This Place is Death

Curse Keepers #1.5

by Denise Grover Swank

It’s one of the most enduring mysteries in American history: What became of the English colony off the Virginian coast on Roanoke Island? Why, and how, did they vanish so completely?

No one suspected an ancient curse…

Ananias Dare and his expectant wife are among the pioneers who have come to brave an uncharted frontier. But conditions are harsh, and hostile natives have already spilled English blood. Only the peaceful Croatan Indians welcome the settlers. But when friend and guide Manteo has a haunting encounter deep in the woods, Ananias fears the colony faces a threat much darker than mortal enemies. As a brutal winter and an Indian massacre loom, Manteo and Ananias—and the dreadful secret they share—may be the settlers’ only hope of survival. But for the salvation they desperately seek, there will be hell to pay.

This Place Is Death is a short story revealing the chilling origins of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank’s urban fantasy series, The Curse Keepers.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Novella, Mythology, Romance, Historical, Demons

61 pages, ebook

First published February 11, 2014

Reviews

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read more reviews like this at http://lovelybooksblog.blogspot.com!

Ever since I started the Curse Keepers series I was fascinated by the events of Roanoke and the events that led up to the curse. Swank does an absolutely amazing job combining the mystery of Roanoke with the mythology of the Native Americans. The more I read, the more enchanting this series becomes. I just can't seem to get enough!

This short story was a great refresher for me and I only wish I had read it before I started the second book. I loved getting a first hand view of what really happened that fateful day the colony disappeared and meeting the characters that made it happen. I was a little mixed up on some of the characters who started the curse and it was great to meet Ananias and Manteo and finally get their roles in the curse straight.

Though Swank didn't have much time to work with she did a great job fleshing out the characters and fleshing out the story. I felt like I was right there with Ananias, Maneto, and the other settlers. The beginning of the story started off a little slow but once the events started leading up to the curse I found myself getting more and more pulled into the story. Swank even incorporated a bit of a villain figure in Ananias's father in law, which only made the drama in this story that much more exciting.

This Place is Death was a great short story in the Curse Keepers series and I really enjoyed reading it. I love all the history in this series and I loved being sent to the past to see where the series began. I'm excited to continue the series!

*I received a copy of this story from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Place is Death is the prequel to Denise Grover Swank’s The Curse Keepers of The Curse Keeper series. If you haven’t read The Curse Keepers yet, it will be helpful to read this first. It helps to explain how the curse began. Settlers from England including Ananias and his wife and baby have crossed the ocean in search of new beginnings. They end up off the Virginian Coast on Roanoke Island. But the natives don’t want them there. Their Croatan friend and guide, Manteo, has a horrible dream or vision of something so horrible that he is forced to do something unbelievable to protect his people. But in order to achieve this protection, sacrifices have to be made. Thus the start of the legend of The Curse Keepers. After reading this, I do understand better the origins of the curse and the hatred between the two families carrying the curse.

[Sarah]

Own as part of The Curse Keepers Collection

[Jayme Carruthers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Place is Death focuses on the back story of Ananias Dare and Manteo. These are the two individuals who know what happened to the Roanoke colony. The same people who's descendants would forever be known as the "Curse Keepers".

This novella isn't quite as easy to read as the full Curse Keepers novel, but I think it's because there's just so much historical backstory and that's not necessarily my strong interest area. It is nice to see how the curse started and I'm interested to read the rest of the series to see where it ends up!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative

I liked this! I love the curse keepers series and missed these short stories through my first read. I’m excited to see all of the extra details that it adds to the storyline.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the Origin short story for The Curse Keepers. Part of me wish I read this first but the other part feels it fit better after the Curse Keepers.
It was so good, some times historical origins of storylines can be somewhat boring but not this. This kept me interested to the end. I actually didn’t want their story to end.

[Ashley Maude-Lecholat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was from the perspective of Ananias and explains how the original curse happened and why. It was good to have this back knowledge and get to know the original characters better. The actual ceremony was very cool and the gods come forward and get into the details keeping the gates closed. I felt this short little read explained a lot in the actual curse keepers series. I really enjoyed it.

[Meigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good short story that gives a more in-depth look at the curse that is the basis for the Curse Keepers series. I've read that it's not essential to read this prior to the first book in the series, but I opted to for two reasons: I like the historical aspect about the Roanoke Colony (the 'lost city of Roanoke'/the Roanoke Colony is truly a fascinating piece of US history. If you're unfamiliar with it, research it someday.) and I wanted to know how the curse came about before starting the series. I also really liked the paranormal twist on the colony's disappearance.

What I didn't expect was the amount of emotion packed into such a small book. I really felt bad for Ananias, and also a little bit for Manteo. Both lost something, one unknowingly and certainly unwillingly, had he known the outcome. The other was fully aware of what they were losing, but what was lost was pretty heartbreaking even if he chose to sacrifice it. The different gods and the demons were really interesting and I liked how each man walked away with a connection to the other. A haunting sort of connection, but it's something they will both never forget.

Bottom line - great little novella that really sets the stage for the series and also for the curse. It will be interesting to see exactly how these two characters factor in to the books since this takes place in the early colonization days of America and I'm assuming the books are modern day. Quite a few years difference :)

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved knowing the background to the Curse Keepers it really adds to the story and why everything happened. I spent most of the time on the edge of my seat yelling NO, NO, of course it did no good. Keep Kleenex handy you are going to need it.

Denise Grover Swank has done it again, written a book that had to have been ripped from her heart. Loved it and consider it a must read.

[Mrs. O Living the Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow!!! I have no words to describe exactly how this novella was so amazing!!! It filled in the background for The Curse Keepers. Denise's characters of Ananias and Manteo were deep, rich and believable. The story sucked me in and made me want more. On to The Curse Breakers!

[Claudia |✨Cushin Violeta's Bookish Realm✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read the Curse Keepers, I am so over the top OBSESSED with this fascinating mythical twist that Ms. Swank has given the story of the Lost Island of Roanoke.

This book, even though, showcases events relating to the history of the events that happened, yet I feel it is perfect to read after finishing the first book.

I was utterly fascinated and also so freaking engrossed in this story as we get to know what happened from the creators of the curse themselves.

I really felt emotionally more for Ananais and his family. As a man who cares deeply for his wife and baby and has found himself entangled in this dilemma between duty and also wanting to get his family away to safety from this wretched place.

Then there's Manteo, the other Curse Keeper. He had me thoroughly perplexed with his intentions.

This quick read was definitely intriguing, had a bit of gloomy vibe but absolutely will have you deep into the story as the slow revelations will leave you shocked and also wanting more, needing to know what would happen next.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read the whole box set - I was really skeptical about reading these due to the plot and idea, but decided I would give them a chance and see what it was all about. They were actually really good, and kept me interested and wanting to know more. I believe I finished the whole series in about 2 weeks because I was so involved in what was happening. It was definitely an interesting experience and while I was reading these Denise actually had posted a video about the book idea and the places she actually went for inspiration. I love that it's based on a real town and now I just want to go visit so that I feel as though I'm part of the story even more.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Place is Death is a short book that is part of the Curse Keepers series and gives the history of the curse that is featured in the series. I enjoyed reading this book as it gave more insight into the curse and how it all began. Even though this is not a long book, there was a lot of information and I think that Denise did a great job of describing everything from the scenery to the characters' feelings. It was easy for me to imagine what the characters looked like and to feel their emotions in this book without it being too wordy. I do not think that this book is a necessary read with the series but I do think it would be a good idea to read it because it helps the reader understand the curse more and understand the motives of the characters in the other books.

[Samantha Malstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this novella! We learned a lot about the past in The Curse Keepers but This Place is Death actually takes you back to when it all happened and why. It helps you have a better understanding of what actually took place and seeing a first hand account of the events there and leading up to it so it really adds to the series. After reading this I actually have more questions than I did going into it which makes me more curious now and I can’t wait to keep reading the series.

[AmberLou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella tells the history of how the curse came about. You don't necessarily need to read this to understand the Curse Keepers Series, but it does add a little more information.

I'm not much of a history person, which is why I gave this 4 stars. I love Denise's work and I liked this book. However, I was just too anxious to see what happens next will Ellie and her story.

[Find Me Behind a Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Denise adds these short stories to her series. This book discusses the lost colony of Roanoke Island; how it came about and how Ananais and Manteo caused the disappearance of the colony. Reading this novella will help answer any questions that you may have had while reading The Curse Keepers.

[Emily Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is the story of how the curse is created and why. Its actually a really sad story. Denise does a great job in portraying the agonizing emotions of Ananias Dare and the aftermath of the curse. The writing is well done and very descriptive. A lot is packed into this short story helping to add to the overall series.

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun prequel to the Curse Keepers series. Ananias Dare tells the story of the landing at Roanoke and all that occurred from that moment. It's different from what I expected to read. I like Ananias' character and the introduction to more of the behind the scenes characters. I'm excited to see how this plays out in modern time.

[Amy Wofford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad but not 5 stars

Not my kind of book. The authors take on ROANOKE is different than others I have read. And it was good.... I just wish she would have tried to find better ways to explain all of the Native American terms in this story.

[Linda Rout · Rating 5 out of 5]

The back story for the series Curse Keepers

This is a short story but it's the background of how and why the "The Curse Keepers" came to be. Definitely helps explain things for the series. I think you should read this book for better understanding of the series.

[Christine Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition!

This Place Is Death is A Curse Keepers short story. This is a wonderful addition to the series. This book takes us back 400 years to when Ananias Dare and Manteo closed the gate at the first ceremony and the curse was created.

[Samantha Whitley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good mainly because it gives you so much background information. I highly recommend to read it either before the 1st Curse Keeper book or right after. It will help you understand what exactly happened to create the curse.

[Sheri P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Place is Death provided some very important back story to the Curse Keepers Series. The story of how Ellie and Collin ended up with their respective roles is better explained through this short story. This story leaves the reader wanting to dig into the next book.

[Andrea Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful addition to the Curse Keepers series. I really enjoyed the back story to the Curse Keepers series. It was very helpful to have the story of the beginning of the curse to go along with the series. A must read to expand on the origins of the curse.

[Mona Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This book describes how the curse starts out. It gives the details and background that the other books only hinted at. It is a short read a very good companion piece to the rest of the Curse Keepers collection.

[Shona Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is great. It is set when the Colony of Roanoke formed. It is the story of how the curse came to be. And how the people all disappeared as well as all the building they had built. A very short read. But a great one so you understand how it all came to be.

[booksy.tx.ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love. Such an amazing little story. It sucks you in. You feel how worried and scared he is. Perfect companion to the keeper series. This story is told in snippets and guessing. It’s great to get the whole story.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This place is death tells the story of how the Curse came about for the Curse Keepers series. I really enjoyed reading about how it all started.

[Jackie Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This place is death

A good book but ended to early. The author splits the book to make more money! It should've been one book instead of three chapters

[Suprina Bracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

Wow a great short story to start the books off! Love mystery books and ready to see what the others have to offer with this story!