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A review by vr_0
The Ritual by Adam L.G. Nevill
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.