Book Review: The Ruins by Scott Smith

“The vine started up again suddenly, also shouting: It’s my fault. I’m the one, aren’t I? The one who stepped into the vines? It was Amy’s voice, coming at them from all sides.”

Summary:

Trapped in the Mexican jungle, a group of friends stumble upon a creeping horror unlike anything they could ever imagine. Two young couples are on a lazy Mexican vacation–sun-drenched days, drunken nights, making friends with fellow tourists. When the brother of one of those friends disappears, they decide to venture into the jungle to look for him. What started out as a fun day-trip slowly spirals into a nightmare when they find an ancient ruins site . . . and the terrifying presence that lurks there.

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My Thoughts:

I have been reading this book for two years. Needless to say, it is not a page turner.

I found my copy of The Ruins in a second-hand shop shortly before I left on a trip to South America. I thought it would be a fun to terrorize myself as I lay poolside in the same location the story took place…but that was not the case. This book is popular I had to know what the pull was, so I finished it.

In short, young adults are vacationing below the equator having a grand time drinking and making friends. They decide to go hiking for thrills and end up on cursed ruins. You can guess what happens next. Natives surround the ruins ready to kill anyone who tried to escape. They wait for help as plants begin to act abnormally.

If you find plants alarming you might want to look into a different novel. If slight gore irks you, look elsewhere. If those two tops excite you, this book is for you.

Should you read The Ruins?

I would not recommend The Ruins. Watch the movie and call it a day. However, if you are looking for a horror book that is not really scary but could offer some shock factor this is the book for you.