The Ritual: A Novel
Now a Netflix Original Movie!
The Ritual is Adam Nevill's horror novel depicting a group of friends lost in a remote wilderness in Sweden where something supernatural lurks. When four old University friends set off into the Scandinavian wilderness of the Arctic Circle, they aim to briefly escape the problems of their lives and reconnect with one another. But when Luke, the only man still single and living a precarious existence, finds he has little left in common with his well-heeled friends, tensions rise. With limited experience between them, a shortcut meant to ease their hike turns into a nightmare scenario that could cost them their lives. Lost, hungry, and surrounded by forest untouched for millennia, Luke figures things couldn't possibly get any worse. But then they stumble across an old habitation. Ancient artifacts decorate the walls and there are bones scattered upon the dry floors. The residue of old rites and pagan sacrifice for something that still exists in the forest. Something responsible for the bestial presence that follows their every step. As the four friends stagger in the direction of salvation, they learn that death doesn't come easy among these ancient trees . . .BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
This book was OKAY in the first half, but it moved along so incredibly slow. I wanted to like this book, the idea and the plot was a good idea but it just wasn't executed super well. I was honestly most of the time confused with what was happening just because of how it was written. The ending also was suuuuper predictable.
Adam Nevill is one of my favorite horror authors and The Ritual is a perfect example why. Nevill has amazing characterizations, suspenseful storytelling, and a plot with so many layers it’s hard to put down!
Four college bros meet up again years later for a holiday weekend hiking in Sweden. The four all have unresolved tensions, which linger over the holiday, and worsen the trip. In hopes of ending it early, they decide to take an uncharted path through the forest. But what once seemed like a good idea quickly darkens as the four realize the forest is off in some way, and much bigger than anticipated. And there’s something following them …..
I love creature features, especially when the creature is based on regional lore. The Ritual has an excellent mix of survival horror and supernatural horror woven into myth and lore native to Norway and Sweden. The descriptions of the unknown creature that lurks in these woods alongside the slowly crumbling friendship of these men is truly horrifying.
Survival horror and Supernatural horror are my favorite genres, so to see the two combined so well was perfect.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, supernatural horror, or survival horror I would recommend The Ritual for its excellent storytelling.
Intense, gripping, and shock inducing! This one had me so consumed after the first chapter I couldn’t put it down! If you like folk horror and breaking out into a cold sweat, this one’s for you!
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