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vr_0's review against another edition
3.0
Admittedly I watched the movie that this was the inspiration for so I have comparisons that aren't entirely fair between the two, and as a result I think my opinion of the book is lower.
Obviously, there are significant differences between plots, but I didn't mind either. I think the movie gave the Luke a bit more development as a character, while the book relied on an everyman perspective of someone whose life hasn't gone how he'd hoped and the anger from mundanity. Neither have strong side characters and they serve as little more than cardboard cutouts for slightly different flavors of personality.
All of that wasn't what bothered me compared to the pacing of the plot. The narrative definitely meandered as much as the men did through the woods and even as something more would happen, we would linger with repetitive dialogue for a bit too long which killed the momentum.
I was also a bit disappointed at the lack of inclusion of the fantastical elements. They felt very sidelined which admittedly was likely the point, but as it stands, it left me feeling disappointed.
I'd say it wasn't always a chore to read and some of the writing was very well done. It would be a fun book to read in the woods, but as it stands this is my second novel by this author and I was again a bit disappointed which makes me hesitant for a third.
Obviously, there are significant differences between plots, but I didn't mind either. I think the movie gave the Luke a bit more development as a character, while the book relied on an everyman perspective of someone whose life hasn't gone how he'd hoped and the anger from mundanity. Neither have strong side characters and they serve as little more than cardboard cutouts for slightly different flavors of personality.
All of that wasn't what bothered me compared to the pacing of the plot. The narrative definitely meandered as much as the men did through the woods and even as something more would happen, we would linger with repetitive dialogue for a bit too long which killed the momentum.
I was also a bit disappointed at the lack of inclusion of the fantastical elements. They felt very sidelined which admittedly was likely the point, but as it stands, it left me feeling disappointed.
I'd say it wasn't always a chore to read and some of the writing was very well done. It would be a fun book to read in the woods, but as it stands this is my second novel by this author and I was again a bit disappointed which makes me hesitant for a third.
bullterrierlove's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
aaandria42's review against another edition
3.0
Would have been four stars but it’s disappointing that every woman mentioned was followed by some sexist comment.
kassehface's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5 - an extra half of a star because the first half was SO good (they had us in the first half, i'm not gonna lie), but the second half??? nuh-uh.
also, there wasn't even a ritual? where did the title come
from?
you should watch the movie though. it's super good.
also, there wasn't even a ritual? where did the title come
from?
you should watch the movie though. it's super good.
minilibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I wanted to read this book because I loved the movie, and I figured since it was a book first that in all likelihood, it would probably be better than the movie, but... it wasn't. Not for me. Started out with high hopes, but a lot of it was the group just being scared as they progressed further and further into the forest not knowing what was hunting them. A lot of it felt repetitive and I don't think the book needed to be as long as it was (not that it was a very long book, but it felt long). Needless to say, I will be sticking to the movie.
chicken_pastabake's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I fucking loved this book. I finished it last night and I can’t stop thinking about it. I liked the first half of the book thoroughly. I enjoyed the ominous feel of the woods and the banter between the gang. I know a lot of people didn’t like the second part of the book, but I really enjoyed it. I thought it was interesting and it was something I’ve never read in a book before. Teenage black metal heads worshipping a creature in the woods. Who doesn’t love that kind of crap. 5 stars! :D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Vomit, and Alcohol
ericvieyra's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly thought it was alright until about halfway into the book when the death metal band people show up after that it was really bad. I could not imagine more one dimensional characters with nothing interesting to add.