Published by Blackstone Publishing on October 20, 2020
Format: Audiobook
Source: Net Galley
Pages: 250
Goodreads
Megan Forrester has barely survived the unthinkable.
Six months ago, she witnessed a horrific accident that killed her husband and son, and lives with the guilt of knowing she could have done more to save them. Now, Megan hopes to mend the pieces of her broken spirit by attending a local church group's annual camping trip.
But the church group members-riddled with dark secrets of their own-make a catastrophic navigational mistake, leaving them stranded in an untouched canyon in the West Virginian national forest.
Isolated from any chance of help or rescue, Megan and the others quickly realize why this side of the canyon has never been surveyed by mankind: it's home to a terrifying prehistoric arachnid that patiently stalks its prey through even the slightest movement or vibration in the forest. And it's desperate for a meal.
Grief-stricken and haunted by her tragic loss, Megan now faces her ultimate test of endurance.
Can she outwit a bloodthirsty creature hellbent on ensuring that no one gets out of alive?
When a single wrong turn can mean death, she only has one option: DON'T MOVE.
This is not a long audiobook just under 6 hours but it doesn’t half pack a lot in. The murders in this short tale remind me of Predator with my fav Arnie, they are gruesome and shocking and deliciously disturbing. I loved that! The book opens with a shock, one which we know is coming as it’s in the blurb. It really doesn’t prepare you though for it.
Once I downloaded it, I started listening to it straight away but I must admit I don’t think I should have started it. I lost track of all the characters, there is quite an assortment but the authors write them down as one name but when they are spoken to they are called something else. It did not make it for easy listening. I didn’t find I particularly warmed to any characters at all but again I think it is because I lost track of everything and couldn’t connect with any of them.
Also, do not read any of the reviews before listening. I made that mistake and well one review told me the ending. Knowing what I did, my own fault I was trying to gauge whether to download it or not, it kind of gave me a pre-judgement. I tried as much as I could to like the book. I found elements I did, I could feel elements of Predator, The Descent and well the worse film of them all, well I can’t tell you which film as that, for me, is a spoiler.
The book did start strong, it has an intense opening, but I felt the rest of the book didn’t live up to it. It did kind of fall a bit flat, but the end of the book was chilling and I can say I didn’t walk away without some chills down my spine. It’s the most terrifying part of the book. The other parts of the book didn’t give me the intended scares I think it was meant to. However! Yes, there is a however, if this was made into a film, my god I can imagine that they would go to town with this and it would permanently make your skin crawl.
Maybe I wasn’t in the mood for it after all but I wanted to give it a try. I am glad I did, I wanted to be terrified but I was more creeped out instead. I know for one thing I will not be going to a camping trip in those blinking woods and I will be staying away from caves. If I do have to go out there, I will be bringing a UV light, want to know why? Read the book!!
Until next time xxx
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2020 NetGalley
- 2020 Reading
- NetGalley November
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