The Ritual

by Adam Nevill

"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 artefacts 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 . . "--

• ISBN10: 0312641842
• ISBN13: 9780312641849
• Publish Date: 14 February 2012 (first published 6 May 2011)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St. Martin's Griffin
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 432
• Language: English

Reviews

[bearley]

Really excited to read this after seeing the movie, but this is the rare case where the movie was better. It was such a slow burn that had I not been waiting for the creature I would’ve dnf. The last 50 pages were almost worth the long beginning though. Just really wanted more of Moder — my reason for reading the book in the first place.