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Empty Branches
Many people died when the End times came. Those who survived did so by building bubbles, protective domes that protected them from the radioactive ash beyond. Keeping one running takes a village. It's for this reason, that everyone has their role to play. Except the Elders. Their only job is to remind the ones born after the End that life is about more than mere survival.
When their oldest resident decides she wants to celebrate something called "Christmas" for the last time, Caroline is baffled but must agree. With the strange request she'll learn more than the mechanics of an ancient holiday—she'll learn the true meaning of love and friendship.
When their oldest resident decides she wants to celebrate something called "Christmas" for the last time, Caroline is baffled but must agree. With the strange request she'll learn more than the mechanics of an ancient holiday—she'll learn the true meaning of love and friendship.
- GenresShort StoriesDystopia
22 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2020
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Kayla Krantz
45 books741 followersKayla Krantz is an international bestselling author of dark fantasy, psychological horror, and supernatural thrillers. She is fascinated by the dark and macabre. Stephen King is her all-time inspiration, mixed in with some faint remnants of the works of Edgar Allen Poe. When she began writing, she started in horror, but somehow drifted into thriller and fantasy. She loves the 1988 movie, “Heathers.” Kayla was born and raised in Michigan, but traveled across the country to where she currently resides, in Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 3, 2020
Empty Branches (A Dystopian Christmas Short Story)
By Kayla Krantz
Genre - Fiction/Dystopian/Holiday/Short Story
Publication Information - Into the Darkness Publishing, March 16, 2020, ASIN: B0861XHRZJ
Format - Digital (Kindle)
Pages - 21
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Reviewed by - William C. Bitner, Jr. https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...
I was looking for something quick to read the other day and I saw I had this little gem in my Kindle library so I decided to give it a read. I’m so glad I did. Although dystopian, it was charming and delightful. It’s also proof that sometimes really good things come in small packages. This is my first read by this author but I will most certainly be checking out the rest of her catalogue of books in the very near future. A fun feel good holiday read you can get through in less than an hour.
From the back cover - “Many people died when the End times came. Those who survived did so by building bubbles, protective domes that protected them from the radioactive ash beyond. Keeping one running takes a village. It's for this reason, that everyone has their role to play. Except the Elders. Their only job is to remind the ones born after the End that life is about more than mere survival.
When their oldest resident decides she wants to celebrate something called "Christmas" for the last time, Caroline is baffled but must agree. With the strange request she'll learn more than the mechanics of an ancient holiday—she'll learn the true meaning of love and friendship.”
About the author - Kayla Krantz is an International Bestselling Author responsible for a number of novels in the genres dark fantasy, psychological horror, and supernatural thriller. She is fascinated by the dark and macabre. Stephen King is her all-time inspiration, mixed in with some faint remnants of the works of Edgar Allen Poe. When she began writing, she started in horror, but somehow drifted into thriller and fantasy. She loves the 1988 movie, "Heathers." Kayla was born and raised in Michigan, but traveled across the country to where she currently resides, in Texas.
Other books by Kayla Krantz - “Dead by Morning (Rituals of the Night, Book 1)”, “Alive at Sunset (Rituals of the Night, Book 2)”, “Survive at Midnight (Rituals of the Night, Book 3)”, “Rise at Twilight (Rituals of the Night, Book 4)”, “Reanimate at Dawn (Rituals of the Night, Book 5)”, “Stained: A Short Story”, “Dungeons and Demons, Part 1”, “The Box: A Young Adult Short Story”, “What I Did: A Chilling Dark Fiction”, “Blood Moon (Blood Moon Trilogy Book 1)”, “Acid Rain (Blood Moon Trilogy Book 2)”, “Storm Breaker (Blood Moon Trilogy Book 3)”, “The Council (The Witch’s Ambition Trilogy Book 1)”, “The Elemental Coven (The Witch’s Ambition Trilogy Book 2)”, “The Sage (The Witch’s Ambition Trilogy Book 3)” and “Haunted Manor”, et.al...
By Kayla Krantz
Genre - Fiction/Dystopian/Holiday/Short Story
Publication Information - Into the Darkness Publishing, March 16, 2020, ASIN: B0861XHRZJ
Format - Digital (Kindle)
Pages - 21
Rating - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Reviewed by - William C. Bitner, Jr. https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...
I was looking for something quick to read the other day and I saw I had this little gem in my Kindle library so I decided to give it a read. I’m so glad I did. Although dystopian, it was charming and delightful. It’s also proof that sometimes really good things come in small packages. This is my first read by this author but I will most certainly be checking out the rest of her catalogue of books in the very near future. A fun feel good holiday read you can get through in less than an hour.
From the back cover - “Many people died when the End times came. Those who survived did so by building bubbles, protective domes that protected them from the radioactive ash beyond. Keeping one running takes a village. It's for this reason, that everyone has their role to play. Except the Elders. Their only job is to remind the ones born after the End that life is about more than mere survival.
When their oldest resident decides she wants to celebrate something called "Christmas" for the last time, Caroline is baffled but must agree. With the strange request she'll learn more than the mechanics of an ancient holiday—she'll learn the true meaning of love and friendship.”
About the author - Kayla Krantz is an International Bestselling Author responsible for a number of novels in the genres dark fantasy, psychological horror, and supernatural thriller. She is fascinated by the dark and macabre. Stephen King is her all-time inspiration, mixed in with some faint remnants of the works of Edgar Allen Poe. When she began writing, she started in horror, but somehow drifted into thriller and fantasy. She loves the 1988 movie, "Heathers." Kayla was born and raised in Michigan, but traveled across the country to where she currently resides, in Texas.
Other books by Kayla Krantz - “Dead by Morning (Rituals of the Night, Book 1)”, “Alive at Sunset (Rituals of the Night, Book 2)”, “Survive at Midnight (Rituals of the Night, Book 3)”, “Rise at Twilight (Rituals of the Night, Book 4)”, “Reanimate at Dawn (Rituals of the Night, Book 5)”, “Stained: A Short Story”, “Dungeons and Demons, Part 1”, “The Box: A Young Adult Short Story”, “What I Did: A Chilling Dark Fiction”, “Blood Moon (Blood Moon Trilogy Book 1)”, “Acid Rain (Blood Moon Trilogy Book 2)”, “Storm Breaker (Blood Moon Trilogy Book 3)”, “The Council (The Witch’s Ambition Trilogy Book 1)”, “The Elemental Coven (The Witch’s Ambition Trilogy Book 2)”, “The Sage (The Witch’s Ambition Trilogy Book 3)” and “Haunted Manor”, et.al...
October 6, 2020
It definitely is a short story, ending at 82%. It is interesting though, and I enjoyed it for what it was.
January 12, 2021
A short tale of a dystopian society where Christmas is a forgotten concept. When the oldest living person, Anita, is close to dying, she asks for one thing: to be able to celebrate Christmas one more time.
Carrie, Ezra and their friends don't know anything about the traditions of Christmas and have to find ways to decorate for the upcoming event. Carrie soon learns the true meaning of Christmas: love and friendship.
The story was entertaining and thought provoking and I enjoyed it a lot. The narrator did a good job and added a lot to the story. I will definitely be looking for more stories/books by this author. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.
Carrie, Ezra and their friends don't know anything about the traditions of Christmas and have to find ways to decorate for the upcoming event. Carrie soon learns the true meaning of Christmas: love and friendship.
The story was entertaining and thought provoking and I enjoyed it a lot. The narrator did a good job and added a lot to the story. I will definitely be looking for more stories/books by this author. I was given the chance to listen to the audiobook version of this book by the author and chose to review it.
Read
October 4, 2020Empty Branches (A Dystopian Christmas Short Story), my fifth (short) read from author Kayla Krantz. Well-written tale developed over 21 pages/33 minutes. Since I own both the Kindle & Audible versions I was able to follow along while being read to by narrator Tessa Compton. I was given an Audible copy of this book & am voluntarily reviewing it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
May 13, 2020
Ezra seems wise beyond his years as he tells Carrie that time is the most valuable thing that she could give to Anita. This is a delightful tale of love in a post-apocalyptic world.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Page-turner. Wonderful characters.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Page-turner. Wonderful characters.
September 18, 2020
audible:A very little dystopian Christmas story brings a death and a holiday celebration of old.Tessa Compton was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
January 22, 2022
Christmas Delight
A beautifully crafted short-story, wishing I had read this closer to Chfistmas now though. I always enjoy Kayla's story telling skills, this one was short and sweet
A beautifully crafted short-story, wishing I had read this closer to Chfistmas now though. I always enjoy Kayla's story telling skills, this one was short and sweet
December 31, 2022
A short Christmas tale about a young girl and her friendship with an older lady.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews