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queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco is a YA horror focusing on a nonbinary Filipino (Filipine?) MC, and drawing on Chupeco's experience with caves on the islands of the Philippines. We also get a male love interest that is bi.
We follow Alon, who is acting as a guide on the island of Kisapmata for a group of Hollywood big shots who plan to exploit Filipino culture and legends in order to get fame and recognition by doing a ghost hunting show. We don't learn much about Alon, but they are warning everyone away from the island the whole time people are there. The island doesn't want them there. When people start seeing ghosts of dead loved ones and people they've harmed, some seem to lose their minds when weird freaky stuff starts happening. Turns out the island is alive and doesn't like humans who have harmed other people.
This was a great creepy read for spooky season! We definitely get themes on exploiting indigenous cultures for profit without giving respect, and themes on the lengths some people will go to in order to get power for themselves. It gave me urban-legend-comes-to-life vibes. Chase is the wholesome himbo of my heart, and I want my own Askal to protect me. I really liked the twist! Although it made me feel bad for Alon.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys ghost hunting shows and messages on morality and guilt. Who doesn't want to read about a haunted island that turns out houses an ancient god?
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, and Racism
Minor: Sexual harassment
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In regards to the plot/writing, I thought the author did a good job shrouding everything in mystery, even though Alon is our protagonist, they’re kind of an unreliable narrator so it’s like we’re figuring it out with the rest of the crew. While I did like watching Hemlock and the other producers get their comeuppance, I felt that the commentary surrounding their sins was a little heavy-handed but that didn’t bother me too much. I wish the relationship between Alon and Chase was developed a bit more, I wasn’t really convinced that they liked each other than they were both hot and the same age but I am a cranky asexual.
Finally, even though the writing was purposely detached at times, the creepiness and suspense throughout the book was really done. The significance of the balete trees and the mahakiya plants was really interesting to me, and I was definitely weirded out at times. The balete monsters and everything else the Diwata conjured up definitely gave me the same creepy vibes as all the creatures and weirdness of the Upside Down in Stranger Things, so if you liked that element of the show you’ll probably enjoy this book.
This is a creepy yet fun YA horror and I definitely recommend it.
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
awkwardimagination's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicide, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
reesie_omnibus's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Moderate: Death
alicelalicon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Domestic abuse
bekawilliams15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An interesting read for sure. Not my typical genre. It was a packed story with a couple plots twists along the way. I felt as though it ended rather abruptly, but there was resolution. Each chapter ended up a cliffhanger which propels you to read more. It took a little bit to get through but definitely had enough momentum to keep it going to the end.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Blood
hawkscratch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
ashes_book_cave's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
amandadevoursbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A Hollywood crew arrives on a supposedly haunted island, only to discover it's the home of a sleeping god hell bent on justice and retribution.
In this YA horror told from the perspective of the local teen guide, the twists and turns drive the plot forward, the characters make it feel real, and the ending wraps it all up nicely.
It's got tree monsters, sink holes, an adorable dog, and a sweet little queer romance, and I freaking loved it.
Does the dog die?
More about the dog if you want more detail.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Colonisation