Book Review for Sin Eater by Alesha Escobar and Samantha Lafantasie
Sin Eater, by Alesha Escobar and Samantha Lafantasie is a supernatural mystery that reflects the various perceptions of good and evil, and whether or not humanity can be saved.
Aria Knight is a sin eater, a creature who helps cleanse a soul by removing them of their sin before they pass on. She is hired by a man named Dominic Belagio to perform a sin eating ritual, promising her not only a substantial reward, but also help for finding her mother, a witch who could help her become normal. However, when she arrives and stumbles across a dead body, she is suddenly forced into the political arena filled with Watchers and Wizards, as she tries to seek out the truth behind the murder. Meanwhile, Harry is a man who is cursed by the wizard Warren Bright. Struggling to find the wizard, Harry has to prove himself against the curse, as he unwittingly unravels the twisted legacy that details the animosity between humans and wizards. Both Aria’s and Harry’s stories intertwine magically, as half-truths ad lies are uncovered, with a veil of deception lingering near.
Personally, I loved Aria. She takes her jobs, both as a sin eater and a Nanny, seriously. It’s clear she cares for her loved ones, and though she is a bit rough around the edges, she stays true to her morals. She’s strong, but she also has a soft side for humanity, no matter how much she says she doesn’t. What’s more, she doesn’t impose her own rules on others, which makes her convincing enough as a hero. While Harry was a bit more of a mystery to me, I enjoyed the way he deals with his curse. It adds to his already growing repertoire of skills, and though this might sound horrible, I like his curse.
The theme of how human one is enshrouds them. Like I said before, Aria will not force her own morality on others. All the same she does wish to die, having lost faith in humanity so very long ago. She’s humble enough to where she knows she can’t judge others, and it’s a source of constancy throughout the novel. In a world where humans threaten wizards, and wizards and vampires abandon their own conscience to try and seduce their demons, it’s as if Aria is a fairy godmother, simply waiting for the right moment to come out and save everyone. Though Aria might not fit the goody-two-shoes mold of a fairy, nonetheless the theme was well done.
Overall, I would give this book a 4.3 out of 5 stars. I loved both Aria and Harry, and their interactions leave something to be desired in the upcoming books. I also enjoyed the theme of morality and humanity, and how the characters’ particular personalities and conflicts illustrate how these themes are used. The book was like a modern take on the fairytale genre, but without the gore of the Grimm Brothers. I would recommend this book to fans of J.K Rowling, mystery, and extremists with too much time on their hands.
