When five school friends end up spending the summer holidays together, Sep dreams of a box hidden deep within the local forest and has the strong urge for them to put in offerings/sacrifice to bond their friendship forever. Sep, Mack, Hadley, Arckle, and Lamb all find childhood items to put into the box and recite the three simple rules: 1) Do not go to the box alone, 2) Do not go to the box after dark, 3) Do not take back your sacrifices. After the school holidays they all return to their "normal" group of friends when back at school until four years later strange things start to happen in their town. They soon realise that somebody has broken one of the rules. They have to rekindle their friendship to find out who broke the rule, which rule was broken and then work together to make it right.

Unfortunately, the first half of this book is so haphazard and jumps all over the place that majority of the time it doesn't make sense. There is no real connection between the characters and the storyline does not flow making it hard to follow. The author does not explain how or why the box works like it does not why so much emphasis seems to have been put on the crows that are constantly referred to. If you can get to the second half of the book - the story is more like the book I was expecting and is a good read from this time..

I tried so hard with this book, I really did but I just couldn't get into it. I don't even know why.

Thank you though to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review.

This book was like a slightly more chilling stand by me. It took me a few pages to get into it but when I did I wasn’t disappointed. It has a Netflix series written all over it.

It's very rare that I DNF a book...but I simply had to with this one for my own sanity and to keep me reading. I had such high hopes for The Sacrifice Box, and whilst it wasn't terrible, I just couldn't keep forcing myself to turn the page. I was actively counting the percentage, hoping for it to miraculously be going up a lot so I knew I was closer to finishing but no! I made it to 25%, just!

We start off by meeting five, for want of a better term, friends who all place an item in the "sacrifice box" and swear an oath to never open the box. That's about as far as my interest in the book went because after this point the characterisation got so confusing that I just couldn't keep up with it! One minute it's Sep, then it's September, then it's Hope. It. Made. No. Sense. I just couldn't warm to a single one of them! I think the only character who I like has to be Mario, who seems to just be in the book for comic effect as he comes out with some great words of "wisdom".

I had such high hopes for The Sacrifice Box - I adore IT and the idea of this book sounded very promising. I just don't think that the story was executed effectively and that it was so slow and muddled for the reader that it just wasn't engaging. This is a shame because it's been very highly anticipated by so many readers, and Martin Stewart's previous book Riverkeep has been very highly praised and, whilst I haven't read it, it's one that sounds brilliant. I don't want to slate Stewart's writing entirely - I don't think he's a bad writer as such (The Sacrifice Box hasn't put me off giving Riverkeep a go in the future) and I'm hoping that it was just a case of this book simply wasn't for me.

A group of young outsiders are drawn together for all the wrong reasons and pay the consequences. The fact that this is history repeating itself compounds the problems they face as well as adding complexity to the read. The story focuses on young September (Sep) and his need to escape from his island life. Although it is based in the UK, the reader has to constantly be reminded of this as it reads like a US coming of age tale. The writing is rich and complex and with a number of character names and nicknames introduced, it is sometimes hard to understand who is who. That said, characterisation is very strong and the reader gains affinity with the lead character and his little gang of not-friends.

There is a lot of tension throughout the book and the use of setting is well done as is the use of animals which provide an elemental feel to the writing. Not quite a horror book, there is still a lot of unpleasantness faced by the group and those around them. The flashbacks to earlier times where the same mistakes were made is an interesting mechanism that allows the current group to learn from the experiences of their elders, but more particularly provides them with an understanding that grownups also have a past and are not that different. It should be noted that where there is damage to property or harm and death to individuals there seems to be little consequence and that leaves gaps to the story.

There is a steady to fast pace to the story that, if the reader can get get into the tale, will keep you engrossed in the tale. It becomes clear as the story progresses that this is in part fantasy as well as a morality tale. Although this is not heavily forced on the reader, there is a clear message that underlies the writing.

The story draws to a close with the anticipated denouement. What is unusual is that the emphasis on friendship and the group becomes focused on the individual in the end and how to make sense of who they are and what they want in life. It is a little choppy at the end with gaps in time, but there is a neat wrapping up of the plot, even if it doesn't quite answer all the reader's questions

I am a big fan of Stephen King so was thrilled to be able to read this book. The book did switch to different people a lot so sometimes it took a while to figure out who was who but the story was good. A few creepy bits with the dolls, I hate dolls but it was great at adding to the eerie parts of the book. Reminded me of IT with the group of misfit friends.

This is the first book I have really struggled to read as I found it really disturbing - the images of toys and animals coming back to life were so graphic I really struggled to continue. I did finish and thankfully there was a more positive ending that I had expected. It did highlight the importance of friendship, loyalty and trust - all positive which helped to outweigh the horror.

I will not be purchasing this for the library as I feel it is a too uncomfortable read for KS3 readers.

I knew from the blurb of this book that I was going to enjoy it. Even the title and cover piqued my interest. I’m a huge horror fan and I’m still waiting for more options when it comes to YA horror. This is an excellent addition to the genre, particularly because it’s reminiscent of some of my favourite adult horror titles.

One of the best things about this book is the 80s feel. I only vaguely remember the 80s but I’ve always loved 80s movies, from the feelgood to the terrifying. This book captures the 80s in the subject matter, plot and touches from the time period, such as the music and clothing. It has all the best elements from books like IT and Salem’s Lot, in its wonderful characterisation and a gripping plot that takes you to some scary places.

The characters in this book are fantastic. It was hard to keep them all in my head at first, but then I really appreciated the variety of different personalities. All of them had something to different to contribute and relate to, and I particularly enjoyed Arkle's humour, as it added much-needed lightness.

This was the first book I've read by Martin Stewart and I'll certainly read more in future.

First things first: The Sacrifice Box is a horror. I did not think this from the blurb and so was somewhat surprised when the book took a really scary turn. Horror isn’t usually a genre I read, but this one I enjoyed very much.
September (Sep), Arkle, Mack, Lamb and Hadley discover an ancient box in the forest one summer. They each agree to sacrifice something special to them, in an act that should secure their friendship forever as long as they follow the simple rules: never go to the box at night, never go to the box alone and never take back their sacrifice.
The story picks up four years later when the group have drifted apart and are not on good terms. Strange and sinister things start to happen to them and they realise that one of them has broken the pact. No-one will own up to it. Can they fix it before the box consumes them all?
The Sacrifice Box moves backwards and forwards in time, so alongside the story of Sep and his friends, we read the stories of those who have come to the sacrifice box before them, the sacrifices they made and the horrors they experience when they break the rules. This adds an extra level of tension for the reader. It kept me hooked to the end, and that almost never happens with a horror story for me.
Each member of the group has their own story and is experiencing their own personal issues alongside the problem of the box, and these are all portrayed well and explored throughout the story. Arkle also adds a much-needed injection of laugh-out-loud humour to an otherwise very dark story. Both these things are necessary to break up the horror: without these, it would just be too much for me. I honestly think The Sacrifice Box is the scariest thing I have ever read.
It is also a wonderful tale of friendship. When the group find out what they have to do to stop the horror, it forces them to reevaluate their relationship to each other. Can they put aside their differences for the greater good? You’ll have to read it to find out.

I really enjoyed this book. It had echoes of Stranger Things and those 80's films. It was a fun, horror filled read.

I managed to read about 20% of this book or so but the ARC formatting in part 2 just fell apart and I gave up, it was too hard to try and read.
But what I will say about the 'sample' I read was, it was incredible. Flitting forwards and backwards in time we follow a bunch of estranged high school kids, who once, many many years ago after bonding throughout the summer placed sentimental items in a box and buried it. Until one of the three rules; 1. they will never return to the box at night; 2. they'll never visit it alone; 3. they'll never take back their offerings, was broken.
I loved the Stranger Things feel to the younger children, riding around on their bikes, exploring the woods, swimming in the sea. As well as the process of them coming back together as awkward unsure teenagers. I am afraid that's where I left the story, from what I had read I would have loved the rest of the book. I am reluctant to pick it up elsewhere because I am unashamedly sulking over it.. maybe one day.

I didn't like this. Maybe I just wan't in the mood.

Five teenagers discover a mysterious stone box hidden in a forest one hot summer when they’re all thrown together on the small island they live on and decide to all make a sacrifice to it, one which they hope will keep them as friends. But there are rules: never return alone; never return at night; and never take back the offerings. Four years later, they’re returning to school and are more strangers than friends. But weird things are starting to happen. Someone has broken the rules, but who and how can they stop it before it’s too late?
I enjoyed this book – it was a fun ride, but a little bit all over the place. I imagine it more as a B rated film – it had an interesting premise, some good characters and a pretty good storyline, but it dragged in places then jumped in quick motion in others. While it wasn’t outstanding, it was still a pretty good read.

I really enjoyed this book! The 80's references were great and really appealed to me as they brought back some great memories. Definitely on trend at the moment as the 80's seem to be influencing a lot of books and TV series recently. I felt the friendship can conquer all angle worked really well and again was reminiscent of such classics as The Goonies/Stranger Things/Stand by Me.

All the characters were well rounded, September and Hadley were my favourites but as a whole the group worked well together.

A thoroughly enjoyable read that I raced through; featuring a demonic teddy bear, various zombie creatures and killer crabs - what more could you want from a YA horror!? I will definitely be buying a copy for my teenage daughter.

Kids on bikes in the 1980s has long been a staple of horror fiction. But in recent times the sub-genre of teens in horror/adventure has really become part of the cultural zeitgeist. The phenomenal successes of the IT reboot and Stranger Things has cemented its legacy. So, it’s hardly a surprise that fiction writers are undertaking the same themes in novels in the second decade of the 21st century.
However, how do you stand out from these huge successes?
Martin Stewart tries and in many ways, achieves to differentiate his story from those with The Sacrifice Box. Though as any reader would expect, there are still huge threads that borrow and are simply shadows cast by these genre staples mentioned earlier.

Rest of review to follow later this week/early next week.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication, but it should be noted that it’s hard to read a story when the text runs together as it does throughout this book. Puzzling out what is being said makes me less likely to want to read.
Technical gripe aside, this book had some interesting messages about friendship and coming to terms with change. Unfortunately, the appeal of the book was definitely hampered for me by the way nothing quite fitted together.
This is a story about friendship, but all the characters are quick to point out that they were never friends when the story began and haven’t spoken much in the four years since. We’re given quite vague characters with all but our main narrator, and the reasons for the box existing are not given.
The book taps into the vibe for 80s themed friendship stories. The kids find a mysterious box in the woods, give it a sacrifice each and vow never to break their rules. Sadly, someone has and it sets off a chain of increasingly gruesome events focusing on inanimate objects coming to life.
Supernatural horror and pretty graphic violence may be your cup of tea. In which case, you’ll find much to like. It was not really my thing, and the sense of too many things being lumped together made it hard for me to focus on this.

Running off the back of the Stranger Things hype, The Sacrifice Box is a delightfully creepy tale set against the backdrop of the 80's. If you're after the IT by Stephen King feel then you'll enjoy Sept and his friends as they decipher the mystery of the Sacrifice Box and try to contain the evil within.

In all my years of reading, I can probably count on one hand the number of books I have made a conscious decision not to finish. Sadly, The Sacrifice Box is now one of them.

After reading the synopsis I was so sure that this would be a book that I would love but unfortunately, that was not the case. I found that while reading, my attention would wander and I had to actively force myself to focus..

I think that one reason for The Shadow Box to lose my attention was the inconsistent world building. It was mentioned that the characters lived on an Island not far from the mainland, with references to Britain such as currency and Blue Peter Badges yet there was also references to guidance councillors so was it meant to be in the US?

Another huge reason for my 1-star review is that I just didn't care about the characters. There was nothing to make me root for them, to make me worry about them.

While I didn't enjoy this book I'm very thankful to the author and publisher for providing me with an e-copy via netgalley.co.uk.

Not for me, couldn't get into this at all and gave up after about 20% of the book