getting taken advantage of because she was young, naive, vulnerable, and didnt know any better. But she gets in multiple situations as a grown adult, and allows herself to be drugged up and SA'd and she thinks its okay though because she like rough sex. Girl. You know better now. Your explanation is bullshit, flimsy, and you know it. She showed so little character growth over it too. Especially with the drugs.
I think this book would have been more interesting if it was written as a Reverse Harem. Like she wanted it, there was one kinda group scene, mostly voyarism. Too bad Sin is too selfish to ever share, it could have been so good.
I hope Tyson's book is better because this one was such a huge let down.
The last third of the book made up for the first part of the book.
The Ritual had a nice balance of spicy smut and plot, yes it was a lot of spice, but still balanced in a way.
The Sinner was not. The beginning was mostly sex. And childhood trauma/abuse. And sexual assault. Rinse and repeat multiple times.
It was a lot. Excessive. Definitely too much. Almost seemed like the author went this dark purposely for shock factor. The first, The Ritual, was dark yes, but not so dramatically traumatizing. It was definitely a large shift of tone.
From what others mentioned in reviews, I expected more sex toys, a sex dungeon, etc. A lot more play than what we got in the Ritual. I was not expecting an overdose of rape, SA, and child abuse. Oh an an actual overdose because the fmc can never not be fucked up. Whether it's from drugs or a sex high. Or both.
It certainly didn't help that I found neither of the main characters to have any redeeming qualities. Ellie was a sex obsessed druggie who knows she has huge issues and doesnt absolutely nothing to help herself.
I think this book would have been more interesting if it was written as a Reverse Harem. Like she wanted it, there was one kinda group scene, mostly voyarism. Too bad Sin is too selfish to ever share, it could have been so good.
I hope Tyson's book is better because this one was such a huge let down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Vomit, Gaslighting
Minor: Pregnancy