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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: Murder, Violence, Stalking, Addiction, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gun violence, and Drug use
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: Blood, Death, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Racism
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: Murder, Gore, Violence, and Gun violence
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: Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Murder, Blood, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Animal death
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: Murder and Body horror
Moderate: Racism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Colonisation, Animal death, Racial slurs, and Drug abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, and Sexism
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, Sexual harassment, and Murder
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: Colonisation, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, Death, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
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
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: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Racism, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
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: 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