A really wonderful read. While this is not quite what I expected it to be, I ended up really enjoying this one. There was a lot more commentary than I was expecting, particularly around motherhood. I do see why not everyone would love it, especially because I think it may have been a little mismarketed, but I did still enjoy it.

An original and intricate idea. I thoroughly enjoyed it from the premise alone, but appreciated the books ability to blend into different genres and my ability to eat it up, pun intended.

I loved the concept of this one! So interesting that books were a source of food. The entire plot had me hooked. While it was slow at times I still enjoyed it!

A treat for Gothic fantasy lovers and anyone looking for a fresh take on a vampirism in an atmospheric dark take on fairy tales. A great mix of literary flair with a unique take in the new wave of vampiric fiction of the 2020's.

I was expecting a lighter fantasy tale about the ways the books we devour become a part of us. Instead, Sunyi Dean's debut novel, is more of a modern gothic horror with variations on vampire/zombie tropes, a Mother & Child duo on the run from vicious, irredeemable bad guys, and a quest for a Magic Pill that's gonna fix it all.

I found most of the flashbacks to Devon's youth tough to get through, and then the pace finally picked up just in time for the book to end. The uneven characterization of Devon and Cai is balanced with some poignant prose, especially when Dean writes about the fierce, unconditional love between a mother and child. I just wish there was more about book eating in The Book Eaters.

This is a huge disappointment. I absolutely love the premise of this book, but the execution was lacking. I just couldn't build a connection to Devon and couldn't bring myself to really care about Cai. I wish I could say it was as amazing as it sounds, but unfortunately, it wasn't my cup of tea. If I were a book eater, I'm afraid this one wouldn't be very appetizing.

This eARC was provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Very interesting concept and written really well. I recommend this book a lot to patrons and have bought a copy for the library collection

I really liked the premise of The Book Eaters, but unfortunately it was a DNF at 40% because I didn’t feel connected to the story.

I am a library associate and received an advance copy from #NetGalley.

I thought this was interesting but it wasn't really about what I thought it would be about. I think it's missing something-- heart, maybe?-- and isn't served well by the split timeline. But there was enough I liked about it that I'd recommend it to supernatural thriller readers.

A really interesting concept that kept me reading. Dean did a fantastic job building the history and characters. I’m that nerd that wants the full history laid out too though! Maybe in a follow up?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy of this title in exchange for honest feedback.

Unfortunately I ended up putting this book after 200 pages. I think the author was accomplishing her goals exceptionally well. Its a great story exploring the patriarchy of this species and how it has affected our main character. Unfortunately a side effect of the world and her circumstances is that she is incredibly isolated and I tend to not always connect to works like that. This was the case here where I noticed that even though the action was picking up, I was becoming less engaged because I am more driven by character interactions than character work. So for that reason I put it down but I really appreciate its project and see this as more of a me problem than any issue with the work itself.

I want to start out by saying I loved this book. i gave it 5/5. it was like nothing i have ever read before. It was creative and creepy at times and a bit uncomfortable. i am shocked I don't see this book more. maybe because its horror-ish? There were definitely parts that put me on edge and made me squirm but that's all apart of it.

The author did an amazing job with this book, i cant get over it. If you're looking for a book with a mom who will stop at nothing to save her child, mixed with a secret society of people who eat books (or minds) then this is for you. Read it anyways if it's not. Everyone should read it.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

We often refer to a heavy reader as someone with a voracious appetite, but what if people literally ate books to gain knowledge? In Sunyi Dean's The Book Eaters, that is precisely what happens. Each genre of the book retains its unique taste and flavor, but when a new member of the order takes things too far, something far more sinister lurks.

A secret society with its own clans has clandestine meetings in Scotland. It is a society plucked from the past, royalty, knights, and dragons. Marriages are arranged, and women exist to bear children for the royals. Once children are birthed, they are remarried to another royal to give birth to more children. Devon and her brother grow up in this society. When they are caught violating a sacred rule, her brother is forced to become a knight, and Devon's arranged marriages begin. After a successful birth, she is heralded and desired, but when she gives birth to a dragon next, it becomes a desperate situation in which she must escape with her child.

Dragons are not what the storybooks say. They are not monsters with scaly skin but humans with a hunger for minds, not books. Devon, now on the run, must feed her child unsuspecting adults. His long tongue absorbs their minds and personalities, leaving them dead or near death. When she is tracked down by a rogue member of the new royal order, she has to decide to trust them to heal her son or continue on her desperate path of escape.

This was a fun read bordering on a horror novel. I liked the universe-building and the characters. It has dark moments but an interesting twist at the end that would seem to invite a sequel.

Reading The Books Eaters was an immensely enjoyable experience for me. As a lover of gothic horror and urban fantasy, the exploration of these genres was both immersive and exciting. I loved the examination and subversion of what we see as 'good morality', and the way the book asks you to consider who the *real* monsters actually are. I would happily read more works by Sunyi Dean! Apologies for the late review, I am very grateful to receive this ARC!

'The Handmaid's Tale' meets 'The Giver' in this bizarre alternate world where book eaters and their alien brethren live alongside humans subsisting off of their intellectual records (in all forms). Individuals are classed into genders and classes and expected to behave accordingly. Things get shaken up with one family decides to challenge the norms of their society. Dialogue is well-written and the story flows well with quotes from fictional authors providing further insights into this alien society. There is some action and not too much in the way of romance. Trigger warning for abusive relationships. Strong female lead actually has depth and you find yourself invested in her hopes and dreams. My only niggle was a falsely-attributed fairytale (we'll let Andersen and the Grimm's Brothers duke that one out though). All around an entertaining and thought-provoking read.

An enjoyable read that looks at what a mother will do to protect her child. It is a haunting story with an intriguing premise.

An interesting concept, but rather too neat and tidy to be engaging. It didn't have to be longer, but some of the time on the journey could have been better spent for a more satisfying conclusion.

The Book Eaters is an extraordinary debut by Sunyi Dean. This horror story is very much in the genre of modern-day fairy tales as we witness what a mother will do to keep her son alive in a world where there are those who eat books and those who eat minds. Set in the modern-day United Kingdom, there are physical and mental battles as well as an exploration of chosen family, queer identity, and misogyny.
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