Like the very best fantasy, The Sin Eater’s Daughter creates a world that is both totally strange, and completely familiar. Twylla has been brought to the court of Lormere as the human embodiment of the daughter of the gods but in effect is little more than a slave to Queen Helewys, who rules her kingdom as a cruel, brutal tyrant. Indeed, Twylla is forced to work as executioner, fed a potion that makes her touch deadly. She is betrothed to the prince, but drawn to her bodyguard Leif. Torn between the two Twylla must regain control of her life and her body to survive. The fairy-tale background provides scope for memorable scenes of magic, while the court’s intrigues and the dangers to Twylla make this a taut thriller. ~Andrea Reece
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?
Melinda Salisbury is the thrice Carnegie-nominated and bestselling author of multiple young adult novels, including the Sin Eater’s Daughter series, the State of Sorrow duology, and Hold Back the Tide. She has been nominated and shortlisted for multiple national and international awards, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the YA Book Prize, and more.
