Book Review — The Bone Curse

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Medicine has no cure for evil

thebonecurse_series-with-review-and-subtitle

 

The Bone Curse by Carrie Rubin is scheduled for release on 27 March 2018 by Science Thriller Media. This review is based on an Advance Reader Copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley. There are no spoilers in this review.

Medical student Benjamin Oris has no time for the supernatural, even after a trip to the Paris catacombs leaves him with a minor injury following his unexplained desire to reach a particular set of bones. Back in the United States, logical and pragmatic to a fault, Ben refuses to consider anything but an explainable (if not yet identifiable) medical reason for the sudden illnesses experienced by several people close to him.

Ben’s good friend, Laurette, however, suspects something more at play. While a public health student herself, Laurette is Haitian and believes that “something more” is a Vodou curse.

Rubin takes Ben on a harrowing ride through the book. Just when he thinks nothing could get worse, it does. His life is complicated enough at the book’s opening as “just a med student.” But loved ones becoming dangerously ill, relationship surprises, an attack on his father’s business, and conflict with fellow students are soon added to the mix. Still, Laurette’s insistence that these events are related to the evil she senses around him falls on deaf ears and a closed mind. Ben comes to realize, however, that it doesn’t necessarily matter what he believes (or doesn’t). What does matter is saving the people around him, even if that means a journey into spiritual practices he doesn’t begin to understand and a showdown with someone with a dark agenda.

As an archaeologist (from a period when that meant taking many courses in cultural anthropology), I sometimes cringe when authors take on belief systems or cultural practices outside their experience. Rubin, however, handles the practice of Vodou with respect, resulting in a book that successfully combines science-based western medicine with the supernatural.

The action really takes off in the last half of the book, setting a pace that doesn’t let up for Ben or the reader. The story reaches a satisfying climax and sets the stage for future books while wrapping up this particular story line. Certainly Ben’s life will never be the same after this experience. Undoubtedly, Rubin already has another adventure in store for him, and I look forward to reading it.

32 thoughts on “Book Review — The Bone Curse”

    • I hope you’ll enjoy it if you read it! I’m still struggling some with the writing, so I don’t want to get back into blogging too heavily just yet. I hope you’re doing well, too, and having a good Spring!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Great review JM! This one is definitely on my To Read list and I am really looking forward to it. I even requested it at the local library so others may find it! Hope you are well and that winter/snow is over. Ready for Spring!!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Those library requests are awesome. 🙂 If you’ve enjoyed Carrie’s earlier books, you won’t be disappointed with this one! My fingers are crossed that we’re finally turning the corner on Winter. They’re forecasting low 60s for Wednesday, and I hope that’s one forecast they’ll get right! Hope you’re doing well, too, Arlene!

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  10. Med students have tons of stories to start with – add in some unexplainable mystery and you’ve got a can’t turn the page fast enough read. Can’t wait to read it. (and cool there may be more on tap – I love to follow character through books.)
    Thanks for the review (and love the post title)

    Liked by 1 person

    • It is really a page turner! I wish I could take credit for that title, but it’s the great “log line” for the book. 🙂 I hope you’re doing well and getting some Spring weather. Winter doesn’t want to leave us this year!

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