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The Ruins

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Four American friends on a lacklustre Mexican holiday seek adventure by exploring ancient Mayan ruins. Their journey into the jungle leads to a mysterious trail, captivating red flowers, and a confrontation with a gun-toting Mayan horseman. When one of them accidentally steps into a flowering vine, their world changes forever, revealing an unfathomable horror lurking among the ruins.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers who enjoy intense psychological thrillers and horror with a strong atmospheric setting, and fans of gripping, relentless suspense novels.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Craving an adventure to wake them from their lethargic Mexican holiday before they return home, four friends set off in search of one of their own who has travelled to the interior to investigate an archaeological dig in the Mayan ruins. And at that moment their world changes for ever.

An awesome thriller wrapped in the mystery of the ancient Maya. A page-turner that delivers.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The eerie, unputdownable thriller featuring two American couples exploring ancient Mayan ruins who come to find something 'other' among them...

Superior horror literature - New York Times

A compelling set-up and provocative premise - Kirkus

There's no let-up, not so much as a chapter-break where you can catch your breath - Stephen King

__________________

Craving an adventure to wake them from their lethargic Mexican holiday before they return home, four friends set off in search of one of their own who has travelled to the interior to investigate an archaeological dig in the Mayan ruins.

After a long journey into the jungle, the group come across a partly camouflaged trail and a captivating hillside covered with red flowers. Lured by these, the group move closer until they happen across a gun-toting Mayan horseman who orders them away. In the midst of the confrontation, one of the group steps inadvertently backwards into the flowering vine. And at that moment their world changes forever...

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Stephen King praises the book for its intense scare factor, comparing its impact on Mexican vacations to what Jaws did for New England beaches. The Sunday Telegraph calls it "compulsive reading" and a brilliantly crafted psychological chiller. The Guardian highlights its tense and oppressive atmosphere with escalating terror, while the Washington Post notes its timeless, fable-like quality reminiscent of Heart of Darkness. The New York Times describes it as "bloodcurdlingly horrific" and harrowing in its clash of the familiar and the unspeakable.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780552152709

Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 2007

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Corgi Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 107.0mm

Height: 177.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 528

About the Author

Scott Smith was educated at Dartmouth College and Columbia University. He is the author of the bestselling novel, A Simple Plan. He lives in New York.

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