The Last Sin Eater Reviews

• As usual, she left me thinking long into the night...

  
  By A1VWSR1H2Y67UD on 2002-12-14
  This is the second Francine Rivers novel I've read. ATONEMENT CHILD was the first. After reading both of them, I found myself praying and thinking for a long time after. In my opinion, that's a good book!

  Some reviews stated they thought Cadi and Fagan's King James Bible talking unbelievable. I had no problem with it. Like the masterfully woven dialect, the way the children talked after being saved kept pace with the rest of the story.

  For three nights (two in Fagan's case), they'd been listening to the "man of God" speak to them in this way (King James) for hours and hours. These children had no television, no deficit of attention as we do. :) They soaked up and repeated everything they'd heard over and over--to Miss Elda, to Bletsung, to the sin eater, to each other.

  I also saw their child-like faith as a perfect picture of the new believer. The Word is everything then--nothing else matters. There is an urgency to witness and share that can only be described as "life or death".

  For me, Rivers recaptured my own salvation experience and fascination with the Word of God. Althugh I still study the Bible daily and witness often, I spent hours after the final page searching myself for the initial passion (and compassion) for the lost I had during those first hours, days, weeks, of my conversion.

  This book is not only an entertaining read, but a picture of how God blesses those who love them, even to a thousand generations. I wonder too, who among my ancestors held out, praying, hoping... for me.
  
  

• Fascinating

  
  By on 2000-04-27
  Francine Rivers has a God-given gift that only one in a trillion people receive! The way she weaves you into a story so that it's almost part of you is no less than amazing.

  It's been about a year since I read "The Last Sin Eater" and I desperately want to read it again once I am finished with the other volumes I'm into right now. Cadi is one of the most wonderful characters I've ever read about. Some people may think that it's "syrupy" or unreal that children would be quoting Scripture verbatim. To that I say, "Expect the unexpected when the Holy Spirit is in charge!"

  "The Last Sin Eater" is without a doubt the most fascinating Christian fiction I've ever read. It's impossible to even begin to describe the story or plot line - you have to read it for yourself. You will not regret buying this novel.
  
  

• I was blown away by this book

  
  By A2WYGZ5XGY2ARL on 2005-02-10
  I saw the title and just couldn't imagine what it really meant. Then when I started to read it, I understood. This whole concept fascinated me. As I got into the characters and their live, a few things were left unspoken and that really got my full attention. I couldn't put the book down to I got the full story about everything. I truly enjoyed the ending!!! I cried and laughed and cried some more with this book. I felt drawn to each of the characters and what they went through. I feel like if they were real life folk...we would be kindred spirits. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a little downhome life.
  
  

• Amazing Story Full of Innocence and Hope

  
  By A2E1324KAAKTTX on 2005-07-22
  Francine Rivers is an amazing writer. Has she ever written anything not great?
  
  This book was so sweet and lovely with a story-line we all can relate to on one level or another. The writing was exceptional as always. The story-line was unusual and gripping. She tied the loose ends up in a surprising and believable way.
  
  As a writer I'd be thrilled to write half as well as this exceptionally gifted author. This book is worth every penny and second spent reading it.
  (...)
  
  

• Mixed feelings

  
  By A3EJV1DQ5N3ZVG on 2004-08-13
  This book quickly and completely drew me in. Not usually the sentimental type, I pretty much cried nonstop through the first eighty or so pages.
  
  Like others on this site, though, I was disappointed by the "sunshine and lollipops" conversion of the primary characters. These characters deserved more depth, more struggle with both their old nature and their deep-rooted misconceptions of redemption and forgiveness.
  
  That being said, I was pleased with the resolution of my two favorite characters--Cadi and her mother. Let's face it, by page 10 most of us were ready to adopt the guilt-wracked child and struggled to see a deeper level to Cadi's mother than the woman's frigid surface. The final scene with the two was delicately constructed and wonderfully revealing, and saved an otherwise saccharine ending.
  
  So, the 3-star rating is an average--I give five to the engaging beginning, four to River's 11th-hour rescue of the ending, three to the cast of characters as a whole, two to the misuse/underuse of a potentially riveting character like the sin eater, and one to the "Lifetime movie" treatment of Cadi's conversion.
  
  Not a bad piece of fiction, though, and I will seek out Rivers' work again.
  
  
• Inspirational, tear-jerking
  By on 2000-06-13
  This is the best book I've read in a very long time. The story pulls you in and leaves you wondering what's going to happen next. As the mystery unravelled, I couldn't put it down! But beyond the interesting story line, more importantly, this book really opened my mind and soul to the real meaning of forgiveness. Young Cadi's struggle with her remorse and guilt had me crying, and I don't easily cry over books. I should also say that I'm not a frequent Christian-fiction reader. I have read the Left Behind series, and those are just sadly lacking in inspiration compared to The Last Sin Eater. If you're looking for a great story that's going to reignite your faith and goodness, read this book!
  
  
• Wow! What an amazing book!
  By A19KJ7KUSD8I9J on 2003-04-03
  The book Atonement Child first turned me on to Francine Rivers books, but The Last Sin Eater has surpassed most of anything I have ever read. Spell-binding doesn't come close to describing this book! It kept all of our noses in the family glued to the pages. It is very historically informative as well as spiritually enlightening. Great story line about Cadi and Lilybet, and it doesn't reveal everything right away. You'll learn as you go. Characters are deep and will capture your empathy and curiousity. Sin Eater made me research the old Welsh culture as well. I would reccomend this book to young and old, male and female. Sooooo good! It'll raise your standards of reading in the future!
  
  
• a born again Harlequin novel
  By on 2000-05-11
  I had hoped that this would be an interesting story about redemption, with local folklore thrown in. I was disappointed.

  The most interesting character in the story (Cadi's grandmother)dies in the first few pages and it's downhill from there.

  Cadi is an interesting child but her fixation on finding the sin eater is never adequately explained. Neither is the often bizarre behaviour of the supporting characters. Their ability to quote Scripture is admirable, but doesn't leaven the flat plot.

  If you enjoy Harlequin novels (there's nothing wrong with that, many people do) you will enjoy this book. If you want something with a little more substance, move on.
  
  

• A book that touches your soul
  By A3K8WOJXU3KATG on 1998-12-08
  Francine Rivers is a woman of uncommon talent whom I feel the Lord has annointed in a special way to reach the lost and hurting and point them to the Lord Jesus Christ. True, she is a great writer, but her books reveal more than just her ability. They reveal a woman with a living faith who is able to take her readers into that faith. The Last Sin Eater is a book that explores that living faith through a powerful and provocative story. Perhaps my favorite Rivers character so far, Cadi is all of us who are searching and know there is more to this life. She is strong and stubborn and about the most natural born-again Christain I have ever met. I was inspired through her witness to strenghten my own walk with the Lord... If you are looking for a book about the questions in life and the best answer...this is it.
  
  
• Wonderful, if unexpected, story!
  By A1OVF0KSZZRTEV on 2003-06-25
  This book is completely unlike Rivers' other novels, but it is just as enthralling! I found the concept of the sin eater--and the redemption of one--to be very compelling. Wonderfully drawn characters and the rich and varied world in which they live! I could not put this book down and I read it in one sitting. Highly recommended!
  
  
• Wow!
  By AWOTBLRAZJSYM on 2005-07-18
  What an amazing book! Francine Rivers does it again with The Last Sin Eater. Some of the main themes in this book are forgiveness and standing up for what's right even when it isn't popular. Mrs. Rivers does an excellent job of writing characters complete with flaws and unique personalities. This book illustrates how the Lord can use even the most ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. The story is compelling and will make you stop and think.
  
  
  
  
• Fantastic
  By A3SY8MT7A6O1LJ on 2006-03-27
  I really enjoyed this book. Set in the mountains in the 1800's the book tells the tale of Cadi, a sinner, who finds the truth of atonement and her conversion. The back country dialect was charming and the author's usuage of morals and bible passages helped the story flow smoothly without feeling "preached at". A must read for anyone seeking to repent his or her sins.
  
  
• Am I missing something?
  By on 1999-07-11
  I am a born again Christian who loves the Lord very much. However, this book is very syrupy. I do believe in complete transformation of a believer, but the portrayal of the charachters after the Spirit took hold was a bit much. The sudden quoting of scripture and the complete change in behavior is not what we see in new believers today. To portray a new believer in such a way, is to deceive seekers into thinking that as soon as you turn your life over to Christ, you will be a walking Bible, able to answer any question about the Lord that someone may ask you and that life will be great. I did not care for this book at all.
  
  
• Good, but...
  By on 1999-03-05
  Overall I would say that this is a well written book, but there were some parts that bothered me. I thought the author gave a good feeling for the place and time of the story and the theology behind the story was sound. But, the charaters were a little too underdeveloped, I never became emotionally involved in their struggles. The main thing that bothered me though, was the fact that the main character, a young uneducated girl, is quoting word for word from the Bible, the King James Version no less, after being told the gospel . Kind of implausable.
  
  
• A tale of love, heritage, mystery and truth.
  By A1AW2C379FOERU on 1998-09-12
  This is a story about of all of us. It takes place in a tight knit Scottish community in the Appalachian Mountains. Several generations have lived in this valley. Cadi is the girl who tells the tale of her ancestors and an ancient burial practice involving a sin eater. Cadi has done something and thinks she needs the sin eater to take away the guilt of what she has done. Who is he and can he help the living? I won't tell you any more about the story because it unfolds as it goes, weaving a complex web that must be unwound.

  Francine Rivers writes a story like few others. Her words flow from page to page, making it easy to read the story out loud. Her characters are very realistic and could belong to almost anyone's family. Though, there is much suspense and intrigue, good solutions are reached and truth gets a hearing. Francine also has compassionate insight into human nature. She studies relationships and reveals where they are often misread by both of the parties that are involved. Cry with Cadi as secrets of the valley are revealed and old wounds are healed. Here are a few lines to let you feel the book:

  In spring, Granny would send me off to pick bluets, violets, and windflowers. As the weeks passed, she's ask for yellow lady's slipper and bleeding hearts, then roses and white rhododendron clusters that grew along the stream. She'd always seem to know the day when the mayflies danced and died. When I'd come back from whatever venture she'd sent me on, she'd talk about how life was precious.

  "Don't let a day go by without seeing some wonder in it, Cadi. Stop moping around the house wishing for things to change between ye and yer mama. Go out and see what's there for ye."
  
  

• Francine's Most Unusual Work
  By A1TTKJIKU5WS on 2000-10-06
  The sin eater is a tradition that came from England to America. It was a person who was paid a fee to take the sins of a community upon himself. That person then became a social outcast and recluse. This book tells the story of the last sin eater, deep in the Appalachian Mountains. Little Cadi Forbes feels the weight of her sin so severly that she is driven to find the sin eater. The process is one of discovery, intrigue, and redemption, as she learns the true nature of sin and salvation and ends up turning her whole world (and her secret-bound community) completely upside down. Easily Rivers' most unusual book, it is also one of her most powerful. Five Stars.
  
  
• My favorite Francine Rivers
  By ADO7KZBHG25CT on 2002-06-11
  The Last Sin Eater is a great read. It is my favorite Francine rivers book and I love all of her work! This novel is a different from her other books. I surpasses the genre of Christian literature. The story is told the eyes of ten year old Cadi. She is a unique character that made me laugh out loud and cry at the same time. The dialect added to the charm of this book. I really loved it!
  
  
• A Literary Gem
  By ASUNM5X59UAY7 on 2003-01-27
  Cadi Forbes is a 10-year-old girl living in the Smokey Mountains during the min 1800's, in a valley where religion is seldom dwelled upon and a "sin-eater" takes away the dead's damnation. It is not until Cadi sneaks a forbidden peak at the sin-eater during her beloved Granny's funeral that a strong longing to purge herself of her hidden sin and guilt -- a longing that fuels the rest of the story -- is put into motion. Cadi wonders what the man who has become the sin-eater has done to deserve to take all the valley's woes upon himself; who will take away HIS sin? And, more importantly, who will take away her own?

  And so Cadi plunges onward, encouraged by her new friend Miz Elda and accompanied by her friend Fagan and mysterious companion Lilybet. As Cadi's search for redemtion progresses, it becomes evident that much of her torment and grief center around the much-shadowed death of her little sister Elen and the shunning of her grief-stricken mother. But just when she begins to give up hope, a prophet enters the valley and both Cadi and Fagan grow up considerably after only several nights of his teaching the Word of Christ. Despite an ever-looming veil of foreboding as thick as the mists of the Smokeys, Cadi and Fagan are determined to spread the Word and save their valley from the flames.

  Brogan Kai, the violent and quite mad self-appointed "leader" of the valley (and Fagan's father), launches a vicious attack on them, nearly killing Fagan. And so the wire snaps. The rest of the book follows their race against time as Fagan fights to stand up to his abusive father, Cadi confronts inner-demons, and the dark history of the valley is revealed during the children's struggle to redeem the sin-eater, save the valley, and expose the Word of Christ.

  All controversies on this novel aside (their almost too grown-up "Bible-talk", the author's own interpretations on the Scripture, salvation w/out repentance, and the implied silimarities of "taints" and angels when describing Lilybet), this is a magnificant literary gem that leaves you thinking long after you close it. Not only does it arouse questions of faith and hope in Christ, it is also a stunning and beautifully written piece of literature. I found, quite literally, that it was near impossible to set down. I'd reccommend it for all readers ages 12 and up.
  
  

• Wonderful!!! I would give it a hundred stars... if i could!
  By A3ORQ5ZAQNATPU on 2003-04-02
  WOW!! i was blown away by this book and the message that it sends out. This is a great book for people of all ages of every nation!! this book is one of a kind because you see that the main characters are young children, most fiction books are written with adults as the main characters. Having a young main character draws in young readers like myself!!! This IS the greatest book of all time... once you start it, it is impossible to put down! you will want to just keep reading it over and over again!!! (which i have many times)
  
  
• Humbling and Heartwarming
  By on 2004-04-12
  Like other reviewers, I had never read Francine Rivers. If this book had not been given to me as a gift I never would have read it. I am so thankful I received it! I plan on reading more of her work.

  This is the story of a girl's journey to find forgiveness. Her pain is deep and believable, and if you've ever needed forgiveness you will identify with her immediately.

  All of the characters in The Last Sin Eater have depth. After finishing the book, I found myself thinking of them, something very few authors have made me do.

  Although this is an easy read, it is suspenseful,humbling, heartwarming, and very well written. Definitely not one-dimensional. I laughed and I cried. I had to force myself to put it down at 3:30 a.m., (and it was difficult). I highly recommend it.
  
  

• Bravo!!!
  By A1NZQ6LKDW7N2Y on 2001-12-18
  Francine Rivers has never failed me, and, like in The mark of the Lion series, I didn't have a life while reading this book. Incredible, I was deeply touched by this book, so don't think twice about it.
  
  
• The Last Sin Eater: A Review
  By AX8G0QXY1X699 on 2002-12-03
  I just finished reading this novel. I started last night at 10pm and put it down early this afternoon. This novel is a wonderful story about the awesome power that is Jesus, and how amazing it is to be saved through Him. The main character is Cadi, a young girl who has not yet met salvation through Jesus. This story is about her journey to Christ and His plan for her.
  I do not agree with other reviews on how it is unrealistic for a young girl to quote scripture from a bible that she has never even read. The purely fictional acconut of Cadi bears truth in that when we pray for the words and the courage to witness to others,the Lord gives us the strength and the words so that people can understand. This novel tells a about a girl who finds that through God all things are possible, and that Salvation can not be granted by any "sin eater" but by Jesus Christ.
  It is a warm story, mysterious, emotional and spiritual.
  
  
• One Sitting
  By on 2004-03-06
  I didn't know who Francine Rivers was but while looking at the library this title got my attention so I checked it out. I started reading it early in the day, and didn't lay it down until I had finished it late at night! (I have never done this before) I am a die-hard Francine Rivers fan now. I have read many more of her books and although none have grabbed me like this one, I am NEVER disappointed...BUY IT AND SEE!!
  
  
• Scary title, incredible read
  By A3NLCXNSW31M93 on 2005-01-04
  What on earth is a Sin Eater?!!! Those were my thoughts when pondering whether or not to order this book. I'm so glad I got past my scepticism, though, because this book ministered to me. It is a masterwork of storytelling and imagination. Count me a "ditto," to Mary Griffith from Fla's review.
  
  
• francine rivers
  By A9BI6HCGEDY5T on 2005-08-12
  i really enjoyed this book i have read several of ms rivers books and was really surprised at the setting of the novel. the time and place and all the folk lore was weaved into a very interesting story. plus the added bonus of adding a wonderful
  comparison of the sin eater and our savior who takes or (EATS) away all our sin. i am looking forward to my next trip into a new adventure with ms. rivers
  
  
• A little different
  By A2DYVVCB2O37W5 on 2005-09-17
  This was a very unusual story and a little hard to get into in the beginning but once the story got going I was just as into this book as all the other Francine River's novels I have read so far. She definitely has a gift!
  
  
• Bre's
  By on 2000-06-14
  I am a big fan of Francine Rivers, and she has not disappointed me yet. This is a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption, one that all Christians should read. It has answers about faith, and about life. Wonderful.
  
  
• I couldn't put it down!
  By A3JH3MM101EQLB on 2000-01-23
  This book was very well written. The style of writting by Francine Rivers is awesome. I couldn't put this one down, and recommend it to anyone!
  
  
• This book is intriguing, inspiring, a great read.
  By on 1999-08-20
  I found this book difficult to put down. The poignancy of Cadi's sense of guilt which separated her from her parents' love, the unusual concept of the Sin Eater as a sort of redeemer, the fiercely defended autonomy of a wild, remote Appalachian mountain community, the fascinating way scripture is an integral part of the story, and the rela tionships, especially between Cadi and Fagan, son of the brutal Brogan Kai.
  
  
• A Moving Read
  By on 1999-03-27
  I've read all of the Francine Rivers books since the Mark of the Lion and most of them have touched me profoundly. This book probably most of all. It sat on my shelf for quite a while then I picked it up and read straight through in one evening only stopping to wipe my eyes as I bawled through the book. I felt totally connected to Cadi and her struggle with her mother. This is beautifully written and expressed. I highly recommend this author.
  
  

• The Atonement Child
• Leota's Garden
• The Scarlet Thread
• Redeeming Love
• And the Shofar Blew