A tight-knit group of scouts go on their yearly camping trip on an island with their scoutmaster. They're isolated, learning to survive. At night, they're visited. An intruder comes to their camp, disturbingly thin, extremely hungry.
He's infected. It's every man for himself.
The Troop follows the group of scouts and their scoutmaster as they contend with the infection the stranger brings upon them.
The bonds between the boys shatter, as the yearly camping trip turns into a fight for survival. Their true nature is revealed as it becomes obvious that not all of them are coming out of this alive.
The Vibe
They'd made a pact to be friends forever, but forever could be so, so brief.
This book is hard to get through. Body horror involving children, animal cruelty, graphic depictions, it's all there. But it's okay to not let the animal stuff go on for pages. It's often taken beyond what is necessary for the plot, looking for pure shock-value.
It's a 5 candle book.
This book leaves you feeling exhausted. Cutter's writing style does wonders for it, stringing up the tension, but it takes more from you than it gives back.
It's a 3 star read. It can feel abrasive in its descriptions for no good reason, but it's compelling to follow these scouts trying to survive a nightmarish situation, even if they at times feel like nothing but caricatures. There's a real build-up of tension, and the shattering of the group dynamics keeps you engaged.