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Collected Christmas Horror Shorts #4
Collected Christmas Horror Shorts IV
HO HO HO. Santa Kev brings you the best in this year’s Christmas Horror stories. If you like your Christmas to be a little darker than most, you have come to the right place. Lock the doors, kick back, and let’s fill this Christmas with terror!
215 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2024
26 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Kevin J. Kennedy
139 books325 followersKevin J. Kennedy is a horror author, editor, and anthologist. He is the owner of KJK Publishing and runs the bestselling 'The Horror Collection' series. He is the author of Halloween Land, The Clown and Nothing is Real.
He lives in the heart of Scotland with his beautiful wife, three cats, Carlito, Ariel and Luna, and a Pomchi called Orko. He can be found on Facebook if you want to chat with him.
He lives in the heart of Scotland with his beautiful wife, three cats, Carlito, Ariel and Luna, and a Pomchi called Orko. He can be found on Facebook if you want to chat with him.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2024
Once again Kevin Kennedy has gathered together a good many great authors to offer yet another excellent anthology of short story horror - this time as the fourth volume of the Collected Christmas Horror Shorts, containing a dozen horror tales guaranteed to kill the Christmas spirit slowly, thoroughly, and very, very painfully!
To be frank, I always worry that anthologies with such a restricted theme will be hard to read; I feel that the threat of repetition and uniformity loom everytime a new story starts. Thankfully, this rarely happens with Kennedy's volumes, and, indeed, worries of this kind were totally unfounded in this case too: I got hooked early on, with several of the stories putting Santa through the grinder (sometimes literally) and celebrating Christmas in quite unusual, gory, and weird ways.
All the tales are well-written, wide ranging in theme, approach and endings. Some of them are enjoyable snaphots of folk horror creepiness (especially the first two, for example); others are terrifying Krampus horror stories (Candace Nola's "Krampus Kids") or creature features (Steve Stred's "Good Boy"); or eclectic deconstructions of the Christmas holiday (Stephen Barnard's "Paper Crowns" is a must-read of this type, turning the family Christmas celebration into an occasion of domestic violence and well-deserved carnage); and some will make children cry and leave adults shocked with their boldness and originality (Veronica Smith's "It’s Just How it’s Gotta Be" is a post-apocalyptic story no Santa-smitten child should even know it exists!).
This new Christmas themed horror anthology will be a great gift choice for all horror lovers - it's top-shelf horror with some fabulously horrific imagery difficult for one to let go afterwards. If your kids hate Santa, they should see what some of these authors have in store for the poor guy!
To be frank, I always worry that anthologies with such a restricted theme will be hard to read; I feel that the threat of repetition and uniformity loom everytime a new story starts. Thankfully, this rarely happens with Kennedy's volumes, and, indeed, worries of this kind were totally unfounded in this case too: I got hooked early on, with several of the stories putting Santa through the grinder (sometimes literally) and celebrating Christmas in quite unusual, gory, and weird ways.
All the tales are well-written, wide ranging in theme, approach and endings. Some of them are enjoyable snaphots of folk horror creepiness (especially the first two, for example); others are terrifying Krampus horror stories (Candace Nola's "Krampus Kids") or creature features (Steve Stred's "Good Boy"); or eclectic deconstructions of the Christmas holiday (Stephen Barnard's "Paper Crowns" is a must-read of this type, turning the family Christmas celebration into an occasion of domestic violence and well-deserved carnage); and some will make children cry and leave adults shocked with their boldness and originality (Veronica Smith's "It’s Just How it’s Gotta Be" is a post-apocalyptic story no Santa-smitten child should even know it exists!).
This new Christmas themed horror anthology will be a great gift choice for all horror lovers - it's top-shelf horror with some fabulously horrific imagery difficult for one to let go afterwards. If your kids hate Santa, they should see what some of these authors have in store for the poor guy!
September 5, 2024
Board up the chimney and lock your doors and windows and you just might survive. Once again Kevin Kennedy is showing us the dark side of Christmas. Clear your mind of Rudoph and Frosty. If you are dreaming of a white Christmas, then color it crimson red. So grab your egg nog and prepare to be horrified.
Meet the Holy King. He isn't bad, but elemental, a force of nature to be reckoned with.
Krampus, the Yule Thief, invites you to a family feast, where you are the meal.
When you abduct Santa Claus, that's just how it's gotta be.
When the mother wears a paper crown, bloodshed follows.
Demons roam about in Black Pete.
These are just some of the terror tales that you will encounter in Kevin Kennedy's Christmas Carnage.
Meet the Holy King. He isn't bad, but elemental, a force of nature to be reckoned with.
Krampus, the Yule Thief, invites you to a family feast, where you are the meal.
When you abduct Santa Claus, that's just how it's gotta be.
When the mother wears a paper crown, bloodshed follows.
Demons roam about in Black Pete.
These are just some of the terror tales that you will encounter in Kevin Kennedy's Christmas Carnage.
September 30, 2024
Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/09/30/collected-christmas-horror-shorts-iv/
These are some of the most disturbing Christmas stories I have ever read, even for Christmas horror. They take the happy, merry, jolly right out of the holiday as themes and traditions are twisted in new and horrifying ways.
“The Holly King” by Dexter McLeod is an intense modern telling of the ancient legend. “The Yule Thief” by C. W. Stevenson brings horrifying new life to the legend of Krampus in a rather soul-sucking way. And “It’s Just How it’s Gotta Be” by Veronica Smith is an absolutely wrenching dystopian Christmas story that destroys something inside you.
Stephen Barnard’s “Paper Crowns” is a poignant tale of domestic horror, the fun tradition of Christmas crackers, and a very different type of holiday magic. Lucretia Stanhope’s “Christmas People” is a brilliant HOA at Christmastime horror story. And Brian Moreland’s “The Traveling Christmas Carnival” expertly brings the carnival horror trope to the Christmas horror theme.
“Black Pete” by Callum Pearce is a terrifying modern twist on the controversial legend. “Good Boy” by Steve Stred is a definitive take on childhood fears amidst the overwhelming urge to stay up and see Santa. And “The Naughty List” by P.J. Blakey-Novis is a warped little tale of young wannabe thugs, an iffy plan, and the modern consequences of being on the naughty list.
Ryan Colley’s “A Nightmare on 34th Street” will straight-up make you not want to believe in Christmas magic ever again. Candace Nola’s “Krampus Kids,” a dark and disturbing take on the Krampus legend, is equal parts Grimm’s fairytale and small-town horror story. Last but definitely not least is Amanda Ruzsa’s “O Holy Shit,” the terrifying story of a sad, mistreated child and an unexpected family Christmas trip to the North Pole, where nothing is as expected.
Collected Christmas Horror Shorts IV has 12 wonderfully crafted and wholly upsetting stories in all. Fans of Christmas horror will be either impressed or taken aback by this horrifying destruction of Holiday spirit, and those who don’t like Christmas will most assuredly like this anthology (provided they can stomach it).
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/09/30/collected-christmas-horror-shorts-iv/
These are some of the most disturbing Christmas stories I have ever read, even for Christmas horror. They take the happy, merry, jolly right out of the holiday as themes and traditions are twisted in new and horrifying ways.
“The Holly King” by Dexter McLeod is an intense modern telling of the ancient legend. “The Yule Thief” by C. W. Stevenson brings horrifying new life to the legend of Krampus in a rather soul-sucking way. And “It’s Just How it’s Gotta Be” by Veronica Smith is an absolutely wrenching dystopian Christmas story that destroys something inside you.
Stephen Barnard’s “Paper Crowns” is a poignant tale of domestic horror, the fun tradition of Christmas crackers, and a very different type of holiday magic. Lucretia Stanhope’s “Christmas People” is a brilliant HOA at Christmastime horror story. And Brian Moreland’s “The Traveling Christmas Carnival” expertly brings the carnival horror trope to the Christmas horror theme.
“Black Pete” by Callum Pearce is a terrifying modern twist on the controversial legend. “Good Boy” by Steve Stred is a definitive take on childhood fears amidst the overwhelming urge to stay up and see Santa. And “The Naughty List” by P.J. Blakey-Novis is a warped little tale of young wannabe thugs, an iffy plan, and the modern consequences of being on the naughty list.
Ryan Colley’s “A Nightmare on 34th Street” will straight-up make you not want to believe in Christmas magic ever again. Candace Nola’s “Krampus Kids,” a dark and disturbing take on the Krampus legend, is equal parts Grimm’s fairytale and small-town horror story. Last but definitely not least is Amanda Ruzsa’s “O Holy Shit,” the terrifying story of a sad, mistreated child and an unexpected family Christmas trip to the North Pole, where nothing is as expected.
Collected Christmas Horror Shorts IV has 12 wonderfully crafted and wholly upsetting stories in all. Fans of Christmas horror will be either impressed or taken aback by this horrifying destruction of Holiday spirit, and those who don’t like Christmas will most assuredly like this anthology (provided they can stomach it).
December 6, 2024
Collected Christmas Horror Shorts IV is a dark and twisted collection of holiday-themed horror stories, and it certainly isn’t for those looking for a feel-good Christmas read. Packed with violence and gore, this anthology takes familiar elements of the holiday season and turns them on their head, offering a fresh perspective on traditions that are usually associated with joy.
Each story in this collection brings something unique to the table, with authors creatively infusing Christmas lore and imagery with horror, suspense, and terror. The tales are sure to make readers think twice about the holiday season.
Some of my favorites include The Holly King, The Yule Thief, Christmas People, Krampus Kids, and O' Holy Shit. These stories stood out for their imaginative plots, and unexpected twists that keep you hooked from start to finish.
If you're a fan of horror with a holiday twist, this book will not disappoint. It’s an entertaining and unsettling collection that proves Christmas isn’t always merry.
Each story in this collection brings something unique to the table, with authors creatively infusing Christmas lore and imagery with horror, suspense, and terror. The tales are sure to make readers think twice about the holiday season.
Some of my favorites include The Holly King, The Yule Thief, Christmas People, Krampus Kids, and O' Holy Shit. These stories stood out for their imaginative plots, and unexpected twists that keep you hooked from start to finish.
If you're a fan of horror with a holiday twist, this book will not disappoint. It’s an entertaining and unsettling collection that proves Christmas isn’t always merry.
September 7, 2024
Okay, I'm not a big fan of Christmas, so I don't read many books involving the theme, I think the last was Everything is Temporary by Jon Cohn, and let's me just say, it was fucking crazy wonderful lol.
But now I can add another book to themed good Christmas reads!
This has something for everyone, but I say that about every KJK collection, I'm never disappointed.
Other then Ellen Datlow, KJK is one of the ones I always grab a copy when they release, the curating is ✨✨
Anyways
It's just how it's got to be, was one of my top but also fucked me up, followed closely by Krampus, the Yule Theif.
Whats for dinner at a family festivity?
Your goose maybe cooked..
If your looking for a Christmas Horror read for this year, please grab this, oh you could even do a story a night leading up to Christmas!!
But now I can add another book to themed good Christmas reads!
This has something for everyone, but I say that about every KJK collection, I'm never disappointed.
Other then Ellen Datlow, KJK is one of the ones I always grab a copy when they release, the curating is ✨✨
Anyways
It's just how it's got to be, was one of my top but also fucked me up, followed closely by Krampus, the Yule Theif.
Whats for dinner at a family festivity?
Your goose maybe cooked..
If your looking for a Christmas Horror read for this year, please grab this, oh you could even do a story a night leading up to Christmas!!
December 19, 2024
A fun collection of Holiday Horror Stories
Most of the stories were a lot darker and more gruesome than I thought they'd be, and i loved it. I went ahead and rated each individual story.
Holly King: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed having an antagonist that wasn't Santa or Krampus, and I loved the lore behind the Holly King.
Yule Thief: ⭐⭐
A little boring if I'm being honest. It wasn't creepy enough, nor did it have many horror vibes
It's Just How It's Gotta Be: ⭐⭐⭐
A wasteland Christmas story. An amazing and fun concept. It was a little predictable almost immediately, but it was decent
Paper Crowns: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Absolutely loved this one. It was creepy, shocking, and dark.
Christmas People:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The real horror is living in an HOA
Traveling Christmas Carnival:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you know me, you know I love a creepy carnival story and this one hits the mark
Black Pete: ⭐⭐⭐
It was okay. I did enjoy older folklore and Christmas lights being the only thing to save you against Christmas nightmares
Good Boy: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Monsters under your bed turned real? Love it. It was creepy and fun.
Naughty List: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was dark and gruesome. Perfect for a holiday horror
Nightmare on 34th St: DNF. I just truly couldn't get through it
Krampus Kids: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Honestly, sometimes extremely bad kids need to learn their lesson and I'm not sorry for it
O Holy Shit: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved everything about this one.
Most of the stories were a lot darker and more gruesome than I thought they'd be, and i loved it. I went ahead and rated each individual story.
Holly King: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I really enjoyed having an antagonist that wasn't Santa or Krampus, and I loved the lore behind the Holly King.
Yule Thief: ⭐⭐
A little boring if I'm being honest. It wasn't creepy enough, nor did it have many horror vibes
It's Just How It's Gotta Be: ⭐⭐⭐
A wasteland Christmas story. An amazing and fun concept. It was a little predictable almost immediately, but it was decent
Paper Crowns: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Absolutely loved this one. It was creepy, shocking, and dark.
Christmas People:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The real horror is living in an HOA
Traveling Christmas Carnival:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you know me, you know I love a creepy carnival story and this one hits the mark
Black Pete: ⭐⭐⭐
It was okay. I did enjoy older folklore and Christmas lights being the only thing to save you against Christmas nightmares
Good Boy: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Monsters under your bed turned real? Love it. It was creepy and fun.
Naughty List: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It was dark and gruesome. Perfect for a holiday horror
Nightmare on 34th St: DNF. I just truly couldn't get through it
Krampus Kids: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Honestly, sometimes extremely bad kids need to learn their lesson and I'm not sorry for it
O Holy Shit: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved everything about this one.
September 24, 2024
Awesome Book and Epic read
September 6, 2024
Although I have a story in this anthology I am only reviewing the other stories, not my own.
The holidays are always best when they've been put together in a Kevin Kennedy anthology, all wrapped up in a bloody bow! I love Christmas horror and that all the stories are different. They make my Christmas a dark Christmas and that's the kind I like. I have a few that are my personal favorites:
The Holly King by Dexter McLeod
The Traveling Christmas Carnival by Brian Moreland
Krampus Kids by Candace Nola
O Holy Shit by Amanda Ruzsa
Christmas People by Lucretia Stanhope - Definitely my favorite in this antho. Wanda was so much like me.
If you want your Christmas scary and creepy, spend an evening with this book. But maybe keep the lights on.
Veronica Smith - author of Salvation in the Wasteland, Nightmare on Indigo Street, & Chalk Outline
The holidays are always best when they've been put together in a Kevin Kennedy anthology, all wrapped up in a bloody bow! I love Christmas horror and that all the stories are different. They make my Christmas a dark Christmas and that's the kind I like. I have a few that are my personal favorites:
The Holly King by Dexter McLeod
The Traveling Christmas Carnival by Brian Moreland
Krampus Kids by Candace Nola
O Holy Shit by Amanda Ruzsa
Christmas People by Lucretia Stanhope - Definitely my favorite in this antho. Wanda was so much like me.
If you want your Christmas scary and creepy, spend an evening with this book. But maybe keep the lights on.
Veronica Smith - author of Salvation in the Wasteland, Nightmare on Indigo Street, & Chalk Outline
September 20, 2024
Kevin J. Kennedy Presents Collected Christmas Horror Shorts IV is another killer collection of horror tales centered around the chilling winter holiday. This book has the supernatural, the grief, and the terrible, all wrapped up nicely with a bow.
I love holiday horror so darn much! When I first heard that this book was going to launch, I couldn’t wait and of course, it did not disappoint. Fans of holiday horror, you’re in for a treat again with this collection! Every single tale made me feel so uneasy.
While reading this book, I was just getting into the Halloween holiday spirit, and this one had me ready to dive into the December holidays!
My full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/colle...
I love holiday horror so darn much! When I first heard that this book was going to launch, I couldn’t wait and of course, it did not disappoint. Fans of holiday horror, you’re in for a treat again with this collection! Every single tale made me feel so uneasy.
While reading this book, I was just getting into the Halloween holiday spirit, and this one had me ready to dive into the December holidays!
My full review here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/colle...
December 24, 2024
This is an anthology of short horror stories by various authors. All of the stories are Christmas themed or take place at Christmas time. Of all the stories, I think my personal favourite was The Yule Thief, as I have a soft spot for historical stories. I found all the stories fun to read, though. Some were a little bit dark, twisted, or gruesome, and some of them, I found a little bit chilling. If you like short horror stories and want something to help you get into the festive spirit, give this book a try.
Thank you to Kevin J. Kennedy for sending me a copy to review.
Thank you to Kevin J. Kennedy for sending me a copy to review.
September 29, 2024
This was an excellent collection. While I have a story in this book, I am not reviewing it.
This was an absolute treat. Kennedy puts together wonderful collections of horror stories and this one did not disappoint. I was so excited to read all of the stories upon its release. Every single one of them was enjoyable and I couldn’t pick a favorite. A few that really stood out for me are “It’s Just How It’s Gotta Be,” “The Traveling Christmas Carnival,” “Good Boy,” and “Krampus Kids.”
This was an absolute treat. Kennedy puts together wonderful collections of horror stories and this one did not disappoint. I was so excited to read all of the stories upon its release. Every single one of them was enjoyable and I couldn’t pick a favorite. A few that really stood out for me are “It’s Just How It’s Gotta Be,” “The Traveling Christmas Carnival,” “Good Boy,” and “Krampus Kids.”
November 16, 2024
If you like your Holiday season to be horrifying...please pick up this book and read it from cover to cover. These stories are graphic, haunting and terrifying. It's hard to pick just one favorite, they were all good and had their own scary elements to bring to this collection. Whether it be a retelling of a classic or a complete original, these stories will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
December 30, 2025
A Christmas unlike any known
A Christmas unlike any known, this is my title. Krumpus is hard at work, a Santa Clara changed by a horrible sight. And then there is the one of Santa Claus and his reindeer being kidnapped and held for a frightening outcome, that will give me nightmares for a long long time to come.
A Christmas unlike any known, this is my title. Krumpus is hard at work, a Santa Clara changed by a horrible sight. And then there is the one of Santa Claus and his reindeer being kidnapped and held for a frightening outcome, that will give me nightmares for a long long time to come.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews