The Ritual

In The Ritual, Adam Nevill crafts a dark and suffocating tale of friendship, survival, and ancient terror. When four former university friends—Luke, Dom, Hutch, and Phil—set out on a hiking trip in the Scandinavian wilderness, they find themselves hopelessly lost in a dense, unnerving forest. What begins as a struggle against the elements quickly devolves into something far more sinister when they stumble upon eerie signs of pagan worship—animal remains, strange symbols, and a decaying house holding secrets best left buried.

As tensions rise and the forest grows more hostile, the group’s bonds unravel. But something inhuman stalks them—an ancient presence tied to forgotten rituals and blood offerings. The deeper they venture, the more each man is forced to confront not only the lurking terror outside, but their own regrets and inner demons.

Nevill's writing drips with atmosphere, slowly tightening the noose with creeping dread and explosive violence. The novel’s structure, shifting from psychological horror to brutal survival, makes for an unforgettable experience. It challenges the line between man and monster, sanity and madness.

The Ritual is not just a horror novel—it's a descent into the primal, a raw confrontation with the unknown. Perfect for readers who crave dark mythology, slow-burn fear, and ruthless storytelling.