A fantastic holiday horror collection, Christmas and Other Horrors absolutely has something for everyone.
I was able to read some new stories from some of my favourite horror authors and also get to discover some new ones that I'll be keeping an eye out from now on.
Please find attached my more indepth, spoiler free youtube review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxmZ7YB2zMc

Great collection of xmas themed horror which worked as an anthology in its own right - a rare thing when usually there's a couple of weak stories that drag the rest of the book down. This included some of my new favourites from the horror genre. Perfect horror read for the festive season.

I expected the stories in this collection to be verge on cheesy, man-eating reindeer, killer Santa’s and the like. I was completely surprised when I read the stories, no evil reindeer or chain-wielding Santa in site. I was impressed by the variety of stories. I barely noticed if they were even set on or around Christmas as I was so engrossed in the stories. I liked how different the stories were. There were no two alike to each new story was a pleasant surprise. I liked how many of the stories shed new light on ancient myths and legends. I really enjoyed this collection. I especially liked The Ones He Takes by Benjamin Percy, His Castle by Alma Katsu, The Blessing of the Waters by Nick Mamatas, Cold by Cassandra Khaw and Grave of Small Birds by Kaaron Warren.

"Christmas and Other Horrors" is an eclectic anthology of chilling and atmospheric stories that take you on a spine-tingling journey through winter solstice traditions from around the world. Edited by the Hugo Award-winning editor Ellen Datlow, this collection of original tales brings the dark side of the festive season to life, evoking a sense of foreboding amidst the celebrations.

Each story in this anthology is a unique take on the theme, with a diverse array of writers contributing their own brand of horror. From ghastly traditions like the Austrian Schnabelperchten to the eerie Welsh Mari Lwyd, and even contemporary nightmares, "Christmas and Other Horrors" explores the supernatural and macabre elements that have become intertwined with the season of celebration.

The standout quality of this anthology is its ability to transport you into different traditions, cultures, and realms, each one cloaked in an aura of dread. The writing is sharp, evocative, and expertly crafted to send shivers down your spine. The contributors, including renowned authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu, and Josh Malerman, deliver tales that are both unsettling and captivating.

The stories are a fine balance of the eerie, the uncanny, and the outright terrifying, making it a perfect read for horror enthusiasts. Whether it's a visitation from unwelcome guests, ravenous golems, or sinister neighbors, the anthology captures the essence of what makes this time of year both enchanting and dread-filled.

As you huddle around the fire, "Christmas and Other Horrors" beckons you to delve into the darkness that often lurks beneath the cheer of the holiday season. If you're a fan of horror and appreciate a good scare, this anthology is a must-read, reminding us that even in the season of joy, there's a place for the macabre.

Come one come all for some holiday horrors! This is a really fun anthology filled with holiday horror stories based on winter solstice traditions around the world. These are short and sweet and perfect for little horrors for the winter time.

*Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I did not finish this book. I had high hopes for this book but it just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into any of the stories, they’re either felt like they dragged on or were over too quickly. A few were just hard to follow along with.

When I saw the cover and the names in this anthology I knew I had to read it! Thank you NetGalley and Titan books for an advanced review e-book.

Every one of these story are good which is rare in a. Anthology this sized. Highlights were Alma Katsu, Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones and John Langan.

Like always, Ellen Datlow puts together an amazing variety of great stories. This time set at my favorite time of year!

Hugo Award winning editor, and horror legend, Ellen Datlow presents a terrifying and chilling horror anthology of original short stories exploring the endless terrors of winter solstice traditions across the globe, featuring chillers by Tananarive Due, Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu and many more.

I love Christmas themed horror and this anthology was great.

This book is an anthology about Christmas horror. I won’t say much about each story since they’re short and I don’t want to ruin anything. However, these stories were fun to read and it was a good Christmas horror collection. I don’t feel like Christmas horror is explored much so this one was fun.

I did enjoy some stories more than other stories. That is why this was a 4 star instead of 5. I did have fun with it but some stories were not for me. I would recommend for people looking for Christmas horror!

Thanks so much to netgalley and titan books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve been so lucky with my horror reads lately but when I saw that Titan was releasing a Christmas horror anthology, I knew that I had to be all over that. I was like a kid in the candy shop. I wanted to inhale them all – but I knew I had to patient, I would have the opportunity to have a taste of them all, and taste I did. I gobbled each story up like a starving woman. I needed my horror fix, and this release from Titan did just that.

What do you think about when the word horror and Christmas materialise? If you’re normal, then candy canes and tiny elves are the first thing you want to say then you’d be wrong! Christmas was made for horror. Bear with me. A strange man coming down your chimney to deliver gifts? Come on – that is just asking for home invasion type horror. Or imagine an advent calendar of death? Okay, okay, maybe now I’m getting a little carried away, but you get the gist!

So, onto this anthology. When I saw the list of contributing authors, to say I squealed a little would be an understatement. Stephen Graham Jones, Alma Katsu and Tananarive Due, those are some big shoes to fill. Their stories did not disappoint, and they were most definitely the best stories in the collection. Just their magnificent prose, how they carried their stories and the way they injected cultural significance into their stories left me enthralled and excited for Christmas horror movie season!

Are you looking for stories about who actually makes the toys at Santa’s workshop? Or do you prefer a story about strange beings turning up every winter solstice? Or maybe you fancy a trip to Wales and the Mari Lwyd?

I loved how the authors of this collection were able to have a basic and rather harmless concept in Christmas and/or the winter solstice and transform it into something wholly frightening. If I’m completely honest there wasn’t a bad story in this collection but the one’s that really stood out were the ones I mentioned above. They just brought something stronger – they didn’t over explain, their characterisations were exemplary and most importantly – I just felt like I was there.

After all – there are some very acceptable reasons to be scared of the dark.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Christmas and Other Horrors.

I'm generally wary of anthologies and short story compilations since I usually only like one or two stories (if I'm lucky) but I couldn't pass a horror anthology.

Horror is my jam!

I'm pleased to say most of the stories in Christmas and Other Horrors was creepy and unsettling.

Was I scared? No. But it takes a lot to scare me.

But did I enjoy most of the stories? YES!

There are some winners in this anthology, stories that made me wish they were longer because I wanted to know more and see what happens to the characters. Always a good sign of a great short story.

I appreciated how the authors used medieval and ancient folklore, myths, and legends as the backbone of their stories and made it their own.

I hope this horror anthology comes every year, like the Krampus or Santa.

I LOVE ANTHOLOGIES SO MUCH. AND ESPECIALLY THE HORROR VARIETY.

I'm not a huge fan of capitalized/commercialized Christmas traditions, but if anyone were to bring up yuletide folklore and pagan rituals, I'm in the front row waiting to have my life transformed. I remember in my not-so-distant Austrian/Hungarian heritage, my family members sharing folk tales that were told in hushed tones to keep from the little ears. Christmas and Other Horrors replenished those family tales for me and have me eager for the winter solstice season to come.

In true Anthological form, some of my favorite authors contributed their writing to this collection, including: Stephen Graham Jones, Josh Malerman, Cassandra Khaw, Christopher Golden, Alma Katsu, Richard Kadrey, Tananarive Due, and so many more.

I am so thankful to Titan Books for sending me this gorgeous finished copy before this behemoth comes out on October 24, 2023!

When I saw some of the names included in this anthology I was excited. There are a number of them I've read previously and many I haven't but this turned out to be a simply fantastic, creepy, horrifying look at the Winter Solstice.

I absolutely loved how these stories took us to different cultures, legends, and folk lore. From creatures who will slaughter you if you're home isn't tidy enough to a child who thinks he's a king although he's dead. We have stories here of the slow building chills to the ones that get right in your face and will leave you breathing heavy!

Doing a Christmas themed horror anthology could have had the predictable stories of Santa going rouge or elves going on a murderous rampage. But this one blew me away because it takes us to so many different places and is anything but predictable.

Who actually makes the toys at Santa's workshop? Why would someone board their windows and doors every Christmas eve? Why does a man start witnessing bizarre, shocking things every winter solstice? All these and much more are included in this book.

I highly recommend this anthology and I think you'll want to read it every year as part of the ho-ho-horrifying holidays.