A review by thereviewbooth
The Sin Eater by Megan Campisi

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

4.5

This book had been on my wish list for quite some time and a Bookstagram friend picked it as my exchange book. I was so excited to read this book and I’m delighted that I finally got to sit down and read it. The Sin Eater is an exceptionally well-written book whose synopsis does not do it justice. I did not go into this one thinking that I would get courtly intrigue and a tale of mysterious murders. I would consider it a slow burn but I was not bored, constantly checking the food list at the beginning of the book and even looking up foods that I had absolutely no clue about. They ate some strange things.

The ending was a little sad and I wanted more for May but it was honest – rising above her station in life would have been impossible considering what was done to her. I understand why she chose the safety and security of her role – even if she initially hated and chafed at being assigned as a sin eater. I also wanted justice for her but that would have also proven difficult. Elizabethan England was not a kind place.

If you enjoy courtly intrigue from the perspective of a necessary but reviled FMC, murder mysteries, and historical (Elizabethan) fiction then I highly recommend picking this book up. I just found out that the author is publishing another historical fiction book this year (2024), The Widow Spy, and I cannot wait to check that out either!