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A review by elee2013
Sin Eater by Megan Campisi
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The choice to put this in first person present is an excellent one—the way our main character thinks about others (Painted Pig, Mush Face, Willow Man, Country Mouse) was fascinating and neurodivergent coded. Also, experiencing her danger so closely added to the emotional distress of the book.
This book edges up to horror, the gruesome deaths and the creeping fear definitely gave me VIBES. I deeply enjoyed the setting and the conflict, as well as the fleshed-out concept of a sin eater. The violence and oppression against women of the time felt true and I enjoyed how the women in this story fought back.
Where I found the book lacking was the story concept. It’s very obviously Elizabeth I as queen, and the drama of her early reign. Campisi does take some license, but it felt like a familiar story I’d already read. For a main character who is shunned by every believer, we spent a lot of time fussing about court politics and the queen.
This book edges up to horror, the gruesome deaths and the creeping fear definitely gave me VIBES. I deeply enjoyed the setting and the conflict, as well as the fleshed-out concept of a sin eater. The violence and oppression against women of the time felt true and I enjoyed how the women in this story fought back.
Where I found the book lacking was the story concept. It’s very obviously Elizabeth I as queen, and the drama of her early reign. Campisi does take some license, but it felt like a familiar story I’d already read. For a main character who is shunned by every believer, we spent a lot of time fussing about court politics and the queen.