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The Sacrifice

by Rin Chupeco

Subject
Horror
Age
Teen
Format
Trade Paperback
Pages
304
Publisher
Sourcebooks Fire
Size
13.7 cm × 20.6 cm
ISBN
9781728255910

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 adultsHorror novelsGhost story books for teensEast 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

Data provided by BiblioShare.

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What reviewers said

"Chilling horror elements that coalesce into a bittersweet conclusion"
Publishers Weekly
"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
"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
"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
"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
"This thriller captures the creepiness of classic slow-burn horror movies... Chupeco is a master"
Booklist
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© 2026 Peekabooks Inc. All Rights Reserved.