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The Ruins
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The Ruins
Author: Scott Smith

Book Information
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780307278289 - ISBN-10: 030727828X
Publication Date: 7/31/2007
Pages: 432

Book Description:
The Ruins follows two American couples enjoying a pleasant, lazy beach holiday together in Mexico. On an impulse, they go off with newfound friends in search of one of their group -- the young German, who, in pursuit of a girl, has headed for the remote Mayan ruins, site of a fabled archeological dig.

This is what happens from the moment the searchers -- moving into the wild interior -- begin to suspect that there is an insidious, horrific "other" among them...

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A Simple PlanThe MessengerThe Book of the DeadThe Husband


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Top Member Book Reviews

Pippa M. (freakazoidP) wrote on 8/12/2007...

17 member(s) found this review helpful.

If I ever read another book by this author again, it will be because there is no more civilization, and I have run out of cereal boxes.
If you want things to be resolved in the end,there to be some purpose of the horror,and somebody to get out alive...don't read this book.

Gabriele J. (gjabouri) wrote on 3/31/2008...

16 member(s) found this review helpful.

Vacationers get trapped in Mexico by stepping onto the wrong hill. Horror novel, seems the author wrote it hoping it would be turned into a movie. If so it would be a B-movie. Anyway, the action is fairly slow - once they figure out what is trapping them, nothing much happens any more, except the inevitable, of course. Put near the bottom of your stack of books-to-read.

Mrs L R. (cyall8tr) wrote on 8/19/2007...

12 member(s) found this review helpful.

WHERE ARE THE EDITORS?
A compelling premise when combined with stereotypical, static characters results in a 319-page interminable read. Sadly, I find almost every book lately is an overblown short story. If memory serves Stephen King already did a similar tale with his usual panache, perhaps explaining his favorable review. See if you don't agree this book should have been trimmed by half, thereby ramping up the tension and reader enjoyment, as well as freeing time better spent on more deserving books.

Howard S. wrote on 10/22/2007...

6 member(s) found this review helpful.

Good premise, but disappointing execution.

Kathleen B. (momoffour49783) wrote on 10/19/2007...

6 member(s) found this review helpful.

I am not going to be able to finish this one. It's too morbid for my tastes. Very Steven King-ish.

Sam E. (Sameby) wrote on 11/25/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

I kept reading thinking that something big was going to happen and surely this can not be what the entire book is about....I was wrong. Scott Smith's over book, A Simple Plan, was an entirely different, and enjoyable read.

Christa B. (romeo) wrote on 10/30/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

I agree with Howard on this one. Great premise but very poorly written. Could have been a great one if written by someone else.
I was very disappointed.

Christa

Elizabeth B. (Funnylady45) wrote on 10/29/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

"The best horror novel of the new century." - Stephen King
I agree! The plot, characterizations, and overall storyline are written in the vein and caliber of King's earlier works, which I think is some of his most creepy and terrifying stuff. Scott Smith is excellent at creating ficticious horror and making it feel chillingly real. I always thought I would like to visit the ancient ruins in the jungles of Mexico. Now? Uh....maybe not!

Cindy M. (CindyM) wrote on 10/28/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Slow in the beginning but picks up. Graphic. Would of liked a little more
explained but still a pretty good read.

Josh W. (nthdegree) wrote on 9/24/2007...

4 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book will suck you right into its story. Scott Smith has written a thoughtful and horrifying novel that you will not put down until you are finished. But even then, the story won't be finished with you....


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Curtis K. wrote on 9/2/2009...


Great read. Could not put down once started. The movie was good also.

Beth H. wrote on 8/31/2009...


Awesome book! I am going to have to see the movie, although I usually don't like to do that after I've read the book.

Roger S. (rocher) wrote on 8/17/2009...


Read this book...and it seemed like I was always waiting for it to get better...and never did

Michel M. (nyfine1) wrote on 3/19/2009...


good

Ashley C. (blondiekittie) wrote on 3/18/2009...


I loved this book! It was slow in the beginning and I almost stopped reading it but I'm sure glad I kept going. Once the story started moving along, I couldn't put it down.

Sarah F. wrote on 12/22/2008...


Group of teenagers on vacation in South America go off the beaten path to visit what they believe is an archaeological dig. They find the site but no people. It's only when they try to leave that they discover what really lies in the ruins. Good plot that puts a twist on supernatural horror.

Sue M. (samie13) wrote on 8/17/2008...


Good read, lots of tension. More blood and guts than I normally like.

Candice J. (pibblegrl) - Meriden, CT wrote on 5/22/2008...


Lame.


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