The Ritual

By: Adam Nevill

Narrated by: 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

I almost skipped this one after watching the movie

I’m so glad I listened to everyone who fills me just how different the book and movie are. Excellent performance by the voice actor.

scary woods!

So the first half was just absolutely great. It was genuinely thrilling and scary. The second half kind of dragged but picked up again. I do feel like the ending leaves a bit to be desired. Kind of felt like the story deserves a stronger ending. Excited to watch the movie I hear is on Netflix. I wonder of the faster pacing of movies will make the second half of the story better. Hopefully they switch up the ending too.

Scary in all the best ways

This was a page turner and had all kinds of different horror elements. The last 1/3 dragged just a bit but the overall story and the hair raising ending more than made up for it. 5/5 man I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

It was just OK

I experienced the first half of the story, dragging on, and on. Once Luke had been captured and held captive by blood frenzy, things got confusing that I don’t feel wherever fully explained. Given everything that Luke went through, I found the ending quite dissatisfying.

Great start…

This story got very weird after Luke was alone. Very strange. I had a hard timing keeping up with who wax who and what exactly they were. Even the end was disappointing. Movie much better and scarier.