Reviews

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

josiethompson's review against another edition

4.0

This story kept me on my toes, wondering what would happen next and where it was going.

However, it's a very different story than other Francine Rivers books I've read before and it was kind of refreshing in that way.

I love the creativity and history in the story as well as the symbolism. Totally would recommend.

madireads92's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

shubbard116's review against another edition

3.0

I am a Francine Rivers lover, but in my opinion this wasn’t her best work. I really liked the concept, an allegory of Jesus and our need for him, and thought it was a neat way to present the gospel. However, I found the story pretty slow and it took me a while to connect and root for the characters.

melanied01's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mbminard's review against another edition

5.0

The Last Sin Eater was an awesome read. The storyline is beautifully written. This story is a fantastic reminder that we don't need a middle man anymore, once we accept our Maker and His promise through Christ. This one was a page turner, a quick read!

ms_bookaholic's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

jsouther's review against another edition

5.0

I chose this book because of the Appalachian setting but the plot quickly had me reading page after page without putting the book down! I had no idea that a "Sin Eater" was an actual ritual (from many years ago) that people participated in and believed. Research it a little and you will be fascinated!

fuzzkins's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

3.75

modernhobbitvibes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

2.75

Pros: Historical details surrounding old cultural beliefs are very interesting. Nice descriptions of the Appalachian wilderness.

YMMV: Use of outdated terminology and practices (especially corporeal punishment) might be a bit cringe-inducing. Also, the entire book is written using phonetically spelled out accents, and while not as thick as, say, the sailors in Dracula, it can be confusing in places and might slow down some readers. (Seriously, it took me a good chapter to realize that "painter" was a reference to "panther", like a mountain lion.) Same goes for some of the wall of text preaching sections. This is also definitely Protestant Christian flavored religious fiction in a big way. Pretty slow to start, though the plot picks up in a big way around the halfway mark and becomes buckwild towards the end, so if you can make it through, it becomes more engaging later.

Cons:

The way a major plot point hinges around the suffering/death of Native peoples is definitely the most questionable part of the book. It's basically mass fridging to further the development of the white characters.

While the ending is ultimately hopeful, there's also just a lot of misery to slog through to get there, and one could argue it's a bit overblown (especially since so much of it is happening to a child).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Genocide, Grief, Racism, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Hate crime, Child death, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Incest, and Suicide

Colonization/Genocide/Hate Crime/Racism: A major plot point later in the book is the

mass murder of the Native people who used to live in the valley, which is described.

(Child) Death/Grief/Suicidal Thoughts/Suicide Attempt/Mental Illness: The death of the MC's little sister is a major plot point, along with the emotional fallout and the self-blame that she and others in the family feel as a result. Domestic/Emotional/Physical Abuse: Prevalent throughout in mention and depiction, including dated use of corporeal punishment and one character being just the Absolute Worst. Incest: Brief mention

of a daughter being assaulted by her father.

Rape/Sexual Assault: There's one incident where it's unclear if the act was consensual or not, but the sex WAS meant to "ruin" the woman in question, so not great regardless. Suicide: Aside from the MC's suicidal thoughts/near-attempt, there's two other mentions of suicide (including one murder-suicide). Other: Outdated terminology in relation to Native Americans and torches (yes, that word). Much of the MC's guilt is framed around religion, so additional CW for religious trauma. One instance of slut-shaming towards the end. Not exactly an adult-minor relationship but a boy (older, unsure of by how much but at least in his teens) announces he's in love with a girl when she's...ten?? And they get married when they're both adults, so IDK how to tag that one. Also, the valley is basically a cult by the events of the story.

what_ella_reads's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed this book.It was a good,clean book with a ton of scripture in it.