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

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense

4.0

There was so much enjoyable about this little collection and I happened to coincidentally start it so reading one story each day counted me down to Christmas perfectly. Instead of doing a full review I’m going to just give a little blurb about each story as there were some AMAZING ones that were worth it alone to read this and some that were meh. I pray none of the authours read this. 

The Host by Kiran Hargrave: A lovely opening to the ghost stories and a unique story. I was enamored with the idea and morality presented and the ending was definitely a choice (not in a bad way). 3.5 ⭐️

Inferno by Laura Shepherd-Robinson: The technical writing here had me questioning what I was going to get in the full book. I absolutely loved the premise of this story and unfortunately my likes ended there. 2 ⭐️ 

The Old Play by Andrew Michael Hurley: I wanted so much more from this story that it had my imagination running the entire time while reading. I loved that aspect of it but it didn’t hit for me and I found I liked all the ideas I had in my head of what I thought would happen more than the actual story. 2 ⭐️ 

A Double Thread by Imogen Hermes Gowar: THIS is what I was looking for when picking up a novel like this. There will always be a hit or miss among a myriad but oh lord this one had me struck. You know it’s good when you are looking up the authour and seeing what else they’ve written. Obsessed. 5 ⭐️ 

The Salt Miracles by Natasha Pulley: This was a unique story and I really appreciated that. It didn’t absolutely blow my mind but I wouldn’t skip this by any means. I was actually more interested that I wish it could’ve been longer and explored more and that would’ve helped even more. 3 ⭐️ 

Banished by Elizabeth Macneal: Absolutely thrilling. Horrifying. Too realistic while also extremely satisfying. This one is based on a true story then turned into a ghost story about revenge and is every woman’s worst nightmare. I also looked up this authour and cannot wait to read another by her. 5 ⭐️ 

The Gargoyle by Bridget Collins: I’m a fan of Collins and this was a big let down and unfortunately my least favourite of the entire compilation. The writing was drab, the same plotline that’s been done since the beginning of writing and I was bored and annoyed by this inclusion. 1 ⭐️ 

The Master of the House by Stuart Turton: Turton is the reason I bought this book to read so the hopes were high but he did let me down before with his second book so I was tentative. But this was IT. The story was so unique. So chilling. Gruesome. Horrifying. While also hauntingly beautiful. This alone made the series worth it for me. 5 ⭐️ 

Ada Lark by Jess Kid: I’ve never read anything by Kid before but that will change after this. It was a familiar story made new with a beautiful ending and a lot of stunning closure. The writing was beautiful. 4 ⭐️ 

Jenkin by Catriona Ward: If youre catching the theme, the strongest stories were at the end and Jenkin was no different. It was a cool manifestation of inner demons and reminded me a bit of The Haunting of Bly Manor. Stunningly written and unique. 4 ⭐️ 

Widows Walk by Susan Stokes-Chapman: This was a unique read as the way it was written, you know what’s coming the whole time but the story is better for it. It’s a lovely experience to see the future while reading and holding your breathe watching it unfold right before your eyes. I loved the experience of reading this story. 4 ⭐️ 

Carol of the Bells and Chain by Laura Purcell: Purcell is the other authour that drew me to this series and love this Krampus story was left to close out the book. Her writing is so haunting and her technique is always top notch. Absolutely loved. 4.5 ⭐️