The Ruins

by Scott Smith
The Ruins cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Horror
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Paperback • £9.99
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Format • £9.49
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Technical
  • ID: 919
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781446423349
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2023-10-12
  • Formats: 46
  • Reviews: 4

Craving an adventure to break the monotony of their Mexican holiday, four friends set off to find one of their own who has ventured into the jungle to explore an archaeological dig. Their journey leads them to a captivating hillside covered with red flowers, but their curiosity soon turns to horror as they encounter a gun-toting Mayan horseman and an insidious vine that changes their lives forever. /n/n Praised by the New York Times as 'superior horror literature,' The Ruins is a gripping tale of suspense and terror that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Stephen King himself commends the book for its relentless pace, with no let-up even during chapter breaks.

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.

Happy Goat Horror · 2024-07-01
great 4.00

The characters are incredibly real and relatable, making the horror more impactful. The book's nihilistic tone and unflinching horror are particularly praised.

The reviewer from Happy Goat Horror commends The Ruins for its incredibly real and relatable characters, which make the horror more impactful. They appreciate the book's nihilistic tone and its unflinching approach to horror, noting that it sets a dark and unsettling atmosphere. The reviewer also highlights the book's ability to keep readers engaged with its suspenseful plot and well-developed characters, making it a standout in the horror genre.

Quick quotes

    The characters were about as real as they can be without actually leaping out of the pages at you.

    The Ruins is a simple tale of inexorable horror that sets a nihilistic tone and does not flinch from sticking to it.

    The characters are not that likeable, but they are incredibly real and relatable.

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.

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