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valentinaburbank's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It made me nervous when the introduction to the book started with the statement that the editor had never actually read A Christmas Carol. This is a book full of stories based loosely on the themes of that classic tale, yet the editor seemed to feel they had “picked it up” through other media. I have to admit, that started things out on a low note for me. The lack of depth in understanding Dickens’ story does show a bit in terms of thematic interpretation. The story on the page is far deeper than what you pick up plotwise from watching movies or TV shows. And Link by Link includes few examples of Dickens deeper concerns.
The stories are a mix, with different ages, voices, and themes. Some (particularly those about teens) focus more on romance while others lean closer to horror. I think every reader will find at least several stories that speak to them. That is a strength for an anthology, but it also means readers will find a number of stories here that don’t tick all of their boxes. The stories are so different in tone, theme, and style that readers are bound to end up reading some tales that don’t appeal at all.
I particularly appreciate the diversity of characters represented here and the creativity of the authors. I always enjoy retellings and the writers each put a different spin on their contribution.
The stories are a mix, with different ages, voices, and themes. Some (particularly those about teens) focus more on romance while others lean closer to horror. I think every reader will find at least several stories that speak to them. That is a strength for an anthology, but it also means readers will find a number of stories here that don’t tick all of their boxes. The stories are so different in tone, theme, and style that readers are bound to end up reading some tales that don’t appeal at all.
I particularly appreciate the diversity of characters represented here and the creativity of the authors. I always enjoy retellings and the writers each put a different spin on their contribution.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Slavery, Sexual assault, and Violence
leanner's review
5.0
A great collection of stories, I'm not familiar with any of the authors so I look forward to discovering new favourites.
The Spirit of You by Elle Beaumont
Music, dreams never to be filled. A future wiped out in an instant. So incredibly sad. He still visits her but for how long, is he real or a dream? Just long enough to fulfill their dream and fade away? Ugh it tugged on the heart strings, beautiful story.
I'll be back to further review as I complete more stories.
The Spirit of You by Elle Beaumont
Music, dreams never to be filled. A future wiped out in an instant. So incredibly sad. He still visits her but for how long, is he real or a dream? Just long enough to fulfill their dream and fade away? Ugh it tugged on the heart strings, beautiful story.
I'll be back to further review as I complete more stories.
oliviasbookishworld's review
3.0
As with anthologies you get a mixed bag of contents. Some stories were great, but some of them were not so great. It's tough when writing short stories to get enough content and back story to get your reader to connect with the characters and a few of the authors were more successful than others. It's hard to rate this because some of the stories deserve a 1 star, while others deserve a 3 or 4. My two favorites were Yesterday's News and Between the Quiet.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
https://inthecornerofmythoughts.com
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
https://inthecornerofmythoughts.com
catiacarronda's review
4.0
Amazing collection of little stories.
They all are very different from one another, but al of them had the holidays connecting them.
I personally love the both with cats more
They all are very different from one another, but al of them had the holidays connecting them.
I personally love the both with cats more
bookly68's review
5.0
I’m getting so I really enjoy anthologies lately. Especially when they follow a general theme!! Each Author’s take on Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol was completely unique!! I loved each story and how it followed that theme, but stayed unique in its own way!! I really enjoy reading the work of most of these Authors, but there were a few new ones to me and that was enjoyable... now I have some new Authors to check out!! I look forward to the next anthology that comes out!!
emmareadsanotherbook's review
3.0
I received an advance review copy for free, in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately I only liked around half of the stories in this collection. I found that I quickly got tired of every story following the same kind of story format. Some of the stories had twisted the story to something intresing, but most were just kind of meh.
Unfortunately I only liked around half of the stories in this collection. I found that I quickly got tired of every story following the same kind of story format. Some of the stories had twisted the story to something intresing, but most were just kind of meh.
cloaknquill's review
4.0
“The room grew chillier, and the scent of winter frost permeated the air” (30).
"Link by Link: An Anthology of Haunted Holidays" is a nine story collection inspired by aspects in “A Christmas Carol'' by Charles Dickens. The spiritual entity/entities in many of the stories act as a guide for the protagonists. Many who are pursuing some type of art form (miming, theatre, music etc) or a romantic endeavor.
“None of us are perfect, but you have a wonderful organ tucked away inside that ribcage of yours” (48).
Each of the nine stories explores variations on holiday spirits and releasing the chains we carry/create. Although influenced by one particular work, each author brings a different element that allows them to transform that original story. “Things are constantly changing, updating, moving on-and these stories will move with you, if you let them” (Foreword). While the majority of the stories were incredibly creative and well written, Leslie Rush’s “Yesterday’s News” stood out to me the most. My anticipation for this anthology was for it to be heavy on the hauntings and Rush delivered that for me by instilling imminent danger into the plot. It created a parallel with the past and future in a more modern atmosphere. Abbie and Matt take a ghost tour through Zia’s historical square in hopes of finding evidence of paranormal activity. While sneaking into 47 Orchard Street, the oldest building in the square, Abbie encounters a little girl who will reveal the home's tragic past and Abbie’s tragic future.
“She worried that in her short life, she might have begun her own iron links...” (361).
I love the play on the title: “Link by Link”. Not only does it connect to Marley’s chains and the characters own chains each story may carry, it correlates to the format. In an anthology each work that precedes the next needs to have some kind of bond… or in this case a link. For the most part, the connections between each story were smooth and well choreographed. The only formatting issue I had was that the stories felt individually edited then linked together, as opposed to edited as a whole.
“Only at night, when I was tossing and turning from yet another bout of insomnia, or when I was alone back-stage with only dim light and my thoughts for company, did I allow myself to regret” (129).
With the spirits acting more as guides than horrific creatures, I recommend to most young and adult readers. This anthology wraps you up in a fuzzy blanket while serving the reader a cup of warm tea. It’s a holiday treat for anyone looking for stories that are heartfelt, romantic, and sweet.
“Wear the obsidian to show him his soul. Hang the mistletoe to freeze him in place” (444)..
Thank you to Midnight Tide Publishing, BookSirens, and all contributors for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.
"Link by Link: An Anthology of Haunted Holidays" is a nine story collection inspired by aspects in “A Christmas Carol'' by Charles Dickens. The spiritual entity/entities in many of the stories act as a guide for the protagonists. Many who are pursuing some type of art form (miming, theatre, music etc) or a romantic endeavor.
“None of us are perfect, but you have a wonderful organ tucked away inside that ribcage of yours” (48).
Each of the nine stories explores variations on holiday spirits and releasing the chains we carry/create. Although influenced by one particular work, each author brings a different element that allows them to transform that original story. “Things are constantly changing, updating, moving on-and these stories will move with you, if you let them” (Foreword). While the majority of the stories were incredibly creative and well written, Leslie Rush’s “Yesterday’s News” stood out to me the most. My anticipation for this anthology was for it to be heavy on the hauntings and Rush delivered that for me by instilling imminent danger into the plot. It created a parallel with the past and future in a more modern atmosphere. Abbie and Matt take a ghost tour through Zia’s historical square in hopes of finding evidence of paranormal activity. While sneaking into 47 Orchard Street, the oldest building in the square, Abbie encounters a little girl who will reveal the home's tragic past and Abbie’s tragic future.
“She worried that in her short life, she might have begun her own iron links...” (361).
I love the play on the title: “Link by Link”. Not only does it connect to Marley’s chains and the characters own chains each story may carry, it correlates to the format. In an anthology each work that precedes the next needs to have some kind of bond… or in this case a link. For the most part, the connections between each story were smooth and well choreographed. The only formatting issue I had was that the stories felt individually edited then linked together, as opposed to edited as a whole.
“Only at night, when I was tossing and turning from yet another bout of insomnia, or when I was alone back-stage with only dim light and my thoughts for company, did I allow myself to regret” (129).
With the spirits acting more as guides than horrific creatures, I recommend to most young and adult readers. This anthology wraps you up in a fuzzy blanket while serving the reader a cup of warm tea. It’s a holiday treat for anyone looking for stories that are heartfelt, romantic, and sweet.
“Wear the obsidian to show him his soul. Hang the mistletoe to freeze him in place” (444)..
Thank you to Midnight Tide Publishing, BookSirens, and all contributors for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.
candacerobinsonauthor's review
5.0
I do have a story in this! But! It definitely deserves a 5 for all the authors’ hard work with their stories! I do have a favorite though, and it would have to be Elle Beaumont’s. She had me at music, beautiful boy ghost, and an ending that left me wanting more books with these characters!
eyes_bigger_than_my_shelves's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
One of my biggest disappointments of the year.
Let me be clear. I am not knocking the authors or editors. My gripe and humble suggestion is for the marketing department, or whoever came up with the synopsis.
I preordered this book as soon as I saw the description: “is a collection of 9 stories of ghosts, spirits, and creatures unarmed, all come to teach lessons we won’t soon forget. From Sweet Christmas tales to terrifying holiday happenings, these stories take a dive into the past hoping to create a better—or at least different—future.
Sounds great, right? Gothic, Dickensian, etc. Right up my alley. Unfortunately, at least 4 of the 9 centered on romance (for the second and third, my notes simply say “NONONONO!!), only a couple for my definition of “haunted,” and one had live people as ghosts.
That being said, I did love the foreword and last three stories.
Buy this book for yourself or someone who’s looking for “What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What If Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more (The Grinch).” If you’re twisted, look elsewhere.
Let me be clear. I am not knocking the authors or editors. My gripe and humble suggestion is for the marketing department, or whoever came up with the synopsis.
I preordered this book as soon as I saw the description: “is a collection of 9 stories of ghosts, spirits, and creatures unarmed, all come to teach lessons we won’t soon forget. From Sweet Christmas tales to terrifying holiday happenings, these stories take a dive into the past hoping to create a better—or at least different—future.
Sounds great, right? Gothic, Dickensian, etc. Right up my alley. Unfortunately, at least 4 of the 9 centered on romance (for the second and third, my notes simply say “NONONONO!!), only a couple for my definition of “haunted,” and one had live people as ghosts.
That being said, I did love the foreword and last three stories.
Buy this book for yourself or someone who’s looking for “What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What If Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more (The Grinch).” If you’re twisted, look elsewhere.