The Sacrifice

Diane Matcheck has written an extraordinary first novel in The Sacrifice. It successfully combines elements of adventure, culture, and romance with vibrant and living settings and a fabulous main character. Weak-one-who-does-not-last is not an instantly likable character, particularly since in the beginning she is 'bad in the heart' and vengeful and angry towards her tribe, the Crow Indians. However, she undergoes a remarkable transformation from spiteful, inconsiderate child, obsessed with becoming the Great One at any cost. Weak-one's metamorphosis into a mature, admirable woman, although occasionally a little hurried, is exceptionally well done and the main focus of The Sacrifice throughout her journeys.The ending, as suits this novel, is triumphant, if not castle-on-silver-clouds happy. It actually has more impact this way. By the way, the title, The Sacrifice, is very appropriate in many ways throughout the book, and it is through hers and others' sacrifices that Weak-one becomes who she does.The Sacrifice is definitely recommended for everyone who enjoys survival-in-the-wilderness stories, Indian stories, or teenagers looking for a coming of age novel that says a lot about destiny and direction. Unsurprisingly, I can't think of another book similar enough to it to recommend. I guess I'll just have to impatiently wait until Diane Matcheck writes another novel.Ailanna

I picked up this book from my local library. Instantly, I got absorbed in the story of an nameless, outcast Indian girl who ran away from her tribe after her father's death. She felt a need to prove herself because her twin brother who died many years ago was destined to be the Great One, and nobody believed that she might be the true Great One. She wandered in the wilderness, getting burned by geisers and fighting a grizzly. After braving nature, she was captured by another Indian tribe and prepared to be a sacrfice for their god. Will Wolfstar, her new friend from the tribe, help her? The ending stunned me, but I loved this chilling novel. The arrogant, proud young woman was humbled by her trials and even got a name. Read "The Sacrifice" to find out what the name is and what happened to the brave girl.

I couldn't put this book down! It had some really cool characters and a tough heroine. The true facts about Native American life and the human story behind it is really good. I almost cried at the end, it's really action-packed and sad, too. Read it!

This book is a very fascinating, I love it! It is one of the best books I've read. Believe me, I've read a lot of books! I would recommend this book to female young adult readers . . .especially if you're interesting in Indians, and even if you're not! A great view inside the world of this girl. *****