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The Curburide Chronicles #2
Sacrifice
They're coming. They are a race of sadistic spirits known as the Curburide, and they are about to arrive in our world, bringing with them horrors beyond imagination. The secret to summoning -- and controlling -- them has fallen into the hands of a beautiful, sexy and dangerously insane woman.Ariana has dedicated her life to unleashing the demons in our realm through a series of human sacrifices, erotic rituals of seduction and slaughter. As she crosses the country, getting ever closer to completing her blood-drenched mission, only three figures stand in her Joe, an unwilling hero who has seen the horrors of the Curburide before, Alex, a burgeoning witch ... and a spiteful demon with plans of his own.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
23 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
John Everson
112 books532 followersJohn Everson is a former newspaper reporter who writes thrillers filled with erotic horror and supernatural suspense. He is the author of the Bram Stoker Award winner Covenant, and finalist NightWhere, which reviewers called "50 Shades Meets Hellraiser!" He is also the creator of the characters Danika and Mila Dubov, seen in the Netflix series V-Wars, based on the books created by Jonathan Maberry. Booklist said his recent New Orleans novel, Voodoo Heart, "is a solid blend of supernatural horror and hard-boiled detective fiction, and should appeal to horror devotees as well as mystery buffs” while Living Dead Magazine called him "the master of dark and sexy."
Follow John on the BookBub: John Everson page for information on book sales and new releases as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For information on his fiction, art and music, visit John Everson: Dark Arts at www.johneverson.com.
Follow John on the BookBub: John Everson page for information on book sales and new releases as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For information on his fiction, art and music, visit John Everson: Dark Arts at www.johneverson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 10, 2021
Diverging thematically from its predecessor, may have been a boon or a bane for this book. I'm truly not sure how I felt about the turn that it took into a more action-supernatural thriller. Still a great read, but my feelings are mixed.
February 16, 2015
Writing a sequel to your Bram Stoker award winning novel must be a daunting proposition, but John Everson at least tackles this dilemma head-on, by taking this sequel in a completely different direction and upping the gore and sex on display in Covenant.
Unfortunately, after a promising beginning this one still fell a little flat for me. Perhaps this was due to the stumbling pace of Sacrifice, or because the characters are suddenly dealing with the potential end of the world rather than just the fate of one small town. Maybe it had to do with Everson's over reliance on providing whole newspaper articles by way of plot development points, robbing the story of any pace it had managed to build. Or then again, it could be because I never really cared for any of the characters. Some of the survivors from the original are given such short thrift it's difficult to remember how they even were in Covenant, while Joe, the supposed hero, spends so much time making eyes at a girl almost half his age that, for me, this became his identifying character trait ...
Still, there are a number of positives that make Sacrifice readable. The monsters of the piece are creepy, the gore rendered in liberal detail, and the female antagonist is sufficiently batshit crazy and equally sexy to boot, making for a memorable villain.
Not one I'd strongly recommend, but if you like a little steam with your horror, you could do far worse than Everson and Sacrifice.
3 Hidden Pockets in Latex Catsuits for Sacrifice.
Unfortunately, after a promising beginning this one still fell a little flat for me. Perhaps this was due to the stumbling pace of Sacrifice, or because the characters are suddenly dealing with the potential end of the world rather than just the fate of one small town. Maybe it had to do with Everson's over reliance on providing whole newspaper articles by way of plot development points, robbing the story of any pace it had managed to build. Or then again, it could be because I never really cared for any of the characters. Some of the survivors from the original are given such short thrift it's difficult to remember how they even were in Covenant, while Joe, the supposed hero, spends so much time making eyes at a girl almost half his age that, for me, this became his identifying character trait ...
Still, there are a number of positives that make Sacrifice readable. The monsters of the piece are creepy, the gore rendered in liberal detail, and the female antagonist is sufficiently batshit crazy and equally sexy to boot, making for a memorable villain.
Not one I'd strongly recommend, but if you like a little steam with your horror, you could do far worse than Everson and Sacrifice.
3 Hidden Pockets in Latex Catsuits for Sacrifice.
August 30, 2016
If this was just based on the mechanics of the writing and the plot (kind of a warmed over episode of SUPERNATURAL, or what if BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER hated women), I might give it another star. The problem is, my first thoughts upon finishing were, "hoo boy, that book had a lotta rape."
And that's not really something you want to think about... well... anything. Because of the regressive sexual politics and the one weirdly racist scene (a teenaged character throws around a term even your racist grandpa has been quietly phasing out), I assumed this thing was written in the late '70s. Nope. 2009. So I have no idea what the hell was happening here.
And that's not really something you want to think about... well... anything. Because of the regressive sexual politics and the one weirdly racist scene (a teenaged character throws around a term even your racist grandpa has been quietly phasing out), I assumed this thing was written in the late '70s. Nope. 2009. So I have no idea what the hell was happening here.
April 22, 2009
An awesome follow up to Everson's Covenant. Where Covenant has this creeping dread vibe going for it, Sacrifice is the exact opposite. Sacrifice is in your face, quick paced, full of action and horrific goodness. This sequel is much better in my opinion. The story moves along at fast pace and had me turning the pages, eager to see to what happens. There are some awesome scenes of memorable violence and gore, but shock value is not all Everson relies on. The writing is very good. Excellent plot and some nice twists in the story. It is worth checking out and it is not necessary to have read Covenant, as back story is given in this book, although I would still suggest reading both to get the full experience. I can't wait to see what Mr.Everson has coming next. Read it or die!!!
May 26, 2009
Fantastic story! One of the best yet this year. I MUST read more John everson.
January 7, 2023
Miałem dać 4 ⭐️, ale finalnie książka otrzyma tylko 3.
O ile początek był ciekawy i dialogi na poziomie, o tyle jakieś 100 stron przed końcem, autor postanowił wypełnić objętość opisami zdarzeń oraz dialogami zaczerpniętymi z opowiadań dla nastolatek. Miałem wrażenie, że albo zabrakło pomysłu, albo zostało to napisane przez kogoś innego. Szkoda, gdyż zmarnowany potencjał.
O ile początek był ciekawy i dialogi na poziomie, o tyle jakieś 100 stron przed końcem, autor postanowił wypełnić objętość opisami zdarzeń oraz dialogami zaczerpniętymi z opowiadań dla nastolatek. Miałem wrażenie, że albo zabrakło pomysłu, albo zostało to napisane przez kogoś innego. Szkoda, gdyż zmarnowany potencjał.
June 30, 2017
I suppose I have to give this book a somewhat-good rating. I mean, after all, it made me feel like I was going to become physically ill by the end of it. I had to read it in little bits because it was so violently disgusting. The sexual perversion of the whole thing was unlike anything I've ever read, and I hope to never endure such descriptions again. Yet, I felt I had to finish it. I'd say this is a book best left on the shelf, if you haven't already made the commitment to start it.
October 16, 2010
Few horror novels written as a followup or sequel ever live up to the original, but in the case of John Everson's SACRIFICE--a sequel of sorts to his debut Leisure (and Stoker Award Winner) COVENANT--this is not the case, at all. (Side-note: this review may contain spoilers....) Once again, reporter Joe Kieran is dealing with the demonic after recent events in COVENANT cause him to leave the coastal town of Terrel for the peace and solace of the open road. In his efforts to thwart a demonic entity in the first novel, Joe "binds" Malachai to him to save a woman he loves, thus, Malachai directs an unwitting Joe to a young woman who possesses a powerful gift to communicate with the dead...and more. Meanwhile, a woman is travelling cross-country, committing acts of sexual atrocity in an effort to summon the vile, perverse spirits (mentioned in COVENANT) known as the Curburide and bring Hell on Earth. Joe and Alex--with Malachai's help--follow the gory trail of the killings, in an effort to gather clues as to the identity of the witch/serial killer, who enlists the help of a jaded lover and husband, with all of them racing headlong back to Terrel for the horrific conclusion. The relationship between Joe and Alex was at times sweet and heart-warming, a polar opposite to Ariana (witch/serial killer) and Jeremy (helper) in their quest for hellish glory. My only complaint (and a very mild one, at that) was that the ending seemed a bit abrupt...but perhaps the author intends a third "Curburide" horror novel? This reviewer hopes so. Highly recommended!
July 8, 2009
When I read John Everson's first book COVENENT, I thought the story was so well written that it had several back-stories that were incredibly intriguing. Who or what are these Curburide? If they nearly rampaged the earth before, could they come back? The answer - SACRIFICE!
Where COVENENT excelled in suspense, SACRIFICE excelled in everything! This book had wonderfully developed characters. Two unlikely teams racing to the end! Joe; a reluctant participant and Alex; a budding witch fresh from her own nightmare of events, thrown together by Malachi, a demon with questionable loyalty. Then there's Ariana; a power-hungry, sex-crazed murderess with a surprisingly "bright" past, and Jeremy; a feed-up "everyday-joe" ready to give in to the evil!
Even though this book follows COVENENT, it is a great stand-alone read. Reading COVENENT first will surely enhance the chills that Malachi brings throughout the story, but SACRIFICE can absolutely hold it's own as well!
An action-packed, gore-infused, chill-inducing, evil-motivated, character-driven, sex-crazed thrill ride! Cover to cover, one of the BEST horror novels I have ever read.
I cannot wait for Everson's next novel THE 13TH coming out around -of course- October!
Where COVENENT excelled in suspense, SACRIFICE excelled in everything! This book had wonderfully developed characters. Two unlikely teams racing to the end! Joe; a reluctant participant and Alex; a budding witch fresh from her own nightmare of events, thrown together by Malachi, a demon with questionable loyalty. Then there's Ariana; a power-hungry, sex-crazed murderess with a surprisingly "bright" past, and Jeremy; a feed-up "everyday-joe" ready to give in to the evil!
Even though this book follows COVENENT, it is a great stand-alone read. Reading COVENENT first will surely enhance the chills that Malachi brings throughout the story, but SACRIFICE can absolutely hold it's own as well!
An action-packed, gore-infused, chill-inducing, evil-motivated, character-driven, sex-crazed thrill ride! Cover to cover, one of the BEST horror novels I have ever read.
I cannot wait for Everson's next novel THE 13TH coming out around -of course- October!
April 18, 2009
What a surprise I had when I cam home after a long day of work one day and found that my book club shipped me May's selection like 3 weeks early! I ha been looking forward to this book since reading Covenant and I have to recommend reading that one before this.
The book had a nice pace to it and brought Malachi as an consistent character as well as some new ones. I enjoyed learning of Alex's background and really enjoyed the stories of Ariana's seduction of her sacrifices across the country. The scenes where Ariana and Jeremy get revenge on his wife and lover were well done and very entertaining and shocking. Some nice gruesome scenes throughout plus the occasional perverted demon possession sex and thoughts. Joe's character was as good as in Covenant but took a backseat to some other characters in the story. This is one of those books that I wished was longer but felt like it was the right length.
The book had a nice pace to it and brought Malachi as an consistent character as well as some new ones. I enjoyed learning of Alex's background and really enjoyed the stories of Ariana's seduction of her sacrifices across the country. The scenes where Ariana and Jeremy get revenge on his wife and lover were well done and very entertaining and shocking. Some nice gruesome scenes throughout plus the occasional perverted demon possession sex and thoughts. Joe's character was as good as in Covenant but took a backseat to some other characters in the story. This is one of those books that I wished was longer but felt like it was the right length.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2023
Really awesome plot, but the main characters are not heros. Joe is pretty sick. He falls in love way to easy, and then to top it off, one of his loves is only 15 years old. It would have ended great if the chief of police put a bullet in Joe's head.
November 9, 2009
A book to fly through, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Want to read
October 26, 2016This is copy number 57 of 250 copies printed and is signed and numbered by John Everson.
This is also the sequel to "Covenant".
This is also the sequel to "Covenant".
June 25, 2022
It’s a Trashy horror, a very trashy horror, with gore galore. It’s graphic in the descriptions of the violence and sex/sexual violence but once again it all comes across as a farce. What should have been a bone chilling nightmare, reads more like a comedy horror with an aim to shock. All it achieved was eye rolling I’m afraid.
The characters are all a bit immature. Sometimes it feels like you’re reading a short story written by an angry teen.
Like the first book the general idea is good, but it has been killed off by the terrible writing style.
I struggled with where the story was set in time, but you find out towards the end that it’s only about a month after the first book ‘covenant’. I think it’s pretty fundamental to be in the know of the timing from the beginning.
As you get towards the end, there is also a lot of unnecessary recap of what happened in the first book, dressed up as ‘memories’. Too little to help anyone diving straight in to the second book, too much for those who have already read covenant.
Some of the reviews talk about rape. I would describe it as sexual mutilation, and that forms the main theme of the book.
There are a couple of relationships that had me muttering ‘as if’ as I was reading it.
To be honest I’d give these a miss. If you must read them, try to rattle through them as quickly as possible, they’re really not worth investing a lot of time in.
The characters are all a bit immature. Sometimes it feels like you’re reading a short story written by an angry teen.
Like the first book the general idea is good, but it has been killed off by the terrible writing style.
I struggled with where the story was set in time, but you find out towards the end that it’s only about a month after the first book ‘covenant’. I think it’s pretty fundamental to be in the know of the timing from the beginning.
As you get towards the end, there is also a lot of unnecessary recap of what happened in the first book, dressed up as ‘memories’. Too little to help anyone diving straight in to the second book, too much for those who have already read covenant.
Some of the reviews talk about rape. I would describe it as sexual mutilation, and that forms the main theme of the book.
There are a couple of relationships that had me muttering ‘as if’ as I was reading it.
To be honest I’d give these a miss. If you must read them, try to rattle through them as quickly as possible, they’re really not worth investing a lot of time in.
August 10, 2017
I found this book to be very similar to the first, with plenty of supernatural horror from demons and humans alike, and a good helping of erotic horror as well. I knew the characters from reading COVENANT, which I liked as well.
In this story, there is a serial killer traveling around the country, killing people in demonic rituals. Her purpose is to open a door to our world for the Curburide, a sadistic race of demons. Joe Kieran, who has left Terrel (the town from the first book) meets up with a young girl who can talk to ghosts. Together, they track the killer in an effort to stop her from opening the door. And everything leads back to Terrel.
The formatting of this book was a little off, as it was converted from a Dorchester Publishing edition. But generally it was a quick and easy read and it held my interest in the story. Again, I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to read this type of "erotic horror."
In this story, there is a serial killer traveling around the country, killing people in demonic rituals. Her purpose is to open a door to our world for the Curburide, a sadistic race of demons. Joe Kieran, who has left Terrel (the town from the first book) meets up with a young girl who can talk to ghosts. Together, they track the killer in an effort to stop her from opening the door. And everything leads back to Terrel.
The formatting of this book was a little off, as it was converted from a Dorchester Publishing edition. But generally it was a quick and easy read and it held my interest in the story. Again, I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to read this type of "erotic horror."
July 9, 2020
I didn’t know this was a “Chronicles” book, I thought it was a stand-alone.
I started it several years ago. I do read graphic horror, but the content in this book at that specific time in my life had me put it down, I just finished it today 3-5 years after starting it.
It shares a common trend with much of the horror I’ve been reading recently - it probably should have been 100 or so pages shorter. The pacing since a large part of the novel is a cross-country tour is a little off.
The ending is also a little unfulfilling and leaves some items in the air, but now that I know it’s a series of some sort (perhaps not interconnected too closely) I’ll take a look.
It’s a decently fun read but expect graphic sexual content and violence - even from the villains POV. I’m not always on board with it from the bad perspective so I sped read through some of that.
I started it several years ago. I do read graphic horror, but the content in this book at that specific time in my life had me put it down, I just finished it today 3-5 years after starting it.
It shares a common trend with much of the horror I’ve been reading recently - it probably should have been 100 or so pages shorter. The pacing since a large part of the novel is a cross-country tour is a little off.
The ending is also a little unfulfilling and leaves some items in the air, but now that I know it’s a series of some sort (perhaps not interconnected too closely) I’ll take a look.
It’s a decently fun read but expect graphic sexual content and violence - even from the villains POV. I’m not always on board with it from the bad perspective so I sped read through some of that.
November 17, 2022
I had my doubts about a sequel to Covenant. I was pretty satisfied with how that one ended, so I didn't know where Everson could go from there. It turns out, it was an excellent idea. A serial killer goes cross country sacrificing horny dudes to the Curburide in an attempt to open a portal between their world and ours. Only Joe (and his pet demon Malachi) and an axe-murdering young woman can save the world. It's a lot of fun. The axe-murdering woman had a very interesting past with her two religious fanatic parents. That's a real sore spot for me. Religious fanatics in fiction really anger me, so my buttons were pushed very successfully in this one. I don't know if I cared about the serial killer's past all that much, especially since it turns out that all she had to do was read a book about the Curburide in a nunnery. But that ending. Holy mother of God, that ending!
July 2, 2017
Following on from the first entry - Covenant, Sacrifice sees Joe, now with a demon residing in his head, once more heading in to supernatural battle. Although this sounds like clever paranormal fiction, and it would be in the realm of Christopher Moore (funny) or Clive Barker (crafty), it's not in this novel. The short horror yarn is brimming with sexual sadism, where a budding young pyscho in a catsuit is dishing out sacrifices to usher forth the demons to our plane. It's trashy horror, easy to read and easy to forget. If you like your horror fast, furious, gory and perverse then you'll lap this up, however fresh and insightful fiction it isn't.
January 23, 2022
Kitapta bazı insanlar için gerçekten psikoloji bozacak şeyler var . Benim için önemsizdi fakat kitabin bazı bölümlerinde ana karakterlerimizden olan joe ve alexin yakınlasmasi çok saçmaydı. Şimdi neden? Diye sorabilirsin haklı bir isyanla. Sebebi alexin yaşının joe dan 10 yaş küçük oasiydi yani alex hala bir çocuk kitapta . Resmen sübyancılık vardı. Onun dışında güzeldi.
January 1, 2018
Pretty straighforward horror story. Some good gory moments, some pretty nasty. But then it gets silly when the main character falls for a teenage girl. And dreams about getting it on with her. Ok so is he a pedophile?
June 26, 2025
Rytuały i groza brzmią jak przepis na gorący thriller. Niestety, wyszło letnie rozczarowanie. Ani strachu, ani chemii, ani emocji. Jak na horror jest za mało mroku, jak na erotyk jest za mało ognia. Ziewnęłam.
September 4, 2025
At what point did this demon become a good guy? Book tried to rewrite the backstory some. I also thought the blocking was way off. People crossed states ins blink…crossed room in combat too fast as well. No true sense of space.
May 22, 2017
It's all it tries to be. A little embarrassed to give it three stars, but hell, I enjoyed it the way anyone enjoys a store brand chocolate cake.
December 24, 2019
3.7 stars!
June 25, 2021
Not as good as the first one. Felt rushed, but still an enjoyable story. Looking forward to the conclusion now.
January 7, 2025
Solid, nothing intensely gripping, but a good solid read
April 16, 2025
This was an intense and awesome read! Plenty of gore, sex, and ritual sacrifice. What's not to love?
I think there was a book before this one called Covenant. I haven't read it but that didn't stop me from getting the story.
I think there was a book before this one called Covenant. I haven't read it but that didn't stop me from getting the story.
September 8, 2019
son derece kotu bir ceviri, mumkunse orjinalinden okunmali.
June 29, 2011
I'll be the first to admit I'm a sucker for sequels, especially horror novel sequels. When I love a story, I can't wait to revisit those same characters in even more dangerous situations. However, with Sacrifice, I wasn't that into where the story was taking me. The taking over the world aspect was not as credible as the smaller events that were set up in Covenent. Once the premise in Sacrifice was established, it seemed very familiar ground, one in which the reader was constantly ahead of the characters on the page, which is the opposite of what ideally should happen. I felt the characters were always playing `catch-up' to what I already knew.
There were some effective moments of graphic violence and sex, but strangely, they seemed to slow down Everson's fast pace that was established early on. The flashbacks to Alex's parents also seemed unnecessary as it was already clear what happened to them. I also didn't care for Ted's part in the story and didn't believe for a second that Cindy would allow him to keep The Journal of Broderick Terrel, especially after all the evil things that had happened to her only a few weeks before, not to mention what Ted allows to happen to her later in the story. As time ticked down, there didn't seem to be an urgency with Joe and Alex's character in tracking Ariana down. Even after the fifth murder, they seemed to be more interested in getting drunk, stuffing themselves at hotel restaurants, and painting Alex's nails than stopping the destruction of mankind. The scare factor, also, was an issue for me, with ample opportunities for some potentially frightening moments that just never happened.
The one thing I will say for author John Everson, is that while I enjoyed Covenent more, I did think that, with Sacrifice, he has become a better author. His writing is smoother and more defined, and his level of confidence seems to be that of some of the top horror authors working today. However, I would have preferred for him to explore another story other than the continuing saga of the Terrel cliffs. But I'm still a fan and looking forward to his new novel, The 13th.
There were some effective moments of graphic violence and sex, but strangely, they seemed to slow down Everson's fast pace that was established early on. The flashbacks to Alex's parents also seemed unnecessary as it was already clear what happened to them. I also didn't care for Ted's part in the story and didn't believe for a second that Cindy would allow him to keep The Journal of Broderick Terrel, especially after all the evil things that had happened to her only a few weeks before, not to mention what Ted allows to happen to her later in the story. As time ticked down, there didn't seem to be an urgency with Joe and Alex's character in tracking Ariana down. Even after the fifth murder, they seemed to be more interested in getting drunk, stuffing themselves at hotel restaurants, and painting Alex's nails than stopping the destruction of mankind. The scare factor, also, was an issue for me, with ample opportunities for some potentially frightening moments that just never happened.
The one thing I will say for author John Everson, is that while I enjoyed Covenent more, I did think that, with Sacrifice, he has become a better author. His writing is smoother and more defined, and his level of confidence seems to be that of some of the top horror authors working today. However, I would have preferred for him to explore another story other than the continuing saga of the Terrel cliffs. But I'm still a fan and looking forward to his new novel, The 13th.
May 18, 2009
So I've decided that although it really has nothing to do with me - I'm going to take claim for pushing dear Mr. Everson to write this book (in reality I just want to feel important) but after I read "The Covenant" and wrote my review - I mentioned in my review that I really wanted to know more about what happened for the lighthouse keeper to have summoned the demon in the first place - that it sounded like a really interesting story.
And here it is! Like magic, I opened up The Sacrifice and there, my request was granted! We pick up following our poor bedraggled reporter who is now in mental posession of the fun filled demon who used to haunt ye old cliff in Terrel. But our darling demon isn't content with a joyride across the country - he's just GOT to get Joe involved in saving the world again, with the help of a teenage runaway who has the ability to chat with the dead they are off on a whirl wind adventure to chase down a catsuit wearing serial killer and prevent the carburide from taking over the planet.
Where the Covenant was a dark and brooding, creepy, eerie book - Sacrifice is an in your face action packed gorefest. The reader flips back and forth from the good guys to the bad guys and back again - hoping for something to stall the bad guys, and praying for the good guys to pick up the pace, and always the reader wonders - what part does Malechi have to play in this?
From the opening scene the reader is grabbed by the throat and drug along with their heart pounding from beginning to end. An excellent read - I highly recommend it, but be sure to read "The Covenant" first!
And here it is! Like magic, I opened up The Sacrifice and there, my request was granted! We pick up following our poor bedraggled reporter who is now in mental posession of the fun filled demon who used to haunt ye old cliff in Terrel. But our darling demon isn't content with a joyride across the country - he's just GOT to get Joe involved in saving the world again, with the help of a teenage runaway who has the ability to chat with the dead they are off on a whirl wind adventure to chase down a catsuit wearing serial killer and prevent the carburide from taking over the planet.
Where the Covenant was a dark and brooding, creepy, eerie book - Sacrifice is an in your face action packed gorefest. The reader flips back and forth from the good guys to the bad guys and back again - hoping for something to stall the bad guys, and praying for the good guys to pick up the pace, and always the reader wonders - what part does Malechi have to play in this?
From the opening scene the reader is grabbed by the throat and drug along with their heart pounding from beginning to end. An excellent read - I highly recommend it, but be sure to read "The Covenant" first!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews