Such a good read! I love horror based on different history/traditions/folklore, and this book draws from Chinese folklore to set up a creepy story about family secrets. Also about queer coming-of-age/awakenings!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I like the idea, but this is written with very purple prose, and the dialogue is done from the perspective of Nick, but with no quotation marks. It manages to distance itself from the narrative, and I lost track of who was talking quite a bit. Certain character details felt disconnected from the overall story. I think this would have worked better as a novella, to keep the style of writing, but with a leaner storyline.

Excellent thriller with a sprinkle of gothic! Each page increased the tension. I loved the subliminal messages that the author weaved into the story.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A supernatural horror novel that explores the dark legacy of a troubled family. There are sinister secrets that have haunted this family for decades. The pacing is a little uneven with some parts feeling drawn out and incomplete. Still an interesting read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion

this book was a litttlleee bit too slow for me but i generally enjoyed the story! it would have been fun to have had lean a bit more into the horror aspect throughout the book. personally it was a bit predictable to me but i think that is because of my own knowledge of some Chinese culture but i do love a woman getting vengeance on men! my only other complaint would be the lack for quotation makes for dialogue, i understand it is a style choice, but it's just something not for me

I DNFed the written ebook because I was bored. I picked up the Audiobook to give it another shot, less boring, but can someone explain why now 40s Nick sounds like a whiny 15? It's just that nothing *happens* and the "character" development isn't there. It's just hit after hit and I got tired of it. The "twist" at the end was nice as it at least was something happening, but by then I was so bored I just wanted it to be over.

**Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC**

I wanted to love this book, with the overlay of the magical realism it felt that it was going to be a great read. With plot points of dysfunctional families, small towns and growing up gay in rural America this book had the ability to be so exciting. I felt as if the story really didn't pick up until 70% of the way in and how things had been hashed out before it were pointless. This could have been wrapped up as a short story in a longer anthology but felt dragged out with repetitive motions. The big reveal wasn't as big as expected as it was hinted at all the way through with the overemphasis of the animal in the stories throughout his childhood. It also felt it didn't qualify as horror more violent fantasy contemporary writing but the plot was fresh and unique and I learned about a new mythological story I wasn't previously aware of.

Sacrificial Animals is an intriguing and complex story that delves into the complicated dynamics of family, trauma, and dark secrets. The premise, which centers on Nick Morrow’s return to his estranged family, is gripping. The tension between him, his father Carlyle, and his brother Joshua sets up a fascinating exploration of generational conflict and emotional baggage.

The relationship between Nick and Emilia is one of the most engaging parts of the book. It starts off with a simple flirtation but quickly evolves into something far more unsettling, with layers of mystery and tension that keep you turning pages. However, while the story is absorbing, some of the plot twists feel a little too forced and the pacing can be uneven at times.

The flashbacks to Nick’s adolescence add depth to his character, but they sometimes interrupt the flow of the main narrative. The themes of inherited trauma and the impact of past events on present relationships are handled with nuance, but some parts of the story could have been fleshed out a bit more.

Overall, Sacrificial Animals offers a thought-provoking narrative, though it occasionally struggles with pacing and some underdeveloped elements. It's an enjoyable read for those who appreciate dark family dramas, but it might not fully satisfy readers seeking a more cohesive and polished plot.

I had high hopes for this book as I had heard some good things about it, Unfortunately it completely missed the mark for me and I struggled to finish it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review

Horror books are my love languages and this one was fantastic

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book

**Sacrificial Animals** by Kailee Pedersen is an enthralling supernatural horror debut set in the eerie landscapes of rural Nebraska. The narrative delves into the Morrow family's dark legacy, weaving themes of inherited trauma and family disintegration. The plot shifts between Nick Morrow's troubled adolescence and his return home as an adult, building tension and atmosphere. While the character development could be improved, the richly layered plot and haunting ambiance make it a captivating read. Overall, it's a solid addition to the horror genre, deserving a respectable 3.5/5 stars.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the digital and audio copies to review.

This starts off with a pretty gruesome animal scene that I skipped forward given I listened via audio, which I was not expecting right out of the gate. The overall story is told in two timelines, past and present, and this scene is in the past, setting the stage for the future. I did not connect with the characters, and I don’t always have to, but I just was not present for either timeline and that did not change as the book went on. It was a bit redundant with the characters and the two timelines, e.g. the same thing was happening whether it was the past or present timeline, and I thought that overall this story had the potential for so much more.

This is a hell of a debut novel, and honestly, it's not one I saw coming, in the best kind of way. We have a patriarch dying in the Appalachian woods, his sons dealing with his imminent death and what they all underwent under him, and the new wife who seems almost too perfect. I originally wasn't that fond of the framing of our POV character, but honestly, with the twist of the last chapter of this book, I don't think it could've been crafted any other way. I had an idea of what was coming at a certain point, and I still managed to be surprised in the best kind of way. Pick this up this winter and see who comes knocking at your door.

This is a slow burn horror that was beautifully written. So many metaphors that were perfectly played out. I’m not usually a fan of slow burn horror but it worked with this book

Sacrificial Animals by Kailee Pedersen is a haunting and atmospheric debut that masterfully blends supernatural horror with deep emotional resonance. Pedersen’s storytelling is both evocative and powerful, making this novel a standout in the genre.

One particularly striking scene is when Nick Morrow, the protagonist, confronts the shadowy presence that has haunted him since childhood. This moment is not only pivotal to the plot but also beautifully illustrates Pedersen's ability to create an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere. The vivid descriptions of the dark, foreboding farm and the chilling encounter with the supernatural force leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Throughout the book, Pedersen skillfully explores themes of inherited trauma, identity, and the struggle for redemption. Nick's journey from a troubled adolescent to a man grappling with his past is both compelling and heart-wrenching. The interplay of the supernatural elements with the raw emotional depth of the characters adds a layer of complexity that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

This is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Kailee Pedersen has crafted a story that is not just to be read but to be experienced.

I am normally all in for a good mythological retelling/horror story, but unfortunately Sacrificial Animals did not deliver as promised.

Set in Nebraska against a backdrop of a very dysfunctional domestic abusive family, Sacrificial Animals is told through dueling timelines and mainly focuses on the younger of two brothers, Nick as he navigates returning home at his father's request as an adult and his traumatic childhood. For 85% of the book, the reader is exposed to Nick's violent childhood and his struggle with his bixsexuality amidst a meandering plot line of a fox that has been attacking his family's henhouse juxtaposed against a current timeline where he struggles with a strained relationship with his brother and a hidden desire for his sister-in-law. The last 15% finally tie in the Chinese mythology, but it feels forced and honestly did not make much sense overall.

With characters who were all completely unlikeable and heavy with trauma porn, not much happens in this story and what does happen is rather boring with a plotline that seems all over the place and struggles to fit the pieces of mythology. The big reveal is thrown at the reader with very little context or warning. This novel would have worked much better as a short story without the excess of overly descriptive writing and a tightened storyline that solely focused on Emilia's relationship with the family.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and Kailee Pedersen for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Nick and Joshua are summoned home to their father's side as he declines. Old memories come up, history comes back up. What could possibly go wrong?

Reading Sacrificial Animals was a completely different experience from listening to the audiobook—and not in a good way. The audiobook brought the story to life with its atmospheric narration, adding layers of emotion and tension that were completely missing when just reading it. Unfortunately, without the narration, the pacing dragged, and the story felt flat. If you’re going to pick this one up, I’d highly recommend listening to the audiobook to get the full, intended experience.

A extremely slow burn of a book that almost had me not DNFing, but I am glad I stuck it out. A story about two estranged brothers who are called home by their toxic and abusive patriarch. The narrative shifts between past and present, illuminating the horrific childhood the brothers had to endure. The mythological elements don’t really show up until the end, but if you can endure the slow pace, you will be rewarded.

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book is about Nick Morrow, who is nothing like his father Carlyle and his brother Joshua. They’re both hardened by the world and everything that has happened to their family. Where Nick is not; he is still caring, introverted and wants the best in life. Nick didn’t have the best life growing up and all he has ever wanted was to be able to live the life he wanted without his brother and father, but when his father calls him and tells him that he is sick and that he needs to come home with his brother too. He goes for some closure with his father but when Joshua's wife Emelia comes back to the house with him, Nick can feel that something isn’t right.

This book was beautifully written, it is a mix of Chinese mythology and gothic horror. I liked that the chapters alternate from Then and Now, and you get to see how Nick grew up and how his life is now, and what is going on the farmland where his father still lives. With Carlyle having everyone come to his house, even Emelia who he swore would never step foot on his land or house ever again all because she is Asian and “he is not having that in HIS family” yeah, he is one of those kinds of people. This book is a slow burn, and in my opinion, I do think that it could have been shorter and still been an amazing book but I felt at times that I was getting an info dump or information that wasn’t really necessary. However, that didn’t take away from the beautiful writing and the story that Pedersen wrote. I did love having a mix of Chinese mythology, and gothic horror; I found it to be beautiful.

If you pick up this book just know that you will see trauma, violence, dark family issues, Chinese mythology, gothic/horror, as well as points that the author had to deal with being an adopted child of Asian descent in Nebraska, and her experiences as a gay kid coming of age throughout the book.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to review this book.