Title: Sinner
Author: Sara Douglass
First published January 1, 1997
638 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780732259396 (ISBN10: 0732259398)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
In the aftermath of the reign of Axis, Caelum SunSoar has taken up the mantle of leadership in Tencendor. However, his rule is threatened by the discontent of the Acharites, who seek to reclaim their former power.
Amidst the tension, a murder occurs, throwing Caelum’s family into chaos and casting suspicion on his own brother. Drago SunSoar has long resented Caelum and seeks to take what he believes is rightfully his.
But as the family feud simmers, a greater threat looms on the horizon. Dark forces beyond the Star Gate threaten to bring destruction to Tencendor.
Caelum must navigate the treacherous politics of his own people while also facing an enemy that could destroy them all.
About the Author
Sara Douglass, an accomplished fantasy author and historian, was born in Penola, South Australia. She attended Annesley College in Wayville, a suburb of Adelaide, while working as a Registered Nurse.
Eventually, she completed her PhD in early modern English History before becoming a lecturer in medieval history at La Trobe University in Bendigo. It was during her time there that she wrote her first novel, BattleAxe, which catapulted her to fame in Australia and beyond.
Douglass was a champion of creative thinking and constructive criticism, as evidenced by the bulletin board she hosted on her website until the mid-2000s. She also chronicled the restoration of her house and garden in Tasmania through an online blog called Notes from Nonsuch.
In 2008, Douglass was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent treatment. Unfortunately, the cancer returned in late 2010, and she passed away on September 27, 2011, at the age of 54.
In addition to her work as a fantasy author, Douglass also wrote under her real name, Sara Warneke.
Editoral Review
Sinner by Sara Douglass is a fantasy novel that was first published on January 1, 1997. Since then, it has gained quite the reputation within the genre, leaving many readers captivated by its intricacies and unique twists.
The novel follows the story of Raelene, a young girl who had been sold into slavery at a young age. At the heart of this tale is the conflict between good and evil, and the lengths that characters will go to protect the people they love, even if it means making tough choices.
Throughout the book, Douglass places a great deal of emphasis on the idea of redemption – the concept that no matter what a character has done, they can still choose to do the right thing and be forgiven. What sets Sinner apart from other novels in the fantasy genre is Douglass’ exceptional world-building.
She creates a vividly real and detailed world, filled with magic, mystery, and menace. The setting is immersive, and readers will find themselves feeling as though they truly are a part of the environment in which the story takes place.
The book also features fully realized characters who feel like real people, rather than just archetypes. The lead, Raelene, is a feisty and capable protagonist who readers will find themselves rooting for from the very first page.
Her love interest, Sebastian, provides an interesting foil to her personality with his more subdued and grounded demeanor. One of the novel’s most outstanding strengths is its pacing.
Douglass manages to maintain the perfect balance between action and introspection, pulling the reader in with an engaging plot while allowing characters to develop at their own pace. This balance is what keeps Sinner engaging from start to finish.
While Sinner is not without its flaws, they are minor at best. The book could benefit from more academic use of language, and occasionally, the prose can be overtly verbose.
However, these issues are far outweighed by the novel’s strengths. Ultimately, Sinner is much more than just a fun and engaging fantasy novel.
It is an exploration of human nature, good and evil, and redemption. With its captivating characters, immersive setting, and excellent pacing, it’s no wonder so many readers have fallen in love with this book over the years.
I highly recommend Sinner to anyone who loves fantasy novels, especially those who enjoy strong character development and intricately crafted settings. It’s a book that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.
As such, I award Sinner a score of 4 out of 5, based on my overall experience reading this wonderful novel.
