Al Ana's Curse

The Legends of Folklore

Young Adult - Paranormal
260 Pages
Reviewed on 11/01/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

As a fervent gold award-winning storyteller, I've always been drawn to the art of crafting words into captivating narratives that stir the imagination and move the spirit. My love for writing took root in my early years, kindled by the enchanting realms I encountered in beloved books and films. This ardor blossomed over time into a deep-seated aspiration to craft my own tales—stories that resonate with emotion and stimulate contemplation. The impetus for this book stemmed from observing the everyday bravery and tenacity in the world around me, a testament to our collective inner strength. My goal is to share these narratives, to echo the reminder of our inherent capabilities, and to honor the splendor in overcoming life's hurdles and celebrating its victories. With this book, my intention is to forge a profound connection with readers, providing comfort and encouragement as they journey through their own life stories.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Ibrahim Aslan for Readers' Favorite

Set in a small Michigan town called Cheboygan, this tale follows Aedan and his high school friends Lindsey, Tim, and Mary. An extraordinary and unforeseen change is looming in the air. The teens are preparing to graduate from high school and embrace college life. On the last day of school, Aedan and Lindsey decide to walk past the eerie Chook River in their town. A banshee suddenly appears out of nowhere and scares them with her terrifying warnings. Aedan vows to discover the truth behind this mysterious demonic apparition, dubbed Al Ana, that haunts the town and steals her victims' souls. His friends join him on this riveting quest. Can they unearth the secrets of Cheboygan and bring closure to an old mystery surrounding the disappearance of its townsfolk? The answer awaits you in Jerome McGinn's Al Ana's Curse.

If you're a fan of TV series like Locke and Key, Supernatural, and Salem, you'll fall in love with this novel in a heartbeat. The plot hooked me from the start and refused to let me go. Jerome McGinn's Al Ana's Curse is a YA suspense thriller written like no other. The mysteries surrounding Al Ana will send a shiver down your spine. The suspense alone will cause you to glance over your shoulder--ever so often--while reading this enthralling tale. The characters are well-conceived, and the storyline takes a few unexpected twists and turns. I enjoyed reading it. Al Ana's Curse has the right amount of trepidation, horror, action, and suspense. The dialogue and interactions between Aedan and his friends really capture the youthful vibe in an eerie little town overshadowed by impending doom and unforeseen dangers. Get ready for the thrill of a lifetime.

Richard Prause

Al Ana's Curse by Jerome McGinn depicts the supernatural adventures of a group of friends determined to solve an eerie mystery connected to their hometown. Aedan, Tim, Mary, and Lindsey reside in a quiet town called Cheboygan in Michigan. Their high school graduation is soon approaching, and they're excited to graduate and attend college. The friends make a solemn promise to investigate and unravel the mysteries lurking in Chook River. In the past, persons have gone missing under unusual circumstances in their small community. There is even talk about a malicious force, Al Ana, that resides in Chook River and steals the souls of innocent victims. The group's relentless investigation leads them straight into the clutches of this demon. Can they overcome the fears crippling their community and solve this thrilling case?

Al Ana's Curse is a sensational and engaging YA mystery. It is overflowing with action, adventure, horror, and suspense. The fast pacing and plot will immediately draw you in. The interaction between Aedan and his friends adds much-needed tension to the storyline. Their interaction also helps readers to get a better understanding of the setting, history, and culture of Cheboygan. Jerome McGinn does a fantastic job of building mystery and suspense around the legend of Al Ana and Chook River. The suspense gradually increases the closer the gang gets to solving the case. The writing style made this novel impossible to put down. Horror and thriller fans will enjoy the foreboding atmosphere the author created from beginning to end. All the plot twists will catch you off guard and keep you guessing how the story will unfold. You won't be able to predict what will happen next. Al Ana's Curse is the perfect novel for readers searching for a hair-raising ghost story filled with well-developed characters and an intriguing storyline.

Jamie Michele

Al Ana's Curse by Jerome McGinn follows Aedan, a high school senior, whose uncertainties about graduation are amplified in the uncovering of dark secrets about his town, Cheboygan. After a heart-pounding encounter with a banshee by the Chook River, Aedan learns about a demon named Al Ana, linked to mysterious disappearances, including that of two classmates. Driven by curiosity and a sense of duty, Aedan teams up with his friends, Tim and Lindsey, to investigate local legends and eerie occurrences in town. Their journey leads them to a variety of sites, including an abandoned cabin and a haunted theater, where they discover more about the chilling history tied to Al Ana. As they dig deeper, ghostly encounters and strange behaviors among townsfolk lead them to accept that they must confront the demon to save their community, with Aedan resolved to protect his town from Al Ana's malevolence once and for all.

Jerome McGinn does a great job of pulling readers into Al Ana's Curse immediately. McGinn's prose is atmospheric and immersive, breathing life into the haunted as we follow Aedan and his friends. McGinn’s characters are well developed and even ancillary characters are given the full treatment, the standout to me being the fortune teller, Elara Wildheart. The biggest issue I tend to come across in horror is its pacing, but McGinn wields the measured hand of a seasoned writer, building suspense through good, old-fashioned vivid writing and delivering a consistent sense of dread that carries throughout. I liked the hard-baked themes that are part of the story, which are primarily tied to courage and friendship. Overall, this fast-moving and thoughtfully disturbing read will appeal to fans of supernatural and horror fiction, leaving us with an eager anticipation of McGinn's next book in The Legends of Folklore series.