May 2014 Group Read: The Ritual by Adam Nevill

[Ms. Nikki]

The Ritual won for the month of May.

Please be sure to use spoiler tags when necessary.

Discuss and enjoy~

[Justin]

Starting tonight, I have had this one for a long ass time now. I had to break the old kindle out and do some digging for it.

[11811 (Eleven)]

I read this already but I look forward to following this thread. I had a weird love/hate relationship with this book.

[K4tie]

Suhweet, a book that causes an internal struggle. I love books that make me want to throw them off a cliff, but I just have to finish this page first...

[Eliot]

I'm excited to read this. Glad it was chosen.

[11811 (Eleven)]

K4tie wrote: "Suhweet, a book that causes an internal struggle. I love books that make me want to throw them off a cliff, but I just have to finish this page first..."

Yeah you may eventually throw it against a wall only to pick it up again and continue reading.

[Cathie]

Can't wait can't wait can't wait

[Jason]

you guys will love it! I read it in January. Read the first half in one sitting. It was so creepy I couldn't stop lol

[Kirstin]

Really looking forward to reading this!

[Micky Blue Skies]

Looking forward to this.

[(shan) Littlebookcove]

picking this up and "the troop". I can't wait as I think ritual is going to be an intense read.

[Zinge]

I've heard good things about this one. Looking forward to starting it with the group.

[Walter]

Put a hold on it with our local library. Shouldn't have to wait too long for it.

[Deborah]

I'm about a third of the way through, and it's starting to drag for me. Maybe I'm a little burned out on the whole "survive in the cold while something's after us" plot after our January group read, Snowblind. I'm hoping it will pick up again soon.

[Jason]

Deborah wrote: "I'm about a third of the way through, and it's starting to drag for me. Maybe I'm a little burned out on the whole "survive in the cold while something's after us" plot after our January group rea..."

It will. The ending is awesome! I felt the same way when I read it, It slows down a bit, but picks back up.

[Katy]

Jason wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I'm about a third of the way through, and it's starting to drag for me. Maybe I'm a little burned out on the whole "survive in the cold while something's after us" plot after our J..."

Ah, for a lovely hike through the woods with some seriously out of shape friends. Who am I kidding? I would be one of the out of shape friends. But at least I know enough to wear the correct clothes, boots and socks...

[Jason]

So, I'm curious...

(view spoiler)[ Did anyone pick up on the fact that the old woman had hooves? I didn't until it was revealed and I felt stupid because it hints at it throughout most of the 2nd half. (hide spoiler)]

[Kirstin]

Book order came in today! Yay! I'll get started as soon as it gets dark outside. :)

[Kirstin]

So, has anyone ever been lost in the woods?

I had a scary experience at 17 in the Gatineau hills near Ottawa. We thought we were too cool to stay on the trail. Got completely lost and ended up having to sit and slide our way down, an inch at a time for fear of falling, in the dark.

I'm only a few pages in and I'm already sensing the panic.

[Marc-Antoine]

I just got this and will be joining in, but I need to finish House of Leaves first...

[Jason]

Marc-Antoine wrote: "I just got this and will be joining in, but I need to finish House of Leaves first..."

Such an amazing novel. It's my favorite.

[Marc-Antoine]

Kirstin wrote: "So, has anyone ever been lost in the woods?

I had a scary experience at 17 in the Gatineau hills near Ottawa. We thought we were too cool to stay on the trail. Got completely lost and ended up ha..."

My family and I are always hanging out there!

[Marc-Antoine]

Jason wrote: "Marc-Antoine wrote: "I just got this and will be joining in, but I need to finish House of Leaves first..."

Such an amazing novel. It's my favorite."

House of Leaves or The Ritual?

[Kirstin]

Same here! This was at Luskville Falls but not on the trail. My daughter and I just hiked there last fall. Love the Gatineaus!

[Jason]

Marc-Antoine wrote: "Jason wrote: "Marc-Antoine wrote: "I just got this and will be joining in, but I need to finish House of Leaves first..."

Such an amazing novel. It's my favorite."

House of Leaves or The Ritual?"

House Of Leaves. The Ritual was awesome too though.

[Marc-Antoine]

Especially in autumn!

[Kirstin]

I'm about a third of the way (view spoiler)[The dream chapters were very scary and I loved the writing in them."Sticks. Spiking cheeks. Looking for eyes. Poking the throat. Sticks." Creepy! I'm guessing we're dealing with a supernatural deamon thing? I thought it could have been crazy, backwoods Swedish devil worshipers. lol I guess I'll find out soon enough. (hide spoiler)]

Enjoying it so far.

[Marc-Antoine]

Jason wrote: "Marc-Antoine wrote: "Jason wrote: "Marc-Antoine wrote: "I just got this and will be joining in, but I need to finish House of Leaves first..."

Such an amazing novel. It's my favorite."

House of L..."

I'm really enjoying it so far, I'm getting as disoriented as the characters....

[Tiffany]

I'm so in; this book looks amazing!

[Cathie]

Glad I read The Willows just before reading this as it prepared me for such another intense atmospheric read.

Beginning South of Heaven...can't believe (view spoiler)[ he's on his own now (hide spoiler)].

[Latasha]

Thanks so much to Katie(K4tie) I'm now reading this too. I'm on chapter 11. I like the short chapters. My first thoughts are: a 3 day hiking trip and no compass? And my 2nd thought is: omg, this book is going to scare me to death!

[Latasha]

Ok they do have a compass! Thats good. Guess I over read it or something.

[Kirstin]

Beginning South of Heaven...can't believe [spoilers removed]."

I bet he wishes (view spoiler)[he was on his own! So crazy and creepy. Who are these people? (hide spoiler)]

[Katy]

Latasha wrote: "Thanks so much to Katie(K4tie) I'm now reading this too. I'm on chapter 11. I like the short chapters. My first thoughts are: a 3 day hiking trip and no compass? And my 2nd thought is: omg, this bo..."

It didn't take long to start shredding the fellowship of this group. It is hard, realizing that the people you've thought you were friends, from some earlier time when being friends was easy, like in college, have drifted away.

I'm 27% in, and they've (view spoiler)[ just found the ruins of the church, with the creepy altar. I'm guessing that the altar with the "weird hollow" in the center" was used from something other than a baptismal font... (hide spoiler)]

[Cathie]

Kirstin wrote: I bet he wishes [spoilers removed]"

I feel (view spoiler)[ the second part could have been better or kept up the momentum of the ritual of the old lady, the white people, and the thing out there in the woods. I felt the the story could have done without the three delinquents (hide spoiler)]. The ending I wasn't disappointed with.

[Kirstin]

Jason wrote: "So, I'm curious...

[spoilers removed]"

I don't think I would have made the connection either. I did look at your spoiler so as soon as (view spoiler)[he talked about her loud little feet I knew. It didn't bother me to know though and I thought maybe she was another face of the monster. I liked her character but was glad when she died(if that makes sense). (hide spoiler)] I loved the ending too.

[Julia]

I just download the book yesterday. Looking forward to reading it.

[Missy]

On chapter 11 right now and this book is seriously creepy. I'm with Luke, after being lost on the woods for a few days I wouldn't be ok with going into some house in the middle of nowhere. It may seem like an answer to a prayer but its not!!! BEWARE! It didn't end well for Hansel and Gretel!! Well ok maybe it did. But there was a lesson to be learned!!

[Justin]

I'm at about 50% so far I love it.

[Latasha]

I agree Missy! By that point in the book I was worried about having nightmares!

[Missy]

Latasha wrote: "I agree Missy! By that point in the book I was worried about having nightmares!"

lol me too! I couldn't sleep last night

[Marc-Antoine]

I finished House of Leaves last night and it blew my mind! I'm starting this one tonight, but it's following a tough act.

[Marc-Antoine]

Have we not learned anything from little red riding hood? Noooooo, don't take the shortcut through the woods'!!!!!!!!

[Missy]

Or goldilocks?

[Latasha]

Or not go in the woods at all?! Jason, the Blair witch, wrong turn, etc,etc!!

[Wayne's]

Or go without the vaguest level of fitness or personal preparation.

[Wayne's]

Or go without the vaguest level of fitness or personal preparation.

[K4tie]

Hahaha "don't take the shortcut in the woods!" Touché, they sure bungled that one. :)

[Scott]

I read this book before and definitely liked the first half best. Katy I loved the part where they found the creepy church.

[Kirstin]

Looks like we have a movie to look forward to. Yay!!

Warning--There are some spoilers in the blog post!

http://adamlgnevill.blogspot.ca/2014/...