From School Library JournalGr 9 UpThis trilogy follows 16-year-old Daniel Byers as he encounters disturbing visions that aid him in solving mysteries. Daniel first discovered his powers in Blur when the body of freshman Emily Jackson was found and he had a vision of her at her funeral. However, as he investigated her death, his visions soon started to blur reality and fantasy. In Fury, Daniel's visions receded a bit since solving Emily's murder. However, his life is far from normal: his father disappears, and Daniel realizes that his visions are the only clue to finding him. In Curse, Daniel, now a senior, is looking forward to his basketball camp, when his visions come back, this time bringing horrible, nightmarish creatures mixed with possible memories from his childhood. If that isn't complicated enough, he soon finds himself in the company of some other teenswith their own unique abilitiesto help save a girl who has been kidnapped. This complete paperback series is a good addition to collections looking for books focusing on teens with unusual powers. "That's what makes Steven James' books so good - you never know what to expect."--Christian Bookshelf sFrom the AuthorWhen I started Curse, I had no idea it would be as intricate and complex as it became. The story developed in a way that introduced more fascinating characters who each had their own unique storyline to develop.Watching this occur, and seeing where each character's special interests and skills led them, deeply intrigued me and helped carry me through some of the most intense editing months of my life. is downloading pdf books illegal Curse (Blur Trilogy)
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Not my favorite of the seriesBy Kelly B.When I think of Steven James, I think of suspense and mysteries with so many twists and turns that I don't see the bad guy or the solution coming. There hasn't been a single book of his that I have figured out who the bad guy was. I even have studied how he wrote The Knight, which he autographed when I met him in 2014, so I could figure out how he laid his trail of clues, so I could work the same magic in my suspense novels. Anyway, with the Blur Trilogy, which is designed for the young adult crowd, I have enjoyed Blur and Fury. I anxiously awaited for the conclusion to this series with Curse.As always, the mystery is filled with many twists and turns. What is better than a haunted hotel on a stormy night in the middle of nowhere? Nothing. It is a setting designed for creepy event to happen. James plays on the potential reader's fears by drawing me into the creepy woods while a storm is approaching. Yes, some might think it is a completely cliche setting but that is why the setting works so well. I didn't see it coming, and it makes the tension crackled and spark with every flash of lightening and crash of thunder.The story's point of view is from a teenager, which I love. I love seeing and understanding through world through Daniel's visions and interruptions of the dreams. While Daniel has been struggling with these visions since the book Blur, I really didn't feel like they bothered him as much this time around. He appears to have been acclimated to visions with a snap of his camera's phone.While most of James' novels have non-stop action that connect me to the characters and the plot, Curse did not. For the majority of the book, James drags us along, not really giving us a lot of exciting action. It bored me for a long time, which I honestly hate to write, but I'm being honest here. The story picks up about seventy percent into the book and that is where James shines. From then on out, the story was written in typical James's fashion, dragging me along for a great ride. Curse is an original and completely unpredictable story. The theme of what is a curse to someone might be a blessing to someone else runs rampant through the series. The story bounces off this idea and came to reality. It made me think about certain items that are occurring in my life that have me questioning God, but in reality, I should focus on what God has actually blessed me with. Like a house, three wonderful boys, a loving and supportive husband, and a steady income where my familly does not go without any of our basic needs.With a satisfying ending, Steven James's Curse captures the teenage mind of Daniel, allowing me to experience the world with me, while the action slowed more than the previous two books. Even though I probably won't mark this one of my favorite James' novels, I anxiously wait for his next book to come out.I received a complimentary copy Curse from Skyscape and the opinions stated are all my own.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great as Always!By Angela KayThe Blur trilogy (Blur, Fury, and Curse) is James first young adult series. It is the story of Daniel Byers who has had what doctors think are hallucinations, but in truth, the dead are trying to tell him how to solve the crimes. In Curse, Daniel begins preparing to attend a basketball camp when the terrifying blurs return to haunt him. As he tries to figure out the meaning behind his most recent blurs, Daniel finds himself teamed up with two other teens that are just as extraordinary. They race against time in order to save a young woman who was abducted by a scientist with distorted views of justice.James degree is known as a master storyteller, and let me tell you something: it is no joke. The thing I love most about any of his work is that he has a way of making you feel as though you are a part of the story. Curse was no different. The images given of Daniels blurs were so vivid and real, it was as though I was watching it happen.Curse was written in first-person view and in the present tense (when were seeing Daniels perspective), and also in third person view for the other characters perspectives. The first two novels of the series were written all in third person, so when I began reading Daniels point-of-view, I was thrown off track for a second, but thankfully I got used to it quickly enough.As always, I enjoyed the roller coaster ride of twists and turns, and I had no clue how it would end. With this particular story, I was quite mad at myself that I didnt figure it out, but proud that James managed to trick me, so to speak.Curse was very fast-paced. I ended up loving the finality of this trilogy. James has been my favorite author ever since I picked up The Rook, book two of his Patrick Bowers FBI series. I fell in love with his writing, and will buy every book that he writes. I recommend him to friends, and I anxiously wait for a new novel to be produced. Although Curse is marketed as young adult, anyone would enjoy it. I highly recommend this trilogy, as well as every other novel he printed.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Steven James never disappointsBy B. BergI highly recommend this book. The Blur series is the story of a young man who over time has had what the doctors think are hallucinations, but in actuality are a portal to a supernatural world. A world where the murdered are trying to tell him and others what is needed to solve the crimes. In this book, a group of teenagers who also have similar connections are being chased by a diabolical scientist who wants to use their powers. This book kept me awake to read "just one more page"... If you haven't read any of the books in this series, I recommend starting with book one, although this one can be a standalone too.