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caseyadamsstark's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Folkloric fantasy with a touch of magical realism and horror, Sacrilege is a well written novel with atmospheric charm. Emelie lives in a secluded village, cut off from the world surrounding it because of the religious elders who run it by sowing fear. When her childhood friend Halvar returns, having been banished along with his father when he was a boy, Emelie saves him from the wickedness of rumors and gossip by claiming he has returned to ask her hand in marriage.
You see, the village has been increasingly under attack by what the elders claim are shifters and wolves, and Halvar's return coincides with a recent, and grisly death. This leads to an on the spot, forced marriage between two broken souls who…are ultimately meant for each other. Maybe Emelie's primary goal is to escape the control of her pious family and this repressive life, but leaving it under a ruse of a marriage to face the dangers of the outside world is daunting.
I found this story had hints of Beauty and the Beast in terms of the relationship between Halvar and Emelie, but make no mistake. The story and the relationship stand firmly on their own two feet. If you are more akin to romance over horror, well…this story is probably for you. The intimacy between Halvar and Emelie is perfect. Except that Maybe Halvar is too perfect. He's fairytale perfect.
The story mostly touches on themes of being outcast and manipulated and repressed by religion—which is something I tend to gravitate to when I read (and write). Emelie is allowed to grow upon leaving her village, but ultimately she must return to face her past and the judgement of the village residents. If those are topics that you frequent, by all means check out Sacrilege.
You see, the village has been increasingly under attack by what the elders claim are shifters and wolves, and Halvar's return coincides with a recent, and grisly death. This leads to an on the spot, forced marriage between two broken souls who…are ultimately meant for each other. Maybe Emelie's primary goal is to escape the control of her pious family and this repressive life, but leaving it under a ruse of a marriage to face the dangers of the outside world is daunting.
I found this story had hints of Beauty and the Beast in terms of the relationship between Halvar and Emelie, but make no mistake. The story and the relationship stand firmly on their own two feet. If you are more akin to romance over horror, well…this story is probably for you. The intimacy between Halvar and Emelie is perfect. Except that Maybe Halvar is too perfect. He's fairytale perfect.
The story mostly touches on themes of being outcast and manipulated and repressed by religion—which is something I tend to gravitate to when I read (and write). Emelie is allowed to grow upon leaving her village, but ultimately she must return to face her past and the judgement of the village residents. If those are topics that you frequent, by all means check out Sacrilege.
matcha_moomoo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
emily_anne13's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
keairarose's review against another edition
4.0
I will cry right now! how beautiful! only a 4 star for some pacing issues in the beginning!
one of the most endearing main characters I have ever read, in a small village under constraints, it’s hard to find your faith and what you believe in, it’s hard to try and find who you truly are and what you love. Emelie gets a chance to venture out of her gloomy normal in a marriage of convenience with her childhood best friend, but he comes from the wood, where the elders say never to go as a rabid wolf is killing villagers.
This was such a journey of coming into one’s self and finding where you belong, navigating religious trauma and family dynamics. In the beginning it took a second for me to understand the pace, but once I did I loved it. Sacrilege is a slow and steady book focusing on these two characters and the determination it takes to learn yourself and how to present that true self to others and it was a joy to read. With a wintery, spooky forest, setting and beautiful prose, I would highly recommend!
Content warnings: disordered eating habits, emotional and physical abuse (children to adulthood), violence, catholic trauma, mild gore, body horror, gender dysphoria
one of the most endearing main characters I have ever read, in a small village under constraints, it’s hard to find your faith and what you believe in, it’s hard to try and find who you truly are and what you love. Emelie gets a chance to venture out of her gloomy normal in a marriage of convenience with her childhood best friend, but he comes from the wood, where the elders say never to go as a rabid wolf is killing villagers.
This was such a journey of coming into one’s self and finding where you belong, navigating religious trauma and family dynamics. In the beginning it took a second for me to understand the pace, but once I did I loved it. Sacrilege is a slow and steady book focusing on these two characters and the determination it takes to learn yourself and how to present that true self to others and it was a joy to read. With a wintery, spooky forest, setting and beautiful prose, I would highly recommend!
Content warnings: disordered eating habits, emotional and physical abuse (children to adulthood), violence, catholic trauma, mild gore, body horror, gender dysphoria
basically_books's review
5.0
LOVED this book. This was such a cozy fall read. I don’t think I’ve ever highlighted a book as much as I did this one. The author does a fantastic job of both calling out the more conservative, brainwashing and damaging aspects of extreme Christianity, while at the same time being empathetic of people who were raised as such.
The only reason I’m giving it 4/5 instead of 5/5:
-The ending felt rushed
-There were parts in it where her discovery of things needed a bit more fleshing out that lasted throughout the book consistently. Her discovering crystals and just going with it felt kind of odd. Another example being when they got it on suddenly she knew the f word and seemed very much to know how s€x worked and wasn’t afraid of “non traditional” methods of being intimate with one another, which is something you’d very much expect out of how Krilansk raised their female children.
World building 5/5
Character building 5/5 except for Magda…if there is another novel I definitely want more of her in it. And the forest sprites! I need more!!
Spice was
The only reason I’m giving it 4/5 instead of 5/5:
-The ending felt rushed
-There were parts in it where her discovery of things needed a bit more fleshing out that lasted throughout the book consistently. Her discovering crystals and just going with it felt kind of odd. Another example being when they got it on suddenly she knew the f word and seemed very much to know how s€x worked and wasn’t afraid of “non traditional” methods of being intimate with one another, which is something you’d very much expect out of how Krilansk raised their female children.
World building 5/5
Character building 5/5 except for Magda…if there is another novel I definitely want more of her in it. And the forest sprites! I need more!!
Spice was
mynameislara's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really loved reading this book and wish I could experience it again for the first time. It was beautifully written, the plot was great and the main characters lovable.
Content Warnings
owl_eerie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Religious trauma and spooky woods and figuring yourself out, a little.
lovefromhannah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
i started reading this on a whim and i am so glad i did. sacrilege by t. n. vitus is a novel about finding yourself and not letting anyone damn you otherwise. i saw myself in this: emelie's and her mother's relationship, her curiosity suppressed by older generations too rigid in their beliefs to consider anything else, emelie's and halvar's relationship and how they love each other whilst healing from personal traumas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Blood, and Grief