Dead of Winter
by Lindy Ryan, N.J. Ember, Sam Hooker, Seven Jane, Alcy Leyva, Tiffany Meuret, Laura Morrison, Dalena Storm, Cassondra Windwalker, Daniel Buell, Monique SnymanAlso by this author: Now Before the Dark
Published by: Black Spot Books on January 26, 2021
Genres: Anthology, Horror
Pages: 270
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Eight chilling tales to read under the Cold Moon.
A tinker’s son acquires a cursed soul.
A dying woman is haunted by her own reflection.
An uninvited presence haunts a Christmas seance.
A festive holiday turns macabre.
Despite the twinkling lights and steaming cocoa, the end of the year is the darkest time of the year—a season of short days, long nights, and cold skies. In this special anniversary anthology, the authors of Black Spot Books mix Ye Olde Yuletide hauntings with modern-day holiday horrors to weave a chilling new collection of dark winter tales. From frozen forests stalked by eerie Christmas ghosts to rotting gifts of winter malice, the spirits of Christmas come home for the holidays in the Dead of Winter.
Content Tags:
Perfect for readers who want:
- Short, bite-sized stories that’ll give you the chills!
- A diversity of horror stories with a little of everything.
- Writing that’ll creep you out while also making you laugh.
- Stories that’ll really make you stop and think.
Many thanks to Black Spot Books and JeanBookNerd for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review and for inclusion on this blog tour.
I’m going to start this review the same as I do every anthology review I do: anthologies are hit and miss for me. Short stories, in general, tend not to be my thing, because it annoys me when they seem to just end rather than tell a full story. So I always go in with a healthy dose of skepticism, expecting to maybe love one or two, like a couple, and feel indifferent about the rest.
This collection, though? This was a solid collection of horror. You never knew what you would get from one story to the next, and all were different takes on horror.
Dead of Winter is a horror collection best read during the day, with stories that’ll give you the chills as well as make you laugh or have you questioning what you thought you knew about the world.
I had a lot of fun with this anthology, but anthologies are so hard to review, because each story is its own little entity. So for the review today, I figure I’ll highlight some of my favorite stories out of the bunch to maybe give a feel for the anthology!
The Watchful Crow by Sam Hooker
One-Line Synopsis: Appearances are exceedingly deceptive, and your past always catches up to you. Orville finds that out the hard way.
Story Soundtrack:
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” by the Spiritual Machines
First Lines:
Favorite Quote:
What I Loved:
I read Sam Hooker’s Terribly Serious Darkness series, so I was expecting something along those lines, and this wasn’t it. That’s not a bad thing, though! It caught me by surprise, but there’s still a delightfully sarcastic/cheeky undertone to this story still. This story is full of twists and turns and kept taking me by surprise! The story felt rounded and fleshed out, and I really liked how it ended.
About Sam Hooker
Sam Hooker writes darkly humorous fantasy novels about thing like tyrannical despots and the masked scoundrels who tickle them without mercy. He knows all the best swear words, though he refuses to repeat them because he doesn't want to attract goblins.
The Tinker’s Son by Cassondra Windwalker
One-Line Synopsis: A story about the lengths that parents (magical or otherwise) will go to for their children.
Story Soundtrack:
“Ain’t No Grave” by Hidden Citizens
First Lines:
Favorite Quote:
What I Loved:
This story was composed of a lot of subverting expectations and filled to the brim with surprises. I loved that I never knew quite what was coming. It’s also extremely heartfelt. Everyone is a villain and a victim at the same time, for different reasons, and my heart couldn’t help but go out to these people. There was one moment where the story jumps perspectives, which was a little weird and clunky, but it makes sense after a little while.
About Cassondra Windwalker
Cassondra Windwalker is a poet and novelist writing full time from the coast of the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. She is supported by a tolerant husband, three wandering offspring, a useless dog, and a zombie cat. Her hobbies include hiking, photography, and having other people's demons over for tea.
What Should Appear by N.J. Ember
One-Line Synopsis: Sometimes the things you don’t believe end up being true . . . and then you should probably be concerned. Just saying.
Story Soundtrack:
“Danse Macabre” by Camille Saint-Saëns
First Lines:
Favorite Quote:
What I Loved:
This story combines so many things all at once: cheeky humor, an adorable budding romance, and spine-chilling horror. There are so many facets to this story that I absolutely enjoyed. Also definitely loved these characters. I don’t think there were any major surprises or twists other than maybe one, but the real enjoyment was just in the struggle and following this set of characters! I’d love to read more about them.
About N.J. Ember
N.J. Ember is a paranormal fiction author who loves to write stories about survival and triumph over adversity. Whether her characters are dealing with the paranormal or everyday life, she seeks to show that strength is not always about being superhuman or invulnerable. She enjoys anything with mystery, suspense and horror, so when she’s not writing you can find her watching shows like Orphan Black, Penny Dreadful and Sherlock.
She currently lives in Michigan with her grandpa and a forever growing collection of books and Funko Pop! figures.
Jolly Old Saint Ryan by Laura Morrison
One-Line Synopsis: A fun twist on the myth of Santa Clause, filled with sarcastic humor!
Story Soundtrack:
“All I Want for Christmas” by Gothic Orchestra Church Organ
First Lines:
This one, though, was larger than most.
Favorite Quote:
“Sure. Whatever. Your mind is a dark, dark place, Ryan.”
What I Loved:
What a fun twist on the myth of Santa Clause! I can’t tell you anything at all about it, except that the current Santa Clause isn’t the original one. I mean, obviously, since his name is Ryan. This is cheeky and sarcastic and full of interesting twists. I loved the uniqueness of this.
About Laura Morrison
Laura Morrison lives in the Metro Detroit area. She has a B.S. in applied ecology and environmental science from Michigan Technological University. Before she was a writer and stay-at-home mom, she battled invasive species and researched turtles.
– 1 Winner will receive an Exclusive DEAD OF WINTER Storytellers BOX
– 1 Winner will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card
Must be 13+ to Enter. International.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can find the full tour schedule here.
WEEK ONE
JANUARY 25th MONDAY JeanBookNerd CAMPAIGN VIDEO
JANUARY 26th TUESDAY Twirling Book Princess CAMPAIGN VIDEO
JANUARY 27th WEDNESDAY FUONLYKNEW CAMPAIGN VIDEO
JANUARY 28th THURSDAY Movies, Shows, & Books CAMPAIGN VIDEO
JANUARY 29th FRIDAY A Bronx Latina Reads REVIEW
JANUARY 30th SATURDAY BookHounds CAMPAIGN VIDEO
JANUARY 31st SUNDAY TTC Books and More CAMPAIGN VIDEO
WEEK TWO
FEBRUARY 1st MONDAY Ya It’s Lit REVIEW & CAMPAIGN VIDEO
FEBRUARY 1st MONDAY Books and Zebras REVIEW
FEBRUARY 2nd TUESDAY The Bookwyrm’s Den REVIEW
FEBRUARY 3rd WEDNESDAY Gwendalyn’s Books REVIEW
FEBRUARY 4th THURSDAY Book Briefs REVIEW & CAMPAIGN VIDEOFEBRUARY 5th FRIDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW
FEBRUARY 6th SATURDAY Insane About Books REVIEW & CAMPAIGN VIDEO
FEBRUARY 7th SUNDAY Reading Adventures of a Book Dragon REVIEW & CAMPAIGN VIDEO
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