The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean serves up a darkly delightful twist on your average literary buffet. Set on the remote and windswept Yorkshire Moors, this gothic tale introduces a secret society with a very particular palate, books. Devon, the protagonist, belongs to this unusual clan where consuming stories is literally a matter of life and death. While most women in the group are nourished by fairy tales and cautionary fables, Devon’s son takes after a more... unconventional appetite. He doesn’t crave books, he craves human minds. Just your average parenting nightmare, right?

The novel cleverly shifts between two timelines, offering readers a glimpse of both younger and older Devon as she navigates a life steeped in secrecy, danger, and tough choices. Dean peppers each chapter with a literary nod, most notably to The King of Elfland’s Daughter, adding a layer of bookish homage for the fantasy fans among us.

Ominous from the get-go, the story has the brooding vibes of The Handmaid’s Tale with a dash of feminist rebellion. It explores the fierce bonds between mothers and their children, because nothing says "maternal love" like fighting off patriarchal forces while trying to keep your son from devouring the wrong kind of brain food.

Sure, the pacing occasionally stumbles, especially during the slower Ramsey sections, but the plot stays on track. And for those looking for some queer representation, this novel delivers, weaving it seamlessly into the broader narrative.

Overall, The Book Eaters is a wickedly clever tale about survival, love, and the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her child, even if that child’s diet is, let’s say, less than traditional. It’s a feast for readers who love their gothic fiction with a twist of wit and plenty of dark charm.