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jreason's review
2.0
Whilst I have only read one of Ike Hamills previous books (Inhabited). I enjoyed it so much I went out and bought 2 or 3 more straight away. It is safe to say that this book was some what of a disappointment.
Just like Inhabited I found that he tried to introduce too many characters. Yet again by the end of the story this wasn't really an issue as they all became their own people. However, I do have an issue in the fact that he introduced so many topics about the characters, but never completely followed through and discussed them, I found this to be an irritant.
This was also a reoccurring theme throughout the story for many story plots and ideas. Basically, if you aren't going to complete the idea, don't introduce it.
However, one interesting part of the story that I really enjoyed was the camp fire scenes in which the characters discussed scary parts of their lives, some where better then others but overall they were very exciting, and a great original idea.
The book was going well towards a 4/5 star review until about 50% in when it started to go a little potty, I personally disliked the use of dimension travelling, nightmare realms etc. I believe it made the story lose the plot.
Overall, whilst I would never, ever, recommend this book to anyone unless they like poorly planned stories that leave out a decent part of explanations. I would still definitely read more Ike Hamill books.
Just like Inhabited I found that he tried to introduce too many characters. Yet again by the end of the story this wasn't really an issue as they all became their own people. However, I do have an issue in the fact that he introduced so many topics about the characters, but never completely followed through and discussed them, I found this to be an irritant.
This was also a reoccurring theme throughout the story for many story plots and ideas. Basically, if you aren't going to complete the idea, don't introduce it.
However, one interesting part of the story that I really enjoyed was the camp fire scenes in which the characters discussed scary parts of their lives, some where better then others but overall they were very exciting, and a great original idea.
The book was going well towards a 4/5 star review until about 50% in when it started to go a little potty, I personally disliked the use of dimension travelling, nightmare realms etc. I believe it made the story lose the plot.
Overall, whilst I would never, ever, recommend this book to anyone unless they like poorly planned stories that leave out a decent part of explanations. I would still definitely read more Ike Hamill books.
errantdreams's review
4.0
I enjoyed Camp Sacrifice quite a bit. The tales around the campfire are sufficiently engrossing, and some of them have fascinating, well, side effects. The characters have depth, even the grumpy, semi-senile Cliff. There’s a fair amount of blood and some mutilation, but it isn’t overdone–it makes sense in the context of the story, and isn’t the primary source of horror.
Odd things start happening in addition to the stories themselves. A sort of ‘imp’ attacks people. One man disappears into the water. An old tale about a local haunting takes on new life. Someone seems to be performing ritualistic sacrifices in the area. The pacing works; the campfire tales provide a nice up-and-down, followed by a more complex tale that draws and expands on those tales and the supernatural traces within and around them.
I can’t really talk about anything else without risking spoilers. Suffice it to say, the campfire stories on their own are fun, and when combined with the rest of the plot the whole thing engaged me quite thoroughly. Hamill excels at taking his tales a step or two further than I’d expect from most authors.
Original review on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/02/review-camp-sacrifice-ike-hamill/
Odd things start happening in addition to the stories themselves. A sort of ‘imp’ attacks people. One man disappears into the water. An old tale about a local haunting takes on new life. Someone seems to be performing ritualistic sacrifices in the area. The pacing works; the campfire tales provide a nice up-and-down, followed by a more complex tale that draws and expands on those tales and the supernatural traces within and around them.
I can’t really talk about anything else without risking spoilers. Suffice it to say, the campfire stories on their own are fun, and when combined with the rest of the plot the whole thing engaged me quite thoroughly. Hamill excels at taking his tales a step or two further than I’d expect from most authors.
Original review on my site: http://www.errantdreams.com/2016/02/review-camp-sacrifice-ike-hamill/
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