Most anthologies can usually be a bit hit or miss - I often finding myself only really enjoying a few of the stories.
But with ‘Christmas and Other Horrors’ the majority of the stories were really very good. In fact, the only one that didn’t really grab my attention was Garth Nix’s contribution.
The selection of authors was great. Several of whom I was already aware of and others who I’ll definitely be checking out further.
The horror/creepiness levels were high! I particularly really enjoyed delving into the many different seasonal traditions, festivals and folklore.
M. R James is my number one go-to for Christmas spookiness, but I think this anthology might have to also make an annual appearance on my reading list.
Great stuff!

A fantastic collection of winter holiday horrors. While the title and cover mention Christmas predominantly, theres more than christian mythos holy days and Santa Claus terror in these pages. In fact, my favorite stores focused on the folklore of Frau Perchta that makes one consider the maxim home is where the heart is and another about a Jewish family celebrating Hannukah while facing some family trauma in a garden. These weren't the only stories I enjoyed but they were the ones that stuck with me the most.
Highly recommended collection of creepiness for any horror fan or for holiday fans looking for something darker to read on the long winter nights.

This was a great variety of horror stories. I loved the collection of authors and how they were laid out.

Just like all anthologies, this one was a mixed bag for me. Some stories I really enjoyed, some were just okay, and some didn't vibe with me at all. Overall, an enjoyable mix of stories, although I did find that they seemed to focus thematically more on the Solstice than any of the other winter holidays. 3.5 rounded down to 3.

When it comes to horror fiction, there is always more room for some yuletide scares.

This anthology, while not solely focused on the most wonderful time of year, also encapsulates the whole of the winter solstice with a variety of stories that range from the scary, the strange to the downright erotic.

Editor by Ellen Datlow, there are familiar faces such as Christopher Golden, Alma Katsu, Stephen Graham Jones, Tananarive Due and Cassandra Khaw who feature stories.

Because of the vast amount of stories in Christmas Horrors...., we get plenty of variety from all over the world, and not just English and American stories.

Golden's story features a folklore monster from Austria, which after being dismissed as fabrication becomes very real and very violent.

Benjamin Percy's The Ones He Takes crafts a sinister tone, as parents receive their missing child back around Christmas but everything is not what it seems. Percy's story certainly puts another spin on the folklore attached to jolly ol' Saint Nick...

Glen Hirshberg ensures Hannukah is represented in Dry and Ready, while John Langan's After Words is a winter solstice tale with an erotic edge.

Return to the Bear Creek Lodge from Tananarive Due feels like the mid-chapter of a wider winter monster story, which the other attests could become its own book, and it certainly has the potential to be a page-turner.

Richard Kadrey heard the tale of Krampus and wanted to go to a new level in his contribution, showing that getting the family together for Christmas can have deadly repercussions.

The Nordic mythology is also weaved into this anthology with Gemma Files' No Light, No Light, focusing on the God of mischief Loki, and no, this isn't the Marvel version.

Overall, Christmas Horrors and Other Stories is a perfect read for those frosty winter nights with a wide selection of stories that will show you the true horrors of this time of year.

I loved, loved, loved the first few stories, but after that it fell kind of flat. First two stories very five star, exciting, and scary reads but after that I got bored and had a hard time finishing the book.

Perfect for those looking for some Holiday but also horror. I loved the wide variety of holiday horror stories within this, and not just being centred around Christmas. We have lore, traditions and just straight up scary. With some very well known authors in there and some new to me but would like to look into more of their work.

Excellent holiday horror! So perfect for the season. I loved how it wasn’t just Christmas tales, but tales of winter solstice and other winter holidays.

Some of my favorite authors! Alma Katsu, Seth Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Tananarive Due, Christopher Golden, Cassandra Khaw and John Langan.

Definitely pick up this book to add to your horror holiday collection!

This Winter Solstice Anthology was really fun. There were stories touching on Winter Solstice and Holiday lore and traditions from many different cultures, which was my favorite aspect of the book. While I really enjoyed the dark and spooky stories, learning about the different cultures and traditions and things that go bump in the night made this book even more enjoyable. I also really enjoyed the small blurb that each author included at the end of the story. Those were great. This is definitely one of my favorite Anthologies that I have read. And it is perfect for the spooky lover during Christmas. The cover art is also beautiful.
As with all anthologies, some stories were better than others. But the overwhelming majority of these were excellent. My favorites were:
Return to Bear Creek Lodge, by Tananarive Due (duh). Her impeccable ability to drag you into a story and its characters while unleashing the scary and uncanny shines bright in this story. I would love to read a longer book involving these characters. I would also like to read anything she ever writes, including her grocery list.
The Ghost of Christmases Past, by Richard Kadrey. This was a well written story with a perfect twisty ending that I did not see coming.
Sow-Na, by Josh Malerman. This story takes place in the snowy woods of Finland. It was fever dreamy and eerie and very atmospheric.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

☠️Book Review☠️
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Summary: The winter solstice is celebrated as a time of joy around the world—yet the long nights also conjure a darker tradition of ghouls, hauntings, and visitations. This anthology of all-new stories invites you to huddle around the fire and revel in the unholy, the dangerous, the horrific aspects of a
time when families and friends come
together—for better and for worse.

From the eerie Austrian Schnabelperchten to the skeletal Welsh Mari Lwyd, by way of ravenous golems, uncanny neighbors, and unwelcome visitors, Christmas and Other Horrors captures the heart and horror of the festive season.

Because the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is hungry…
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Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*
My Thoughts: this book was out of this world and so creepy! I loved some of these stories more than others- the first two and Stephen Graham Jones were my absolute favorite! I also really enjoyed one about a demon/ferret in the woods. Overall some really cool and unique international creepy holiday traditions that were so much fun! It was really refreshing to read a holiday book that isn’t a romance ! Highly recommend this one for the horror fans in your life. Special thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the advance copy!
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QOTD- what is a holiday tradition that your family has ?!
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#christmasandotherhorrors #bookreview #bookworm #bookstagram #booksofig #booksofinstagram #booksofinsta #bookish #bookobsessed #booklover #bookaddict #bookaesthetic #booknerd #horrorbooks #horrorbookstagram #readerlife #readersgonnaread

A hit for me! I am usually not a big fan of holiday stories, but I enjoyed these! Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy!

3.5 stars

Christmas and Other Horrors, edited by Ellen Datlow  is an anthology of short stories by various authors, with themes surrounding the winter solstice.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Titan and of course the authors, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
 

My Synopsis and Opinions:
These short stories, by a number of well-known authors, are all centered around the Christmas season (the winter solstice) ...but they are all horror-based, and cover myths from around the world.  These are the darker aspects of the season...ghosts, devils, mythology, and family shenanigans.

As always, I will rate/review each story individually.  Let's begin.


The Importance of a Tidy Home by Christopher Golden … A delightful tale on the Schnabelperchten folklore of Austria, where these bird-like creatures enter your home on January 5th of every year to make sure you have dusted.  If your home is not clean, you probably won't survive their visit.  Freddy is homeless.  Absolutely loved it!  5 stars

The Ones He Takes by Benjamin Percy … In Minnesota, Santa may take a naughty boy so that he has help to build his toys.  There is no escape.  Good short story. 3 stars

His Castle by Alma Katsu … In Wales, a man and his wife are on holidays, when the revelers knock on their door with a horse head on a stick, demanding drinks.  Knowing the custom of Mari Lwyd (the grey mare), the couple let them in, but the revelers are in for a surprise.  This one seemed to miss the mark for me. 2 stars

The Mawkin Field by Terry Dowling … In Australia, a man sees a working fridge in the middle of a field, and starts visiting the field for a beer and a chat with the brother and sister who own the field, and who tell him about their missing father, and the scarecrow.  This was okay.  3 stars

The Blessing of the Waters by Nick Mamatas … In New York, the Greek community would toss a cross in the Long Island Sound and a child would dive in to retrieve it, which blessed the waters.  The priests brother-in-law escapes prison and insists that they do this again.  This was great!  Loved the characters.  5 stars

Dry and Ready by Glen Hirshberg … In Washington, a Jewish family have their own holiday tradition.  Mother, daughter, and grand-daughter leave notes in the mouths of the creatures that the patriarch had made in a garden.  No one really wants to do this, but what happens if they don't?  This was somewhat disturbing, and I didn't like any of the characters.  The plot had merit though.  3 stars 

Last Drinks at Bondi Beach by Garth Nix … Sydney Australia gets a lot of visitors around Christmas....they may not be safe near the water.  This one was short, but somehow missing something.  2 stars

Return to Bear Creek Lodge by Tananarive Due  … 14 year old Johnny didn't want to return to the lodge where his grandmother had burned him, but she is dying, and his mom says there'll be money for his college fund.  But Johnny's nightmares have never left him, and his uncle knows more than he is saying.  This was quite good! 4 stars

The Ghost of Christmases Past by Richard Kadrey … Laura is terrified of the Christmas child-eaters, as she saw her brother eaten by one many years ago.  She now takes extreme measures around Christmas, but she's in for a surprise.  Absolutely loved that twist! 5 stars

Our Recent Unpleasantness by Stephen Graham Jones … A nightly dog-walk has Jenner seeing a strange sight or two.  This was really out-there.   3 stars

All the Pretty People by Nadia Bulkin  … A Christmas party where people are airing their grievances with each other brings back memories, fears, guilt, and a bit of hatred.  Interesting.  4 stars

Löyly Sow-na by Josh Malerman … A man travels to Finland to meet his girlfriends father, and has some strange experiences in the sauna.  Apparently the wood demons demand the truth!  Really good.  5 stars

Cold by Cassandra Khaw …  The apocalypse has arrived, and there is only un-ending winter.  This was okay.  3 stars

Gravé of Small Birds by Kaaron Warren … Jackie, a very vain woman, lost on a cooking show, but felt she should have won.  She is invited to an island to work in a prestigious hotel, where they have a rather bizarre beauty contest each Christmas.  Again, Jackie is sure she is a shoe-in.  This was really good!  5 stars

The Visitation by Jeffrey Ford … The moral obligation to help anyone who knocks on your door from the day before to the day after Christmas is questionable.  Loved it!  5 stars

The Lord of Misrule by M. Rickert … A child haunts a woman.  Difficult to like a story with such unlikable characters.  2 stars

No Light, No Light by Gemma Files … A man visits Iceland as part of a science team.  A little too much mythology, climate change and historic details for me. I was skimming. 1 star

After Words by John Langan … A couple discuss the man's first teenage love, amid a bit of confusion.  This was a bit of erotic fun as the last story, and really good.  5 stars


Overall, there were a surprising number of 4 and 5 star stories in this collection. However, the entire collection seemed really long, and I didn't feel that a lot of them were actually horror, although a couple could be sci-fi.  Anyway, as in any anthology, you take the good with the less than good.

This is a great collection of stories from the authors who know how to write horror. I will recommend this to everyone that is a fan of the genre or a reader who is curious about the genre. Love this so much that I asked for the hardcover for Christmas to add to my collection. Thank you to Titan and Netgalley

Christmas and Other Horrors edited by Ellen Datlow and featuring stories by authors such as Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu and Josh Malerman is the perfect reading material to bridge the gap between Halloween and Christmas, especially for readers who do not like their festive reading to be too cute or cosy.
There is a great variety in the stories being told, but my particular favourites were those inspired by traditional yuletide and solstice mythology and customs such as The Importance of a Tidy Home by Christopher Golden which opens the book and really sets the tone with an air of genuinely unsettling menace, His Castle by Alma Katsu which draws on the Welsh custom of Mari Lwyd and Grave of Small Birds by Kaaron Warren which is inspired by the ancient Irish monument of Newgrange with a nod to Hitchcock's The Birds. Children are not safe from the horrors either- they may be stolen to work in Santa's factory according to Benjamin Percy or follow in the steps of Hansel and Gretel in Richard Kadrey's Ghost's of Christmas Past or even cause chaos as the Lord of Misrule .
This is a collection that offers something for almost every fan of the horror genre and while no collection as diverse as this will be universally loved since people will always prefer some stories to others , it is a really strong anthology and one that horror fans should definitely pick up.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Looking for a Christmasy horror read this holiday season? Christmas and Other Horrors has you covered!

Like most anthologies, I took my time on this one. As usual with short story collections, there were many I loved, and some I liked but I really enjoyed the collection overall and didn’t find myself skimming over like I sometimes do with anthologies. There were several from some of my favorite horror authors and a few new authors for me to look into which I look forward to. It’s definitely perfect to snuggle in and get cozy with. Thanks to Titan Books for my eARC!

There is so much more to Christmas tradition than the old man with the beard who breaks into your house every December 24th. As any fan of "A Christmas Carole" knows, there are ghosts,spirits, and a dark side to this every so bright holiday.
Christmas and Other Horrors: An Anthology of Solstice Horror addresses the darker side that some of us love.
It seems every nationality and religion has a tale that offers caution to keep you on the moral path. But what if these old tales and urban myths were true? What would that be like?
Well,read these amazing stories and find out.
I only give a brief review of a few stories here, but each are equally amazing and well written.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A TIDY HOME Christopher Golden

In Salisbury there is lore about a creature, demon, called The Schnabelperchten. On the Epiphany they visit homes to see if all is in order for the new year. If so, a gift of coins is left. If not...unspeakable horror will befall those who call the dwelling home.
I was unaware of this folklore and honestly wish I still was. This is insanely scary and I think I'm going home to start cleaning...while there's time.

The Ones He Takes
Terry Dowling

Where exactly does Santa get those little people who build everything? And what happens if you are just a little naughty before Christmas?
Dowling answers that in a way that will make goosebumps appear on your skin as a cold shiver runs up your spine.

His Castle
Alma Katsu
Not so much a Christmas tale as a cautionary tale of the greed of the wealthy.  A quote from this story says it all:  the wealthy have long claimed land as their right and privilege, and the poor have suffered for it.
Excellent.

If you're a horror fan or just a lover of the darker side of Christmas, do your self a favor and drop everything to go get this anthology. You can thank me later.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

I’m so happy I went ahead and bought this. I originally saw that this anthology had Tananarive Due in it and I really enjoy her writing . I also really enjoy an anthology so this was right up my alley . This has 17 different stories by 17 different authors. Each story is centered around winter/the holidays in some way . Some stories are folk lore or made up original stories .Though I did enjoy some stories more than others I would say other all this was a very good book overall. I would love to see this again but with more horror elements.

Christmas, Solstice and Chanukah all get treated to a touch of the macabre in this holiday collection. I enjoyed all of them but The Importance of a Tidy Home by Christopher Golden was my favorite.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC .
My opinions are my own.

A great collection of horror stories centered around Christmas/winter themes. Perfect for those that want to read something a little darker in the wintertime.

a collection of dark stories based around the winter solstice and christmas, and based on folklore, mythology and nearly forgotten traditions from around the world. as with all short story collections, some are gems and some miss the mark a little. overall it's a strong anthology & perfect for those who don't want a cringey christmas book (me) but instead want gothic, nightmarish & slightly festive tales.


thanks to netgalley for an arc of this book.