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leelah's review
3.0
This was my first book from S.J. Bolton. And I can see we're going to have a nice relationship.
Every killer book I seem to take lately is set up either in deep American south in bayous with mosquitoes or in Scandinavian countries with snow and white nights. And it's true; setting if written good, can be another character in story.
This story is set up on Shetland Isles-"a land of sea caves, voes and storm-washed cliffs", as author described it in one sentence. Already in first chapter, S.J. Bolton brings chilling atmosphere of such setting. And Tora dealing with it like a pro. I could clearly see in my head rain, mud sleeping under her feet and peat. I just loved the setting.
This book is written from Tora's POV. There were 3 female characters in book and I loved every one of them. They were smart,strong, confident and persistent. There aren't TSTL women in S.J. Bolton's "Sacrifice". We're told that Tora is not liked, that she can't form connections easily. It was same for Dana Tulloch. Well, listening to Tora's voice told me I would love to know someone like her. She is a doctor, so she have that scientific, practical way of thinking. But she tears up every time she delivers a new baby, so you can tell she can be driven by emotions. When she entangles herself in murder investigation, you can tell she's not gonna stop until she had all the answers. Gifford was interesting character. Author had made him very elusive. You don't know if he's one of the good guys or mastermind behind whole thing. His interactions with Tora were some my favorite parts of the story. Story itself was inspired by some Shetland legends. You can tell author put a good chunk of time in researching, there were lots of facts, but at the same time I didn't have any trouble understanding the whole premise. I was having a bit trouble with , but that doesn't make this story less great for me at all. I was entertained, I was interested and i was terrified- I recommend Sacrifice wholeheartedly.
Every killer book I seem to take lately is set up either in deep American south in bayous with mosquitoes or in Scandinavian countries with snow and white nights. And it's true; setting if written good, can be another character in story.
This story is set up on Shetland Isles-"a land of sea caves, voes and storm-washed cliffs", as author described it in one sentence. Already in first chapter, S.J. Bolton brings chilling atmosphere of such setting. And Tora dealing with it like a pro. I could clearly see in my head rain, mud sleeping under her feet and peat. I just loved the setting.
This book is written from Tora's POV. There were 3 female characters in book and I loved every one of them. They were smart,strong, confident and persistent. There aren't TSTL women in S.J. Bolton's "Sacrifice". We're told that Tora is not liked, that she can't form connections easily. It was same for Dana Tulloch. Well, listening to Tora's voice told me I would love to know someone like her. She is a doctor, so she have that scientific, practical way of thinking. But she tears up every time she delivers a new baby, so you can tell she can be driven by emotions.
Spoiler
At the beginning Tora's horse has died. She tells us he is her best friend, she is sad, but at the same time she's digging a hole to bury him.Spoiler
persuasion as personality trait for TrowsSpoiler
what they did to that poor women was downright scary.lisaarnsdorf's review
5.0
Wow! I literally could not put this book down. The story was complicated and interesting, the characters fascinating. I'm still thinking through the story days after I finished reading it. I will recommend this book to everyone!
carmenna's review against another edition
5.0
Ho amato questo libro fin quasi alla fine, tanto che mi son detta che sarebbe stato l'unico a cui avrei dato un 6/5... poi la spiegazione che l'autrice dà di tutta la faccenda mi ha un pò deluso...
sarà perché non amo particolarmente le storie al limite del reale, o perché forse mi aspettavo qualcosa di più.
Tuttavia Sacrificio è uno dei libri più piacevoli che abbia letto, o meglio, divorato; la storia è intrigante, non ci si affeziona particolarmente ai protagonisti, ma questi non mancano di spessore.
E poi il romanzo tocca temi attualissimi, in primis l'aborto, poi la compravendita di bambini, l'omosessualità, i rapporti tra uomo e donna.
Sullo sfondo meraviglioso delle Shetland.
http://iltesorodicarta.blogspot.it/2009/09/sacrificio.html
sarà perché non amo particolarmente le storie al limite del reale, o perché forse mi aspettavo qualcosa di più.
Tuttavia Sacrificio è uno dei libri più piacevoli che abbia letto, o meglio, divorato; la storia è intrigante, non ci si affeziona particolarmente ai protagonisti, ma questi non mancano di spessore.
E poi il romanzo tocca temi attualissimi, in primis l'aborto, poi la compravendita di bambini, l'omosessualità, i rapporti tra uomo e donna.
Sullo sfondo meraviglioso delle Shetland.
http://iltesorodicarta.blogspot.it/2009/09/sacrificio.html
teenytinylibrary's review
4.0
While Tora is digging a hole in her yard to bury her deceased horse, she digs up a body. A young woman having recently given birth whose heart has been torn from her body and strange runes carved into her back. As an obstetrician, Tora is curious about this woman and her baby. Could she possibly have been a patient at her own hospital? What happened to the baby? Do her coworkers know about this? Is there a conspiracy on the small Shetland island where she works? She engages in a little detective work of her own and nearly makes the ultimate sacrifice for it.
I loved Little Black Lies so it was only natural that I pick up another of Sharon Bolton's work. This is her first, and it's clear from the writing - some clunky dialogue and a bit of odd character development here and there. BUT the plot is excellent. The action is realistic and the twists and turns that the story takes continually kept me guessing. I'll definitely read more of Bolton's early work.
I loved Little Black Lies so it was only natural that I pick up another of Sharon Bolton's work. This is her first, and it's clear from the writing - some clunky dialogue and a bit of odd character development here and there. BUT the plot is excellent. The action is realistic and the twists and turns that the story takes continually kept me guessing. I'll definitely read more of Bolton's early work.
urlphantomhive's review against another edition
5.0
READ IN DUTCH
For some reason the author switched after this book to 'Sharon Bolton' instead of 'S.J. Bolton'. I can't think of any reason why this would be necessary.
I really liked this book! It was quite different from most of these books, as it was not your usual suspense book. What I also loved is that it's a stand alone, it seems as everything today needs to be part of a series.
It gives an insight into Shetland-Islands folklore as it may very well be connected to the terrible murders that are going on on the island. The eventual conclusion is a bit far fetched however I do think that it could be more realistic than we're willing to believe. A lot is possible these days.
As I was quite surprised by this book, and her other books as well, It won't come as a surprise that she is in fact one of my favourite authors.
For some reason the author switched after this book to 'Sharon Bolton' instead of 'S.J. Bolton'. I can't think of any reason why this would be necessary.
I really liked this book! It was quite different from most of these books, as it was not your usual suspense book. What I also loved is that it's a stand alone, it seems as everything today needs to be part of a series.
It gives an insight into Shetland-Islands folklore as it may very well be connected to the terrible murders that are going on on the island. The eventual conclusion is a bit far fetched however I do think that it could be more realistic than we're willing to believe. A lot is possible these days.
As I was quite surprised by this book, and her other books as well, It won't come as a surprise that she is in fact one of my favourite authors.
sdc46250's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book. Takes place in the Shetland islands and the atmosphere is well developed. Some of the characters could have been more fleshed out but otherwise I loved all of it. Very clever plot and a true page-turner.
I look forward to reading more by this talented author!
I look forward to reading more by this talented author!
mfeibel's review
3.0
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Bolton's other book I've read (now you see me). But it was nice to get Dana Tulloch's origin story, so to speak. And the folklore behind it is pretty fascinating. Maybe it was just a little too much description for me.
But I am intrigued to see what happens in the rest of this trilogy...
But I am intrigued to see what happens in the rest of this trilogy...
weerossy's review
4.0
My first Sharon Bolton book! So as an author Sharon Bolton comes highly recommended so I was looking forward to reading her books.
I purposely started with this one being her first and although an initial slow start, the second half of the book completely made up for it! It’s not necessarily that it was slow but it was complicated and there were a number of different characters so I just found myself having to really pay attention incase I missed a critical piece of the puzzle. This however was completely forgiven by the fast paced thrilling developments around 50% right through to the end.
Overall, I thought the main characters were well developed and most were likeable! I loved the Shetland setting and thought Bolton did a great job describing the landscape and environment.
Overall solid 4 star from me and looking forward to reading others by the author
I purposely started with this one being her first and although an initial slow start, the second half of the book completely made up for it! It’s not necessarily that it was slow but it was complicated and there were a number of different characters so I just found myself having to really pay attention incase I missed a critical piece of the puzzle. This however was completely forgiven by the fast paced thrilling developments around 50% right through to the end.
Overall, I thought the main characters were well developed and most were likeable! I loved the Shetland setting and thought Bolton did a great job describing the landscape and environment.
Overall solid 4 star from me and looking forward to reading others by the author