The Ritual Book Themes and Use of Symbolism by Shantel Tessier
The Ritual is a dark romance novel by Shantel Tessier, published in December 2021. It follows the story of Blakely, a young woman who is chosen by Ryat, a senior member of a secret society called the Lords, to be his partner in a ritual that involves blood, violence, and s*x. Blakely is unaware of the dangers and secrets that lurk behind the Lords, and soon finds herself in a twisted game of survival and obsession. Ryat is a ruthless and sadistic man who will stop at nothing to protect and possess Blakely, even if it means killing anyone who stands in his way.
The book has received mixed reviews from readers, some of whom praised the author’s writing style, the s*x-positive message, and the character development, while others criticized the excessive violence, the lack of consent, and the unrealistic plot.
Themes in the book
Below are some of the themes that are relevant to the book. Readers can also come up with their own interpretations and opinions, as long as they support them with evidence from the book and from other sources.
Dark romance:
The book is a dark romance novel that depicts the intense and unconventional relationship between Blakely and Ryat, who are involved in a ritual that requires blood, violence, and s*x. The book explores the boundaries of love, l*st, obsession, and consent, and how they can be blurred or broken by power and passion.
Mystery:
The book is also a mystery novel that reveals the secrets and dangers of the Lords, a secret society that has no limits or morals. The book keeps the readers in suspense and curiosity, as they try to figure out the motives and actions of the Lords, and the fate of Blakely and Ryat.
Survival:
The book is also a survival novel that shows the struggles and challenges that Blakely and Ryat face, both physically and emotionally, as they try to survive in a world that is hostile and cruel. The book portrays the resilience and courage of the characters, as well as the sacrifices and risks that they have to take, to stay alive and together.
You can also read The Ritual book Trigger Warnings here.
Uses of Symbolism by the author
Symbolism is the use of symbols or images to represent ideas or meanings that are not literal or obvious. Shantel Tessier is a dark romance author who uses symbolism in her writing to create a certain mood, theme, or message. For example, in her book The Ritual, she uses the following symbols:
Blood:
Blood is a symbol of life, death, violence, and sacrifice. It is also a symbol of the bond between Blakely and Ryat, who share their blood in the ritual. Blood represents the pain and pleasure that they experience, as well as the danger and devotion that they face.
The Lords:
The Lords are a symbol of power, wealth, and corruption. They are a secret society that rules the world with no morals or limits. They are also a symbol of the mystery and intrigue that surrounds the plot, as the readers try to uncover their secrets and motives.
The Ritual:
The Ritual is a symbol of the dark romance genre, as it involves blood, violence, and s*x. It is also a symbol of the choice and fate that Blakely and Ryat have, as they are chosen by the Lords to participate in the ritual. The Ritual represents the challenge and opportunity that they have, as well as the risk and reward that they get.
These are some of the examples of how Shantel Tessier uses symbolism in her writing. There may be other symbols or interpretations that you can find, as symbolism is often subjective and personal.
