Megan Campisi’s The Sin Eater takes place in a vividly imagined world- an alternative sixteenth century England. With a complex plot, this is one for fans of historical intrigue and the macabre!

This book is set in 16th century England.
The writing style was so beautiful.
It is a dark gloomy setting and so atmospheric
This book taught me things in history that I didn’t know.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

5 star review!

What an unforgettable read! Absolutely loved this suspensful book that had twists and turns throughout it, I just couldn't put it down.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

May Owens is orphaned and starving when she is convicted for stealing food to lessen the hunger in her belly, and instead of gaol time, ends up getting branded as a Sin Eater. Now May is an apprentice, learning how Sin Eaters hear the confessions of the dying, and eat the sins to absolve people . Because of this, May is now destined to a lonely life of silence when no-one will ever meet her gaze again, and her presence brings fear and uneasiness. But May realises it also gives her access to places she could only dream of, like the Queen's courts, where she becomes embroiled in a mystery when two women of the court die in mysterious circumstances and May be the only one to figure out who is behind the murders.

I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed it. The book was fast-paced and I loved seeing the character growth in May who is so young at only 14 but by the end of the novel feels like a woman grown due to maturity, experience and confidence. I also liked how this book was clearly implied to take place during the time of Queen Elizabeth I but the names were all slightly changed (but the history more or less the same). It was just a little touch to the story that I liked.

While this book isn't as heavy in detail or as enthralling as other historical fiction I've read, or murder mystery historical fiction (think Dissolution by CJ Sansom), I think historical fiction readers will still like this and I think I'd actually recommend it to people who may not be used to the genre or feel a bit intimidated by it - this would be a great place to start dipping toes into the genre.

May is a young girl who has grown up in poverty. While stealing a loaf of bread she is caught and condemned to a life as a "Sin Eater"; a shunned member of society who is called upon to eat the sins of the dying so that they may achieve eternal salvation, resting in her eternal damnation.

The Sin Eater is set in a fantastical reimagining of Queen Elizabeth I's Court, and through the mechanism of court politics and scandal weaves a compelling mystery that allows May to grow in confidence while exploring themes of human connection, freedom, class systems, belief and Identity.

Very good, read it in a day.

An interesting story, which didn’t grab me initially, but I returned to it through curiosity of wanting to know how the story ends.

Although the beginning wasn’t catchy, readers will enjoy this historical type fantasy book.

I loved this book! But it got off to a slow start for me I was really uncertain I was going to get into it. The hopelessness of May's predicament and the knowing there couldn't be a traditional happy ending for her. Also May's POV is so innocent and naive. I'm going to put it out there I hate a childlike POV I just find it frustrating when you have a better idea of what's going on than the protagonist. But her character was so likeable and almost endearing.
It had such a great story and super intriguing. I was properly immersed in this story and couldn't wait to get to the bottom of the mystery. Would definitely recommend!!

I tried, but I just couldn’t finish this one 😣
I got through 20% of the book but not anymore. Maybe some other time.

Thank you to netgalley.co.uk for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

An enjoyable 3 star read with a fascinating premise. I would definitely recommend this to teen readers (13-17) who I think would be most likely to love this!

The Sin Eater by Megan Campisi is set in a world where Sin Eaters are women who have been cast out by society, cannot speak to anyone, except for hearing their list of sins in their life, and then they say the food that they will eat to absolve the confessor's sins.  They also have a collar put on around their neck that is locked in place.

May Owens becomes a sit eater at 14 after being caught trying to steal a loaf of bread.  She goes to live with the sin eater, and learn the life, all without words.  When a food is left out for a sin that a confessor didn't confess to, things start to happen.

This is set in a version of Tudor England, with a queen that feels very like Queen Elizabeth I.  I enjoyed the historical references that you could recognise, and I'm sure there were more that I didn't spot!  It was a rich story, with a mystery investigated when the investigator can't talk.

The Sin Eater was published on 23rd July 2020, and is available from Amazon, Waterstones and Bookshop.org.

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Pan MacMillan.

The Sin Eater is a historical fantasy set in a world like 16th-century England - but with magic.

Young May's punishment for theft is to become an outcast, one who is destined for Hell and can relieve dying people of their sins by eating them and taking them upon herself. It's a terrible fate, yet it also gives her a freedom that other members of society can't hope for.

The world-building is fantastic, and the author isn't afraid to touch on cruelty and horror. It's a bold book. But unfortunately it's hard to swallow because it's stodgy and heavy-going. I found the ending unsatisfactory as well. Which is a shame, since it started out with great promise.

The initial copy I received had printing issues. I have since found a clean copy and loved the book so much I had to update my review.

I was enthralled from the start with a blend of history, mystery, intrigue and magic. I loved the main character - uneducated but wise and using her wits to best understand the world. Due to a quirk of fate, her sentence for stealing food is not the normal lashes or hanging, but something much worse. She must eat the foods that represent the sins of those dead or dying, and in doing so, she takes on the burden of their sins, allowing them to rise to heaven. She is aptly named the Sin Eater. Through her work, she thinks she has uncovered a larger conspiracy and while she doesn't know much, she is loyal and committed and honorable and promises to unravel the mystery.

The royal court and its players are perfectly described, as well as the hopelessness of her situation. And yet, she manages to find her in this new world. It weaves enough history for it to feel plausible and the idea felt original. I couldn't put the book down, with the story gathering consistent momentum throughout. The story is woven so well that there is no need for cheap tricks or dramatic twists - beautifully written, well thought out and so enjoyable.

Excellent read with an interesting story. The display of power and relationships can be used as a discussion on how women used to yield power, given the limitations that they faced.

The Sin Eater is set in an alternative Elizabethan England, with so much attention to detail that it could be true! I mean, there WERE Sin Eaters, but in reality I don’t think their diets were as varied and rich-sounding. I had a google, and it seems as though some bread was left on a coffin for a Sin Eater to eat. Until, that is, the Church got involved. Sin Eating had to many Pagan connotations.

Each sin in this book has a different food, which is how 14yr old May Owens learns that something sinister is going on in the Queen’s court.

May can’t tell anyone what she knows. It’s a terrible punishment for a young girl: sentenced to a life of silence and ostracised by everyone - all because she stole bread to eat. Ok, she’ll never go hungry, but some of the combinations are pretty grim!

I really enjoyed reading about the travelling entertainers, and the homeless people who decide that living with a walking, breathing curse (May) is worth the risk when it’s cold outside.

This is a really atmospheric book, steeped in the sights, sounds and smells of a 16th Century England-type-place, and it ticked a lot of boxes for me as a historical fiction, occasional fantasy fan (amongst the other types of fiction!!)

Perhaps one of the most unsettling books I’ve ever read, and I’m not entirely sure why!
It was interesting, I had no idea Sin Eater’s were ever a thing. That being said, it’s a horrible job.
I think the most unsettling thing for me was the descriptions of the food and the description of smells. The main character was blunt and crude in her descriptions of dying people farting etc and it really made my skin crawl.
The idea of someone reciting their sins and a young woman then having to eat different foods linked to those sins and take them on as their own is maddening.
An interesting read, not as enthralling as I’d hoped and while some may find the descriptions helpful for setting etc, the descriptions of smells and things was too much for me and ultimately shrouded my enjoyment of the book because I was cringing in discomfort.

I read somewhere that if you like The Binding this is the book for you. In my opinion, Megan Campisi blows The Binding out of the water, this book is in a league of it’s own.

Captivating and beautifully written with charming, flawed characters, The Sin Eater is the perfect blend of historical and a little magical. I adored the subtle references to Elizabethan England, with the added dimension of a whole new world.

I was entranced along every step of May’s journey and by the end of the novel, I was proud of the woman she had become and gripped by the reveal of an unexpected killer.

I’d highly recommend to anyone, this is one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time.

Set in an alternative reality based on Elizabethan England, this tells the story of Meg who is forced to become a 'sin eater', eating foods that represent the sins of people who are about to die and in the process forced to live as a pariah who is feared by everybody and unable to speak. When Meg is summoned to the deathbed of a lady in waiting to the Queen, she begins to uncover a mystery at the heart of court. The author captures the sense of Meg's isolation well, I thought the world-building was very good, using thinly disguised real members of court. Even though it's set in an alternative reality, it's still highly believable and has a good plot. If you are looking for something different which still has a historical fiction flavour, you would probably enjoy this.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and PanMacmillan for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this one is utterly fascinating, and it is what kept me gripped throughout this compelling read. I am a huge lover of Historical Fiction, and the idea that you could have someone absolve you of your sins before you die by consuming the representative food is an absolute revelation.

This is a hugely visceral read. It is emotional, it is gripping. Atmospheric and in places eerie and intense too. If you are a lover of historical fiction, and you are willing to let this one just sweep you along for the ride, then I highly recommend you give it a try.

Shame on me for leaving this one so long before reading it. 4 fantastic stars!

I'm a sucker for historical fiction, especially ones based on a long forgotten process, such as Sin Eating. It is evident that the author has done extensive research on the subject and the level of detail at the beginning of the book is extraordinary. I was intrigued as to how the label of being a Sin Eater would impact our main character, May, and affect her daily life. All of which was the most interesting part of the story, unfortunately the plot itself never really got going and fizzled out completely at the end.