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The Brother's Curse
A year after the brutal death of her parents, Crystal Francois moves back home to the eerie small town of Lakeview Falls. When one of her neighbors goes away abruptly leaving his home to be watched by a young man named Jason Warwick, Crystal finds herself falling for him instantly because of his charming ways and dashing good looks.Two weeks before her 25th birthday, she receives a rare antique purple amethyst stone necklace that is left for her by her late mother; A necklace with a deadly past and horrible consequences when being worn. She finds out that wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to be the target for two sadistic tyrannical evil 18th-century old Shapeshifter brothers who will not stop till they find her and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and 24 demonic Shapeshifters captive. When young men from town go missing, and bodies showing up eaten or skinned alive. Lakeview Falls is on high alert. It doesn't take long for Crystal to discover that the new guy in town isn't who he claims to be or if he is even human.
- GenresHorror
ebook
Published November 23, 2020
38 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Christine M. Germain
4 books60 followersChristine M. Germain is an Award-Winning author of horror fiction. Born March 8, 1981, in Brooklyn, New York, she found her passion for writing in 1993 and wrote her first horror story at twelve. Watching horror movies and reading young adult horror fiction novels influenced her passion for writing a story with a protagonist that looked like her. In the movie world, African American women were never portrayed as a strong leads in horror films or books. Instead of waiting to see if that would happen, she created a story that she would love to read and watch on the big screen that catered to more diverse characters.
Admiring authors such as Stephen King and R.L. Stein, Christine pursued her writing journey majoring in literature, and graduated with a performing arts degree. Known for an imagination unlike any other, Christine is ready to take you to a thrilling shapeshifter world with her 4 book series "The Brother's Curse Saga"
Admiring authors such as Stephen King and R.L. Stein, Christine pursued her writing journey majoring in literature, and graduated with a performing arts degree. Known for an imagination unlike any other, Christine is ready to take you to a thrilling shapeshifter world with her 4 book series "The Brother's Curse Saga"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 7, 2020
The Brother’s Curse immediately starts with a mystery in Lakeview Falls, Michigan in 2025. There are young boys disappearing and getting murdered by someone.
As if that’s not enough, an old woman yells a prophecy right into the face of the sheriff and his deputy investigating the gruesome murders, about a mysterious “she who holds the stone will put everyone’s lives in terrible danger!”
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Chrystal is coming back to town, a year after the horrible and still unsolved murder of her parents.
But Chrystal’s arrival does not end happy as tragedy overshadows the joyous event.
As Chrystal spends more time at home she struggles with John, her current boyfriend and Terrance, her past love interest, and meets a potentially new one in the mysterious Jason.
Gabby, Philip, Trey, Alex and Derrick are a wonderful supporting cast to Chrystal as more inexplicable disappearances plague the small town.
And then Chrystal receives a gift that will change her life forever.
This dark paranormal horror story, sprinkled with romance, will keep you turning the pages all the way till the end, rooting for the sassy and smart Chrystal. And that twist at the end will make you sit on needles for the sequel!
As if that’s not enough, an old woman yells a prophecy right into the face of the sheriff and his deputy investigating the gruesome murders, about a mysterious “she who holds the stone will put everyone’s lives in terrible danger!”
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Chrystal is coming back to town, a year after the horrible and still unsolved murder of her parents.
But Chrystal’s arrival does not end happy as tragedy overshadows the joyous event.
As Chrystal spends more time at home she struggles with John, her current boyfriend and Terrance, her past love interest, and meets a potentially new one in the mysterious Jason.
Gabby, Philip, Trey, Alex and Derrick are a wonderful supporting cast to Chrystal as more inexplicable disappearances plague the small town.
And then Chrystal receives a gift that will change her life forever.
This dark paranormal horror story, sprinkled with romance, will keep you turning the pages all the way till the end, rooting for the sassy and smart Chrystal. And that twist at the end will make you sit on needles for the sequel!
March 14, 2021
Great story filled with satisfying slayings !
Shapeshifting demon brothers filleting town folk while they seek their prize! Some awesome graphic killings and a very suspenseful ending! Im excited for part 2!
Shapeshifting demon brothers filleting town folk while they seek their prize! Some awesome graphic killings and a very suspenseful ending! Im excited for part 2!
January 14, 2022
💀A gore filled story involving a small town, demons and a character learning about her special family heirloom while people die. It was a fun read and refreshing to have a cast of diverse characters.
In this book we mostly follow the MC, Crystal, who returns back to her hometown. The people in her community (mostly young men) are getting murdered and no one seems to know why. I have to say, I really enjoyed all the deadly scenes and moments--my favorite thing about this book. It felt very creepy but also weirdly fun.😅
The MC also quickly falls into a love triangle which I wasn't expecting but I didn't mind the sudden romance between the characters. Crystal was frustrating though in these relationships and at moments I was tired of reading her thoughts of confusion about it all..but her "in the moment" interactions with them were good AND a little steamy.🥵
As a reader you jump between a few different perspectives which made the story bigger and more interesting. I really like the plot and thought Crystals character was done pretty well. There are quite a few characters in the start of the book, so I did get a little backwards on who was who but that's nothing new for me--more than 4 characters in a story, I struggle BUT once I got further into the book, I was fine. Some of the dialogue between characters were repetitive but after a while I just got use to the style and overlooked it.
Overall, I found THE BROTHER'S CURSE to be a bloody fun read! I wasn't sure how I would feel about it at first but after reading the prologue and the opening scene, I was hooked immediately. I plan on continuing the series.
I recommend this to readers who are into body horror, drama, demonology and small town horror vibes. This book is also pretty "cheeky" and the vibe reminded me of "Riley's Excellent and Not-At-All Fake Exorcism Service" by Sophie Queen--if you liked that book then you should check out THE BROTHER'S CURSE.
*I purchased an e-copy but the author also sent me a physical copy in exchange of my honest review. Thank you!
In this book we mostly follow the MC, Crystal, who returns back to her hometown. The people in her community (mostly young men) are getting murdered and no one seems to know why. I have to say, I really enjoyed all the deadly scenes and moments--my favorite thing about this book. It felt very creepy but also weirdly fun.😅
The MC also quickly falls into a love triangle which I wasn't expecting but I didn't mind the sudden romance between the characters. Crystal was frustrating though in these relationships and at moments I was tired of reading her thoughts of confusion about it all..but her "in the moment" interactions with them were good AND a little steamy.🥵
As a reader you jump between a few different perspectives which made the story bigger and more interesting. I really like the plot and thought Crystals character was done pretty well. There are quite a few characters in the start of the book, so I did get a little backwards on who was who but that's nothing new for me--more than 4 characters in a story, I struggle BUT once I got further into the book, I was fine. Some of the dialogue between characters were repetitive but after a while I just got use to the style and overlooked it.
Overall, I found THE BROTHER'S CURSE to be a bloody fun read! I wasn't sure how I would feel about it at first but after reading the prologue and the opening scene, I was hooked immediately. I plan on continuing the series.
I recommend this to readers who are into body horror, drama, demonology and small town horror vibes. This book is also pretty "cheeky" and the vibe reminded me of "Riley's Excellent and Not-At-All Fake Exorcism Service" by Sophie Queen--if you liked that book then you should check out THE BROTHER'S CURSE.
*I purchased an e-copy but the author also sent me a physical copy in exchange of my honest review. Thank you!
January 2, 2021
Thank you Christine M. Germain for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
Crystal has no idea what's in store for her when she moves back to her hometown of Lakeview Falls.
The town itself has a darker history and young men continue to go missing and turn up dead.
After receiving an amethyst necklace that is also a family heirloom and meeting a new man who is house sitting across rhe street, Crystal is in for a life changing surprise from both.
Personal Opinion
A creepy story of demons, romance, murder and a great twist ending.
I liked the story as well as the female lead. Crystal was an interesting MC with a good attitude and some problems when it comes to the dating department. Mainly she has more than one man fighting for her attention.
The mixed POV was done well, even including the demon which was a cool addition.
My only complaint is that the characters used each other's names too much in the dialogue. People don't naturally use the names of those close to them when talking to them.
Overall, this is a good debut novel with a good story line.
Summary
Crystal has no idea what's in store for her when she moves back to her hometown of Lakeview Falls.
The town itself has a darker history and young men continue to go missing and turn up dead.
After receiving an amethyst necklace that is also a family heirloom and meeting a new man who is house sitting across rhe street, Crystal is in for a life changing surprise from both.
Personal Opinion
A creepy story of demons, romance, murder and a great twist ending.
I liked the story as well as the female lead. Crystal was an interesting MC with a good attitude and some problems when it comes to the dating department. Mainly she has more than one man fighting for her attention.
The mixed POV was done well, even including the demon which was a cool addition.
My only complaint is that the characters used each other's names too much in the dialogue. People don't naturally use the names of those close to them when talking to them.
Overall, this is a good debut novel with a good story line.
June 23, 2021
Crystal is coming home for the first time since her parents were brutally murdered to Lakeview Falls, Michigan. At the same time an ancient curse's clock is counting down. Players in the curse are unaware until the deaths pile up after Crystal is gifted a mysterious amethyst necklace her aunt gives her from her dead mother. Why would her mom insist she have such a necklace? Will the torturous deaths in this godforsaken town ever cease? Well, you should read it to find out!
Here's what I loved about this: the doomed feeling! Because in this book NO ONE is safe. This gave me Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes, but with demons! And then, the ending was killer. I have to know what happens next. I WILL get my hands on every book in this chilling series. I'm not usually a series person, so this is saying something for me!
Here's what I loved about this: the doomed feeling! Because in this book NO ONE is safe. This gave me Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes, but with demons! And then, the ending was killer. I have to know what happens next. I WILL get my hands on every book in this chilling series. I'm not usually a series person, so this is saying something for me!
July 7, 2021
Demonic fiction: this is an area of horror I truly adore. Maybe it’s the stark dichotomy of good versus evil that resonates so deeply with me, that God versus Satan war of the archetypes that presents such an effective and dramatic microcosm to the warring moralities of our real world. The Omen nailed it, The Exorcist blew it out of the water, and now The Brother's Curse has left its own stamp on the subgenre of demonic fiction.
The novel centres on Crystal, a young woman returning to her hometown some years after the unexplained death of her parents. The catalyst of the story is a rare antique amethyst stone necklace, left to her by her mother. It just so happens that, in the author’s own words, wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to become the targets of two sadistic 18th-century shape-shifting demon brothers, who will stop at nothing until they find Crystal and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and twenty-four demons captive. Fuck yeah.
THE BROTHER’S CURSE seems to run the gamut through an array of genres, including paranormal romance, mystery, thriller, and – of course – supernatural horror. However, it finds a way to touch all these bases while still feeling like a consistent, cohesive experience, not once allowing the reader to feel out of the author’s control. The ride is a wild one, and Christine M. Germain makes sure you’re strapped in for the duration.
I suspect this tale would appeal to a wide demographic, although be warned that there’s some fantastically gruesome killings along the way – a true cherry on top for me!
So buckle up and get ready for a superb demonic thrill-ride full of twists, turns, and a truly shocking ending that will leave you begging for the imminent future entries in this new series.
Christine, keep ‘em coming. Fantastic job!
The novel centres on Crystal, a young woman returning to her hometown some years after the unexplained death of her parents. The catalyst of the story is a rare antique amethyst stone necklace, left to her by her mother. It just so happens that, in the author’s own words, wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to become the targets of two sadistic 18th-century shape-shifting demon brothers, who will stop at nothing until they find Crystal and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and twenty-four demons captive. Fuck yeah.
THE BROTHER’S CURSE seems to run the gamut through an array of genres, including paranormal romance, mystery, thriller, and – of course – supernatural horror. However, it finds a way to touch all these bases while still feeling like a consistent, cohesive experience, not once allowing the reader to feel out of the author’s control. The ride is a wild one, and Christine M. Germain makes sure you’re strapped in for the duration.
I suspect this tale would appeal to a wide demographic, although be warned that there’s some fantastically gruesome killings along the way – a true cherry on top for me!
So buckle up and get ready for a superb demonic thrill-ride full of twists, turns, and a truly shocking ending that will leave you begging for the imminent future entries in this new series.
Christine, keep ‘em coming. Fantastic job!
July 7, 2021
“A Brother’s Curse”, by Christine M. Germain, was such a great, dark paranormal mystery. I was completely sucked into the story.
“A Brother’s Curse” begins with a proloque which explains the curse behind the crystal amethest. The book fast forwards to Lakeview Falls, Michigan in the year 2025. After Crystal Francois’ parents are brutally murdered, she leaves Lakeview Falls. As her 25th birthday approaches, Crystal returns to her hometown. As a gift, she receives a rare antique amethyst necklace that her mother left for her.
Her return happens at same time as the curse clock begins to countdown, which leads to boys and men mysteriously being killed. Lakeview Falls is one of those tight knit communities where everyone knows each other so deaths are noticeable. The reader really feels the sense of fear in the community as bodies start to turn up.
Germain’s attention to detail really creates a dark atmosphere and an overall feeling of dread among the chracters. “A Brother’s Curse” was paced really well and the constant need to flip pages kept the story moving. Additionally, each chapter ends on a cliff hanger, making it impossible to read just one chapter.
The book relied heavily on dialogue to really develop the characters relationships. One thing stood out about the characters was their chemistry. The characters supported each other together amidst the horror and also added some humorous parts as well. The dialogue allows the reader to get a sense of the friendships and realtionships formed between the characters in this tight knit community. Let’s not forget about the hot demons.
These masterfully done characters are flawed, realistic and above all, ‘diverse’. I have read a lot of horror and have not seen a fully BIPOC cast of chracters in a story as we see in “A Brother’s Curse”. There was so much diversity among the chracters and depth to them. Germain did an excellent job emphasizing this in her book.
Great care was taken with both protagonists and antagonists. It was a well rounded story with a unique plot and the book ended on a cliffhanger. I need book 2 now!
“A Brother’s Curse” begins with a proloque which explains the curse behind the crystal amethest. The book fast forwards to Lakeview Falls, Michigan in the year 2025. After Crystal Francois’ parents are brutally murdered, she leaves Lakeview Falls. As her 25th birthday approaches, Crystal returns to her hometown. As a gift, she receives a rare antique amethyst necklace that her mother left for her.
Her return happens at same time as the curse clock begins to countdown, which leads to boys and men mysteriously being killed. Lakeview Falls is one of those tight knit communities where everyone knows each other so deaths are noticeable. The reader really feels the sense of fear in the community as bodies start to turn up.
Germain’s attention to detail really creates a dark atmosphere and an overall feeling of dread among the chracters. “A Brother’s Curse” was paced really well and the constant need to flip pages kept the story moving. Additionally, each chapter ends on a cliff hanger, making it impossible to read just one chapter.
The book relied heavily on dialogue to really develop the characters relationships. One thing stood out about the characters was their chemistry. The characters supported each other together amidst the horror and also added some humorous parts as well. The dialogue allows the reader to get a sense of the friendships and realtionships formed between the characters in this tight knit community. Let’s not forget about the hot demons.
These masterfully done characters are flawed, realistic and above all, ‘diverse’. I have read a lot of horror and have not seen a fully BIPOC cast of chracters in a story as we see in “A Brother’s Curse”. There was so much diversity among the chracters and depth to them. Germain did an excellent job emphasizing this in her book.
Great care was taken with both protagonists and antagonists. It was a well rounded story with a unique plot and the book ended on a cliffhanger. I need book 2 now!
June 13, 2021
This book had me at Amethyst stone! The brother’s curse was on another level! Christine’s writing was absolutely Masterful! I cannot say enough good things about this one. This book was non-stop action, adventure, horror, love and laughter! Christine you forever have a fan with me. Not only did the cover really grab my attention right from the beginning because if you know me well, then you know my love of crystals especially Amethyst my birth stone! I have to say what I admired the most in Christine’s writing was her diversity in all of the characters and was completely inclusive. This was nice to see especially in a horror series. This story has all the gruesome details and some, I was able to laugh out loud and in the same paragraph cringe in horror and fear. This book accomplished all of this and more for me. I cannot wait to continue the series
Best friends, Love triangles, shape shifting demons and a necklace with a deadly past. Crystal and her sister Alex Francois are now orphan’s their parents were brutally murdered last year and the killer got away unknown. After leaving town for a year Crystal makes a return to Lakeview Falls. When strange things begin happening and Crystal and her friends start hearing of gruesome murders taking place attacking the younger men in the area. Crystal and her friends are determined to get to the bottom of things. 2 weeks before Crystals 25th birthday she’s given a rare Amethyst stone necklace by her aunt an air loom her mom saved for her. Crystal has some bad luck and some very tricky situations with the men she dates. The ending was an amazing twist that I did not see coming. You do not want want miss this book !
Best friends, Love triangles, shape shifting demons and a necklace with a deadly past. Crystal and her sister Alex Francois are now orphan’s their parents were brutally murdered last year and the killer got away unknown. After leaving town for a year Crystal makes a return to Lakeview Falls. When strange things begin happening and Crystal and her friends start hearing of gruesome murders taking place attacking the younger men in the area. Crystal and her friends are determined to get to the bottom of things. 2 weeks before Crystals 25th birthday she’s given a rare Amethyst stone necklace by her aunt an air loom her mom saved for her. Crystal has some bad luck and some very tricky situations with the men she dates. The ending was an amazing twist that I did not see coming. You do not want want miss this book !
April 7, 2021
Crystal Francois decides to move back to her small hometown in Michigan a year after her parents were murdered. After earning her degree out of state, she feels called back home to be with her sister, Alex, and her lifelong friends. Soon after her arrival, young men start going missing. Some are even brutally murdered. Something sinister is taking over this small town.
Two weeks before her 25th birthday, Crystal is given an amethyst necklace that was left to her by her late mother. This gift holds unforeseen power, as two demonic, shape shifting brothers are on the hunt for it. It holds their demon father and 24 of their brethren inside.
Crystal, her friends, and what’s left of her family all become targets as these brothers stop at nothing to retrieve the necklace before it’s too late.
The Brother’s Curse doesn’t fit into any one “box”, and I love that. It’s dark fantasy. It’s horror. It’s mystery. It’s supernatural/paranormal. It’s suspenseful and thrilling. It’s DIVERSITY: different religions, sexualities and ethnicities. A touch of romance. It’s even got some moments so funny that I giggled out loud. I especially love the way sisters Crystal and Alex talk to each other (for example, Alex refers to her sister as “Big Head” 😂). Last but not least... the ending is absolute 🔥 🔥
All of these different characteristics worked so well together, and I’m so excited to read the next book in the series.
.
.
I would like to send a huge amount of gratitude to Christine Germain for providing a copy of The Brother’s Curse in exchange for an honest review.
Two weeks before her 25th birthday, Crystal is given an amethyst necklace that was left to her by her late mother. This gift holds unforeseen power, as two demonic, shape shifting brothers are on the hunt for it. It holds their demon father and 24 of their brethren inside.
Crystal, her friends, and what’s left of her family all become targets as these brothers stop at nothing to retrieve the necklace before it’s too late.
The Brother’s Curse doesn’t fit into any one “box”, and I love that. It’s dark fantasy. It’s horror. It’s mystery. It’s supernatural/paranormal. It’s suspenseful and thrilling. It’s DIVERSITY: different religions, sexualities and ethnicities. A touch of romance. It’s even got some moments so funny that I giggled out loud. I especially love the way sisters Crystal and Alex talk to each other (for example, Alex refers to her sister as “Big Head” 😂). Last but not least... the ending is absolute 🔥 🔥
All of these different characteristics worked so well together, and I’m so excited to read the next book in the series.
.
.
I would like to send a huge amount of gratitude to Christine Germain for providing a copy of The Brother’s Curse in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2021
A woman named Crystal moves back to her hometown of Lakeview Falls, a year after the murder of her parents. A neighbor's house is being watched by the very handsome Jason Warwick. Just before her 25th birthday, Crystal receives an antique purple amethyst necklace, left to her by her mother. It is not just any necklace. A pair of 18th century brothers, who are also shapeshifters, will stop at nothing to get the necklace, including murder. It holds two dozen shapeshifters captive, including their father. Is Jason one of the shapeshifter brothers?
This is a really interesting story. It has good characters, enough gore and horror (without going too far) and some good storytelling. It is very much worth reading.
This is a really interesting story. It has good characters, enough gore and horror (without going too far) and some good storytelling. It is very much worth reading.
August 23, 2021
Great characters and interesting horror story
This is a good horror story. It is surprising in that it had a bunch of levels to a scary story. Like the characters and was invested in Crystal, the main character, and her back story. She is returning to her hometown after her parents unsolved brutal murder. Crystal is trying to support her younger sister while two brothers are hunting for a mysterious necklace. It’s a great story, fun and entertaining and not too gory or over the top violently. There is a fantastic element to the story so be prepared. This is the first of two books about the brothers curse. Enjoyable.
This is a good horror story. It is surprising in that it had a bunch of levels to a scary story. Like the characters and was invested in Crystal, the main character, and her back story. She is returning to her hometown after her parents unsolved brutal murder. Crystal is trying to support her younger sister while two brothers are hunting for a mysterious necklace. It’s a great story, fun and entertaining and not too gory or over the top violently. There is a fantastic element to the story so be prepared. This is the first of two books about the brothers curse. Enjoyable.
August 1, 2021
What a great book. I loved the settings and scenes of Lakeview Falls. It felt very creepy and a bit eerie. I am still in shock at what happened at the end of the book. Poor Crystal. She went through a lot yet still endured so much pain. I really liked Jason also even though he wasn't a good guy. There is something about hot demons that are exciting. I loved this book and look forward to reading more of this series.
July 22, 2023
The Brother’s Curse is an intense thrill ride into the macabre! The disturbingly creepy atmosphere of Lakeview Falls serves as the perfect backdrop for this chilling tale about shapeshifters, ancient curses, and fatal family secrets. The vivid descriptions provide the reader with a fully immersive experience that leaves you feeling chilled to the bone.
The engaging writing style sucked me deep into the storyline, and the characters, all of whom were bursting with personality, kept me captive there. The narrative reads like a movie and I found I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what would happened next. The best surprise was the comedy factor. I just love Christine’s sense of humour, which in combination with the suspense, action, gripping mysterious twists, supernatural forces, and gory scenes, created a powerful balance. It was like a charcuterie board of all the right elements to include in a horror. And the shocking finale left me desperate to read the sequel.
I recommend this book for horror and thriller lovers, and fans of The Lost Boys or Scream.
The engaging writing style sucked me deep into the storyline, and the characters, all of whom were bursting with personality, kept me captive there. The narrative reads like a movie and I found I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see what would happened next. The best surprise was the comedy factor. I just love Christine’s sense of humour, which in combination with the suspense, action, gripping mysterious twists, supernatural forces, and gory scenes, created a powerful balance. It was like a charcuterie board of all the right elements to include in a horror. And the shocking finale left me desperate to read the sequel.
I recommend this book for horror and thriller lovers, and fans of The Lost Boys or Scream.
July 29, 2021
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I am sure that this review is going to be as surprising to those who gave this book 5 stars , as it was to me towards those that gave this book 5 stars. As much as it pains me, this is my review, apologies to the author as I can only imagine how difficult it is to write a book, and I will say that the fact that this is a debut novel, that is what tipped my decision to go for the 2 star rating, instead of 1 star.
For some, the issues that I found might not be a problem that warrants a two star rating, but for me it does. This book had promise, and it had me intrigued from the beginning, until around 50% where it just didn't seem to hold my interest anymore, part of this was due to the grammatical errors and other issues that were rather irritating and frustrating, for me.
I went onto GoodReads and saw ratings of mostly 5 stars, so I thought good for them, maybe what bothered me, didn't bother those people that gave it 5 stars.
At the end of the day, I read and review honestly and am not going to just go with the flow. As much as I feel bad giving a low review, I only do it when I feel it is absolutely justified, in my opinion.
I found typos and grammar issues, quite a few in the first 5% of the book which, as I mentioned, was somewhat irritating. Then, what I really struggled with was when you have a character, and you spell their name differently on the same page in the book, it had me wondering if this book went through a proof-read first. The many grammatical errors, words used in a sentence that did not make sense in the context, and the constant use of names within weak dialogue, to name but a few, were some of the irritations in this book.
A few examples that I noted, and these are just a few of many:
'His voice is sweet and velvety like chocolate memorizing (perhas mesmerizing?) with each syllable'.
'Knight and shining armor' (perhaps knight in shining armor?)
'I would never evade (perhaps invade?) your privacy'
These two examples are from just one chapter:
'Trey's eyes widen with gleam (I'm not even sure about this one, but I was thinking maybe glee?) while staring'
'Trey accidentally knocks his head over (perhaps on?) the antique'.
As for the story itself, it definitely had promise, although I don't think some of the scenes needed to be as gory as they were, as they served no purpose to the story, in my opinion. Being a demon type horror genre, there were no frightening moments for me, gore does not equal scared.
The twist, not so much for me. So overall I found this book, if I overlook the grammar issues, average, however the grammatical issues pushed to be below average and very much meh. There were many times when I literally had to convince myself to keep reading through the frustration.
I am sure that this review is going to be as surprising to those who gave this book 5 stars , as it was to me towards those that gave this book 5 stars. As much as it pains me, this is my review, apologies to the author as I can only imagine how difficult it is to write a book, and I will say that the fact that this is a debut novel, that is what tipped my decision to go for the 2 star rating, instead of 1 star.
For some, the issues that I found might not be a problem that warrants a two star rating, but for me it does. This book had promise, and it had me intrigued from the beginning, until around 50% where it just didn't seem to hold my interest anymore, part of this was due to the grammatical errors and other issues that were rather irritating and frustrating, for me.
I went onto GoodReads and saw ratings of mostly 5 stars, so I thought good for them, maybe what bothered me, didn't bother those people that gave it 5 stars.
At the end of the day, I read and review honestly and am not going to just go with the flow. As much as I feel bad giving a low review, I only do it when I feel it is absolutely justified, in my opinion.
I found typos and grammar issues, quite a few in the first 5% of the book which, as I mentioned, was somewhat irritating. Then, what I really struggled with was when you have a character, and you spell their name differently on the same page in the book, it had me wondering if this book went through a proof-read first. The many grammatical errors, words used in a sentence that did not make sense in the context, and the constant use of names within weak dialogue, to name but a few, were some of the irritations in this book.
A few examples that I noted, and these are just a few of many:
'His voice is sweet and velvety like chocolate memorizing (perhas mesmerizing?) with each syllable'.
'Knight and shining armor' (perhaps knight in shining armor?)
'I would never evade (perhaps invade?) your privacy'
These two examples are from just one chapter:
'Trey's eyes widen with gleam (I'm not even sure about this one, but I was thinking maybe glee?) while staring'
'Trey accidentally knocks his head over (perhaps on?) the antique'.
As for the story itself, it definitely had promise, although I don't think some of the scenes needed to be as gory as they were, as they served no purpose to the story, in my opinion. Being a demon type horror genre, there were no frightening moments for me, gore does not equal scared.
The twist, not so much for me. So overall I found this book, if I overlook the grammar issues, average, however the grammatical issues pushed to be below average and very much meh. There were many times when I literally had to convince myself to keep reading through the frustration.
March 3, 2021
For the legion of shapeshifting demons to resurrect, an amethyst necklace must be retrieved and liberated. To retrieve this artifact, the wearer must die! This is the story of The Cursed Brothers, a thrilling horror novel written by Christine M. Germain. Crystal had just returned to Lakeview Falls, a year after her parents’ brutal murder. Her birthday was fast approaching, and she received the amethyst necklace posthumously from her late mom. She also developed romantic feelings towards her new next-door neighbor, Jason. Unfortunately, her friends started disappearing one after the other. The culprit was the necklace, and two immortal demons were after it. Only Crystal can fight this battle. She will choose her destiny, whether to live or die. What will it be?
Whoosh! The Brother’s Curse by Christine M. Germain offered a lot and lived up to its genre. Christine is such a fantastic storyteller that I felt the energies emanating from the novel. The plot was unlike anything I’ve ever read, very detailed and otherworldly realistic. I loved the sprinkle of humor that tempered the tension and fear. Character development was top-notch, and I loved their unpredictability. John and Trey were my authentic heroes in the book. They were the ones who truly loved; walking their talk all the way. I loved the writing style and the way words flowed effortlessly–almost poetically. The book cover was also very attractive and informative, telling me what to expect. This is the first book, and I can’t wait to read other works by Christine.
Whoosh! The Brother’s Curse by Christine M. Germain offered a lot and lived up to its genre. Christine is such a fantastic storyteller that I felt the energies emanating from the novel. The plot was unlike anything I’ve ever read, very detailed and otherworldly realistic. I loved the sprinkle of humor that tempered the tension and fear. Character development was top-notch, and I loved their unpredictability. John and Trey were my authentic heroes in the book. They were the ones who truly loved; walking their talk all the way. I loved the writing style and the way words flowed effortlessly–almost poetically. The book cover was also very attractive and informative, telling me what to expect. This is the first book, and I can’t wait to read other works by Christine.
December 29, 2021
I just finished Christine M. Germain’s The Brother’s Curse. I really loved it!
After the mysterious murder of her parents Crystal Francois leaves for New York. She returns home one year later, two weeks before her 25 th birthday, to find the men of the town are either going missing or dying. And what’s even scarier, her friends aren’t immune.
Having to deal with being back home, the death of her best friend’s boyfriend and her recent breakup with the love of her life, John, Crystal turns to the hot neighbor who unbeknownst to Crystal is a shape shifting demon looking for a necklace which will free his father and a horde of demons from centuries old curse. The necklace just so happens to be a family heirloom left to Crystal by her late mother.
The Brother’s Curse has surprising twists and is a fun, gory, chilling romp through the little town of Lakeview Falls with characters you’ll easily fall in love with, and are quite expendable. I absolutely loved Trey and Crystal’s friendship. Christine M. Germain wrote a very seat of your pants horror with an ending I did not see coming!! If you like horror and a little sass in your reading, I highly recommend this saga. Now onto Book 2!
After the mysterious murder of her parents Crystal Francois leaves for New York. She returns home one year later, two weeks before her 25 th birthday, to find the men of the town are either going missing or dying. And what’s even scarier, her friends aren’t immune.
Having to deal with being back home, the death of her best friend’s boyfriend and her recent breakup with the love of her life, John, Crystal turns to the hot neighbor who unbeknownst to Crystal is a shape shifting demon looking for a necklace which will free his father and a horde of demons from centuries old curse. The necklace just so happens to be a family heirloom left to Crystal by her late mother.
The Brother’s Curse has surprising twists and is a fun, gory, chilling romp through the little town of Lakeview Falls with characters you’ll easily fall in love with, and are quite expendable. I absolutely loved Trey and Crystal’s friendship. Christine M. Germain wrote a very seat of your pants horror with an ending I did not see coming!! If you like horror and a little sass in your reading, I highly recommend this saga. Now onto Book 2!
August 31, 2022
Well… as if I needed more books on my TBR, now I’m going to have to continue in this saga because I am OBSESSED with The Brother’s Curse! What an absolute thrill ride! I read this in one sitting, way past my bed time, and I have zero regrets.
Christine M. Germain’s writing is absolutely phenomenal. I was hooked from the first word. The world building is insane. I could see and feel all the things happening. This is one of those books that makes you feel like you’re part of the story. I love that.
The best part of The Brother’s Curse is how diverse it is. We have a mix of genres from dark fantasy, horror, paranormal, mystery, and there are even laugh out loud moments. The characters are diverse as well. A mix of different sexualities and ethnicities, making this such a well rounded story, I’m tempted to say it’s my favorite read of 2022 so far!
I could go on and on, but I’m interrupting your reading time. Grab this book. You’re not going to be disappointed!!
(Oh, and it definitely is my favorite read of 2022, so far! ♡)
Thank you to R&R Book Tours and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
Christine M. Germain’s writing is absolutely phenomenal. I was hooked from the first word. The world building is insane. I could see and feel all the things happening. This is one of those books that makes you feel like you’re part of the story. I love that.
The best part of The Brother’s Curse is how diverse it is. We have a mix of genres from dark fantasy, horror, paranormal, mystery, and there are even laugh out loud moments. The characters are diverse as well. A mix of different sexualities and ethnicities, making this such a well rounded story, I’m tempted to say it’s my favorite read of 2022 so far!
I could go on and on, but I’m interrupting your reading time. Grab this book. You’re not going to be disappointed!!
(Oh, and it definitely is my favorite read of 2022, so far! ♡)
Thank you to R&R Book Tours and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
November 28, 2021
I was immediately thrilled with the start of Christine M. Germain's book, The Brother's Curse. She drops the reader right into the horror-thick-of-it with an epically gruesome scene laced with mystery. Then enters, (my new book girlfriend), Crystal Francois. What a wonderfully powerful and layered character. I think what I loved most about this book was the collection of splatterpunk horror, demons, love triangles, and the array of diverse characters! Anyone can find a character to relate to, and unfortunately, get attached too. I say unfortunate because Germain is savage when it comes to certain characters survival.
If you are fan of dark, twisted, gruesome horror, that presents fun, layered characters, demons, and a necklace that carries a brutal secret... then this is definitely the book for you!
The Brother's Curse
If you are fan of dark, twisted, gruesome horror, that presents fun, layered characters, demons, and a necklace that carries a brutal secret... then this is definitely the book for you!
The Brother's Curse
June 10, 2021
The brothers curse
This is quite the book. I loved all the characters and thought it was awesome how many diverse characters there are. I think this is great because than readers can easily find someone they relate to and can connect with. I certainly won’t forget the characters anytime soon.
Crystal is amazing! She was my favourite out of the many fantastic characters. Although I don’t think I’d ever borrow jewelry from her.
I liked how there are names for the chapter titles. I always think this is pretty cool to see in books.
My only complaint would be some of the dialogue felt unnatural when the characters would say each other’s names a lot.
Overall this is a great horror novel with some disturbing plot points and demons! I love a book with demons.
This is quite the book. I loved all the characters and thought it was awesome how many diverse characters there are. I think this is great because than readers can easily find someone they relate to and can connect with. I certainly won’t forget the characters anytime soon.
Crystal is amazing! She was my favourite out of the many fantastic characters. Although I don’t think I’d ever borrow jewelry from her.
I liked how there are names for the chapter titles. I always think this is pretty cool to see in books.
My only complaint would be some of the dialogue felt unnatural when the characters would say each other’s names a lot.
Overall this is a great horror novel with some disturbing plot points and demons! I love a book with demons.
March 24, 2024
I LOVED THIS!
If you are a reader who loves gory, fast-paced stories, you will enjoy The Brother's Curse. From the start of the book, you are dumped into macabre events in Lakeview Falls. From there you meet a fun cast of characters, Crystal, her family and friends. However, no one is safe with a brutal killer on the loose. You will be met with graphic killings, a prophecy, demon shapeshifters, and plot twists you would not expect. Once you get to the end, you'll be hungry for more. ;)
I highly recommend.
If you are a reader who loves gory, fast-paced stories, you will enjoy The Brother's Curse. From the start of the book, you are dumped into macabre events in Lakeview Falls. From there you meet a fun cast of characters, Crystal, her family and friends. However, no one is safe with a brutal killer on the loose. You will be met with graphic killings, a prophecy, demon shapeshifters, and plot twists you would not expect. Once you get to the end, you'll be hungry for more. ;)
I highly recommend.
February 14, 2021
I thought the story was well written and the flow made sure that I couldn’t put the book down. The characters have their struggles which makes me enjoy horror (not every character is hearts and flowers!). There is some silent comedic moments that made me chuckle, which is another aspect of horror I love. There are many twists and turns that make you engaged with wanting to know more, and even wanting the next book quicker (hint...hint)!
August 28, 2022
It brings me no joy to give a book a poor review, especially a book by a new author. And I’ll say up from that this book has many good reviews. I appear to be in the minority here. But the simple fact of the matter is that I do not think that this book was ready for publication. I think it has an interesting premise and cast of characters, but it needed to pass through the hands of both a copy and developmental editor before publication.
What’s more, while I very much appreciated the diversity in the cast, there is some stereotyping going on and—personal opinion here—I’d have rethought the present tense narrative. Put simply, the book is rough and to try to name all the ways would feel like an attack. So, I’m going to leave it at ‘the book needed significantly more editing than it appears to have received.’
However, I do want to reiterate that I think it has an interesting kernel of an idea and I appreciate that it’s the men who are largely the nameless victims. That might seem an odd thing to comment on. But if you really stop and think about all the books you’ve read, we consistently culturally paint women in the victim role. And, unless you are making a concerted effort to avoid it, that shows in the media we all consume. I appreciate that Germain flipped the tables here.
Lastly, as just an FYI, this is dually listed under the paranormal and horror genres. I would call this much more horror than paranormal.
What’s more, while I very much appreciated the diversity in the cast, there is some stereotyping going on and—personal opinion here—I’d have rethought the present tense narrative. Put simply, the book is rough and to try to name all the ways would feel like an attack. So, I’m going to leave it at ‘the book needed significantly more editing than it appears to have received.’
However, I do want to reiterate that I think it has an interesting kernel of an idea and I appreciate that it’s the men who are largely the nameless victims. That might seem an odd thing to comment on. But if you really stop and think about all the books you’ve read, we consistently culturally paint women in the victim role. And, unless you are making a concerted effort to avoid it, that shows in the media we all consume. I appreciate that Germain flipped the tables here.
Lastly, as just an FYI, this is dually listed under the paranormal and horror genres. I would call this much more horror than paranormal.
August 30, 2022
Christine M. Germain created a world of demons and witches in The Brother’s Curse. This paranormal romance has everything I want from the genre; action, gore, and spice.
Chrystal, the main character, returns to her hometown from college after her parents are brutally murdered. She must take care of her sister and the house she grew up in. This is a heavy burden for a young adult, but luckily she is welcomed back by a loving support system of childhood friends and a godfather in law enforcement.
Her town’s history of violence, brought on by demons, doesn’t prevent Chrystal from falling right into step with her friends. She is instantly swept into all the drama and fun that comes with being a college student. But this is not a happy story, and she soon finds her friends are dying off. As the murders add up, Chrystal wonders if the body count has anything to do with her.
But where is the spice? Sprinkled throughout. This book is a two to three on the four chili spice scale. Chrystal has an exciting love life. As part of a love square, she finds herself in varying stages of flirting and heartbreak.
Terrance, an old flame, pops up and flirts at the most inconvenient times. John, the man she loves, makes some mistakes as the book begins, earning him the title of ex-boyfriend. With those two in the doghouse, Chrystal flirts with the new guy. Jason helps Chrystal get over John with his good looks, leather jacket, and motorcycle. If only she knew his true identity. Little does she know that the man she has fallen in lust with is one of the creatures causing the chaos.
I’m just going to say it: He’s a demon.
Don’t worry; it’s not a spoiler. Just look at the book cover.
Will her ignorance get her killed? Or will it be what saves her in the end? As she navigates her romantic adventure, Chrystal must find out why her friends and family are disappearing before she unwillingly joins them.
Germain is a prolific author, so there is no dipping your toes into her world. Once you start her series, you may find you can’t stop yourself from picking up the next book.
Chrystal, the main character, returns to her hometown from college after her parents are brutally murdered. She must take care of her sister and the house she grew up in. This is a heavy burden for a young adult, but luckily she is welcomed back by a loving support system of childhood friends and a godfather in law enforcement.
Her town’s history of violence, brought on by demons, doesn’t prevent Chrystal from falling right into step with her friends. She is instantly swept into all the drama and fun that comes with being a college student. But this is not a happy story, and she soon finds her friends are dying off. As the murders add up, Chrystal wonders if the body count has anything to do with her.
But where is the spice? Sprinkled throughout. This book is a two to three on the four chili spice scale. Chrystal has an exciting love life. As part of a love square, she finds herself in varying stages of flirting and heartbreak.
Terrance, an old flame, pops up and flirts at the most inconvenient times. John, the man she loves, makes some mistakes as the book begins, earning him the title of ex-boyfriend. With those two in the doghouse, Chrystal flirts with the new guy. Jason helps Chrystal get over John with his good looks, leather jacket, and motorcycle. If only she knew his true identity. Little does she know that the man she has fallen in lust with is one of the creatures causing the chaos.
I’m just going to say it: He’s a demon.
Don’t worry; it’s not a spoiler. Just look at the book cover.
Will her ignorance get her killed? Or will it be what saves her in the end? As she navigates her romantic adventure, Chrystal must find out why her friends and family are disappearing before she unwillingly joins them.
Germain is a prolific author, so there is no dipping your toes into her world. Once you start her series, you may find you can’t stop yourself from picking up the next book.
April 15, 2024
This book was a page turner.
I enjoyed the world building. There were times that I was literally yelling at Crystal and her decision making. I eye rolled, spoke aloud to my book, I just really couldn't believe I was watching the mess unfold from the sideline..
and the gore!! The death and dysfunction in this town. This book had a lot of detailed visuals of what the shapeshifter demons did to their victims. The way men and teens were going missing at such a high rate and how NOBODY actually believed in the folklore of Lakeview Falls. The way people were shocked and just felt that this was just a funny option.. Delusion.
The story definitely captivated me and before I could even write this review, I already started book 2.
I enjoyed the world building. There were times that I was literally yelling at Crystal and her decision making. I eye rolled, spoke aloud to my book, I just really couldn't believe I was watching the mess unfold from the sideline..
and the gore!! The death and dysfunction in this town. This book had a lot of detailed visuals of what the shapeshifter demons did to their victims. The way men and teens were going missing at such a high rate and how NOBODY actually believed in the folklore of Lakeview Falls. The way people were shocked and just felt that this was just a funny option.. Delusion.
The story definitely captivated me and before I could even write this review, I already started book 2.
June 12, 2024
WOW!
My only regret is not reading this book sooner! But, then I would’ve never read this with my amazing buddy reading partner. 🫶🏾
Once you start, it will be almost impossible to STOP! This book is a page turner. And NOBODY IS SAFE! This little town of shapeshifting demons is cut throat and they are RUTHLESS. Hide ya WHOLE family!
Check the mailman, your next door neighbor and your homeboys. You can never be TOO sure of who or WHAT you’re dealing it!
Excited to continue this series. The end will BLOW your mind!
My only regret is not reading this book sooner! But, then I would’ve never read this with my amazing buddy reading partner. 🫶🏾
Once you start, it will be almost impossible to STOP! This book is a page turner. And NOBODY IS SAFE! This little town of shapeshifting demons is cut throat and they are RUTHLESS. Hide ya WHOLE family!
Check the mailman, your next door neighbor and your homeboys. You can never be TOO sure of who or WHAT you’re dealing it!
Excited to continue this series. The end will BLOW your mind!
September 3, 2022
I love this saga series! Crystal Francois comes back to Lakeview Falls after the parents murder to reconnect with her friends and sister. Unexplained flaying on young men under the age of 25 are found. Before her 25th birthday Crystal receives a beautiful amethyst necklace from her late mother. Secrets unravel as the stone contains 25 shapeshifting demons, two shape shifter brothers on the hunt to unleash their father and the deadly legion upon the town of Lakeview Falls. A brilliant, supernatural horror story not only with gore and macabre but a story about a young woman's fate twisted in a long history of supernatural beings and the curse of her family. You deeply care about the characters, a black woman protagonist and a rich history in Hoodoo/Voodoo practice culture.
August 26, 2022
Crystal is returning home to Lakeview Falls for the first time since her parents were brutally murdered. The town is steeped in tragedy, and she returns to find it in much worse shape than she could have ever imagined. Young men are being targeted and murdered, brutally, at an alarming rate. Unbeknownst to Crystal, and those around her, there is an ancient curse at work and the clock is counting down. When Crystal is given an amethyst by her aunt - apparently left to her by her mother before she died - Crystal begins to unravel the craziness plaguing her small town. Two demonic brothers are on the hunt for the ultimate prize.
This is an epic tale - a mix of dark fantasy, horror, gore, suspense, thriller, and a touch of romance. The story is fast paced and action packed. And I loved the diversity! Especially going in to spooky season - I enjoyed every minute of this book. The writer did a beautiful job of creating an eerie atmosphere. Be warned, there is a lot of gore in this book, but it fits well with the theme. This is dark and twisted, and don't get too attached to any character - no one is safe in Lakeview Falls. The story kept me guessing, and on the edge of my seat. And the best part - that ENDING! Incredible. Caught me totally off guard and I cannot wait to read book two.
If you love horror books, definitely jump on this one! You won't regret it.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.
This is an epic tale - a mix of dark fantasy, horror, gore, suspense, thriller, and a touch of romance. The story is fast paced and action packed. And I loved the diversity! Especially going in to spooky season - I enjoyed every minute of this book. The writer did a beautiful job of creating an eerie atmosphere. Be warned, there is a lot of gore in this book, but it fits well with the theme. This is dark and twisted, and don't get too attached to any character - no one is safe in Lakeview Falls. The story kept me guessing, and on the edge of my seat. And the best part - that ENDING! Incredible. Caught me totally off guard and I cannot wait to read book two.
If you love horror books, definitely jump on this one! You won't regret it.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.
June 10, 2021
The Brothers Curse Saga lived up to my expectations. A young woman by the name of Crystal Francois tragically loses her parents to a brutal murder then moves back home to the haunting town of Lakeview Falls where she is bombarded by more death and chaos. Having recently broken up with her boyfriend who decided to ghost her when she arrives back home, Crystal suddenly meets a mysterious neighbor named Jason who claims to be the nephew of a hermit neighbor "Mr. Mcgregor" who packs up and leaves town unexpectedly.
Meeting this so-called charming green-eyed Bandit leaves Crystal tongue-tied in more ways than one. But who is he? What brought him to Lakeview Falls? Why does he seem to be attracted to Crystal in such a short time?
After meeting this young handsome man, Crystal is in for a torturing journey straight to hell when her aunt gives her an Amethyst necklace that holds some dark secrets that left my jaw-dropping numerous times. Then to make matters worse there are two nasty shapeshifting brothers after this necklace to resurrect their father name Mastema and other demons captive in this pendant. I mean, if that isn't the scariest thing to be wearing an apocalypse around your neck, imagine having your friends added to the murder menu. Eeeek!!!! The suspense and Gore added with a touch of thriller and romance had me all over the place.
I love the tension between the characters and Jason especially Trey whom I love so much in this story. This guy was so funny and had so many awesome qualities of a best friend. I also loved Sheriff Mills and his relationship with his sons Phillip and Justin.
The characters' interactions and dialogue were perfectly written and you were able to understand their relationships. Christine Germain knocked it out of the box with each chapter's introduction. My God!!! The visual aspect of the scenery made you feel as if you were there experiencing everything. I love that a horrifying tale was written so poetically. Christine did such a phenomenal job with each setting and how there are so many twists and turns that the shock value illuminates after each chapter ends.
One thing I loved about this story was the many diverse characters. It's nice to see different cultural implemented in a fictional book, especially horror. I love that There was an Asian character (Derrick) who was another favorite character of mine and also dating Crystal's Sister. Interracial relationships are not seen so much in horror stories. The only time I remember watching anything that had a mixture like this was when I was a child watching The Power Rangers.
Honestly, more authors need to add more ethnicity to their work. It makes the story more realistic than just writing a story that focuses on one race. Christine did a great job showcasing this and I am happy that I was suggested to read this story. This was the first book I binge read in a very long time and I can't wait to go straight to the sequel. That ending left me hollering at the book. I would not be surprised to see this book a best seller one day.
I suggest everyone grab a copy of this book because it is so worth the read. Excellent Dark horror that will leave you wanting more.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meeting this so-called charming green-eyed Bandit leaves Crystal tongue-tied in more ways than one. But who is he? What brought him to Lakeview Falls? Why does he seem to be attracted to Crystal in such a short time?
After meeting this young handsome man, Crystal is in for a torturing journey straight to hell when her aunt gives her an Amethyst necklace that holds some dark secrets that left my jaw-dropping numerous times. Then to make matters worse there are two nasty shapeshifting brothers after this necklace to resurrect their father name Mastema and other demons captive in this pendant. I mean, if that isn't the scariest thing to be wearing an apocalypse around your neck, imagine having your friends added to the murder menu. Eeeek!!!! The suspense and Gore added with a touch of thriller and romance had me all over the place.
I love the tension between the characters and Jason especially Trey whom I love so much in this story. This guy was so funny and had so many awesome qualities of a best friend. I also loved Sheriff Mills and his relationship with his sons Phillip and Justin.
The characters' interactions and dialogue were perfectly written and you were able to understand their relationships. Christine Germain knocked it out of the box with each chapter's introduction. My God!!! The visual aspect of the scenery made you feel as if you were there experiencing everything. I love that a horrifying tale was written so poetically. Christine did such a phenomenal job with each setting and how there are so many twists and turns that the shock value illuminates after each chapter ends.
One thing I loved about this story was the many diverse characters. It's nice to see different cultural implemented in a fictional book, especially horror. I love that There was an Asian character (Derrick) who was another favorite character of mine and also dating Crystal's Sister. Interracial relationships are not seen so much in horror stories. The only time I remember watching anything that had a mixture like this was when I was a child watching The Power Rangers.
Honestly, more authors need to add more ethnicity to their work. It makes the story more realistic than just writing a story that focuses on one race. Christine did a great job showcasing this and I am happy that I was suggested to read this story. This was the first book I binge read in a very long time and I can't wait to go straight to the sequel. That ending left me hollering at the book. I would not be surprised to see this book a best seller one day.
I suggest everyone grab a copy of this book because it is so worth the read. Excellent Dark horror that will leave you wanting more.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 28, 2022
The Brother’s Curse (The Brother’s Curse Saga Book 1)
by Christine M. Germain @abs2fitcocoa
Synopsis: A year after the brutal death of her parents, Crystal Francois moves back home to the eerie small town of Lakeview Falls. When one of her neighbors goes away abruptly leaving his home to be watched by a young man named Jason Warwick, Crystal finds herself falling for him instantly because of his charming ways and dashing good looks. Two weeks before her 25th birthday, she receives a rare antique purple amethyst stone necklace that is left for her by her late mother; A necklace with a deadly past and horrible consequences when being worn. She finds out that wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to be the target for two sadistic tyrannical evil 18th-century-old Shapeshifter brothers who will not stop till they find her and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and 24 demonic Shapeshifters captive. When young men from town go missing, and bodies show up eaten or skinned alive. Lakeview Falls is on high alert. It doesn't take long for Crystal to discover that the new guy in town isn't whom he claims to be or if he is even human.
Thoughts (without spoilers): First, Christine does an excellent job of providing plenty of twists and turns in book 1 of The Brother’s Curse. The characters are well-developed, diverse, and different in personality which keeps you pulled in every step of the way. The main character of Crystal makes a return home after a long absence and things really take off plot-wise when she arrives.
A tension-building story with fantastic horror elements and engaging dialogue. In my opinion, the story has a blend of everything a reader could want in a supernatural novel. This book keeps you guessing and the twits are…let’s just say it is well worth the wait. I can’t wait to start reading book two. I highly recommend!
by Christine M. Germain @abs2fitcocoa
Synopsis: A year after the brutal death of her parents, Crystal Francois moves back home to the eerie small town of Lakeview Falls. When one of her neighbors goes away abruptly leaving his home to be watched by a young man named Jason Warwick, Crystal finds herself falling for him instantly because of his charming ways and dashing good looks. Two weeks before her 25th birthday, she receives a rare antique purple amethyst stone necklace that is left for her by her late mother; A necklace with a deadly past and horrible consequences when being worn. She finds out that wearing the necklace causes her and her friends to be the target for two sadistic tyrannical evil 18th-century-old Shapeshifter brothers who will not stop till they find her and retrieve the chariot stone necklace that holds their father and 24 demonic Shapeshifters captive. When young men from town go missing, and bodies show up eaten or skinned alive. Lakeview Falls is on high alert. It doesn't take long for Crystal to discover that the new guy in town isn't whom he claims to be or if he is even human.
Thoughts (without spoilers): First, Christine does an excellent job of providing plenty of twists and turns in book 1 of The Brother’s Curse. The characters are well-developed, diverse, and different in personality which keeps you pulled in every step of the way. The main character of Crystal makes a return home after a long absence and things really take off plot-wise when she arrives.
A tension-building story with fantastic horror elements and engaging dialogue. In my opinion, the story has a blend of everything a reader could want in a supernatural novel. This book keeps you guessing and the twits are…let’s just say it is well worth the wait. I can’t wait to start reading book two. I highly recommend!
September 1, 2021
💎💎💎💎💎5/5
The Brother’s Curse is beautifully written. In fact, it’s written so well that it plays out like a movie in your head. The reader can literally see the story unfold before them, almost as if they’re a character in the book.
Christine Germain creates interesting, fun characters that any reader can relate to. She creates characters of different races, genders, and backgrounds. She does an excellent job incorporating BIPOC characters into her story which is something I’m hoping becomes a norm in horror fiction. Every reader should be able to relate to a character and in The Brother’s Curse, they can. The dialogue between her characters is natural, realistic and it helps the reader understand the relationships between the characters. I adored Crystal and her sister Alexandrias conversations. Germain also adds humor in her dialogue to lighten up the story from time to time to create a perfect balance.
Germain creates a world where the reader is rooting for the “good guys” but often times, the antagonist prevail. We want to see a happy ending, but that’s not what you get. I love how she leaves readers on a cliff hanger at the end of chapters, that makes you come back for more and more.
The story is so good that you will find yourself flipping through pages, wanting to see what happens next.
Her attention to detail is superb. She writes so detailed that she paints a picture in your head. The story has an overwhelming sense of dread as you watch the main character, Crystal, continuously experience tragedy after tragedy.
I absolutely adored this book and can’t wait to read the second in the Saga “The Stone, The Curse of Mastema”
A fair warning, this book includes gruesome scenes so be warned, you may lose your lunch. Happy Reading 💀
The Brother’s Curse is beautifully written. In fact, it’s written so well that it plays out like a movie in your head. The reader can literally see the story unfold before them, almost as if they’re a character in the book.
Christine Germain creates interesting, fun characters that any reader can relate to. She creates characters of different races, genders, and backgrounds. She does an excellent job incorporating BIPOC characters into her story which is something I’m hoping becomes a norm in horror fiction. Every reader should be able to relate to a character and in The Brother’s Curse, they can. The dialogue between her characters is natural, realistic and it helps the reader understand the relationships between the characters. I adored Crystal and her sister Alexandrias conversations. Germain also adds humor in her dialogue to lighten up the story from time to time to create a perfect balance.
Germain creates a world where the reader is rooting for the “good guys” but often times, the antagonist prevail. We want to see a happy ending, but that’s not what you get. I love how she leaves readers on a cliff hanger at the end of chapters, that makes you come back for more and more.
The story is so good that you will find yourself flipping through pages, wanting to see what happens next.
Her attention to detail is superb. She writes so detailed that she paints a picture in your head. The story has an overwhelming sense of dread as you watch the main character, Crystal, continuously experience tragedy after tragedy.
I absolutely adored this book and can’t wait to read the second in the Saga “The Stone, The Curse of Mastema”
A fair warning, this book includes gruesome scenes so be warned, you may lose your lunch. Happy Reading 💀
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