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The Resort
Welcome to The Reata, an exclusive spa isolated in the Arizona desert. Please ignore the strange employees and that unspeakable thing in the pool. And when guests start disappearing, pretend it isn't happening. Enjoy your stay, and relax. Oh...and lock yourself in after dark.
392 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 7, 2004
About the author
Bentley Little
141 books2,356 followersBentley Little is an American author of numerous horror novels. He was discovered by Dean Koontz.
Little was born one month after his mother attended the world premiere of Psycho. He published his first novel, The Revelation, with St. Martin's Press in 1990. After reading it, Stephen King became a vocal fan of Little's work, and Little won the Bram Stoker Award for "Best First Novel" in 1990. He moved to New American Library for his next two novels, but was dropped from the company after he refused to write a police procedural as his next novel. He eventually returned to New American Library, with whom he continues to publish his novels.
Little has stated on several occasions that he considers himself a horror novelist, and that he writes in the horror genre, not the "suspense" or "dark fantasy" genres. He is an unabashed supporter of horror fiction and has been described as a disciple of Stephen King.
Little was born one month after his mother attended the world premiere of Psycho. He published his first novel, The Revelation, with St. Martin's Press in 1990. After reading it, Stephen King became a vocal fan of Little's work, and Little won the Bram Stoker Award for "Best First Novel" in 1990. He moved to New American Library for his next two novels, but was dropped from the company after he refused to write a police procedural as his next novel. He eventually returned to New American Library, with whom he continues to publish his novels.
Little has stated on several occasions that he considers himself a horror novelist, and that he writes in the horror genre, not the "suspense" or "dark fantasy" genres. He is an unabashed supporter of horror fiction and has been described as a disciple of Stephen King.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
April 21, 2017
2.5 stars.
I'm a big fan of Bentley Little, this book started off strong and stayed there up until around the halfway point. Little's no-holds-barred storytelling usually serves him well, but things get way too wacky here and any sort of realistic stakes are completely lost as a result.
The story becomes exceedingly repetitive during the latter portion, and the quality of the prose nosedives as well; the final handful of pages could have been replaced with a picture of the author crawling towards the finish line on bloodied knees.
If the last hundred pages had been removed and replaced with a well written ending, this could have been a decent book. As it is, I can only recommend it for diehard fans or compulsive completists.
I'm a big fan of Bentley Little, this book started off strong and stayed there up until around the halfway point. Little's no-holds-barred storytelling usually serves him well, but things get way too wacky here and any sort of realistic stakes are completely lost as a result.
The story becomes exceedingly repetitive during the latter portion, and the quality of the prose nosedives as well; the final handful of pages could have been replaced with a picture of the author crawling towards the finish line on bloodied knees.
If the last hundred pages had been removed and replaced with a well written ending, this could have been a decent book. As it is, I can only recommend it for diehard fans or compulsive completists.
October 10, 2015
This author is the master of starting slowly and building to a crescendo. Knowing this going into the book helps the suspense build as little, bizarre things continue to plague this vacationing family.
It begins with people at this isolated, desert resort acting a bit weird and, of course, creepy. Everything seems just a bit off and becomes increasingly so as the story progresses which made it increasingly difficult for me to put down.
There were times near the middle where I felt like it was digressing into a facsimile of The Shining. I know this author has been heavily influenced by King. Then the similarity ends and the story takes a Laymon like twist that is also not quite Laymon either. It is Bentley Little's unique style that I am beginning to recognize and appreciate.
Five stars because I love this kind of thing.
It begins with people at this isolated, desert resort acting a bit weird and, of course, creepy. Everything seems just a bit off and becomes increasingly so as the story progresses which made it increasingly difficult for me to put down.
There were times near the middle where I felt like it was digressing into a facsimile of The Shining. I know this author has been heavily influenced by King. Then the similarity ends and the story takes a Laymon like twist that is also not quite Laymon either. It is Bentley Little's unique style that I am beginning to recognize and appreciate.
Five stars because I love this kind of thing.
January 24, 2015
4-4.5 stars...
Welcome to the Reata, an exclusive resort located within the desert of Arizona. The Thurman family are taking advantage of the incredible off-season rates. For five nights, they'll be in for an unforgettable stay.
The Reata boasts the best accommodations...
Unbelievable facial massages...
A most...charming...owner...
They won't have a care in the world...
The Thurmans plan to have an incredible time. And no doubt, they do. But it is unlike anything they've ever expected. They experience several bizarre occurrences and each time, they feel compelled to leave the resort. Yet, as if entranced, they soon make light of the oddities and continue their vacation. But as the days go by and the resort's creepy Activities Coordinator rounds up guests for some "friendly" competition, it soon becomes clear that it's not just a bad vacation that's on the line, but the guests' very lives. The Thurmans must unravel the mystery behind the Reata's horrors if they hope to survive.
Well-written, well-paced and greatly entertaining, I truly enjoyed this story. Bentley Little has an amazing talent for concocting the most imaginative, twisted and shocking scenarios. There are plenty of jaw-dropping moments and the best revolting scene with a big, nasty spider!
Welcome to the Reata, an exclusive resort located within the desert of Arizona. The Thurman family are taking advantage of the incredible off-season rates. For five nights, they'll be in for an unforgettable stay.
The Reata boasts the best accommodations...
Unbelievable facial massages...
A most...charming...owner...
They won't have a care in the world...
The Thurmans plan to have an incredible time. And no doubt, they do. But it is unlike anything they've ever expected. They experience several bizarre occurrences and each time, they feel compelled to leave the resort. Yet, as if entranced, they soon make light of the oddities and continue their vacation. But as the days go by and the resort's creepy Activities Coordinator rounds up guests for some "friendly" competition, it soon becomes clear that it's not just a bad vacation that's on the line, but the guests' very lives. The Thurmans must unravel the mystery behind the Reata's horrors if they hope to survive.
Well-written, well-paced and greatly entertaining, I truly enjoyed this story. Bentley Little has an amazing talent for concocting the most imaginative, twisted and shocking scenarios. There are plenty of jaw-dropping moments and the best revolting scene with a big, nasty spider!
May 18, 2023
The Resort is a fairly typical Little novel, in which a typical family is thrown into a very weird, nightmarish surrounding of violence and sex and violent sex. One weird event piles up onto the next, and it's very imaginative and the absurdity becomes so over-the-top that it's amusing. You wonder where it's all going and where it will end up and what it all means, but never quite figure it out... I don't think the author knew, either. It's a good book to read on a vacation when you don't have to spend too much time concentrating, but don't take it to a private resort.
August 30, 2017
I've said this at least a few times and I'm sure I'll say it more as I read more of Bentley Little's books, nobody does batshit crazy like he does. This one is not an exception to that either. You've got an amazing resort, weird activity directors, people missing, a fountain of youth, murder and mayhem. Be warned this book has triggers galore. However if you don't have any triggers give this one a shot. Just don't book a vacation any time soon.
December 17, 2007
Nearly 48 hours after finishing it, I'm still not quite sure how I feel about this book.
Disturbed? Check.
A tad sickened? In there.
Smidge confused? Yup.
As for what else is in the mix, I still can't quite say. The basic idea was fun -- haunted desert resort tailors boogeymen to individual guests, pits them against one another. The Shining comparisons are obvious, but the differences plain enough that once you're past the setting, The Resort becomes its own book.
I'm just not sure that I liked what it became. It kept hitting me in the face (and the characters, often literally) with aborted dog fetuses, gardeners wiping their brows with stolen panties, mutant spiders, employees chained to poles in their underwear and women being clocked by golf balls hit by their husbands. My mind was still reeling from Horror One when Horrors Two through Fourteen were trying to accost me.
Was I scared? A little. But more by Bentley Little than by the book itself, I think.
Disturbed? Check.
A tad sickened? In there.
Smidge confused? Yup.
As for what else is in the mix, I still can't quite say. The basic idea was fun -- haunted desert resort tailors boogeymen to individual guests, pits them against one another. The Shining comparisons are obvious, but the differences plain enough that once you're past the setting, The Resort becomes its own book.
I'm just not sure that I liked what it became. It kept hitting me in the face (and the characters, often literally) with aborted dog fetuses, gardeners wiping their brows with stolen panties, mutant spiders, employees chained to poles in their underwear and women being clocked by golf balls hit by their husbands. My mind was still reeling from Horror One when Horrors Two through Fourteen were trying to accost me.
Was I scared? A little. But more by Bentley Little than by the book itself, I think.
January 23, 2020
2.5 Stars
I usually enjoy Bentley Little’s satirical flavour of horror, but this was one of the weaker books I have read by him. As usual, the story was over the top with plenty of weird and often sexual aspects to the horror. I found some of the scenes quite gross to the point of being very off putting. My overall complaint with this one is that he did not properly capture of the stereotypical aspects of bad vacations, which would have made the book so much more entertaining.
I usually enjoy Bentley Little’s satirical flavour of horror, but this was one of the weaker books I have read by him. As usual, the story was over the top with plenty of weird and often sexual aspects to the horror. I found some of the scenes quite gross to the point of being very off putting. My overall complaint with this one is that he did not properly capture of the stereotypical aspects of bad vacations, which would have made the book so much more entertaining.
June 11, 2017
Def one of my favorite Little books so far. I have read a lot of mixed opinions about this book & the writer himself but I enjoy his writing a lot. I feel he writes some of the most unique horror stories that other people would never even think about & does a good job. This book was never really dull for me & there were some really funny parts in it as well. The ending could have been maybe a little longer, but other than that was a great read!
April 23, 2015
This is the second book by Little I've read, the first being The Store (which I reviewed on my blog a little bit back, and it might be my last, depending on whether or not I try The Mailman. It's not that I dislike Little's writing—I have a fair degree of appreciation with his surreal gore-n-sex tableaus simultaneously parodying every-American-man's fear of society's trappings and also justifying said fears—but simply that his style and presentation continuously makes me wish for a shorter, more concise novel. I might also try his short stories.
In this one, much like The Store, Little is dissecting the real-weirdness of a segment of modern-middle-class capitalism, in this case the tourist destination resort, and inserting increasing amounts of real-bad-weirdness into the cuts. Odd but basically explainable encounters with rooms being double-booked, strange staff walking around at night, and muffled sounds of fights-or-worse act as initial saltings and seedings of eventually increased suffering and terror. In this, Little gets most things right. These tourist meccas engage in strange, off putting behavior, bringing people of many economic backgrounds together and feeding them kitsch and effectively enforced activity as a ritual to some unspoken by driving force of building-memories. It is entirely in-line to imagine that something is soured right behind the scene, as any glance into the kitchen or loading area at one of these resorts will prove: the veneer cracks and gray concrete floors and unwashed walls are just a swinging door away.
Where the book loses me is that as it goes along, it devolves more and more into a series of set-pieces meant to reinforce the weirdness while slightly ramping up the horror, and while it maintains consistency, it starts to engage more and more in what might be called weird-shit-in-the-gym-room-for-weird-shit's-sake. Dog fetuses found in the toilet and someone screaming that she's on her period in a crowded bar level weird-shit.
The book is also a tad bit overly concerned with what might be called fear-of-castration, as a series of chapters fall disjointedly on the theme of men being called "fairy" or "pussy" or having their sexuality questioned (with rough, weird sex being instigated by women to boot). Once or twice might have been a careful building of weird tension, dozens of times starts to feel like a bad loop. I jokingly thought, several times while reading it, that this book could have been a single scene, a man walking into a hotel lobby having to avoid a morbidly obese guy jacking off, and then the man has his dick cut off by a cute-but-ineffective desk clerk. I am only being partially facetious.
There is probably no section of this book that could not have lost 1/3 of its text without benefit.
By the end, the set-pieces are roughly snatched together and form a sort of effective descent into final terror, but mostly still show rough edges of being part of a 101-weird-bad-things-at-a-resort list, top ten or not.
Would recommend primarily, and with full irony intact, as a beach read or for people who are on a kitschy family vacation, for the times between some guest-event is being scheduled just to sell t-shirts.
In this one, much like The Store, Little is dissecting the real-weirdness of a segment of modern-middle-class capitalism, in this case the tourist destination resort, and inserting increasing amounts of real-bad-weirdness into the cuts. Odd but basically explainable encounters with rooms being double-booked, strange staff walking around at night, and muffled sounds of fights-or-worse act as initial saltings and seedings of eventually increased suffering and terror. In this, Little gets most things right. These tourist meccas engage in strange, off putting behavior, bringing people of many economic backgrounds together and feeding them kitsch and effectively enforced activity as a ritual to some unspoken by driving force of building-memories. It is entirely in-line to imagine that something is soured right behind the scene, as any glance into the kitchen or loading area at one of these resorts will prove: the veneer cracks and gray concrete floors and unwashed walls are just a swinging door away.
Where the book loses me is that as it goes along, it devolves more and more into a series of set-pieces meant to reinforce the weirdness while slightly ramping up the horror, and while it maintains consistency, it starts to engage more and more in what might be called weird-shit-in-the-gym-room-for-weird-shit's-sake. Dog fetuses found in the toilet and someone screaming that she's on her period in a crowded bar level weird-shit.
The book is also a tad bit overly concerned with what might be called fear-of-castration, as a series of chapters fall disjointedly on the theme of men being called "fairy" or "pussy" or having their sexuality questioned (with rough, weird sex being instigated by women to boot). Once or twice might have been a careful building of weird tension, dozens of times starts to feel like a bad loop. I jokingly thought, several times while reading it, that this book could have been a single scene, a man walking into a hotel lobby having to avoid a morbidly obese guy jacking off, and then the man has his dick cut off by a cute-but-ineffective desk clerk. I am only being partially facetious.
There is probably no section of this book that could not have lost 1/3 of its text without benefit.
By the end, the set-pieces are roughly snatched together and form a sort of effective descent into final terror, but mostly still show rough edges of being part of a 101-weird-bad-things-at-a-resort list, top ten or not.
Would recommend primarily, and with full irony intact, as a beach read or for people who are on a kitschy family vacation, for the times between some guest-event is being scheduled just to sell t-shirts.
June 22, 2018
one of the reviews said not to read this book before you go on vacation. and what did i do? i started reading it before i went on vacation. and during vacation. at a resort. thankfully everything has turned out great so far. shrimp, oysters, burgers, beer and sunshine. no creepy gardeners. no psychotic obese naked men working out in the excercise center with an erection. not a dead (human) body to be found. no sir, those dreams i’ve been having are just that - dreams...the strange man i found weeping in a corner who then suddenly started laughing hysterically when i approached did not really happen....or the groundskeeper who danced a jig under the lamp post beneath my balcony - just the result of a little heartburn....or was it?
this book was my first bentley little experience and it won’t be my last. loved it. funny, poignant, very weird, creepy, and overall a blast to read. folks, i don’t give a shit about streaming services and stupid ass boring shows on the tv...a good horror novel such as this has that beat by a texas mile. don’t get me wrong, i watch netflix like the rest of you, but i guarantee that very few series are as entertaining and compelling as this, or a good laymon, keane or king novel. especially for those of us who love a good thrill. great stuff. thanks mr. little.
this book was my first bentley little experience and it won’t be my last. loved it. funny, poignant, very weird, creepy, and overall a blast to read. folks, i don’t give a shit about streaming services and stupid ass boring shows on the tv...a good horror novel such as this has that beat by a texas mile. don’t get me wrong, i watch netflix like the rest of you, but i guarantee that very few series are as entertaining and compelling as this, or a good laymon, keane or king novel. especially for those of us who love a good thrill. great stuff. thanks mr. little.
November 18, 2012
Bentley Little's strange (but impressive) imagination is unparalleled in its ability to find, and precisely deliver, terror in the most complacent and comfortable places, and 'The Resort' is a great example of that. Bentley Little is one of the few writers who can give me nightmares, and this book in particular emblazoned some very creepy-cool and eerily bizarre images onto my mind that, years later, are still as terribly vivid as the day I read about them.
Bentley Little, (and 'The Resort' in particular) is a favorite of mine. Little is one of those rare writers who can successfully metamorphose the far-fetched into the believable, the horrific into the satirical, and the ordinary into the exceptional.
I laughed, I shuddered, I wished I'd read it in daylight hours. Five stars.
Bentley Little, (and 'The Resort' in particular) is a favorite of mine. Little is one of those rare writers who can successfully metamorphose the far-fetched into the believable, the horrific into the satirical, and the ordinary into the exceptional.
I laughed, I shuddered, I wished I'd read it in daylight hours. Five stars.
January 28, 2024
I have always loved Bentley Little’s work and now I can add this book to that list!!
A family on vacation, a fancy resort with great prices….sounds perfect!! Right? No? What could possibly go wrong? Read this book and find out!! You’ll be surprised how bad things can go.
A family on vacation, a fancy resort with great prices….sounds perfect!! Right? No? What could possibly go wrong? Read this book and find out!! You’ll be surprised how bad things can go.
October 5, 2014
Continuing reading Bentley Little and now knowing what to expect, Resort was pretty much exactly what I expected. It followed the formula of taking an ordinary thing (in this case vacation at a fancy resort) and slowly turning it into a terrifying nightmare, one creepy thing at a time. I thought the story was a tad drawn out, but it was a very quick read, so that sort of cancelled each other out. The horror aspects of the book I can take or leave, it did go over the top more than occasionally, which doesn't really phase me, but doesn't particularly enrich my world either. What I really like about Little's writing is his social commentary, the way humans have become so dependent on various services and technologies and what happens when things cease to be as one have come to expect, the helplessness, the reactions, the ability to persevere, defy peer pressure, etc....that's interesting. And there is plenty of that in The Resort. Fun entertaining read that'll make you seriously consider a staycation next time. Recommended.
April 3, 2009
This is the one and only Bentley Little book I will ever read. What crap and a waste of money!
I found this book to be a disturbing parody of a horror novel. For inexplicable reasons, the characters all seemed to have Tourette's Syndrome. Out of the blue just blurting out weird sexual idioms and irrelevant comments. The story was very choppily written - just jumping all over the place with no real purpose to this style of writing. I did like the main characters (a family of 5) who where inexplicably surprised at this seemingly innocuous resort that turned into a baffling haunted resort.
The conclusion somewhat explained what was going on but the story was more ridiculous (and stupid) than scary. The author threw sexual elements into the mix that had no baring on the storyline at all. Just reinforced the whole Tourette's thing.
I found this book to be a disturbing parody of a horror novel. For inexplicable reasons, the characters all seemed to have Tourette's Syndrome. Out of the blue just blurting out weird sexual idioms and irrelevant comments. The story was very choppily written - just jumping all over the place with no real purpose to this style of writing. I did like the main characters (a family of 5) who where inexplicably surprised at this seemingly innocuous resort that turned into a baffling haunted resort.
The conclusion somewhat explained what was going on but the story was more ridiculous (and stupid) than scary. The author threw sexual elements into the mix that had no baring on the storyline at all. Just reinforced the whole Tourette's thing.
December 8, 2019
It's clear that Mr. Little thinks it's still a man's world. Any of the action in this novel was reserved for the males of the species. The females were left behind to guard the children. The male was portrayed as the obvious head of the household besides. Many different, derogatory words were used to describe women: chippy, chick, broad, etc. Also, the horny teenage boys could do no better than to focus on tits and what's between a woman's legs. Very unoriginal.
The plot of the story was okay. It certainly kept you reading until the end. However, there was no real horror involved. I found most of Little's descriptions to be humourous. "His erection obscenely protruding in front of him." Obscenely? How hilarious. Really.
I don't know if I will be returning to Little's books in the future. Perhaps some day if I want a good laugh and to be cheaply entertained.
The plot of the story was okay. It certainly kept you reading until the end. However, there was no real horror involved. I found most of Little's descriptions to be humourous. "His erection obscenely protruding in front of him." Obscenely? How hilarious. Really.
I don't know if I will be returning to Little's books in the future. Perhaps some day if I want a good laugh and to be cheaply entertained.
October 3, 2013
Five big old stars for weirdness, for creating characters that I gave a shit about, for keeping me guessing, for making me chuckle, and for creating an environment that I could immerse myself in. I had so much fun reading this one. For most of the book, you get to sit back and watch normal people get thrown into the WEIRDEST situations, some of which are so strange that you have to laugh. There are also some epic battles towards the end that make Braveheart seem like a jerk-off waste of time. I'm talking about vacationers picking up golf clubs and tire irons and running screaming mad through a luxury resort. The sleaze factor is moderate, the body count is high, and the strangeness is off the charts, friends. I hope you enjoy your stay at The Reata as much as I did.
July 10, 2015
This was not a good story. It sounded good in theory-a family going to an exclusive remote resort which turns out to be the last place you want to visit. But the plot was very poor.
Basically, this book features kids sitting at the poolside to drool at half naked women, pervert employees and weird guests. It was all sexual references and no real story in between. I found it dull, boring and poor.
Basically, this book features kids sitting at the poolside to drool at half naked women, pervert employees and weird guests. It was all sexual references and no real story in between. I found it dull, boring and poor.
June 26, 2016
Utter trash beach read...and I expected utter trash, so the one star is not for that. Rather, the one star represents that it's not trashy enough. Trash light, if you will, and I wanted full-on "Dynasty"-level hijinx and really scary horror. The reader doesn't get any of that here, but rather gets crass descriptions of breast size, panty stealing, and women begging for sex. I don't mind gratuitous as long as it isn't man pig gratuitous.
October 14, 2014
This was my first book by Bentley Little. Honestly I would have liked it much better if it wasn't so uber sexual. After finishing I understood the reason, but still it was excessive, and I couldn't help but feel half of it was used for sheer shock value, and to get that obligatory "R" rating. The same way HBO likes to create vampire porn. I found this disheartening because Mr. Little has a genuine gift for the creepy, and his characterization is relatable. I think he'd have a much broader audience if he could just tone it done a little. Wonder if his other books a so sexually graphic. The story itself was so good I had to finish it, and I'll probably try him again, hoping not. But I'm gonna move on to something lighter for now.
July 21, 2011
I'm not really sure what to think of this book.
It was your typical Bentley Little book, idyllic scenario turned nightmare.
I liked the first 250 pages of the book, sometimes it even creeped me out and that doesn't happen a lot, but the last 60 were really hard to read through. I have that problem with a lot of Little books, I just think that most of his story solutions are far-fetched.
The last part of the book mostly consisted of the main characters running around, searching for someone instead of taking some actions.
3 stars because it was a nice typical Little book, but the end was boring.
It was your typical Bentley Little book, idyllic scenario turned nightmare.
I liked the first 250 pages of the book, sometimes it even creeped me out and that doesn't happen a lot, but the last 60 were really hard to read through. I have that problem with a lot of Little books, I just think that most of his story solutions are far-fetched.
The last part of the book mostly consisted of the main characters running around, searching for someone instead of taking some actions.
3 stars because it was a nice typical Little book, but the end was boring.
December 23, 2011
I'm pretty close to finishing this book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I was afraid that Little would be one of those authors who write in non-linear weird-to-the-point-of-being-psychodelic authors but nothing could be farther from the truth based on this book. There is enough mystery about the supernatural to keep you interested and guessing. If there is an answer to the riddle, this is one kind of book where it is divulged in the very end. I have begun to wonder which Little book will be in my future next.
January 30, 2022
Тъй хубаво почна, ама после забозя страхотно. Страшните неща бяха изоставени на заден план за сметка на дразнещи такива. Втора поредна от автора, която дропвам - почвам да се опасявам, че хубавите му съм ги обрал още в началото...
May 12, 2021
I was going to give this book a 4 star rating because it was written so well, but then I just kept thinking of things that didn't make sense or weren't done very well. This book was definitely horrifying and full of suspence. The characters we follow are also quite a mixed bag. First of all for the Fermans, I didn't think Ryan acted like a 13 year old boy, more a 9 year old, and the twins acted more like 16 year olds than 14 year olds. Rachel was rather bland and I was a bit disturbed how the power of the resort used sex as horror, it made me feel unclean. Lole was a good father and I liked his story arc.
Now onto Gloria and her husband. We only had 3 chapters from Gloria's point of view, and I didn't think that was long enough to build up a meaningful relationship with her, so I wasn't as horrified by what happened to her. And what happened to her husband afterwards, it was never explored.
Patrick was quite interesting, but I found that not knowing how he died and what was done to him took away from his horror story.
And what happened to the Events Coordinator? He just disappeared, where did he go? He was such a big mystery part of the resort, then we never find out how he came to work for the place for 100 years and who and what exactly he was.
David was another character we followed, just for him to be found dead, but we never know how or what kills him. The same goes for Vickey, all she sees is a black thing coming into her room.
There were just so many missed oppertunities to take advantage of the horrofying descriptions.
I'm still a bit confused as to how the two resorts exchanged power and how many times it had happened and what exactly the sacrifice was supposed to do except for keeping Jedadaia a live for longer.
We also don't get Ryan's thoughts as he is being prepared for the sacrifice, and how he felt while dying.
And then there were those wraith like creatures, what were they, why did everyone feel as though their touch meant death?
I guess I was just left with too many unanswered questions in this book. It was a really good idea, it just lacked in execution.
Now onto Gloria and her husband. We only had 3 chapters from Gloria's point of view, and I didn't think that was long enough to build up a meaningful relationship with her, so I wasn't as horrified by what happened to her. And what happened to her husband afterwards, it was never explored.
Patrick was quite interesting, but I found that not knowing how he died and what was done to him took away from his horror story.
And what happened to the Events Coordinator? He just disappeared, where did he go? He was such a big mystery part of the resort, then we never find out how he came to work for the place for 100 years and who and what exactly he was.
David was another character we followed, just for him to be found dead, but we never know how or what kills him. The same goes for Vickey, all she sees is a black thing coming into her room.
There were just so many missed oppertunities to take advantage of the horrofying descriptions.
I'm still a bit confused as to how the two resorts exchanged power and how many times it had happened and what exactly the sacrifice was supposed to do except for keeping Jedadaia a live for longer.
We also don't get Ryan's thoughts as he is being prepared for the sacrifice, and how he felt while dying.
And then there were those wraith like creatures, what were they, why did everyone feel as though their touch meant death?
I guess I was just left with too many unanswered questions in this book. It was a really good idea, it just lacked in execution.
June 23, 2021
Welcome to The Reata Resort, and the inside of Bentley Little’s mind. Both are beautiful but demented, conveniently located (well, maybe a bit off the beaten path) and filled with good times in the midst of your horror.
Families or individuals visiting the resort get to enjoy five unforgettable nights at an oasis in the Arizona desert, complete with high-class restaurants, amazing pools, sports galore, a first-class exercise facility, accommodating customer service and gorgeous surroundings.
During the brutally hot summer off-season, families like the Thurmans can indulge in a place they’d otherwise not be able to afford, so Lowell and Rachel pack up their three teenage boys for a much-needed vacation at this little-known spa. After a loooong ride, they finally get to the Reata Resort, and to their destinies.
After they arrive...things transpire. I won’t spoil anything, but they’ll need to watch out for the pools. And the weight room. And their own rooms. And the staff. And other guests. And DEFINITELY the activities coordinator. (It might not be a bad time to brush up your golfing skills at the driving range, or your three-point shot at the basketball courts.)
This is my third Bentley Little book, and the first five star I’ve given him (though “The Association” was a solid 4.5). That and “The Ignored” were really good, but leaned heavily on the fantasy at the end. This novel maintained the same vibe throughout, and has the same writing style I’m coming to love... great horror writing that only gets cheesy when it wants to, has really inventive plot lines and this perfect, subtle sense of humor scattered throughout. I’m loving it and looking forward to more!
Families or individuals visiting the resort get to enjoy five unforgettable nights at an oasis in the Arizona desert, complete with high-class restaurants, amazing pools, sports galore, a first-class exercise facility, accommodating customer service and gorgeous surroundings.
During the brutally hot summer off-season, families like the Thurmans can indulge in a place they’d otherwise not be able to afford, so Lowell and Rachel pack up their three teenage boys for a much-needed vacation at this little-known spa. After a loooong ride, they finally get to the Reata Resort, and to their destinies.
After they arrive...things transpire. I won’t spoil anything, but they’ll need to watch out for the pools. And the weight room. And their own rooms. And the staff. And other guests. And DEFINITELY the activities coordinator. (It might not be a bad time to brush up your golfing skills at the driving range, or your three-point shot at the basketball courts.)
This is my third Bentley Little book, and the first five star I’ve given him (though “The Association” was a solid 4.5). That and “The Ignored” were really good, but leaned heavily on the fantasy at the end. This novel maintained the same vibe throughout, and has the same writing style I’m coming to love... great horror writing that only gets cheesy when it wants to, has really inventive plot lines and this perfect, subtle sense of humor scattered throughout. I’m loving it and looking forward to more!
September 5, 2015
If you like your horror weird and terrifying then you can't go wrong with Little. But if you like well crafted sentences without lots of exposition and adverbs you can do a lot better. The Resort is a haunted hotel tale if you will. One that had a lot of filler in my opinion. I get that the author was just trying to show all the weird things happening but it got to be an annoyance after a while. I just wanted the story to move forward and not see yet another strange sight and the character suddenly forget about it and not care. On the plus side though Bentley Little can come up with some very weird things. I'm surprised with what he gets away with for a mass market author.
Besides the main family of five, there were two others that mostly just took up page count and showcased weird happenings. Once the carnage begins though there is plenty of violence to go around. The shocking insanity in the third act plus the bleak ending almost made me give it 4 stars. It was a good crazy book and maybe one of Littles better ones overall, but the writing left me a little underwhelmed.
Besides the main family of five, there were two others that mostly just took up page count and showcased weird happenings. Once the carnage begins though there is plenty of violence to go around. The shocking insanity in the third act plus the bleak ending almost made me give it 4 stars. It was a good crazy book and maybe one of Littles better ones overall, but the writing left me a little underwhelmed.
December 17, 2020
More Bentley Little insanity, this one featuring a family of five trapped at a luxury resort in the middle of the desert, where the weirdness just keep escalating until reality is left as only a distant dot in the rearview mirror. From what I've read of this author (maybe 7 or 8 books now) this is pretty standard fare, but set against the sometimes more staid novels that populate the horror shelves, Little always ends up feeling like a breath of fresh air.
May 2, 2019
What a twisted little read this was! It starts off nicely as a family is about to embark on vacation but then little things start to happen. At first, it is not enough to worry about but it just keeps getting stranger and stranger. By the end, I was definitely on the edge of my seat. I will admit I did cry over that ending it truly struck me right in the heart. I truly loved this twisted tale.
November 6, 2020
This started out great and I thought I was in for a treat, a la THE SHINING, which I'm sure this has been compared to. And then, as it goes along, it slips off the rails--and not in a good way. By the crazy, uninspired, seemingly endless last 100 pages or so, I was praying for it to be over. Not recommended.
July 6, 2014
Little´s best book so far !
October 23, 2022
This isn’t exactly a spooky experience as it is a dreadful one. This story was more focused on shock factor than depth. Still, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this vile story.
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