The Ceremonies

by T.E.D. Klein
The Ceremonies cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Horror
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 7585
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • Publisher: CUP Archive
  • Published: 1984-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Graduate student Jeremy Freirs and aspiring dancer Carol Conklin find themselves ensnared in a horrifying ordeal during their summer in the quaint village of Gilead. The terror they encounter stems from a malevolent force originating from a place once known as Maquineanok, the Place of Burning. As the evil unfolds, the two must confront their deepest fears and fight for survival./n/nThe Ceremonies is a chilling tale that blends elements of horror and suspense, drawing readers into a world where ancient evil resurfaces to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting. The novel's atmospheric setting and intense narrative create a gripping exploration of terror and the supernatural.

Reviews
Cemetery Dance · 2021-12-30
foreboding 3.50

The book is rich in detail and deeply foreboding, but it may be too understated for today's impatient readers.

The reviewer highlights the book's depth and foreboding atmosphere, praising its rich detail and slow-building tension. However, they note that the book's understated style might not appeal to modern readers who prefer faster-paced narratives. The reviewer appreciates the book's traditional approach to horror, which relies on atmosphere and subtlety rather than cheap thrills. They suggest that readers who enjoy slow-burn horror stories will find much to appreciate in this novel.

Quick quotes

    It's a big book, rich in detail and deeply foreboding

    It's possibly too understated for many of today's impatient readers

    The book's traditional approach to horror, which relies on atmosphere and subtlety

The Harvest Maid's Revenge · 2020-12-06
intriguing 3.00

The book is enjoyed as a series of intriguing set pieces, but the plot doesn't quite come together in a satisfying way.

The reviewer found the book to be a collection of intriguing moments and scenes, which made for an engaging read. However, they felt that the plot lacked cohesion, leaving them somewhat dissatisfied with the overall narrative. The book's strength lies in its atmospheric and detailed descriptions, which create a sense of foreboding and unease. Despite this, the reviewer felt that the plot could have been more tightly woven to provide a more satisfying conclusion.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed the book as a series of intriguing set pieces

    The plot never quite comes together in a satisfying way

    The book's strength lies in its atmospheric and detailed descriptions

Dead End Follies · 2016-10-28
immersive 4.00

The Ceremonies is a long, immersive journey best enjoyed on dark winter nights, when reality starts to blur.

The reviewer describes The Ceremonies as a long, immersive journey that is best savored on dark winter nights. They suggest that the book's eerie atmosphere and slow-burning tension make it an ideal read for those moments when reality begins to fade. The reviewer appreciates the book's literary qualities, noting that it is a character study as much as it is a horror story. They praise the book's ability to create a sense of unease and dread, which lingers long after the last page has been turned.

Quick quotes

    The Ceremonies is a long journey and it is meant to be consumed like bourbon: on long, dark winter nights

    When your sense of reality is starting to erode

    The book's eerie atmosphere and slow-burning tension make it an ideal read

Appears in Lists