whistberry's review
5.0
This anthology of chilling holiday-themed tales is the perfect horror fix for anyone suffering from Halloween season spookiness withdrawal. I was so impressed with the variety of styles and subjects covered in these short stories from a group of very talented authors. There’s something here for everyone from psychological suspense to in-your-face blood-soaked tales.
I enjoyed all the stories, but I’ll highlight just a few of them here:
Dark Harmony by E.D. Edwards is a slow-build ghost story about a musician who is both obsessed and repulsed by an antique acoustic guitar that produces hauntingly and perhaps dangerously beautiful music. Effectively eerie and moody.
The Beanfeast by Sinead McCabe expertly builds tension as a nervous wife visits her husband’s large and very close-knit family in the English countryside for the first time, only to discover some very strange local holiday customs. For fans of Midsommar.
Trinket the Elf by K.A. Miltimore will confirm your very worst fears if you’ve ever suspected those Christmas elf dolls might be possessed. Nightmare inducing!
Receiving is Better Than Giving by Villimey Mist is a terrific supernatural creature fright fest centered on the Yule Cat of Icelandic folklore and the dangers of flouting long-revered holiday customs.
Within the Wicker by Brad Acevedo brings the Krampus legend to creepily effective life as a couple of teenagers cross wits with their mysterious new neighbor.
If you’re looking for well-written and sinister tales that have a blast subverting holiday cheer for some good old-fashioned scares, I highly recommend checking out this collection. (Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this anthology from the publisher in return for my honest opinion.)
I enjoyed all the stories, but I’ll highlight just a few of them here:
Dark Harmony by E.D. Edwards is a slow-build ghost story about a musician who is both obsessed and repulsed by an antique acoustic guitar that produces hauntingly and perhaps dangerously beautiful music. Effectively eerie and moody.
The Beanfeast by Sinead McCabe expertly builds tension as a nervous wife visits her husband’s large and very close-knit family in the English countryside for the first time, only to discover some very strange local holiday customs. For fans of Midsommar.
Trinket the Elf by K.A. Miltimore will confirm your very worst fears if you’ve ever suspected those Christmas elf dolls might be possessed. Nightmare inducing!
Receiving is Better Than Giving by Villimey Mist is a terrific supernatural creature fright fest centered on the Yule Cat of Icelandic folklore and the dangers of flouting long-revered holiday customs.
Within the Wicker by Brad Acevedo brings the Krampus legend to creepily effective life as a couple of teenagers cross wits with their mysterious new neighbor.
If you’re looking for well-written and sinister tales that have a blast subverting holiday cheer for some good old-fashioned scares, I highly recommend checking out this collection. (Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this anthology from the publisher in return for my honest opinion.)
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