The Ruins by Scott Smith

I have been aching for a horror novel. The kind of horror novel that makes me afraid to sleep at night, to look out the window, to live alone. I picked up The Ruins by Scott Smith because the reviews promised such a terrifying experience. In all honesty, it was not that scary, but then again, I've never been to Mexico.

It was a good book. It was written differently. I can't quite put words to it, but it was...different. Enjoyable, but different.

I liked the book quite a bit looking back on it now. However, reading it, I felt like it was definitely over-hyped in its terrifying-ness. The images depicted were incredibly vivid, and at times, stomach-turning. I felt the ending was justified and added some to the terror.

So, when visiting Mexico...avoid all hills covered with beautiful red flowers. And when a community of Mayans is shooing you away, DO WHAT THEY SAY!

I would recommend this book, absolutely, but not as the most horrifying book in the last 50 years.

Rating: (7.6/10)