The Ritual

De: Adam Nevill

Narrado por: Matthew Lloyd Davies

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....

©2011 Adam Nevill (P)2018 Tantor

Where was the editor?

Good story, but so many scenes were so repetitive. could have eliminated 20% of the dialog without missing anything.

Why is a review header required?

Seemed like filler towards the end, I couldn't really get onboard with the evil metalhead band thing. As an avid backpacker, the beginning and middle was exciting and horrifying.

Interesting but annoying

Overall, I found it interesting but became tedious to finish due to how repetitive the remaining 1/3 chapters were.

I am a forester. I work out in the woods, sometimes alone, and often in areas the general public rarely ever visits. The first 2/3s or so are fantastic at bringing the forest to life and genuinely evoked some fear in me as I could easily imagine myself in the main character's shoes.

The author and the narrator create a great atmosphere and sense of dread/anxiety for the first 2/3s. However, the last portion desperately needs some trimming/editing. I yearned to finish the book because I felt as though I kept hearing the same thing and it started to get frustrating.

This is my first Adam Nevill book. After finishing The Ritual, I'm not sure if I'll try other works by Nevill.

movie>book

As a fellow author, I am always loathe to admit when a movie is better than the source material. The hours spent on the quartet of extremely uninteresting cultists I'm lieu of the creature was a huge letdown.

Unique horror tale with plenty of chills.

The Ritual is a story I actually saw in movie form before I read it (usually if I know there is a book I will read it first) and I was impressed by the movie. While the movie is very good and in some ways a bit more streamlined than the book, I am still glad I took the time to read the book as the second half in the story was definitely not highlighted in the film and it has a unique spin on familiar tropes.

The Ritual is the story of four friends (Luke, Hutch, Dom and Phil) who decided to go out into nature and have a holiday together in the rugged Swedish territory. Hutch leads the men on a shortcut into thick, dense woods and things devolve into terror from there. The characters are crafted well, the setting is fantastic and the story is fairly simple in the beginning but more ffective because its a situation any of us can relate to. While there are shades of other horror novels (Dreamcatcher comes to mind) The Ritual proves to have some original moments and Nevill is an interesting newer voice in the genre.

I definitely think if you are a horror novel fan then this book will be a good listen for you.

The narrator is great and really keeps you in the story.

Engaging and creepy with great narration

I found this story to be the perfect blend of suspenseful and creepy. The Blair Witch Project meets The Wicker Man.

Ancient God Spooky

I enjoyed this creepy tale. I especially liked the way the author brought an ancient horror to life in a modern age by reminding us of the unexplored dark places. Mathew Loyd Davies did a great job with the narration.

Ugh…

As much as I can’t believe I’m saying this, the movie was so much better. I couldn’t wait for this to end.

Needs punching up

I chose this because I really liked the movie. This is one of those cases where the screenwriter made the story in to something better. The book drags for most of the first and second act, but the final third is pretty wild. Different from the movie in most areas, but good in its own way.

Spooky

Genuinely found myself creeped out while listening! I enjoyed the story and the characters, some parts got a bit confusing but overall I enjoyed the flow of the story. I had seen the movie already and found I enjoyed listening to the book more!