The Cursed Among Us

4.5 starsThis was a phenomenal story! I dont know why it took me so long to read. John writes in such a way that you are automatically drawn in. The characters are so relatable (flaws and all), and the descriptions so well written that I can really see the characters, actions, and scenery (which is very difficult for me to achieve). I went through a wide range of emotions while reading this as well as a good helping of nostalgia. I only docked one half of a star because I was left with a few questions (nothing major), that I hope might be explained in a follow up book 🤞🏻While the end had a finality it also seemed to leave it open just enough to work in another story.10/10 I recommend this for readers of all genres and ages.

So let’s start this fast, I mean really fast. The book paces feel really fast. Now I mean this in a good way. I think the fast pace fits well for a book like this. However I will admit there are a few issues with the story.The main issue is the story really likes to tell and not show. At least at the beginning. There’s a lot of explaining of characters and new port. Other than us exploring the world and characters naturally we get a lot of explaining. Which does hurt the pacing a lot.But how’s the main event? The monster? The curse? Well, good news, it’s great! There is a lot creative and brutal kills in this book and a lot that were unexpected. Especially for some characters.Overall, the story kicks butt! With just the one main issue of how the story tells and not show is its biggest weakness. But get pass that then you’re in for a ride!

Interesting premise with this debut novel.The story follows four teens ho uncover a dark secret that continues to unwinds into something bigger.The setting works and the action is well-paced.The relationships of the characters seem to be a mixed bag. At tines they are strengths and other times they are a weak point.Overall, the story is entertaining and kept me reading.

This was a perfect supernatural slasher.I'll address the slasher part first, as the slasher subgenre is my favorite horror subgenre. It had all the elements that make slashers great. There were brutal death scenes, a masked killer, and even the whole teenage bonfire/turned into a slaughter.On to the rest. The storytelling was fast paced, keeping you interested in all of the side stories and main story alike. A lot of the time it was relentless as it grabbed you tense scene after tense scene. The motive was revealed slowly and kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for the next reveal.The characters were well rounded and brought to life with plenty of backstory. Durgin flawlessly captured the dynamics of a group of high school friends that weren't in the popular circle. You felt bad for them as the biggest bully, who you couldn't help but absolutely detest, targeted the group. Howie and Ryan were the most sympathetic of the group due to home life backstory and feelings of not belonging, even amongst friends.The breakneck pace did the story justice. Each new piece of information spurs your curiosity on until you reach the final confrontation, which somehow ramped up the tension that led to a nail biting finale. In typical slasher fashion, it left me wanting more. This was a brilliant piece of storytelling that should not be missed.

Well, if this is John Durgin’s first try at writing a full length horror novel, it was a very good one. I bought this on a whim because I liked the cover and the description seemed right up my alley. Glad I did, and I am really curious about John’s short stories now.The characters were a very likeable bunch. Although I found the plot did not flow as seamlessly as it should have (there were some holes and unresolved points), the characters still drove the story and the pacing was pretty tight.The author seems very earnest and enthusiastic, so I hope he keeps working on his craft, because I think he will only get better. Would absolutely read another story by him.

I picked this book up on a whim due to the cover it had on Amazon. It looked interesting and I was in the mood for something scary. While the book wasn't overly or very scary it was a great read nonetheless.I loved the characters and felt they were well crafted and introduced. I liked the setting as well and felt Mr. Durgin did a great job setting the tone and atmosphere without going overboard. The story itself caught me from the first page and I honestly couldn't put this book down, I just had to see what would happen next and who would become the "monster" next victim.As finished the book there was one or two things I hope Mr. Durgin would do if he decides to make a potential sequel to this is to fill one or two of the plot points that were left hanging at the end. I could see this having a second book either a few years after the events from this one or maybe a decade after perhaps? All in all it was a great book and something I enjoyed reading over the few books I've picked up. It was a relatively easy read and with all the scenes in it was great and a pleasure to read through I look forward to Mr. Durgin'next book.

The story unfolds like any good horror flock, an engaging group of misfit friends, a dark and haunted woods, and a film project. It rattles along climbing that big hill of introduction and backstory and releases itself onto the old wooden track of a great roller coaster ride.Just a lot of fun, and only one question left niggling at the reader... who is Howie's Dad, really?

Another gripping book by John Durgin. Highly recommended if you like gore, none stop action and a great story line.

This is a book that doesn’t quit. It introduces its horror early and keeps its foot on the pedal throughout. Probably ideally suited for older teenagers, the book explores themes related to personal struggles that are relatable for many young people (family violence, trying to fit in, young love, etc.). It’s not to long, filled with action, and has some solid, gruesome descriptions.

My first thoughts from reading this book was the comfort feeling of the 90's, in the sense of when I was a kid, kids would play outside with their friends and the world felt a little more free, not trapped in front of a TV or phones screens.I got a nostalgic feeling of Goosebumps and Point Horror books where teens stumble across something dark and dangerous, but with an extra bit of terror added to it and me being the overseer of their damned adventure.The writing style is easy to read, also painting a picture well with descriptions that weren't too much.I enjoyed this read, the story quickly got me hooked from the very first chapter which lead me to want to know what happened in the towns past, and what events and findings would unfold for these 4 teenage friends.They fought evil and lives were lost...But did this evil get banished from this world, never to return? We will never know.

This is a great first novel by John Durgin. He writes the four main boys with such familiarity and I was reminiscing about my own childhood reading this watching horror movies, having sleepovers and getting up to mischief. I felt a connection with them in the opening chapters and then all the death and bloodshed starts! John describes the scenes with well and I could visually feel how putrid Jessica looked at how well he wrote. This has a YA feel to it but its not a YA novel. For a first time writer this was alot of fun will definately check out his future releases.