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The Sacrifice

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The Sacrifice

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Overview

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A stunning tropical island plagued by a mysterious curse sets the scene for The Sacrifice, a terrifying contemporary tale rooted in Filipino folklore. This fast-paced story fraught with twists and turns on every page is begging to be read in a single sitting.

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 Filipino 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

Praise for The Girl from the Well

"Solidly scary and well worth the read."—Booklist

"Chupeco makes a powerful debut with this unsettling ghost story."—Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

Product Details
About the Author

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798212186834
Publisher:	Blackstone Publishing
Publication date:	10/11/2022
Product dimensions:	5.35(w) x 6.69(h) x 0.63(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Rin Chupeco is a Chinese-Filipino writer born and raised in the Philippines. They are the author of many young adult novels, including The Bone Witch trilogy, The Girl from the Well, The Suffering, The NeverTilting World duology, and The Hundred Names for Magic trilogy, along with an upcoming adult gothic vampire series, Silver Under Nightfall. They write full-time and live with their partner and two children in Manila. Find them at http://www.rinchupeco.com.

Pun Bandhu is an award-winning actor who has worked on Broadway, off Broadway, in TV, and in film. He is the recipient of the Colorado Theatre Guild’s Henry Award for Best Supporting Actor and New Dramatists’ Bowden Award for his distinguished collaboration on new works.

From the B&N Reads Blog

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Our October Picks Are Here!

Trick or Treat, give me something good to READ! If you’re looking for some verified great reads to come in clutch this Spooky Season, then you should check out our October Monthly Picks. Get ready for chills and thrills, a gothic monster fantasy, a story of impending death and coming to terms with your life, […]

"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

From the Publisher

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)

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

School Library Journal

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)

Kirkus Reviews

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