Normally I won't go near any book that says Christmas until December, but when you pair it with horror I'm in! I'm definitely in my fantasy and horror era so this anthology of solstice horror stories fit my mood just right. It's always a great feeling to read so many amazing stories from so many talented authors. While not all of these were fantastic, the majority really were. I don't want to talk about the plot for any of them to make sure I avoid spoilers but I highly recommend this for anyone looking to put a little scare in their holiday season.

Thank you to titan books and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

A very strong collection with stories to get the reader in the mood for the season. The assembly of authors is unbeatable, but as many stories disappoint as those that impress. A worthy contribution to the Christmas ghost story tradition. Standouts: "The Mawkin Field" by Terry Dowling and "The Visitation" by Jeffrey Ford.

A Yuletide thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC.

Just in time for the spooky season, I dove into "Christmas and Other Horrors: An Analogy of Solstice Horror" by a group of renowned horror authors.

The winter solstice isn't just about joy; it's also a time for ghouls, hauntings, and chilling tales. This anthology takes you on a bone-chilling journey around the world, exploring the unholy and horrific side of the festive season.

From eerie Austrian Schnabelperchten to skeletal Welsh Mari Lwyd, these stories delve into uncanny traditions, unsettling visitors, and the darker side of coming together with loved ones.

The best part? There's no filler; it dives right into the horror. Each story is followed by a brief description, shedding light on its inspiration. Perfect for those who adore analogies with a twist of horror, even though it's in the title, this book focuses more on solstice traditions. I loved every story and can't wait to discuss it with others.

Thank you to Netgalley and Titan Books for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve read a fair few anthologies recently and this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I love the old Victorian festive tradition of telling ghost stories and I thought this would be a mix of haunting tales, folklore and even a little Christmas camp spotted around. It’s not those things, instead it features some unique stories relating to various celebrations. I have to commend it on the unusual approach to a winter solstice anthology, it certainly brings something different to the table. Unfortunately I was looking for a more traditional offering. One aspect I did really like was the little tidbit of info after each story.

I’d recommend this to:
Anyone looking for something different in a holiday season book or those who want to try some horror that’s not too terrifying and eases you into the genre. It’s a good sampler of some great authors.

Another collection of short fiction! I saw a couple of the names on this one and had to read it. Most of these stories are about the Solstice, so you won’t get a bunch of specifically Christmas related tales. A few of them do have holiday themes and atmosphere, though, and I especially love a good snowy horror setting. There’s a nice variety here, (even one story that takes place at a Festivus party), so everyone is bound to find something they like. And if you do want that cozy, home for the holidays feeling with your horror you will still get that.

However, if you’re hoping for consistently violent, gory or pulse-pounding frights then this won’t be a good collection for you. There are some bloody and graphic moments throughout, but a lot of the fiction is either of the psychological or slow-burn variety. Surprisingly, there were also several pieces in this collection that I just flat out didn’t like.

My favorite story was “The Mawkin Field” by Terry Dowling. Though the frights in that one are very subtle, and most people would probably disagree with me and call it more on the boring side, I loved it. So strange and eerie! Very well done. I also really loved that Tananarive Due story, ("Return to Bear Creek Lodge,") and “The Lord of Misrule” by M. Rickert. Those three were the biggest standouts for me.

One story was about creatures resembling plague doctors going from house to house and punishing anyone whose home wasn’t clean enough, but it was told from the perspective of a homeless person so that was very interesting.

Another story felt like it went on for way too long, but had a great ending, which is rare. (The one about the sculpture garden.) The Stephen Graham Jones story was a bit confusing, but I will read anything he writes because he’s great. (And his name being on this collection was a big draw for me.) The Josh Malerman one is better than his recent contribution to the “Creature Features” series on Amazon.

As far as the stuff I didn’t care for…The Garth Nix story was simply not the same quality as all the others. I also hated the misguided morality of “The Visitation,” and that “After Words” story was the most tedious piece of fiction I’ve read in any collection this year. I ended up skimming through it. Full honesty, I skipped over the Gemma Files story entirely because I absolutely could not follow it.

Very cool artwork on the cover on this book, though, and the stories that were good more than made up for the ones that I didn’t like. I always know going into a collection that it’s going to be a gamble.

TW: Suicide, child death

Christmas and Other Horrors is a winter/Christmas themed anthology but several authors that features short stories that take place during the most wonderful time of the year. I think it’s important to note that not all of these stories are Christmas specific and are more just wintery in vibe.

I have said it a million times before but I think horror is such a fantastic use of the short story format. You truly get right into the story and don’t have to worry about filler and this collection was no exception. I don’t think all the stories were great. Some were more in the two star category. But most of them were good. And I love how there were notes at the end about the author’s process and inspiration behind the stories. This is something I always love when it’s included in short story collections. I’m also a huge fan of having different length stories. Some were very short and some were longer and I love being able to skip around in the book and read what I wanted to when I wanted to.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to put scary in their holiday season. This book is for people who understand that The Nightmare Before Christmas is both a Halloween and a Christmas movie because I read this collection in October and it gave me all those vibes.

Thank you Netgalley and Titan for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Christmas and Other Horrors" by Garth Nix, Josh Malerman, Alma Katsu, and Stephen Graham Jones is a collection of Christmas horror stories.

I would give "Christmas and Other Horrors" by Garth Nix, Josh Malerman, Alma Katsu, and Stephen Graham Jones a 2-star review because, while the concept sounded good actually reading this I didn't enjoy any of the stories.

CHRISTMAS AND OTHER HORRORS, as the title indicates, brings the Scaries from other Winter seasonal holidays too. It's a rather inclusive collection, and these authors have digently searched and researched to find Horrors past the mundane over-trodden paths. Here are tales that are Scary and Very Scary, stories to incite despair, foretellings of Apocalypse, considerations of human evil (intentional, uncaring, or simply careless), and examinations of the nature of consciousness and sorcery. Guaranteed that something here will keep most everyone wide awake, though it won't be always the same tale for each individual. Come sample this Smorgasbord of Fear. ..if you dare!

I adored this collection. Just about every single story is great and I had so much fun reading this. For me, Christmas is a time for cheer, but also a time for spooky stories. What's all the brightness without a little dark? This book had me worrying about cleaning my house before new years and wondering if Santa himself is naughty or nice.

All the tales were so creative and will stick with me long after the holiday season ends. This is a must read for horror fans looking for some thrills and chills during the winter season.

4.5 stars

One of my new favorite anthologies. What a line up of authors too, how could you go wrong.

I usually find that I only like about 1/2 of the stories in an anthology but this one I enjoyed every single story. Also given the theme, I expected at least a little bit of cheesy horror, but I was surprised and happy to see that these were not at all silly, just very well written works. I was happy to find a couple of new authors that I’ll be following now as well,

A fantastic holiday horror collection, Christmas and Other Horrors absolutely has something for everyone.
I was able to read some new stories from some of my favourite horror authors and also get to discover some new ones that I'll be keeping an eye out from now on.
Please find attached my more indepth, spoiler free youtube review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxmZ7YB2zMc

Great collection of xmas themed horror which worked as an anthology in its own right - a rare thing when usually there's a couple of weak stories that drag the rest of the book down. This included some of my new favourites from the horror genre. Perfect horror read for the festive season.

"Christmas and Other Horrors" is an eclectic anthology of chilling and atmospheric stories that take you on a spine-tingling journey through winter solstice traditions from around the world. Edited by the Hugo Award-winning editor Ellen Datlow, this collection of original tales brings the dark side of the festive season to life, evoking a sense of foreboding amidst the celebrations.

Each story in this anthology is a unique take on the theme, with a diverse array of writers contributing their own brand of horror. From ghastly traditions like the Austrian Schnabelperchten to the eerie Welsh Mari Lwyd, and even contemporary nightmares, "Christmas and Other Horrors" explores the supernatural and macabre elements that have become intertwined with the season of celebration.

The standout quality of this anthology is its ability to transport you into different traditions, cultures, and realms, each one cloaked in an aura of dread. The writing is sharp, evocative, and expertly crafted to send shivers down your spine. The contributors, including renowned authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu, and Josh Malerman, deliver tales that are both unsettling and captivating.

The stories are a fine balance of the eerie, the uncanny, and the outright terrifying, making it a perfect read for horror enthusiasts. Whether it's a visitation from unwelcome guests, ravenous golems, or sinister neighbors, the anthology captures the essence of what makes this time of year both enchanting and dread-filled.

As you huddle around the fire, "Christmas and Other Horrors" beckons you to delve into the darkness that often lurks beneath the cheer of the holiday season. If you're a fan of horror and appreciate a good scare, this anthology is a must-read, reminding us that even in the season of joy, there's a place for the macabre.

Come one come all for some holiday horrors! This is a really fun anthology filled with holiday horror stories based on winter solstice traditions around the world. These are short and sweet and perfect for little horrors for the winter time.

*Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I did not finish this book. I had high hopes for this book but it just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into any of the stories, they’re either felt like they dragged on or were over too quickly. A few were just hard to follow along with.

When I saw the cover and the names in this anthology I knew I had to read it! Thank you NetGalley and Titan books for an advanced review e-book.

Every one of these story are good which is rare in a. Anthology this sized. Highlights were Alma Katsu, Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones and John Langan.

Like always, Ellen Datlow puts together an amazing variety of great stories. This time set at my favorite time of year!

Hugo Award winning editor, and horror legend, Ellen Datlow presents a terrifying and chilling horror anthology of original short stories exploring the endless terrors of winter solstice traditions across the globe, featuring chillers by Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu and many more.

I love Christmas themed horror and this anthology was great.

This book is an anthology about Christmas horror. I won’t say much about each story since they’re short and I don’t want to ruin anything. However, these stories were fun to read and it was a good Christmas horror collection. I don’t feel like Christmas horror is explored much so this one was fun.

I did enjoy some stories more than other stories. That is why this was a 4 star instead of 5. I did have fun with it but some stories were not for me. I would recommend for people looking for Christmas horror!

Thanks so much to netgalley and titan books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve been so lucky with my horror reads lately but when I saw that Titan was releasing a Christmas horror anthology, I knew that I had to be all over that. I was like a kid in the candy shop. I wanted to inhale them all – but I knew I had to patient, I would have the opportunity to have a taste of them all, and taste I did. I gobbled each story up like a starving woman. I needed my horror fix, and this release from Titan did just that.

What do you think about when the word horror and Christmas materialise? If you’re normal, then candy canes and tiny elves are the first thing you want to say then you’d be wrong! Christmas was made for horror. Bear with me. A strange man coming down your chimney to deliver gifts? Come on – that is just asking for home invasion type horror. Or imagine an advent calendar of death? Okay, okay, maybe now I’m getting a little carried away, but you get the gist!

So, onto this anthology. When I saw the list of contributing authors, to say I squealed a little would be an understatement. Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu and Tananarive Due, those are some big shoes to fill. Their stories did not disappoint, and they were most definitely the best stories in the collection. Just their magnificent prose, how they carried their stories and the way they injected cultural significance into their stories left me enthralled and excited for Christmas horror movie season!

Are you looking for stories about who actually makes the toys at Santa’s workshop? Or do you prefer a story about strange beings turning up every winter solstice? Or maybe you fancy a trip to Wales and the Mari Lwyd?

I loved how the authors of this collection were able to have a basic and rather harmless concept in Christmas and/or the winter solstice and transform it into something wholly frightening. If I’m completely honest there wasn’t a bad story in this collection but the one’s that really stood out were the ones I mentioned above. They just brought something stronger – they didn’t over explain, their characterisations were exemplary and most importantly – I just felt like I was there.

After all – there are some very acceptable reasons to be scared of the dark.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Christmas and Other Horrors.

I'm generally wary of anthologies and short story compilations since I usually only like one or two stories (if I'm lucky) but I couldn't pass a horror anthology.

Horror is my jam!

I'm pleased to say most of the stories in Christmas and Other Horrors was creepy and unsettling.

Was I scared? No. But it takes a lot to scare me.

But did I enjoy most of the stories? YES!

There are some winners in this anthology, stories that made me wish they were longer because I wanted to know more and see what happens to the characters. Always a good sign of a great short story.

I appreciated how the authors used medieval and ancient folklore, myths, and legends as the backbone of their stories and made it their own.

I hope this horror anthology comes every year, like the Krampus or Santa.