What if vampire fiction could lead us to deeper truths about redemption? Sr. Allison Regina Gliot's debut novel The Curse He Chose, first of the In Aeternum series, dares to ask this question.
The story opens with familiar young adult novel themes: Elizabeth faces an uncertain future while her friends head to college. But her mundane worries quickly evaporate when she becomes entangled in a violent confrontation between vampires. She finds herself thrust into a dark world filled with seemingly irredeemable creatures and sinister plots.
The narrative centers on Elizabeth’s imprisonment with Christopher, a vampire outcast who challenges her preconceptions about evil and forgiveness. Elizabeth is left dependent on Christopher’s confusing protection and her own faith in God. Together, the two of them must navigate both external threats from other vampires and their own internal struggles.
Faith meets can't-put-it-down fiction
“This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood.” 1 John 5:6
This quote opens Gliot’s novel, establishing its scriptural foundation. Each chapter begins with a related biblical quote that centers the narrative on specific theological themes. Gliot seamlessly weaves Catholic teachings into mainstream vampire tropes popularized by works like Twilight and The Vampire Diaries.
Traditional vampire fiction relies heavily on established stereotypes: bloodthirsty beings who avoid sunlight and sustain themselves on human blood. Gliot forces readers to question why we hold certain stereotypes and beliefs about both vampires and humans.
What does being "undead" truly entail beyond physical transformation? Can anyone achieve forgiveness regardless of their past transgressions? And how does one forgive even the most heinous crimes and seemingly irredeemable acts?
These questions drive the narrative beyond typical vampire romance into deeper theological territory. The blood that sustains vampires becomes a powerful metaphor for Christ’s sacrifice and the spiritual nourishment all souls require. Water and blood — central elements in the sacraments — transform from mere plot devices into symbols of baptism, communion, and redemption.
Through this fascinating story, Gliot demonstrates that popular vampire fiction can transcend its usual boundaries. The result is a unique contribution to urban fantasy that satisfies both fans of the genre and readers seeking deeper meaning in their fiction.
Don't let the vampire premise fool you — this is ultimately a story about grace, and it might just change how you see both monsters and saints.
