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Benjamin Oris #1
The Bone Curse
MEDICINE HAS NO CURE FOR EVIL...
Ben Oris, a pragmatic med student from Philadelphia, gets cut by an old bone while touring the Paris catacombs. His companion Laurette, a public health student from Haiti, senses danger and worries an evil curse now runs through him.
Ben scoffs at the idea—he simply has a wound that won’t heal—and back home he returns to his stressful clerkship at the hospital. But when people close to him succumb to a grisly illness and a dark priest pursues him, his skepticism wavers. Could a bone from an 18th-century skeleton with a frightening history really cause modern-day disease?
With the help of Laurette, he scrambles to find a cure through Vodou before more of his loved ones die. But first, he must battle the mysterious priest who’s bent on vengeance and determined to have Ben’s blood as his own.
"The Bone Curse is a strong medical thriller--inclusive, skillfully written, and inviting."--Foreword Reviews
The Bone Curse, though a standalone, is the first in a series about a man of science who gets caught up in otherworldly situations.
Ben Oris, a pragmatic med student from Philadelphia, gets cut by an old bone while touring the Paris catacombs. His companion Laurette, a public health student from Haiti, senses danger and worries an evil curse now runs through him.
Ben scoffs at the idea—he simply has a wound that won’t heal—and back home he returns to his stressful clerkship at the hospital. But when people close to him succumb to a grisly illness and a dark priest pursues him, his skepticism wavers. Could a bone from an 18th-century skeleton with a frightening history really cause modern-day disease?
With the help of Laurette, he scrambles to find a cure through Vodou before more of his loved ones die. But first, he must battle the mysterious priest who’s bent on vengeance and determined to have Ben’s blood as his own.
"The Bone Curse is a strong medical thriller--inclusive, skillfully written, and inviting."--Foreword Reviews
The Bone Curse, though a standalone, is the first in a series about a man of science who gets caught up in otherworldly situations.
296 pages, Paperback
First published March 27, 2018
435 people are currently reading
1822 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Rubin
10 books295 followersCarrie Rubin is a physician-turned-novelist who writes thrillers. She enjoys exploring other genres as well, and has a cozy mystery published under the pen name Morgan Mayer and a novel of magical realism under the pen name Dannie Boyd.
To learn about new releases or promotions, follow Carrie on BookBub. Or, to receive a free ebook copy of The Seneca Scourge: A Medical Thriller, you're invited to sign up for the author's new-release alerts.
To learn about new releases or promotions, follow Carrie on BookBub. Or, to receive a free ebook copy of The Seneca Scourge: A Medical Thriller, you're invited to sign up for the author's new-release alerts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
July 30, 2022
When The Bone Curse by Carrie Rubin appeared on my news feed earlier this year, I was excited to devour such a thriller. I purchased the novel and scheduled it for my May vacation while I was out of the country visiting various Italian cities, especially since one of the tours included the crypts and catacombs of Rome. What a perfect way to align my reading with my physical setting, right? Well, it gets even scarier... I've previously visited the Paris Catacombs where the story kicks off, and at some point during my current trip, I scratched my finger (I believe while trying to load luggage on a bus when it stopped to pick me up in Amalfi on the edge of a cliff) just like the main character in this book, and within two days I had a nasty bug and infection. For a moment, I thought the The Bone Curse might be coming to life and I was gonna call Ms. Rubin for some advice! Thankfully, I did not cause people around me to die, so all in all, I handled it with aplomb -- just like this great new author I've found!
The novel is categorized as a medical thriller, but it goes beyond that initial genre with the introduction of educational backstory on Voodoo / Voudo practice (different types depending on the interpretation), a young doctor learning how to make a name for himself during his initial hospital training, some fantasy elements when ancient bones seemingly come back to life, and a bit of romance and family drama to round out the story's depth. I am always excited when a book crosses genres and this one did not disappoint. Life's sometimes ordinary, and if you can push the boundaries with a little bit of mystery and a strange curse, I'm all for it. Bring it on!
Rubin's story is top notch. It combined all the elements of my favorite movies and stories covering ancient mummies with revenge on their mind, mass graves of people who were victimized and need to heal, a fine line between medicinal cures and that of the occult. The story drags you in from the beginning and throws out many well-calculated twists and turns. You're never quite sure if the truth will add up in the end with a logical and natural explanation like some weird virus that caused it all, or if it's an honest-to-god ancestral curse come back to life seeking vengeance. That's what made it such a page-turner... you felt tossed back and forth and feverishly thrashed while reading and savoring each of the words to figure it out all.
It helps that the characters were distinct, admirable and endearing. But oh, the deaths... an author is brave when she goes after the ones likely to be a fan favorite. A few times, I wanted to punch the main character, Ben, for being such a dunce. Rubin offers more than enough detail and reasoning for why he might choose not to believe in such a curse, but when enough people are impacted around him, the dude needs to wake up! If I'd been his friend, I would have locked him up much sooner... but that's what makes the story such an intrigue. Ben is human and torn from what his scientific experience tells him and how his interesting upbringing has shaped him. He's a product of all the things that keep him wary and cautious of the truth, so he seeks to eliminate all the rational before allowing himself to accept the non-tangible. It was a well-crafted approach and makes readers attach strongly to the entire cast and plot.
I am fond of the author's writing style and the world she's built in Ben's personal life. Though he may have a 'solution' with answers at the end of this book, his travels are far from over... this is the kick off of a new series, and there's plenty more to explore coming out of what's happened to him in this book. Between death, changes to his family situation, and the upcoming impacts of his life at the hospital, I'm excited to continue being part of this adventure. Rubin's enamored a new fan and I might even need to take a peek at a few of her earlier unrelated books while I wait for book two in this series. Kudos!
The novel is categorized as a medical thriller, but it goes beyond that initial genre with the introduction of educational backstory on Voodoo / Voudo practice (different types depending on the interpretation), a young doctor learning how to make a name for himself during his initial hospital training, some fantasy elements when ancient bones seemingly come back to life, and a bit of romance and family drama to round out the story's depth. I am always excited when a book crosses genres and this one did not disappoint. Life's sometimes ordinary, and if you can push the boundaries with a little bit of mystery and a strange curse, I'm all for it. Bring it on!
Rubin's story is top notch. It combined all the elements of my favorite movies and stories covering ancient mummies with revenge on their mind, mass graves of people who were victimized and need to heal, a fine line between medicinal cures and that of the occult. The story drags you in from the beginning and throws out many well-calculated twists and turns. You're never quite sure if the truth will add up in the end with a logical and natural explanation like some weird virus that caused it all, or if it's an honest-to-god ancestral curse come back to life seeking vengeance. That's what made it such a page-turner... you felt tossed back and forth and feverishly thrashed while reading and savoring each of the words to figure it out all.
It helps that the characters were distinct, admirable and endearing. But oh, the deaths... an author is brave when she goes after the ones likely to be a fan favorite. A few times, I wanted to punch the main character, Ben, for being such a dunce. Rubin offers more than enough detail and reasoning for why he might choose not to believe in such a curse, but when enough people are impacted around him, the dude needs to wake up! If I'd been his friend, I would have locked him up much sooner... but that's what makes the story such an intrigue. Ben is human and torn from what his scientific experience tells him and how his interesting upbringing has shaped him. He's a product of all the things that keep him wary and cautious of the truth, so he seeks to eliminate all the rational before allowing himself to accept the non-tangible. It was a well-crafted approach and makes readers attach strongly to the entire cast and plot.
I am fond of the author's writing style and the world she's built in Ben's personal life. Though he may have a 'solution' with answers at the end of this book, his travels are far from over... this is the kick off of a new series, and there's plenty more to explore coming out of what's happened to him in this book. Between death, changes to his family situation, and the upcoming impacts of his life at the hospital, I'm excited to continue being part of this adventure. Rubin's enamored a new fan and I might even need to take a peek at a few of her earlier unrelated books while I wait for book two in this series. Kudos!
March 13, 2018
I read the blurb of The Bone Curse and found it to be quite interesting. How can a bone curse a human being? This intrigued me and I wasn't disappointed after reading the book.
Ben is our MC and he is a pragmatist. He is pursuing MBBS. He is harworking and determined. Completing MBBS is his first priority and everything and everyone else comes second.
This is how the story goes. He visited a catacomb in Paris and got cursed by a bone. His best friend Laurette helps him and stayed side by side him to help cure the curse. She is sweet and funny. She adds fun to the story otherwise this story would have been dry.
Laurette is from Haiti and her family practices vodou. Yeah its vodou and not voodoo. Vodou is a religion practiced by Haitians. It is practiced by carrying out ceremonial rituals to bring good fortune. At first I thought Carrie Rubin made it up but then I did my research and found out that it is real. I was amazed by her research on vodou and how she has brilliantly centered the whole story around it.
The story is fast paced. There is horror, there is blood, sacrifice, dark magic and unending thrill throughout the story. Ben encounters one mishap after another and believe me when I say you can not and would not be able to predict what is going to happen next. This book is so unexpected and hard to guess.
The only thing I didn't like about this story is that it lacks emotional value.
Ben loves his both fathers and expresses his emotions for them. But he is not shown to attend funeral of any of his deceased loved one. Attending funeral is the most common thing you expect when you read a book that talks a lot about the deaths of loved ones. Just saying a simple prayer at their funeral or shedding a tear when you miss them are normal reactions. Once someone dies they just disappear from the story.
I get that its a fast paced story and Ben was in action from page 1 to last but showing him attending funeral or just a little hint like why he couldn't attend the funeral and that he felt bad because of it could have made a huge difference for the reader.
If you like fast paced thrillers and horror stories than this would be a great read for you. It is not hardcore horror story. There are no ghosts or any sort of paranormal stuff but its dark as in black magic and blood sacrifice stuff. The character building is good except it lacks emotional connection. All in all it is a good read you can enjoy on a chilly night at home.
Ben is our MC and he is a pragmatist. He is pursuing MBBS. He is harworking and determined. Completing MBBS is his first priority and everything and everyone else comes second.
This is how the story goes. He visited a catacomb in Paris and got cursed by a bone. His best friend Laurette helps him and stayed side by side him to help cure the curse. She is sweet and funny. She adds fun to the story otherwise this story would have been dry.
Laurette is from Haiti and her family practices vodou. Yeah its vodou and not voodoo. Vodou is a religion practiced by Haitians. It is practiced by carrying out ceremonial rituals to bring good fortune. At first I thought Carrie Rubin made it up but then I did my research and found out that it is real. I was amazed by her research on vodou and how she has brilliantly centered the whole story around it.
The story is fast paced. There is horror, there is blood, sacrifice, dark magic and unending thrill throughout the story. Ben encounters one mishap after another and believe me when I say you can not and would not be able to predict what is going to happen next. This book is so unexpected and hard to guess.
The only thing I didn't like about this story is that it lacks emotional value.
Ben loves his both fathers and expresses his emotions for them. But he is not shown to attend funeral of any of his deceased loved one. Attending funeral is the most common thing you expect when you read a book that talks a lot about the deaths of loved ones. Just saying a simple prayer at their funeral or shedding a tear when you miss them are normal reactions. Once someone dies they just disappear from the story.
I get that its a fast paced story and Ben was in action from page 1 to last but showing him attending funeral or just a little hint like why he couldn't attend the funeral and that he felt bad because of it could have made a huge difference for the reader.
If you like fast paced thrillers and horror stories than this would be a great read for you. It is not hardcore horror story. There are no ghosts or any sort of paranormal stuff but its dark as in black magic and blood sacrifice stuff. The character building is good except it lacks emotional connection. All in all it is a good read you can enjoy on a chilly night at home.
January 13, 2018
Author Carrie Rubin lured me into the world of the occult. Logic and reason had checked out at the front door. Disarmed, I crossed the black threshold having realized I didn't know what I was getting myself into. Prepared for the worst. Instead, I got the best of what the author had to offer. Referenced the cultural distinction between Haitian vodou and Louisiana Voodoo. The narrative thrived in the menacing throes of vodou. Chilling. This character-driven storyline ushered me into the awaiting netherworld. I strode on thin ice. The author held nothing back. It didn't matter. I was all-in. My stomach tightened. Chapter upon chapter, relentless action failed to take a back seat. The characters were well-drawn. The ending reached out from the prose, grabbed me by the lapel and shook me head to toe. Left me staggering.
It might have been easy to dismiss this whole premise simply by shutting my eyes to it. But then I would have to close my eyes to many mysterious and wonderful things in this world. Religion for one. Entirely based on belief. If you truly believe in something, it becomes a reality. It's all about perception. Everything. That's when I began to draw a parallel. There is a large segment of the population that believes in angels - the hereafter - the devil. Millions in fact. If some practice and put their faith in Haitian Vodou, for instance, who's to say their beliefs are unfounded? The search for knowledge lies not in what we know, rather, what we don't. What we're willing to accept.
30 year-old Ben Oris was invited to tour the Catacombs of Paris accompanied by best friend, Laurette. In 1786, it became home to the first human bones interned there. Unearthed from a mass grave. Bones of the poor, the downtrodden - slaves. They walked in solemn silence through the underground graveyard. Human remains glared at them from all sides. With no explanation, out of thousands, one particular bone had caught Ben's eye. A large one - a femur. As he bent to pick it up, Laurette screamed for him to stop. It was too late. He already held it in his grasp. A sting was felt in his hand. Gently placing the bone back down, he noticed it contained no sharp edges. Odd. His hand began to ooze blood from a small puncture wound in the middle of his palm. Suddenly, he began to feel woozy.
Immediately, Laurette took notice of the drastic changes that began to overtake Ben. She knew him well. His sleep suffered, appetite waned and personality soured. She feared, no, she knew that that bone was the reason. Her background in Haitian vodou convinced her the bone had been cursed. Though what type of curse was unknown. For help she turned to her most trusted resource, her brother. A respected vodou practitioner of high regard.
Ben had come to learn that over two centuries ago a curse had been placed upon a vile slave-owner. A rapist. The originator of that curse died in the hospital before her wrath could be fully activated. Her remains were transported to a mass grave on the island nation known today as Haiti. Some years later those bones were exhumed and would be the first taken to the Paris catacombs. Little did Ben know that he'd been destined to grab the one that had been cursed. It was preordained. But why him? Could there be any remote chance that he was a distant descendant of the cursed slave owner? The odds of that bearing truth would be near impossible. Though it would be simple enough to find out. Turned out his deceased father kept meticulous records of their family's genealogy. Went as far back to the 1600s. He was not prepared for what he uncovered. Overtaken in shock.
The dust from the bone brought the curse that had remained inactive for over two centuries back to life. The curse had now been passed on to him. In his blood. He learned from Vodou priests that the dreaded curse meant that anyone he loved or cared about would die a sickening death from mere casual contact. And it's deadly arrival was beginning to already fulfill its promise. Beyond dreadful. Horrific. Now cursed by an ancient slave girl who reached out from beyond the grave. Practitioner of the dark arts of vodou. A bokor. Damned to hell. His worst nightmares were yet to arrive. His only chance for survival, for his loved ones, was to find a cure. If there was one. Time was running out.
My thanks to NetGalley and ScienceThrillers Media for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
It might have been easy to dismiss this whole premise simply by shutting my eyes to it. But then I would have to close my eyes to many mysterious and wonderful things in this world. Religion for one. Entirely based on belief. If you truly believe in something, it becomes a reality. It's all about perception. Everything. That's when I began to draw a parallel. There is a large segment of the population that believes in angels - the hereafter - the devil. Millions in fact. If some practice and put their faith in Haitian Vodou, for instance, who's to say their beliefs are unfounded? The search for knowledge lies not in what we know, rather, what we don't. What we're willing to accept.
30 year-old Ben Oris was invited to tour the Catacombs of Paris accompanied by best friend, Laurette. In 1786, it became home to the first human bones interned there. Unearthed from a mass grave. Bones of the poor, the downtrodden - slaves. They walked in solemn silence through the underground graveyard. Human remains glared at them from all sides. With no explanation, out of thousands, one particular bone had caught Ben's eye. A large one - a femur. As he bent to pick it up, Laurette screamed for him to stop. It was too late. He already held it in his grasp. A sting was felt in his hand. Gently placing the bone back down, he noticed it contained no sharp edges. Odd. His hand began to ooze blood from a small puncture wound in the middle of his palm. Suddenly, he began to feel woozy.
Immediately, Laurette took notice of the drastic changes that began to overtake Ben. She knew him well. His sleep suffered, appetite waned and personality soured. She feared, no, she knew that that bone was the reason. Her background in Haitian vodou convinced her the bone had been cursed. Though what type of curse was unknown. For help she turned to her most trusted resource, her brother. A respected vodou practitioner of high regard.
Ben had come to learn that over two centuries ago a curse had been placed upon a vile slave-owner. A rapist. The originator of that curse died in the hospital before her wrath could be fully activated. Her remains were transported to a mass grave on the island nation known today as Haiti. Some years later those bones were exhumed and would be the first taken to the Paris catacombs. Little did Ben know that he'd been destined to grab the one that had been cursed. It was preordained. But why him? Could there be any remote chance that he was a distant descendant of the cursed slave owner? The odds of that bearing truth would be near impossible. Though it would be simple enough to find out. Turned out his deceased father kept meticulous records of their family's genealogy. Went as far back to the 1600s. He was not prepared for what he uncovered. Overtaken in shock.
The dust from the bone brought the curse that had remained inactive for over two centuries back to life. The curse had now been passed on to him. In his blood. He learned from Vodou priests that the dreaded curse meant that anyone he loved or cared about would die a sickening death from mere casual contact. And it's deadly arrival was beginning to already fulfill its promise. Beyond dreadful. Horrific. Now cursed by an ancient slave girl who reached out from beyond the grave. Practitioner of the dark arts of vodou. A bokor. Damned to hell. His worst nightmares were yet to arrive. His only chance for survival, for his loved ones, was to find a cure. If there was one. Time was running out.
My thanks to NetGalley and ScienceThrillers Media for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 19, 2018
Step into a world where science and dark magic battle to the death...#Enter Carrie Rubin's ARC Giveaway for a chance to win a copy of THE BONE CURSE
ARC giveaway goes until January 21st. Here’s the link to Carrie Rubin's blog
https://carrierubin.com/2018/01/08/th...
Two giveaways—one for US entrants and one for international entrants!
Do you believe in the unbelievable? Are you willing to admit the power of old magic and ancient beliefs can become physical manifestations? The world of medicine and the occult collide when the trip of a lifetime for a young medical student becomes a cursed nightmare that has medical science baffled and one man teetering on the edge between education and the unbelievable. Carrie Rubin’s THE BONE CURSEis a tale of revenge and the power of Haitian Vodou while modern medical knowledge is put on notice that there is more to life than what can be seen under a microscope.
Medical student, Ben Oris is cut by an ancient bone while touring the Paris catacombs and now, it isn’t healing. When his friend from Haiti “feels” a sense of danger, Ben refuses to believe in the possibility of a curse until people around him become deathly ill with an undefinable wasting disease. As the death toll mounts, Ben must face the possibility that there is more to life than what can be dissected or explained. Is there something about Ben’s blood that holds a secret from the catacombs? Why would he be the “chosen one” to deliver death after dedicating his life to healing?
When an innocent is taken as a sacrifice, Ben must learn to believe in order to battle the darkest of evils from the world of the occult, both physically and with the power of white magic.
What could be more intriguing than a pitting medical science against an ancient occult belief?
Carrie Ruben brings chaos to life as one man stands alone against the dark forces of the unexplainable. Teeter on the brink of the abyss with Ben as shadowy malevolence stalks him and logic holds no answers. From that first drop of blood, the stage is set and we become entangled in a world that cannot be brushed aside, that will not let up as we are slammed into a maze of death and darkness with no light at the end of the tunnel for these characters. Just when you think, all will be over, the bottom drops out again, and all we can do is hang on by our fingertips!
Simply fabulous, high-tension reading that will ratchet your heartrate as you feel your pulse pounding!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Science Thrillers Media and Carrie Rubin. This is my honest review.
Series: Benjamin Oris - Book 1
Publisher: ScienceThrillers Media (March 27, 2018)
Publication Date: March 27, 2018
Genre: Dark paranormal fantasy | Science Fiction | Thriller
Print Length: 296 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
ARC giveaway goes until January 21st. Here’s the link to Carrie Rubin's blog
https://carrierubin.com/2018/01/08/th...
Two giveaways—one for US entrants and one for international entrants!
Do you believe in the unbelievable? Are you willing to admit the power of old magic and ancient beliefs can become physical manifestations? The world of medicine and the occult collide when the trip of a lifetime for a young medical student becomes a cursed nightmare that has medical science baffled and one man teetering on the edge between education and the unbelievable. Carrie Rubin’s THE BONE CURSEis a tale of revenge and the power of Haitian Vodou while modern medical knowledge is put on notice that there is more to life than what can be seen under a microscope.
Medical student, Ben Oris is cut by an ancient bone while touring the Paris catacombs and now, it isn’t healing. When his friend from Haiti “feels” a sense of danger, Ben refuses to believe in the possibility of a curse until people around him become deathly ill with an undefinable wasting disease. As the death toll mounts, Ben must face the possibility that there is more to life than what can be dissected or explained. Is there something about Ben’s blood that holds a secret from the catacombs? Why would he be the “chosen one” to deliver death after dedicating his life to healing?
When an innocent is taken as a sacrifice, Ben must learn to believe in order to battle the darkest of evils from the world of the occult, both physically and with the power of white magic.
What could be more intriguing than a pitting medical science against an ancient occult belief?
Carrie Ruben brings chaos to life as one man stands alone against the dark forces of the unexplainable. Teeter on the brink of the abyss with Ben as shadowy malevolence stalks him and logic holds no answers. From that first drop of blood, the stage is set and we become entangled in a world that cannot be brushed aside, that will not let up as we are slammed into a maze of death and darkness with no light at the end of the tunnel for these characters. Just when you think, all will be over, the bottom drops out again, and all we can do is hang on by our fingertips!
Simply fabulous, high-tension reading that will ratchet your heartrate as you feel your pulse pounding!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Science Thrillers Media and Carrie Rubin. This is my honest review.
Series: Benjamin Oris - Book 1
Publisher: ScienceThrillers Media (March 27, 2018)
Publication Date: March 27, 2018
Genre: Dark paranormal fantasy | Science Fiction | Thriller
Print Length: 296 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 26, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The bone curse is a supernatural medical thriller story about a medical student, Ben, who gets cut by an old bone whilst touring the catacombs in Paris.
His Haitian travel companion, Laurette, worries that there is more to this wound and that the bone has cursed Ben.
The ever rational medical student scoffs at the idea and believes that he just has a wound that is slow to heal.
However when people that are close to him start to succumb to an unknown and grisly illness his skepticism falters.
Ben starts to wonder if it is possible for an ancient bone to cause this seemingly unstoppable illness?
With the help of his friend Laurette, Ben races to find a cure through Vodou before more of his loved ones die. In order to do this Ben he must confront the mysterious priest who's bent on vengeance and determined to claim Ben's blood for his own Vodou tool.
I have not read a medical thriller before and was not sure of what to expect. The blurb definitely 'sold' the book for me, however I was kind of disappointed whilst reading the book.
I did not connect with Ben, the MC, in fact I just found him quite annoying and repetitive. I kept thinking that if he was my friend that I would have slapped him several times by now.
There were some comments made by Ben that I just felt were not necessary and just left me confused about why I was being given that information.
Overall I felt that the characters did not have much depth and that the story was more plot-driven than character-driven.
I felt like the story didn't really take off until the 75% mark, and I didn't feel that all of that previous 75% was necessary to the story and that the pace could have changed a lot sooner.
I really enjoyed the joining of western medicine with Vodou medicine and belief, but I felt that the Vodou aspect of the story was not explored as much as the western medicine aspect of the story and I really wanted to know more about the Vodou medicine and Vodou beliefs.
I feel like the author has really taken the time and a lot of care to weave those very different worlds together and I believe that she has done a magnificent job, you can tell that she really did her research.
I did enjoy her writing, and despite the fact that this book is not a favorite I would pick up another book by this author and I am also keen to try some other medical thrillers.
I would recommend this to book to readers who do not need to connect to every character they read about, and who love a great story.
The bone curse is a supernatural medical thriller story about a medical student, Ben, who gets cut by an old bone whilst touring the catacombs in Paris.
His Haitian travel companion, Laurette, worries that there is more to this wound and that the bone has cursed Ben.
The ever rational medical student scoffs at the idea and believes that he just has a wound that is slow to heal.
However when people that are close to him start to succumb to an unknown and grisly illness his skepticism falters.
Ben starts to wonder if it is possible for an ancient bone to cause this seemingly unstoppable illness?
With the help of his friend Laurette, Ben races to find a cure through Vodou before more of his loved ones die. In order to do this Ben he must confront the mysterious priest who's bent on vengeance and determined to claim Ben's blood for his own Vodou tool.
I have not read a medical thriller before and was not sure of what to expect. The blurb definitely 'sold' the book for me, however I was kind of disappointed whilst reading the book.
I did not connect with Ben, the MC, in fact I just found him quite annoying and repetitive. I kept thinking that if he was my friend that I would have slapped him several times by now.
There were some comments made by Ben that I just felt were not necessary and just left me confused about why I was being given that information.
Overall I felt that the characters did not have much depth and that the story was more plot-driven than character-driven.
I felt like the story didn't really take off until the 75% mark, and I didn't feel that all of that previous 75% was necessary to the story and that the pace could have changed a lot sooner.
I really enjoyed the joining of western medicine with Vodou medicine and belief, but I felt that the Vodou aspect of the story was not explored as much as the western medicine aspect of the story and I really wanted to know more about the Vodou medicine and Vodou beliefs.
I feel like the author has really taken the time and a lot of care to weave those very different worlds together and I believe that she has done a magnificent job, you can tell that she really did her research.
I did enjoy her writing, and despite the fact that this book is not a favorite I would pick up another book by this author and I am also keen to try some other medical thrillers.
I would recommend this to book to readers who do not need to connect to every character they read about, and who love a great story.
March 12, 2018
Ben Oris doesn’t worry when he is cut by an ancient bone in the Catacombs of Paris. After all, he’s a third-year med student and he knows how to treat a little cut. But something is wrong when he returns to school to begin a rotation in internal medicine. The cut won’t heal and people close to him are getting sick. Has Ben picked up an unknown pathogen? Is there something evil at work? It’s a race against time for Ben and his best friend Laurette, who is sure Ben needs to see a Haitian Vodou priestess.
In The Bone Curse, Carrie Rubin pits science and medicine against the idea of an ancient Haitian curse in an exciting medical thriller that keeps the reader guessing through the final pages. Set in the sweltering heat of Philadelphia summer, the story focuses on three tense weeks during which Ben tries to balance a demanding schedule while friends and family fall like bowling pins. Can he trust Laurette’s mysterious Haitian relatives and contacts?
Rubin tells a great story and develops her characters well. Readers will cheer for Ben, who is charmingly human and chew their nails as he confronts formidable and frightening opponents.
There are many things to like about Rubin’s writing style. One is her humor and understanding of the human condition. What fun to see Ben navigate a complicated love life and looming disaster, yet take a moment, while maneuvering Philly streets, to enjoy his “Bumper-to-bumper, parallel-parking masterpiece.” In addition, readers will enjoy a look into med school politics as Ben fends off rivals and a demanding attending physician. Ben’s modern and realistic family situation rounds out his character, making him both likable and knowable.
Rubin also knows how to keep a story moving by building a fear of the unknown. Vodou curses, blood sacrifices, and strange ceremonies in dark smoky row-house rooms are the backdrops to wild confrontations between murky good and evil characters as Ben does his best to determine who’s on the good side.
The Bone Curse is the first in the Benjamin Oris series of medical thrillers and Rubin rewards her readers with a satisfying finish and promise of more thrills. In addition, hints of a developing relationship between Ben and Laurette will no doubt make Ben’s love life an enticing side-story.
I recommend The Bone Curse to readers who like thrilling books with otherworldly themes.
I received a copy of The Bone Curse from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In The Bone Curse, Carrie Rubin pits science and medicine against the idea of an ancient Haitian curse in an exciting medical thriller that keeps the reader guessing through the final pages. Set in the sweltering heat of Philadelphia summer, the story focuses on three tense weeks during which Ben tries to balance a demanding schedule while friends and family fall like bowling pins. Can he trust Laurette’s mysterious Haitian relatives and contacts?
Rubin tells a great story and develops her characters well. Readers will cheer for Ben, who is charmingly human and chew their nails as he confronts formidable and frightening opponents.
There are many things to like about Rubin’s writing style. One is her humor and understanding of the human condition. What fun to see Ben navigate a complicated love life and looming disaster, yet take a moment, while maneuvering Philly streets, to enjoy his “Bumper-to-bumper, parallel-parking masterpiece.” In addition, readers will enjoy a look into med school politics as Ben fends off rivals and a demanding attending physician. Ben’s modern and realistic family situation rounds out his character, making him both likable and knowable.
Rubin also knows how to keep a story moving by building a fear of the unknown. Vodou curses, blood sacrifices, and strange ceremonies in dark smoky row-house rooms are the backdrops to wild confrontations between murky good and evil characters as Ben does his best to determine who’s on the good side.
The Bone Curse is the first in the Benjamin Oris series of medical thrillers and Rubin rewards her readers with a satisfying finish and promise of more thrills. In addition, hints of a developing relationship between Ben and Laurette will no doubt make Ben’s love life an enticing side-story.
I recommend The Bone Curse to readers who like thrilling books with otherworldly themes.
I received a copy of The Bone Curse from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2022
Thanks to a GF James, I retrieved this book and finished it. I’ll definitely schedule a time to continue on to books #2 and #3. I certainly enjoyed this first book of the series!
January 7, 2018
Riveting right from the start, we are forced deep underground the streets of Paris among the Catacombs, among the bones of 3 million, one seeks out and places a mark upon the cursed that will unleash a chain of events to the gritty streets of Philadelphia's to an inner city medical hospital where our story will play out. Philadelphia is a wonderful city with its historical heritage and modern technologies. I am well traveled and familiar with Philadephia and was transported back down those brick covered roads once again so engrossed I became one with the story. Will there be any more in the Benjamin Oris series? #TheBoneCurse #NetGalley #CarrieRubin
May 12, 2018
THE BONE CURSE by Carrie Rubin is a medical thriller intermixed with the paranormal. The protagonist, Benjamin Oris, a third-year medical student in Philadelphia gets the opportunity to go to Paris with his Haitian friend Laurette, a public health student after Laurette’s brother backs out of going with her at the last minute. While visiting the Paris catacombs, Ben is unknowingly the subject of an ancient curse of Haitian Vodou when a force he cannot resist begins to coax him to a specific bone in the catacombs.
Laurette pleads with Ben to slow down, to stop, to catch-up with the rest of the group, to leave the catacombs but Ben continues moving toward the bones, appearing not to hear Laurette, or unable to hear her in his entranced state. Laurette becomes panic-stricken and pleads with Ben, “Please, Ben, your voice. It is scaring me. I feel something evil wants you.” Ben continues toward the bones until he is standing in front of the pile of bones and he reaches up and grasps a bone in his hand. As he holds the bone in his hand something not visible on the bone cuts the palm of his hand. Laurette is terrified for Ben and knows he is now cursed by an archaic evil Haitian priest known as a Bokor.
Upon returning home to Philadelphia and resuming his clinical rotation under Dr. Taka Smith, the attending for the medical students whom Ben had convinced himself that Dr. Smith, a Japanese-American married to a neurosurgeon, had it out for him. But there is always something that keeps Ben from being where he is scheduled to be, and Dr. Smith does not let this go unnoticed. To Ben, Dr. Smith would like to see him gone. The truth is Ben has been distracted since his return from Paris and the catacombs.
The lesion on Ben’s hand has not healed and will begin to bleed at the slightest touch. Several of Ben’s friends and family members become gravely ill when they unintentionally come in contact with the blood on Ben’s hand. While Laurette continues to tell Ben he has been cursed; Ben refuses to believe in the curse. Laurette is unwavering and continues to implore Ben to rid himself of the curse, and there's only one way to do this.
When Ben realizes everyone who comes into contact with his blood becomes ill, he finally acquiesces to Laurette this is something beyond medical explanation. There is nothing in modern medicine to explain his wound that will not heal and continues to bleed. Ben realizes his blood is the only common denominator to those who have become so gravely ill and decides to do something outside of modern medicine.
We’ve all read and heard of books that pull you in from the first page, and Rubin’s book THE BONE CURSE is such a book. I ordered the book as soon as it was available to purchase and began reading the book as soon as the USPS delivered the book. I was immediately all in and did not put the book down until I had read the last page. I had to know what was on the next page and the page after that. I had to know how Ben was going to save his friends and loved ones from death - those that managed to hang on. I had to know how or if they could reverse the curse. I had to know how all that transpires throughout the book would affect Ben and Laurette’s friendship. And I had to know more. There is so much more to Ben's story, and there were many times I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. It was as if I was living this story that is written so well by Carrie Rubin.
I cannot fathom anyone reading this book and not wanting the story to go on, not wanting another page to turn, not wanting more. The good news is in an interview Rubin did; she said “THE BONE CURSE is the first in my planned series about a rational-minded scientist who faces otherworldly situations. In the second book, Ben is a resident. By the third or fourth one, he will be an attending physician.”
I have let Carrie know I am impatiently waiting for the next book in this series. I read a lot, and this book is a winner. Carrie Rubin delivered, and I look forward to what follows. But don’t take my word for it, get a copy of THE BONE CURSE and get drawn in as I did because you will, I’m this sure about this book.
Carrie Rubin has two other medical thrillers, The Seneca Scourge and Eating Bull. Visit Rubin’s website www.carrierubin.com to learn more about Carrie who describes herself as “Physician turned author, public health advocate, mother, wife, fitness enthusiast, book lover…and introvert.”
Laurette pleads with Ben to slow down, to stop, to catch-up with the rest of the group, to leave the catacombs but Ben continues moving toward the bones, appearing not to hear Laurette, or unable to hear her in his entranced state. Laurette becomes panic-stricken and pleads with Ben, “Please, Ben, your voice. It is scaring me. I feel something evil wants you.” Ben continues toward the bones until he is standing in front of the pile of bones and he reaches up and grasps a bone in his hand. As he holds the bone in his hand something not visible on the bone cuts the palm of his hand. Laurette is terrified for Ben and knows he is now cursed by an archaic evil Haitian priest known as a Bokor.
Upon returning home to Philadelphia and resuming his clinical rotation under Dr. Taka Smith, the attending for the medical students whom Ben had convinced himself that Dr. Smith, a Japanese-American married to a neurosurgeon, had it out for him. But there is always something that keeps Ben from being where he is scheduled to be, and Dr. Smith does not let this go unnoticed. To Ben, Dr. Smith would like to see him gone. The truth is Ben has been distracted since his return from Paris and the catacombs.
The lesion on Ben’s hand has not healed and will begin to bleed at the slightest touch. Several of Ben’s friends and family members become gravely ill when they unintentionally come in contact with the blood on Ben’s hand. While Laurette continues to tell Ben he has been cursed; Ben refuses to believe in the curse. Laurette is unwavering and continues to implore Ben to rid himself of the curse, and there's only one way to do this.
When Ben realizes everyone who comes into contact with his blood becomes ill, he finally acquiesces to Laurette this is something beyond medical explanation. There is nothing in modern medicine to explain his wound that will not heal and continues to bleed. Ben realizes his blood is the only common denominator to those who have become so gravely ill and decides to do something outside of modern medicine.
We’ve all read and heard of books that pull you in from the first page, and Rubin’s book THE BONE CURSE is such a book. I ordered the book as soon as it was available to purchase and began reading the book as soon as the USPS delivered the book. I was immediately all in and did not put the book down until I had read the last page. I had to know what was on the next page and the page after that. I had to know how Ben was going to save his friends and loved ones from death - those that managed to hang on. I had to know how or if they could reverse the curse. I had to know how all that transpires throughout the book would affect Ben and Laurette’s friendship. And I had to know more. There is so much more to Ben's story, and there were many times I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat. It was as if I was living this story that is written so well by Carrie Rubin.
I cannot fathom anyone reading this book and not wanting the story to go on, not wanting another page to turn, not wanting more. The good news is in an interview Rubin did; she said “THE BONE CURSE is the first in my planned series about a rational-minded scientist who faces otherworldly situations. In the second book, Ben is a resident. By the third or fourth one, he will be an attending physician.”
I have let Carrie know I am impatiently waiting for the next book in this series. I read a lot, and this book is a winner. Carrie Rubin delivered, and I look forward to what follows. But don’t take my word for it, get a copy of THE BONE CURSE and get drawn in as I did because you will, I’m this sure about this book.
Carrie Rubin has two other medical thrillers, The Seneca Scourge and Eating Bull. Visit Rubin’s website www.carrierubin.com to learn more about Carrie who describes herself as “Physician turned author, public health advocate, mother, wife, fitness enthusiast, book lover…and introvert.”
March 28, 2018
*** Note: I received e-arc of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to publisher, author, and NetGalley.***
Stars: 3.75 (that sums 4)/5
The Bone Curse was a medical science-fiction book that revolved around Haitian Vodou practice and culture and a curse that travelled father to son and messed up Benjamin Oris’s pragmatic thoughts and life. The story is about religion vs science and faith vs agnosticism, logic, trust, friendship, and vengeance.
Characters-
Ben (Benjamin Oris) was introvert medical student who worked hard to get into med school and Internal medicine clerkship under Hitler like attending (Dr. Smith) was even harder than the admission. He was pragmatic to fault. He never believed his best friend Laurette when she warned him about the experience in Paris catacombs, the way bone hurt him and now he carries the evil with him, he didn’t believe her. Even though one after another all his loved once gets mortally sick. Weird thing is he clung to his skepticism till the end of the book as if all that happened to him and what he experienced was nothing, which I didn’t like. He even doubted Laurette, when all she did was help him. There were many flaws in this character- he was selfish, he cared only about his career, always at internal war, escaping his responsibility, he never talked about things when he should and so messed up many relationship in his life. That’s too many right? Well I was glad he developed in almost everything by the end of the book except in his skepticism which remained.
Laurette– she was my favorite character in the book. Her friendship toward Ben was most remarkable, she never given up on him even though Ben let her down again and again by not trusting or believing her. She was smart, funny, selfless, kind, and humble woman. Not a single thing about her I disliked. Her logic were similar to Ben she was also a believer which was the reason of all doubts for Ben.
I even liked Ben’s both gay fathers and his mother Harmony. Sophie was real great, the way she gave him a chance to escape his responsibility and handling the situation was not easy thing to do for a woman who is abandoned by her family. Character development was good in the book. I loved the way Ben’s relation with his mother was developed and change in Dr. Smith’s attitude towards Ben, and Ben’s gradual development as the book progressed.
What I liked-
It was like half of the book take place within hospital and other half of the book was about Haitian vodou and main character and people around him were tangled in this juxtaposed setting.
Beginning was strong with interesting paranormal experience of Ben and Laurette in Paris catacomb. Book was tense, gripping, and suspenseful with horrifying elements. The flow of the book was perfect it was not too fast or slow, every scene were placed in nice and smooth order that made the book very interesting.
The story was narrated through Ben’s POV and as he was medical student working for clerkship there was lot of medical science terminology which awesome and showed author’s experience in the field. I specifically liked Ben’s rounds in the hospital that was not only just medical talk but also gave overview of his colleague, hospital staff, and his relationship with them.
Vodou practice, culture and history related to it was depicted vividly with mention of all the small things that easily conjured up scenes. I loved reading about the curse, its story and the reason why it travelled from catacomb to Ben and why it is making him contagious and making his loved ones sick. There was also touch of racism along with religious beliefs.
Ben’s logic and reasoning as a science students was right at its place but there are somethings beyond science that is called faith and religion that you can’t be reason with. Both things is different but has a fine line was represented in the book amazingly. Whole curse thing, illness and Ben’s experience through vodou practice was given a two way explanation, one scientifically and one a cultural belief, and Ben’s metal turmoil between this two was more focused in the book which made it realistic.
Some turns I could see coming and some twists were surprising. Climax was shocking and unpredictable. So much happened from climax to end that kept me on the edge. End was good only I’m not happy with Ben’s end thought.
why 3.75 stars-
The reason was Ben. I didn’t like his skepticism. Till some point it sounded logical, liked his realistic approach but then he started irritating me. His constant mind battle in tense situations just fueled my frustration. I just wanted yell at him ‘to do something fast, believe for a minute, save people and get over with it’. As I said I didn’t like his end thought and the way he treated Laurette. There was something off with his narration, I couldn't feel his emotions, it just made me understand his situation and his feelings but it didn't reach to me.
Overall the plot and subplots was great, unique, intriguing that glued me to book till the end. Those who like mix of science and religious belief, and occult practice would love to read this book.
Stars: 3.75 (that sums 4)/5
The Bone Curse was a medical science-fiction book that revolved around Haitian Vodou practice and culture and a curse that travelled father to son and messed up Benjamin Oris’s pragmatic thoughts and life. The story is about religion vs science and faith vs agnosticism, logic, trust, friendship, and vengeance.
Characters-
Ben (Benjamin Oris) was introvert medical student who worked hard to get into med school and Internal medicine clerkship under Hitler like attending (Dr. Smith) was even harder than the admission. He was pragmatic to fault. He never believed his best friend Laurette when she warned him about the experience in Paris catacombs, the way bone hurt him and now he carries the evil with him, he didn’t believe her. Even though one after another all his loved once gets mortally sick. Weird thing is he clung to his skepticism till the end of the book as if all that happened to him and what he experienced was nothing, which I didn’t like. He even doubted Laurette, when all she did was help him. There were many flaws in this character- he was selfish, he cared only about his career, always at internal war, escaping his responsibility, he never talked about things when he should and so messed up many relationship in his life. That’s too many right? Well I was glad he developed in almost everything by the end of the book except in his skepticism which remained.
Laurette– she was my favorite character in the book. Her friendship toward Ben was most remarkable, she never given up on him even though Ben let her down again and again by not trusting or believing her. She was smart, funny, selfless, kind, and humble woman. Not a single thing about her I disliked. Her logic were similar to Ben she was also a believer which was the reason of all doubts for Ben.
I even liked Ben’s both gay fathers and his mother Harmony. Sophie was real great, the way she gave him a chance to escape his responsibility and handling the situation was not easy thing to do for a woman who is abandoned by her family. Character development was good in the book. I loved the way Ben’s relation with his mother was developed and change in Dr. Smith’s attitude towards Ben, and Ben’s gradual development as the book progressed.
What I liked-
It was like half of the book take place within hospital and other half of the book was about Haitian vodou and main character and people around him were tangled in this juxtaposed setting.
Beginning was strong with interesting paranormal experience of Ben and Laurette in Paris catacomb. Book was tense, gripping, and suspenseful with horrifying elements. The flow of the book was perfect it was not too fast or slow, every scene were placed in nice and smooth order that made the book very interesting.
The story was narrated through Ben’s POV and as he was medical student working for clerkship there was lot of medical science terminology which awesome and showed author’s experience in the field. I specifically liked Ben’s rounds in the hospital that was not only just medical talk but also gave overview of his colleague, hospital staff, and his relationship with them.
Vodou practice, culture and history related to it was depicted vividly with mention of all the small things that easily conjured up scenes. I loved reading about the curse, its story and the reason why it travelled from catacomb to Ben and why it is making him contagious and making his loved ones sick. There was also touch of racism along with religious beliefs.
Ben’s logic and reasoning as a science students was right at its place but there are somethings beyond science that is called faith and religion that you can’t be reason with. Both things is different but has a fine line was represented in the book amazingly. Whole curse thing, illness and Ben’s experience through vodou practice was given a two way explanation, one scientifically and one a cultural belief, and Ben’s metal turmoil between this two was more focused in the book which made it realistic.
Some turns I could see coming and some twists were surprising. Climax was shocking and unpredictable. So much happened from climax to end that kept me on the edge. End was good only I’m not happy with Ben’s end thought.
why 3.75 stars-
The reason was Ben. I didn’t like his skepticism. Till some point it sounded logical, liked his realistic approach but then he started irritating me. His constant mind battle in tense situations just fueled my frustration. I just wanted yell at him ‘to do something fast, believe for a minute, save people and get over with it’. As I said I didn’t like his end thought and the way he treated Laurette. There was something off with his narration, I couldn't feel his emotions, it just made me understand his situation and his feelings but it didn't reach to me.
Overall the plot and subplots was great, unique, intriguing that glued me to book till the end. Those who like mix of science and religious belief, and occult practice would love to read this book.
December 3, 2017
If you love a bit of mystery, history, action and throw in some voodoo, then this book ought to be on your to-read shelf.
The story begins in the catacombs of Paris where Ben Oris, a medical student, is drawn by some unseen force towards a femur. He gets just a scratch from it, but his best friend and companion, Laurette, knows that there is something evil lurking and when they return to Philadelphia, and Ben's immediate relations start falling ill, then they find themselves in a race against time to uncover the mystery behind the sudden illnesses and deaths. It does not get easier on Ben because he's pragmatic. He believes in Science and Medicine and not voodoo as Laurette is trying to get him to understand. I loved the push and pull between the two characters. Ben's hesitation in accepting the existence of a curse or consulting voodoo priests added onto the suspense and made this a thrill to read.
I was also intrigued by a part of the historical setting of the story because I've always wanted to visit the Catacombs of Paris.
The author's writing style is very engaging and you get the sense that she did an in-depth research into Voodoo before writing about it. She does this by having Laurette take time in getting Ben to explore the possibility that there might be dark magic at play in the sudden awful turn of events in his life. She even goes further to make him realize throughout the story that voodoo is not dark magic, but a religion and nothing to be frowned upon. I respected that.
I could not put this book down yesterday because I really wanted to know whether they'd help Ben and I'm glad I received an arc from the publishers and NetGalley. I'll be on the lookout for the writer's works in the future.
The story begins in the catacombs of Paris where Ben Oris, a medical student, is drawn by some unseen force towards a femur. He gets just a scratch from it, but his best friend and companion, Laurette, knows that there is something evil lurking and when they return to Philadelphia, and Ben's immediate relations start falling ill, then they find themselves in a race against time to uncover the mystery behind the sudden illnesses and deaths. It does not get easier on Ben because he's pragmatic. He believes in Science and Medicine and not voodoo as Laurette is trying to get him to understand. I loved the push and pull between the two characters. Ben's hesitation in accepting the existence of a curse or consulting voodoo priests added onto the suspense and made this a thrill to read.
I was also intrigued by a part of the historical setting of the story because I've always wanted to visit the Catacombs of Paris.
The author's writing style is very engaging and you get the sense that she did an in-depth research into Voodoo before writing about it. She does this by having Laurette take time in getting Ben to explore the possibility that there might be dark magic at play in the sudden awful turn of events in his life. She even goes further to make him realize throughout the story that voodoo is not dark magic, but a religion and nothing to be frowned upon. I respected that.
I could not put this book down yesterday because I really wanted to know whether they'd help Ben and I'm glad I received an arc from the publishers and NetGalley. I'll be on the lookout for the writer's works in the future.
December 17, 2017
In Carrie Rubin's The Bone Curse (ScienceThrillers Media 2018), first in the Benjamin Oris series but third for Rubin, medical student Ben Oris is injured by an ancient bone while on vacation visiting the Parisian catacombs. Rather than healing, the puncture wound worsens. He begins to get physical symptoms like headaches and lethargy as the papulae becomes red and sore, even bleeding. Because Ben is amidst a strenuous hospital rotation with his medical student program, he ignores it, hoping it will heal on its own, but his Haitian friend Laurette can't, especially after she uncovers a story about a curse involving bones buried in the catacombs. He sloughs it off until people he knows, who have been touched by this festering wound, get horribly ill. At that point, he reluctantly agrees to allow Laurette to help him find treatment in her Haitian community.
At the heart of this story is the power of alternative medicine. When the Western medicine Ben is studying assiduously doesn't seem to help, he turns to Laurette's Vodou. Not voodoo. There is a distinctive difference Rubin masterfully unpeels, layer by layer, building the drama relentlessly until no reader can put this book down. With an enticing mixture of modern and ancient medicine, the story not only intrigued me but educated me.
I have been desperate for a new medical thriller author and I'm pretty sure I’ve found her. If you haven’t read any of Carrie Rubin's books, do yourself a favor and start with this one. And then read all of them.
At the heart of this story is the power of alternative medicine. When the Western medicine Ben is studying assiduously doesn't seem to help, he turns to Laurette's Vodou. Not voodoo. There is a distinctive difference Rubin masterfully unpeels, layer by layer, building the drama relentlessly until no reader can put this book down. With an enticing mixture of modern and ancient medicine, the story not only intrigued me but educated me.
I have been desperate for a new medical thriller author and I'm pretty sure I’ve found her. If you haven’t read any of Carrie Rubin's books, do yourself a favor and start with this one. And then read all of them.
April 18, 2018
Ben is touring the famous bone filled catacombs of Paris along with Laurette, his Haitian friend. What first tried to choke the air out of him, propels him further on, disregarding the calls of Laurette to stop and turn back. One bone compels his touch and as soon as it is placated, his hand has been cut and a power surges through him.
2 weeks later, he is back at the hospital where he is finishing up a residency, making his student runs. Not quite himself and the hand has not yet healed. Small drops of bad luck are falling around him. Laurette expresses concern, a heavy background in vodou gives her cause. And soon the body count starts to mound around any exposure to his blood. A risky situation given his residency at the hospital.
A one night stand, enough months ago, results in his becoming a father. The curse that stabbed into his blood has made his son a treasure for the dark magic that is now following him. Young blood, big juju.
A non-stop series of events start to frenzy, like a vodou trance, and you feel as possessed as the participants. The need for intervention is profound as the stricken get closer to the heart and Laurette calls in her relatives to assist. But Vodou can play with the head and blind loyalties, and does.
With heart-thumping scenes that titillate you into the wee hours of morning, this was a fast read for me. I appreciated the Haitian references and lingo, the accurate descriptions and rites, as well as those embellished for good reading. This is Rubin’s best output yet and I anxiously await the next.
2 weeks later, he is back at the hospital where he is finishing up a residency, making his student runs. Not quite himself and the hand has not yet healed. Small drops of bad luck are falling around him. Laurette expresses concern, a heavy background in vodou gives her cause. And soon the body count starts to mound around any exposure to his blood. A risky situation given his residency at the hospital.
A one night stand, enough months ago, results in his becoming a father. The curse that stabbed into his blood has made his son a treasure for the dark magic that is now following him. Young blood, big juju.
A non-stop series of events start to frenzy, like a vodou trance, and you feel as possessed as the participants. The need for intervention is profound as the stricken get closer to the heart and Laurette calls in her relatives to assist. But Vodou can play with the head and blind loyalties, and does.
With heart-thumping scenes that titillate you into the wee hours of morning, this was a fast read for me. I appreciated the Haitian references and lingo, the accurate descriptions and rites, as well as those embellished for good reading. This is Rubin’s best output yet and I anxiously await the next.
December 5, 2017
I read Carrie Rubin's earlier books and enjoyed them tremendously, and so I was delighted to read this one. It follows Benjamin Oris, a young medical student who injures his hand on an ancient bone in the Paris catacombs. Soon after, his loved ones begin to succumb to a mysterious illness. Ben is a rational and logical sort, dismissive of the supernatural. But with the help of his friend Laurette, he gradually uncovers mounting evidence that he is the victim of an ancient Vodou curse. He is forced to take extreme measures in an effort to lift the curse before it destroys everyone he loves.
As with Rubin's previous books, it is fast-paced and quickly becomes impossible to put down. The tension mounts with each chapter, and I soon found myself completely engrossed in the story. The blend of medical science and the supernatural was well done, and the portrayal of Vodou was clearly well-researched and respectful. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.
[Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.]
As with Rubin's previous books, it is fast-paced and quickly becomes impossible to put down. The tension mounts with each chapter, and I soon found myself completely engrossed in the story. The blend of medical science and the supernatural was well done, and the portrayal of Vodou was clearly well-researched and respectful. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.
[Note: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.]
September 16, 2018
Netgalley provided a copy of The Bone Curse in exchange for an honest review.
2.5
The Bone Curse is my first medical thriller and I chose it because of the premise. Ben Oris, a young medical student from Philadelphia, is touring the catacombs under Paris when he cuts his hand on a bone. His friend, Laurette, feels something just isn’t right from the moment they step into the catacombs and Ben cutting his hand makes things even worse. She practically drags him out of there with an increasing sense of dread. Laurette, who is from Haiti and is familiar with voodoo (or voudou as it is referred to in The Bone Curse), believes Ben has been cursed. Ben, ever the logical person, doesn’t believe her. Once he gets back home, strange and disturbing things begin to happen to him and to those around him. Not only that but the cut on his hand will not heal and is constantly opening up and bleeding. He still refuses to believe Laurette even as things hit close to home and get extremely bad. It takes many people getting deathly ill for him to finally accept what is happening.
The buildup and story are interesting. I thought this one would be a home run for me but there are a few issues. One: Ben. I found him irritating and I could not muster any sympathy for him. He seems like a player who goes through women like I go through chocolate. I just couldn’t click with him. I felt bad for the people around him who were suffering but Ben is not likeable and I didn’t care what happened to him. Two: it seemed like so many people were affected by this “curse” that they were dropping like flies. At first, I was like “oh, no” then I started to think “really, again?” Third: it seems to go off the rails near the end and I had a difficult time following just what was happening.
I appreciate the research that went into writing The Bone Curse and I think people who are really interested in the occult will enjoy this one. I like the element but it was just too much for me in the end. I maybe could have overlooked it but, that coupled with the awful Ben, made The Bone Curse a miss for me.
January 22, 2018
The bone curse is a supernatural thriller story about Ben Oris and his friend Laurette. As they go on a trip to Paris together, they visit the excursions into the catacombs. Ben touches a femur and cuts his hands causing him to show symptoms later on that are medically unsolvable.
To make matters worse, what he has contracted is also contagious. Ben needs to try methods far from logic and reason in order to cure himself and his loved ones around him. Their life and the life of his unborn son becomes at risk alongside his own. That is when this suspenseful novel begins to unravel some voodoo and medical practices that are very intriguing and amazing to read.
This is the second book I have read from Carrie Rubin, and she certainly does not disappoint. The author has a medical background in her field, and so she uses that in her novels which make them absolutely wonderful to read.
I really enjoy the author’s literary ability to explain and describe a story. Besides the fact that her storylines do not have loopholes it is very obvious that she takes care of what she writes and publishes.
I recommend this book to people that enjoy quality thriller stories in the field of medicine and voodoo.
To make matters worse, what he has contracted is also contagious. Ben needs to try methods far from logic and reason in order to cure himself and his loved ones around him. Their life and the life of his unborn son becomes at risk alongside his own. That is when this suspenseful novel begins to unravel some voodoo and medical practices that are very intriguing and amazing to read.
This is the second book I have read from Carrie Rubin, and she certainly does not disappoint. The author has a medical background in her field, and so she uses that in her novels which make them absolutely wonderful to read.
I really enjoy the author’s literary ability to explain and describe a story. Besides the fact that her storylines do not have loopholes it is very obvious that she takes care of what she writes and publishes.
I recommend this book to people that enjoy quality thriller stories in the field of medicine and voodoo.
July 18, 2018
Edit: Put down to 3 stars upon reconsideration.
- Entertaining
- Problematic
- Cool plot
- Entertaining
- Problematic
- Cool plot
April 12, 2018
I received a copy of The Bone Curse from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Bone Curse is a unique sounding thriller. Take one of the most pragmatic people you can think of (in this case a medical student who firmly believes in using facts and nothing else) and force them into a position where they have to believe in something they cannot see. That’s more or less the situation Ben Oris has been put in for this novel.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
The Bone Curse is a unique sounding thriller. Take one of the most pragmatic people you can think of (in this case a medical student who firmly believes in using facts and nothing else) and force them into a position where they have to believe in something they cannot see. That’s more or less the situation Ben Oris has been put in for this novel.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
February 21, 2018
This book was given for free, courtesy by NetGalley.
This was an interesting and a sort of new read for me, especially with the Vodou involvement. I have read another book by Carrie Rubin and fully enjoyed it, Eating Bull. However, The Bone Curse was one of those where my feelings were mixed and it had its highs and lows.
For this one, I really enjoyed the medical aspect that was introduced from the beginning. I felt like I was going through Ben’s crazy schedule in hopes of becoming a surgeon. Also, I found weaving in the paranormal, toward the beginning, was really good. There was an anticipation to see what was going to happen next and a fear of who else would be affected.
Unfortunately, when the Vodou stuff came up, the intensity started to become lost. This could partially be because of Ben’s constant wrestling of what’s real and what’s not. I found his character to be a bit too whiny and repetitive each time he mentioned how what was happening to him cannot be real, especially toward the end. The other part could be because some of the terminology used were words that I didn’t know, such as, “bokor”, “Lwa Met Tet”, “mambo”, and “chwals”. These were described once, but I kept forgetting the difference between the words. I also thought the ending “fighting” scenes/sequence went on for too long that I lost interest in what was happening. All of this made the pacing slow for me.
The other aspect that made this a less interesting read was not really getting to know Ben as a person. I felt the story was more plot-driven than character-driven, and I like a balance of both. There were times when the reader learned about a bit of Ben’s past, but he still felt distant from me, and it was challenging to sympathize for him. Aside from Ben, the other characters felt very one-dimensional, and I didn’t connect with any of them either.
Overall, this was one of those reads that I sometimes enjoyed picking up and other times not so much. I also found myself needing to read something in between this one, which is probably why it took me so long to finish.
I think I would recommend to those who may enjoy reading about a curse that needs to be broken and a story that is more plot-driven than character-driven.
https://bookloverblogs.com/2018/02/21...
This was an interesting and a sort of new read for me, especially with the Vodou involvement. I have read another book by Carrie Rubin and fully enjoyed it, Eating Bull. However, The Bone Curse was one of those where my feelings were mixed and it had its highs and lows.
For this one, I really enjoyed the medical aspect that was introduced from the beginning. I felt like I was going through Ben’s crazy schedule in hopes of becoming a surgeon. Also, I found weaving in the paranormal, toward the beginning, was really good. There was an anticipation to see what was going to happen next and a fear of who else would be affected.
Unfortunately, when the Vodou stuff came up, the intensity started to become lost. This could partially be because of Ben’s constant wrestling of what’s real and what’s not. I found his character to be a bit too whiny and repetitive each time he mentioned how what was happening to him cannot be real, especially toward the end. The other part could be because some of the terminology used were words that I didn’t know, such as, “bokor”, “Lwa Met Tet”, “mambo”, and “chwals”. These were described once, but I kept forgetting the difference between the words. I also thought the ending “fighting” scenes/sequence went on for too long that I lost interest in what was happening. All of this made the pacing slow for me.
The other aspect that made this a less interesting read was not really getting to know Ben as a person. I felt the story was more plot-driven than character-driven, and I like a balance of both. There were times when the reader learned about a bit of Ben’s past, but he still felt distant from me, and it was challenging to sympathize for him. Aside from Ben, the other characters felt very one-dimensional, and I didn’t connect with any of them either.
Overall, this was one of those reads that I sometimes enjoyed picking up and other times not so much. I also found myself needing to read something in between this one, which is probably why it took me so long to finish.
I think I would recommend to those who may enjoy reading about a curse that needs to be broken and a story that is more plot-driven than character-driven.
https://bookloverblogs.com/2018/02/21...
February 14, 2018
Note: I received an Advance Reader Copy
No spoilers
From cover to finale, the author weaved a tale full of suspense and action told by well-developed and layered characters. From the start, the reader empathizes with dedicated medical student, Ben Oris and his best friend, Laurette. Within pages, the reader can sense a sinister something rising.
Great characters and a story line, this book would make a fantastic movie. The Bone Curse is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a medical thriller -- Dr. Rubin's medical details come from a place of experience, but written in accessible way for readers who may not be acquainted with the science. Additionally, the details around the more mystical parts of the novel were believable and fascinating.
The story kept me guessing till the end. A true page-turner, I finished the well-paced novel in two plane flights.
I'm ready to see this on the big screen!
No spoilers
From cover to finale, the author weaved a tale full of suspense and action told by well-developed and layered characters. From the start, the reader empathizes with dedicated medical student, Ben Oris and his best friend, Laurette. Within pages, the reader can sense a sinister something rising.
Great characters and a story line, this book would make a fantastic movie. The Bone Curse is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a medical thriller -- Dr. Rubin's medical details come from a place of experience, but written in accessible way for readers who may not be acquainted with the science. Additionally, the details around the more mystical parts of the novel were believable and fascinating.
The story kept me guessing till the end. A true page-turner, I finished the well-paced novel in two plane flights.
I'm ready to see this on the big screen!
December 31, 2017
I didn't expect to read this book as fast as I did! From the very beginning.. one is roped into the middle of a story that goes so quickly that one can barely breathe while they read. It wasn't until I finished the book that I realized the author is a physician! No wonder she knew so much about being an intern. One just felt for the main character.. his best friend keeps telling him that he's been cursed by a bone that scraped him while visiting the Paris catacombs. While he has a seeping wound.. he has no idea that those that he's close to are being infected until it's nearly too late.
The story is so well written! The author is a natural story teller! Watch for, "The Bone Curse" to be the talk of the country when it debuts in 2018!! It's one that will be on the best seller list instantly!
The story is so well written! The author is a natural story teller! Watch for, "The Bone Curse" to be the talk of the country when it debuts in 2018!! It's one that will be on the best seller list instantly!
October 8, 2021
A jumbled mess made out of a wonderful idea.
March 5, 2018
I found this on NetGalley and couldn't resist requesting a copy. Once I was approved, though, it sat on my kindle for quite some time before I really dug in. Honestly, this was almost a DNF on more than one occasion, but I kept reading. If it weren't for the fact that I put in a little more effort to finish NetGalley books, I might not have finished it.
This one was just Meh, for me. It wasn't horrible and it wasn't amazing, it just sort of... was. I started this book at least 3 times before actually digging in. The pacing was a little slower than I expected and Ben's life and daily routine didn't really grab my attention. Even the beginning when he first gets scratched/cut by the bone in the catacombs fell a little flat for me. For a suspense novel, I expected it to grab my attention and not let go. I wanted it to reach through to me from the pages and shake me, but there were a couple of times I just wasn't interested.
Now, there were some wonderful parts to this that ultimately saved it for me.
One of which was the attention to Vodou and what it entails. I can't even count the number of research papers I did when I was younger growing up in Louisiana about Vodou, Vodoun, and Voodoo. It's hard to escape the subject growing up so close to New Orleans, but it is not what people think and it plays a huge role in this novel. There was some research done here and I not only noticed but also appreciated the author taking the time to understand how important it was to get this right. I'm not an expert by any means, but I think she did a very good job here.
The pace did pick up as well, which saved the day in the end. At about the 50-60% mark, the action was in your face and the chase was on (so to speak). I really enjoyed that chunk of the story. There were some unexpected moments that had me asking a million questions and flipping pages. If it weren't for that, I think my rating would have been lower, but this chunk of the story is what still stands out weeks after reading the book.
The ending was... meh again. It felt like the story ran out, the epic battle had been fought, and now everything is just magically back to normal? Ummm, no. A LOT happened and A LOT went wrong for Ben. Things don't just go back to normal with a little pat on the back and strange explanation that doesn't even begin to account for everything that happened.
I'm glad I finally tackled it, I just don't think it lived up to my expectations based on the synopsis. There was nothing that hooked me in early on, which was almost a fatal flaw had I not been so sucked in by the time the action picked up the pace.
This one was just Meh, for me. It wasn't horrible and it wasn't amazing, it just sort of... was. I started this book at least 3 times before actually digging in. The pacing was a little slower than I expected and Ben's life and daily routine didn't really grab my attention. Even the beginning when he first gets scratched/cut by the bone in the catacombs fell a little flat for me. For a suspense novel, I expected it to grab my attention and not let go. I wanted it to reach through to me from the pages and shake me, but there were a couple of times I just wasn't interested.
Now, there were some wonderful parts to this that ultimately saved it for me.
One of which was the attention to Vodou and what it entails. I can't even count the number of research papers I did when I was younger growing up in Louisiana about Vodou, Vodoun, and Voodoo. It's hard to escape the subject growing up so close to New Orleans, but it is not what people think and it plays a huge role in this novel. There was some research done here and I not only noticed but also appreciated the author taking the time to understand how important it was to get this right. I'm not an expert by any means, but I think she did a very good job here.
The pace did pick up as well, which saved the day in the end. At about the 50-60% mark, the action was in your face and the chase was on (so to speak). I really enjoyed that chunk of the story. There were some unexpected moments that had me asking a million questions and flipping pages. If it weren't for that, I think my rating would have been lower, but this chunk of the story is what still stands out weeks after reading the book.
The ending was... meh again. It felt like the story ran out, the epic battle had been fought, and now everything is just magically back to normal? Ummm, no. A LOT happened and A LOT went wrong for Ben. Things don't just go back to normal with a little pat on the back and strange explanation that doesn't even begin to account for everything that happened.
I'm glad I finally tackled it, I just don't think it lived up to my expectations based on the synopsis. There was nothing that hooked me in early on, which was almost a fatal flaw had I not been so sucked in by the time the action picked up the pace.
April 10, 2018
This thriller by Rubin intermingled the medical profession with the ancient religion of Vodou, not to be confused with voodoo. When medical student, Ben Oris, has a strange unearthly experience in the Paris catacombs with his Haitian friend, Laurette, and cuts himself on a bone, dire things begin to happen in his life back in Pittsburgh when he returns from his vacation. The wound on his hand won’t heal, and those he touches with it and bleeds upon, start contracting a horrible disease that can’t seem to be cured. When two women he has grown to care for die and another one gets sick…and then his dad…his pragmatic tendencies have to be set aside for other alternate possibilities. A Vodou curse set by a slave against his ancestor the most believable answer…at least to his friend Laurette. Ben will believe practically anything other than crazy mumbo jumbo about angry ancestors and spirits needing to be appeased. Logic can’t explain any of that, and logic is what he lives by.
Favorite quote: “There are some things you do not see. Things you refuse to see.” –Laurette
This was a page-turner that sucked me into the creepy Paris catacombs and into ancient religious rites and beliefs and into the drama of a hospital like nobody’s business. Rubin set a great tone to the book, and painted believable characters. Her medical background comes out in the text, and made me stress right along with Ben the whole time, wondering how he would come out on top in the end when everything seemed set against him. The villain is mysterious and there are lots of great twists and turns throughout this story. The writing itself is sharp and well-edited. I felt like I learned along with being entertained. I highly recommend this one.
Favorite quote: “There are some things you do not see. Things you refuse to see.” –Laurette
This was a page-turner that sucked me into the creepy Paris catacombs and into ancient religious rites and beliefs and into the drama of a hospital like nobody’s business. Rubin set a great tone to the book, and painted believable characters. Her medical background comes out in the text, and made me stress right along with Ben the whole time, wondering how he would come out on top in the end when everything seemed set against him. The villain is mysterious and there are lots of great twists and turns throughout this story. The writing itself is sharp and well-edited. I felt like I learned along with being entertained. I highly recommend this one.
February 6, 2018
Benjamin Oris is a med student/construction type of protagonist. A sexy combination. No wonder women are attracted to him. He is your basic guy next door who happens to get caught up in a web involving women, a Vodou curse that goes back two hundred years, a mysterious relationship with his mother, and having his supervisor down his throat. To name a few of his problems. He wears boxers to bed, buys cheap ties and tends to have untrimmed stubble because his life is so chaotic that he hardly has time to shave. He’s easy to like.
The book reads smoothly and the plot and characters are solid. There is a good level of suspense and tension that increases throughout the book. This being a supernatural medical thriller the author does a great job creating a hospital environment and dwelling deep into Vodou curses. Carrie Rubin takes her research seriously.
Her usage of Haitian terms and her writing style “…, easing some of the heartache in the room.” adds charm to the novel. Before the opening of each chapter the author straightforwardly provides a date and time: Thursday, August 6, 10:00 A.M. This I found to be a very smart and efficient way for the reader to keep track of the time span of the novel.
Although the ending was satisfying Carrie Rubin left the door open to a Benjamin Oris, #2 with enough suspense to want to know how Ben's relationship with the people he loves will develop including that of a disease detective in the Epidemic Intelligence Service.
I received a copy of The Bone Curse through Carrie Rubin's ARC Giveaway. Thanks, Carrie.
The book reads smoothly and the plot and characters are solid. There is a good level of suspense and tension that increases throughout the book. This being a supernatural medical thriller the author does a great job creating a hospital environment and dwelling deep into Vodou curses. Carrie Rubin takes her research seriously.
Her usage of Haitian terms and her writing style “…, easing some of the heartache in the room.” adds charm to the novel. Before the opening of each chapter the author straightforwardly provides a date and time: Thursday, August 6, 10:00 A.M. This I found to be a very smart and efficient way for the reader to keep track of the time span of the novel.
Although the ending was satisfying Carrie Rubin left the door open to a Benjamin Oris, #2 with enough suspense to want to know how Ben's relationship with the people he loves will develop including that of a disease detective in the Epidemic Intelligence Service.
I received a copy of The Bone Curse through Carrie Rubin's ARC Giveaway. Thanks, Carrie.
April 10, 2018
I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Bone Curse (Benjamin Oris #1) by Carrie Rubin from NetGalley and ScienceThrillers Media in order to read and give an honest review.
Part thriller, part paranormal mystery, this is a fast-paced, well-crafted and brilliantly original novel!
Pragmatic medical student, Ben Oris, is on vacation with his best friend Laurette, a Haitian medical student, when an injury occurs while visiting the Catacombs. Ben possessed by unseen forces accidentally cuts his hand on a centuries-old bone, a cut that puts Ben and all those he holds dear in a life and death battle with evil forces too irrational for his rational mind to believe. Laurette knows that something evil is following Ben but it challenges his logical, scientific mind putting their friendship and lives in peril.
The book weaves a tale through medical anomalies, Haitian Vodou and the bonds of family and friendship which culminates in a heart-stopping conclusion. The characters are interesting, quirky and believable which when combined with an intriguing plot will keep you turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I found this to be unique and captivating and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with an occult twist. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Carrie Rubin's next Benjamin Oris book!
Part thriller, part paranormal mystery, this is a fast-paced, well-crafted and brilliantly original novel!
Pragmatic medical student, Ben Oris, is on vacation with his best friend Laurette, a Haitian medical student, when an injury occurs while visiting the Catacombs. Ben possessed by unseen forces accidentally cuts his hand on a centuries-old bone, a cut that puts Ben and all those he holds dear in a life and death battle with evil forces too irrational for his rational mind to believe. Laurette knows that something evil is following Ben but it challenges his logical, scientific mind putting their friendship and lives in peril.
The book weaves a tale through medical anomalies, Haitian Vodou and the bonds of family and friendship which culminates in a heart-stopping conclusion. The characters are interesting, quirky and believable which when combined with an intriguing plot will keep you turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I found this to be unique and captivating and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller with an occult twist. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Carrie Rubin's next Benjamin Oris book!
March 25, 2018
I have never read this author before, but after reading this one, I’m sure to pick up more. Ben is a med student who picks up either a curse or a new disease while visiting catacombs in France. What follows is Ben trying to come to grips with which one it actually is while the people in his life fall prey to whatever he has. I found this book well-written, especially the parts about the voudou religion. I love it when authors really put authenticity by doing a lot of research for their books as it makes the books so much more believable. Along with the great research and writing, the book was fast-paced, had lots of interesting turns, and had an interesting horror plot. Admittedly, I did find the characters a little less defined than I would have liked to really be invested in them, and sometimes I found Ben to be a little too wishy-washy and stubborn about what was going on. With all of this, this is the first in a series, and I’m not sure where we are going to go from here, but I am willing to pick up the next one. Recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA)/ScienceThrillers Media for the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
February 16, 2018
I loved Carrie Rubin’s previous book, Eating Bull, so was delighted to get an advance copy of The Bone Curse. I wasn’t disappointed! This book grabbed me from the start and wouldn’t let go. Ben Oris is a sensible, practical medical student until he cuts his hand on a centuries-old bone in the catacombs of Paris. The cut becomes a festering wound that leads Ben into a world of Vodou curses that threatens everything he knows and everyone he loves, with only his best friend Laurette to guide him through the nightmare. The Bone Curse is a masterful balance of medical thriller and supernatural suspense that'll keep you turning pages until the end.
February 22, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review "The Bone Curse
by Carrie Rubin". One of the most original books I have ever read. I have never read anything like it! The book centers around Ben Osiris, a young man who is an intern at the hospital. After a trip to France, Ben cuts his hand on an old bone in one of France's catacombs. Ben's life takes an interesting turn when weird events in his life start to take place. Ben is trying to decide if his cut is medical or if he should listen to his friend Laurette's idea of him being cursed. I read this book in two days. I was completely engrossed in the story. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book!
by Carrie Rubin". One of the most original books I have ever read. I have never read anything like it! The book centers around Ben Osiris, a young man who is an intern at the hospital. After a trip to France, Ben cuts his hand on an old bone in one of France's catacombs. Ben's life takes an interesting turn when weird events in his life start to take place. Ben is trying to decide if his cut is medical or if he should listen to his friend Laurette's idea of him being cursed. I read this book in two days. I was completely engrossed in the story. I am very much looking forward to reading the next book!
April 3, 2018
A real page turner. Reading this made my heart race as the book progressed. Highly recommend.
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