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hookerkitty's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Car accident
purplepickle'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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
gnarly_cinnamonroll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I enjoyed how the side characters were given nicknames that feels real as to how we may refer to b people by monikers in our internal dialogue. The descriptions of the environment were riveting and kept me hooked. I wished I had felt more connected to Alon who feels more like a neutral narrator telling a story than the protagonist of the novel.
Overall I enjoyed the plot twists, descriptions, and mythology, but found myself c wanting deeper characters development and relationships.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Violence, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
tales_told_in_gold'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Gun violence and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
dblue236'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
4.0
I've read a handful of this author's books over the years, and this one is my favorite to date. Their ability to write absolutely terrifying horror without constant, over the top gore is wildly appreciated, and I look forward to reading more of their work in the future. I really loved the setting of this one, and the folklore that builds throughout the story. I didn't see the end coming, and it definitely left me feeling unsettled in the best possible way.
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Sexual assault
shinyharley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
apothecarum's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
piendorabox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Suicide, Murder, and Sexual harassment
caramiaculpa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
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