This was a NetGalley ARC [original release date 4.7.2020] and after reviewing ARC's that I had DNF'ed, I saw this one and decided to look for the physical book [because THAT COVER] and for the audiobook [which I never found the first time around] to try this book again as the original file for the ARC was corrupted and it made it impossible to read then; my review is below.

HOW MANY TIMES CAN A CHARACTER SAY ONE WORD [MAYHAP] IN ONE BOOK?? I should have counted. By the end of the story, I was reading to throw my book across the room; in one paragraph she says that word S I X times because apparently there are other words for mayhap [which is the precursor to perhaps]. It isn't the ONLY reason I didn't like this book, but it certainly was up there [along with all the ridiculous nicknames she gives everyone].

This was 100% not for me [in case you didn't guess from the previous paragraph]. While I really enjoyed the whole "sin eater" aspects of the story [that part of the story was very true to what I know historicaly of sin eaters and in are in line with other books I've read on the subject], the overall story was S O S L O W, dull, often plodding, and by the end, I found I just didn't care anymore and the reveal and ending just felt rather anticlimatic for me. After all the searching I did for the book and audiobook, this is such a disappointment.

Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Campisi, and Atria Books for providing the previous ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved the first half of this book. Set in a version of Elizabethan England, May is sentenced as a 14-year-old to become a Sin Eater. This requires her to attend the bedside of dying folks and listen to them confess all of their sins. Then she eats specific foods according to what their sins were. I loved all of the symbolism in the book, and May is a really intriguing character. However, the second half of the book lacked focus in my opinion, and there were so many extraneous characters introduced, which felt unnecessary. I also had a problem with many of the characters not having real names ("Painted Pig," "Mush Face,"); this felt really confusing and I had trouble remembering who was who. There were entire sections that I probably would have taken out, but I did appreciate the ending. This is definitely one of those examples of the premise being a fascinating one, but the execution being somewhat lacking.

Firstly, I didn't know "sin eaters" really existed and the concept is crazy! May is condemned to being a sin eater after she is caught stealing bread. I found it really interesting how the author detailed what food represented a particular sin.

It was imaginative and unique but I did get a YA vibe that I wasn't expecting.

Highly enjoyed this one! It kept me engaged throughout and was a joy to read, would certainly recommend!

I've been hooked on the concept of sin eaters since Francine Rivers's "The Last Sin Eater," and this book definitely delivered, but better. The mystery, the world-building, the protagonist, all of these things just help drive the book forward. Absolutely loved it.

What a gorgeous, WEIRD, delightful book. I loved the author's take on "sin" as a concept and as a scapegoat and her visual/sensual comparisons of sin and forgiveness as eating and consuming were spot. on. Reads like Jessie Kidd but more direct. LOVED this.

This drew me in right away. The weird synopsis - eating sins. Who would have thought this would be a historical fiction imbued with Christian institutional fear. It doesn't matter if it is true or not - it must be believed. A scary true historical fiction fact, and a very fictional historical mystery. It created for a good read, till probably the second half, where the whole snooping around of this young girl became a bit too far fetched.

Historical fiction fans will enjoy this different tale of royal times, and a mystery only a sin eater could figure out. After all, they are the last to hear the sins of the people.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This read more like a fantasy novel and I really didn't connect with much at all.

My heart broke for May as she navigated such extreme circumstances alone. Would I be the type of person who would risk becoming a social pariah for a person in May’s situation? Everything is based on social hierarchy and community expectations. Sadly, May is left behind as one of the people who falls through the cracks — forced to do what she must to survive a desperate situation.

Sin Eater is being compared to high-profile stories such as The Handmaid’s Tale. I don’t see it in the same category; however, it definitely presents a different world than the one we’re all used to.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book for my honest opinion.

Going into this book I had it in my head that this was going to be a fantasy book as I had prior knowledge of sin eating. I try not to read too much about books I am going to read because I mostly enjoy going in blind. Turns out I was in for a historical fiction novel. Sin eaters were real people who ceremonially ate foods corresponding to sins the people had confessed to before their deaths. Thus cleansing them to meet their Maker.

I found the historical aspect of this book very interesting. The mystery unfortunately wasn't very mysterious. I liked May, the main character and enjoyed her story. I did find her nicknames for the other people in the book a bit confusing. There are quite a few characters and I was having difficulty keeping track of who was who..

Overall this is an interesting historical fiction.

The idea behind this story and the Sin Eater herself seemed so unique and interesting. It immediately caught my attention and made me want to read the book. When I later found out that Sin Eaters were truly a thing, I found myself even more fascinated. The thought of someone eating your sins and taking them on as your own is a concept I never thought of.

Now, the nitty gritty. The main character, May, was quirky in a fun way. I found her ramblings and noticings interesting and fun. I found her actions a little too childish, but had to remind myself that she was very young. With that said, I would have loved to see more character background and development. I had a hard time "rooting" for May. The plot was great idea and it was dark, which I love. Unfortunately, I found it lacking. I also have to add that some of the language caught me off-guard. There were some vulgar bits that didn't seem to fit well. All in all, I just didn't love the book as much as I had anticipated.

This alternative historical fiction novel centered on a "sin eater" in a version of Elizabethan England was dark, lyrical, and unforgettable.Also, there are no fantastical elements to this novel whatsoever, so fantasy fans take note. I still loved it, but would not call it a fantasy even in the loosest sense.

This was such an interesting book. It follows the journey of a young girl named May who must find her footing in life after being sentenced to be a sin eater, one who hears the confessions of those dying and eats the corresponding foods so that the dead may pass into Heaven without sin. In doing this, May finds out more than she ever imagined and uses her role to bring justice to those who have been wronged. The story itself is original and the writing is captivating. The ending in particular is somewhat unexpected. This book was definitely unusual and has kept me thinking about it since I finished it. I will definitely read more from Megan Campisi!

This book was good. I enjoyed the thrill of being entranced in a new world - but it did take me until halfway through to really get into it.

1 "juvenile, histrionic, poorly written and developed" stars !!

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books and the author for an e-copy. I am providing my honest review.
This was released April 2020.

Ok I just can't go on - I got to 66 percent but I just can't go on or I will burst from frustration.

The one star is for the very interesting premise of a sin eater in Elizabethan times and the beautiful book cover.

This book is an absolute maudlin mess!!

-characters are so poorly developed that you just don't give a shit !
-so much contrived alterations to history that to some might be cutesy clever but to me lacked imagination and substance
-the prose is amateurish, sloppy, inconsistent and rather juvenile (even for a YA book...which I'm not sure it is supposed to be)
-the plot is choppy with one more colorful and ridiculous character added after another....like watching a drag queen show where both you and the performers are so sickly drunk that neither of you can lipsync

To add insult to injury you are singing "I will survive" by Gloria Gaynor and by reading this book you know you won't !

The premise sounded very interesting. However, I struggled through this book. There are many disturbing and graphic images that made for hard reading. Also, the plot was very slow moving, and I could not connect with the characters. Still, this was a very imaginative alternative history that others may love. This was not for me.

Historical fiction, dark and moody and atmospheric. This is how I would describe Sin Eater. Perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern and slow burning atmosphere, literary novels. There were a few parts I felt a little confused, and felt disconnected, but then it would all clear up. It was a very interesting premise (trading your sins to a sin eater for them to forgive) and there is a lot that can be left to ponder.

This is my first time coming across sin eaters. Speaking to my husband about it while I was reading this book, I have since learned there is extensive lore about them. Megan Campisi does a fantastic job of introducing us to sin eaters, what they do, and why they do it. And just how dismal their life is in this alternative world. I found her writing compulsive and I struggled to put the book down until the wee hours of the night.

Campisi is meticulous in setting up May's, our protagonist, story. We slowly learn her background as we follow her from home, to jail, to her new vocation as a sin eater. She has a good heart and manages to keep her dignity despite becoming "untouchable" in her world. Anyone who has ever felt ostracized, May's story of isolation is relatable and her will and spirit is inspirational.

It was a great read, but not quite 5-star worthy. I just didn't feel May got the ending she deserved. Additionally, there was so much potential for a strong feminist message that just never really hit the mark.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC to read and review.

It's time to enter a historical fiction like no other in Megan Campisi's Sin Eater. I picked this book up because it promised to be a blend of The Handmaid's Tale and Alice in Wonderland. Let me tell you – it did not disappoint.

May received a life sentence on the day she stole bread. Now, she must forever be a Sin Eater – somebody who listens to the confessions of the dying and takes on their sins so that they may find peace.

May had already been alone before becoming a Sin Eater, but now she is more isolated than ever. Even her mentor, another Sin Eater, cannot speak to her. Yet May won't hesitate to find the truth – and vengeance -for an act that cost her mentor her life.

“With how you came into the world and what you've seen lately you should know, the more you live, the more the sinner and the saint can't be pulled apart. All of us just getting by.”

If you're looking to put up a book that packs quite the punch, then it is time to read Sin Eater. Megan Campisi does not shy away from the darker sides of humanity, and it is blindingly clear in this novel.

In truth, having finished Sin Eater, I can now see why comparisons were made to The Handmaid's Tale and Alice in Wonderland. While Sin Eater is very much its own being, the tones are strikingly similar. Both the horrifying and the fantastical.

What's so impressive about Sin Eater is the sheer amount of inequalities that Campisi tackles here. Classicism and sexism are brought to light here, as are other societal differences until they become nearly suffocating. As I'm sure was the intent.

I really respect the story that Megan Campisi was trying to convey here, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

I tried to read this for a year. A solid year.
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I think I was expecting it to be similar to The Grace Year and when it was not, I lost interest. This is completely on me. It was well written and the premise is on point. At this time I have decided to mark this as a did not finish.

Thank you for my review copy. All opinions are my own.