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In Aeternum trilogy #1
The Curse He Chose
When Elizabeth's friends go off to college and leave her behind, she thinks things can't get worse. Then she stumbles into a fight between vampires and realizes … they definitely can. Forced on the run with Christopher, a vampire outcast who might be in even more trouble than she is, Elizabeth is left to rely on nothing but her faith in God and Christopher’s impulsive choice to protect her. But the more time they spend together, the more Elizabeth realizes that Christopher is close to breaking in more ways than one. As their bond deepens and their enemies close in, Elizabeth must find a way to save him and herself—before it’s too late. This riveting, genre-bending first installment of the In Aeternum trilogy unites the suspense of urban fantasy with the Christian drama of sin, grace, and redemption. Recommended for ages 14+.
352 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2025
74 people are currently reading
999 people want to read
About the author
Allison Regina Gliot
6 books113 followersSr. Allison Regina Gliot FSP (@sister_allison) has always loved reading and telling stories (the more fantastical the better). She fell in love with Jesus in college and became a Daughter of St. Paul after graduation to spend the rest of her life with him. Since then, she’s had many adventures, the most recent of which involves serving as an editor for Pauline Books & Media, the publishing house of the Daughters of St. Paul. She spends her free time writing books and looking for lizards in the convent backyard.
She is the author of The Book That Changed Everything, dubbed a 2025 "Backlist Beauty" by the Catholic Media Association; Eli's Quiet Friend, winner of the 2025 Excellence in Publishing Award in Picture Books from the Association of Catholic Publishers; Forgiven: A Guide to Confession and the Examen Prayer, winner of the 2025 CMA Book Award in Books for Young Adults; and The Curse He Chose, the first of the In Aeternum YA trilogy.
She is the author of The Book That Changed Everything, dubbed a 2025 "Backlist Beauty" by the Catholic Media Association; Eli's Quiet Friend, winner of the 2025 Excellence in Publishing Award in Picture Books from the Association of Catholic Publishers; Forgiven: A Guide to Confession and the Examen Prayer, winner of the 2025 CMA Book Award in Books for Young Adults; and The Curse He Chose, the first of the In Aeternum YA trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
November 23, 2025
I'm a Catholic-curious Protestant who seldom reads young adult or horror. And yet, this is the book God chose to have the biggest impact on me this year. I could tell you that this book is well-written, that it's a page turner, that I was completely invested in our two main characters and what would happen to them - all true. But this book is, at its heart, about faith - raw, authentic, grappling faith.
This book is for those who have so much regret over past paths taken that they feel they have forfeited the right to take a new step forward. It is also for those who have experienced a ceaseless series of rejections, losses, and disappointments, and who have so much profound grief buried within them that the thought of even acknowledging it feels like they might disappear underneath it forever. Above all, this book is for those who's brokenness and desperation have kept them bound by the throat, afraid and unable to admit that, alongside the grief and regret, there abides an anger towards the God they love and know they need.
The Curse He Chose brought me to tears. It uncovered in me things I need to take to the cross. I needed this book. I pray it makes it into the hands of others who need it, whether they are friends with God already, or whether they have yet to meet Him.
Sister Allison Regina's beautiful story shows us the true heart of Jesus - that he desires an ever more intimate relationship with us and that he longs to heal our deepest wounds, even when the pain is directed at Him.
This book is for those who have so much regret over past paths taken that they feel they have forfeited the right to take a new step forward. It is also for those who have experienced a ceaseless series of rejections, losses, and disappointments, and who have so much profound grief buried within them that the thought of even acknowledging it feels like they might disappear underneath it forever. Above all, this book is for those who's brokenness and desperation have kept them bound by the throat, afraid and unable to admit that, alongside the grief and regret, there abides an anger towards the God they love and know they need.
The Curse He Chose brought me to tears. It uncovered in me things I need to take to the cross. I needed this book. I pray it makes it into the hands of others who need it, whether they are friends with God already, or whether they have yet to meet Him.
Sister Allison Regina's beautiful story shows us the true heart of Jesus - that he desires an ever more intimate relationship with us and that he longs to heal our deepest wounds, even when the pain is directed at Him.
February 5, 2026
4.5✨
I was incredibly intrigued by the fact that this is a Catholic vampire book. I had no idea how it was going to be pulled off. I'd say that Sr. Allison succeeded.
I really like how there was a Bible verse for each chapter.
Is it just me or does it seem kinda weird that a sister wrote a paranormal romance? How would a sister know anything about being in a romantic relationship? But then again St. JPII wrote the Theology of the Body so what do I know?
I love the cover. It’s so coooooolll. The color scheme? The rosary? Yes pleaseeeee.
I really like how Sr. Allison was able to have vampires and the Catholic faith coexist in the same story without contradicting each other.
The “Fact or Fiction” section in the back was great. I’m glad that it was there. Just in case someone was confused about something you know?
There was one thing I didn’t like about this. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves. Whenever talking about God, “him” or “he” or “his” was never capitalized! I get it if maybe it’s forgotten to be capitalized a few times, but it wasn’t a few times. It was the whole gosh darn book.
Anyways, this was really good, and I definitely would recommend this.
Quotes! ⬇️
I was incredibly intrigued by the fact that this is a Catholic vampire book. I had no idea how it was going to be pulled off. I'd say that Sr. Allison succeeded.
I really like how there was a Bible verse for each chapter.
Is it just me or does it seem kinda weird that a sister wrote a paranormal romance? How would a sister know anything about being in a romantic relationship? But then again St. JPII wrote the Theology of the Body so what do I know?
I love the cover. It’s so coooooolll. The color scheme? The rosary? Yes pleaseeeee.
I really like how Sr. Allison was able to have vampires and the Catholic faith coexist in the same story without contradicting each other.
The “Fact or Fiction” section in the back was great. I’m glad that it was there. Just in case someone was confused about something you know?
There was one thing I didn’t like about this. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves. Whenever talking about God, “him” or “he” or “his” was never capitalized! I get it if maybe it’s forgotten to be capitalized a few times, but it wasn’t a few times. It was the whole gosh darn book.
Anyways, this was really good, and I definitely would recommend this.
Quotes! ⬇️
“I would rather get hurt believing the best in others than see evil everywhere, even where it’s not. I know evil is real. I just don’t see it here. I don’t see it in you.”
(Page 179)
“Ther are some things we always carry with us. Our mistakes, our regrets, the wrongs we’ve done. Our scars. Nothing can change the past; it’s written in stone.” My finger stilled as I looked up to see him watching me intently. “In that sense, you’re no different from the rest of us. Everyone carries that baggage, Christopher. You may have collected more of it along the way, but we all have it.” I glanced at his hand again, lightly resting mine atop his. “The question is, what do we do with it? Do we carry it until it breaks us? Or do we let go of the weight by sharing it with another, by asking for forgiveness?”
(Pages 181 & 182)
“But God doesn’t want to give us what we deserve. He wants to give us so much more. You’re one of those children he died to save, don’t you see? Just because you’ve stopped counting yourself his son doesn’t mean he ever stopped counting himself your father.”
(Page 182)
(Referring to the Prodigal Son) “What mattered wasn’t what the son had done. It was that he came back. That’s the important part. And that’s what you can still do.”
(Page 183)
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December 30, 2025I had a great time! A YA vampire book with overt Christian themes and religious characters, this was a fun read! It was written by a nun so the explicit faith themes made sense. I enjoyed the Catholic perspective and how vampires would navigate the Eucharist, especially. Sister Allison and I are in sync in this, lol.
August 31, 2025
Amazing read! I don’t typically read vampire books, but “Catholic vampire novel written by a religious sister” was too intriguing to pass up. I figured if anyone could write a vampire story that actually stayed true to the Church, it would be a nun. And this book absolutely does. Faith and fiction fit together so well that everything seems absolutely logical and emotions run high throughout. Both main characters were complex with one of my favorite scenes being when Elizabeth realizes we can both love God and be angry with him at the same time. I also loved the way the author framed Christopher’s complicated being, a creature trapped between past, present, and future, between what he desires and what he feels he deserves. If I could pre-order the next book right now, I absolutely would.
November 3, 2025
So amazing ! There needs to be more Catholic fiction for YA !!!!
December 28, 2025
6 STARS!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Oh my goodness, this was so good! A Catholic vampire story? I was a little skeptical, but I am so happy how it turned out! I read this in about 4 hours. I could not put it down! I highly recommend this book!
Oh my goodness, this was so good! A Catholic vampire story? I was a little skeptical, but I am so happy how it turned out! I read this in about 4 hours. I could not put it down! I highly recommend this book!
January 13, 2026
Being Catholic, this book may mean more to me than most, but even non-Catholics could greatly benefit from the read. It was fast paced and engaging. I am very excited about book 2!!!
November 10, 2025
I never read vampire novels and did not even pick up the Twilight books once in my life, even though everyone in my grade was reading them. But the premise of this novel was too intriguing to pass up; I really wanted to see a theologically accurate portrayal of vampires!
And this story did not disappoint. It was so riveting, suspenseful, and action packed! So dramatic and touching — I loved all the characters, especially the narrator, Elizabeth. It is such a unique novel overall and I would recommend everyone give it a try! I found myself tearing up a few times.
Also, some loose ends were not tied up so I eagerly anticipate book two!
And this story did not disappoint. It was so riveting, suspenseful, and action packed! So dramatic and touching — I loved all the characters, especially the narrator, Elizabeth. It is such a unique novel overall and I would recommend everyone give it a try! I found myself tearing up a few times.
Also, some loose ends were not tied up so I eagerly anticipate book two!
November 1, 2025
“She was right that the consecrated ground should have killed me. But it didn’t. The moment I set foot in here, my bloodlust disappeared—that’s why I stopped attacking you.”
This is my first read in the Catholic fiction genre, and Sr. Allison's book is a heartfelt novel that blends the mythology of vampires being a direct rejection of our inherit humanity, and Catholic motifs such as the power of the Eucharist, free will, and how our faith with the Lord helps us deepen our humanity.
Elizabeth was a solid character with her strong faith and belief in God, however, I was more drawn to the character growth of Christopher throughout the story and wished that we could have seen more of his inner thoughts.
Overall, a solid novel, and I am intrigued to see where the story develops from here!
This is my first read in the Catholic fiction genre, and Sr. Allison's book is a heartfelt novel that blends the mythology of vampires being a direct rejection of our inherit humanity, and Catholic motifs such as the power of the Eucharist, free will, and how our faith with the Lord helps us deepen our humanity.
Elizabeth was a solid character with her strong faith and belief in God, however, I was more drawn to the character growth of Christopher throughout the story and wished that we could have seen more of his inner thoughts.
Overall, a solid novel, and I am intrigued to see where the story develops from here!
August 24, 2025
Where to start… I LOVED this book!! If middle school Kyrie would’ve had this book, she would’ve eaten it right up! It’s a great depiction of Catholicism, and about vampires?! AND it’s written by a religious sister?! *CHEF’S KISS* This book kept me on my toes and each chapter left me wanting more! I cannot wait for the next book to be released!! Sr. Allison Regina Gliot knocked it out of the park!
August 12, 2025
This is an amazingly great story! Full disclosure: it is written by a sister of my religious community, and published by our publishing house. But I really loved it and recommend it, whether you're usually a van of urban fantasy or not!
January 16, 2026
Alright, this book was not half bad as I thought it would.
I have a Catholic background, but for personal struggles I usually avoid reading about religious themes, let alone Christian literature that promotes religion in any way.
But when I read Catholicism and vampires, I could not say no to this book. And I was positively surprised!
This book has all the YA-elements that I like. Supernatural themes, a broody male protagonist, angsty romance and action! The writing could be improved, especially the dialogues. They sound very stiff and not natural, and Elizabeth “teenage friends” do not at all sound like teenagers. It would have been a nice touch to let them speak a “modern” language and let Christopher use a more formal one, just to mark the difference. However, the story flies well, and the plot sits.
I don’t know what to think about a religious girl as a protagonist. It felt… strange? Because these kinds of protagonists are so rare in YA-books, and her continuous praying and referring to her faith felt borderline forced in some scenes, when I think every teenager would have let out a curse or something similar. To be honest, she fell a bit flat, but I was very intrigued by Christopher! And I know that the second book will be from his pov, but I want more now!! Especially, I want to know about his thing with holy objects and holy places. Why doesn’t he react like others do? I would have loved to know more.
The metaphor of the vampire as the sinner who searches God and Elizabeth as the good Christian that helps him is very much on the nose. But the author is also a sister, so I imagine it was her point all along.
I can´t believe I´m writing this… but I think I will pick up the next book.
I have a Catholic background, but for personal struggles I usually avoid reading about religious themes, let alone Christian literature that promotes religion in any way.
But when I read Catholicism and vampires, I could not say no to this book. And I was positively surprised!
This book has all the YA-elements that I like. Supernatural themes, a broody male protagonist, angsty romance and action! The writing could be improved, especially the dialogues. They sound very stiff and not natural, and Elizabeth “teenage friends” do not at all sound like teenagers. It would have been a nice touch to let them speak a “modern” language and let Christopher use a more formal one, just to mark the difference. However, the story flies well, and the plot sits.
I don’t know what to think about a religious girl as a protagonist. It felt… strange? Because these kinds of protagonists are so rare in YA-books, and her continuous praying and referring to her faith felt borderline forced in some scenes, when I think every teenager would have let out a curse or something similar. To be honest, she fell a bit flat, but I was very intrigued by Christopher! And I know that the second book will be from his pov, but I want more now!! Especially, I want to know about his thing with holy objects and holy places. Why doesn’t he react like others do? I would have loved to know more.
The metaphor of the vampire as the sinner who searches God and Elizabeth as the good Christian that helps him is very much on the nose. But the author is also a sister, so I imagine it was her point all along.
I can´t believe I´m writing this… but I think I will pick up the next book.
October 16, 2025
Three words: Catholic vampire novel. *chef's kiss*
I loved this book, and I can hardly wait for the sequel. The story follows 18yo Elizabeth, who is doing her best despite being emotionally closed off from her sister, her friends, and frankly, God. Life circumstances leave her feeling alone while her friends go off to college, until she runs into a mysterious guy, who turns out to be one of the blood-sucking horrors of the night Bram Stoker introduced the west to a few hundred years ago.
Well, Christopher (as Elizabeth names him) isn't all that bad. He's called the Half-Drinker, because he doesn't suck his victims dry, and he doesn't seem to enjoy being a vampire. But when Elizabeth intervenes to save his life from some dangerous competition, suddenly they're both in danger.
The story mixes an engaging narrative that never gets dull with characters who are relatable in their brokenness. Both Elizabeth and Christopher have unacknowledged spiritual baggage, but God uses them to bring out the best in each other.
I'm not surprised, given that this is written by a consecrated sister, that the theology and description of Catholic practice is spot on. Van Helsing made ready use of the Eucharist in Dracula, and the emphasis here is even better, especially in the way receiving Jesus gives life. (Chapter 20 and 21 were insane, by the way...in the best way.) We need more depictions of confession in books, because movies have had the monopoly, and they are so often inaccurate. Seeing a character go to confession for qualms about what she had to do in fantastical situations makes my little heart laugh.
Like I said, I can't wait for the sequel, and though I want more of our MCs here, I would understand if Sr. Allison Regina decides to take the focus of the story elsewhere.
I loved this book, and I can hardly wait for the sequel. The story follows 18yo Elizabeth, who is doing her best despite being emotionally closed off from her sister, her friends, and frankly, God. Life circumstances leave her feeling alone while her friends go off to college, until she runs into a mysterious guy, who turns out to be one of the blood-sucking horrors of the night Bram Stoker introduced the west to a few hundred years ago.
Well, Christopher (as Elizabeth names him) isn't all that bad. He's called the Half-Drinker, because he doesn't suck his victims dry, and he doesn't seem to enjoy being a vampire. But when Elizabeth intervenes to save his life from some dangerous competition, suddenly they're both in danger.
The story mixes an engaging narrative that never gets dull with characters who are relatable in their brokenness. Both Elizabeth and Christopher have unacknowledged spiritual baggage, but God uses them to bring out the best in each other.
I'm not surprised, given that this is written by a consecrated sister, that the theology and description of Catholic practice is spot on. Van Helsing made ready use of the Eucharist in Dracula, and the emphasis here is even better, especially in the way receiving Jesus gives life. (Chapter 20 and 21 were insane, by the way...in the best way.) We need more depictions of confession in books, because movies have had the monopoly, and they are so often inaccurate. Seeing a character go to confession for qualms about what she had to do in fantastical situations makes my little heart laugh.
Like I said, I can't wait for the sequel, and though I want more of our MCs here, I would understand if Sr. Allison Regina decides to take the focus of the story elsewhere.
August 6, 2025
I found this book while scrolling through Instagram. It looked interesting so I decided to read it. It took me a few chapters to get invested in the characters, but then I could not put it down. I loved the story and I can't wait to see what will happen next!
Another plus, for me, for this book is that it is age-appropriate. It is YA 14+. When my kids get to the right age, I will have no problem handing this book over to them for them to enjoy!
Thanks to the author for the great story!
Another plus, for me, for this book is that it is age-appropriate. It is YA 14+. When my kids get to the right age, I will have no problem handing this book over to them for them to enjoy!
Thanks to the author for the great story!
January 23, 2026
This book is so beautifully written and deals with the human condition through a Christian lens, which is refreshing.
As one reads it, one is drawn closer to Jesus because he’s always there, guiding and loving us even when we believe we don’t deserve it.
As one reads it, one is drawn closer to Jesus because he’s always there, guiding and loving us even when we believe we don’t deserve it.
December 2, 2025
absolute fire!!! never thought I’d see the day I’d read Catholic YA about vampires, but so here for it. Jesus and Sr. Allison COOKED here!
September 21, 2025
I absolutely loved that this book took classic vampires and mixed them with essential truths about God. The messages about God's love and forgiveness combined with the action of a classic vampire novel had me on the edge of my seat! I'm looking forward to the next book!
August 21, 2025
i cried. i laughed. i got goosebumps. this book was better than i could have ever imagined.
October 3, 2025
Beautifully written and true to the Catholic faith.
January 5, 2026
Summary: The Curse He Chose "The Curse He Chose" is a captivating blend of urban fantasy and Christian drama, following the story of Elizabeth, whose world is turned upside down when she discovers an altercation between vampires. Elizabeth was already bummed out because her friends are leaving for college and she has to stay back to work and help her sister keep their household together after their parents died. Elizabeth finds herself on the run with Christopher, a vampire outcast. Together, they navigate a world filled with danger, relying on Elizabeth’s faith and Christopher’s impulsive protection. Their growing bond reveals Christopher's inner struggles, and Elizabeth must find a way to save both of them before it’s too late. This first installment of the In Aeternum trilogy intertwines suspense with themes of sin, grace, and redemption, creating a riveting narrative for readers.
Straight Talk for Librarians: I loved this book! It has a unique combination of vampire lore and elements of Catholic theology. The novel offers an authentic exploration of faith, grappling with complex emotions like anger and regret in the context of a thrilling supernatural adventure. The characters are richly developed, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested. Both Elizabeth and Christopher have secrets that are weighing them down. They both face danger and have to take a deep look at the choices they make. In a school library, this book could serve as an engaging resource that encourages discussions on faith, morality, and personal growth, while also appealing to fans of fantasy and the paranormal. Its blend of action, spiritual inquiry, and relatable character dilemmas make it a great addition to any young adult collection. A must for any Catholic high school library. The cover art is gorgeous. There is a useful glossary at the end. Very Catholic focused that I think fills a void for readers looking for something like this.
Straight Talk for Librarians: I loved this book! It has a unique combination of vampire lore and elements of Catholic theology. The novel offers an authentic exploration of faith, grappling with complex emotions like anger and regret in the context of a thrilling supernatural adventure. The characters are richly developed, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested. Both Elizabeth and Christopher have secrets that are weighing them down. They both face danger and have to take a deep look at the choices they make. In a school library, this book could serve as an engaging resource that encourages discussions on faith, morality, and personal growth, while also appealing to fans of fantasy and the paranormal. Its blend of action, spiritual inquiry, and relatable character dilemmas make it a great addition to any young adult collection. A must for any Catholic high school library. The cover art is gorgeous. There is a useful glossary at the end. Very Catholic focused that I think fills a void for readers looking for something like this.
October 20, 2025
I loved this book!
As someone who loves fantasy and is Catholic, this was THE book for me to read. I rarely touch the darker sides of fantasy, like vampires and werewolves (werewolves are not in this book btw), but stumbling upon the author’s instagram and reading the concept of this story had me wondering what this book had in store.
It goes over A LOT!
First things first: this book gets dark and doesn’t sugar coat. And for those who watch/know Stranger Things, it even got up to Season 4 Stranger Things-type graphic at one point. But there is LIGHT in this book! Holy light that overtakes the darkness! That’s what a lot of movies/books miss out on in recent times.
Yes. This book is very, unapologetically, Catholic. I’ve grown up with Catholic tradition and still live it to this day, but if someone who wasn’t Catholic were to pick up this book, they might have a little difficulty understanding what’s going on in some points. Elizabeth (the MC) does explain a lot of the background of the Catholic Church, as well as the saints and prayers though. There’s also a GLOSSARY at the very end of the book, so if you are unfamiliar with Catholicism, please check it out as you go along.
The characters of this book act very human (despite what one of them might claim 😉) and I love that. I had a bit of suspicion that the MC was falling into Mary Sue territory… but that was NOT the case at all!
I am very happy with how this book handles deep topics, both the fantastic and realistic, and I especially love how faith driven it is, even helping me with something I’ve been struggling with recently.
I can’t wait to see what else happens in this series! I ESPECIALLY can’t wait to read about what’s happening inside the mind of *Insert Spoiler Here*!
As someone who loves fantasy and is Catholic, this was THE book for me to read. I rarely touch the darker sides of fantasy, like vampires and werewolves (werewolves are not in this book btw), but stumbling upon the author’s instagram and reading the concept of this story had me wondering what this book had in store.
It goes over A LOT!
First things first: this book gets dark and doesn’t sugar coat. And for those who watch/know Stranger Things, it even got up to Season 4 Stranger Things-type graphic at one point. But there is LIGHT in this book! Holy light that overtakes the darkness! That’s what a lot of movies/books miss out on in recent times.
Yes. This book is very, unapologetically, Catholic. I’ve grown up with Catholic tradition and still live it to this day, but if someone who wasn’t Catholic were to pick up this book, they might have a little difficulty understanding what’s going on in some points. Elizabeth (the MC) does explain a lot of the background of the Catholic Church, as well as the saints and prayers though. There’s also a GLOSSARY at the very end of the book, so if you are unfamiliar with Catholicism, please check it out as you go along.
The characters of this book act very human (despite what one of them might claim 😉) and I love that. I had a bit of suspicion that the MC was falling into Mary Sue territory… but that was NOT the case at all!
I am very happy with how this book handles deep topics, both the fantastic and realistic, and I especially love how faith driven it is, even helping me with something I’ve been struggling with recently.
I can’t wait to see what else happens in this series! I ESPECIALLY can’t wait to read about what’s happening inside the mind of *Insert Spoiler Here*!
October 29, 2025
What a twist on the vampire genre.
Elizabeth is stuck at home while all her friends go off to college. But there is more to her sad story besides that. And before she can think anything worse can happen, Elizabeth witnesses a fight between vampires. Now her whole life is flipped upside down.
There was so much good about this book. And yes, it is written by a consecrated sister so there is a deep religious aspect to this. But it is woven into the story so effortlessly that this story couldn't be told without it. It's never preachy. It's never too much. It's perfectly told and the faith around Elizabeth is the cornerstone to this whole story.
Sr Allison Regina takes her religion and gives us a vampire story unlike anything I have ever read. I loved the pacing. I loved the dynamic between Christopher and Elizabeth. I flew through this book because I needed to know the next steps. I wanted to understand what was happening. And it really was an adventure.
Overall, The Curse He Chose by Allison Regina Gilot was a fantastic twist on the popular vampire genre. It gave a new life to these tails in such an unexpected way. Sr Allison Regina weaves her religion into the story but in a breathtaking way that it could only be told this way. I loved the approach and the writing. I highly recommend this book if you like vampires and are looking for something like you've never read before. And don't worry about it being "too religious" because Elizabeth's faith is what gives this story its beating heart.
Elizabeth is stuck at home while all her friends go off to college. But there is more to her sad story besides that. And before she can think anything worse can happen, Elizabeth witnesses a fight between vampires. Now her whole life is flipped upside down.
There was so much good about this book. And yes, it is written by a consecrated sister so there is a deep religious aspect to this. But it is woven into the story so effortlessly that this story couldn't be told without it. It's never preachy. It's never too much. It's perfectly told and the faith around Elizabeth is the cornerstone to this whole story.
Sr Allison Regina takes her religion and gives us a vampire story unlike anything I have ever read. I loved the pacing. I loved the dynamic between Christopher and Elizabeth. I flew through this book because I needed to know the next steps. I wanted to understand what was happening. And it really was an adventure.
Overall, The Curse He Chose by Allison Regina Gilot was a fantastic twist on the popular vampire genre. It gave a new life to these tails in such an unexpected way. Sr Allison Regina weaves her religion into the story but in a breathtaking way that it could only be told this way. I loved the approach and the writing. I highly recommend this book if you like vampires and are looking for something like you've never read before. And don't worry about it being "too religious" because Elizabeth's faith is what gives this story its beating heart.
November 10, 2025
I was incredibly intrigued a few months ago to see mention of a nun writing a book about vampires. And when I was offered a review copy/box, I jumped on the chance! What’s a Catholic vampire novel? Discover a YA urban/paranormal adventure where human teen Elizabeth struggling with life changes and feeling stuck while her good friends leave for college is unfortunate enough to learned the existence of vampires in her town. Because of that, all but one deem that she must be eliminated.
Enter Christopher, a young vampire with no memory of his past and no hope for his future. Except trying to make sure Elizabeth lives long enough to see hers.
I really enjoyed this book! It had action, peril, hiding out in Catholic Churches, the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist as a main plot point and the life giving and soul restoring nature of the sacrament, exploring how something considered dead can maybe literally find new life through Christ, redemption, being able to grieve past loss and be so angry at God while still loving Him so much, and wonderfully positive religious figures/mentors (which you know I love to see). Lots of twists and turns and some scary villains who I’m afraid are only going to be more intimidating in the next book!
I’d recommend this for teens and young adults, especially Catholics. I’ll also recommend it to anyone curious about the Church in general!
Thanks to Pauline Books and Media for the book box and review copy and to Sister Allison for writing this story! Can’t wait for book 2!
Enter Christopher, a young vampire with no memory of his past and no hope for his future. Except trying to make sure Elizabeth lives long enough to see hers.
I really enjoyed this book! It had action, peril, hiding out in Catholic Churches, the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist as a main plot point and the life giving and soul restoring nature of the sacrament, exploring how something considered dead can maybe literally find new life through Christ, redemption, being able to grieve past loss and be so angry at God while still loving Him so much, and wonderfully positive religious figures/mentors (which you know I love to see). Lots of twists and turns and some scary villains who I’m afraid are only going to be more intimidating in the next book!
I’d recommend this for teens and young adults, especially Catholics. I’ll also recommend it to anyone curious about the Church in general!
Thanks to Pauline Books and Media for the book box and review copy and to Sister Allison for writing this story! Can’t wait for book 2!
November 26, 2025
I'm 24 years old, so this book is geared toward a younger audience than me, and the fact that I snorted audibly at a couple of the lines is proof of that. This doesn't detract at all from my enjoyment of the book, nor does my self-consciousness at enjoying a YA vampire novel.
I understand that part of Sister Allison's purpose in writing this book was to create a YA book that's actually YA, and in that regard the book is a resounding success. As a former middle school teacher and a current mother, the current state of the YA genre is distressing, and I'm grateful that there is someone out there doing something about it...and doing it so well.
I have often found myself struggling with books that are overtly Catholic (or, less specifically, overtly Christian). I often find them to lack subtlety in the way they develop their themes, but I acknowledge that it's difficult to do such a thing, especially with Catholicism. How is it not supposed to feel like the book is indoctrinating me when the character breaks into prayer--but that's how we live our lives. Catholicism, as natural as it is, ought to be an interruption. We ought to pause in awe as we enter a church and bask in the presence of our Lord. This book, though, succeeds in portraying the faith well (in that the main character isn't shy about it) while developing the themes with nuance and subtlety.
I understand that part of Sister Allison's purpose in writing this book was to create a YA book that's actually YA, and in that regard the book is a resounding success. As a former middle school teacher and a current mother, the current state of the YA genre is distressing, and I'm grateful that there is someone out there doing something about it...and doing it so well.
I have often found myself struggling with books that are overtly Catholic (or, less specifically, overtly Christian). I often find them to lack subtlety in the way they develop their themes, but I acknowledge that it's difficult to do such a thing, especially with Catholicism. How is it not supposed to feel like the book is indoctrinating me when the character breaks into prayer--but that's how we live our lives. Catholicism, as natural as it is, ought to be an interruption. We ought to pause in awe as we enter a church and bask in the presence of our Lord. This book, though, succeeds in portraying the faith well (in that the main character isn't shy about it) while developing the themes with nuance and subtlety.
January 8, 2026
Okay, Sister Allison is a vibe. I’m a Christian who was raised Catholic and I love vampires, so reading this book was a no-brainer for me. I wasn’t sure what to except, but it was honestly even better than I thought it would be! It was cool to see a “horror” story where Jesus is actually there and working.
It’s clear that the author has researched vampire lore and picked out a unique mix of characteristics that I haven’t seen before. The romance aspect and amount of dark imagery included was pleasantly surprising too!
I really thought about whether to include this because it seems a silly complaint about a book written by a nun, but I do think that if the goal is to make people interested in learning about Jesus, the amount of Catholic might be a little off-putting. With the language especially (Eucharist, sacristy, tabernacle, etc.), I think I would have been confused in the beginning had I not been raised Catholic.
It’s clear that the author has researched vampire lore and picked out a unique mix of characteristics that I haven’t seen before. The romance aspect and amount of dark imagery included was pleasantly surprising too!
I really thought about whether to include this because it seems a silly complaint about a book written by a nun, but I do think that if the goal is to make people interested in learning about Jesus, the amount of Catholic might be a little off-putting. With the language especially (Eucharist, sacristy, tabernacle, etc.), I think I would have been confused in the beginning had I not been raised Catholic.
January 11, 2026
This was such a corny book. Yes, I know it’s a young adult novel so what was I expecting, but it remains to be said. Despite that, I thought it was really enjoyable. Some of the vampire proselytization moments were a bit much sure, but overall I thought the message it conveyed and its way of explaining Catholic thought were nicely done. The latter half of the book especially caught me off guard though. The concept of vampires not needing to have blood if in the presence of the consecrated host was actually really cool. Instead of feeding off the life of mortals, they could find sustenance in The Lord. I liked that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2026
I'm not a Catholic, but I absolutely loved this Catholic vampire story!
I've not read a vampire story quite like this one - filled with such redemption, hope, mercy, and grace-the fact that it was written by a Catholic nun gives it even more credibility.
The story is fast paced, action packed and filled with heart. There was a time near the end where I teared up.
I feel like the story can be enjoyed by anyone, whether you're a Christian or not, or a Catholic or not, but it obviously has strong Church vibes - scripture, talks about God, etc.
I'm excited to read the next book in the series!!
I've not read a vampire story quite like this one - filled with such redemption, hope, mercy, and grace-the fact that it was written by a Catholic nun gives it even more credibility.
The story is fast paced, action packed and filled with heart. There was a time near the end where I teared up.
I feel like the story can be enjoyed by anyone, whether you're a Christian or not, or a Catholic or not, but it obviously has strong Church vibes - scripture, talks about God, etc.
I'm excited to read the next book in the series!!
August 24, 2025
I really loved this book. It had some of your usual Vampire tropes and some I had never come across before that made for interesting moments.
I think the concept of no one being beyond God's grace even the undead was fun to dive into. And while some parts may have felt cheesy (when viewed outside of Christian faith), they were pleasantly so rather than cringe worthy.
Looking forward to where this goes with the second book!!
I think the concept of no one being beyond God's grace even the undead was fun to dive into. And while some parts may have felt cheesy (when viewed outside of Christian faith), they were pleasantly so rather than cringe worthy.
Looking forward to where this goes with the second book!!
December 21, 2025
Man, I loved the idea of this book, but the execution was just . . . lacking. (I hate saying that so much!) I adored the Catholic perspective, the power in Jesus’s name and the Eucharist to defeat evil vampires, and the heart behind this story, but we could have cut about 100 pages of self-reflection and inner thoughts and had a much tighter, more poignant story. I’m not sure I’ll read the next, but I do hope the story finds the right readers who will enjoy it.
October 13, 2025
Have been a fan of Sr Allison's content on Instagram for a long time and just had to t my hands on this book when I heard about it. The book has. very interesting take on vampires. The protagonist's faith plays an important part in the story and as the stey progresses you see more instances connecting to the Catholic faith. A wonderful YA novel by Sr Allison
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