Bloody Good Horror discussion

Back from vacation and with a clean reading slate, so let's check out The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn for July:

"Ryan Adler and his twin sister, Jane, spent their happiest childhood days at their parents’ mountain Colorado cabin—until divorce tore their family apart. Now, with the house about to be sold, the Adler twins gather with their closest friends for one last snowboarding-filled holiday. While commitment-phobic Ryan gazes longingly at Lauren, wondering if his playboy days are over, Jane’s hopes of reconciling with her old boyfriend evaporate when he brings along his new fiancée. As drama builds among the friends, something lurks in the forest, watching the cabin, growing ever bolder as the snow falls…and hunger rises.
After a blizzard leaves the group stranded, the true test of their love and loyalty begins as the hideous creatures outside close in, one bloody attack at a time. Now Ryan, Jane, and their friends must fight—tooth and nail, bullet and blade—for their lives. Or else surrender to unspeakable deaths in the darkened woods. "


Reading Schedule:
1) Week of 7/3: Chapters: 1-5
-Discussion of Section 1: 7/10, discussion begins at 12pm/EST
2) Week of 7/10: Chapters 6-10
-Discussion of Section 2: 7/10, discussion begins at 12pm/EST
3) Week of 7/17: Chapters 11-14
-Discussion of Section 3: 7/24, discussion begins at 12pm/EST

Oops, I guessed wrong. Several people had asked for House of Leaves so I bought a copy earlier this month and started reading (and finished last week), thinking maybe that one would be in the queue next. Oh well, I got a bonus! :-)

Ken wrote: "Oops, I guessed wrong. Several people had asked for House of Leaves so I bought a copy earlier this month and started reading (and finished last week), thinking maybe that one would be in the queue..."
Hahah I was thinking about House of Leaves - I loved it, but I didnt know if I could reread it right now and give it the attention it deserves. I'm always happy to talk about it though!!

I haven't seen any questions for the section yet. I'm enjoying it so far.

Apologies for the delay ya'll, next section will be on time, but here we go:

Section 1 Discussion:

1. Do you think the motivation of the "monsters" is purely instinctual hunting or is it recreational for them?

2. How do you like the format of the book so far - do you like seeing snippets of multiple stories while reading? Do you think it helps or hinders the overall story?

3. Do you think the 3 stories will convene at some point-or are the 2 other parties just foreshadowing the Addler's fate? How close in proximity are the 3 parties? Was the blood the Addlers saw on their way back to the "cabin" Don's?

Note: If the dog dies - I will quit reading this book. FYI. haha

I for some reason thought section 1 was only chapters 1-3, this week has been crazy. Listening to the audiobook and got confused : apologize!

Here's some additional thoughts:

4. How do you think Sawyer and Jane's relationship will effect their survival? Is April a twofer if they sacrifice her to snowy blood gods?

5. What do you think of the monsters so far? Do you appreciate the abstract mystery that surrounds them and their appearance?

1. I definitely think it's instinctual and I'll explain why further on!

2. I really like the format--sometimes certain books of a cabin fever type tend to get a little boring, when they're bottlenecked like that. Having little breaks makes me want to read more to get back to the main characters.

3. I think it's both? I think that it's all happening more or less simultaneously--like how April overheard ppl talking about someone going missing on the lifts.

4. I dunno but I hope they get together because I want Jane to be happy. Also April is a bitch.

5. I may be wrong but I have been convinced since the first chapter that it's wendigos, and in that case their hunting would, from my limited understanding (as a white person who is not a part of any indigenous tribe where these legends originated) be instinctual and uncontrollable in their hunger. Which would be awesome.

Also this book gives me intense Until Dawn vibes which (spoiler alert) is probably where the wendigo thing came from in my brain

1. There's not a lot to go on, but I'll go with instinctual. They're pissed and they're feeding.

2. I do not like the extra snippets. The characters being introduced are the equivalent of redshirts. Their only purpose is to be killed 5-6 pages after their introductions, so there is not a lot of point reading about them and becoming invested.

3. At first, I was wondering if all the stories were happening in the same timeline, or maybe the story about the older (?) couple that started the book off took place a bit before the "current" main story, and our main characters would eventually discover the aftermath.

4. At this early point in the book, it seems like Sawyer and Jane will discover their true love for each other again and discover the strength to persevere and save each other! Blyech.

5. I like the description of the monsters. I would like more intrigue about their origin and / or purpose, and I would be disappointed to discover they are just there because they're there.

Ken

1) if they were instinctual hunting, would they be killing so much? I suppose we haven't gotten a good idea on how many there are.
2) I like that we are getting a picture of what is going on in the whole area and not just focusing on the Addler cabin.
3) it seems like all of this is occuring within a few miles of each other.. there was mention that a gun shot was heard at the Addler cabin, I'm thinking it was the woman who went out for her husband. And that splat of blood was totally from another person.
4) I think Jane will be fodder for the monsters... sorry. She seems to be written as an outsider and sort of unlikable. I suppose that could change
5) monsters can be scarier if they are not over explained.. keeps the chaotic feelings going.

I finished it already too, but mostly because I couldn't put it down? I loved the 70s direct to video aspect of it, and I really liked the ending.

Discussion 2:
1. Where do you think these monsters are when it's not snowing - are they just able to keep hidden from humans because there's enough food when it's not storming?
2. What do you think these monsters are - ancient animals that have always been around, wendigos, otherworldly beasts?
3. How do you think the survivors are doing? Do you think their plan of action is the smartest? Is there anything you would or wouldn't be doing in their situation?

1. I guess that really depends on WHAT they are, but my guess is hibernate maybe? Sleep all day hunt at night?

2. I really want them to be wendigos but it's just not clear.

3. I am skipping this because I know the answer!

Alyssa wrote: "1. I guess that really depends on WHAT they are, but my guess is hibernate maybe? Sleep all day hunt at night?

2. I really want them to be wendigos but it's just not clear.

3. I am skipping this ..."

Haha I really really want them to be Wednigos too - I've been the hunt for a good story and just can't one! Seen good films with them though!

Chris wrote: "1) if they were instinctual hunting, would they be killing so much? I suppose we haven't gotten a good idea on how many there are.
2) I like that we are getting a picture of what is going on in the..."

I didnt think about Jane being fodder, but now that you say it - she is written rather flatly and it would make perfect sense.

For round 2:

1) Your guess is as good as mine! I already whined about this, but I really would like more story about these suckers, I'm not getting the "mysteries of the unknown" vibe.

2) See 1. Maybe they are wendigos, but story wise, there is no reason why they would or would not be, either way. I do really like the descriptions of them, though ... very nicely visualized.

3) I'm one of those who finished the thing quickly, and I don't remember what the cut off point is for this one week, so I'll stay out of the characters and how smart or dumb they are!

I would like to note that I'm listening to Wang Chung on Spotify while writing this :-)

Section 2
1)... I think that they may be hibernating also. I can't imagine that this sort of a killing spree/disappearances would go unnoticed for so long.

2) I don't know what they are. :/

3) I was surprised that Jane wasn't given a gruesome death.. unless like Predator2 they can tell she's pregnant and didn't kill her. Hopefully they'll figure a way out... I don't know what I'd do, probably die.

Everyone is saying Jane but do y'all mean April?

Alyssa wrote: "Everyone is saying Jane but do y'all mean April?"

lol.... I do.

Section 3

1. How you do feel about Ryan's death? Did you feel cheated that its only alluded to?

2. How you do feel about Jane being the only "intial" survivor? Do you think she'll be beneficial in the survival of the second party we meet - or are they all doomed?

3. I appreciated the last scene of the trees in the distance, but I'm not sure I liked the ending overall - what did you think?

4. Did you like the book overall? What did you like/dislike about it?

**5**
The author Ania, has agreed to come on the Something Red show on an upcoming episode - so if you have any questions for her, include those too!

I prefer stories where everybody dies, especially against monsters or things that are pretty impossible to actually survive.
If this was a movie the trees would be the perfect hint for a sequel. Because everyone else is going to die.
The book was okay. I guess I didn't really like any of the characters that much so I wasn't upset about them dying.

1. I don't have an interesting answer for that. It didn't really bother me or appeal to me, either way.

2/ 3 Together: I hope they're doomed :) I really liked the circular nature of her survival, and the ending, where she's possibly being fed right back into the same scenario with the next group. The ending was one of my favorite things about the work as a whole.

4. Overall, I had these thoughts about the book: (A) There is absolutely no reason not to read this book. The writing is fine, the set up is fine, the monsters are cool. On the other hand, (B) There is absolutely no reason to read this book. It doesn't really offer anything than another round through the "group of people go to a cabin / remote location where there are deadly things, and mayhem ensues". There was absolutely no intrigue, just waiting around to see what happens. The relationships between characters end up being non-issues. So if you're not burned out on this kind of story through other movies and books, this can be a good one. If you sigh and say, here we go again, then this book might not add anything to your life.

1. I mean... Sucks to be him but trudging into the snow against weird creatures means you're dead. I thought it was valiant but in vain.

2/3. Sometimes I'm into everyone dying, sometimes I'm not. With this book I'm still not sure how I wanted it to end? I actually liked the ending though, I could see it in my head very well.

4. It was a good easy summer read, especially since I'm still in school. It was engaging enough for me to keep reading so I could know what happened but not too intellectually demanding. The only other book I've read by her is Brother which I really liked a lot more than this one, but overall I'm down with Ania Ahlborn!

*5* Please tell me if they're wendigos or not this is driving me crazy