Seventeen-year-old Twylla lives in the castle. But although she’s engaged to the prince, Twylla isn’t exactly a member of the court.
She’s the executioner.
As the Goddess embodied, Twylla instantly kills anyone she touches. Each month she’s taken to the prison and forced to lay her hands on those accused of treason. No one will ever love a girl with murder in her veins. Even the prince, whose royal blood supposedly makes him immune to Twylla’s fatal touch, avoids her company.
But then a new guard arrives, a boy whose easy 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 Twylla’s been promised to the prince, and knows what happens to people who cross the queen.
However, a treasonous secret is the least of Twylla’s problems. The queen has a plan to destroy her enemies, a plan that requires a stomach-churning, unthinkable sacrifice. Will Twylla do what it takes to protect her kingdom? Or will she abandon her duty in favor of a doomed love?
***
"In the stories of old, a hero is the one who sweeps in with drawn sword and noble face, to kill the dragon and free the princess. In the stories of old it never seems to dawn on the princess that she should be careful not to put herself at the mercy of those who would do her ill in the first place.
I don't live in the stories of old."
At first glance, The Sin Eater's Daughter looked like a sort-of rip off of Juliette from Shatter Me. Because, well, Twylla has the touch that kills. Literally. I might like Ignite Me, but I don't really have that much of a good time with the previous two books (especially Unravel Me), so I'm hesitant to pick this book up. There are a lot of flaws in the book, particularly contradictions. But there are bits and pieces that I find enjoyable. The ending of the story leaves me curious. I might pick up the sequel.
The plot itself is good enough. There are quite some hints, bits and pieces that might actually develop into a good conflict. Like the folktale of the Sleeping Prince. I do believe this will be an excellent development of the plot. Or the fact that there are multiple kingdoms in the world of The Sin Eater's Daughter. They may become a great asset should things go south. Or a threat. I don't know. (Okay, I know that sounds like something straight out of Falling Kingdoms, which doesn't really apply in the book. But damn, Falling Kingdoms is good) Anyway, my point is that there is potential where all the wild cards intertwine and form an intricate and exciting plot.
There are, however, some big problems. Character problems, to be exact. They are either too flat, or they are way too extreme to handle. Twylla is the former. She has this almost-hysterical side of belief. She is practically against the belief that she might not be what the others told her. Come on, I know that's a lot to take for someone who has been trapped in this untouchable hell for four years. But is it really that hard to listen to reason? For someone who is described as "clever" and "cunning", she's pretty dull. Of course, I can't deny there are moments when she's smart. But still. Lief is the explosive. His fiery personality can be mended into great character strength (and possibly swoon-worthy trait). Except he has it misplaced sometimes. It's not like that I don't like him, but sometimes his personality exploits his character weakness. That's the part that I actually have a problem with. I'm not going to talk about the other characters. But they basically falls into the two camps that I classified.
Despite having problems with the book, I still will pick up the sequel. The plot is too interesting to be left into the dark.
Rating: 6.5/10
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