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Teen Books That Have Something to Say
The Sacrifice
Review
The Sacrifice
by Diane Matcheck
Farrar, Straus and Giroux,()
ISBN-10: 0374464405
ISBN-13: 9780374464400
My rating: 
"You know only hunters are permitted on buffalo hunts." The wrinkles carved into his brown face made his scowl seem even more severe. "You might have stampeded the herd. Then the tribal guard would have your hide!"
She tensed at the mention of a whipping from the guard--one man had never recovered from it. But she was a hunter, a good hunter, and would never have startled the herd. Her father knew this, too: that was not his real fear.
--The Sacrifice, by Diane Matcheck, p. 7.
Weak-one-who-does-not-last is a 15-year-old girl whose father once held great respect in her Apsaalooka tribe. Because her father had a vision before she and her twin brother were born that one twin would die young and one twin would become a great leader, everyone in the tribe believes that it was her twin brother, Born-great, who was destined to become "the Great One." But Born-great died when they were both four—a death that Weak-one is still wracked with guilt over—and it is Weak-one who trains herself to become a great warrior, even though women warriors are rare and frowned upon. Weak-one is sure that she was the one her father saw in his vision—but no one else believes her. Soon after she gains her father's acceptance, he die—and she sets off to prove herself.
During her journey, she is attacked by a bear, yet she fights the bear and kills it, something warriors are rarely able to do. She takes its hide and teeth as trophies to prove her triumph—and then, still weakened by the fight, she is captured by some men from a rivalling tribe—Pawnee. In this new setting, Weak-one renames herself to fit her true spirit. She fears what will happen to her, but the Pawnees treat her with kindness—especially Wolfstar, the boy who acts as her keeper. Over time, Weak-One comes to love Wolfstar, and he her—and then she discovers that they are planning to sacrifice her in a ritual. Now she has to escape. But who can she trust? And will she manage to escape, and become the Great One she has always believed she was?
This is a riveting story of survival, of coming into one's own strength, and of rising above others' attempts at supression. Weak-One is a compelling character. She is treated badly, shunned, treated as a scapegoat, and not believed in, but she has strength, courage, and a fierce determination to follow her dreams, and this helps the reader fiercely root for her, and want her to succeed. It's also encouraging to read a story of a strong girl fighting against sexism.
The story is fast-paced, gripping, and full of details that bring the story alive. There is a good use of language and character, fresh analogies, and vivid emotion. Weak-one, especially, is very believable as a character, as are many of the others. Weak-one changes and grows throughout the story, moving from lack of respect for the life of the animals she kills to respect, from great guilt to resolution, and from arrogance to humility, pride, and compassion for others, and as a result becomes a more likeable character. This is a very enjoyable read that will make you want to rush right through to the ending. Highly recommended.
A warning for those who are sensitive to violence—there is some very descriptive and graphic violence in this book, that, while it fits the setting and plot, and has appropriate emotional responses, some readers may find disturbing.
-Added June 07, 2005
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