The disturbing history of Cheboygan, Aedan’s hometown, quickly becomes the focus, as Aedan discovers an ancient evil is feeding on the city’s souls, possessing its inhabitants and turning them into mindless automatons. Diligent and altruistic Aedan believes it’s his calling to crack the case of the Cheboygan demon before he leaves for college, and he blithely pursues that feat, shrugging off an elder’s warning that “some waters are too deep and dark to tread lightly in.” McGinn forges Aedan’s courage with the steely resolve of youth, as he vows to face whatever awaits him in the town’s shadowy corners.
An ominous aura permeates, as Aedan’s quest zigzags around a panoply of horror staples, beginning with missing people, an ancient tome of knowledge, and a map leading to a rickety cabin in the woods. From witch trials to a sanitorium, McGinn fully traverses genre conventions—even inserting a haunted refrigerator into the mix, in an amusingly horrifying scene that YA readers will relish. McGinn arranges the disparate parts into a mostly cohesive, spine-tingling whole, revealing the town’s atrocities with appropriate gloom and intrigue, and readers will relate to Aedan as he strives to make his adult mark. The literal deus ex machina ending disappoints, but it’s more the journey and Aedan’s genuinely virtuous character that satisfy.
Takeaway: A group of teens hunt down a soul-stealing demon terrorizing their town.
Comparable Titles: Robin Wasserman’s Girls on Fire, Natalie C. Parker’s Beware the Wild.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
great start to this series
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2024
I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed every part of the world. It had that horror thriller element that I wanted. It was a strong start to this series and was engaging world that I wanted. The characters were everything that I wanted and thought the world worked overall in this plot. I was engaged with what Jerome McGinn wrote and left me wanting to read more in this world.
Are They Cursed?
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2024
I love a good demon/ghost story. This one was creepy enough to keep me engaged but not enough to terrorize me (that takes a lot). To have the story revolve around high school seniors was genius. Most wouldn't lift a finger to help a friend, let alone a town.
"All Ana's Curse" is a compelling and chilling novel that will appeal to fans of horror, mystery, and supernatural fiction. Its strong character development, atmospheric setting, and intricate plot make it a standout in the genre. The story is a testament to the power of friendship and the human spirit, showing that even in the face of unspeakable evil, hope and courage can prevail. For those looking for a gripping read that combines the thrill of a mystery with the spine-tingling elements of a ghost story, "All Ana's Curse" is a must-read.
I found myself delighted multiple times by your excellent metaphors and narrative expressions, and loved the growth Aedan and his friends experienced from the beginning of the story to the end. You have an engaging, heartwarming tale on your hands, one that I know will find many happy readers.
