Claimed

Name: Claimed
Price: 36.69 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781329377646

✍️ Francis Stevens

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$36.69

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A cursed box from a volcanic island brings nightmares and abduction to its owners.

The plot follows the aftermath of a maritime disaster where a mysterious box is salvaged. The artifact triggers supernatural disturbances for the millionaire who buys it, his niece, and their doctor. As the young physician investigates the strange writing on the container, he witnesses escalating madness and death. The narrative shifts when the owner and his relative are taken by unknown captors. The doctor follows them across the ocean to uncover the source of the evil. He discovers the truth from the sailor who originally retrieved the box. Stevens uses this structure to explore themes of greed and supernatural retribution within a gothic framework.

Key Themes

cursed artifact mad sailor sea apparitions

Literary Context

This text belongs to the tradition of early twentieth-century weird fiction, published in 2015 by Lulu.com. It draws on gothic horror tropes and maritime adventure genres popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The work reflects the era's fascination with uncharted islands and mysterious ancient artifacts.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Arthur Machen · Algernon Blackwood

🩸

Horror Fiction

🏛 Lulu.com 📅 2015 📖 96 pages 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781329377646

📝 Description: Claimed

Francis Stevens presents a narrative centered on a peculiar artifact recovered from an uncharted island after an undersea volcanic explosion nearly destroys the discovering vessel. This strange box carries an undecipherable inscription that brings misfortune to those who possess it. A crotchety old millionaire purchases the item and soon regrets his decision, as horrible sea apparitions appear at night and frightening dreams plague him alongside his niece and their young doctor. The physician attempts to decipher the writing and understand the box's origins while dealing with macabre visions and occasional deaths linked to the object. These events culminate in the abduction of the millionaire and his niece by unknown individuals. The doctor pursues his employer across the high seas, eventually learning the truth about the box's evil nature from the mad sailor who first found it. Stevens writes a science fantasy novel that blends supernatural horror with maritime adventure. This story suits readers interested in early twentieth-century weird fiction and tales of cursed objects. It may not appeal to those seeking modern psychological horror or fast-paced action without atmospheric dread.

💎 Our verdict on Claimed

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Stevens crafts a compelling maritime horror narrative centered on a cursed artifact that brings misfortune to its possessors. The story excels in building atmospheric dread through the escalation of nightmares and macabre visions affecting the millionaire, his niece, and their doctor. The plot effectively blends supernatural elements with adventure as the physician pursues the abducted owners across the ocean. This structure allows for a gradual revelation of the box's evil nature via the mad sailor who retrieved it. The work is best suited for readers who enjoy classic weird fiction and gothic themes rather than modern psychological thrillers. It stands as a solid example of early twentieth-century horror that prioritizes mood and retribution over contemporary narrative techniques.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate early twentieth-century weird fiction and gothic tales of cursed objects will find significant value in this narrative. The book appeals to those interested in atmospheric dread rather than fast-paced action or modern psychological horror. It offers a compelling exploration of greed and supernatural retribution through the lens of maritime adventure. Fans of science fantasy that merges the eerie with the adventurous will enjoy the journey across the high seas. The story provides a classic framework for understanding how ancient evils manifest in the lives of the wealthy and curious. Those seeking tales of uncharted islands and mysterious artifacts will find this work engaging.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Stevens crafts a compelling maritime horror narrative centered on a cursed artifact that brings misfortune to its possessors. The story excels in building atmospheric dread through the escalation of nightmares and macabre visions affecting the millionaire, his niece, and their doctor. The plot effectively blends supernatural elements with adventure as the physician pursues the abducted owners across the ocean. This structure allows for a gradual revelation of the box's evil nature via the mad sailor who retrieved it. The work is best suited for readers who enjoy classic weird fiction and gothic themes rather than modern psychological thrillers. It stands as a solid example of early twentieth-century horror that prioritizes mood and retribution over contemporary narrative techniques.