The Ruins

by Scott Smith
The Ruins cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Horror
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Paperback • £9.99
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Format • £9.49
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 919
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9781446423349
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2023-10-12
  • Formats: 46
  • Reviews: 4

Craving an escape from their mundane holiday, four friends venture into the Mexican jungle in search of one of their own who has disappeared near an archaeological dig. Their journey leads them to a captivating hillside covered with red flowers, but their curiosity soon turns to horror when they encounter a gun-toting Mayan horseman and an ancient, malevolent force that threatens their very existence. /n/n Praised by critics and horror master Stephen King, 'The Ruins' is a gripping tale of suspense and terror that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Reviews
Reddit - horrorlit · 2025-10-17
mixed 3.50

The novel is excellent horror but personally challenging to enjoy. The writing and horror elements are top-notch, but personal circumstances affected the reading experience.

The reviewer on Reddit acknowledges that 'The Ruins' is an excellent horror novel with superb writing and terrifying moments. However, they admit that they didn't enjoy reading it due to personal circumstances at the time. The horror elements are well-executed, but the overall experience was affected by their state of mind, making it a bit difficult to fully appreciate.

Quick quotes

    it's an excellent horror novel

    I did not enjoy reading it

    I'm not sure how much was the book vs my state of mind at the time

Reddit - r/horrorlit · 2024-09-30
terrifying 3.50

The novel is excellent in its horror elements but the reader did not enjoy it due to personal circumstances. The book's impact was influenced by the reader's state of mind at the time.

The Reddit user found 'The Ruins' to be an excellent horror novel, praising its ability to create a terrifying atmosphere. However, they did not enjoy reading it personally, attributing this to their state of mind at the time. This suggests that while the book has strong horror elements, its impact can be highly subjective. The user's experience highlights how personal circumstances can affect the enjoyment of a book.

Quick quotes

    It's an excellent horror novel but I did not enjoy reading it.

    I'm not sure how much was the book vs my state of mind at the time.

    The book has some truly terrifying moments.

Steve Stred Author · Steve Stred · 2022-09-13
engaging 4.00

The book is a solid read with a gripping narrative that keeps the reader engaged throughout. The horror elements are well-executed, making it a mainstream horror novel worth picking up.

Steve Stred found 'The Ruins' to be a solid and engaging horror novel. He appreciated the way the story unfolds, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The horror elements are particularly well-done, making it a mainstream horror novel that stands out. While it follows some familiar tropes, the execution is what makes it compelling. Overall, it's a book that horror fans will likely enjoy.

Quick quotes

    This is a fairly mainstream published horror novel, the book was a solid read.

    The story follows a group of friends who've gone on vacation.

    The book kept me engaged throughout.

Creature from the Book Lagoon · 2018-08-25
excellent 4.50

The book is filled with high tension and scares, making it hard to put down. The suspense and horror elements are well-crafted, keeping readers engaged throughout.

The reviewer from Creature from the Book Lagoon highlights the high tension and scares in 'The Ruins,' making it a gripping read. The suspense and horror elements are well-crafted, ensuring that readers are kept on the edge of their seats. The book's ability to maintain a high level of tension throughout makes it a standout in the horror genre.

Quick quotes

    The Ruins is filled with high tension and lots of scares

    It may be a big book but you will not want to put it down

    It is interesting to watch

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