Hidden just outside of modern society we find a supernatural race of, not quite humans. Who eat books and consume their knowledge, or for some, human minds.

This book runs across two timelines of our MC, allowing us to see her motivations behind the current storyline. However I will admit I found the ‘flashbacks’ far more interesting and compelling than the current day plot, which was a shame. I really enjoyed the voice of our MC, however it was difficult to relate the other other characters as honestly the interactions never felt that well fleshed out - although potentially this was the point!

Having said this I really enjoyed the world building and how cleverly this was integrated into our current society and the parallels drawn.


A solid 3.5 stars!

Rating: 2.5 stars.

The concept of this book sounded so interesting and intriguing, but overall I was rather underwhelmed. It's less horror than I initially anticipated - more gothic fantasy I guess. I felt it was a little too long and repetitive. I wasn't shocked by the twists or reveals as it all seemed rather obvious, and certain elements were left as loose ends. The ending lacks solid resolution.

It kept my interest enough to finish, but didn't build the emotional connection I'd want in order to really care for the characters and their journey.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

One of the most original and extraordinary books I have read. This is a modern fairytale where the knights and dragons are twisted humans who keep 6 princesses captive. These princesses are bookeaters, a sub human species, like ordinary humans but they eat books for food. They can't read, they have to ingest books to obtain knowledge. But their species is dying out and there are only 6 bookeater women left, who are kept isolated and sold into different bookeater families to produce children before being moved on. This is the story of one of those women who manages to escape with her son before he can be taken away from her. It's part Game of Thrones, part spy novel, part action movie and part magical fantasy. It's a really excellent and compelling read and I really hope there is a sequel.

This isn’t the usual type of book I read so I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this but once I started reading I was hooked and was up late at night listening to the audiobook.

This is a dark story and does not shy away from describing the gore and murders so do take that into account before reading.

The story revolves around the relationship of a mother and her young son so we get lots of discussions about motherhood and how the patriarchy has failed mothers in so many ways. I really loved seeing this in the book and its something I think we should see more of in books.

Devon grows up believing in the fairytales she eats and is raised to believe she is a princess in her family and yet as she gets older she gets rebellious and others have to face the consequences of her actions so she learns to hide that part of herself. When she grows up she is married off to “the best match” essentially so she can give that family a child.

Devon is given no options or choices and her opinions and wants do not matter. She is just there to have the baby for the benefit of the men. She doesn’t even get a choice in who to marry and once she’s had the baby she cannot raise them or have contact with them again. Despite Devin being taught this is the life of women she fights against it and is beaten, lied to and manipulated to get her to stay quiet and in her place. I truly felt for her and was really rooting for her to get the life she deserved with her kids.

There are so many parallels in Devon’s story with the story of countless women in similar situations. They suffer and their children are used against them to ensure their obedience and even escaping doesn’t always mean they get to be free. Sometimes they have to leave their child behind like Devon did, and we see her guilt and worry about leaving her daughter to suffer the same fate she did. But she had to choose between her and her son and even that had its own issues.

I loved seeing who Devon was as she grew up and who she became, who she had to become to protect her son. She is ruthless and has to make awful choices but everything she does is for her son. In this book all the characters are morally grey, though some more than others. The men treat women as objects they own and even those who claim to be different aren’t. Though I did like seeing that Devon is able to meet at least one man who truly tries to help her as much as she can and they become friends.

There is also very little romance in this book which was really refreshing to read and the main focus being the mother son relationship. We need more books that show different types of love because they are just as important as romantic love.

This was such an interesting read and I really enjoyed it though I do wish we had been given a little more than the ending we got because I want to know more!

Based on the title and the premise, I was very much looking forward to this book.

It started off interesting, so it had me intrigued for a little while - but unfortunately about 50 pages in, I figured out that this was not what I expected, and unfortunately it wasn’t something I enjoyed or wanted to finish.

It’s a shame as I was very interested before the book came out! I’m sure some people will enjoy it though.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion,

This book was unlike anything I've ever read before, it had the perfect blend of magical realism and spookiness!

It's definitely a good set-up for the series, it introduces our world, characters and their backstories perfectly. PLUS THAT ENDING? Book 2 soon - please!

A perfect creepy and spooky read for autumn!

Devon is a Book Eater, but when her second child is born a Mind Eater she must flee the carefully controlled lives of the Book Eater families to save her son from a life of being used as a weapon or worse.

While the concept of this book really intrigued me, I unfortunately found it to be underwhelming and largely unsatisfying. There was something about the writing that prevented me from really sinking into the world and getting invested in the characters' journeys- they felt as though they were kept at a distance. As a reader we were told the stakes, and their emotional investment in the events was explained to us, but I didn't feel it for the most part, the emotional connection just wasn't there.
I also found the princess and fairytale motifs to be very repetitive, and made it feel as though I was being taught a lesson, which felt out of place in an adult novel. Some of the dialogue was a bit unnatural, it may have been intentional to show the effect a book eater's diet has on their vernacular and social skills, but in practice, it was just jarring.
The pacing was mostly able to hold my interest, as I do typically enjoy a dual timeline, and this used it well. Unfortunately, it fell down in the final act as it ended up being very rushed and solidified the feeling of dissatisfaction. There were more loose ends and unanswered questions than there needed to be. Certain elements of the story (such as Devon's first child) could have been omitted without a major effect on the plot and removed some of the ambiguity at the end.

Overall, this book was fine, but nothing special.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for my e-arc of this title, received in exchange for an honest review.

This was such an original concept that was really well executed with a plot that kept me interested throughout. I thought the relationship between Devon and Cai was fascinating and heartfelt, with a dynamic that blurred the line between parent and child and equal partners in pursuit of the same goal. Similarly, the world of the book eaters was vivid and full of lore that was given to the reader in small chunks throughout the narrative. Part adventure story, part horror and part poignant tale of the lengths we go to for those we love, I really enjoyed this book and am excited to see what Sunyi Dean comes up with next.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Hidden in plain sight, across the United Kingdom, six families of Book Eaters live. These people appeared from nowhere, unaware of their origins, and they literally consume books to survive. This fascinating conceit for a novel is the brainchild of debut author Sunyi Dean - the result is a hugely compelling piece of Gothic fantasy that mostly hits all its marks.

Devon Fairweather is a princess of one of these families, but when we meet her, she’s on the run. Her second child has been born a “Mind Eater” - anomalies of her kind who feed on human minds, not books. Usually, these Mind Eaters are killed or exiled, but Devon yearns for a better life for her son - whatever the cost. What follows is a twisty, compelling plot that brings the reader into some very dark places, but what a thrill ride it is.

Devon’s passionate, sometimes frightening love for her children is the core of this novel - she says herself that she will do anything, at any cost, to keep her son safe - despite his monstrous need to consume human minds. Her desire to do so has led Devon down some very dark paths, and things only get darker as the novel progresses. Devon is such a compelling character, pushed into corners that have driven her to do unspeakable things; things which Dean shares with us and are absolutely toe-curlingly horrible. Nevertheless, we end up rooting for her, because of how empathetic the narrative is. Is Devon an anti-hero? Absolutely. Do I love her? ABSOLUTELY.

The novel has two narratives, past and present, so the reader learns how Devon ended up on the run from the Fairweather family. Dean uses these past sections to explore and condemn the misogyny of the families; women are increasingly rare, and so they are forced into short-term marriages with the aim of producing more Book Eater children. This is easily one of the most horrifying aspects of the book, and Dean does a brilliant job of Devon slowly learning how messed up her family system is. The bonds between Devon and her family break down when she realises the misogynistic horror of it all - soon, her son is all she has left. The criticism of misogynistic power structures here is well done, if slightly unnecessary, but the truly horrible Book Eater families make utterly fantastic villains and cast Devon's crimes in a new light for the reader (see: anti-hero).

The Book Eaters is not a perfect novel - I’d have loved some more book eater lore and history, and the plot is overstuffed at times. I also felt the love story was somewhat undercooked and not needed to further the plot, or my connection to the characters. Nevertheless I absolutely adored this book - perfect to curl up with on a cool autumn night, preferably during the spookiest of seasons.

4.5

'The Book Eaters' is a dark, gripping horror fantasy novel filled with mystery and intrigue with poignant themes of love, motherhood and expectation. Book eaters are an ancient society of supernatural creatures who eat books for sustenance and knowledge acquisition. Amongst them, there are those known as mind eaters who eat minds instead of books to live.

This was truly a book to get lost in; one that makes you forget you’re reading thanks to the well-executed, captivating plot and writing; a well thought-out page-turner filled with twists and reveals. Written in a non-linear narrative, we are taken from our main character Devon’s present day to her past. This narrative style aids a gradual introduction to more of the book eaters’ society, increasingly uncovering how truly oppressive and outdated their ‘Families’ are. In particular, the oppressive nature of patriarchy and the way it treats women as mere commodities is constantly examined.

> "Just small, angry men, clinging to fading powder. They feared living without privilege because they’d abused it against others, and were now terrified of suffering the same cruelty they’d routinely dealt out.”

In addition to examinations of patriarchy, there is powerful commentary on morality and the extents to which we’ll go for those we love, particularly through the unique experience of motherhood as we see Devon go to extreme lengths to protect her child. There are complex family dynamics and history, which lends to an ongoing exploration of what family is and isn’t.

> “[Love] had become a flood sweeping her to darker and darker places while she burned and fried under its many hideous demands.”

Overall, a captivating book I really enjoyed reading and will definitely remember for a long time.

In the beginning we meet Devon who has locked her son in his room as he could attack her until he feeds.
Then we flashback to her childhood and a little background of her family and what she is.
The 'bookeaters' remind me of a cult where the women are controlled by the men told who to marry and only do 'womens chores' although of course it make sense for people stuck in old ways. My first thoughts reading this book were that it's not the horror I'd expected but an urban fantasy and I didn't like the way women were treated as too many books I've read follow this old idea (just reminded me of The Handmaid's Tale) and when there was a mention of dragons I saw a celtic dragon in my head and couldn't connect it with the dragon of this world. Also the bookeaters made me think of vampires.

The story was chilling at times but not really a horror. When I did get into the story and appreciate the unique idea the viewpoint changed nearly half way through something I dislike in novels. I wasn't sure what to think about this story, I did enjoy it so perhaps I shouldn't overthink but there were things that stood out and put me off, Devon's way of talking seemed to change suddenly and some parts of the ending seemed pointless just a bit a drawn out end scene. I wondered if it was over too soon.
I enjoyed the interesting world but as one person said it's like a handmaid's tale with vampires. I wonder whether it's the start of a series because there's a hint of the origins of the bookeaters. It's an interesting world but I still have mixed opinions of this book. I liked the flashbacks and a few of the characters. A sometimes chilling, sometimes compelling and sad story but I think I expected something different than what it is.

A mothers love for her son can lead to all sorts of adventures and twists. This was an intriguing premise to a story and one which did not disappoint!! This is the perfect book to cosy up with at this time of year

One of the most brilliantly bonkers and truly unique concepts I have ever come across. Dark, magical, action packed that all comes down to a mother's love for her son. Amazing!!

I don't normally read this genre but I couldn’t help myself. An amazing premise. For iZombie fans and fans of good meaty fiction. Full review in my newspaper column.

I enjoyed the prospect of reading a book about beings who snacked on books to become their own walking libraries – though the premise that Dean presents is less cosy than the one I envisaged. Essentially, these are vampiric creatures whose superior strength and speed make them formidable opponents. And while they do absorb the knowledge of the books they read, there isn’t a sense that they put it to particularly good use. Indeed, they are portrayed as a dying breed desperately trying to avoid extinction as the handful of surviving Families farm out their rare daughters in arranged marriages to try to ensure the next generation. As for the girls, they are force-fed a diet of fairy tales featuring princesses waiting for their princes in an attempt to make them compliant about their fate.

However, Devon has never been the compliant sort – and when she produces a son with undesirable traits, she refuses to allow the patriarch to tidy him away according to the custom. She is an engaging protagonist – headstrong, courageous and passionate in her loyalty and love. It was refreshing to come across a book where the love story is all about the maternal bond – even if that takes Devon into some very dark places. I am always fascinated by the dynamic of power – who has it, the lengths they go to in order to keep hold of it, and who also craves it. So it was a huge treat for me that one of the major themes of this book is an exploration of power.

This dystopian fantasy proved to be a gripping read, full of tension and drama. But do be warned – it does tip into horror and there is an upsetting scene where a baby is harmed. While it was difficult to read in places, I liked Dean’s unflinching refusal to ever tip into sentimentality regarding the relationship between Devon and her young son, Cai. Highly recommended. While I obtained an arc of The Book Eaters from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

Amazing. The plot was well paced and the character were developed well. I couldn't focus on any other thing other than this book and so I completed it with 3 days.

FANTASTIC.

Recently I read When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill and I can't help but make comparisons. Is this a trend we are seeing for some truly brilliant urban fantasy/magical realism?

This genre of book is one of my favourites because I adore explorations of society/politics/philosophy/etc... through the use of fantasy.

This has been so well reviewed by others so I feel hard pressed to add anything new to the conversation. What I will say though is that this is the type of book that I need to own and read over and over again through the years.

Woah, I don't know what I was expecting from this one, but definitely here for the weird and intriguing world that our not quite human characters live in.

Devon is a princess, of sorts, in need of rescuing, but when no one comes it's up to her to save herself and her son.

Devon is a bookeater, her and her family feed off books, she is treated as a princess because girls are rare in the bookeater world and are needed to keep them from dying out.

As she becomes of "marrying" age she realises that being a "princess" is not exactly what she was made to think it was.

An interesting insight to what lengths someone will do to save and protect the ones they love.

I really enjoyed it and feels like there is a lead up to a sequel... Would definitely pick it up.

This was SUCH an interesting read! The concept was really fun, but I will admit I was a bit hesitant going into it since I heard it was horror and a bit more graphic, but I thought it was totally fine. It has a few horror elements to it, but the actual story really isn’t very horror-ish, it just has the perfect mixture of mystery and creepy for spooky season!

The story follows a book eater, Devan, who was raised to be a princess of her Family, who was only given fairytales to eat and to absorb their knowledge. The book eaters are dwindling in numbers, and the women are raised with the knowledge and expectation that they will be married off to bear children once or twice. Devan had always known this would be expected of her and was prepared for it; however, nothing could prepare her for the pain of separating from her first child. When the time comes for her to separate from her second child, she can’t do it and flees.

The writing style was quite interesting, it went back and forth from two different time periods from Devan’s point of view. However, at times it was a little hard to continue because I could feel my attention beginning to slop and I’d have to put the book down for a while and come back to it. The story was interesting, but I don’t think it was one where I could sit down and fully absorb it all in one sitting if you get me. I thought the concept was really fascinating, and I loved how Sunyi was also able to critique the patriarchy and women’s rights whilst providing an interesting backdrop for it, but I just wished the pacing was a little bit quicker at times – sometimes it would be a bit frustrating when the story would be really picking up in one era and then the chapter would end and I’m forced to switch back to present day or vice-versa.

The characters were quite interesting, they gave the perfect amounts of creepy and interesting to keep you reading! However, I couldn’t really get emotionally attached to any of the characters, I felt for Devan throughout the story but I wasn’t really rooting for her – it’s kind of hard to explain, but rather I think I just wanted to see what happened. I totally get what Cai was meant to be as a character, but at times I got a bit lost, I kept forgetting he was a child (which is kind of the point I suppose) and I thought his character was relatively inconsistent considering the larger personality shifts.

I thought everything worked out relatively well in the end, although I do wish we had a bit of closure. I believe it’s a standalone, but the ending left things quite open if Sunyi wished to return to the world at some point in the future – there were a lot of loose ends, and circumstances where I wasn’t really satisfied with how it ended, but I didn't mind it overall. Overall I thought this was a good debut, the concept was unique and intriguing and the release is perfectly timed to make the most of the spooky season! I’m excited to receive my finished copy of the book to pop on my bookshelf.

I received a review copy from the publisher via NetGalley, this does not change nor affect my opinion in anyway.

What an interesting concept. I devoured this book and was captivated by page 1. The story felt really original and was full of family, something I love reading about. I think this book was paced well and had a lot of very interesting characters, some were likeable, others not so much.