The Reddening

The Reddening is a folk-horror novel where eerie local legends and psychological terror intertwine as characters confront ancient, blood-soaked rituals in a remote coastal town.
Keeping The Mafia Princess
Keeping The Mafia Princess
"Ow," she exclaims when the first stroke of my belt slashes across her bare ass, whimpering with her eyes closed. I set the belt down and rubbed the rapidly reddening spot with my left palm, enjoying the way she moans in pleasure. "You like it, don't you?" I tease. "Yes. Yes...Seb..." I take the belt and whip her again. And again and again. Each time, her moans rising higher, her body jerking violently, turning me on. Through my peripheral vision, I could see her father standing by the door, his jaw on the floor. "No...no, no..." I hear him wail. This is just the beginning. I intend to fuck her cute, little pussy next. While he's still watching. - She was promised to him for one night only. To lay off a debt. But Sebastian Sturm wanted her forever. Carmen Gracia is given to ruthless Mafia Don Sebastian Sturm for a one-night only exclusive by her domineering father to lay off his debt. But when he father fails to keep to his end of the bargain, she's in trouble. Sebastian plans to show her what it means to belong to him, and if he must spank her silly to achieve that, he will. This is a dark romance + BDSM read. If such themes offends you deeply, please try out another book.
3
140 Chapters
Mated to Brianna
Mated to Brianna
(Completed) Brianna goes to school, has friends, and has a boyfriend, but when her dad dies and leaves her and her brother to fend for themselves, things start to unravel. When they move to start over, her life isn't what she thought her life was, nothing she thought was the truth, is, and she has some major secrets to keep hidden from some of her best friends. When her mate finds her and awakens her to the world of the supernatural, things get even more complicated. Is she even human? Does she want a mate? Will the heartbreak, the love, and the sacrifices be worth what the Moon Goddess has in store for her? ***This book can be read as a stand-alone but it does contain a cross-over and spoilers from my first book "Timber Alpha". If you're planning on reading them both start there. **This 4 book series is COMPLETE – Reading order: 1-Timber Alpha (ch1-86), 2-Mated to Brianna, 3-Mylo (Timber Alpha ch89-172), 4-Alpha Heirs
9.7
130 Chapters
Sentenced to Marriage
Sentenced to Marriage
"I didn't do anything wrong," I choked out. "You stuck your nose into my private matters," he hissed. "No one can sentence me without proof," I challenged him. He straightened up. Any traces of a smile abruptly disappeared from his face. "You still don't get it, do you? I own this city. It means that if I say you go to jail, that means you go to jail." He leaned over me again, his stare piercing right through me, "And if I say that I want you, that means you are already mine." My jaw tensed as I resisted an urge to talk back. This wasn't a battle I could win, and this wasn't a man I could win against... How did I get myself into all that mess?! *** My name is Cora Bell, and I'm about to marry Aren Lan, New York's most wanted bachelor. A dream come true? I highly doubt that. The guy is an arrogant, wealthy beyond imagination, asshole. Not to mention that our relationship is based solely on a contract, a contract I was forced to sign when I accidentally ruined this guy's engagement... I used to dream of a simple life. I wanted to graduate from university and work as a software programmer, but my fate chose a different path for me to follow. First, I had to give up on my studies to take care of dear Grandma, and now I'm forced to play the role of a manipulative jerk's loving fiancée! The problem is that my husband-to-be is insanely sexy and enjoys teasing me a bit too much. How the hell am I going to survive being close to him throughout the two years of our fake marriage?!
9.9
145 Chapters
Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child
Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child
Blackmailed into substituting her step sister on her wedding night, Christine Carter sacrifices her first time to protect her father. Hunter Gray, the groom, is unaware that the one he is ravishing is not his real bride, and he's oblivious that his exquisite wedding night resulted in a pregnancy. Five years later, Hunter is a divorced man who's been in a dark place for two years, he happens to fall in love at first sight with Christine during a flight. Christine on the other hand is annoyed that he has the audacity to flirt with her, she only cares for her child. But what will Christine do when she'd find out that she needs to work closely with Hunter? And how will she hide the truth from her genius son? ~~~~~~~~~~ ‘His musky mint flavor intoxicates her senses and soothes her mind. Her body feels like it was fed with something she craved for a long time. “Mommy, daddy, not in front of the kids, go inside!” Ethan protests, pulling at their clothes and that's the instant she comes to her senses and tries to break the kiss.’ ~~~~~~~~~~ ‘"He is my daddy. How can I not insist? I want my daddy and my mommy together.” “He is not you daddy, sweetie.” She lies, waves of guilt washing over her. “I don't know why you are lying, mommy, but I can only assume you have your reasons. He is my daddy, I can tell."’ ~~~~~~~~~~ ‘"I want a big family, mommy!” Her angel cries out, interrupting her train of thought. “Did you and daddy make me a sister on your trip?"’
9.5
95 Chapters
My fiance's Brother
My fiance's Brother
As the youngest daughter of Yoke family, Evangeline can only marry to Bishop family. Her father deeply loved his elder daughter Rose, who is born to his late wife. Evangeline's mother is just a convenience to her father, even her mother thinks highly of her elder sister Rose more than her. Never got the love of both of her parents, Evangeline was promised to Jake Bishop, who is nothing but a womanizer and lives off of the money earned by his stepbrother, the type she least wants to be involved with. Damien is the elder son of the most powerful family in the werewolf world. As the next in line to take over the Bishop empire, he is 29 and already promised to marry Rose. But one night changed their lives forever. Evangeline unexpectedly slept with Damien and gave him her virginity. Slowly Damien begins to be attracted to Evangeline more than he should.  What will happen if Evangeline finds out that Damien is none other than her would-be brother-in-law? Will she bend down to her father's demands and marry Jake? Can Damien let her go? Can this forbidden couple have a happy ending?
9.4
200 Chapters
MY STEP UNCLE IS MY SUGAR DADDY
MY STEP UNCLE IS MY SUGAR DADDY
AHEM *CLEARS THROAT* THIS STORY CONTAINS MATURE CONTENTS THAT ARE VERY VIVID, IT'S NOT ALLOWED FOR ANYONE UNDER EIGHTEEN, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. There were secrets I kept from everyone else because I would be sent for counselling or even therapy if I ever told anybody about it but there was no way that I could control the burning desire I felt when I saw my step uncle. "Forbidden!" the voice in my head would warn but it doesn't stop the throbbing between my legs. I see the way he looks at me and I'm certain that he wouldn't be able to hold himself much longer, soon, we both would have to keep dirty secrets from everyone else because there is no way I would tell after he has had me tied to his bed.
9.8
240 Chapters

Where Can I Buy 'The Reddening' At The Best Price?

4 Answers2025-06-30 11:54:00

Finding 'The Reddening' at the best price requires a bit of digging, but it’s worth the effort. Online retailers like Amazon often have competitive pricing, especially if you opt for a used or digital copy. Independent bookstores sometimes offer discounts or loyalty programs that can slash the cost—check stores like Powell’s or Book Depository. Don’t forget libraries; many lend e-books for free through apps like Libby.

For physical copies, secondhand platforms like ThriftBooks or AbeBooks are goldmines, with prices as low as a few bucks. Seasonal sales on Barnes & Noble or Walmart’s website can also surprise you. Compare prices across sites using tools like BookFinder or CamelCamelCamel to track drops. If you’re patient, waiting for a Black Friday deal or a publisher’s promotion might land you the sweetest deal.

What Is The Hidden Meaning Behind 'The Reddening'?

4 Answers2025-06-30 23:47:59

The hidden meaning in 'The Reddening' is a layered critique of humanity’s primal violence, masked as folk horror. The crimson hue isn’t just blood—it’s the erosion of morality under societal pressure. Ancient rituals in the story mirror modern greed, where people sacrifice others for personal gain. The monsters aren’t supernatural; they’re us, wearing masks of tradition. The reddening symbolizes the slow, inevitable stain of corruption, seeping into every character’s choices until survival demands becoming the very evil they fear.

The landscape itself feels alive, its red clay bleeding like an open wound, reflecting the characters’ unraveling sanity. The novel’s climax isn’t about defeating monsters but confronting the darkness within. It’s a clever twist on folk tales, showing how legends are often warnings about human nature, not just scary stories. The real horror isn’t the cult—it’s how easily ordinary people join it.

Who Is The Main Antagonist In 'The Reddening'?

4 Answers2025-06-30 20:38:31

In 'The Reddening', the main antagonist isn’t just a single entity but a primal, almost Lovecraftian force—the ancient cult worshipping the Red Folk. These aren’t your typical villains with monologues; they’re a collective nightmare, steeped in mud and blood rituals. The true horror lies in their anonymity—faces hidden behind animal masks, voices chanting in unison. Their leader, a figure known only as the Horned One, embodies their savagery, a distorted being more myth than man, whispered about in local folklore.

The novel’s brilliance is how it makes the land itself antagonistic. The marshes breathe malice, the earth soaked with centuries of sacrifice. The Red Folk aren’t defeated by heroes; they’re outlasted, their horrors lingering like stains. It’s ecological horror meets folk terror, where the real villain is humanity’s capacity for brutality, wrapped in the guise of forgotten gods.

Does 'The Reddening' Have A Sequel Or Prequel?

4 Answers2025-06-30 11:37:21

As a longtime horror enthusiast, I've dug deep into 'The Reddening' lore and can confirm there’s no direct sequel or prequel yet. Adam Nevill crafted this as a standalone cosmic horror tale, dripping with primal dread and ancient terrors rooted in British folklore. That said, his other novels like 'The Ritual' share thematic threads—isolated landscapes and unseen evils—that could almost feel like spiritual cousins. Fans craving more of his signature style should explore those.

The absence of a sequel works in its favor; the story’s abrupt, haunting ending lingers precisely because it isn’t tied up neatly. Nevill leaves gaps for readers to imagine the horrors spreading beyond the final page. If he ever revisits this world, I’d bet it’d be through oblique references rather than a direct continuation. Until then, the void left by 'The Reddening' is part of its charm.

How Scary Is 'The Reddening' Compared To Other Horror Novels?

4 Answers2025-06-30 09:07:02

'The Reddening' isn't just scary—it's a visceral, primal kind of terror that lingers in your bones. Unlike jump-scare-heavy horror, it builds dread through atmosphere, like a slow tide of blood creeping toward you. The rural setting feels claustrophobic, and the folklore elements twist familiar fears into something ancient and grotesque. The violence isn’t gratuitous; it’s inevitable, like a nightmare you can’t wake from.

What sets it apart is the psychological weight. The characters’ paranoia seeps into you, and the cult’s rituals feel eerily plausible. It’s less about monsters and more about how easily humanity unravels. Compared to mainstream horror, it’s denser, like 'The Ritual' meets 'The Wicker Man,' but with a brutality that’s uniquely its own.

Is 'The Reddening' Based On True Events?

4 Answers2025-06-30 03:33:09

As someone who devours horror novels religiously, 'The Reddening' by Adam Nevill is pure fiction, but it taps into primal fears that feel terrifyingly real. The story revolves around ancient, bloodthirsty rituals in coastal England, drawing inspiration from folklore and archaeological discoveries about Neolithic cave paintings and sacrificial sites. While no direct true events mirror the plot, Nevill masterfully blends real historical elements—like the eerie 'Red Lady of Paviland' skeleton—with his twisted imagination. The visceral descriptions of rural cults and mutated creatures make it eerily plausible, but rest assured, it’s a crafted nightmare, not a documentary.

What elevates it beyond typical horror is how Nevill roots his monsters in humanity’s darkest traditions. The book’s locations, like the grim caves and decrepit villages, are grounded in real British landscapes, amplifying the dread. If you’ve ever stumbled upon old folklore about 'red earth' or read about pagan rituals, you’ll recognize the seeds of truth he twists into something far worse. It’s this interplay between reality and fiction that makes the story crawl under your skin.

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status