The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean is a contemporary fantasy novel that explores the themes of family, identity, and sacrifice. It tells the story of Devon, a woman who belongs to a secret clan of book eaters, people who can absorb the knowledge and memories of the books they consume. Devon’s life is complicated by her son Cai, who has a different and dangerous kind of hunger: he feeds on human minds.
The novel alternates between Devon’s past and present, revealing how she grew up in a patriarchal and oppressive family that controlled what books she could eat and whom she could marry. Devon escapes from her family with Cai, but soon realizes that her son’s condition is a threat to both of them and anyone they encounter. Devon struggles to protect Cai from the world and from himself, while also trying to find a way to cure him or at least control his hunger.
The Book Eaters is a dark and gripping tale that blends elements of horror, fairy tale, and mystery. Dean’s writing is rich and atmospheric, creating a vivid sense of place and character. The novel explores the power of stories and the consequences of believing or rejecting them. It also examines the moral dilemmas that Devon faces as a mother who loves her son unconditionally, but also fears him and what he might do. The novel raises questions about the nature of truth, identity, and family, and how far one would go for the ones they love.
The Book Eaters is a unique and delectable book that will appeal to fans of fantasy, horror, and literary fiction. It is a debut that showcases Dean’s talent and imagination, and leaves the reader with a lasting impression.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sunyi Dean is the author of The Book Eaters, a contemporary fantasy novel that was published in 2022. She is also a writer of short fiction and other novels in the speculative genre. Here are some facts about her: – She was born in Texas, USA, but grew up in Hong Kong. She is biracial and autistic
She currently lives in Yorkshire, England, with her two children. She enjoys hiking, weight lifting, wild-swimming, and jiu-jitsu. She started writing after being inspired by book reviewers. She has listed her favorite authors as Charlotte Brontë, Gene Wolfe, George MacDonald, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Nnedi Okorafor. – Her debut novel, The Book Eaters, was an instant bestseller and received critical acclaim. It was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award and named a top debut by Booklist. It explores the themes of family, identity, and sacrifice through the story of a woman who belongs to a secret clan of book eaters. – She is working on two standalone novels for Tor, one of which is titled How To Cook And Eat The Rich. She may also write a sequel to The Book Eaters.
