Reviews

The Winter Spirits: Twelve Ghostly Tales for Festive Nights by Catriona Ward, Imogen Hermes Gowar, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Stuart Turton, Elizabeth Macneal, Andrew Michael Hurley, Jess Kidd, Bridget Collins, Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Susan Stokes-Chapman, Laura Purcell, Natasha Pulley

suzannemg's review against another edition

Short stories, will dip in and out.

lorebooks's review against another edition

mysterious 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

4.5

helen___'s review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

bessies_books's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

3.5

gemshep's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

cheekyal's review against another edition

dark relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I enjoyed this, all good stories. Would be nice if they weren't ALL set in the past - would be nice to have some more contemporary stories...

maryann_artitude's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

cats_books_tea's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

thebookboy's review against another edition

5.0

A fantastic selection of spooky seasonal stories written by some of the best talents on ther contemporary scene.

I think what I liked most about this collection is the sheer variety - there are haunted seances, biblical angels and murdered seamstresses, typical gothic stories and those which feel more contemporary - an excellent mix that ensures that the whole collection feels very fresh.

My favourites were:
The Salt Miracles
Carol of the Bells and Chains
The Old Play
Jenkin


If I had one criticism, I'd say that two of the stories are quite similar (both about seances, noth perhaps not as exciting as some of the other stories). However, this is a fantastic collection, and I was really impressed with just how visceral and haunting some of these stories could be.

4.5 stars.

fiaharringbook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5