The Reddening
Books | Fiction / Horror
3.5
(75)
Adam Nevill
One million years of evolution didn't change our nature. Nor did it bury the horrors predating civilisation. Ancient rites, old deities and savage ways can reappear in the places you least expect. Lifestyle journalist Katrine escaped past traumas by moving to a coast renowned for seaside holidays and natural beauty. But when a vast hoard of human remains and prehistoric artefacts is discovered in nearby Brickburgh, a hideous shadow engulfs her life. Helene, a disillusioned lone parent, lost her brother, Lincoln, six years ago. Disturbing subterranean noises he recorded prior to vanishing, draw her to Brickburgh's caves. A site where early humans butchered each other across sixty thousand years. Upon the walls, images of their nameless gods remain. Amidst rumours of drug plantations and new sightings of the mythical red folk, it also appears that the inquisitive have been disappearing from this remote part of the world for years. A rural idyll where outsiders are unwelcome and where an infernal power is believed to linger beneath the earth. A timeless supernormal influence that only the desperate would dream of confronting. But to save themselves and those they love, and to thwart a crimson tide of pitiless barbarity, Kat and Helene are given no choice. They were involved and condemned before they knew it. The Reddening is an epic story of folk and prehistoric horrors, written by the author of The Ritual and three times winner of The August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel. Praise for The Reddening "Supernatural horror does not get much better than The Reddening. If you're a fan of slow build-ups, heavy atmosphere, superb and intricate plotting, bloodletting and a novel which has a unique sense of time and place then you are going to love this quality story. 5/5." Gingernuts of Horror. "The Reddening is an intense, chokehold of a novel. It grips from the start and holds you down as it makes you consume the horrors within." This is Horror. "I enjoyed this book so much and cannot recommend it enough to all horror-loving readers. Pick this one up for the gore, high tension, and superb writing. 5 Stars" Night Worms. "The Reddening is initially a slow burn tale that ramps up to be a pacey multi-faceted horror that is so well written Adam Nevill is seriously starting to challenge Clive Barker as my favourite author I can offer no higher praise" Kendall Reviews. "Powerfully visceral in all senses of the word, but it's also fiercely intelligent - this is powerful, razor-sharp writing." Hypnogoria. "The Reddening is another horrific gem to be added to the author's back catalogue. The novel succeeds in being distressing yet captivating, unsettling but also often heartfelt. It's quite the emotional rollercoaster, exactly how every good horror novel should be." The Eloquent Page. "Be warned: The Reddening is not a book to read alone. The sense of impending doom is there from the get-go. But it is genuinely hard to put down. Just keep the lights on." Pop Mythology. "The Reddening served as my introduction to the work of Adam Nevill. That being said, I hadn't even finished the book before buying 3 more of his novels, it's that good." Steelrain Reviews. "Easily a strong 5/5 on this one." Horrorbound.
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More Details:
Author
Adam Nevill
Pages
420
Publisher
Ritual Limited
Published Date
2019
ISBN
1916094112 9781916094116
Community ReviewsSee all
"This book was an absolute blast to read. I haven’t been so absorbed in a story in quite a while. I have a lot more from this author in my TBR and I can hardly wait to read more of his work! The most interesting thing about this, is you expect the drug farm to just be rumor. That the only thing going on is Creel and her worshippers. But who knew it was both?"
"⭐️⭐️.5/5
I only red (haha :/) this book because my boyfriend recommended it. Spooky things aren’t really my cup of tea because life is scary enough.
The story was alright, it had a lot of twists and turns that were more or less predictable. Nothing nightmare inducing. The ending was meh. I think my biggest critiques are that the writing dragged as the author described scenery. Like, I get that we’re on a craggy cliff near the water, move on. He also spent several pages and paragraphs kind of jumping back and forth between thoughts (and past/present but I understood that a bit more), so I ended up skimming most of those moments.
Overall I think it’s just an average horror story - nothing terribly great or change-worthy about it. The thing with reading horror is that it’s really as powerful as you can imagine it, so if this was made into a movie I may change my mind.
Now, I intend to return to my whimsical fantasy and trashy romance and forget I ever spent 3 days reading this. But thanks to my boyfriend for getting me out of a slump."
"This book is amazing from page 1. It pulls you through this horrific story of folk horror. Just when you think you get it, oh, you do not. "
M a
Michael aarons