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Nickolas Claus: Ghosts of Christmas Past
Sixteen-year-old Nickolas is the only son of the man known to the world as Santa Claus.
Constantly surrounded by the glitter and glitz of a Christmas season that never ends, and by enthusiastic, over-achiever elves who only appear to share his age, Nick wants nothing more than to escape the North Pole. To go where he can see the ocean instead of endless ice. He longs to attend a normal school with normal kids. He wants a real life.
Though Christmas is a time of hope, of wonder and magic, it is also a time of strangeness. Of lurking shadows and unexplained occurrences.
This year, when a ghost of Christmas Past is awakened, old secrets are unearthed. The bright candy shell skin of Nick’s world is peeled away, revealing a much darker layer.
He is not who—or what—he has been led to believe.
And neither are those closest to him.
What readers are saying:
"Nickolas Claus has been a festive and chilling read filled with magic and mayhem that only elves could be responsible for! Getting to know Nick, jaded son of Santa, and seeing the imaginative and unique perspective of what Santa's workshop in the North Pole is really like is an experience you don't want to miss. Each chapter will leave you on the edge of your seat and wanting to know more about Nick, his friends, and the frosty world that the rest of us can only dream about. So grab your cookies, and get settled in to meet a cast of new characters each as unique as a snowflake in The Pole." -Holly 7/3/18
Nickolas Claus has been a wild, jolly sleigh ride so far. The unique perspective about what life is like for the son of Santa Claus will throw you into a thrilling new world beneath the aurora of the North Pole. You'll find it's much more than just cookies, presents and holiday cheer that this story has to offer. Between a magical watch, a friend's dark past, and a suspiciously rebellious A.I., you'll be left with a crazy craving for more. -Katelyn 7/11/18
Constantly surrounded by the glitter and glitz of a Christmas season that never ends, and by enthusiastic, over-achiever elves who only appear to share his age, Nick wants nothing more than to escape the North Pole. To go where he can see the ocean instead of endless ice. He longs to attend a normal school with normal kids. He wants a real life.
Though Christmas is a time of hope, of wonder and magic, it is also a time of strangeness. Of lurking shadows and unexplained occurrences.
This year, when a ghost of Christmas Past is awakened, old secrets are unearthed. The bright candy shell skin of Nick’s world is peeled away, revealing a much darker layer.
He is not who—or what—he has been led to believe.
And neither are those closest to him.
What readers are saying:
"Nickolas Claus has been a festive and chilling read filled with magic and mayhem that only elves could be responsible for! Getting to know Nick, jaded son of Santa, and seeing the imaginative and unique perspective of what Santa's workshop in the North Pole is really like is an experience you don't want to miss. Each chapter will leave you on the edge of your seat and wanting to know more about Nick, his friends, and the frosty world that the rest of us can only dream about. So grab your cookies, and get settled in to meet a cast of new characters each as unique as a snowflake in The Pole." -Holly 7/3/18
Nickolas Claus has been a wild, jolly sleigh ride so far. The unique perspective about what life is like for the son of Santa Claus will throw you into a thrilling new world beneath the aurora of the North Pole. You'll find it's much more than just cookies, presents and holiday cheer that this story has to offer. Between a magical watch, a friend's dark past, and a suspiciously rebellious A.I., you'll be left with a crazy craving for more. -Katelyn 7/11/18
- GenresChristmas
Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2018
5 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 23, 2018
At first, I wasn't sure if I would like a book about Christmas, but since Kelly is one of my favorite authors I went for it since I trust her humor and ability to create well rounded and real characters. And I wasn't disappointed. Not at all, in fact, I found a new favorite. If you're wondering whether or not to give this book a chance, let me tell you that this story and the world in it are so much more than you can even imagine. After finishing the book I felt like I had become friends with all the characters, who were all amazing, flawed, funny, people with a lot of heart. Every single character feels like a real person I cannot wait to meet again. The way Kelly portrayed Nick's and Wit's friendship made me cry very real and messy tears once the secrets were out. All the deep and long talks any character has with another had me feeling so full of love and compassion for all of them, even Droonan had some of my compassion by the end. The ghost part, I'm not gonna lie, wasn't as interesting to me until we got to the climax of its existence, but then again, scary things aren't much my thing. If you love a well-built world and well-rounded witty characters, this book is for you. Thank you Kelly for another great adventure, can't wait for more!
October 13, 2018
I wrote a full review on my blog here at:
https://thislitlifeofmine.wordpress.c...
Here's a shorter version for Goodreads:
When I first started the story I was a little wary. I am not normally the type to read anything concerning Christmas for fear of getting wrapped up in a cookie cutter Hallmark story about having faith and believing in the Spirit of Christmas. That's why it's important to let you know... THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE CHRISTMAS STORY. Ghosts, Nosey AI's, magical pocket watches, etc. From the very first chapter, you're wrapped up into Nick's world who I absolutely adored. Nick is your typical teenager, but with a golden heart. I loved his character and he takes us along for an atypical sleigh ride of fun. The characters in general are worth picking up this book. From Wit all the way to Droonan, the overbearing Head Elf of the North Pole, they are all so very real and it wasn't hard to imagine this slightly political hierarchy below the icy tundra of the Arctic. I also loved Creagh's take on Santa, Nick's dad. Seeing him as the usual jolly figure, but as a dad who also somehow has everything under control was so endearing. That's always been the thing with her writing that I love so much. She can take these figures or people we've always known about like Poe in her Nevermore trilogy or Santa in Nick's story and turn them into these very real characters. It's as if you know them personally and it's absolutely captivating.
Another thing I must gush about is her writing style. You don't always know where the story is going and if you're like me, you feel like you're taking a risk by delving into a Holiday special, but then you're hooked. You can't predict the story and it keeps you reading because you just can't get enough of the prose, the POV, the development between characters and relationships. I wanted to keep reading and find out what Nick's best friend's secrets were just as much as he needed to know. I needed to see if their friendship would be forever changed. The friendship and camaraderie between Nick and Wit was beautiful. It's rare that I read fiction that's able to convince me of real friendships between characters. Usually people focus on the romantic subplots and under-develop the MC's friendships, but in Creagh's case this was not the case. There were some small romantic subplots for this story and I won't mention names because I don't want to spoil anything, but these were also wonderfully written. It wasn't the main focus which seemed more plausible seeing as it's in the point of view of a teenage boy who is going through a lot right now. The ending though!
Don't get me wrong, it wraps up nicely and all the bows are tied in the end, but there's still so much left open to explore! I am literally dying to find out what happens from this point on. There are plenty of books that are like this, I know... but there's usually a guarantee of a sequel and since this is fairly new so I'm just hoping and praying that there will be more to read for these characters and this world.
I give this book 5 stars! I'm definitely going to read it again and everything Kelly writes is pure gold in my opinion. The whole thing was heart warming and funny and intriguing in every sense!
For more info on the Radish App, here is the link to their site!
https://radishfiction.com
Thank you for reading this review! I hope it encourages you to try read this lovely story. I promise you it won't be disappointing!
The Lit Life
https://thislitlifeofmine.wordpress.c...
Here's a shorter version for Goodreads:
When I first started the story I was a little wary. I am not normally the type to read anything concerning Christmas for fear of getting wrapped up in a cookie cutter Hallmark story about having faith and believing in the Spirit of Christmas. That's why it's important to let you know... THIS IS NOT YOUR AVERAGE CHRISTMAS STORY. Ghosts, Nosey AI's, magical pocket watches, etc. From the very first chapter, you're wrapped up into Nick's world who I absolutely adored. Nick is your typical teenager, but with a golden heart. I loved his character and he takes us along for an atypical sleigh ride of fun. The characters in general are worth picking up this book. From Wit all the way to Droonan, the overbearing Head Elf of the North Pole, they are all so very real and it wasn't hard to imagine this slightly political hierarchy below the icy tundra of the Arctic. I also loved Creagh's take on Santa, Nick's dad. Seeing him as the usual jolly figure, but as a dad who also somehow has everything under control was so endearing. That's always been the thing with her writing that I love so much. She can take these figures or people we've always known about like Poe in her Nevermore trilogy or Santa in Nick's story and turn them into these very real characters. It's as if you know them personally and it's absolutely captivating.
Another thing I must gush about is her writing style. You don't always know where the story is going and if you're like me, you feel like you're taking a risk by delving into a Holiday special, but then you're hooked. You can't predict the story and it keeps you reading because you just can't get enough of the prose, the POV, the development between characters and relationships. I wanted to keep reading and find out what Nick's best friend's secrets were just as much as he needed to know. I needed to see if their friendship would be forever changed. The friendship and camaraderie between Nick and Wit was beautiful. It's rare that I read fiction that's able to convince me of real friendships between characters. Usually people focus on the romantic subplots and under-develop the MC's friendships, but in Creagh's case this was not the case. There were some small romantic subplots for this story and I won't mention names because I don't want to spoil anything, but these were also wonderfully written. It wasn't the main focus which seemed more plausible seeing as it's in the point of view of a teenage boy who is going through a lot right now. The ending though!
Don't get me wrong, it wraps up nicely and all the bows are tied in the end, but there's still so much left open to explore! I am literally dying to find out what happens from this point on. There are plenty of books that are like this, I know... but there's usually a guarantee of a sequel and since this is fairly new so I'm just hoping and praying that there will be more to read for these characters and this world.
I give this book 5 stars! I'm definitely going to read it again and everything Kelly writes is pure gold in my opinion. The whole thing was heart warming and funny and intriguing in every sense!
For more info on the Radish App, here is the link to their site!
https://radishfiction.com
Thank you for reading this review! I hope it encourages you to try read this lovely story. I promise you it won't be disappointing!
The Lit Life
December 22, 2020
Oh this was SO GOOD!!
I normally don't go for holiday themed books, but I absolutely adore Kelly's books and had to read this. I'm so glad that I did!
This isn't your typical sweet and lovely
Christmas story. Oh no. This is magical and whimsical with ghosts and one amazing Santa Claus.
I loved(!!!) Nick and Wit. Their friendship was so fantastic to read.
I was so wrapped up in this story I really didn't want to put it down.
This will be a new Christmas tradition for me. I can't wait to read it again!
I normally don't go for holiday themed books, but I absolutely adore Kelly's books and had to read this. I'm so glad that I did!
This isn't your typical sweet and lovely
Christmas story. Oh no. This is magical and whimsical with ghosts and one amazing Santa Claus.
I loved(!!!) Nick and Wit. Their friendship was so fantastic to read.
I was so wrapped up in this story I really didn't want to put it down.
This will be a new Christmas tradition for me. I can't wait to read it again!
December 4, 2019
Oh this was SO GOOD!!
I normally don't go for holiday themed books, but I absolutely adore Kelly's books and had to read this. I'm so glad that I did!
This isn't your typical sweet and lovely
Christmas story. Oh no. This is magical and whimsical with ghosts and one amazing Santa Claus.
I loved(!!!) Nick and Wit. Their friendship was so fantastic to read.
I was so wrapped up in this story I really didn't want to put it down.
This will be a new Christmas tradition for me. I can't wait to read it again!
I normally don't go for holiday themed books, but I absolutely adore Kelly's books and had to read this. I'm so glad that I did!
This isn't your typical sweet and lovely
Christmas story. Oh no. This is magical and whimsical with ghosts and one amazing Santa Claus.
I loved(!!!) Nick and Wit. Their friendship was so fantastic to read.
I was so wrapped up in this story I really didn't want to put it down.
This will be a new Christmas tradition for me. I can't wait to read it again!
April 23, 2024
I had a hard time finding this book in print, but ended up finding it on the app Radish. Chapters can be unlocked by watching daily ads or thru buying the app currency.
It took a little bit for the story to progress from fluff fantasy to a dark fantasy, but the wait was worth it. Having finished it, the cover art makes more sense.
It took a little bit for the story to progress from fluff fantasy to a dark fantasy, but the wait was worth it. Having finished it, the cover art makes more sense.
November 15, 2018
I've read this one so many times and it just gets better and better.
Proud of you, K-Cray! <3
Proud of you, K-Cray! <3
April 21, 2026
Where is the sequel??! Kelly Creagh has done it again: written a book that I have fallen in love with! Seriously, I hope that wasn’t the end.
The characters did catch me a little by surprise and I did Not predict the ending...well, I did guess one of Nick’s choices before he tells his dad in the last chapter, but that was minor.
Thank you for the read!
The characters did catch me a little by surprise and I did Not predict the ending...well, I did guess one of Nick’s choices before he tells his dad in the last chapter, but that was minor.
Thank you for the read!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews