A review by probably_reading_right_now
The Troop by Nick Cutter

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

TW: body horror, animal abuse, violence

Is anyone else itchy? Or is it just me? This was my first experience reading Nick Cutter and I’m seriously blown away. This felt like a mix between The Thing, 80’s coming of age movies (the ones where you wonder how the hell such young kids got into such a huge mess), and Lord Of The Flies. While I don’t remember anything QUITE this bad happening in scouts, the way this was written, at least in the world of the book, felt plausible. Except for the military response. Shout out to the book military for having a better response then the CDC and US Gov. combined. The juxtaposition of such beautifully written lines like “It is a fact that cannot be denied: the wickedness of others becomes our own wickedness because it kindles something evil in our own hearts.” Or “The moon hung in its western altar like the last melancholy guest at a dinner party, who was too lonely to leave.” Next to the graphic horror and violence of the books descension into gut churning madness made an amazing contrast that helped the book highlight the two sides; as the story goes on the characters get more delirious, the writing more unhinged to match. The author made me doubt right along with the characters whether the ‘sickness’, or the other people on the island were more to fear. Rarely ever is a book able to elicit a reaction from me, especially thriller, or horror, but this one pulled an array of reactions and emotions. Even though there was some jumping forward in the time line I never guessed the ending, and normally I’m able to. This was such a great, fast paced read that admittedly wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved it!
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