I'm always on the lookout for a good Urban Fantasy series and was quite impressed with Sin Eater. As with most books in the genre, we get wizards, vampires, and a bit of telepathy. What sets this one apart, and is a unique and interesting idea, is the sin eater angle.
The writing style and opening scene quickly drew me in and the fast pace and twists kept me turning pages. Aria is a strong, likable character that you genuinely want to root for. In fact, the book is full of great characters - some likable, some not so much (kind of the point, right?). I really liked Harry and his cast of characters, and I look forward to seeing more of him in future books.
I also like that the current conflict is resolved by the end of the book. There are, of course, still unanswered questions and more trouble on the horizon, but we aren't left with a huge cliffhanger to stew over.
I can't talk about an Urban Fantasy without mentioning world-building, which is excellent in this first in the series. Characters are introduced and developed, and we learn exactly what a sin eater does and why, as well as their place among other supernaturals in the Aria Knight world.
Overall, Sin Eater is a solid start on a promising series and I can easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys Urban Fantasy. I, for one, will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the Aria Knight Chronicles.
Koi can read other people’s dreams – it’s a curse she’s had from childhood; a curse that brings consequences every time someone touches her. It’s made life almost impossible, but she’s finally getting it together… though she’s not ready to look after her father with Alzheimer’s
And then Ken comes to town and he seems to be carrying a whole lot of mystery with him – and one of her university professors has some terrifying dreams. And he’s fixated on her.
I can’t say I’m a huge fan of Koi. There’s a lot about her characterisation, her struggle, the affect her power has on her and how she is struggling to make a life despite that often in the face of scorn from her sister.
I really think her experience is closely related to disability. She struggles a lot with daily life, crowds, dealing with people and in general making it very hard to go out, shop, go to school. At the same time she is criticised sharply and condescended to by her sister who doesn’t understand why Koi can’t just do better – not knowing what she has to struggle with and just seeing her failing.
I like the nature of Koi’s power as a really unique element that I haven’t seen in many places and Koi’s experience of them is a good element. She does have a tragic-dead-mother and a father with Alzheimer’s – but while both weigh on her and shape her character, she isn’t consumed by it. They’re not used as quick and lazy characterisation for her, they have meaning, they’re actually shaping her
Unfortunately while I like these elements, Koi herself tends to annoy me. One of that is unfortunate word choice. Authors ”said” is an acceptable word – stop looking for synonyms. In this case, stop using “snapped”. Koi seems to be constantly snarling and snapping at everyone around her. And I don’t know if this is intentional or just bad word choice. Especially when later, Koi decides she absolutely has to put herself at risk because she wants a burrito. And maybe that would make it a little better if we’d better establish how much she needs to eat after using her power.
It doesn’t help that I really don’t like how she interacts with Ken. It seems to bounce between over the top unnecessary sexual attraction (which, yes, I get it – Koi’s power means she can’t touch people easily so meeting a guy she can kind of touch without consequence is a wonderful thing. But my gods that’s an overused trope!) and then back to really excessive antagonism which feels like someone has decided to take a long love/hate attraction storyline, speed it up and shoe-horn it into the story.
On top of this is a really unnecessary dragging out of the supernatural. Koi must be aware she is supernatural – early in the book she is clear she know she is dreaming other people’s dreams, she doesn’t think it’s some kind of delusion. So it’s not like she’s completely naïve to the supernatural. Ken is clearly aware of the supernatural as a major member of the supernatural community and organisations. It is obvious that Koi has been kept in the dark
But we keep circling – Ken assumes Koi is lying to him so doesn’t explain things. She assumes Ken is kind of weird so doesn’t ask questions. And they just keep circling for a waaaay too long for the first half of the book without answering the obvious questions.
But I do like how we are introduced to the supernatural in that not everything is explained to Koi. In particular we learn that the supernatural inhabitants of Seattle Portland have some kind of beef with the organisation that Ken is part of. I love the clear philosophical tension that is repeatedly referred but never entirely explained. And it shouldn’t be – clearly there are lots of issues concerning “purity” “being tainted” relationship to humans, killing and not killing, territory and snobbishness. I like that we’re touching on the hugeness here – but Koi is clearly not interested because she wants to rescue her father and sister. She doesn’t have the time or inclination for a history lesson. While Ken and Kwaskwi are clearly not going to lecture us on past issues between them or the underpinnings of their society. It would be extremely weird for them to have a time out for world building.
Sometimes reading a book is just not enough. We want to feel what our favorite characters feel, live their lives in their worlds. Sometimes even eat what they eat... Already feeling hungry? Have a look at our today's book-inspired menu and take a bite:
Starter
Have a snack of some sweet honey with a crispy toast to awaken your taste buds and increase your appetite.
Recommended by: Winnie the Pooh. (note from the Pooh Bear: The toast is optional!)
Main Course
You can choose from two dishes:
Lamb stew on wild rice is a well balanced meal perfect for anyone who appreciates healthy food & sophisticated flavors.
Recommended by: Katniss Everdeen
The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
Chili with home made bread and coleslaw will be a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys deep flavors of home made dishes.
Recommended by: Kay Scarpetta
All That Remains - Patricia Cornwell
Dessert
You can choose from two cakes:
If you enjoy sour-sweet flavor in your mouth lemon cake is definitely something that will come in handy this summer. Great refreshment and a treat for anyone having a sweet tooth.
Recommended by: Sansa Stark
A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin
Grab a magical cauldron cake if you're waiting for extraordinary experiences. You can share them with your friends but we doubt any crumbs would be left once you give it a taste. Yum!
Recommended by: Harry Potter and Ron Weasley
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
Supper
Rustic supper includes roasted eggs and potatoes, a glass of frothed milk accompanied with hot oatcakes and buns, and raspberry cordial finale.
Recommended by: Anne Shirley
Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
What are your favorite book inspired dishes?
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