Between Curses and Gifts

Part 1: Christopher - Origins

A loyal man. A broken heart. A virus that turns pain into power.

Alaska, 1984. Christopher de Vries has worked hard to build a simple future, until the woman he loves walks out with a secret that shatters his world. Spiraling into grief and rage, he’s dragged on a last-ditch ice fishing trip by his best friend, hoping to find clarity. Instead, he’s hunted, mauled, and left for dead by a creature not born of this world. But Christopher doesn’t die. He changes.

What begins as a desperate fight for survival soon becomes a brutal awakening. Something ancient is inside him now. Something that heals, hungers, and destroys. As his body becomes stronger, his mind unravels. The people he loves are in danger, the military is closing in, and a cold war rages in the shadows between science, monsters, and myth. Haunted by visions, hunted by Colonel Ward, and drawn toward a woman with secrets of her own, Christopher must navigate a world where every gift has a price… and some curses are permanent.

Dark, cinematic, and heart-wrenching, Between Curses and Gifts is a genre-bending dark fantasy thriller that explores what happens when the human soul collides with unnatural power.
Nothing comes for free. Not even survival.

What People Say About This Book

This book is definitely for you if you are like me and are drawn to dark fantasy thrillers with touches of horror and lots of action. The story is perfect for those looking for a cinematic feel without sacrificing emotion, especially because it is a story of transformation from several points of view. You should read it if you are intrigued by the idea that a supernatural gift can also be a curse. The novel explores themes from a unique perspective, as the source of the protagonist's power is his own pain. It is aimed at people like you and me who enjoy deep and visceral reading and are not afraid of moral dilemmas or raw scenarios. This story will hook you and leave you reflecting on the true cost of survival.

Maria paula Castellanos

- Amazon reviewer

This story captivated me from the start because it combines the darkness of curses with the hope of gifts. It is a tale of origins where each page leaves the reader with the feeling that destiny is forged through internal struggles and difficult decisions. I found it to be an intriguing and very promising start to a saga.

Jaime V

- Amazon reviewer

This type of literature captivates me almost instantly. Chris's story is dark, full of mysteries and feelings of confusion, pain, and unease at not understanding what is happening and why. The touch of unknown creatures that give him this power but lead him to sacrifice various aspects of himself is what turns this book into unimaginable fantasies full of adventure but also loaded with mystery. As a reader, I was almost overwhelmed with curiosity to understand the background of this creature that not only hurts him but also penetrates his being to transform him body and soul. The book is simply spectacular. I felt like I was watching movies like Van Helsing, and I love that genre.

Gianfranco Ferroni

- Amazon reviewer