The Devouring

The Devouring. Some tales aren't told. They're unleashed.

Under the glow of fairy lights in a Belfast suburb, a group of women gather, wine in hand, for what should be a harmless autumn evening of ghost stories - but some stories aren't told... they're unleashed.

Taut, twist-driven, and unflinching, The Devouring grips from it's first line and refuses to let go. A haunting supernatural thriller that will remain with you long after the final page.

Brilliant and Haunting; I can't believe this is Ruth S. Cunningham's debut novel!

I'm not usually a fan of the horror genre, but The Devouring completely pulled me in from the first page. I finished it in only two sittings (something I almost never do) which speaks to just how gripping Ruth S. Cunningham's writing is. For a debut novel, this feels polished, confident and deeply unsettling in the best possible way.

I don't normally read horror-like books so wouldn't have picked this up if it hadn't been an ARC read. I am glad I did though. It was a very good read and you would never know that it's the authors first book! The stories are varied and draw you in. They aren't so scary to me that they will keep me up at night, but if they were filmed that would probably a whole other experience! The twist at the end is unexpected and therefore really good and well thought out. I would totally recommend this book for fans of paranormal, occult or ghostly books.

As a novice to the horror genre, I went into this book with no expectations, which made the experience even more thrilling. From the very first character introduction, I was completely hooked. Each character's storytelling felt fully realised, their emotions and fears leaping off the page in a way that made them feel authentic

What impressed me most was the way The Devouring weaves its multiple story threads together. Each chapter is like a puzzle piece that slowly clicks into place, building a larger and far more disturbing picture. The pacing is excellent - fast enough to keep you on edge, but never rushed - and the tension grows so steadily that by the final chapters I found myself reading faster and faster, desperate to know what happened next while dreading the answer at the same time.

R.S Cunningham's writing style is stunning. It's descriptive without ever being gruesome, and every scene feels cinematic. At times, it genuinely felt like I was watching a horror movie unfold in my mind. By the time I reached the ending, I was both shaken and satisfied. It lingered with me for days, creeping back into my thoughts when I least expected it. For a debut novel, this is an extraordinary feat.

The Devouring is a captivating paranormal soft horror that brings to mind those spooky campfire stories we loved as kids.

From the very first page, I was hooked! I truly admired the character development, the layout, and the storytelling style, it is some of the best I've seen in a while.

I was eagerly awaiting a twist, and I wasn't disappointed, the build-up reached a crescendo, leaving me shocked to my core.