pbanditp's review against another edition
4.0
Halloween is just the beginning of the horror season when you have E. Reyes on your bookshelf. You won’t need to watch the turkey run around headless to satisfy your bloodlust with stories from the Day of the Dead, Thanksgiving, all leading right up to Christmas Eve.
“I remember coming over to visit my parents one summer day when I saw him in the backyard axing a dog’s body in half on the wood stump my dad used to cut wood on.”
Gore is amply provided, but so are real characters that you wonder how you got so attached to in such a short story. Setting is also brought to life with just enough description to make you feel like you are there. Not that you want to be.
This is the second anthology that I have read from E. Reyes and I like his style of writing. I look forward to reading a full length novel from him.
“I remember coming over to visit my parents one summer day when I saw him in the backyard axing a dog’s body in half on the wood stump my dad used to cut wood on.”
Gore is amply provided, but so are real characters that you wonder how you got so attached to in such a short story. Setting is also brought to life with just enough description to make you feel like you are there. Not that you want to be.
This is the second anthology that I have read from E. Reyes and I like his style of writing. I look forward to reading a full length novel from him.
loandbeholdx's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This is a short story collection, with all stories revolving around the holiday season. Each story is different in the type of horror it presents, making this a great collection to read, as it has a bit of everything to suit anyone. A couple stories could of benefited from being a little bit longer, as it would of been interesting to have more of background behind characters and events that take place. Overall, it was a fun and quick read, and some of the horror was very creepy. Other parts were gory, and even had a hint of comedic horror in there too. I've not read anything by this author before, but this anthology has definitely made me want to pick something else up in the future.
ludwigdvorak's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
3.0
I just really support and appreciate Reyes - this man clearly just loves what he does and he's writing a kind of horror you just don't see get discussed too often. I only really loved one story here, but I did enjoy another three, and one was simply way too short to give a high rating. With a few more stories or beefing up a few here, this could be a very good Christmas and winter collection. Highly recommend Scurry Furry Christmas, it is hilarious and perfect for the season.
connorjdaley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I picked this up for last December’s reading, but I didn’t get to it. So I made a point to get to it this year, and what premium timing, as the book has just been picked up and rereleased be Velox Books! So congrats to the author, and show some support!
I also recently received an e-ARC of Devil’s Hill II, which is a great horror short story collection too, but better suited for the Halloween season.
The author is the self-proclaimed Clark Griswold of Halloween and it shows. All of his work is horror or Halloween related, and he does a great job of it besides.
This collection is horror based Christmas and holiday tales. The author can give us different holidays, but he sticks to his horror roots which I respect. Christmas in the Empty Cabin is the title of one of the short stories, it isn’t the first or last, nor is it really longer than the others, but it’s definitely solid enough to get the title card.
Personally my favorite short was the last. It’s like the author’s take on Gremlins, Chucky, and any other shopping store/toy-esque horrors. It read like possessed Ferbies eating peoples faces. Terrifying and fun.
Personally a 4/5* for me. Check it out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Murder, Vomit, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
bookish_spren's review
4.0
I thought this anthology was perfect to read during the Winter. I read it right before Christmas and loved it!! This is my second book by E. Reyes and I can’t wait to read more by him. My three favorite stories were My Brother Daniel. How I wish that one was longer. My mouth dropped towards the end! I loved The House by the Woods. It really broke my heart reading that one. I also loved Christmas in the Empty Cabin. Reminded me in some ways of The Shining.
So if you’re looking for a fast Horror Holiday read, Christmas in the Empty Cabin and other Holiday Stories, would be perfect.
So if you’re looking for a fast Horror Holiday read, Christmas in the Empty Cabin and other Holiday Stories, would be perfect.
enchantressreads's review
5.0
Midnight Visitors 4⭐️
Sophie, a 12 year old girl, stays up a little too late and sees something she will never be able to unsee. So cool! I’ve never read anything Día de los Muertos related before, so this was fun.
My Brother Daniel 5⭐️
Brandon goes home for Thanksgiving and finds his normally sullen reclusive brother Daniel is happy and talkative. That ending!!! Love it.
The House by the Woods 5⭐️
On the way home from school, Luke always passes one particular house he’s drawn to. One day, a girl comes out he’s never seen before. She needs his help. A good coming of age story!
Christmas Blues 4⭐️
Short, but sweet. Barry is desperate for some Christmas money, so he goes for a job only few have ever done before.
Christmas in the Empty Cabin 5⭐️
Jake and Daniel are on their annual winter camping trip when Daniel gets injured. Jake goes for help when he finds an old cabin. I loved this story! It’s very reminiscent of old Christmas horror stories.
A Scurry Furry Christmas 5⭐️
Tom is going to work at a major retail chain on Christmas Eve. That’s it. That’s the horror story. As an ex-retail worker, I have to say this was my favorite of the collection. It was funny while still being terrifying. I’m also terrified of dolls or doll-like things, so thanks for the nightmares!
Sophie, a 12 year old girl, stays up a little too late and sees something she will never be able to unsee. So cool! I’ve never read anything Día de los Muertos related before, so this was fun.
My Brother Daniel 5⭐️
Brandon goes home for Thanksgiving and finds his normally sullen reclusive brother Daniel is happy and talkative. That ending!!! Love it.
The House by the Woods 5⭐️
On the way home from school, Luke always passes one particular house he’s drawn to. One day, a girl comes out he’s never seen before. She needs his help. A good coming of age story!
Christmas Blues 4⭐️
Short, but sweet. Barry is desperate for some Christmas money, so he goes for a job only few have ever done before.
Christmas in the Empty Cabin 5⭐️
Jake and Daniel are on their annual winter camping trip when Daniel gets injured. Jake goes for help when he finds an old cabin. I loved this story! It’s very reminiscent of old Christmas horror stories.
A Scurry Furry Christmas 5⭐️
Tom is going to work at a major retail chain on Christmas Eve. That’s it. That’s the horror story. As an ex-retail worker, I have to say this was my favorite of the collection. It was funny while still being terrifying. I’m also terrified of dolls or doll-like things, so thanks for the nightmares!
ericarobyn's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Christmas in the Empty Cabin and Other Holiday Tales by E. Reyes is a must-read for fans of holiday horror.
Go pick up your copy, grab a comfy blanket, and dive into this one on a windy or snowy December evening! You’re going to love it.
I saw the cover of this one floating around on Twitter one day. Of course as soon as I realized it was Christmas horror, I snagged a copy for myself!
This collection is so much fun to read! There are tales that are lighter on the horror, while others went into the full-out terror.
I especially loved how this collection didn’t shy away from the darkness of the holiday season.
My favorites from this collection include:
- Midnight Visitors
- The House by the Woods
- Christmas in the Empty Cabin
Here are my notes on each tale-
Midnight Visitors
The night of November 1st, Sophie’s parents urge her to go to sleep. She finally does but is awoken at midnight by sounds in the kitchen. Of course she goes to investigate.
The night of November 1st, Sophie’s parents urge her to go to sleep. She finally does but is awoken at midnight by sounds in the kitchen. Of course she goes to investigate.
This one had suspense, a bit of spookiness, and a lot of love! Who wouldn’t give for one more meal all together?
My Brother Daniel
From the start of this one, it’s clear something is going on. I just had no idea what until it was all laid out! This one threw me for quite the loop!
From the start of this one, it’s clear something is going on. I just had no idea what until it was all laid out! This one threw me for quite the loop!
The House by the Woods
When a beautiful girl asks this boy for help, he jumps immediately to do whatever she needs. She has him enter the woods with her to look for something…
When a beautiful girl asks this boy for help, he jumps immediately to do whatever she needs. She has him enter the woods with her to look for something…
This one seemed so innocent at first, but then it starts to get more and more unsettling.
Christmas Blues
Short, heartbreaking, and sweet. A tale about a man that will do anything for family.
Short, heartbreaking, and sweet. A tale about a man that will do anything for family.
Christmas in the Empty Cabin
While on their annual camping trip, disaster strikes leaving one man stuck in a tent with an injury while the other goes for help. He gets caught in a nasty storm, but the storm isn’t the only thing to worry about.
While on their annual camping trip, disaster strikes leaving one man stuck in a tent with an injury while the other goes for help. He gets caught in a nasty storm, but the storm isn’t the only thing to worry about.
Phew, this one was absolutely chilling. I was so nervous for these two every step of the way. I loved the ending!
A Scurry Furry Christmas
The toy of the year is an ugly little thing. It’s impossible to find and obviously it’s the only toy this man’s daughter asked for. But when a woman curses others trying to get the last three, the toys become something else!
The toy of the year is an ugly little thing. It’s impossible to find and obviously it’s the only toy this man’s daughter asked for. But when a woman curses others trying to get the last three, the toys become something else!
What a bloody way to end this collection! Phew! The ugliness that comes out during normal crazed shopping is intense, but this tale brought it to a whole new level.
My Favorite Passage from Christmas in the Empty Cabin and Other Holiday Tales
Erica and Luke stepped into the woods. It was like a horror movie waiting to happen. The thunder started rumbling, and light rain started to come down, squeezing between the woods.
My Final Thoughts on Christmas in the Empty Cabin and Other Holiday Tales
I love holiday short stories, and this one really hit it out of the park for me. Many of these characters and plotlines settled fully into my brain while reading, and I know I won’t be forgetting about them anytime soon.
While this may have been my first read from E., it most definitely will not be my last! I cannot wait to dive into more works soon.