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camilleisreading24's review
4.0
Super fun anthology with a BUNCH of stories. They varied a lot in quality and genre but the ones I liked, I REALLY liked so I gave it a high rating. There was also a not as good story with a hilarious premise— the man who writes the song “Christmas Shoes” plays it for people and they all kill themselves in increasingly slapstick ways.
Christmas in Barcelona
The Hangman’s Bride
Tenets
Yankee Swap
Honor Thy Mother
Christmas in Barcelona
The Hangman’s Bride
Tenets
Yankee Swap
Honor Thy Mother
hyggedreamer's review against another edition
2.0
Don't let the rating fool you - there are some good stories in here. But too many of them didn't really interest me (especially the last, very long story). I loved the first two - the Kelley Armstrong one, especially. And Good Deeds, while not exactly horror, was pretty good.
I think the problem with anthologies is that the mood changes so much with each story that it's hard to keep interest. That and there's a mix of different genres - some are interesting and some not so much.
I probably wouldn't recommend this one if you're looking for a Christmas read.
I think the problem with anthologies is that the mood changes so much with each story that it's hard to keep interest. That and there's a mix of different genres - some are interesting and some not so much.
I probably wouldn't recommend this one if you're looking for a Christmas read.
nicolemello's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
this was an INTERESTING collection. read some truly rough short stories that i wish i hadn't had to, and also read some spectacular short stories, including the last one— THE HANGMAN'S BRIDE, by sarah pinborough— which are definitely going to stick with me and that i truly loved. what an absolutely fascinating combination of authors and stories. some are heavily centered on the holiday; some barely manage to tie christmas into the theme. overall, a fun read, and i'm glad i read it, if only to have found a few cool stories and new horror authors!
snailsreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ohshirls's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
3.25
Some stories were good but others were not that good.
crochanqueen13's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Possibly the best horror collection I have read so far. Incredible!
books_around_the_corner's review
4.0
Loved a lot of stories in the beginning but kind of fizzled out for me later. I still really enjoyed the idea of a bunch of horror Christmas short stories.