Title: The Book Eaters
Author: Sunyi Dean
Genre: Fantasy Horror/ Speculative Fiction
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 304
Release Date: 18 August
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Hello fellow book lovers, today I’m sharing my review for Sunyi Dean’s debut, The Book Eaters which is a deliciously, dark and utterly addictive feast of a book. A contemporary, Gothic Horror fairytale about motherhood ,sacrifice, acceptance and hope that I couldn’t help but devour, it was soo good!
Synopsis
A gorgeous new fantasy horror – a book about stories and fairytales with family and love at its dark heart…
Hidden across England and Scotland live six old Book Eater families.
The last of their lines, they exist on the fringes of society and subsist on a diet of stories and legends.
Children are rare and their numbers have dwindled, so when Devon Fairweather’s second child is born a dreaded Mind Eater – a perversion of her own kind, who consumes not stories but the minds and souls of humans – she flees before he can be turned into a weapon for the family… or worse.
Living among humans and finding prey for her son, Devon seeks a cure for his hunger. But time is running out – for her family want her back, and with every soul her son consumes he loses a little more of himself…
This is a story of escape, a savage mother’s devotion and a queer love that will electrify readers looking for something beguiling, thrilling, strange and new.
Review
This was an utterly unique, gothic, contemporary horror-style book that I literally devoured! Honestly, the worldbuilding—with it’s secret community of deadly, Book eating supernatural beings, their peculiar (and oftentimes misogynistic) customs and traditions; their rivalries and family politics was captivatingly good.
Devon, (our protagonist/main POV character) was a well written complex and morally grey character who—though endearing at times—is by no means good. In protecting her son, she has to make some pretty difficult choices but, thanks to Sunyi Dean’s expertly placed morsels of information, I could empathise with Devon’s situation—I might not of agreed with all of her decisions but I can’t argue that she didn’t leap off the page and consume my thoughts even after I’d finished reading.
In fact most characters could be categorised as monsters which really made this a standout read for me, and though we navigate themes of love, identity, parenthood and sacrifice; the way in which we explore them was rather fascinating, especially the gothic, vampiric (Dracula-esque) tone we see in the way women’s rights and the patriarchy is navigated.
Female book eaters are a rare commodity and as such, are sheltered away with no contact outside their families, except for the 4 years they are contracted in marriage, owned by their new husbands and ‘given back’ once a child has been born and successfully weaned. I really did feel for Devon during these moments but watching her grow into her strength and ignoring the sexist propaganda she was raised on was utterly satisfying.
I do warn that there are situations such as: abuse (emotional,domestic and child related) death, graphic violence, misogyny and toxic relationships—so if any of these sound like they may be a trigger it’s probably best to do a little research before reading.
Overall, this decadently dark, fairytale-like horror fantasy was absolutely spellbinding, I found myself savouring it as I really didn’t want it to end. A unique and poignant story which explores the complexities of love in all it’s forms and will stay with you long after you’ve finished.
Also, a huge thank you to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the e-arc.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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