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.
Even though many celebrate the winter solstice as a time of joy, a darker tradition of ghost tales and horror stories resides in the long winter nights. This anthology of all new stories will scour the world for the unholy, the dark, the dangerous, the horrific aspects of a time when families and friends come together―for better and worse.
Alongside Christmas celebrations, around the world are Makara Sankranti in the Hindu calendar in India, Yalda Night in Iran, Chanukah, the Roman Saturnalia, the Krampus, Dongzhi (solar term) in East Asia where sunlight passes through the 17 arches of Seventeen Arch Bridge, Summer Palace, Beijing, the pagan festival of Yule, St. Lucia's Day in Scandinavia, the Druidic tradition of Alban Arthan, Soyal for Hopi Indians, Peruvian solstice festivals, and even Christmas in Antarctica at the research stations.
Because the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is hungry...
Featuring stories from:
- Nadia Bulkin
- Terry Dowling
- Tananarive Due
- Jeffrey Ford
- Christopher Golden
- Stephen Graham Jones
- Glen Hirshberg Richard Kadrey
- Alma Katsu
- Cassandra Khaw
- Josh Malerman
- Nick Mamatas
- Garth Nix
- Benjamin Percy
- M. Rickert
- Kaaron Warren
***
If anyone had told Freddy he would one day be elbow deep in a garbage bin behind a third-rate restaurant in Salzburg, searching for a late dinner, he would have scoffed at them.
- THE IMPORTANCE OF A TIDY HOME by CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN
***
(Titan Books, 24 October 2023, e-galley, 448 pages, ARC from the publisher via NetGalley)
***
***
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.