“Nerdection Worth to Read”
We Come Bearing Curses is a dark, unrelenting horror novel, and a promising debut for author Zachariah Chamberlin. This cosmic horror story is steeped in mythology and folklore and will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Spoiler-Free Plot
Legends of the Formoria say they were the first creatures on Earth until the First Tribes came and imprisoned them into bodies to kill them and banish the chaotic creatures from the realm. The Formoria were sent to a realm with their Gods for thousands of years and forgotten by mankind.
George Thatch is a police officer in the small town of Haven Shire where the veil between the realms is thin. In recent years, mysterious disappearances, murders, and other crimes have been plaguing their town. When he’s called to check in on a factory, he stumbles upon an unimaginable scene that changes everything he thought he knew about Haven Shire. After that call, he was advised not to say anything about what he saw.
Over seven years later, he works with Sicily Manns, a recent transfer from the Chicago PD, and Robert Holts, a rookie cop desperate to prove himself, on the Haven Shire PD. When the three of them visit the local quarry, George witnesses something eerily similar to what he did seven years prior. The three of them realize they need to get to the bottom of whatever is happening in Haven Shire.
Meanwhile, Phineas Thatch, who left Haven Shire after their mother’s death, is forced to return home after a terrifying dream that he believes is a message about the fate of the world. He is accompanied by an incredible deaf fighter, Mata, and the charming Vincent. Phineas and Mata have special abilities that allow them to connect with the spirit realms and they have both delved into arcane studies to make a living from their abilities.
When the fate of the world is threatened, Phineas and George reunite for the first time since they were teenagers to fight against cosmic horrors, unlike anything they could have imagined.
My Thoughts on We Come Bearing Curses
I thought We Come Bearing Curses was detailed book, suspenseful, dark, and unsettling in the best way possible. It’s gory and some of the descriptions of the Formoria (specifically descriptions of their “births”) sent shivers down my spine. The locations and actions in the book were very detailed, so I could clearly envision everything. It is an action-packed book, so if you like a thrilling read, this might be a good fit!
There are three different plot lines occurring simultaneously throughout most of the book. George and the Haven Shire PD, Phineas and his friends, and the Marcus’ with the Formoria. Even though we’re privy to all of those stories throughout the novel, there are still a lot of surprising elements in the story because the author doesn’t give away a lot of the action before it happens. When all three of the storylines come together I thought it had a very rewarding payoff as well!
As someone who is very interested in Celtic folklore and mythology, I loved seeing the Formoria used in this. The cosmic horror elements of the story blended very well with the mythology and I thought it was a unique way to use the legends. The Formoria were creepy, versatile, and depraved creatures that I simultaneously loved and hated ready about. Cosmic horror can often include a lot of body horror and the way the Formoria were created really leaned into that. A lot of the descriptions were over-the-top and grotesque, which I enjoy, but it might not be for people who are easily grossed out.
Not all of the characters had clear backstories, but George, Phineas, and Vincent really stood out for that. Other characters had brief mentions of their backstories, but I don’t necessarily think going into extreme detail for the side characters was needed either. There are just a couple of instances with Sicily and Robert that I felt would have had more emotional payoff if there was more backstory.
One of the main issues I had with We Come Bearing Curses is that there were times when I wasn’t entirely clear on the timeline of events. Some different POV sections backtrack in the story a bit, retelling things from another viewpoint, sometimes with more detail the second time we see it. Though, that’s likely just a stylistic choice that I don’t mesh with.
Overall, I would recommend We Come Bearing Curses to horror fans! Just keep in mind it does not spare any details when it comes to the action and gore.
“We Come Bearing Curses is a gripping debut that weaves Celtic mythology seamlessly into a chilling cosmic horror narrative, delivering a dark and detailed tale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.”
Age:
18+ due to adult themes
Content Warnings:
Slavery, human trafficking, murder, kidnapping, mention of rape, mention of necrophilia, mention of bestiality, mention of pedophilia, domestic violence, alcoholism, suicide and self-harm, addiction, arachnophobia, mention of involuntary pregnancy, mention of abortion, mention of miscarriage, pregnancy, body horror, cannibalism, loss of limbs, gun violence.
About The Author Of We Come Bearing Curses
Zachariah Chamberlin was raised on horror. From Friday Fright Night movies, his love of the scary and macabre was born. Today, he lives in the Kansas City area, a 12-year veteran of fire fighting and EMS. He has seen the best and some of the worst human beings are capable of.
It is the human condition that inspires his writing. He is a proud father to two girls and husband.
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