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Premise:
In a supposed utopia, traditional people and anthropomorphic creatures toil together to survive, believing they owe their existence to a pantheon of demanding gods who mandate their worshippers sacrifice five children every 20 years as payment for services rendered. What becomes of the ill-fated tributes is entirely unknown to their families. The only certainty is the relentless foreboding trailing the children as they're paraded throughout the lands, shackled and broken, shambling toward an unknown location. Pigeon is one such “sacrificer” abused by his kin and surrendered as the obligatory tithe, while a daughter of the gods named Soluna is determined to end the cruel sacrifice cycle she's recently become privy to.
My Thoughts:
The Sacrificers is a story ripe with imbalance to the point where it's almost uncomfortable to witness. From the very beginning, the reader's told the fantasy world being visited is meant to be a happy, harmonious one, an idea in stark contrast to the physical and mental abuse being inflicted on the main character, Pigeon, during the same issue. The juxtaposition of these two images is both jarring and surreal, acting as a small preview to the countless other disparities that lay ahead. The gods hold all the power, both physically and metaphorically over their people, and they wield it cruelly. Not only do the worshippers lack the heightened skill set of the deities, but I imagine they've also been mentally beaten into obeying them. The result is an oppressive air palpably blanketing everyone as they forcefully heed the divine's abominable demands and submit to their wills. Generation after generation is coerced into the aforementioned cyclical contract of surrendering the innocent, so it's not unfair to assume there's too much fear attached to the unknown territory of defiance. Instead, another contrast transpires: children are sent to their doom as their friends and neighbors engage in large celebrations of assured harmony now that the gods have been appeased. Death and jubilee, the powerless given to the powerful, pain that breeds peace, and so the incongruities rage.
The unfairness of the situation immediately floods readers with distress. Infuriating scenes fly by, one after the next, and it's rare you catch a break. Yet, it's by forcing you to sit in these unpleasant feelings that the story shines and draws in its audience. The disparity and hopelessness burrow into your conscience, flooding the senses until you feel like you're drowning in the inequity of it all. Total immersion is achieved, at least where the primary sacrificer's mindset is concerned. You feel trapped. You know something's wrong. You know there's nothing you can do about it, and without the necessary tools to survive, all that's left is to let it happen to you.
The Sacrificers is made even more difficult to read because of the characters, most of whom are unlikable. They are often abusive, manipulative, and selfish, purposefully engaging in miserable behavior because they earnestly revel in it or can't bring themselves to care beyond their personal desires. Other times, though it's more rare, characters are mean because of their circumstances. Regardless of their motives, many feel beyond redemption, and you're left with a bitter taste where most are concerned. Even Soluna, who champions herself as a positive force in opposition of the sacrifice, is slightly insufferable. The only real character I could root for was Pigeon. He's downtrodden but manages to not (yet) let himself be fundamentally changed by life's injustices. Pigeon is the underdog you can't help but root for after you see him and his fellow sacrificers be bombarded by heart-wrenching events. Where he begins his journey and where he ends it will make your head spin, and this divergence makes me eager to continue reading the next volume!
In terms of the visuals, the coloration and character designs are nothing short of stunning. It took a little getting used to the anthropomorphic characters because there's something a little unusual to them, but I quickly grew to appreciate their unique oddities and how they enriched this fantastical world. What I found most impressive was the expression built onto the page, but the scenery was also stunning. I couldn't help but take my time reading each issue because I wanted to slowly savor the creators' artistry. Talk about talent!
Conclusion:
The Sacrificers is a difficult read as it's interspersed with bouts of cruelty and despair, but it's ultimately shaping up to be what I hope will turn into a satisfying revenge story.
Recommended for those who enjoy:
🪶a hero's tale
🪶dark, gritty fantasy worlds
🪶uncommon character designs
🪶and examinations of injustice
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