Yule Be Dead: A Yuletide Xmas Horror Advent Novella

by Ivy Blackwell

Yuletide Xmas Horrors Advent Novella Collection
**Three unique novella holiday stories.
**Each book contains 25 chapters for readers to read a chapter a day leading up to Christmas.

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December, 1995.
Christmas lights blink through the darkness. VHS holiday classics flicker in living rooms. Shopping malls ring with cheerful carols while fresh snow buries more than footprints.
Behind the nostalgia, something is waiting.
YULE BE DEAD is a haunting Christmas tale where nostalgia turns to dread, memories become nightmares, and the most wonderful time of the year becomes the most dangerous. While Aberdeen prepares for Christmas, somewhere beyond the decorated storefronts and snow-covered roads, seven teenagers are waiting to find out whether they will ever see home again.

147 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 13, 2026

Reviews

[Mike C.]

Wow. I had to take a couple days to write this review and gather how I feel.

So this story revolves around the consequences, or lack thereof, of something I know we can all relate to. Bullying. And what do parents do when those charged with protecting the vulnerable choose not to step in? Well. When Danielle and Ryan discover a parent’s worst nightmare and what caused it. They take education on the subject into their own hands. In great fashion if you ask me.

This story will hit you right in the feels. Especially if bullying has unfortunately made its way into your life. And as a parent, there were a couple of moments that had me on the edge.

What a way to make Christmas one heck a memory. Speaking of which, this one is written advent style and meant to be a chapter a day. Those are always so fun this time of year.

[Irina Sandoval-Hickson]

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ 4.5 Stars — Yule Be Dead by Ivy Blackwell 🎄💔

Whew, this one was HEAVY! Yule Be Dead really shows the heartbreaking and very real effects bullying can have, not only on the person being bullied but on the entire family.

Watching Ryan and Danielle get failed by the teachers, administration, and even the parents of the bullies had me so frustrated. Their grief eventually turns into revenge, and let me tell you… they were DONE! This is definitely a topic that needs to be brought to light because bullying has real consequences.

I think what got me the most was that it takes place around Christmas. I always picture the holidays as happiness, family, food, laughter, and joy 🎄❤️, and sometimes we forget that isn’t the reality for everyone. For a lot of families, the holidays come with grief, pain, and heartbreak, and that really hit me while reading this.

4.5 ⭐️ — heartbreaking, disturbing, and definitely one that makes you think. 💔🎄

[Danielle Lundquist]

This book was amazing. It shows how the world really is and how cruel people are. I hate bullies as I was bullied as a kid in middle school. The lengths a parent would go for their child that someone has hurt. I would to the ends of the earth for my children which is exactly what Danielle and Ryan did.

This story is heartbreaking, but real. This is something that needs to be worked on more by schools and adults. There is not enough support for kids being bullied. When I was, as a kid, it was just like in the story “kids being kids”, but it’s so much more than that and we need more awareness. Thank you Ivy for such an amazing, heart wrenching story that could be anyone’s story.

[Holly Hampton]

This is one of three in a series of ADVENT books with 25 chapters for you to read from Dec 1 - Dec 25.

Heavy topic that brought tears to my eyes at one point related to family emotions and experiences. The reason for the 3 is I felt there were some character continuity issues with at least one character who seemed significant not being included in later parts of the book. It also had less nostalgia than I hoped for with the series.

This was a quick read, but it did not give me the Christmas and horror vibes I had hoped for from the book.

[Emily C.]

Christmas is supposed to be a season of joy and celebration; however, for Ryan and Danielle, it is grief-stricken, anguished, and filled with burning desire for revenge. YULE BE DEAD by Ivy Blackwell is a heart-wrenching, powerful, and deeply unsettling story that stayed with me long after I finished reading. The author explores the profound and lasting effects of bullying that remains all too prevalent today!

[Rachel Browning]

“Yule Be Dead” by Ivy Blackwell is a powerful and emotional yet dark short story that leaves an impact. This is a dark and intense read that shines a harsh light on the devastating effects of bullying while pulling you into a suspenseful, revenge-driven narrative. It’s a quick read, but one that lingers long after the last page.

[Jenny Coyne]

Rounding up from 4.5 stars.

I only subtracted a half a star because I became confused at one point. Otherwise, WOW. Just WOW. I didn't expect a short Christmas horror story to be so impactful! This story deals with the reality of bullying and it's outcomes. This one will stick with you for awhile.

[Kari Bowman]

This is a beautifully written story about the very real effects of bullying. When parents get no help from teachers, administrators, or parents of bullies, they decide it is up to them to make a difference.

This story was heartbreaking, yet unputdownable. I very highly recommend it!

[Cassandra Joy Hoover]

This story hits hard on the heartbreak of child loss and parents seeking revenge .
While most family's celebrate the joy of the holidays that isn't the case in this short holiday horror . Fantastic, intense , dark advent read. Add to your tbr for December for sure ♡

[Connie]

This book has lessons, twist and reflection. Everyone should be held accountable for their actions!

[Tanya Kolb]

What a great read! I love this take on payback for bullying! I know how it feels to want to do exactly this. Kids need to be noticed and defended.

[Natasha Stills]

I loved this novella. A quick story about the consequences of bullying. Some learn their lesson and some do not.