Smith handles the suspense with a deft hand, ratcheting up the stakes like a skilled master. It’s no wonder that Stephen King went on at length about this book. When they find out that someone hid the dig site from them, warning bells started going off in my head. But their reason for going ahead with the search was well done: they were looking for Mathias’s brother, and if no one was around when someone should have been, it became even more important to find him.
When Jeff noticed that no living thing was in the area, not even flies, the weirdness level blossomed. By that time the group had an injured party and were ready to leave. Unfortunately, that option was no longer in play. They were trapped.
Several reviewers seem to complain about the lack of explanation for some things, and some even say there’s a certain shallowness to the characters. My argument is this: Smith isn’t selling explanations here; he’s selling entertainment. In this case, he’s selling horror, and there’s plenty of it here. In the case of the characters, he’s writing about realistic people, not superheroes or spies or even – really – heroes at all. They’re just people, and they come across that way.
It’s a foregone conclusion that The Ruins will become a movie. The only question is when.
Pick up the book if you like horror or suspense, because The Ruins is actually equal parts of both. Stephen King fans will eat this one up. Just make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to finish the book once you start it. And you may want to leave the lights on afterwards as well. And that cute little ivy plant that seems determined to take over your house? Well, you just might not feel the same way about it!
Article comments
1 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States. Nice work!
2 - Debby Bytnar
This book was absolutely ridiculous. What a far-fetched unbelievable book. I wish I hadn't read the whole thing. It was such a disappointment. When I think of horror I think of something that will make me sit on the edge of my seat. Unexpected is what I was hoping but unbelievable was what I got.
3 - sheena
i hated all the characters with the exception of Mathias, he was the most interesting anyway. When she was away from Eric Stacy herself showed some development. The vine thing was creeping but i never really got into the book, couldn't care if they lived or died ........
4 - Ken Cordaro
I hate myself for finishing this book. I knew it was horrible and early on but was trapped on a plane with nothing else to do. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF AND DON'T READ THIS BOOK.
5 - megan
i abosolutely loved this book
when i look for a horror i look for death
torture
on going pain
and no happy ending...
i got it with this book. AMAZING
6 - Steve
I'm currently in the middle of it and have mixed feelings. He should've made it shorter but is interesting so far.
7 - jonathan
I Love this book and i h8 all u people who dont
8 - jonathan
Me again i loved all da characters and the story was magnificent and the endin was sad kiss my butt all u h8rS