This a mesmerizing YA southern gothic novel with a gripping storyline. Susana's curse and her journey to break it are beautifully interwoven with the theme of generational trauma. As the story unfolds, we are drawn into the intricate web of her family's generational trauma and the weight it carries. It was very intriguing to me as this is based on the authors own family history.
The narrator, Hallie Ricardo did a wonderful job portraying Susana and the other characters in the book. She used a variety of tones and inflections throughout. I highly recommend the audiobook.

The book's atmospheric prose and captivating storytelling make it a must-read for those who appreciate powerful narratives.

Favorite quotes:
"Blood holds all kinds of curses."
"Free people free other people."
"I choose freedom and so can you."

This was some wild hillbilly shenanigans in the holler! As Susana Prather's family history unfolds we see how seven generations of women have been lost to the swamp and discover if the curse that has plagued their family will end with Susana. This is a book of loss, tragedy, grief, generational trauma and how our bloodlines hold curses with the secrets that have been kept.

I loved how the author wrote this book in multiple timelines, how she slowly unfurled mysteries and long-kept secrets. It was a slow-burn mystery that drags you into the swamp and doesn't let go. The writing was so atmospheric and moody. The author's note at the end is a must read, because it will send you on a literature review journey that just pulls the book together in a whole new way - A week later and I am still thinking about this book! The narration for the audiobook is done by one of my favorite narrators, she really brought the story to life and is a big reason why it was such a moody and atmospheric read.

The only reason that I would not suggest this book is if any of the well-defined triggers are triggering to you. Other than that this is a new auto-rec for anyone that loves a good mystery or drama, with a whole lot of mystical realism thrown in.

Overall, I loved this book. Honestly, I can't wait to dive into it again and read it from a whole different perspective. I will be recommending this one far and wide!

First off, many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book as an audio ARC! I greatly appreciate it!
I'm a big fan of southern gothic stories, and wow, this one did not disappoint! The setting is eerie and beautifully realized, the main characters are pretty interesting, with all their secrets and their histories, and the writing style is just gorgeous! I would absolutely love to read more from this author!
I specially got the audiobook edition, and the narrator did a very nice job! Her voice is well suited to the story, which is always a bonus.
The one negative I can think of is that there are just so very many characters. Also one of them is named Missouri, which I can't decide if I love or hate. Still, it's not enough of a complaint to cost even half a star. This book is just amazing!
Five out of five stars for Curses and Other Buried Things!

I really enjoyed this story. “Free people free other people.” A powerful message about breaking generational curses as well as your own self destructive patterns. Growing up my mom always said the truth will set you free and the truth will find the light. This story reminded me of that.

Thank you to the author, Harper Collins Christian Publishing and netgalley for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely loved this book!
Something so fascinating about both story lines. The story played out like a movie in my mind and the author did a great job of painting a picture of the swamp life, and living In the past and present day for the Susanna’s of the family. Some twists I didn’t see coming, some supernatural, some everyday average teen drama, and stories of past generations all made for a captivating story that kept me coming back! Would highly recommend this book!

I’m dumbfounded! This book is amazing and definitely in my feels! I would HIGHLY recommend this book! This book is almost poetic to me. It’s one’s of those books you have to reread over and over again!

Susana believes her days are numbered once she turns eighteen. Seven generations of women in her family died in unusual circumstances within years, months, or even days after they came of age. This is a powerful and beautifully written story about hope, forgiveness, love, and generational trauma.

I enjoyed the dual timeline woven seamlessly throughout the story. In the present we see how Susana is dealing with the curse and her struggles to break it or make peace with it. Through her dreams we meet Suzanna Yawn, the ancestor who got the curse ball rolling. Parts of their lives are surprisingly similar, and I liked that the author drew on some of her own family history for the novel (explained in the author’s note at the end). Throughout the course of the story it becomes evident that the curse doesn’t just affect Suzanna’s descendants, but the whole town. Long hidden secrets come to light, realizations are made, and healing begins.

Don’t expect this novel to move at a fast pace. It’s more of a meandering journey that allows you to settle in with the characters and enjoy this thought-provoking story.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Curses and Other Buried Things is an atmospheric, poignant story of generational trauma. Set in a small southern town, Caroline George does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the reader into the story, to the point where you can almost feel the wet vines on your feet, smell the swamp, or hear the cicadas in the distance.

Multiple generations, each with a curse that the first born will die after their 18th birthday. Present day Susana Prather is set on breaking this curse. She does everything she can NOT to get called to the swamp, and to find out more about generations past. Traumas are revealed, secrets, and lies.

The setting of this reminded me a lot in part of “Where the Crawdads Sing”, and I found myself imagining what a breathtaking movie this book would make.

While not technically a thriller, it’s a great goth mystery, especially good to read in October and spooky season.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio for this audio advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pub date: 10 October 2023

This book is a great metaphor for generational trauma and cycle breaking! I felt this book as it was happening. The descriptions and details made it feel like I was in the swamp feeling it around my legs. Our main character is going through so much a curse, family secrets, friendship drama, boy troubles, all while she is trying to break her families terrible cycle of pain. I was captivated by this story and can not wait to talk about it with my book friends!

I was thinking what am I reading most of the time I was reading this one! I wanted to know what was going on. Is Susana cursed, or her family or some other family cursed? Why is anyone cursed? What’s up with the swamp? I loved all the characters. Susana was my favorite. The family drama and secrets were such a twist. I highly recommend this book. I cannot wait to read more by this author. The narration was so good. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the arc I’m exchange for my honest review.

"And if I am destined to burn, I want to go out like flames... not ambers. "
- Curses and Other Buried Things by Caroline George

This is not the story of 3 people living today. It is a history of repeated cycles going in circles for generations. Every firstborn in Susana's family has been lost to the swamp, and after her 18th birthday, unnatural events have started to occur. Every night, she goes to sleep and wakes up drenched in swamp water. What she feared the most was about to come true as she lost her sleep, mind, and peace to the curse, that is, if she couldn't find a way to break it.

Showcasing generational trauma affecting the lives of people in the family and the town they live in, the book draws your attention to what happens when you give a thought to too much power. Developed in an ambience of swamps, mental illness, curses, nightmares, and skeletons (both actual ones and metaphorical ones in the closet) - it translates to a perfect spooky to me. With the underlying story of emotional bonds of forbidden love, the book added another layer to its causes. You will find yourself rooting for the characters and begging the protagonist to do something about it.

It is true when they say 'the best fiction is created from real stories'. The author has plucked instances from her own life and embedded them into the book, so make sure to keep reading till the end. I was surprised to find how much of it was real.

Thank you @netgalley @harpercollinschristian @authorcarolinegeorge for the digital ARC

Genre: #psychologicalmystery #fantasy
Age group: #teens #ya
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️

P.S: If this isn't your perfect start to Spooktober, I don't know what is

This is my first novel by Caroline George, and while this wasn't my favorite book out there, I'm interested in reading more by the author. It was hard to really put my thoughts into cohesive statements because I couldn't quite figure out what was lacking for me. I just knew something left me unsatisfied. After a little thought I realized it's because this was marketed as a horror novel but nothing about it was horrifying to me. It was more of a southern gothic mystery with a big focus on romance. And there's nothing wrong with that. I just think going into it expecting horror left me open to be disappointed by the lack of it. But I truly enjoyed the author's writing style. Caroline George created an eerie and atmospheric vibe that helped keep me interested in this slow, psychological mystery. I loved that the author used her own family as inspiration for this. This book might not have been for me but I recommend it for fans of southern Gothic tales, generational trauma, and family secrets.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this alc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the folklore and the historical aspects of this book the most with the way it talks about how lives are interconnected throughout history. It has a touch of romance and even a love triangle. The story follows Suzanne and all the Susie’s that came before her on the trail to break the curse that has plagued them and caused them all to go crazy. The narrator is truly amazing and conveys emotions well with her words

This is the kind of book I will recommend to everyone and their cat. It's a magical realism southern gothic story that will have you breathless by the end- but its real magic is depicting generational trauma and breaking that cycle. It even has resources in the author's note, which I found beyond amazing!

I should have started with the facts: the writing is gorgeous and immersive, the characters are fascinating, and the intertwining of past and present threads is flawless 🖤


Specifically about the audiobook: I love the narration! Simple and clear tone in a soothing voice, it was great to listen to!

Adding to my ebook review . . . this narrator was spot on. Loved her voice so much. Looking forward to more books narrated by her (and bonus if it's a Caroline George novel!!!)

Curses and Other Buried Things
Caroline George
In 1855 Susanna Yawn placed a curse on her descendants. The first-born daughter in each generation begins to feel the draw of the swamp on her eighteenth birthday. Each daughter is named Susanna, and they resemble their ancestor. The morning after they turn eighteen, they begin sleepwalking to the swamp and they awaken to a bed soaked in swamp water. They have dreams centering around their great-great-great-great-grandmother.
Susanna Prather is next in line. She has just celebrated her eighteenth birthday. The pull of the swamp has already begun. Her dreams center around Susanna Yawn. Susanna P. sees the similarities between her life and Susanna Y’s. life. If she is to survive Susanna P. knows she must break the curse but how. Susanna P believes the key must be somewhere between the past and present. Members of her family have secrets but won’t share them. Who can she turn to.
The setting for this book is the Georgia swamp area. The prose of author Caroline George’s transported me to the rural area surrounding the swamp. I could smell the brackish water, I could feel the humidity, I could hear the birds as they called out. The swamp took on a life of its own. It became one of the characters.
The characters have great depth. The plot is unique. I am unsure what to say about this book. I have written and deleted several paragraphs because they seemed inadequate or to tell too much of the story. However, I must say that if you tell someone over and over that they are cursed, that they will do something it becomes ingrained in them. Were the Susannas all mentally ill, were they cursed, or were they indoctrinated to believe they were cursed and to believe they would be taken by the swamp.
What I learned from this tale: Your parents’ past does not determine who you are. What people say about you is unimportant and should not affect your future. You do not have to be trapped by your family history, make your own.

I loved this and I also found it confusing. The narration was perfection! It was absolutely perfect. You cannot top the narration.
I was confused because the town and everything is normal and then bam - curse drama!
School and then curse drama!
I loved the setting of a small town next to a swamp with generations of romance and drama.
You would think they'd stop naming kids "Suzanne" after a few generations of curses but I am not Southern, so I don't know why they would keep it going.
I love that these young people were digging up corpses and being killed by a curse and stuff. That's unbeatable.

Yes This is a five star book. Just be smarter than me for maximum enjoyment.

Curses and Other Buried Things by Caroline George is her latest novel, and, as with her other novels, you can expect a bit of mysticism and whimsy, while dealing with important subjects. Susanna Prather is cursed. She’s the first born daughter several generations through, and each first born daughter has been cursed. They don’t usually live much past 18. When she turns 18 and the swamp where she lives begins to call to her, she finds herself desperately seeking answers to her family history and how to break the curse. Told in a partly dual timeline, we read about the first Susanna also: a young woman whose family struggles for peace in the 1800s. I really enjoyed the story and the whimsy, although I wish the ending had been a bit less open-ended than I felt it was. The narrator did a great job as well.

I was intrigued by the story and excited to really get into it, but I felt it really dragged and with audio it was hard to keep Susan, Suzanne and Suzanna straight. This just wasn’t for me in audio, but I do think I may try it in physical copy.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

I listened to the audiobook version.

I had a hard time getting into this one, and it may have been more to do with the narrator than the content. Just could not connect with the narration or story.