Reviews

Spirits of the Season: Christmas Hauntings by Tanya Kirk

causearuckus's review against another edition

5.0

Christmas spooks, what more can you ask for

adrinthesky's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

fantasticmrethan's review against another edition

5.0

An incredible collection by a diverse group of writers. Genuinely creepy, often charming and occasionally hilarious. A fantastic book.

smaugishreads's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

laurenmckane's review against another edition

mysterious tense slow-paced

4.25

pibbit's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

lilis_land's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

The festive season is the perfect time for spooky ghost stories! It use to be a integral part of the season which has been replaced by more sedate habits as nerves are already fraught with the fear of forgetting a key part of Christmas dinner! 

British Library publishing helps us bring the ghost story tradition back to the forefront of festivities with their collection of Christmas Hauntings. Their first collection is ‘Spirits of the Season’ and it was honestly one of the most enjoyable short story collections I’ve ready in a long time. 

Every selection within this volume is an absolute gem and I’d thrust it into anyone’s hand should they query on what festively spooky book they should pick up! 

“Unpleasant, haunting memories have a way of coming to life again just when the mind least desires them - in the silent watches of the night, on sleepless pillows, during the lonely hours spent by sick and dying beds.” - Algernon Blackwood 

mh_books's review against another edition

4.0

A collection of Ghostly tales set at Christmas and originally published in Christmas magazines and annuals from 1867 to 1940; some are better than others but all show the large range of tales out there as no two are alike.

Recommended for Fans of Kate Mosse's The Mistletoe Bride & Other Haunting Tales and similar.

alisonburnis's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

I like spooky things but I don’t like being scared. This is probably why I’m very into classical Gothic literature (I know all the tropes) and my favourite Christmas story is A Christmas Carol, which is a ghost story at its heart. So Spirits of the Season: Christmas Hauntings is exactly up my alley, even though as I write this, it’s March. 

This is a collection of brilliant ghost stories, focused on Christmas, spanning the 19th and early 20th centuries. They are lovely and cozy and spooky in just the right way - a bit unsettling but not so that you’re too scared to breathe or move. Ah so good. There are haunted houses, unexplained hallucinations, sightings of the macabre, and even a cursed Christmas tree. It’s great. Highly recommend this collection - I’ll definitely be rereading it in December and for many Decembers to come. 

farilian's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25