My Review of The Ritual By Adam Nevill
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My Review of The Ritual By Adam Nevill
Brief Introduction
The Ritual by Adam Nevill is a survival horror story centered around four characters, Hutch, Phil, Dom, and Luke. In hopes of creating a unique reunion for the group, it is decided to hike in the Scandinavian wilderness of Sweden. However, when Dom, the least physically fit member of the group, twists his knee, the group is forced to attempt a short cut course through poorly charted forests in hopes of reaching civilization. However, sights of ancient ruins indicate a darker history is hidden within. Fresh gore impaled on the trees further indicates that something monstrous lives amongst them and is now stalking them on their hopeless trek.
The book is 418 pages long, and costs $18.99.
More About the Characters
The characters are British, and became friends when they attended university together, aside from Luke, they all have families with children. This point is crucial, as for Luke, he feels the least connected to the group. Dom, Hutch, and Phil have more concrete careers and have settled down in life, satisfied with where they are. Luke, however, is not. Luke and Hutch are the more experienced and fit hikers, with Phil and Dom shown to constantly struggle throughout the story. Dom's injury contributes to this struggle, and only adds to his frustration with the numerous situations the group will find themselves in.
My Review: Mild Spoilers Ahead:
This book was very enjoyable to read. The moment they decide to take the detour, the frustration constantly builds between the group, and you feel every second of it. The rainy, cold conditions add to their misery and lead them to take shelter in an abandoned wood cabin that holds some of the many secrets of the woods. The dread that comes from their discovery and lingering sensations of being stalked by the mysterious beast further demonstrates how they view and treat each other as the stressors take their toll on each character. The character dynamics are well developed and their frustrations with their circumstances and each other feel real and genuine for each character and how we understand they would act. You feel and understand their despair and it keeps you invested. The mystery of the beast, the forests' numerous ruins, and the other inhabitants is also well developed. The conclusions the four characters draw from each discovery feels logical without giving too much away; you see how they see it.
I highly recommend this story for those who enjoy survival horror, or just want a reason to justify their hesitations towards wilderness hiking and what happens when you sleep through orienteering classes.
Themes Explored and More In-Depth Review: Major Spoilers
It is important to note that the main perspective the reader follows is that of Luke, while this is done to build up to the revelation that he is the only survivor, it also gives more insight as to his general disconnect with the rest of his group. As stated earlier, Dom, Hutch, and Phil all have families with loving wives and children and have established themselves with careers that will sustain them and their families until retirement. Luke does not have that, he has a decent job and a dog, but is, by their standards, not as far along in life as they are. When their situation grows more dire with the disappearance of Hutch and later discovery of his impaled and gutted remains on the trees, they quickly point fingers at each other, especially Luke, claiming he's only looking out for himself, and will inevitably leave the less experienced Phil and the injured Dom behind. Phil's disappearance and death further adds to this.
However, one evening as the characters sit next to each other on an elevated point in the woods, they take a chance to talk things out, come to terms with themselves and their situation. One of my favorite elements of the first part of the story is the display of a friendship's ability to be strong and fragile, especially in survival situations. Numerous times characters discuss the idea for one of them, most of the time Luke, to leave the group to get help, and yet both out of love and logical discernment that separation is a death sentence, they stick it out with each other until the beast picks them off one by one.
Looking at part two, Luke is captured by a Norse cult that lives in the woods and offers sacrifices to the beast in the woods in order to be left alone by the beast and as atonement for its possible graces and abilities to extend their lives. Luke points out numerous times while talking to the various Norse cult characters of their flawed and even hypocritical stances on justifying violence against outside religious groups in the pursuit of preserving and worshiping their own. Luke's gradual realization of their extreme religious views and their lack of negotiable traits is something to be expected, and as a reader it can be easy to rightfully assume that no number of talks nor negotiations will improve Luke's situation, but you also understand all the same why he continues to throughout his time in captivity. And with the sacrifice of Dom to the beast as witnessed by Luke through his prison, the last hope of reasoning with them is crushed. As the readers have realized, Luke knows he must fight tooth and nail to survive and escape the cult and the beast.
Religious extremism and justification for violence and cruelty knows no limitations and is capable of taking on any form. and those who abide by such philosophies cannot truly be reasoned with.
The beast itself, as described by the Norse cult members, is a son of Loki, the infamous trickster god in Norse mythology. It is described as enormous and goat-like. Yellowed teeth in its maw, adorned in many horns, and its maw is of a creature long since extinct or unknown. It attacks its prey at night, and swiftly disposes of them. As seen with Hutch and Phil, they are taken away from the group to be slain, gored, and then impaled onto the trees. It demands worship and sacrifices, with Dom and nearly Luke being adorned in old flowers and tied upon crosses as offerings. From what I understand, and this is one of many interpretations, is that the beast represents the manifestation of the Norse cult's brutal ideologies, as near the end when Luke starts his grand escape and fight for his life, the beast turns on the cult members and kills them for their failures to provide the sacrifice it desired.
A violent force and ideology that once serves the inflictor can just as easily do them in.
More About Adam Nevill:
He was born on April 19th, 1969, and as of writing this post is 55 years old. He grew up in England and New Zealand and previously worked as an editor. The Ritual was his first book published in the United States, which later got adapted into a movie by the same name in 2017 and is currently available on Netflix. Another movie called "No One Gets Out Alive," released in 2021, is based on another one of his books by the same name. He has published many more books as well, but the most well-known seem to be The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive.
Thank you so much for reading this review. The Ritual by Adam Nevill is an engaging read that envelopes you into the horrifying world and woods the characters find themselves in and keeps you invested with every step and every page.
The Ritual by Adam Nevill is a survival horror story centered around four characters, Hutch, Phil, Dom, and Luke. In hopes of creating a unique reunion for the group, it is decided to hike in the Scandinavian wilderness of Sweden. However, when Dom, the least physically fit member of the group, twists his knee, the group is forced to attempt a short cut course through poorly charted forests in hopes of reaching civilization. However, sights of ancient ruins indicate a darker history is hidden within. Fresh gore impaled on the trees further indicates that something monstrous lives amongst them and is now stalking them on their hopeless trek.
The book is 418 pages long, and costs $18.99.
More About the Characters
The characters are British, and became friends when they attended university together, aside from Luke, they all have families with children. This point is crucial, as for Luke, he feels the least connected to the group. Dom, Hutch, and Phil have more concrete careers and have settled down in life, satisfied with where they are. Luke, however, is not. Luke and Hutch are the more experienced and fit hikers, with Phil and Dom shown to constantly struggle throughout the story. Dom's injury contributes to this struggle, and only adds to his frustration with the numerous situations the group will find themselves in.
My Review: Mild Spoilers Ahead:
This book was very enjoyable to read. The moment they decide to take the detour, the frustration constantly builds between the group, and you feel every second of it. The rainy, cold conditions add to their misery and lead them to take shelter in an abandoned wood cabin that holds some of the many secrets of the woods. The dread that comes from their discovery and lingering sensations of being stalked by the mysterious beast further demonstrates how they view and treat each other as the stressors take their toll on each character. The character dynamics are well developed and their frustrations with their circumstances and each other feel real and genuine for each character and how we understand they would act. You feel and understand their despair and it keeps you invested. The mystery of the beast, the forests' numerous ruins, and the other inhabitants is also well developed. The conclusions the four characters draw from each discovery feels logical without giving too much away; you see how they see it.
I highly recommend this story for those who enjoy survival horror, or just want a reason to justify their hesitations towards wilderness hiking and what happens when you sleep through orienteering classes.
Themes Explored and More In-Depth Review: Major Spoilers
It is important to note that the main perspective the reader follows is that of Luke, while this is done to build up to the revelation that he is the only survivor, it also gives more insight as to his general disconnect with the rest of his group. As stated earlier, Dom, Hutch, and Phil all have families with loving wives and children and have established themselves with careers that will sustain them and their families until retirement. Luke does not have that, he has a decent job and a dog, but is, by their standards, not as far along in life as they are. When their situation grows more dire with the disappearance of Hutch and later discovery of his impaled and gutted remains on the trees, they quickly point fingers at each other, especially Luke, claiming he's only looking out for himself, and will inevitably leave the less experienced Phil and the injured Dom behind. Phil's disappearance and death further adds to this.
However, one evening as the characters sit next to each other on an elevated point in the woods, they take a chance to talk things out, come to terms with themselves and their situation. One of my favorite elements of the first part of the story is the display of a friendship's ability to be strong and fragile, especially in survival situations. Numerous times characters discuss the idea for one of them, most of the time Luke, to leave the group to get help, and yet both out of love and logical discernment that separation is a death sentence, they stick it out with each other until the beast picks them off one by one.
Looking at part two, Luke is captured by a Norse cult that lives in the woods and offers sacrifices to the beast in the woods in order to be left alone by the beast and as atonement for its possible graces and abilities to extend their lives. Luke points out numerous times while talking to the various Norse cult characters of their flawed and even hypocritical stances on justifying violence against outside religious groups in the pursuit of preserving and worshiping their own. Luke's gradual realization of their extreme religious views and their lack of negotiable traits is something to be expected, and as a reader it can be easy to rightfully assume that no number of talks nor negotiations will improve Luke's situation, but you also understand all the same why he continues to throughout his time in captivity. And with the sacrifice of Dom to the beast as witnessed by Luke through his prison, the last hope of reasoning with them is crushed. As the readers have realized, Luke knows he must fight tooth and nail to survive and escape the cult and the beast.
Religious extremism and justification for violence and cruelty knows no limitations and is capable of taking on any form. and those who abide by such philosophies cannot truly be reasoned with.
The beast itself, as described by the Norse cult members, is a son of Loki, the infamous trickster god in Norse mythology. It is described as enormous and goat-like. Yellowed teeth in its maw, adorned in many horns, and its maw is of a creature long since extinct or unknown. It attacks its prey at night, and swiftly disposes of them. As seen with Hutch and Phil, they are taken away from the group to be slain, gored, and then impaled onto the trees. It demands worship and sacrifices, with Dom and nearly Luke being adorned in old flowers and tied upon crosses as offerings. From what I understand, and this is one of many interpretations, is that the beast represents the manifestation of the Norse cult's brutal ideologies, as near the end when Luke starts his grand escape and fight for his life, the beast turns on the cult members and kills them for their failures to provide the sacrifice it desired.
A violent force and ideology that once serves the inflictor can just as easily do them in.
More About Adam Nevill:
He was born on April 19th, 1969, and as of writing this post is 55 years old. He grew up in England and New Zealand and previously worked as an editor. The Ritual was his first book published in the United States, which later got adapted into a movie by the same name in 2017 and is currently available on Netflix. Another movie called "No One Gets Out Alive," released in 2021, is based on another one of his books by the same name. He has published many more books as well, but the most well-known seem to be The Ritual and No One Gets Out Alive.
Thank you so much for reading this review. The Ritual by Adam Nevill is an engaging read that envelopes you into the horrifying world and woods the characters find themselves in and keeps you invested with every step and every page.
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Mradushi Singhal
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Your review is gripping and detailed, offering a vivid sense of the book's tension and horror. The way you describe the character dynamics and the eerie atmosphere of the wilderness is truly compelling. Your analysis of the themes and the beast adds depth, making this survival horror sound like a must-read for fans of the genre.
Latest Review: Worldlines by Adam Guest
