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: Gore, Death, Violence, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, and Racism
Minor: 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: Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Gaslighting, Car accident, Animal death, Death of parent, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Medical content, Infidelity, Colonisation, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicide
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: Blood, Murder, Death, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
jessereadsthings's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
Graphic: Gore, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Animal death and Colonisation
Minor: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, and Rape
fictionaladventures's review
2.0
Graphic: Animal death
ofbooksandechos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Colonisation, Murder, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Car accident, and Racism
fbzcab's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Cursing, Death, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Animal death, Car accident, and Colonisation
shadowspinner's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Gun violence, Racism, Death, and Murder
Minor: Car accident and Sexual assault
msouthern27's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Minor: Animal death
Spoiler
Dog does die but doesn’t stay deadmadamenovelist's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gore, Xenophobia, Death, Cursing, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
The sexual assault is only referenced in the past. The animal death turns out to not *actually* be a death but it’s still upsetting for a moment.