From the Publisher
"Chupeco’s world building is strong as always, and the island is a potent mix of beauty and danger, a tropical paradise that harbors horrors just below the surface... horror fans are likely to be swept into this deliciously gruesome tale of plant creatures and monsters that lurk within the most unexpected beings" — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The blisteringly fast pace and Chupeco’s deft use of horror tropes to examine broader social themes means The Sacrifice is a horror tale that goes down easy." — Paste
"Rin Chupeco’s newest story is as terrifying as it is riveting, and you will not put the book down until you know each character’s fate" — Youth Services Book Review, STARRED Review
"Chupeco creates an environment thick with mystery, full of haunting balete trees and eerie ghost sightings coupled with a legend that dates to Spanish colonization of the Philippines" — Kirkus Reviews
"Chilling horror elements that coalesce into a bittersweet conclusion" — Publishers Weekly
"This thriller captures the creepiness of classic slow-burn horror movies... Chupeco is a master" — Booklist
Youth Services Book Review (starred review)
Rin Chupeco’s newest story is as terrifying as it is riveting, and you will not put the book down until you know each character’s fate.”
School Library Journal
11/01/2022
Gr 8 Up—Chupeco serves up a deeply unsettling and creepy tale that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. A Hollywood film crew wants to investigate the stories of the beautiful island oasis Kisapmata's deadly curse—even though the Filipino locals warn them repeatedly to stay away from the domain of the Dreamer god who slumbers there, a god who will give unimaginable power in exchange for eight sacrifices. Will the crew find the proof they seek, or will they fall to the curse's power? Chupeco weaves together Filipino folklore, mythology, and history into a complex horror novel that also incorporates real-world issues, such as racist microaggressions, misgendering (of the protagonist, Alon, who is nonbinary), and the lasting effects of colonialism. The Dreamer god, referred to as the Diwata, only seeks out those who have harmed others, and He has his choice of targets among the Hollywood crew. Alon is a relatable and earnest character, even when they are giving cryptic warnings to the crew. Many of the secondary characters have dark pasts (and presents), leaving it unclear who will survive as the island's curse escalates. VERDICT A thrilling and suspenseful tale that will leave readers treading more carefully around trailing vines; a must-purchase for libraries where horror and stories steeped in mythology circulate well.—Ness Shortley
Kirkus Reviews
2022-07-27
A Hollywood TV crew descends upon Kisapmata, a cursed island in the Philippines, to film a show.
Even though the locals will not go there, the cast and crew remain greedily determined to make a blockbuster series focused on the Godseye, a haunted cave at the center of the island where murders have been documented. Reuben Hemslock, a pompous survivalist actor, leads the effort, doggedly bent on the presumed success it will bring to his reputation, which has been tainted by abuse accusations from a number of women. Also present are two executive producers (one with his teen son in tow) and an extensive crew who impose their infrastructure and their cultural chauvinism—“This island is almost perfect….Add a Panera and I’d be all set,”—on the deserted locale. Well, almostdeserted. Alon, a local teen known as a “ghost whisperer,” cautiously agrees to be their tour guide in exchange for $10,000 to help his ailing father. Alon warns them that they should not be there, but the crew persists even as danger inevitably strikes. Chupeco creates an environment thick with mystery, full of haunting balete trees and eerie ghost sightings coupled with a legend that dates to Spanish colonization of the Philippines. However, the story remains frustratingly flat due to one-dimensional characterization; the story features deplorable adult characters and a forced chemistry between the two teens. Excepting Alon, all characters are presumed White; Alon is nonbinary.
A strong premise that does not deliver the expected punch. (Horror. 14-18)
