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Title: Sacrifice
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Author: John Everson
Rating: Not available
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Review of Sacrifice

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Comments for Sacrifice

• Posted on 2009-11-18
  Everson Loads Up On Gore And Sex
  
  I'll be the first to admit I'm a sucker for sequels, especially horror novel sequels. When I love a story, I can't wait to revisit those same characters in even more dangerous situations. However, with Sacrifice, I wasn't that into where the story was taking me. The taking over the world aspect was not as credible as the smaller events that were set up in Covenent. Once the premise in Sacrifice was established, it seemed very familiar ground, one in which the reader was constantly ahead of the characters on the page, which is the opposite of what ideally should happen. I felt the characters were always playing `catch-up' to what I already knew.
  
  There were some effective moments of graphic violence and sex, but strangely, they seemed to slow down Everson's fast pace that was established early on. The flashbacks to Alex's parents also seemed unnecessary as it was already clear what happened to them. I also didn't care for Ted's part in the story and didn't believe for a second that Cindy would allow him to keep The Journal of Broderick Terrel, especially after all the evil things that had happened to her only a few weeks before, not to mention what Ted allows to happen to her later in the story. As time ticked down, there didn't seem to be an urgency with Joe and Alex's character in tracking Ariana down. Even after the fifth murder, they seemed to be more interested in getting drunk, stuffing themselves at hotel restaurants, and painting Alex's nails than stopping the destruction of mankind. The scare factor, also, was an issue for me, with ample opportunities for some potentially frightening moments that just never happened.
  
  The one thing I will say for author John Everson, is that while I enjoyed Covenent more, I did think that, with Sacrifice, he has become a better author. His writing is smoother and more defined, and his level of confidence seems to be that of some of the top horror authors working today. However, I would have preferred for him to explore another story other than the continuing saga of the Terrel cliffs. But I'm still a fan and looking forward to his new novel, The 13th.
  
  
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• Posted on 2009-10-17
  This Can't Be the End!
  
  This book pissed me off royally. Sacrifice continues the story Everson began in Covenant (also reviewed). Joe Kieran, now possessed by Malachi, the demon haunting the town of Terrel in the first book, teams up with a young, inexperienced witch to stop the beautiful, deadly Ariana from raising the Curburide, the demons Malachi had originally been summoned to stop decades ago.
  
  I refuse to say it finishes the story, however. I don't want to believe John's going to let Kieran's (and Alex') story end with the final chapter of Sacrifice. I guess that's a testament to Everson's skill, really; I want these characters to have happy endings, to score a win that's not bittersweet, and well... I don't want to give the book away, but let's just say the title is apt. Every main character in the book makes a sacrifice of one sort of another. And I'm not pleased about it.
  
  The rapport between Joe and Malachi is amusing at times, the borderline-forbidden relationship between Alex and Joe grows in small, tantalizing doses and Ariana... well, I almost wouldn't mind being sacrificed by her. The book moves along at a fast pace and Everson even manages a couple of twists I didn't quite see coming. He just might be my favorite Leisure author.
  
  Pick up Sacrifice. Pick up Covenant first, if you haven't already (you could get by without it, but you shouldn't). You won't be sorry you did. I have to say, though, that if Everson doesn't have Part Three in the works already, I hope all his beer goes flat for the rest of his life. 9/10.
  
  
  
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• Posted on 2009-07-11
  Sacrifice turns it up!
  
  I have only read two books by John Everson, Covenant, which was a good, solid horror novel, and Sacrifice, which takes what Everson did in Covenant, and turns it up to 11. More sex, more violence, and frenetic pacing that doesn't let up. Fully developed characters push the horrifying plot forward in a blood drenched, cross country chase that ends...well, I don't want to give anything away.Covenant made me a John Everson fan. Sacrifice made me a fanatic.
  
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• Posted on 2009-07-08
  Sacrifice
  
  Sacrifice was a riveting, involving story about a man confronted with an ancient evil and his own sacrifices he had to make to keep the evil spirit at bay. It made me afraid to visit cliffs ever again! John Everson was not afraid to stretch the boundries on the perverse, livid ways the demons forced people to get off, but he kept it tasteful without resorting to pornography. I would recommend this novel to any horror reader. With so many scary novels being silly, this talented new author has blazed the way for more new writers to stretch the politically correct limits and put out fierce stories that really do frighten, whether it's a comfortable fright or not. Since when is horror cozy?
  
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• Posted on 2009-07-08
  Dive deep into the Curburide!
  
  When I read John Everson's first book COVENENT, I thought the story was so well written that it had several back-stories that were incredibly intriguing. Who or what are these Curburide? If they nearly rampaged the earth before, could they come back? The answer - SACRIFICE!
  
  Where COVENENT excelled in suspense, SACRIFICE excelled in everything! This book had wonderfully developed characters. Two unlikely teams racing to the end! Joe and Alex; a reluctant participant and a budding witch with a dark past, thrown together by Malachi, a demon with questionable loyalty. Ariana and Jeremy; A power-hungry, sex-crazed murderess with a surprisingly "bright" past, and a feed-up "everyday-joe" ready to give in to the evil!
  
  Even though this book follows COVENENT, it is a great stand-alone read. Reading COVENENT first will surely enhance the chills that Malachi brings, but SACRIFICE can absolutely hold it's own!
  
  An action-packed, gore-infused, chill-inducing, evil-motivated, character-driven, sex-crazed thrill ride! Cover to cover, one of the BEST horror novels I have ever read.
  
  I cannot wait for Everson's next novel THE 13TH coming in -of course- October!
  
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