Title: The Sin Eater’s Daughter
Series: The Sin Eater’s Daughter (Book 1)
Author: Melinda Salisbury
Publication Date: February 24, 2015
Pages: 336 pages
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audiobook SYNC
Purchase: Amazon | Apple | Kobo
Summary (Goodreads):
A startling, seductive, deliciously dark debut that will shatter your definition of YA fantasy. Sixteen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she’s engaged to the prince, no one speaks to her. No one even looks at her. Because Twylla isn’t a member of the court. She’s the executioner.As the goddess-embodied, Twylla kills with a single touch. So each week, she’s taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love her. Who could care for a girl with murder in her veins? Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to her touch, avoids her.But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose playful smile belies his deadly swordsmanship. And unlike the others, he’s able to look past Twylla’s executioner robes and see the girl, not the goddess. Yet a treasonous romance is the least of Twylla’s problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies-a plan that requires an unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?
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When Audiobook SYNC offered this book free as part of their summer program, I was pretty excited since I had heard so many great things about this book, not to mention how pretty darn gorgeous its cover is! However, after listening to it, I fear that the audiobook doesn’t really do justice to the story (and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who agrees on this part).
It’s not necessarily because the narrator does a bad job, it has to do more with how the book works. It’s slow at first, carefully introducing the reader to a world where a girl can kill by a single touch as she is the representation on Earth of a Goddess (better known as Goddess-embodied). This goddess-embodied, named Twylla, takes her time telling her story and how, despite her great power and being betrothed to the crown prince, she is only a pawn of the King and Queen of her kingdom, forced to execute those that commit treason to them.
The idea of The Sin Eater’s Daughter is interesting and colorful, yet it doesn’t really give much. I was expecting more shocking revelations, more action, and more world-building. The world in The Sin Eater’s Daughter is there in words, but not in execution, as we only get to step foot inside a castle and 70% of the story happens inside Twylla’s room. Not at all exciting, despite some “swoony” scenes happening there.
And speaking about romance, this book has a love triangle. The good thing is that I didn’t find it to be annoying. Both love interests are special in their own way and I still cannot decide which party I like best. This is the main reason why I might continue with the series, just to know which guy is the one. Another reason pushing me on is to know more about each character’s fate and importance.
Final Verdict: The Sin Eater’s Daughter has an interesting storyline, but it’s not really audiobook material. Or maybe the audiobook for the sequel will be better since I’m guessing there won’t be as much info dumping as in the first book.
Personally, I will be getting the sequel in eBook or physical format just to be safe.
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