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A review by hazmatz
Hark! the Herald Angels Scream by Christopher Golden
4.0
Overall really enjoyed this read for the holidays!
I was kind of let down by the similarities of some stories (wandering a new town on the holidays, weird pets, ghosts and revenge, women and revenge, apocalyptic vibes) BUT that may just be nitpicky. It almost felt like every other didn't want to do anything involving super obvious Christmas tropes that there ended up being a lot of untapped horror. The holiday season comes with a TON of tradition and symbolism that could easily be subverted into something horrifying which I only found here a couple of times. It's not to say I thought the collection was poor just not completely what I was looking for. If one of these was published every year I would purchase it every time.
Specific story stuff below
Favourites!
Absinthe & Angels by Kelly Armstrong
Kelly Armstrong is in fact Canadian and you can tell because she understands the absolute terror that is mummers. Newfies are some of the best at bonkers traditions and this was a perfect story for the holidays about mummers is can be terrifying with or without blood. Great start to the collection.
Christmas in Barcelona by Scott Smith
Another strong start to the collection imo. Something that is such a staple of my family's Christmas decorating becoming something magical and scary. Exactly what I was looking for. Enjoyed the character work as well.
Yankee Swap by John McIlveen
My family is doing a yankee swap of sorts this year so...yikes! This one kept me on the edge of my seat and almost felt like something that could be stretched out into a full Christmas horror movie.
Honor Thy Mother by Angela Slatter
Family drama and Christmas are so intertwined. Just really felt for the protagonist of this one and kinda wished I could see her tear her family apart lol.
Runners Up!
Fresh as the New-Fallen Snow
More family drama. I like Seanan Mcguire's writing but because of this this story reminded a bit too much of down among the sticks and bones which took me out of the story unfortunately
Love Me by Thomas E. Sniegoski
This involves the exact kinda shit I love (weird creatures!) but was just barely Christmas-y enough for me. I feel as if it could technically take place any old time and the holidays just helped the present finding along slightly
Not Just For Christmas by Sarah Lotz
I get what this one was trying to say and believe that was executed really well. Really established the world and characters efficiently. Just felt it lacked Christmas magic (was more science fiction like, again not a problem with the story just it's place in the collection).
Tenets by Josh Malerman
I give this one points for the setting of the Christmas party which I was waiting for. Just felt like it lacked something. It was kind of disappointing it was over when it was. A sign of good story telling because I was turning each page hoping for more information but alas...
It's a Wonderful Knife by Christopher Golden
Liked it! The Christmas magic element I was jonesing for. Not really a super holiday atmosphere but liked how that story turned out. Wasn't quite spooky enough to make it into the faves.
Mistletoe and Holly
Enjoyed all of the buildup. At my very core I do not believe a gay witch would do another woman dirty like that. This would have been in my favourites if she brought the husband back with good intentions and it backfired. It would have been just as scary. Would Jeannie not have seen how shitty Matt was??? The sisters are close now surely??? It is implied Jeannie knew what was going to happen and it all came of as stupid woman is jealous of abusive man . Gross. Maybe the real horror was the internalized misogyny in us all along....
Hiking Through
Hated the protagonist. Liked the ending.
Not For Me!
Good Deeds by Jeff Strand
Look it's not that I love that song or anything. I know a lot of people like this one a lot but I found the punchline ran out quick. The same premise as a serious story may have been for me though.
Snake's Tail by Sarah Langan
Uhhhh....sure!
The Second Floor of the Christmas Hotel
Idk I just don't care about ghosts man
Farrow Street by Elizabeth Hand
Just let this character be....whatever it was that even happened...she deserves it for not having a better plan.
Doctor Velocity by Jonathan Maberry
What.
Home by Tim Lebbon
Sure! Kinda cool. Atmospheric. Didn't do much for me
The Hangman's Bride by Sarah Pinborough
I JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT GHOSTS I'M SORRY.
I was kind of let down by the similarities of some stories (wandering a new town on the holidays, weird pets, ghosts and revenge, women and revenge, apocalyptic vibes) BUT that may just be nitpicky. It almost felt like every other didn't want to do anything involving super obvious Christmas tropes that there ended up being a lot of untapped horror. The holiday season comes with a TON of tradition and symbolism that could easily be subverted into something horrifying which I only found here a couple of times. It's not to say I thought the collection was poor just not completely what I was looking for. If one of these was published every year I would purchase it every time.
Specific story stuff below
Spoiler
Favourites!
Absinthe & Angels by Kelly Armstrong
Kelly Armstrong is in fact Canadian and you can tell because she understands the absolute terror that is mummers. Newfies are some of the best at bonkers traditions and this was a perfect story for the holidays about mummers is can be terrifying with or without blood. Great start to the collection.
Christmas in Barcelona by Scott Smith
Another strong start to the collection imo. Something that is such a staple of my family's Christmas decorating becoming something magical and scary. Exactly what I was looking for. Enjoyed the character work as well.
Yankee Swap by John McIlveen
My family is doing a yankee swap of sorts this year so...yikes! This one kept me on the edge of my seat and almost felt like something that could be stretched out into a full Christmas horror movie.
Honor Thy Mother by Angela Slatter
Family drama and Christmas are so intertwined. Just really felt for the protagonist of this one and kinda wished I could see her tear her family apart lol.
Runners Up!
Fresh as the New-Fallen Snow
More family drama. I like Seanan Mcguire's writing but because of this this story reminded a bit too much of down among the sticks and bones which took me out of the story unfortunately
Love Me by Thomas E. Sniegoski
This involves the exact kinda shit I love (weird creatures!) but was just barely Christmas-y enough for me. I feel as if it could technically take place any old time and the holidays just helped the present finding along slightly
Not Just For Christmas by Sarah Lotz
I get what this one was trying to say and believe that was executed really well. Really established the world and characters efficiently. Just felt it lacked Christmas magic (was more science fiction like, again not a problem with the story just it's place in the collection).
Tenets by Josh Malerman
I give this one points for the setting of the Christmas party which I was waiting for. Just felt like it lacked something. It was kind of disappointing it was over when it was. A sign of good story telling because I was turning each page hoping for more information but alas...
It's a Wonderful Knife by Christopher Golden
Liked it! The Christmas magic element I was jonesing for. Not really a super holiday atmosphere but liked how that story turned out. Wasn't quite spooky enough to make it into the faves.
Mistletoe and Holly
Enjoyed all of the buildup. At my very core I do not believe a gay witch would do another woman dirty like that. This would have been in my favourites if she brought the husband back with good intentions and it backfired. It would have been just as scary. Would Jeannie not have seen how shitty Matt was??? The sisters are close now surely??? It is implied Jeannie knew what was going to happen and it all came of as stupid woman is jealous of abusive man . Gross. Maybe the real horror was the internalized misogyny in us all along....
Hiking Through
Hated the protagonist. Liked the ending.
Not For Me!
Good Deeds by Jeff Strand
Look it's not that I love that song or anything. I know a lot of people like this one a lot but I found the punchline ran out quick. The same premise as a serious story may have been for me though.
Snake's Tail by Sarah Langan
Uhhhh....sure!
The Second Floor of the Christmas Hotel
Idk I just don't care about ghosts man
Farrow Street by Elizabeth Hand
Just let this character be....whatever it was that even happened...she deserves it for not having a better plan.
Doctor Velocity by Jonathan Maberry
What.
Home by Tim Lebbon
Sure! Kinda cool. Atmospheric. Didn't do much for me
The Hangman's Bride by Sarah Pinborough
I JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT GHOSTS I'M SORRY.