lexessoribooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75
pizzabrot's review against another edition
4.0
I feel absolutely gutted! This book leaves you feeling the same way like the good ol' NBC Hannibal episodes, devastated, in need of psychological treatment and beyond all hope for anything remotely good. Smith has this really amazing, cinematic-feeling writing style that pulls you right into the story (it doesn't matter how much you struggle against it: there's no escape) and the characters were extremely fleshed out (pun intended) in their personalities, even though I personally didn't really connect with them. But that might just be me. I didn't really appreciate the supernatural elements in the novel, but the adventure and survival aspects were SO on point and, I don't want to say enjoyable, but...well...in some wicked way...hm...It's a real tragedy that Smith never wrote more than his two books because I'd absolutely read everything this man writes. While "A Simple Plan" was stronger in my opinion, there are only a few books that are equal to Smith's powers of narration. Even though the middle part dragged a bit, I flew right through the novel (the only reason why I took so long being an annoying thing called real life, which always seems to get in the way at the worst possible times) and couldn't put it down once I had the time to stard reading again. I felt like I was right in the middle of a movie, everything seemed so close and extremely vivid, which is something that usually never happens and made it that much more real. And oh my god, given the gruesome things that happen over the course of the plot, I'm not sure that "realness" is a good thing. So much of the book was completely and utterly disgusting; not terrifying, no, I wouldn't classify it as a horror novel (unless you have really weak nerves), but it is definitely disturbing when you look at the fates, the pain and the terror some, or let's face it, most of the characters have to endure. If you think the last couple of pages of "A Simple Plan" were traumatizing, there's more of the stuff in that alley. It didn't leave me feel as hollowed-out as his first novel (I was more attached to the characters in that one. I didn't feel like I got to know the people in The Ruins well enough to really feel sorry for them, even though unfortunately I did feel with them. Yuck...), but God, if you don't know what to expect from the author (and honestly, even if you do), you're on a terrible/y (good) journey nonetheless. The ending was perfect, if not exactly surprising. There was only one real way to pull it off, and nothing else would've fit, even though you might argue that some fates are worse than others. Sadly it was rushed, and characters behaved unnecessary stupidly, which led to me feeling that even the author couldn't cope with the sick turns of his novel anymore. Either way, if you're looking for hope, you should definitely not look here.
PS: The title is very misleading, considering this isn't about any ruins at all. Unless you want to call the characters' ruins, because ultimately that's exactly how you can describe them towards the end. Oh, isn't that poetic...
PS2: I recommend this book to everyone who wants to be on a (not so voluntary) diet.
PS: The title is very misleading, considering this isn't about any ruins at all. Unless you want to call the characters' ruins, because ultimately that's exactly how you can describe them towards the end. Oh, isn't that poetic...
PS2: I recommend this book to everyone who wants to be on a (not so voluntary) diet.
vampirehelpdesk's review against another edition
4.0
Yeah it’s stupid but it’s stupid fun. Some of the best gross out moments I’ve ever read, and while I knew what the final outcome would be, I enjoyed the tense journey of getting there.
edazreads's review against another edition
3.0
it was too long and monotonous. the story was interesting enough for me to continue reading but it definitely couldve been better.
mannapanda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cassie_06's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
This might be one of the first horror books I've ever read, but it didn't scare me very much. It definitely grossed me out, it's more gore than horror.
-The vines being evil (and bilingual) was unexplained and laughable at times.
-The characters were two dimensional.
It was intriguing, but left me wanting more.
This might be one of the first horror books I've ever read, but it didn't scare me very much. It definitely grossed me out, it's more gore than horror.
-The vines being evil (and bilingual) was unexplained and laughable at times.
-The characters were two dimensional.
It was intriguing, but left me wanting more.
emmarj's review against another edition
5.0
This book is perfect and anyone who says otherwise is wrong. Okay, not really. If you do not enjoy body horror this book is not.for.you. Like, I can't stress that enough: it is very, very not for you. If you like body horror or don't mind body horror (the category I fall into) then this book is perfect in every single way.
There is a lot of psychological work in addition to the body horror and it is sooo good. There are so many super tense moments where you're bracing for the boogie man to jump out at you, figuratively, and then nothing happens. The nothing happening is even BETTER than the boogie man jumping out because honestly, it feels so real.
The ending of The Ruins is exactly what it should be. No cop outs. No ending of convenience. No rush. It's perfect and brave and I wish more horror could finish with this level of rationality.
There is a lot of psychological work in addition to the body horror and it is sooo good. There are so many super tense moments where you're bracing for the boogie man to jump out at you, figuratively, and then nothing happens. The nothing happening is even BETTER than the boogie man jumping out because honestly, it feels so real.
The ending of The Ruins is exactly what it should be. No cop outs. No ending of convenience. No rush. It's perfect and brave and I wish more horror could finish with this level of rationality.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
OMG! I have no words!
This story is so absolutely crazy . . . That it's likely probably. I literally was at the edge of my seat from beginning to end it was so good! Gonna go watch the movie now, which I will probably hate but that is besides the point.
5 stars
This story is so absolutely crazy . . . That it's likely probably. I literally was at the edge of my seat from beginning to end it was so good! Gonna go watch the movie now, which I will probably hate but that is besides the point.
5 stars
lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition
5.0
One of my all time favorite books, and movies! I was already creeped out by plants, this book just made it even more!
pbanditp's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Six friends venture off while on a vacation in Cancun and while trying to find the ruins of an archeological dig, they find themselves trapped on a hillside where death may be their only escape. This began as a slow build up but once the group gets on the hill you can feel the tension escalate and horror and amazement begin. Is help coming? Or are they doomed to spend eternity on the hill