| Title | : | The Ritual: A Holiday Folk Horror Story |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 17 |
| Publication | : | First published December 23, 2021 |
In the square, the villagers had gathered for The Ritual, which hasn't been performed in more than thirty years. Only those old enough to have been at the last one knew the full gravity of what was to come. Everyone (even the children) knew why they had gathered, but there was only so much that could be conveyed through the retelling of a tale.
Some things you had to see for yourself to truly understand.
The Ritual: A Holiday Folk Horror Story Reviews
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Slay Bell Rings,
Are You Listenin'...
THE RITUAL: A Holiday Folk Horror Story
by Michael R. Goodwin
No spoilers. 4 stars. Unlike the loud, joyous celebration of the summer solstice, this gathering was somber and quiet...
The villagers were now assembled to perform a different ritual...
Only those attending the last ritual over 30 years ago were old enough to know the gravity of what was to come...
Some things must be seen rather than retold to fully understand...
Children were told of this ritual by the time they were 5 years old...
Every year on December 25...
The villagers woke and looked out their windows with dread toward the square to see if the bell had arrived...
If not...
A collective sigh of relief was breathed by the citizens. They never knew who brought the bell...
But...
They knew what was required of them if it did arrive. At sunrise following Ritual's Eve, the bell would randomly arrive...
Just before sunup...
A strong Arctic wind would extinguish all torches, and everything would go dark. When the sun rose, the bell would appear in the town square...
Only the weakest at heart survives once the iron bell arrives on the night wind...
And the village chanted...
Rise now wind,
Rise and swell
Swing the iron,
Ring the bell...
This was a creepy little folk story full of atmosphere and tension. Not being quite sure where it was going added to the dread.
Despite being only 16 pages long, it told a very detailed story. -
Bells take on a whole different meaning in this story
I am a fan of Michael R. Goodwin's work, having read Smolder, but this one is even more terrifying. Even though it's a quick read, it packs a ritualistic punch that is dreadful, horrible to think about, and darkly atmospheric. I felt the cold, the winds, and the gods all around. Very good read. -
The Ritual was a dark and interesting take on Christmas traditions. Some winters the village falls short and must atone. Who among the villagers has the constitution to volunteer? You'll have to read to find out. As with the other stories I've read from Michael R. Goodwin, this short story doesn't disappoint.
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Incredibly quick and creepy, Michael Goodwin has created a different type of Christmas story where the ultimate sacrifice must be paid. I could spend a lot of time in this village / with its inhabitants and learning more of their stories, hopes, and struggles. I need more folk horror and think Goodwin has tapped into something we can only hope to see more of in the future.
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Disturbing and beautifully written. I definitely want more.
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I am continually impressed by Goodwin, the more I read through his body of work. His skill at writing folklore Horror I find to be unmatched. He’s incredibly good at creating the perfect atmosphere for such a story.
Ritual is no exception to this rule. This was incredibly cinematic. I could see it play out before me as I read the story. I need more of this village and its characters, more rituals! Thankfully, number 2 is in my kindle haha. -
Unique folk horror take on popular winter holiday. Great short tale that challenges with creepy revelations and provokes with a necessary sacrifice. Excellent, quick read, but with an ending that is all too abrupt.
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"Only the weakest in heart survives, once the iron Bell arrives."
It's Christmas, but not as you know it. The inhabitants of a village awaken to find a giant Bell has arrived overnight. They all know what it means, and that knowledge puts terror in their hearts. The stories tell them what has to happen...
This tale is a fun reversal of Christmas mythology, taking familiar elements and giving them completely new meanings. It keeps you guessing throughout, really latching onto that uncanny valley feeling.
The writing is fast-paced but effective, exploring aspects of this village's history that help to flesh out the story we are experiencing. Characters are only briefly introduced, yet Goodwin has done enough for us to understand them nonetheless.
It was a very dark story. For me, that was a good thing, but for others it might be a tough read. Content warning, therefore, for gore and violence towards children.
At the end, Goodwin mentions how this story connects to another: "Leaves". I will have to pick up the collection containing this story sometime soon.
My only criticism is that the fast-pace storytelling may have detracted from some of the tension, and I would have liked to spend more time in the fear of the villagers. For the length of the story it certainly works, but I genuinely wish it was longer.
It also left a lot unsaid, I think, but that is an aspect I quite like. It adds to the mystery of the setting and leaves me wanting to learn more.
A great story for those who crave a creepy Christmastime. -
Short, gripping folk horror
This is my second journey into Goodwin's writings and it definitely won't be my last. Without saying too much, this was a very interesting take on a very popular holiday. It was dark, it was creepy and I loved it! -
An atmospheric holiday folk horror story about a village that dreads the day of December 25th. It’s short and creepy.
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This holiday season story is an unsettling one.
Michael R. Goodwin was able, in under thirty pages, to expand the lore of a place he's visited before (look for “Leaves” in the “
How Good It Feels to Burn” anthology to see how he makes this amazing connection) in this beautifully crafted short story.
The build up is what keeps you glued during the first part of the story. The narrator tells you what has been happening and how the village lore spreads, so you know something's coming from the first sentence. Something that is better kept at bay.
The second part is the titular ritual itself, which is both dreaded yet simple, a volunteer and it's done. But it’s the act of volunteering that makes the ritual a dreaded thing because it showcases humanity's frailty and cowardice.
Michael created something magical with this story, as he not only touches some of the “holiday” features we're used to, but also turns them on their heads until they become something unknown and dark.
I for one expect to return to this village, and maybe to the red forest beyond it, and see what else it has to show us.
And I wouldn’t trust anyone other than Michael R. Goodwin to show me around.
I’m sure he wouldn’t lead me astray. -
My first time reading MRG! I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of terror! Loved the atmosphere and Christmas references — my only critiques are that I wasn’t quite sure what the ending was supposed to mean and I wasn’t sure why the girl volunteered. Did she feel she was chosen? Did she do it to save her family? And what happens if they don’t do the ritual?
I can live without answers to these questions — and recommend this for anyone looking for extra chills come festive season! -
short but good
A short folk horror story telling about a ritual that is needed to save a village, to keep it safe from an unseen evil… eerie, bit too short but in typical Goodwin style, written very well! Can’t wait for Michael to write and publish a bigger novel, even larger than Smolder!! -
Are you brave enough to step forward? Are the stories to be believed? Intriguing from the start. Leaves you with so many questions. Reminiscent of The Lottery by Shirley Jackson but more horrific.
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Caught me off guard completely. Dark and unsettling. Can’t wait to read more from this author
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ASAP
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interesting concept that i think would make for a great short film. it reminded me a bit of "the lottery" by shirley jackson!
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I read this brief story a bit after the Christmas holiday when it is set, but that didn't negatively affect it. The Ritual is a solid story and stands on its own any time. Very reminiscent of Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," Goodwin's tale concerns a very deadly town tradition. To say more would be to spoil the story, because it is very brief. However, if you like "The Lottery" or are looking for something a little dark for the Yule season, this is for you.
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I enjoyed this story… I wanted some more answers at the end, especially about the forest and also what happens if the ritual doesn’t get satisfied? How do they know the rituals rules?
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This is a brief horror short that definitely doesn't waste its time and is focused entirely on depicting the archaic paranoia of a small village. When their harvest doesn't yield as good as they hoped, the village seeks to appease their gods in another way when a great iron bell signals a brutal blood sacrifice.
The town elder, Nicholas, immediately spearheads th proceedings and calls for a volunteer, which brings forth an unlikely participant to step into the spiked interior of the great Bell!
This short piece is full of atmosphere; Goodwin doesn't waste his words and had me wanting to know more about the village, the Bell, the Ritual, and the cult-like ways of the village. "The Ritual" reads like a small cog in a larger tapestry, one I'd be interesting m exploring further, but those seeking an in-depth take may find it lacking. Personally, there was enough creepy atmosphere and intrigue here to keep me hooked and this is a great teaser for.what Goodwin is capable of as a writer. -
"The Bell began to swing."
A perfect short story. Haunting in so many ways. The uniqueness of this tale, this village that Goodwin has created, pulls you right in. With just enough information to understand on some level, and just enough omitted to keep you intrigued, this 17-page story hits all the marks.
I really enjoyed the build up to the end of this story, it's definitely creepy, unsettling, heart-breaking. The lore that is so elegantly woven into this tale is incredible, and I must have more of this village and it's rituals and fear of the forest. -
I dare to say that Michael Goodwin is one of my favorite authors, here in this book the story takes place in a village called "Leaves", wich you find in the collection "how good it feels to burn". It's a short and well-written story. For those who like books about rituals and cults, you will definitely like this one.
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Not your average holiday read!
The Ritual is an unsettling little story you can read before your coffee cools. Short this folklore style tale may be, but quite long enough to make you cringe. Not your average holiday read. -
A dark quick read with a very unsettling feeling and some very disturbing scenes. The build up was very good done and kept me on the edge with an uneasiness that broke my heart at the end.
The ending left me a bit confused though Why did she volunteer? What's the morale? What happens if the ritual is not performed?
A quick paced read that left me wanting some more. -
What an incredible short story! In less than 30 pages, Michael Goodwin brings the shivers and cold sweats of fear down your spine, as we are introduced to a Ritual that we will never forget.
Playing heavily with the holiday traditions, this is a particular one to make the hairs in your body stand up, pulling from known and unknown, uneasiness and horror all at once, mixed with a morbid fascination reflected through this little village behavior.
Hopefully, there are more tales on this village. Hopefully, there are more Rituals to meet. -
Fast paced, heart-wrenching, so dark. A well written, brutal tale of a community's sacrifice
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A quick and brutal short story, perfect for fans of holiday horror.
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Another short story that does a callback to another story in a previous collection by this author. I LOVED the tie in to his other story and made me do the whole Leonardo DiCaprio pointing at the TV meme.."hey, I know that story!!"
THE RITUAL is about a Christmas nightmare that happens to a small village where, as you might have guessed, they have to preform a ritual. Oh boy, this was such a unique idea on how to do a ritual. I had no idea what was going to happen and felt the uneasiness of it all--yyeess!
The reveals were surprising and hard to read at times. There is a specific CW with this one that I'm typically sensitive to but found readable--but if at all you want to know it, DM me. I don't want to post it because it would spoil things. -
a very quick and creepy read
