Review: The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco

Horrid men get what's coming to them. This was a lot of fun!


The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco

Released September 2022

Source: Received for Review Consideration

Dark Fiction  |  Goodreads  | Bookshop

An island oasis turns deadly when a terrifying legend threatens to kill off visitors one by one in this haunting novel from the highly acclaimed author of The Girl from the Well and the Bone Witch trilogy.

Pristine beaches, lush greenery, and perfect weather, the island of Kisapmata would be the vacation destination...if not for the curse. The Philippine locals speak of it in hushed voices and refuse to step foot on the island. They know the lives it has claimed. They won't be next.

A Hollywood film crew won't be dissuaded. Legend claims a Dreamer god sleeps, waiting to grant unimaginable powers in exchange for eight sacrifices. The producers are determined to document the evidence. And they convince Alon, a local teen, to be their guide.

Within minutes of their arrival, a giant sinkhole appears, revealing a giant balete tree with a mummified corpse entwined in its gnarled branches. And the crew start seeing strange visions. Alon knows they are falling victim to the island's curse. If Alon can't convince them to leave, there is no telling who will survive. Or how much the Dreamer god will destroy...

Creepy and suspenseful, The Sacrifice is perfect for readers looking for:
* Spooky, scary books for young adults
* Horror novels
* Ghost story books for teens
* East Asian folklore

My 2 Cents for Free!

“It is believed that when people hear the screaming someone is about to die.”

The Sacrifice is a fun read set on a very haunted island with a stoic and intelligent lead character and their loyal and lovely dog Askal who are asked to guide a bunch of dimwitted, stubborn Hollywood types as they film a comeback show for a washed-up and shamed Ghosthunter dude. Well, you might find it “fun” if you enjoy seeing awful dumbasses get what they deserve. I know I did.

Alon, the young guide, grounds this story of horror, sacrifice and murder, always dispensing hard truths and honest advice which is constantly ignored by the disrespectful men who have inhabited the island looking for power and wealth. When a sinkhole opens up and the creepiest tree ever erupts from its bowels, these people should’ve taken the hint and high-tailed it back home but that wouldn’t make a very thrilling book I guess! Instead, they stick around ignoring all common sense as bad thing after worse thing happens. It’s all quite amusing and very entertaining to witness.

Not all of these people are horrid. There’s a sweet budding romance that occurs naturally and adds to the tension, fear and mounting dread inhabiting the island - instead of taking away from it. I loved the way it was done. It was very subtle, very real. And there’s also Askal. I always appreciate a dog character that is a true character and not one squished into a story for that cheap emotional gut punch so many writers insist on throwing into horror novels (view spoiler)

Filled with creepy imagery, ghostly apparitions, deadly fauna, caves filled with the darkest of secrets, short chapters, tons of action, and even a few moments of humor, this story is near impossible to put down.

⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2



Comments

  1. Mary KirklandFriday, October 14, 2022

    That sounds good. I find sinkholes scary as heck. The fact that they can just open up and swallow you is scary.

    ReplyDelete
  2. GregFriday, October 14, 2022

    Oh that cover! And I'm with Mary- sinkholes are wild.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Erica RobynFriday, October 21, 2022

    Ooooh! This sounds so good! And agrees, sinkholes are terrifying! One opened up in the neghbors yard next to my sister in law's house!

    ReplyDelete

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