The Troop By: Nick Cutter (Book Review)

First all I have to say is "Wow." This book captivated me from the beginning, all the way to the bitter end. I haven't read huge amounts of horror in my lifetime, and most that I have read consisted of Stephen King books. Nick Cutter may just end up being one of my top three favorite horror writers. This book was disgusting, sad, captivating, etc. The pacing was perfect for me and the imagery of everything made some chapters harder to read then others.

The Troop follows a troop of 14 year-old boys and their Scoutmaster, as they venture into the Canadian wilderness of an isolated island, for a weekend camping trip. What they believe to be another routine camping trip, turns into a horrific game of survival when a mysterious intruder stumbles upon their campsite, carrying a bioengineered virus that is unlike anything they’ve seen before. We venture into the minds of Max, Kent, Shelley, Newton, Ephraim, and Scoutmaster Tim, as they survive the horrors of the unknown.

This book can only be described as disgusting, but in a good way, if you’re into that sort of thing. I haven’t read much body horror, but this book was beyond any type of body horror books I’ve read. The imagery in this book was so good it made me sick to my stomach.

I enjoyed reading each character’s point of views, understanding what makes each person tick. Kent being your school jock type, with a small town sheriff dad, believing he is the strongest among the weak. Max and Ephraim, two peas in a pod, best friends forever, who have a mutual understanding of each other. Newton, a chubby nerd, who spends his time studying plant types for fun. Shelley the outsider, with a silent but deadly presence, that just sends shivers down your spine.

Survival has a way of changing people, and that’s especially present with the boys in this story. What would you do to survive? That’s a question I found myself thinking about throughout this book, as each page inched closer to the end. Reading this book felt like I was on that island with them, thinking just how scary it would be to stuck on an island with an unknown, biolab made virus.

Although the premise of this book gives off Lord of the Flies vibes, it creates its own grossly, horrific atmosphere. I couldn’t put this book down. It was so well written, with the descriptions of the infected making me squirm in my seat.

I could go on forever about this book, but I don’t want to spoil anything. I recommend giving it a read if you enjoy body horror. I do have to say that this book does have trigger warnings for animal cruelty and death, so keep that in mind if you do decide to read. Comment down below if you’ve also read this book and your thoughts on it. I’d love to read anyone else’s opinions on it, whether you loved it or hated it, or maybe somewhere in between. Happy reading :)