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The Museum of Cursed Artifacts
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An epic haunted house tale that combines the classic supernatural terrors of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House with the fantastical adventure and eclectic ensemble of Night at the Museum.
Reclusive billionaire William Buren spent his life collecting the world’s most cursed artifacts and housing them in his expansive upstate New York mansion. After Buren’s death, his dismayed heirs discover the estate is bankrupt. They have only one path to profit: transform the mansion into the world’s greatest haunted attraction, a Disneyland of horrors, the Louvre of haunted houses.
To give their project credibility, they assemble a team of renowned experts in their respective fields: a cancelled celebrity ghost hunter, a traumatized psychic, a defrocked exorcist, a terminally ill archaeologist, and a controversial physicist. All of them have one thing in common: they want the pot of gold promised to them at the end of this dark and twisted rainbow.
The assignment is simple. Spend a weekend in the mansion, confirm the authenticity of the artifacts, verify any phenomena, and endorse the museum. In return, a hefty sum for each of them. But the entities contained in these artifacts possess a will, an intelligence, and an agenda of their own. Our protagonists discover they have been chosen by this place, at this time, for a diabolical purpose.
Reclusive billionaire William Buren spent his life collecting the world’s most cursed artifacts and housing them in his expansive upstate New York mansion. After Buren’s death, his dismayed heirs discover the estate is bankrupt. They have only one path to profit: transform the mansion into the world’s greatest haunted attraction, a Disneyland of horrors, the Louvre of haunted houses.
To give their project credibility, they assemble a team of renowned experts in their respective fields: a cancelled celebrity ghost hunter, a traumatized psychic, a defrocked exorcist, a terminally ill archaeologist, and a controversial physicist. All of them have one thing in common: they want the pot of gold promised to them at the end of this dark and twisted rainbow.
The assignment is simple. Spend a weekend in the mansion, confirm the authenticity of the artifacts, verify any phenomena, and endorse the museum. In return, a hefty sum for each of them. But the entities contained in these artifacts possess a will, an intelligence, and an agenda of their own. Our protagonists discover they have been chosen by this place, at this time, for a diabolical purpose.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 2, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 10, 2026
~ thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review~
I wanted to love this and I went into it liking it but the more I read, it was just so confusing. There were too many characters for my brain to handle 😩 it was creepy at times for sure but the confusion really got me
I wanted to love this and I went into it liking it but the more I read, it was just so confusing. There were too many characters for my brain to handle 😩 it was creepy at times for sure but the confusion really got me
Did Not Finish
June 22, 2026DNF at 20%. The premise of an eclectic group of random people navigating the horrors of a dead wealthy owner’s artifacts initially sounded interesting to me. I thought it was giving Knives Out vibes by the description.
Unfortunately, I found the constant shifting perspectives of characters and time frames very confusing to navigate. I expected the horror aspect of this book to shine through immediately and that was not the case. There was way too much backstory for me to follow along. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Unfortunately, I found the constant shifting perspectives of characters and time frames very confusing to navigate. I expected the horror aspect of this book to shine through immediately and that was not the case. There was way too much backstory for me to follow along. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
June 28, 2026
This book was terrifying lol. The evil written on these pages are some of the most horrific I’ve ever read in a horror novel. This was actually insane and I was not expecting this 😳
Fans of the conjuring movies A house filled with a bunch of cursed artifacts, spanning centuries and multiple continents, all with a blood soaked history, gathered into one secluded billionaire’s home. A staff who leave before evening falls each day because no amount of money would be enough to entice any to stay for the evening. I get having eccentric hobbies but spending four decades collecting the entire world’s most cursed artifacts (literally hundreds) and compiling them under one singular roof is certainly a choice!
The victims who get roped in are as follows:
Jin: an ex paranormal cleanser clairvoryant
Xavier: the creator of Soul Search, a show investigating the afterlife (also a jerk and sex offender tbh)
Max: an exorcist disgraced after a case ends in death
Stephen: professor heading the Alithea Research Program in Human Consciousness who investigates the paranormal and believes that all souls move on, and any apparitions are all memories
Anahit: cursed woman who participated in an archaeological dig where afterwards, everyone who entered the Egyptian tomb, starts to die one by one in bizarre ways
They’re gathered here solely because the heirs of Buren want to turn Wildthorn into the Louvre of haunted houses, essentially a haunted house attraction. But to make it into the huge eventual franchise they hope for it to be, they need paranormal experts to verify Wildthorn’s artifacts. Of the over 800 objects collected, 8 of the most haunted were selected. You get to hear the backstories of some of these objects and it’s horrific. I mean, beyond horrifying and it gets worse and worse. The amount of creativity of this author to come up with backstories like this. I literally could not tear my eyes off the page because the stories behind some of these objects was just insanity.
This was a fast read. There was no filler, no wasted pages, and no slow start. The first 20% serves as an intro explaining the backstories of the characters but tbh it wasn’t boring, nor did it feel unnecessary. It was easy to speed through this and this was paced really well.
I will say though that this was one of the most insane horror novels I’ve ever read and it was pretty intense, and genuinely a terrifying concept. Geez. It’s a stark reminder, through a fiction novel, that there is a lot of real evil in this world and it’s important to stay prayed up. And don’t mess with things that you shouldn’t!
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Fans of the conjuring movies A house filled with a bunch of cursed artifacts, spanning centuries and multiple continents, all with a blood soaked history, gathered into one secluded billionaire’s home. A staff who leave before evening falls each day because no amount of money would be enough to entice any to stay for the evening. I get having eccentric hobbies but spending four decades collecting the entire world’s most cursed artifacts (literally hundreds) and compiling them under one singular roof is certainly a choice!
The victims who get roped in are as follows:
Jin: an ex paranormal cleanser clairvoryant
Xavier: the creator of Soul Search, a show investigating the afterlife (also a jerk and sex offender tbh)
Max: an exorcist disgraced after a case ends in death
Stephen: professor heading the Alithea Research Program in Human Consciousness who investigates the paranormal and believes that all souls move on, and any apparitions are all memories
Anahit: cursed woman who participated in an archaeological dig where afterwards, everyone who entered the Egyptian tomb, starts to die one by one in bizarre ways
They’re gathered here solely because the heirs of Buren want to turn Wildthorn into the Louvre of haunted houses, essentially a haunted house attraction. But to make it into the huge eventual franchise they hope for it to be, they need paranormal experts to verify Wildthorn’s artifacts. Of the over 800 objects collected, 8 of the most haunted were selected. You get to hear the backstories of some of these objects and it’s horrific. I mean, beyond horrifying and it gets worse and worse. The amount of creativity of this author to come up with backstories like this. I literally could not tear my eyes off the page because the stories behind some of these objects was just insanity.
This was a fast read. There was no filler, no wasted pages, and no slow start. The first 20% serves as an intro explaining the backstories of the characters but tbh it wasn’t boring, nor did it feel unnecessary. It was easy to speed through this and this was paced really well.
I will say though that this was one of the most insane horror novels I’ve ever read and it was pretty intense, and genuinely a terrifying concept. Geez. It’s a stark reminder, through a fiction novel, that there is a lot of real evil in this world and it’s important to stay prayed up. And don’t mess with things that you shouldn’t!
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A horror version of Night at the Museum? Um, yes please! This book started out a little shaky (and I'm still unsure why only one character's chapters were written in second person while the rest was third person), but it did really hook me and it was REALLY good. The character development was great, the mythology and religion elements were intriguing and explained well enough for those not familiar with all of them. If you like horror and supernatural elements, I'd recommend this book!
Thank you Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 30, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an eARC of this novel!
"When the crypt doors creak
And the tombstones quake
Spooks come out for a swinging wake"
The Museum of Cursed objects is if Disney's Haunted Mansion and The Night at the Museum had an evil step sibling. When I read the description I was immediately intrigued. The eeriness of the book crept along my skin and bones and whispered in my ears like a leech. It was fast paced and kept me intrigued the whole time.
"When the crypt doors creak
And the tombstones quake
Spooks come out for a swinging wake"
The Museum of Cursed objects is if Disney's Haunted Mansion and The Night at the Museum had an evil step sibling. When I read the description I was immediately intrigued. The eeriness of the book crept along my skin and bones and whispered in my ears like a leech. It was fast paced and kept me intrigued the whole time.
July 11, 2026
This was complete insanity. For some reason, it definitely DEFINITELY gave me Thirteen Ghosts vibes on a whole other level. It’s a little hard to get into with the multiple perspectives but once you understand the characters a little more it’s a whole lot easier. The story was great and the house was crazy. I definitely recommend this.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 Atria 𝘢𝘯𝘥 Netgalley 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars (rounded up)
Modern horror is currently saturated with "elevated grief"—a trend that is entirely respectable if you wish to spend three hundred pages dissecting a somber metaphor for trauma, but occasionally, the palate craves a palate cleanser. Sometimes you simply want to turn off the lights, light a candle, pull up the covers, and stay up all night completely terrified and invested in the words you're consuming. Evan Spiliotopoulos’s The Museum of Cursed Artifacts is precisely the high-octane, propulsive ride the genre needs. Think Thirteen Ghosts meets House on Haunted Hill, but refreshingly stripped of the exhausting, outdated misogyny that plagued 1970s genre tropes. Instead, the narrative introduces an intelligent, diverse panel of experts brought to a glass mansion in New York to validate a dead millionaire’s collection of occult objects. It is high-stakes supernatural appraisal, and the premise is entirely captivating from page one.
Spiliotopoulos’s extensive background in cinema shines brilliantly in this debut, offering a narrative that moves with the breathless momentum of a summer blockbuster. Utilizing a shifting third-person omniscient perspective, the plot drives forward without a single moment of narrative drag. The ensemble cast—particularly Jin and Max—are fascinatingly written, even if the prose opts for a calculated emotional distance. Much like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or The Mummy, the characters function beautifully as a slick unit where everyone has a specific, structural purpose. You find yourself thoroughly engaged by the team dynamic without necessarily needing to form intense, messy attachments to guarantee your own emotional survival. It is intelligent, incredibly fun, and unpretentious entertainment.
If there is a lingering critique to be made, it rests on a craving for more historical depth regarding the collection itself. With a title so evocative, there was a prime opportunity to lean heavily into a gritty, global-acquisition aesthetic—expanding upon the cultural origins, dark histories, and ethnographic significance of these cursed trinkets rather than glazing over them. A prequel detailing the millionaire's chaotic global search for these artifacts is something that would warrant an immediate pre-order. Additionally, our resident mega-influencer, Avery Sutton, arrives a bit too charming and logical out of the gate. Playing up a shallower, more cutthroat, and financially motivated archetype initially would have given her ultimate character growth an even more rewarding, satisfying edge.
Ultimately, this book is an absolute win and a damned good time. It is an intelligent, action-horror triumph that is bound to secure a passionate cult following. It completely exceeded my expectations, and I am officially seated for whatever this author does next.
Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars (rounded up)
Modern horror is currently saturated with "elevated grief"—a trend that is entirely respectable if you wish to spend three hundred pages dissecting a somber metaphor for trauma, but occasionally, the palate craves a palate cleanser. Sometimes you simply want to turn off the lights, light a candle, pull up the covers, and stay up all night completely terrified and invested in the words you're consuming. Evan Spiliotopoulos’s The Museum of Cursed Artifacts is precisely the high-octane, propulsive ride the genre needs. Think Thirteen Ghosts meets House on Haunted Hill, but refreshingly stripped of the exhausting, outdated misogyny that plagued 1970s genre tropes. Instead, the narrative introduces an intelligent, diverse panel of experts brought to a glass mansion in New York to validate a dead millionaire’s collection of occult objects. It is high-stakes supernatural appraisal, and the premise is entirely captivating from page one.
Spiliotopoulos’s extensive background in cinema shines brilliantly in this debut, offering a narrative that moves with the breathless momentum of a summer blockbuster. Utilizing a shifting third-person omniscient perspective, the plot drives forward without a single moment of narrative drag. The ensemble cast—particularly Jin and Max—are fascinatingly written, even if the prose opts for a calculated emotional distance. Much like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or The Mummy, the characters function beautifully as a slick unit where everyone has a specific, structural purpose. You find yourself thoroughly engaged by the team dynamic without necessarily needing to form intense, messy attachments to guarantee your own emotional survival. It is intelligent, incredibly fun, and unpretentious entertainment.
If there is a lingering critique to be made, it rests on a craving for more historical depth regarding the collection itself. With a title so evocative, there was a prime opportunity to lean heavily into a gritty, global-acquisition aesthetic—expanding upon the cultural origins, dark histories, and ethnographic significance of these cursed trinkets rather than glazing over them. A prequel detailing the millionaire's chaotic global search for these artifacts is something that would warrant an immediate pre-order. Additionally, our resident mega-influencer, Avery Sutton, arrives a bit too charming and logical out of the gate. Playing up a shallower, more cutthroat, and financially motivated archetype initially would have given her ultimate character growth an even more rewarding, satisfying edge.
Ultimately, this book is an absolute win and a damned good time. It is an intelligent, action-horror triumph that is bound to secure a passionate cult following. It completely exceeded my expectations, and I am officially seated for whatever this author does next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was so looking forward to reading this. I really enjoy paranormal and especially haunted house stories. The title alone had me prepared for all kinds of shenanigans - a whole museum of cursed artifacts? Yes please! I even enjoyed the multiple POVs from our characters. I thought that the varying chapter lengths, ways of speaking (second person came out of nowhere, but made sense for the priest who was a bit emotionally detached) and types of people all added to the storyline.
The Museum of Cursed Artifacts started out so strong. The house is there, the experts are assembled, and the artifacts are waiting. Encapsulating all of this is the house itself. It's one of our POVs (albeit used sparingly) so we get a feel of its own motivations. I like that the activities had a clear timeline as well. The variety of artifacts was a delight - though they were very heavily western-leaning.
However, about halfway through, the book suffered from massive scope creep. There were several clues, or moments that were dropped that had no resolution. Hopefully not too spoilery - an artifact was introduced (eight were focused on for the experts to validate) with backstory with one of our protagonists. Later, that same artifact chased down and subsumed a different protagonist. Why? Why the change in fixation? Why introduce a thread with no corresponding knot at the end? This theme of "here is an idea or a thing" and "let's end it with a different thing entirely" kept playing out in the latter 50% which was jarring for me to keep track of. Characters suddenly had knowledge that came out of nowhere. Deep ties were said to have existed out of nowhere.
I wish there had been more depth to some of the connections made, or explanations given. The ideas were there! But they escalated so quickly, and the seeds to the fruition weren't laid as neatly as I would have liked to get me to the payoff.
However, the vibes, artifacts, and each of the characters were very interesting to me. For a first novel, this is very well done. I will be adding the author to my "to watch" list to see where their next idea takes them!
Big thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Museum of Cursed Artifacts started out so strong. The house is there, the experts are assembled, and the artifacts are waiting. Encapsulating all of this is the house itself. It's one of our POVs (albeit used sparingly) so we get a feel of its own motivations. I like that the activities had a clear timeline as well. The variety of artifacts was a delight - though they were very heavily western-leaning.
However, about halfway through, the book suffered from massive scope creep. There were several clues, or moments that were dropped that had no resolution. Hopefully not too spoilery - an artifact was introduced (eight were focused on for the experts to validate) with backstory with one of our protagonists. Later, that same artifact chased down and subsumed a different protagonist. Why? Why the change in fixation? Why introduce a thread with no corresponding knot at the end? This theme of "here is an idea or a thing" and "let's end it with a different thing entirely" kept playing out in the latter 50% which was jarring for me to keep track of. Characters suddenly had knowledge that came out of nowhere. Deep ties were said to have existed out of nowhere.
I wish there had been more depth to some of the connections made, or explanations given. The ideas were there! But they escalated so quickly, and the seeds to the fruition weren't laid as neatly as I would have liked to get me to the payoff.
However, the vibes, artifacts, and each of the characters were very interesting to me. For a first novel, this is very well done. I will be adding the author to my "to watch" list to see where their next idea takes them!
Big thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Start with one eccentric billionaire, one very meticulously architected mansion, and hundreds of cursed artifacts. This is the recipe for the wildest spooky book I’ve read this year by far. When the billionaire dies a gruesome death after having spent his fortune on cursed artifacts from around the globe, his family waits greedily at his estate’s will and testament reading. Instead of dividing what’s left of his scant holdings and assets to his family, Avery Sutton pitches a “Museum of Cursed Artifacts” that promises to rake in even more earnings than the paltry sum that was left after Buren died.
But first, the artifacts must be verified for their authenticity, to ensure that they indeed are haunted. This is where the team comes in. Avery builds a team of experts consisting of one priest, one troubled girl with clairvoyance, one grifter TV personality, and two scientists.
Shifting through multiple perspectives every chapter, the group will reside at William Buren’s mansion in order to validate the authenticity of the cursed items. Meanwhile, the staff always leaves hurriedly before sundown nightly. Because this is when the fun begins. The team has to learn to work together, confront the ghosts and trauma of their own pasts, and be braver than they ever thought, if they want to survive the weekend at this haunted mansion.
The Museum of Cursed Artifacts is a roller coaster thrill ride that kept me reading late into the night, and thus spooking myself when I got up to go to the bathroom. I absolutely loved it, and kept imagining who I would cast as the different characters for the movie that I hope one day gets made from this book! The writing and story is fast-paced, and reminded me of some of my favorite horror authors such as Stephen King, Paul Tremblay, and Shirley Jackson. Thank you to Evan Spiliotopoulos and Atria Books for this fantastic advanced reader’s copy.
But first, the artifacts must be verified for their authenticity, to ensure that they indeed are haunted. This is where the team comes in. Avery builds a team of experts consisting of one priest, one troubled girl with clairvoyance, one grifter TV personality, and two scientists.
Shifting through multiple perspectives every chapter, the group will reside at William Buren’s mansion in order to validate the authenticity of the cursed items. Meanwhile, the staff always leaves hurriedly before sundown nightly. Because this is when the fun begins. The team has to learn to work together, confront the ghosts and trauma of their own pasts, and be braver than they ever thought, if they want to survive the weekend at this haunted mansion.
The Museum of Cursed Artifacts is a roller coaster thrill ride that kept me reading late into the night, and thus spooking myself when I got up to go to the bathroom. I absolutely loved it, and kept imagining who I would cast as the different characters for the movie that I hope one day gets made from this book! The writing and story is fast-paced, and reminded me of some of my favorite horror authors such as Stephen King, Paul Tremblay, and Shirley Jackson. Thank you to Evan Spiliotopoulos and Atria Books for this fantastic advanced reader’s copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Summary: A wealthy man with a correction of cursed items dies, some paranormally inclined people are offered money to confirm that his collection is legitimate, haunted hijinks ensue.
I did not like this book. I wanted to, I really did, but it just wasn't for me.
My first issue is the writing. The author has previously worked in film, and it really shows in the way that he writes. Absolutely everything is told to the reader, there is zero shown, and it's all written very factually. There's a lot of "Jin walked up the stairs. She looked left. She saw Xavier walking down the hallway. She followed him." That's not an exact quote from the book, but it's exactly what the writing style is like, just statement after statement.
My second issue is the fact that Father Max's chapters are written in second person, while all the others are in third person. Apart from "choose your own adventure" books I have never read anything written in second person, so that was a strange choice, but the fact that everyone else's chapters are in third person makes the choice even more confusing.
My third issue is Jin. Why does she grunt so much? And how can the other people, who have only met her today, tell her grunts apart? What's a doubtful grunt, and how does it differ from a confused grunt?
My final issue is that the book was far too religious for me. Its blurb describes it as a haunted house book, which is what I was expecting. I wish it had mentioned how religious it was as I wouldn't have read it.
The first half of the story was somewhat interesting, in a silly early 2000's horror movie kind of way, but the bad writing and religious focus (especially in the second half) just kept me from enjoying it.
I did not like this book. I wanted to, I really did, but it just wasn't for me.
My first issue is the writing. The author has previously worked in film, and it really shows in the way that he writes. Absolutely everything is told to the reader, there is zero shown, and it's all written very factually. There's a lot of "Jin walked up the stairs. She looked left. She saw Xavier walking down the hallway. She followed him." That's not an exact quote from the book, but it's exactly what the writing style is like, just statement after statement.
My second issue is the fact that Father Max's chapters are written in second person, while all the others are in third person. Apart from "choose your own adventure" books I have never read anything written in second person, so that was a strange choice, but the fact that everyone else's chapters are in third person makes the choice even more confusing.
My third issue is Jin. Why does she grunt so much? And how can the other people, who have only met her today, tell her grunts apart? What's a doubtful grunt, and how does it differ from a confused grunt?
My final issue is that the book was far too religious for me. Its blurb describes it as a haunted house book, which is what I was expecting. I wish it had mentioned how religious it was as I wouldn't have read it.
The first half of the story was somewhat interesting, in a silly early 2000's horror movie kind of way, but the bad writing and religious focus (especially in the second half) just kept me from enjoying it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you first to NetGalley for allowing me the chance of an advance read in exchange for my unbiased review.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Knew I was going to enjoy this novel from page one. How could you not when five odd characters are paid to spend three days inside an actually haunted mansion to review supposedly the worst or the worst haunted artifacts. I enjoyed the detailed backstory the author started with instead of just throwing us straight into the horror. It helped build the anticipation of what was to come. Each chapter is a different POV (even the mansion gets one too!) It was well written and decently paced.
That being said, I do have some slight draw backs.
- The horror/creepy themes/artifacts are amazing leaving me wanting more mayhem and carnage, which unfortunately they don't fully deliver in the end in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, yes there is death in the book but some just don't shine as bright as others. I didn't set out to read all out gore but I wanted something a little more disturbing when it came to a characters end.
- The last 10% of the book (towards and during the final climax) was the toughest part as it didn't flow with the rest of the novel.
- Some characters/ideas were introduced but then fell to the wayside unfortunately or were just completely forgotten by the end.
In the end it's an enjoyable read and would be interested to see if a sequel or prequel are written given the amount of artifacts/ideas the author provided.
Overall, if you enjoy the horror/thriller genre this book is for you and would recommend it to anyone who asks.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Knew I was going to enjoy this novel from page one. How could you not when five odd characters are paid to spend three days inside an actually haunted mansion to review supposedly the worst or the worst haunted artifacts. I enjoyed the detailed backstory the author started with instead of just throwing us straight into the horror. It helped build the anticipation of what was to come. Each chapter is a different POV (even the mansion gets one too!) It was well written and decently paced.
That being said, I do have some slight draw backs.
- The horror/creepy themes/artifacts are amazing leaving me wanting more mayhem and carnage, which unfortunately they don't fully deliver in the end in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, yes there is death in the book but some just don't shine as bright as others. I didn't set out to read all out gore but I wanted something a little more disturbing when it came to a characters end.
- The last 10% of the book (towards and during the final climax) was the toughest part as it didn't flow with the rest of the novel.
- Some characters/ideas were introduced but then fell to the wayside unfortunately or were just completely forgotten by the end.
In the end it's an enjoyable read and would be interested to see if a sequel or prequel are written given the amount of artifacts/ideas the author provided.
Overall, if you enjoy the horror/thriller genre this book is for you and would recommend it to anyone who asks.
June 25, 2026
I ate this book up from the start and could not put it down. It gave me goosebumps while reading it, and I just had to know what was going to happen.
This book gave me serious and Annabelle Comes Home vibes with the Ed and Lorraine Warren occult museum and I loved it! It also reminded me of the Stephen King Rose Red movie.
A reclusive billionaire William Buren spends years collecting the world’s most cursed artifacts and places them in his house. After his death, his heirs quickly realize the estate is bankrupt after he spent all of his money trying to find the artifacts.
They decide to transform the mansion into the world’s greatest haunted attraction, a museum of cursed artifacts. Before doing so, they assemble a team of renowned experts in their respective fields to determine the authenticity of the artifacts and whether or not they are cursed.
The rules are simple. Spend a weekend in the mansion, confirm the authenticity of the artifacts, verify any phenomena, and endorse the museum. Once they do so, they will receive a hefty sum of money each.
The only issue…the entities contained in these artifacts have an agenda of their own.
The author gives insight on why everyone is chosen from the beginning and I think it really helps set the stage for this novel. I also enjoyed the different POVs and could imagine it as a horror movie in my head while reading.
Release Date: March 2nd, 2027
Thank you as always to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an ARC for an honest review!
This book gave me serious and Annabelle Comes Home vibes with the Ed and Lorraine Warren occult museum and I loved it! It also reminded me of the Stephen King Rose Red movie.
A reclusive billionaire William Buren spends years collecting the world’s most cursed artifacts and places them in his house. After his death, his heirs quickly realize the estate is bankrupt after he spent all of his money trying to find the artifacts.
They decide to transform the mansion into the world’s greatest haunted attraction, a museum of cursed artifacts. Before doing so, they assemble a team of renowned experts in their respective fields to determine the authenticity of the artifacts and whether or not they are cursed.
The rules are simple. Spend a weekend in the mansion, confirm the authenticity of the artifacts, verify any phenomena, and endorse the museum. Once they do so, they will receive a hefty sum of money each.
The only issue…the entities contained in these artifacts have an agenda of their own.
The author gives insight on why everyone is chosen from the beginning and I think it really helps set the stage for this novel. I also enjoyed the different POVs and could imagine it as a horror movie in my head while reading.
Release Date: March 2nd, 2027
Thank you as always to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an ARC for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 Stars
The premise for this book grabbed me immediately. Five strangers getting paid half a million dollars to spend three days in a mansion filled with haunted objects trying to determine if they're authentic or not had me instantly intrigued. The characters were unique and built up well with a few exceptions (if I have to read about Jin grunting instead of saying anything meaningful it'll be too soon) and they felt real and unique in a short matter of time. I actually enjoyed the multiple POVs, though throwing in the random 2nd Person POV was definitely a choice, and one that didn't really fit in with the rest. The idea of the house itself having a POV was good in theory, but by the end of the book it seemed more hokey than anything which is a shame since the first two chapters from the house's POV were interesting.
The book started to lose me around 75% in. I was all in for the creepy stories and the gruesome deaths that started happening once all hell broke loose, but things quickly became convoluted and not in a fun way. Instead of being scary, things got cheesy and my enjoyment of the book fell to the wayside the closer to the end I got. Sometimes it's better not to have explanations for every little thing, and I think this book would have benefited from some more mysterious elements lingering throughout.
That being said, I still enjoyed the majority of this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, scary time!
My thanks to Atria and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
The premise for this book grabbed me immediately. Five strangers getting paid half a million dollars to spend three days in a mansion filled with haunted objects trying to determine if they're authentic or not had me instantly intrigued. The characters were unique and built up well with a few exceptions (if I have to read about Jin grunting instead of saying anything meaningful it'll be too soon) and they felt real and unique in a short matter of time. I actually enjoyed the multiple POVs, though throwing in the random 2nd Person POV was definitely a choice, and one that didn't really fit in with the rest. The idea of the house itself having a POV was good in theory, but by the end of the book it seemed more hokey than anything which is a shame since the first two chapters from the house's POV were interesting.
The book started to lose me around 75% in. I was all in for the creepy stories and the gruesome deaths that started happening once all hell broke loose, but things quickly became convoluted and not in a fun way. Instead of being scary, things got cheesy and my enjoyment of the book fell to the wayside the closer to the end I got. Sometimes it's better not to have explanations for every little thing, and I think this book would have benefited from some more mysterious elements lingering throughout.
That being said, I still enjoyed the majority of this book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, scary time!
My thanks to Atria and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you once again Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion on this book.
What immediately drew me in was the cover. I thought it was very well made and I was intrigued. I also liked the description of the book and when I started it, found I had a hard time putting it down. I normally get pretty confused with a lot of switching perspectives and with this book I did not seem to have that problem. I was sucked in immediately by the prologue and felt the pace was pretty good to begin with. The writing is very well done in my opinion. I was a little nervous when it started out that it would be too new age and I would lose interest but it turns out I lost interest for completely different reasons.
I want to go on record and say that I think this is a really good book and I feel like it's going to do very well in its niche but for me, I did lose interest at the time where the book is supposed to be at a climax. I found myself realizing that I was not invested in what happened to these people at all and was looking down at how many pages I had left with dread. Ugh I hate to say that honestly because I know this was someone's very hard work and like I said, I do think this book has a ton of redeemable qualities. The characters were very well rounded, did realistic things, the inner monologues were easy to follow which I like. The interpersonal dynamics were smooth and relatable.
Insanely creative and well written. (just not for me).
What immediately drew me in was the cover. I thought it was very well made and I was intrigued. I also liked the description of the book and when I started it, found I had a hard time putting it down. I normally get pretty confused with a lot of switching perspectives and with this book I did not seem to have that problem. I was sucked in immediately by the prologue and felt the pace was pretty good to begin with. The writing is very well done in my opinion. I was a little nervous when it started out that it would be too new age and I would lose interest but it turns out I lost interest for completely different reasons.
I want to go on record and say that I think this is a really good book and I feel like it's going to do very well in its niche but for me, I did lose interest at the time where the book is supposed to be at a climax. I found myself realizing that I was not invested in what happened to these people at all and was looking down at how many pages I had left with dread. Ugh I hate to say that honestly because I know this was someone's very hard work and like I said, I do think this book has a ton of redeemable qualities. The characters were very well rounded, did realistic things, the inner monologues were easy to follow which I like. The interpersonal dynamics were smooth and relatable.
Insanely creative and well written. (just not for me).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Huge thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review The Museum of Cursed Artifacts by Evan Spiliotopoulos.
After the death of the "eccentric" billionaire William Buren, a collector of spooky, haunted items, a team of experts are selected by the estate to inventory and assess the assets left behind. A carefully selected team is chosen to spend the weekend at the Buren estate and they have 48 hours two complete their assignment in order to collect their fee. A house full of cursed or possessed artifacts and a team selected based on who needed the cash the most, what could possibly go wrong?
What a ride, this book is such a fun, gory read from start to finish. If you loved movies like; The Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead franchise and Tucker and Dales v.s. Evil, you will enjoy this book.
What worked for me:
The characters and their different point of views.
The creativity describing the different entities.
Writing style and fast moving plot.
What didn't work:
Character development was a little slow, I adored Jin immediately but some of the other characters it took several chapters for me to connect with them,
The story was a little formulaic and predictable. I still enjoyed the heck out of the book but it was easy to predict what would happen with each little twist. That being said, I really want a team up of Max and Jin if this turns into a series please and thank you!
5 out of 5 for me, not perfect but a fun read.
After the death of the "eccentric" billionaire William Buren, a collector of spooky, haunted items, a team of experts are selected by the estate to inventory and assess the assets left behind. A carefully selected team is chosen to spend the weekend at the Buren estate and they have 48 hours two complete their assignment in order to collect their fee. A house full of cursed or possessed artifacts and a team selected based on who needed the cash the most, what could possibly go wrong?
What a ride, this book is such a fun, gory read from start to finish. If you loved movies like; The Cabin in the Woods, Evil Dead franchise and Tucker and Dales v.s. Evil, you will enjoy this book.
What worked for me:
The characters and their different point of views.
The creativity describing the different entities.
Writing style and fast moving plot.
What didn't work:
Character development was a little slow, I adored Jin immediately but some of the other characters it took several chapters for me to connect with them,
The story was a little formulaic and predictable. I still enjoyed the heck out of the book but it was easy to predict what would happen with each little twist. That being said, I really want a team up of Max and Jin if this turns into a series please and thank you!
5 out of 5 for me, not perfect but a fun read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley/Atria for the ARC. Review left voluntarily.
Creep factor - On point, a book like this I would place the expected at a queasy feeling here and there and it delivered a couple more to be on the safe side.
Artifacts - I was a doofus and tried to Google most of the artifacts that get mentioned, obviously the doll in the book is Robert the Doll, but the rest felt believable in the sense that there is a "supernatural" counterpart in the real world.
Characters - I actually liked the 6 that are presented, although one in particular felt as if she was a caricature of an influencer turned CEO (the point I know, but still lead to the character falling flat for me), I would have liked if I was steered more towards caring about a few of the others to subvert expectations a bit.
Religious thoughts - I did enjoy the thoughts it gave of various patterns that pop up through religions through different periods of history.
Humor - Not so much of a con, some jokes were certainly a choice, the rest of the humor just ended up not being my flavor of humor.
Book Description - So I understand the choice of having "Night at the Museum" being used for the descriptor, since well, its kind of a museum, but I think it does a disservice since I got heavier "13 Ghost" vibes out of it.
Creep factor - On point, a book like this I would place the expected at a queasy feeling here and there and it delivered a couple more to be on the safe side.
Artifacts - I was a doofus and tried to Google most of the artifacts that get mentioned, obviously the doll in the book is Robert the Doll, but the rest felt believable in the sense that there is a "supernatural" counterpart in the real world.
Characters - I actually liked the 6 that are presented, although one in particular felt as if she was a caricature of an influencer turned CEO (the point I know, but still lead to the character falling flat for me), I would have liked if I was steered more towards caring about a few of the others to subvert expectations a bit.
Religious thoughts - I did enjoy the thoughts it gave of various patterns that pop up through religions through different periods of history.
Humor - Not so much of a con, some jokes were certainly a choice, the rest of the humor just ended up not being my flavor of humor.
Book Description - So I understand the choice of having "Night at the Museum" being used for the descriptor, since well, its kind of a museum, but I think it does a disservice since I got heavier "13 Ghost" vibes out of it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
320 pages
4 stars
This is a wonderfully creepy little horror story.
William Buren collected what he believed were “cursed” artifacts. He spent his entire billion dollar fortune on them. Imagine the disappointment of his many heirs when they discovered the estate was penniless. The heirs were pitched an offer they could hardly refuse.
A collection of “experts" in their respective fields were gathered: a ghost hunter, a psychic, a priest, an archeologist and a physicist. All they had to do was spend a weekend in the house and verify the authenticity of the various artifacts. They would each receive $500,000,for their time.
So begins a wild adventure of malevolent artifacts stalking our heroes and their valiant efforts to avoid a certain and horrible death.
The book has an interesting collection of evil statuary, paintings, coins and so on to rile the heroes. Some of the histories about the artifacts are clever, and inventively unique. I enjoyed their stories.
Although described as a horror novel, the book is pretty tame. It is a quick and enjoyable read. I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys semi-mild horror.
I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books/Atria - Emily Bestler for forwarding a copy of this very good book to me. The opinions contained in this review are solely my own.
4 stars
This is a wonderfully creepy little horror story.
William Buren collected what he believed were “cursed” artifacts. He spent his entire billion dollar fortune on them. Imagine the disappointment of his many heirs when they discovered the estate was penniless. The heirs were pitched an offer they could hardly refuse.
A collection of “experts" in their respective fields were gathered: a ghost hunter, a psychic, a priest, an archeologist and a physicist. All they had to do was spend a weekend in the house and verify the authenticity of the various artifacts. They would each receive $500,000,for their time.
So begins a wild adventure of malevolent artifacts stalking our heroes and their valiant efforts to avoid a certain and horrible death.
The book has an interesting collection of evil statuary, paintings, coins and so on to rile the heroes. Some of the histories about the artifacts are clever, and inventively unique. I enjoyed their stories.
Although described as a horror novel, the book is pretty tame. It is a quick and enjoyable read. I really liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys semi-mild horror.
I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books/Atria - Emily Bestler for forwarding a copy of this very good book to me. The opinions contained in this review are solely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4/5
this was like if episode 13 by craig dilouie was combined with night at the museum.
the book follows 5 paranormal experts with different backgrounds (a priest, a TV show ghost hunter, a psychic, and an archaeologist) who get invited to a home full of alleged haunted artifacts with the goal of proving they are real. the story is told through the POVs of these characters as well as a few more ...
i really really enjoyed this. i love multiple POVs and the author did a really good job differentiating the styles of writing between the chapters. the build up in the first half was stellar and while it did not immediately pay off, the ending was well written. my only real critique is that once the action begins, it drags along slightly and takes a while to pick up into something that feels like it matters. the characters are all 3 dimensional and you get to learn a lot about them, even the characters who may not last the entire book. which is also something i liked! there were real stakes because (sorry, mild spoiler) not everyone makes it out of the house. i recommend this for anyone who liked Episode 13 by Craig DiLouie and anyone who enjoys haunted artifacts!
thank u atria books for providing this ARC thru NetGalley!
this was like if episode 13 by craig dilouie was combined with night at the museum.
the book follows 5 paranormal experts with different backgrounds (a priest, a TV show ghost hunter, a psychic, and an archaeologist) who get invited to a home full of alleged haunted artifacts with the goal of proving they are real. the story is told through the POVs of these characters as well as a few more ...
i really really enjoyed this. i love multiple POVs and the author did a really good job differentiating the styles of writing between the chapters. the build up in the first half was stellar and while it did not immediately pay off, the ending was well written. my only real critique is that once the action begins, it drags along slightly and takes a while to pick up into something that feels like it matters. the characters are all 3 dimensional and you get to learn a lot about them, even the characters who may not last the entire book. which is also something i liked! there were real stakes because (sorry, mild spoiler) not everyone makes it out of the house. i recommend this for anyone who liked Episode 13 by Craig DiLouie and anyone who enjoys haunted artifacts!
thank u atria books for providing this ARC thru NetGalley!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THE MUSEUM OF CURSED ARTIFACTS is an entertaining horror, and I really enjoyed reading. While I am not normally a fan of books that rotate through the roster of character POVs, this one made it work pretty well. Overall, the diffferent characters' voices were distinct, so you didn't get confused about who was speaking. That being said, I think there are a few chapters from the perspective of a specific "character" that I really didn't need. They were well written, and I can see why they were included, but it kind of shifted me out of the story more than I would have liked. And while the ending was good, After all the buildup of the beginning, it felt a little rushed and maybe a little too easy.
I enjoyed the fact that the book reminded me of several things, like the movie THIRTEEN GHOSTS, and the real haunted object museum in Las Vegas. The nods to paranormal objects and stories I have heard about before were well placed and I think that if you know what is being mentioned, it only enhances the story, but it doesn't detract if you aren't aware of those stories.
Overall, I liked the story and characters, and I liked the ending chapters. Definitely would recommend to fans of horror novels.
I enjoyed the fact that the book reminded me of several things, like the movie THIRTEEN GHOSTS, and the real haunted object museum in Las Vegas. The nods to paranormal objects and stories I have heard about before were well placed and I think that if you know what is being mentioned, it only enhances the story, but it doesn't detract if you aren't aware of those stories.
Overall, I liked the story and characters, and I liked the ending chapters. Definitely would recommend to fans of horror novels.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I devoured The Museum of Cursed Artifacts in a few days and looked forward to picking it up every time I sat down to read. I loved the ensemble cast of characters, and the multiple POVs and short chapters kept the pace quick. The writing was great and pulled me in to the story. As someone who doesn't 'see' what they read, I found it easy to imagine the scenes and you can tell Evan writes for the screen. I was intrigued by the change in writing in each POV and would love to read a bit more about the underlying reasons for that. Will be looking out for a deep dive/book club on this one!
The haunted house/cursed museum objects concept was fun and reminded me of the horror movies I enjoy. Perfect for fans of stories about the Warrens! The supernatural aspect was great with lots of tension and I was creeped out reading late at night at one point (looking at you black pope!). I definitely would have liked more background on the artifacts themselves, even if it meant a slightly longer book.
Overall this was exactly what I want from a horror read, escapism and thrills without heavier themes weighing it down. I'm already looking forward to book 2! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
The haunted house/cursed museum objects concept was fun and reminded me of the horror movies I enjoy. Perfect for fans of stories about the Warrens! The supernatural aspect was great with lots of tension and I was creeped out reading late at night at one point (looking at you black pope!). I definitely would have liked more background on the artifacts themselves, even if it meant a slightly longer book.
Overall this was exactly what I want from a horror read, escapism and thrills without heavier themes weighing it down. I'm already looking forward to book 2! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
This was a strong 4-star read for me! Haunted artifacts, demons, gore, religious horror, found family, and characters discovering strength through trauma? Yes, please. I loved the premise of this unlikely group being trapped together in an isolated mansion filled with some of the world’s most infamous cursed objects. The inclusion of real-world haunted artifacts made the story feel even creepier. I also appreciated that this was a shorter, fast-paced read. It never overstayed its welcome, and the tighter length really allowed the plot to shine.
The characters were what really kept me invested. Stephen was my favorite. He was intelligent, inquisitive, resourceful, and grounded by his love for his family. I also connected with Anahit’s struggles, and I think many readers will. Avery turned out to be far more layered than I expected, Xavier was exactly the kind of fearless protector every group needs, Jin’s abilities remained a bit mysterious but intriguing, and Max’s struggles with faith made him especially relatable. Add in plenty of demons, gore, and creepy old artifacts, and this was absolutely my kind of horror read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC. These are my own honest opinions, shared voluntarily.
This was a strong 4-star read for me! Haunted artifacts, demons, gore, religious horror, found family, and characters discovering strength through trauma? Yes, please. I loved the premise of this unlikely group being trapped together in an isolated mansion filled with some of the world’s most infamous cursed objects. The inclusion of real-world haunted artifacts made the story feel even creepier. I also appreciated that this was a shorter, fast-paced read. It never overstayed its welcome, and the tighter length really allowed the plot to shine.
The characters were what really kept me invested. Stephen was my favorite. He was intelligent, inquisitive, resourceful, and grounded by his love for his family. I also connected with Anahit’s struggles, and I think many readers will. Avery turned out to be far more layered than I expected, Xavier was exactly the kind of fearless protector every group needs, Jin’s abilities remained a bit mysterious but intriguing, and Max’s struggles with faith made him especially relatable. Add in plenty of demons, gore, and creepy old artifacts, and this was absolutely my kind of horror read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC. These are my own honest opinions, shared voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of The Museum of Cursed Artifacts by Evan Spiliotopoulos
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this book! What a wild ride this was!
Before I even start this review, I just need to say holy f**k.
This book was just absolutely phenomenal and blew me away.
This is definitely one of my all-time favorite books.
Ratings out of 5 stars.
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Interest Rating: 📖📖📖📖📖
- Humor Rating: 🎭🎭🎭
- Scare Rating: 👻👻👻👻
- Tension Rating: 🪢🪢🪢🪢
- Predictability Rating: 💭
- Writing Style Rating: 🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
Favorite character?
Most memorable scene/moment?
I can't choose. I literally just can't choose. There are so many creepy and thrilling moments in this book to choose from. So much goes on. There's not a single moment I can pin down as my favorite moment, but there are definitely some moments I can pin down as most spooky or wild.
Did the ending satisfy you?
For a book that blew me away and is definitely a 5-star read, the ending did leave me in a state of upset. However, the ending was clear and resolved all of the loose ends. We get the ending from each character, which is helpful in tying everything together.
Would you read this book again?
Yes, yes, yes. I actually will be re-reading this book again soon probably because it was amazing!!
Additional Notes:
- I have so much to say about this book, but I'm gonna shorten it to the main points and for anyone that wants to discuss with me more in-depth, reach out. Something I love in a book is multiple perspectives and, not only did I feel like the switching of perspectives in this book was extremely well done, I also think that the switching of point-of-views for some characters was masterfully done. It's not something you see very much, especially with the chosen points-of-view. If you can't keep up with several character perspectives and switching point-of-views, I would not recommend this book.
- This book kept me enthralled all the way through and I'm pleased to say that this is one of the only horror books I've read that actually gave me goosebumps. I wasn't quite truly scared, but I definitely had a few moments where things got spooky enough to make me feel it.
- I feel like the author does a really spectacular job at creating, not only atmosphere and entities, but characters that are relatable and lovable. Characters that you get attached to and worry for and are sad for. That's something that not every horror book does well, especially ones with or multiple perspectives/so many characters.
- There's a lot to unpack within this story and I feel like the amount that's going on was perfectly paced and information was explained for the most part. There were a few moments where I was confused and there was definitely a slew of words I didn't know throughout, but it didn't hold the story back I feel.
- This book had so many twists and turns and I'll be entirely honest, at no point did I know where the book was going. Not a damn clue. More and more things kept happening that left me shocked and asking what the hell was going on. The more you learn about what's going on in the mystery, the more you try to figure it out for yourself to no avail because at around 75% of the way through it just takes a complete turn. I wasn't prepared for the direction this took, but I'm not unhappy with it at all.
- Overall, I am so vastly grateful that I got to read this because it was perfect. My only requests are that I please, please, please get a book containing an illustrated catalogue of all the artifacts, even the ones we don't get introduced to, and their history/entities and/or this be turned into a movie because that would be absolutely perfect!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of this book! What a wild ride this was!
Before I even start this review, I just need to say holy f**k.
This book was just absolutely phenomenal and blew me away.
This is definitely one of my all-time favorite books.
Ratings out of 5 stars.
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Interest Rating: 📖📖📖📖📖
- Humor Rating: 🎭🎭🎭
- Scare Rating: 👻👻👻👻
- Tension Rating: 🪢🪢🪢🪢
- Predictability Rating: 💭
- Writing Style Rating: 🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋
Favorite character?
Most memorable scene/moment?
I can't choose. I literally just can't choose. There are so many creepy and thrilling moments in this book to choose from. So much goes on. There's not a single moment I can pin down as my favorite moment, but there are definitely some moments I can pin down as most spooky or wild.
Did the ending satisfy you?
For a book that blew me away and is definitely a 5-star read, the ending did leave me in a state of upset. However, the ending was clear and resolved all of the loose ends. We get the ending from each character, which is helpful in tying everything together.
Would you read this book again?
Yes, yes, yes. I actually will be re-reading this book again soon probably because it was amazing!!
Additional Notes:
- I have so much to say about this book, but I'm gonna shorten it to the main points and for anyone that wants to discuss with me more in-depth, reach out. Something I love in a book is multiple perspectives and, not only did I feel like the switching of perspectives in this book was extremely well done, I also think that the switching of point-of-views for some characters was masterfully done. It's not something you see very much, especially with the chosen points-of-view. If you can't keep up with several character perspectives and switching point-of-views, I would not recommend this book.
- This book kept me enthralled all the way through and I'm pleased to say that this is one of the only horror books I've read that actually gave me goosebumps. I wasn't quite truly scared, but I definitely had a few moments where things got spooky enough to make me feel it.
- I feel like the author does a really spectacular job at creating, not only atmosphere and entities, but characters that are relatable and lovable. Characters that you get attached to and worry for and are sad for. That's something that not every horror book does well, especially ones with or multiple perspectives/so many characters.
- There's a lot to unpack within this story and I feel like the amount that's going on was perfectly paced and information was explained for the most part. There were a few moments where I was confused and there was definitely a slew of words I didn't know throughout, but it didn't hold the story back I feel.
- This book had so many twists and turns and I'll be entirely honest, at no point did I know where the book was going. Not a damn clue. More and more things kept happening that left me shocked and asking what the hell was going on. The more you learn about what's going on in the mystery, the more you try to figure it out for yourself to no avail because at around 75% of the way through it just takes a complete turn. I wasn't prepared for the direction this took, but I'm not unhappy with it at all.
- Overall, I am so vastly grateful that I got to read this because it was perfect. My only requests are that I please, please, please get a book containing an illustrated catalogue of all the artifacts, even the ones we don't get introduced to, and their history/entities and/or this be turned into a movie because that would be absolutely perfect!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I only occasionally read horror, but this premise drew me in. The book gets started very quickly and became a page turner. It's always a good sign when even people who aren't super into the genre like the book. I also liked that there weren't a lot of extraneous tangents. The further I got into the book the more I felt that I recognized bits and pieces from other works. I am getting hints of Rose Red, Texas Chainsaw, a smidge of Hypercube, some Exorcist vibes, etc. There's also a movie that this really reminded me of but unfortunately, I don't remember the name. It was a really big haunted/occult house release, I think. So people who enjoy those things might also like this one. When I reached 92%, I initially did not care for the ending. However, after I finished, the more I sat with it, the more I liked it. Once enough time went by, I thought the ending was a very nicely tied knot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book as an e-ARC from NetGalley. The story started strong for me. The background information for the characters was enough for you to become invested in them without feeling inundated with useless back story. The first half of the story kept me not only fully engaged, but wanting to know what was going to happen next. The second half of the story (about 65%) in, just started to feel like almost a different story. Same characters, but instead of well laid out plot points and character development, it felt sloppy. It was almost as though the author new the direction he wanted to go, but had a maximum number of pages to get it done, and crammed as much as he could into that later part of the book.
Overall, this is still a unique story that gets a full five stars for creepiness! If horror is your genre, it is worth the read. I would be the perfect book to read in October--all the creepy haunted house vibes.
Overall, this is still a unique story that gets a full five stars for creepiness! If horror is your genre, it is worth the read. I would be the perfect book to read in October--all the creepy haunted house vibes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was so much fun! I am obsessed with anything horror, and this mashup of subgenres was extremely enjoyable. Think of Ed & Lorraine Warren's room of possessed artifacts coming to life inside the house from Thirteen Ghosts...yeah, it was AWESOME!! The story was filled with terrifying monsters, disgusting gore, and wry humor. I loved it! And I absolutely loved having the POV of the house. It was a bit of a slow start, only because the author touched on all the different characters' back stories. I can't say that I would change that though. I believe that most of the information given on each person was relevant and important to the storyline. What an exciting, well-written debut!! I really enjoyed it and look forward to the sequel. I would definitely recommend this one to my fellow horror lovers!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for granting me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was immediately intrigued by the premise of The Museum of Cursed Artifacts! A wealthy entrepreneur has spent years collecting EVERY mysterious cursed artifacts, and after his shocking death, his heirs decide to turn the collection into a unique museum experience.
ARTIFACTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SEALED AWAY TO PROTECT MANKIND.
Imagine walking into a museum where every artifact is cursed, objects with dark histories, disturbing secrets, and possibly VERY real supernatural power. Now bring together a psychic, exorcist, ghost hunter, archaeologist, parapsychologist, former priest, professor, and other experts to investigate the collection, things become increasingly unsettling. With suspense, adventure, supernatural elements, creepy artifacts this is a page turner.
READ on Release date 03 / 02 /2027.
Hoping for book 2, series, or a movie.
Thank you NetGalley, and Atria Books for the ARC.
ARTIFACTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SEALED AWAY TO PROTECT MANKIND.
Imagine walking into a museum where every artifact is cursed, objects with dark histories, disturbing secrets, and possibly VERY real supernatural power. Now bring together a psychic, exorcist, ghost hunter, archaeologist, parapsychologist, former priest, professor, and other experts to investigate the collection, things become increasingly unsettling. With suspense, adventure, supernatural elements, creepy artifacts this is a page turner.
READ on Release date 03 / 02 /2027.
Hoping for book 2, series, or a movie.
Thank you NetGalley, and Atria Books for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the advanced copy for review.
The Museum of Cursed Artifacts had such a fun and creepy premise, and that was definitely my favorite part of the book. A mansion filled with cursed objects and a group of people brought in to determine if they're actually haunted? I was immediately interested!
There were some genuinely creepy moments, and I enjoyed learning about the different artifacts. Unfortunately, the story didn't completely pull me in the way I hoped it would. With so many characters and different perspectives, there were times when I had trouble connecting with them, and some parts felt slower than others.
Overall, I liked the story and thought the concept was really unique, but I wanted a little more from it. It was still an entertaining horror read and worth checking out if you enjoy haunted houses, cursed objects, and supernatural stories.
The Museum of Cursed Artifacts had such a fun and creepy premise, and that was definitely my favorite part of the book. A mansion filled with cursed objects and a group of people brought in to determine if they're actually haunted? I was immediately interested!
There were some genuinely creepy moments, and I enjoyed learning about the different artifacts. Unfortunately, the story didn't completely pull me in the way I hoped it would. With so many characters and different perspectives, there were times when I had trouble connecting with them, and some parts felt slower than others.
Overall, I liked the story and thought the concept was really unique, but I wanted a little more from it. It was still an entertaining horror read and worth checking out if you enjoy haunted houses, cursed objects, and supernatural stories.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is Jurassic Park meets 13 Ghosts meets House on Haunted Hill meets Ghostbusters meets the Conjuring with a little bit of Sunnydale's Hellmouth thrown in for good measure. In other words, it hits the horror hotspots and does a great job. It has a sufficient amount of ghosts and baddies along with some bone crunching gore gory, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters have great little backstories- just enough to feel something for them and not too much that it slows down the action. There are so many nods to the horror genre that it almost feels a little too comfortable and recognizable but the author adds in their own twists to it. From people running down Winchester House style corridors to slamming into monstrous wedding gowns and a nod to Collodi's Pinocchio, this is just great fun for horror readers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to netgalley and the author for granting my wish to read this book
So this book was compared to night at the museum but it was absolutely nothing like that. It was more religious and focused on religious tones. Second it's very dark and not lighthearted at all like night at the museum.
I like the build up and the middle portion but to me the ending was just too much. At that point I wanted to stop reading because of everything going on. Once they went underground. I feal like the artifacts all just started attacking all at once which is fine but it felt overwhelming at times because it was just everything hitting you at once.
Overall though beside the things I mentioned it's an okay book. It kept me hooked. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. But just like I said that underground part just overdid it for me.
So this book was compared to night at the museum but it was absolutely nothing like that. It was more religious and focused on religious tones. Second it's very dark and not lighthearted at all like night at the museum.
I like the build up and the middle portion but to me the ending was just too much. At that point I wanted to stop reading because of everything going on. Once they went underground. I feal like the artifacts all just started attacking all at once which is fine but it felt overwhelming at times because it was just everything hitting you at once.
Overall though beside the things I mentioned it's an okay book. It kept me hooked. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. But just like I said that underground part just overdid it for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I could 100% see the inspiration from Shirley Jackson and any of the Haunting type books in this one. Add in the risky adventure of a Night at The Museum plot, and you'll get The Museum of Cursed Artifacts, a love story to and amalgamation of Gothic horror and classic archetypes alike. While the body horror was so fun and grotesque and I adored the imagery, some of the flashbacks muddled the plot and made some points confusing. Most of the parts move quickly, but some of the chapters end up slogging and losing the quick pace I loved so much about this book. All in all, this is quite a delightful endeavor for horror fans who want to have a nice time and enjoy the fun easter eggs in which the book is the experience itself more so than a consistent plot point. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
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