Jamie James and the Curse of the Ancestors

by Roy Aronson

Jamie wants to become a veterinarian. He travels to Nelspruit near the Kruger National Park in order to gain work experience with a wildlife vet. He has a secret mission that is in fact his primary mission. Two hundred years ago an ancestor of his whipped a black slave to death. The slave’s mother placed a curse on the family whereby all the male descendants will die violently before their fiftieth birthday.
Jamie endeavours to try and have his family released from the curse. In the process he meets Samantha, the love interest in the story, and Shadrak, who becomes his friend and who is also the son of a Sangoma.

An adventure story set against the backdrop of an interesting milieu where caring for wildlife animals are at the forefront. It is also a story of fear and hope, and above all, one of endurance, friendship and reconciliation. The book is written with children, adolescents and young adults in mind.

210 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2011

Reviews

[Tee Wai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Along with this, his inner turmoil of being more his father’s son or his mother’s son leaves him emotionally confused. He seems to be receiving equal love from both of them but doesn’t know whose side to take. He has grudges about their separation and he learns to acquire skills from his dad and enjoy some father son time. Ten years without a father is a long time but he’s not too excited to meet him and calls him ‘sir’. Their interaction and bonding is a sub theme that grows alongside the adventures.

Read the review here: https://biblichor.com/

[Erik McManus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this book because ….*intense build up*…. I judged this book on its cover *audience gasping*. I had an earlier version of the book and the cover is not what the current one is now. All covers aside, the book was really good! I really enjoyed the adventures that Jamie James embarks on in Africa and all the relationships he creates with the people around his father’s Vet office.

I believe that this book would be an amazing read for the middle-grade level. It is not quite advanced enough for YA or Adults but would be great for ages 9 to 14. It reminded me of these books I used to read as a kid (don’t’ remember the names now but they were about a Vet’s daughter and her rescuing a bunch of animals). With proper marketing, I think this book could be great and I think it should be read by more people.

It is very vanilla (and by that, I mean there is no swearing in it). Another great thing about it is that it has a diverse range of characters. And I learned a little about the geography of Africa.

I do believe that the name Jamie James was a little odd. This may just be my personal preference but for some reason, when I hear this name, I picture a white rapper. Yep, this is definitely just a “me” thing.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would pass this on to my little cousins to read because I believe that they would enjoy it.

[Marion Marchetto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the south of Africa, this is the coming of age story of Jamie James. We meet the boy from Cape Town as he is about to embark on a two week vacation to visit his father, a wildlife veterinarian living on a fame preserve in Nelspruit, a plane ride away. Jamie’s parents have been divorced and it has been ten years since Jamie last saw his father. But an urgent message from his father is received asking the teen to visit him, stating that not only does his father’s life depend on the boy’s visit but that Jamie may vbery well be in danger too.

Jamie agrees to the visit and soon learns of an ancient curse placed on the male members of his family. None have lived past the age of fifty and his father’s fiftieth birthday is just a week away. None before him have been successful in lifting the two hundred year old curse; will Jamie succeed where others have failed?

This enchanting story takes us to the spirit world as well as to the world of wild animals in the African bush. It is a fast-paced adventure that will change the young hero’s life in ways he could never imagine. The settings are lush and vibrant, the characters are full of angst, there is the clash of the modern world with the traditions of the ancient world. This is a captivating story from beginning to end. Young adults will relish in the adventure and other-worldly feel to the story. Oldsters, like this reviewer, will enjoy the mysticism and spirituality prevalent throughout the story. This book is highly recommended. It is my hope that the author will continue on with more stories like this one.

Note: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the author.

[CR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty short book at just over 200 pages. For me this story lacked the depth that I normal look for in a good read. I think if you are looking for something very simple in its writing then you might enjoy this one. But if you are looking for something with more depth then this may not be what you are looking for. The world building did work well for the story and I did enjoy Jamie.

[Sherrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book from this author that I've read. His first book, Tales of an African Vet was really good. This one is just as good. Loved reading about Jamie and his problems. Jamie is determined to break the family curse. While trying to break the curse he also is getting experience he needs to be a wildlife vet. Jamie also meets Samantha and love blooms. This was a really fast book to read. Really enjoyed all the characters and story line. Does Jamie break the family curse? Does his love life blossom? You'll have to read the book to find out.

[Simon Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

Certainly a quick read. Simple characters and story, with few surprises. A very easy going, though nothing much really came to life, lacked a depth in the characters and the places never really came alive. Thought at one point I was reading Famous Five book! Will surely give this one to my nine year old to read, as he will enjoy it.