The Ritual: A Novel

Adam Nevill

Feb 2012 · Sold by St. Martin's Griffin

About this ebook

Now a Netflix Original Movie!

The Ritual is Adam Nevill's horror novel depicting a group of friends lost in a remote wilderness in Sweden where something supernatural lurks.

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 . . .

Ratings and reviews

Left me very unsettled. I have chronic disabling migraines, so the real horror in this book for me were the descriptions of terrible pain from head injuries, & the character being imprisoned & mistreated by the creepy, gross, Nordic hillbillies (or whatever they were) DURING that pain. The creature's actions just pissed me off. (The 2018 movie is slightly better.)

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It was well paced and had a good balance between action and dialog. The character development was excellent, making some parts tense to read. I would certainly recommend it!

His use of descriptive words leaves you feeling unsettled and uncomfortable, which is absolutely perfect. I recommend reading this in the dark, it'll make your reading experience all the more better. It was hands down an amazing read

About the author

Adam Nevill was born in Birmingham, England, in 1969, and grew up in England and New Zealand. A graduate of the University of St Andrews Masters programme, he is the author of The Ritual and Banquet for the Damned, an original novel of supernatural horror inspired by M. R. James and the great tradition of the British weird tale. In his working life he has endured a variety of occupations, including from 2000 to 2004 both nightwatchman and day porter in the exclusive apartment buildings of west London.