January 2022 Group Read #1 The Troop

[Warren]

A very enjoyable book overall. 4/5 from me. It’s a good old school gross-out body horror. As someone with roots in eastern Canada, I also enjoyed that it was set on Prince Edward Island, which is mostly known for Anne of Green Gables. This book couldn’t be any more different than that one! I’d definitely read something by Nick Cutter again.

[Lisa]

Finally starting this one. I'm somewhat dreading the body horror I keep hearing about.

[Elizabeth]

Pauline wrote: "Finally received my copy of The Troop, so I'll be joining in if it's no too late. Wish me luck on facing my fear of parasites."

OOOOOhhh man, Pauline. I am wishing you ALL the luck! haha

[Pauline]

Elizabeth wrote: "Pauline wrote: "Finally received my copy of The Troop, so I'll be joining in if it's no too late. Wish me luck on facing my fear of parasites."

OOOOOhhh man, Pauline. I am wishing you ALL the luck..."

Thanks Elizabeth! So far, so good, but I am dreading the second half.

[Marie Helene]

I finished it a few days ago ... What a book!

To the newcomers: be brave, and bear in mind that thanks to good Nick Cutter (view spoiler)[ you will know your worms 🪱 🪱 🪱 from your tapeworms (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

I feel pretty creeped out already. The description of the emaciated man is so disturbing. Also horrible was (view spoiler)[ Shelly ripping the crayfish apart. Ughhhh...so hard to read. (hide spoiler)] It's really got my attention though and my curiosity is piques. Can't wait to pick it back up.

[Eileen]

I'm about 2/3's of the way through with this book and I've been listening to the audiobook for this one and it's a different kind of disturbing. Having someone else read such gruesome and disgusting details out loud to me is both the greatest and the worst way to consume this book. absolutely in love.

[Lisa]

Kaley wrote: "Just finished, gotta say it was not my favorite read.

I don't really care for the mixed in "reports," reminds me a lot of that amusement park book we read last year (didn't like that much, either)..."

Kaley, I also totally get the Fantasticland vibe. I listened to that one on audiobook, but the inserted items still have the same feel even in different media. I didn't love that book either, but it worked pretty well as a vacation drive listen.

[LTJ]

@Eileen: That sent a chill down my spine thinking about listening to this book being read with those certain scenes. Wild!

[Onika]

DNF @ 61%. The book is great. and that's the problem. i gotta give up for my own wellbeing

[Monica]

Hayley wrote: "Wow. Just finished it. I have to say, despite being extremely disturbed, I really enjoyed it. I liked the writing a lot, the pacing was good. Like a lot of people have said, it put me a lot in mind..."

Hahahahaha this made me laugh so much, the first point.

It made my best books of 2021 list. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csK3Q...

[Ginger]

I just finished this one! Really glad that I got to it. It was disturbing and very gross. I think that some people might struggle with this one since it's so descriptive.

I personally loved it because it really brought the horror for me. The thought of (view spoiler)[worms destroying your body and there's not a thing you can do about it freaks me out. I've always had a horror about having some sort of parasite in your body. I likely would have been Eef. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (hide spoiler)]

I thought Shelley was (view spoiler)[a evil f'ing kid and wasn't sad at all to see the worms get to him. (hide spoiler)] LOL

I thought that of all of the kids, (view spoiler)[having either Max or Newt make it was the best choice. They were the two kids of the bunch that were instinctively good inside.

But even though Max made it, does he really survive? He's going to have nightmares for life and I'm not sure if surviving something like this will ever make a person sane again. (hide spoiler)]

[Ginger]

Marie Helene wrote: "I finished it a few days ago ... What a book!

To the newcomers: be brave, and bear in mind that thanks to good Nick Cutter [spoilers removed]"

Yes, it's like he gave us a (view spoiler)[biology lesson on worms. (hide spoiler)] hahaha!
Glad you liked this one as well Marie Helene!

[Ginger]

Pauline wrote: "Finally received my copy of The Troop, so I'll be joining in if it's no too late. Wish me luck on facing my fear of parasites."

Good luck Pauline! I have the same fear and had to read this book in spells to get through the horror.

[Ginger]

Hayley wrote: "Wow. Just finished it. I have to say, despite being extremely disturbed, I really enjoyed it. I liked the writing a lot, the pacing was good. Like a lot of people have said, it put me a lot in mind..."

Hayley, I agree with everyone of your spoilers! Spot on. :D

[Kristen]

Ginger wrote: "I just finished this one! Really glad that I got to it. It was disturbing and very gross. I think that some people might struggle with this one since it's so descriptive.

I personally loved it bec..."

Glad you enjoyed this one! I agree, (view spoiler)[ I totally would have been Eef. After the report that there was a lone survivor, I was horrified at the possibility of Shelley killing them all and fooling everyone. I was so sad about Newt but would have been equally sad if it was Max. (hide spoiler)]

[Ginger]

Kristen wrote: "Glad you enjoyed this one! I agree,"

Kristen, this thought went into my head as well about (view spoiler)[Shelley being the last survivor. I'm so glad he didn't!!

I think I would have rated it lower if Cutter went with a scenario like this in regards to Shelley.
I hate psycho kids and adults!

Yep, I totally would have been Eef. Likely would have snapped. hahaha (hide spoiler)]

[Alex]

I’m late to the party but starting my read of the Troop.
Someone mentioned parasites… pretty much the only phobia I have.
Well let’s see how this will go!

[Lisa]

I'm only about a quarter in too, Alex. I'm trying not to read it right before bed, which is slowing me down...

[Kasia]

Alex wrote: "I’m late to the party but starting my read of the Troop.
Someone mentioned parasites… pretty much the only phobia I have.
Well let’s see how this will go!"

Don't read while eating :P

[LTJ]

@Lisa: Happy reading as this one is wild! I'm about 92% in and trying to finish it :-)

@Kasia: YES! Even though I have an iron stomach, I'd never ever ever eat while reading something of this nature... bleh!

[Lisa]

And now I broke my rule and read it before bed…I do agree that while eating would be much worse. Mercy.

[LTJ]

@Lisa: Oh boy! LoL well, I do the majority of my reading at night before bed as well so you're not alone! I find it very peaceful and relaxing :-)

[Daniel]

The idea of the commercial use of the (view spoiler)[parasites for weight loss, but really being weaponized (hide spoiler)] was my kind of dark humor...

[Marie]

I am jumping in late but I am here to climb aboard the "Troop Train"!

I have read 38% so far and enjoying it. So does it get worse or something as I am not seeing much in the way of (view spoiler)[I need to make a boat super quick to get off the island and run for my life! LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Also I will read spoilers later on here after I read the book to see what everyone's thoughts were about the story.

[LTJ]

I finally finished this one and WOW! I give this horror novel a 5/5 because it’s absolutely fantastic. It takes a lot for a book to freak me the hell out on top of grossing me out and this one does it ten-fold. The ending left me satisfied as it’s definitely one rollercoaster of a ride with many emotions throughout.

LoL we've said it before here but please don’t read this while eating or even drinking, you’ll thank me later!

[Lisa]

Marie wrote: "I am jumping in late but I am here to climb aboard the "Troop Train"!

I have read 38% so far and enjoying it. So does it get worse or something as I am not seeing much in the way of [spoilers rem..."

Marie, if you’re 38% in and you’re not dying to get off that island, you are one badass MF. ;)

[Marie]

Lisa wrote: "Marie, if you’re 38% in and you’re not dying to get off that island, you are one badass MF. ;)..."

Hahaha!!! I have been reading this book all morning and I am further along now. I am up to around 70%! Probably so with your assessment as I have read some "gnarly-grossed out" horror before so this book is almost like a "cake-walk". Did I mention food? Whoops I guess I did! LOL

[M]

@LTJ I was waiting for you to finish to get your final thoughts buddy!

Also cannot reiterate enough DON’T EAT! I made the mistake of eating (or trying at least) the m&ms got put away to say the least 😂

[Sally]

@Lisa and Marie, can confirm that Marie is indeed a badass MF! That gore suit she sports is indestructible!

[LTJ]

@M: Thanks, my friend! Oh for sure, I made sure NOT to eat while reading but do enjoy some coffee or tea while reading. LOL oh wow, yeah, I wouldn't even try to eat candy while reading, especially with the crunchy sounds and all of M&Ms...

[Monica]

LTJ wrote: "I finally finished this one and WOW! I give this horror novel a 5/5 because it’s absolutely fantastic. It takes a lot for a book to freak me the hell out on top of grossing me out and this one does..."
Glad you loved it.
It's so fun so read all your comments hehehe.

[Ginger]

Alex wrote: "I’m late to the party but starting my read of the Troop.
Someone mentioned parasites… pretty much the only phobia I have.
Well let’s see how this will go!"

Alex, it's a phobia/fear of mine too. Uh, good luck?! :D
I had to read this book in a certain headspace because I knew what was waiting for me when I picked it up again. LOL

[Ginger]

Lisa wrote: "And now I broke my rule and read it before bed…I do agree that while eating would be much worse. Mercy."

Yeah, I had to read this not before bed and definitely not while eating or thinking to eat. It did curb my appetite a bit and I definitely ate less in the week that I read this. LMAO

[Ginger]

Sally wrote: "@Lisa and Marie, can confirm that Marie is indeed a badass MF! That gore suit she sports is indestructible!"

Marie wrote: "Hahaha!!! I have been reading this book all morning and I am further along now. I am..."

I can confirm this. Marie is a badass with reading gore. LOL!!

[LTJ]

@Monica: Thanks ever so much for the kind words, that means a lot to hear! Here's to a great weekend ahead :-)

[Marie]

Sally wrote: "@Lisa and Marie, can confirm that Marie is indeed a badass MF! That gore suit she sports is indestructible!"

Hahaha!!! Indeed it is! That gore suit is definitely gore-proof! It is also now "worm-proof" too! 😂 🤣

[Marie]

Ginger wrote: "I can confirm this. Marie is a badass with reading gore. LOL!!..."

Does that make me the "Gore-Guru"? LOL

[Marie]

By the way, I am up to 81%! I am still "tunneling" (lol) my way through the book! Hahaha!!!

[LTJ]

Marie = The Gore-Guru!!!

[Marie]

LTJ wrote: "Marie = The Gore-Guru!!!"

Thank you, LTJ! 😍

[Marie]

Well I finished the book and that was a trip into a twisted nightmare! I had never read a book about (view spoiler)[mutant tape worms (hide spoiler)] before! I was happy to see though that at least (view spoiler)[one person survived and was able to get off the island (hide spoiler)]. The story could have been so much (view spoiler)[worse in that the author didn't let anyone survive and the island was nuked, but at least Max was able to get out of there, but it was sad that all his friends died too. (hide spoiler)] Now I have a new author to explore. :)

[Ahana]

@Marie, what was your thought on the ending,(view spoiler)[especially Max's fate? Cutter left it ambiguous, but I think he's joining his friends, one way or other.... (hide spoiler)]

[Ahana]

Also, I'm DEFINITELY more squeamish than you :D

[Marie]

Ahana wrote: "Also, I'm DEFINITELY more squeamish than you :D"

Hahaha! I think after reading all different kinds of horror for years and years I have become desensitized to it. I have read some wild and twisted stuff. :)

[Marie]

Ahana wrote: "@Marie, what was your thought on the ending,[spoilers removed]"

My thoughts were (view spoiler)[the same because really Max went through seeing his friends die in horrible ways so the repercussions of seeing friends that he cared about go through horrific deaths would make him maybe not want to keep on living. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[The author did leave that kind of hanging out there but that is normal for horror books as 90% of the time nothing ends with a "happy ever after" scenario. (hide spoiler)]

[Emilie]

I do have a question for those of you out there. I’ve seen a lot of people say they struggled with the horror/gore parts with the animals. My question is this- what makes you be able to handle it with humans, but not animals? I’d think personally for me the stuff happening to the humans affects me more. I have some theories, but want to hear it from you why animal gore/horror isn’t appreciated or liked as much.

[LTJ]

@Emilie: I believe it comes down to if people have or have had pets and it hits them hard if they see animal cruelty as they read. I know for me personally, it didn't bother me at all since I know the books I read aren't real or based on real-life stories or anything. I also just got a new cockapoo puppy back in October and yeah, no issues here.

Some of my fellow avid readers who also have pets refuse to read ANYTHING involving animal cruelty and I get it. It just hurts to read bad things happening to pets, you know?

[Kimberly]

Emilie wrote: "I do have a question for those of you out there. I’ve seen a lot of people say they struggled with the horror/gore parts with the animals. My question is this- what makes you be able to handle it w..."

I think it's the innocence of animals and the unconditional love they give humans (well, in the case of pets). Whereas humans can be evil/dangerous, mentally as well as physically.