A review by fatimaelf
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I also got through this one slower than I’d have liked. The chapters alternated between past and present for most of the book, which was necessary for world-building reasons, but I’m not totally sure was wholly necessary for narrative reasons. I enjoyed learning about the book-eaters, but I sort of wish I’d gotten more insight into them. They did feel like a modern day cult: women subservient, men dominant, and I think that changing up even a few things could have made that dynamic feel fresher. That said, what I was given was good for the story and for the character development. Though I liked the book, I do wish I’d gotten more from it. The ending felt open — perhaps for a sequel — but I think if this book had even a hundred pages more it could’ve done something really special. I thought the relationship between mother and child was atypical in a refreshing way, especially given what Devon sacrificed for Cai, and the relationship between brother and sister was the most intriguing one of the book (though I wish Dean had focused on it more). Overall a solid read. 
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