Sin Eater

by Amanda Denham

Two years ago, Jayde Holloway discovered that she had the power to erase memories in the worst way possible: by accidentally wiping her best friend Jenny’s at the end of their senior year. Now, shut off from the world, Jayde exists solely for her role as the Sin Eater, an entity who can take away a person’s every bad memory if they so wish… for a price. Jayde hates the lonely life that she’s dealt, especially under her strict boss Jak, who consistently keeps her under his watchful eye through blackmail: a constant reminder of all of her mistakes. When she must travel back to her hometown, Jayde secretly befriends two siblings with a haunted past of their own. As her own painful memories begin to overwhelm, Jayde must make a choice: remain chained to a familiar but hurtful past, or reveal all of her darkest secrets for what could be a better future.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2021

Reviews

[Elizabeth Suggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sin Eater by Amanda Denham is an urban fantasy novel about Jayde Holloway, a girl who can take away memories. I really enjoyed this book, and as the reader, you get a chance to see Jayde’s whole life, past and present, and that gives you an idea of why she reacts to things the way she does.

Denham starts her novel very strong, and I love her unique spin on the urban fantasy experience. Even though I’m no lover of YA, I really found myself turning the pages in this book, especially at the beginning.

My only critique was that some of the memories or chapters in the book felt a little out of order. I understand Denham did this for a particular focus in the narrative, but I think a more chronological experience would have helped tie things up.

Here is my favorite quote:

"They will never know that self again, nor will they remember those who are lost. They can continue on with their life in ignorant bliss, but I will always know. I will carry for them within my own memory. Their troubles will stay with me for the rest of my life."

Sin Eater is definitely worth checking out.

*I was given a copy for an honest review

[Peter Okonkwo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin Eater is that book that sits you down, takes root in you, and then starts to echo when you're not looking. Amanda’s novel is one of those books. It’s tender, haunting, and quietly powerful. The kind of story that leaves you wide-eyed at midnight, not because it scared you, but because it said something deep and difficult that you didn’t expect.

Jayde isn’t a typical main character. She’s not out here saving the world or chasing fame. She’s doing something much more intimate and heartbreaking. Jayde has a strange gift: she can erase people’s memories. Painful memories, secrets, traumas - she takes them, burns them, and with that fire, the memory is gone… at least for the person who asked her to remove it.

But Jayde doesn’t forget. She carries every memory she’s erased. All the guilt, all the stories, all the buried grief - inside her. And that weight is what slowly unravels this quiet, beautifully told story.

When Jayde returns to her hometown of Palmsville, she’s not just dealing with clients - she’s facing her own past. And buried in that past is her oldest friend, Jenny, whose memories Jayde once erased. That’s the one memory she wishes she hadn’t touched.

You feel Jayde’s loneliness. Her guilt. Her longing to be seen. And it’s all wrapped in this eerie, almost mythic atmosphere that blends memory, folklore, and the messiness of human emotion.

There’s a recurring use of fire in the book that I found especially striking. Fire is how the memories are erased, and yet, fire becomes a metaphor for how trauma transforms people. In reality, it burns you, changes you, leaves marks.

Who are we without our memories? This is one of the central questions the book asks. Jayde’s clients forget parts of themselves to survive, but in doing so, they lose important pieces of their identity. Amanda forces us to consider whether forgetting truly brings healing - or just numbness.

One of the most touching parts of the book is Jayde’s memories of Jenny falling in love with a girl named Laurie. What starts as teenage excitement quickly turns into heartbreak and rejection, especially from Jenny’s mother. Amanda writes this with tenderness and honesty - it doesn’t feel preachy, it just feels real.

Sin-Eater is a rare kind of story. It’s not trying to impress you. It’s just trying to tell the truth - about pain, about memory, about wanting to be seen. Amanda has crafted something thoughtful, emotional, and deeply human.

To Amanda Denham: thank you, for showing that healing is messy. That forgetting isn’t always the answer. And that even people who seem invisible are carrying entire worlds inside them.

[Manav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello readers so today i am here with a book which i loved the most and was in my shelves from so long and due to some reasons I couldn’t make it to you so yes today i am here with an amazing book “Sin Eater” by Amanda Denham. It’s is a gripping dark urban fantasy story about identity, memory, and face your past. Jayde Holloway, a young woman with a great but troublesome gift, is the protagonist of the novel. Before starting i would like to tell you that this book is really intriguing. I was hooked even when i just started reading it. So starting from the cover of the book it’s a beautiful cover and the title of the book totally goes with the plot. So coming to the book the introductory language is well-chosen. The flashbacks swiftly build suspense, and you're immediately captivated despite not knowing what happened or why it was so tragic. It's an excellent example of how our acts, whether good or evil, always have consequences. Our decisions will always come back to haunt us, and we will have to deal with the consequences at some point. I really appreciate the author for bringing us such a great example. The book is really much more than i could tell you here guys. It’s about how the life keeps flipping to the past and present and the obstacles that life throughs you off. No matter what it’s you at the end you have to stand up and make your mind up! I really loved the book. I am sure this human narrative will make you cry, and the Sin Eater will stay with you forever. I don’t know what happened to me after reading this book i really felt it and it is some kind of relatable. Characterisation has been done so effectively by the author and i really enjoyed it and felt it. Language of the book and ofcourse the writing style of author is really good and easily understandable and that what makes me fan of her! Hopefully i would be here soon now with the other book of author! And you can also get to know about the author more in my latest post where i interviewed her! Check that also please and don’t forget to grab your copy from amazon. This book will surely blow your mind.

Happy reading:)

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this! Jayde is a Sin Eater, so basically someone who can erase your memories and she is willing to take away any you don't want... for a price. The problem with this line of work is the lonely life that Jayde has built. The fear of someone recognizing her, or worse her accidentally erasing someone's memories (again) has kept Jayde to herself. One day she meets two siblings who she can't help but befriend and starts to wonder if this lonely life is what she wants at all.

I enjoyed this book so much! It is such an interesting concept. Add in some great writing and you've got a must read novel! I was genuinely interested in the story from the very first page. I was incredibly curious as to how Jayde would navigate through the different obstacles she faces throughout the book. Once I learned one thing I was immediately trying to figure out the next. The drama is juicy, the ending is fantastic, the book needs to be read!

I love how this was told in dual timelines. I am a total sucker for it in books. One timeline was the present, the other was flashbacks of Jayde's past. The transitions from past to present were smooth and flowed beautifully. We spend just enough time in each timeline to progress the story and raise interest. It really was done fabulously.

Originally I gave this book 4/5 but while writing this review I find there is nothing I would change and I love this book just as it is. So yea, bump bump 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕!

You can find this and all my other reviews at https://fourmoonreviews.blogspot.com

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled to see where this book was going in the beginning. That's why it took so long to finish it, I think. I didn't understand what any of it had to do with the title. But....once I got further into the story, I finally connected the beginning events and saw a clear vision of the story line. I ended up really enjoying the story and found that it is a great example of how our actions always have consequences, whether they be good or bad. Our choices will always catch up to us and we will have to deal with them at some point.

[Meg Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Sin Eater is a story of love, grief, regret, self-discovery, and healing, and a strong start for Denham’s first novel! I was drawn in from the beginning by the fascinating premise, and I really enjoyed the way the past and present were interwoven to reveal each character’s journey and their unique struggles. The characters were relatable, especially when it came to the banter between friends— it felt like seeing real people talk/joke/flirt with each other, and it made the chemistry between them seem tangible which only made me like them more.
I had fun trying to figure out the twists and turns throughout, but they kept me on my toes and surprised me in the end!
This book established a really interesting world with a lot of potential for more great stories in the future (I would love to hear more from Jayde, Parker, Aiden and Sin Eaters as a whole) and I can’t wait to see what comes out next. Definitely recommend!

[Colleen Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin Eater gets 5 stars because of its originality. What is a "Sin Eater" you might ask, well you'll have to read Sin Eater to find out BUT I was in awe at what a Sin Eater is, how it works, and the deep intricacies that go along with it.

The author did a great job of reeling me in making me feel like a teenager that feels jaded and is falling in love all at once. I can't wait to read more from this talented author.

[Mimi Schweid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and dramatic read

This book was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it! I've look forward to reading more of the authors work!

[Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

New to me author and I just devoured this book. Has me wanting to read more from Amanda.

[D. Howlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little nervous to read this book, but I was not disappointed. This book was a great example of running from your past and how you can't escape the things you've done, but you can learn and grow from them. The story and characters were well developed and, though I found some things predicable and repetitive, there were still a few shockers that kept me turning the pages.

I commend Miss. Denham on a fabulous debut novel ❤️

[Tony Melendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. I would highly recommend. Well written. Such a great plot I couldn’t put it down.

[Corinne Loder]

Great read

Touching story of growing up and the obstacles that life throughs you off. If you like a story the keeps flipping to the past and present, you will love this story. Jayde as a huge hill to overcome as a sin eater.

[Bailey Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a reader, but I loved this!

[Joanne Nundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book. Such a great idea that there could be son eaters. I loved the way it was written and would flatbread a other by this author

[VIBE REVIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I thought that this book was a YA and I was bored trailing around two best school friends doing what young girls do, but then came a new shy boy that the girls befriended and things got difficult as both of them liked him. I felt sorry that Jayde accidentally wiped her best friend's memories with a power that she never knew that she had as she tried to confess that she had cheated on Jenny with her boyfriend. The book went on that Jayde as she didn't know HOW she had done it and was blackmailed about her power! I DO HOPE THAT THE BOOK WILL CONTINUE AS I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE END.

-LINDA B.

[Jo Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read hope there will be a sequel.

[Tammy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by a first-time author and I was blown away with her talent. The character development was so good! I was invested early on in not only the main characters but the support characters as well. The story jumps between past and present but is done fluidly and with relevance. It really kept my interest all the way through. Even though I may not share the same struggles as the main character I could absolutely identify with her efforts to accept, forgive herself and move on. I love that while there is no cliff hanger the characters aren’t just magically okay either. Once I finished the book, I found myself thinking about it for the next week. Immensely satisfying but leaving me wanting more. I am very much looking forward to more from this author.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m rating this five stars because it was such a fun, comforting, nostalgic read. It gave me all the feelings of a Sarah Dessen book with the fun of something supernatural and strange. I’m sure I’ll have more to say later but im currently crying 💖

Update: 4/21/22

Sin Eater is a story about Jayde and her troubled past. Two years ago, Jayde discovered her ability to erase memories by erasing the memories of her best friend. Now, as a form of penance, she acts as Sin Eater to erase others’ bad memories (but it’ll cost you). Jayde’s lonely lifestyle is starting to wear on her when she accidentally meets and befriends a pair of siblings. Her secret life as Sin Eater conflicts with the life she desperately wants, leading to a fun climax and hopeful resolution.

I rated this book five stars for a few reasons, the first being that the story is friendship-centric. There is mention of romance occasionally, but the focal point is the friendships between our main character and the siblings. I prefer books where we see real love among friends rather romance.

Another reason is how much I felt Jayde’s pain, loss, and grief. I could relate to the way Jayde tried to hide from her problems and even from herself. Amanda has created very relatable characters and she uses them well.

If you’ve read & enjoyed books like Daughter of Smoke and Bone, The Diviners, or Miss Peregrine’s, I think you would enjoy this book as well!

(The only sort of critique I have would be to use a higher resolution image for the cover, the artwork is so beautiful but looks a bit fuzzy on the paperback.)

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
18th October 2021

TITLE: Sin Eater
AUTHOR: Amanda Denham
Star Rating: 5

‘A wonderfully original plot packed full of interesting and ‘fun to get to know’ characters.’ A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review

REVIEW
Oh my, this is a good book. And I’m not even a young adult. Still, I love Young Adult and New Adult books, and Sin Eater is a bit of a gem! It follows the ups and downs (there are a lot off downs) of Jayde who is – yes, you guessed it – a SIN EATER! Her power is simple, clever and utterly compelling for a YA reader: she can wipe a person’s bad memory. How cool is that! Much better than being Superman and being able to fly. Although that would be a good super power too.
I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this tightly written novel – you can probably tell. The characters, particularly the protagonist, are so relatable and, well – deep. I don’t like the word ‘deep’; it’s so pretentious, but it’s the only word I can think of. The writing style is perfect for the genre and the age of the readership, and there are a ton of underlying elements to the story including ‘trying to start over’ which were well-handled by the author.
To sum up, I would very happily read another of this author’s books. She’s very talented, particularly when working with speech and character development, and the gritty, atmospheric feel to the writing will go down well with angry teenagers who feel misunderstood! I think I just discovered a new author to enjoy. I love it when that happens!

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk


This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Sin Eater
Author: Amanda Denham

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 5/5

Of the 19 readers:
19 would read another book by this author.
19 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
19 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 10 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
18 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
19 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“I so loved this novel. Jayde is such a memorable character. She´s a bit messed up but it´s hardly surprising considering her odd talent. I thought this was well-written, exciting and a little thought-provoking too.” Female reader, aged 18
“Having been through a horrible divorce, I wouldn´t mind having the memory of my husband erased! A clever premise helped along by a strong writing style. This is not so much a fantasy – although her ability to erase memory is fantastical! – but a novel about finding forgiveness. Enjoyed it!” Female reader, aged 50
“For me, this book was all about the characters. They jump off every page. Such a good writer. I will hunt out her other books if she´s written any. If she hasn´t, she must. I felt very sorry for Jayde in this story, but I loved getting to know her.” Female reader, aged 21

To Sum It Up:
‘A skilfully plotted novel with a strong, likeable protagonist. A BRONZE MEDAL WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Ryan Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is some real power here.

Even through mystical circumstances and events, I found the characters to be highly relatable, authentic, and even inspiring in some cases. What seemingly begins as fantastical fiction morphs to a wonderful book about the human condition, life lessons, forgiveness, and new beginnings.

The arrangement and flow of the story is topnotch, the characters are solid, and the writing is superb.
I highly recommend this book—it's well worth the low cost.

[Jennifer deBie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amanda Denham is a friend who sent me her novel in exchange for an honest review. See the full review at https://jenniferdebie.com/book-review...

Amanda Denham comes out of the gate swinging with her debut novel, Sin Eater. Grounded in the very real turbulence of young love, friendship, and consequences, Denham takes an ordinary, if fraught, teenage drama, lobs a single, magical grenade into her story, and lets her characters’ lives explode. That grenade, the titular sin eater with her ability to wipe memories by accident and intention, causes a blast that ripples through every aspect of the story, twisting the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Anchored by a narrator who is flawed but trying to be more, in the same ways many of us were flawed but still trying as we transitioned into adulthood, and populated by a cast of believable foils, Sin Eater speaks to universal themes of adolescent mistakes and the slow acceptance that only comes with experience.

A powerful novel from a distinctive new voice, if Sin Eater is Denham’s opening salvo, then I for one can’t wait to see what she does next.

[Alexandra Davila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a different kind of story! It was well-written, creative, and about something we can all relate to. This is a story about memory, forgiveness, fear, growing up, and the reconciliation of them all. I loved the drawings that were included as well. I do wish there was less “telling” and more “showing,” but overall, it was an interesting read that gave a lot of food for thought.

[Mary Brannian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin Eater

"I take what is most precious to people: their memory. It’s so simple. Give me your woes, and I can make you forget them. I could make you forget everything, if I really wanted to. I cure wounded people and give them a second chance. However, their second chance means parts of their lives are completely missing, gone forever." Jayde Holloway

An innocent mistake is made... And two families destroyed; one of blood, the other bound by bonds of love... Redemption is impossible... But what if...

“Aren’t there things you’d rather forget, even if they’re small? If you’ve got a business like this, you must have some pain deep inside. Someone without hurt wouldn’t do this.” - Dee

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sin Eater is a Contemporary fantasy story filled with paranormal and urban elements. The story begins with Jayde Holloway and her ability to wipe out memories. For some, this could be a great power to have, but for her, it’s not. Especially when she accidentally removes her best friend, Jenny’s memory.Jenny becomes the Sin Eater, where she takes away a person’s bad memory. There is a price for this, and as much as she becomes helpful, the lonely life is not all making her happy. Her boss does not add to her situation either.

While the story didn’t feel too long, it was compact. I found myself very intrigued throughout the dynamic of the plotline. I recommend this book to those who like original stories.

[Summer Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review for Sin Eater by Amanda Denham! Jayde had the ability to erase memories and she discovers this in the worst way possible when she erases her best friend's memories shortly after graduation. She is now known as a Sin Eater, a person that has the ability to make people forget their worst memories. She is under the watchful eye of her controlling boss, Jak, who controls her through means of blackmail. One day, Jayde, who was going by the name Jackie, meets and befriends Aiden and Amber. She learns of their horrific past, and deals with painful memories of her own. Will she be able to heal from her wounds and let go of her job as a Sin Eater, or will she remain closed off? Read Sin Eater and find out!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Kim Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A True Literary Gem

Sin Eater is about a girl who didn't know she had an ability to erase peoples memories, and she found out in the worst possible way.
The storytelling is very good. Jayde is a realistic, likable character despite her flaws. Sin Eater is a page turner that will pull at your heartstrings.

[David Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking, mysterious, suspenseful and uplifting. This book should be on Netflix (one of the series that don't get canceled). I want more of this universe, and I want to see where these characters wind up, but if this is all we get, I'm at peace with it.

Congratulations to Amanda Denham for knocking it out of the park on her first book! I'm looking forward to the next!

[Tessa Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sin Eater was a very intriguing read. Kept me guessing the entire book. Made me want to see where the story was going. Amanda does a good job of keeping you invested in her characters. I would definitely recommend this book! Ya and LGTBQ friendly.

[Elle J. Tarragan · Rating 4 out of 5]

TL;DR: Full of pain and joy, memory and oblivion, Sin Eater is an easy-to-read, modern fantasy novel revolving around a fascinating concept and highly relatable protagonist. This human story will make you cry, and you will never forget the Sin Eater.

In this novel, Amanda Denham made me feel the hurt of Jayde so palpably - so well done in shaping that. The writing style is smooth and consequently very easy to read, even for younger readers. Ms. Denham writes in simple language that's easy to understand and follow. Very conversational and human. I love the messages given in this book, the human touch, the relatability of the protagonist, the mythical, legendary weirdness of the attire of the Sin Eater and co., and progression of the plot.

I found the plot progression to be wonderful and well paced. Despite the inconsistency in tense, it's a pleasing read and fascinating concept to build a modern fantasy story around!

Jayde. It's such a beautiful thing, what the author does with this character. Her thoughts, her feelings in those rare moments of goodness are so...bitter, yet grateful. As if she truly sees the value of them. It's beautiful.

Sin Eater is a heartfelt tale full of memories and mutual experiences with people who enjoyed life together - I thoroughly enjoyed the walk down memory lane in her past life. And what a twist at the end! Not at all what I was expecting, and I tend to pride myself on the fact that I can predict plots fairly well. Lots of nice twists throughout, really. Especially with *ahem* Jak...

Favorite quotes:
"Art was a silent scream."
"Art is way more for the artist than the viewer. I'm not saying it doesn't benefit others, but it's a person's way to get things out that maybe they can't verbalize."

This book made me cry. And when that happens, it's a damn good story. I related so much to Jayde - the way she felt like she was losing herself, I felt that too. Sometimes I still feel it. And the greatest thing about stories is when you can see yourself in them. I saw myself in Jayde. And I don't think I'll ever forget that iconic girl with the goggled-and-wigged disguise. I feel a little like that one quite young client of hers who looked at her like a superhero. Jayde's become one of mine. No, I won't forget her. It would take a Sin Eater to do that. ;)

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜🌫😰 Unique and overwhelming!

At eighteen, she understood for the first time that something was wrong...
When she wanted to help a friend, she completely erased her memory...

Now she blends into the shadows of the night and her childhood town, like a ghost.

The evening guest is David Gardner.
He waits for her and asks her if she really is the "Sin Eater"...

-----------------

A unique and moving story with an extremely original and endearing main character!

I really liked the author's absolutely UNIQUE writing style, from the layout, to the script, to the choice of characters.

An astonishing read, totally out of time, and emotionally strong.

A must-read for lovers of original novels.
💜🌫😰