Top 13 Books About Curses Updated 04 /2024

It may appear that the worst thing about coming into a bookstore these days is how empty it is, as many people choose to read on their Kindles while the shelves of rare and ancient books collect dust. Compared to the cursed books that have haunted mankind for millennia, this is nothing. A single page-flip can leave you with years of bad luck and disaster, despite the fact that novels are supposed to bring wisdom and wonder.

A poisonous manuscript that kills everyone who attempts to alter its pages is just one of the dark corners of the literary world that you've never heard about. We've compiled a list of the top five most cursed books for your peril.

The Orphan’s Story

Though even the initial Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times, 400 years is unquestionably a new record for the amount of time it takes for an author to obtain their big break! An early 1600s novel about a 14-year-old Spanish immigrant to the New World by Martin de Leon Cardenas, The Orphan's Story is a classic of the Golden Age. A significant darkness lies within its pages, which is why the novel was not published until 2018—even though it sounds like a conventional feel-good adventure story.

There were many warnings regarding The Orphan's Story from Peruvian academic Belinda Palacios when she edited the book for two years. They told her that the book was cursed, and that anybody who worked on it would die in mysterious ways, which was why it had taken so long to publish. The book's prior editors perished in horrifying vehicle accidents or weird diseases, which she laughed off at the time, according to research. Is it possible that the authorities did not want the ancient script to be made public? Two years after the book's publishing, Palacios is still alive and well... So here's hoping that the curse has been broken.

The Untitled Grimoires

You'd think folks would know better than to mess with a witch's spellbook after seeing so many terrifying movies... however it doesn't appear to be. It was offered by an online reseller in 2013 for approximately $14,000 for a set of two handwritten, spiral-bound spell books. Persephone Adrastea Eirene, a high priestess of Wicca, is said to have written the books in the 1960s and purportedly ran her own coven. Incantations, spells, enchantments, and detailed instructions on summoning spirits and demons comprise the whole 250-page book.

Despite this, there is a major drawback. On the first page of the book, Persephone plainly warns readers of the dangers of tampering with the book. "To those not of the art, the reading of this book is strictly prohibited!" she said in her note. Please do not go any farther, or justice will have its way with you—you will undoubtedly pay the price for your indiscretion." People who bought this cursed book may have made a terrible mistake if they didn't know it was forbidden, so we hope they made the correct choice.

The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage

Abramelin, unlike most parents, gave his son a book filled with fabled curses as a gift. That's fine, as well. This 15th-century novel has a bad rap ever since it was translated into English in 1900. There are various ideas as to why this is, but the mage's notion that everyone has a distinct personal demon is generally accepted.

Throughout the book, he provides step-by-step instructions for performing rituals and engaging in otherworldly feats to subdue your demonic forces. Anyone who is interested in the paranormal understands that communicating with the spirit world is fraught with peril, so it's not unexpected that those who have read this book have experienced terrible luck and the presence of otherworldly entities.

The Grand Grimoire

It's a good idea to think twice before opening a book dubbed the "gospel of Satan." Known as one of the most horrific occult novels ever published, this 16th century book is said to have been authored by a man possessed by the devil. Dark incantations and instructions for summoning demonic forces are contained within. People who are mourning or experiencing loss may find comfort in this latter part, but the book's gloomy reputation makes it one of the most dreaded medieval manuscripts ever.

It's a good thing that The Grand Grimoire can't be bought because doing so would be tantamount to selling your soul to the devil. Apparently, the Vatican Secret Archives holds the original copy, which is not currently available to the general public.

The Voynich Manuscript

One of the most terrifying things in life is the unknown, which is why The Voynich Manuscript has become one of the most dreaded works of literature in history. For centuries, people have been frustrated and cursed with bad luck because of the 240 pages written in an indecipherable language that was written in the 15th century. No one has been able to decipher the code despite the efforts of numerous historians and experts.

Is it possible that it was authored by foreigners? A new kind of creature? Is there life on other planets? It's a mystery... Anyone who finally unlocks this terrifying language is rumored to have a fatal curse unleashed on them.

'The Graces' by Laure Eve

River, like the rest of her community, is enamored with the Graces because of their glitz and seeming magic-making prowess. But is what they appear to be really what it is? When it comes to their own safety, what do you think of them?

'Wild Beauty' by Anna-Marie McLemore

La Pradera's grounds have been cared for by the Nomeolvides women for nearly a century. Additionally, they have a dark secret: if they fall too deeply in love, their lovers disappear. In the meantime, a strange-looking youngster is seen lurking in the garden bushes. No one knows anything more about him than Estrella, the girl from Nomeolvides he was found by, or even himself. The La Pradera leads Estrella and Fel to hazardous truths as they put together Fel's background.

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