The Handmaid's Tale meets Alice in Wonderland in this gripping and imaginative historical novel about a shunned orphan girl in 16th-century England who is ensnared in a deadly royal plot and must turn her subjugation into her power. The Sin Eater walks among us, unseen, unheard Sins of our flesh become sins of Hers Following Her to the grave, unseen, unheard The Sin Eater Walks Among Us. For the crime of stealing bread, fourteen-year-old May receives a life sentence: she must become a Sin Eater--a shunned woman, ...
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The Handmaid's Tale meets Alice in Wonderland in this gripping and imaginative historical novel about a shunned orphan girl in 16th-century England who is ensnared in a deadly royal plot and must turn her subjugation into her power. The Sin Eater walks among us, unseen, unheard Sins of our flesh become sins of Hers Following Her to the grave, unseen, unheard The Sin Eater Walks Among Us. For the crime of stealing bread, fourteen-year-old May receives a life sentence: she must become a Sin Eater--a shunned woman, brutally marked, whose fate is to hear the final confessions of the dying, eat ritual foods symbolizing their sins as a funeral rite, and thereby shoulder their transgressions to grant their souls access to heaven. Orphaned and friendless, apprenticed to an older Sin Eater who cannot speak to her, May must make her way in a dangerous and cruel world she barely understands. When a deer heart appears on the coffin of a royal governess who did not confess to the dreadful sin it represents, the older Sin Eater refuses to eat it. She is taken to prison, tortured, and killed. To avenge her death, May must find out who placed the deer heart on the coffin and why. "A keenly researched feminist arc of unexpected abundance, reckoning, intellect, and ferocious survival" (Maria Dahvana Headley, author of The Mere Wife ) Sin Eater is "a dark, rich story replete with humor, unforgettable characters, and arcane mysteries. It casts a spell on your heart and mind until the final page" (Jennie Melamed, author of Gather the Daughters ).
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Add this copy of Sin Eater to cart. $54.98, like new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2020 by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Add this copy of Sin Eater: a Novel to cart. $54.99, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Clarita, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2020 by Simon & Schuster Audio and Bla.
Add this copy of Sin Eater to cart. $82.44, new condition, Sold by GreatBookPrices rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Columbia, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2020 by Simon & Schuster Audio.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New. In Stock. 100% Money Back Guarantee. Brand New, Perfect Condition, allow 4-14 business days for standard shipping. To Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. protectorate, P.O. box, and APO/FPO addresses allow 4-28 business days for Standard shipping. No expedited shipping. All orders placed with expedited shipping will be cancelled. Over 3, 000, 000 happy customers.
Add this copy of Sin Eater: a Novel to cart. $82.45, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Clarita, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2020 by Simon & Schuster Audio and Bla.
The Sin Eater is a fantastic concept - set in an alternate 16th century history which has ties and nods to real life but will still appease fantasy readers. The whole idea of having Sins tied to different foods and them being confessed on deathbed and eaten by a woman who is seen as a pariah is a strong one and the world building is top rate. I had no idea until I sat down to write this review that this was actually a real-life historical Welsh practice and I applaud the author for taking a real piece of history, exploring it in detail and bringing it to the attention of a contemporary reader. I would have perhaps liked a little more explanation on the foods and why certain foods were picked but as May is quite new to the practice this gap in the knowledge is in keeping with her character.
May is a great character with a few odd quirks - as she is mute for most of the book, the author has found a good way to convey her feelings and question her surroundings. She has a tendency to ask questions to inanimate objects and imagine their replies which works well. She also gives nicknames to certain characters instead of using their names which does work well on occasion but I must admit I did get a little lost when the main 'whodunnit' style of plot was explored as there is less consistency on who characters are. The plot is good in theory as a serial killer murders members of court and plants food at their confessional eating to frame them for crimes. However in execution I found it a little confusing and I actually wanted to explore more of the job itself and May's backstory rather than the events unfolding around the over-arching theme. I would love another instalment of May's adventures but this is very much a standalone book with a contained ending.
Overall The Sin Eater is a fantastic concept that has stayed with me after reading - highly recommended. Thank you to NetGalley & Pan Macmillan - Mantle for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
