Horror Aficionados discussion

I'm glad to hear that it picks up...I'm about 25% in and not feeling it yet.

Ch. 32 and 66% gone of my first read from Adam Nevill. First chapters were a real slow burn, but they were building up for good setting, atmosphere and characters for me.
I think storyline gets better and better, it totally hooked me and now just can't wait to see how it ends.

I actually started reading this too. I'm almost 40% in and I fully agree with the comments about the way it's written. It's too verbose and complicated for no apparent reason. It definitely doesn't flow smoothly and I'd even go as far as saying it's clunky.

No, I felt this one was "tough" to get through....It does pick up dramatically... eventually. ;)

Alan wrote: "Finally starting this. I don't think I'll be breezing through it. Anyone else finding that there's something about the way it's written, something about the language, that takes a lot of concentrat..."

It took me a good 1/3 of the book to get into the style. I really enjoyed it once I got used to it though.

Am I the only one that assumed this was going to be a werewolf book when they saw the cover?

Amanda wrote: "Am I the only one that assumed this was going to be a werewolf book when they saw the cover?"

Nope, I did too. Was really looking forward to some werewolf mayhem; I love summer outdoor horror.

Finally finished it today. Overall I liked it, but it did drone on with extra wordiness and dragged out scenes. I'm glad that the confusion of what the mystery actually is eventually gets mostly explained.

And the cover never looked werewolf-like to me, more dog or general savage creature.

Finished. A solid ☆☆☆☆ satisfying read for me 😊

"Reddening" was my first book by Nevill....not sure if I'll read anything else by him. Book was good...but as other readers have suggested...it was a tough read.

Certainly a cult was suggested...but whatever the creatures were under the ground were never described clearly enough for me....and I assume the cult would continue.....


Jeff

I have always like stories that center around occult communities where hapless strangers wander in by mistake. Like the Wicker Man. This had that kind of feel to it with a supernatural aspect and much more detail. I enjoyed this story and will try others by Adam Nevill. This was my first of his work. I especially would like to try more because I did like this and I see a few people who have commented that his other books are better. I did switch from the audiobook to an ebook because the narrator's pronunciation was annoying at times. He pronounced brazier as brassiere. I was thinking for a moment "Why would a burning bra smell that bad?" Until I figured it out.

Have y’all seen Midsommer? This book has a very similar feel.

While I enjoyed this one, it's not my favorite by this author (but he has so many spectacular ones out there that it's inevitable). Personal favorites of mine are LAST DAYS, HOUSE OF SMALL SHADOWS, and his collections of short stories.

Amanda -

Yes indeed..enjoyed it...kinda a "wicker Man" feel to it...


Jeff

Started to read it two days ago. I'm not far in yet, but my progress has already been slow and I can't really point to anything in particular that is slowing me down - the book just hasn't gripped me yet and I regularly find myself putting it aside after one chapter.

Chapter 22 and I’m officially freaked (grosses) out. I’m really enjoying the book now.

I gave it 4 stars because despite some flaws that have been mentioned by others I found it to be pretty engrossing. I especially liked the the way he described the formation of the Devon coast and the cultures there, it was reminiscent of Michener to me. All in all I enjoyed it and would recommend it to fellow horror readers.

Kimberly wrote: "Chapter 22 and I’m officially freaked (grosses) out. I’m really enjoying the book now."

Yes, totally agree, that was rough!🤮

I finished the book yesterday. My opinion hasn't changed since the first post: the text drags, the rhythm seems off and it even gets a little repetitive. The book would have benefitted from considerable editing.

On a more subjective note, I didn't find any of the characters particularly interesting, and the same is true for the story as well. To put it short, The Reddening isn't a book for me. I rated it only 2 stars.

Based on some of your comments, I've decided to put off reading this one for now and move on to some other things.
I'm still following your comments and appreciate the honest reviews. I loved The Ritual but this one sounds a bit harder to immerse yourself in. I'll wait until I have more time.

Finished the book yesterday and my initial misgivings didn't subside.
I usually love stories like this, where thriller meets occult sects, and folklore-ish horrors, however, I never got engaged with any of the characters nor the story as a whole. The characters especially are rather forgettable. Something about the prose was off-putting as well, but I can't put my finger on it - it often felt unnecessarily clunky. Some scenes were well done and the overall 'feel' of the atmosphere was good, that is where the second star came from. Before the Reddening I've only read The Ritual by Nevill, and have to say, I liked that book a whole of a lot more.

Finished as well and couldn't agree more, Jannik. My thoughts exactly. I really enjoy Nevill's work, but this one just felt so different. 😕

I am glad that I am not alone in my feeling about the flow of the narrative. I saw an earlier post about the concentration necessary to get through some of the prose and I agree. I am almost halfway through so I am committed to finishing this. (This First post for this group!)

Holly wrote: "I am glad that I am not alone in my feeling about the flow of the narrative. I saw an earlier post about the concentration necessary to get through some of the prose and I agree. I am almost halfwa..."

It was tough going in the beginning!

After finishing- really my advice is that if you have never read Adam Nevill before, I don’t recommend you starting with the Reddening. Sounds like The Ritual would be a better introduction to this author. Happy Reading!

Page 361 - it was really going good until Jess’ story came up so late in the book. I think it would’ve been better upfront or peppered-in more from the beginning. I feel like I’m backtracking now and it’s totally taking away from the climax.

Looks like No One Gets Out Alive is probably still going to be my favorite of Adam Nevill’s after I’m finished with this book... Then The Ritual, then the House of Small Shadows. All good books and I’m glad I’ve read them all. But none have scared me as much as No One Gets Out Live.

LAST DAYS was my personal favorite of his, followed by HOUSE OF SMALL SHADOWS.

I agree with many people here; I found it really hard to get into and I found the characters to be a little flat. The atmosphere was really creepy though.

Finished a few days ago and while it's not my favorite Nevill I didn't have the same issues as some of the rest of you did. I would agree that it could have been pared down a bit (but that is more of a personal quirk on my part....I believe horror is very hard to maintain over the course of a novel. IMO horror has much more impact in the shorter forms) The biggest issue I had was (view spoiler)[ the old "everybody is in on it" plot structure. That doesn't really work for me. (hide spoiler)] Definitely a slow burn but it was really cooking by the end. Deciding between 3&4 stars.

This book felt never-ending, and seemed to state the same descriptions, issues, and thoughts over and over. I enjoyed (view spoiler)[ the suspense of Kat's and Helene's dire situations and the way that they surmounted them. (hide spoiler)] Until those scenes, I didn't feel quite vested in any characters in the novel. Some creepy parts and definitely some very gory parts, but it just didn't flow together very well for me; not cohesive or believable enough to really work as scary. 2.5.

Oh no, sorry you didn’t like it Lisa!

Latasha wrote: "Oh no, sorry you didn’t like it Lisa!"

No worries at all. It wasn't without its merits, for sure. I have had spotty luck with Nevill, but I like what I like enough to keep trying him :)