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Santa Saves Christmas #1
What the Frost?
Zombie Reindeer...
Exploding Puffins...
It's a Christmas Catastrophe!
Awakened by bloodcurdling screams, Santa Claus springs into action to stop a lethal sickness from infecting his reindeer—only to learn that he's already too late. Christmas is all but ruined.
But when a disgraced alcoholic Christmas elf offers to retrofit the sleigh with some highly advanced technology, Santa's hope of saving Christmas is renewed.
With a solid plan in place, they hitch the sole surviving reindeer to Santa's sleigh and prepare to launch into the blustery night—until Father Time interrupts Santa's plans with an ultimatum that could kill Christmas forever.
Will Santa cave to Father Time's outrageous demands? Or can he withstand the lord of time and space long enough to rewrite history itself? Most importantly of all, can Santa save Christmas?
What the Frost? is the first book in the hilarious Santa Saves Christmas series, an urban fantasy/time travel mashup. Readers of Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl series and Shayne Silvers's Nate Temple series will love these books.
Curl up by the fire with a mug of heavily spiked eggnog and start reading this instant holiday classic now!
Exploding Puffins...
It's a Christmas Catastrophe!
Awakened by bloodcurdling screams, Santa Claus springs into action to stop a lethal sickness from infecting his reindeer—only to learn that he's already too late. Christmas is all but ruined.
But when a disgraced alcoholic Christmas elf offers to retrofit the sleigh with some highly advanced technology, Santa's hope of saving Christmas is renewed.
With a solid plan in place, they hitch the sole surviving reindeer to Santa's sleigh and prepare to launch into the blustery night—until Father Time interrupts Santa's plans with an ultimatum that could kill Christmas forever.
Will Santa cave to Father Time's outrageous demands? Or can he withstand the lord of time and space long enough to rewrite history itself? Most importantly of all, can Santa save Christmas?
What the Frost? is the first book in the hilarious Santa Saves Christmas series, an urban fantasy/time travel mashup. Readers of Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl series and Shayne Silvers's Nate Temple series will love these books.
Curl up by the fire with a mug of heavily spiked eggnog and start reading this instant holiday classic now!
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2021
29 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Ben Wolf
99 books124 followersAt the age of nine, Ben Wolf slayed his first dragon.
As the dragon perished, it bequeathed a measure of its power to Ben.
It told him, "You now have the ability to lie more creatively than any other being on this planet--except for politicians. Use this power wisely."
The dragon died with one final puff of smoke from its lungs, but Ben Wolf lived on.
For years, Ben honed his craft. At the age of twelve, he lied to his sister about having thrown darts at a poster of her favorite boy band.
At the age of sixteen, he lied to a policeman who'd pulled him over for speeding, and it got him out of a ticket.
At the age of eighteen, he lied to himself about what a good decision it was to go to Bible college and major in Pastoral Studies (that one has come back to haunt him several times).
Given the unique power he'd inherited from the dying dragon, Ben Wolf had expected his life to look very different from how it did when he turned twenty-three.
Then the dragon's words regarding his power returned to him: "Use this power wisely."
The truth was, Ben hadn't been using the magnificent power wisely. He'd been using it for personal gain, and to dig himself out of bad situations (or, in the case of Bible college, to get himself into them).
So he asked himself, "What would be a wise way to use this power?"
At that very moment, a bus drove past the street in front of him. On its side was emblazoned the phrase, "You should write a novel!"
Having graduated from Bible college a year earlier, Ben took it as a divine message. What's more, he'd already written one novel at that point, and he'd enjoyed it, so he figured he might as well write a few more.
That was 2009. Now, more than ten years later, Ben has written north of ten books, including an award-winning children's book and an award-winning novel.
Awards are great, but what Ben has found even more reassuring is the consistently great feedback he's gotten from readers. They've raved about his work and told him he was the best, most creative liar they'd ever heard of.
So now Ben is on the cusp of making serious headway with his lying skills. His debut fantasy saga, the Blood Mercenaries series of dark/epic/sword & sorcery novels, is raking in tons of stellar reviews from readers everywhere.
And now you can be a part of his creative lying journey. If you've read Ben Wolf's work, love him as a person, or plain old just think he's a handsome guy (he is, and he is now making it known that it wasn't him who wrote this (but it was actually him)), then please review his books here and on Amazon.com.
Ben, who we swear didn't write this, thanks you.
As the dragon perished, it bequeathed a measure of its power to Ben.
It told him, "You now have the ability to lie more creatively than any other being on this planet--except for politicians. Use this power wisely."
The dragon died with one final puff of smoke from its lungs, but Ben Wolf lived on.
For years, Ben honed his craft. At the age of twelve, he lied to his sister about having thrown darts at a poster of her favorite boy band.
At the age of sixteen, he lied to a policeman who'd pulled him over for speeding, and it got him out of a ticket.
At the age of eighteen, he lied to himself about what a good decision it was to go to Bible college and major in Pastoral Studies (that one has come back to haunt him several times).
Given the unique power he'd inherited from the dying dragon, Ben Wolf had expected his life to look very different from how it did when he turned twenty-three.
Then the dragon's words regarding his power returned to him: "Use this power wisely."
The truth was, Ben hadn't been using the magnificent power wisely. He'd been using it for personal gain, and to dig himself out of bad situations (or, in the case of Bible college, to get himself into them).
So he asked himself, "What would be a wise way to use this power?"
At that very moment, a bus drove past the street in front of him. On its side was emblazoned the phrase, "You should write a novel!"
Having graduated from Bible college a year earlier, Ben took it as a divine message. What's more, he'd already written one novel at that point, and he'd enjoyed it, so he figured he might as well write a few more.
That was 2009. Now, more than ten years later, Ben has written north of ten books, including an award-winning children's book and an award-winning novel.
Awards are great, but what Ben has found even more reassuring is the consistently great feedback he's gotten from readers. They've raved about his work and told him he was the best, most creative liar they'd ever heard of.
So now Ben is on the cusp of making serious headway with his lying skills. His debut fantasy saga, the Blood Mercenaries series of dark/epic/sword & sorcery novels, is raking in tons of stellar reviews from readers everywhere.
And now you can be a part of his creative lying journey. If you've read Ben Wolf's work, love him as a person, or plain old just think he's a handsome guy (he is, and he is now making it known that it wasn't him who wrote this (but it was actually him)), then please review his books here and on Amazon.com.
Ben, who we swear didn't write this, thanks you.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 29, 2023
2,5* rounded up for combining Christmas and fantasy.
I love the idea behind the book, and as you'll know if you follow my reviews, I enjoy Christmas SFF of all sorts, from cute to bloody violent, and from thought provoking to silly.
What The Frost by Ben Wolf is meant to be funny and grim at the same time, but sadly for me the humour mostly didn't work. Like Santa's wife being super mad because of a Victoria's Secret catalogue. I didn't find it funny the first time, and it got pretty annoying with every further iteration of how this has hurt their marriage... I didn't find it funny, just sigh inducing.
One main character who is drawn into this really didn't age well politically, which I won't hold against the book, as it's older than current things, but even without actual warfare in our time, that also just had me go "really" instead of making me chuckle.
I did like the Christmas theme obviously, and the idea of zombie reindeer and elves who make weapons and high tech stuff was a nice twist.
Overall I was entertained enough to finish, though I definitely didn't race through the book. For others the humour might hit home perfectly, and I hope they can enjoy it a lot more than I did.
I love the idea behind the book, and as you'll know if you follow my reviews, I enjoy Christmas SFF of all sorts, from cute to bloody violent, and from thought provoking to silly.
What The Frost by Ben Wolf is meant to be funny and grim at the same time, but sadly for me the humour mostly didn't work. Like Santa's wife being super mad because of a Victoria's Secret catalogue. I didn't find it funny the first time, and it got pretty annoying with every further iteration of how this has hurt their marriage... I didn't find it funny, just sigh inducing.
One main character who is drawn into this really didn't age well politically, which I won't hold against the book, as it's older than current things, but even without actual warfare in our time, that also just had me go "really" instead of making me chuckle.
I did like the Christmas theme obviously, and the idea of zombie reindeer and elves who make weapons and high tech stuff was a nice twist.
Overall I was entertained enough to finish, though I definitely didn't race through the book. For others the humour might hit home perfectly, and I hope they can enjoy it a lot more than I did.
February 25, 2024
It’s definitely a books for adults due to the violence but at the same time he gives the elves cute names. He had the Santa folklore. He had a countdown to Christmas. In a bit that was like a Yoel Bereket book, Santa is in Russia.
The shameless advertisement at the end was hysterical and brilliant.
It was a wild adventure.
The shameless advertisement at the end was hysterical and brilliant.
It was a wild adventure.
December 14, 2021
This book had me laughing from the zombie reindeer to the puffin sidekick. A great holiday fun story by Ben Wolf. I can't wait to read about the raptors!
December 22, 2021
Well, that was silly.
August 13, 2024
Comedic and entertaining for sure. I haven't laughed out loud reading a book in a while. I definitely did in this. Funny, corny, gorey, and lovey dovey.
February 3, 2022
⚠️ This Christmas book is definitely not for kids, but hilarious for adults!
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a thrilling mix of Christmas wonder, action filled adventure, and adult humor. Santa goes on a wild voyage to save Christmas, teams up with unexpected characters, and deals with real adult issues. I was on the edge of my seat up until the ending and loved Ben’s shameless plug for his other fantastic books in the epilogue! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
I listened to this book on audible and Andy McCain was a great choice to read this book. His voices had me laughing out loud and fit fantastically with the characters Ben so wonderfully crafted. The added audio effects were great too and I found myself attempting to mimic a few of them as I listened.
Overall highly recommend this book, others by the author, and others by the narrator. Great job guys!!
I absolutely loved this book! It’s a thrilling mix of Christmas wonder, action filled adventure, and adult humor. Santa goes on a wild voyage to save Christmas, teams up with unexpected characters, and deals with real adult issues. I was on the edge of my seat up until the ending and loved Ben’s shameless plug for his other fantastic books in the epilogue! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!
I listened to this book on audible and Andy McCain was a great choice to read this book. His voices had me laughing out loud and fit fantastically with the characters Ben so wonderfully crafted. The added audio effects were great too and I found myself attempting to mimic a few of them as I listened.
Overall highly recommend this book, others by the author, and others by the narrator. Great job guys!!
Read
December 26, 2021A quirky, edgy, Christmas story like none I've ever read before. In these pages, you'll find a Santa Clause facing marital problems, zombies, an alcoholic elf, and Russian president Vladimir Putin, hiding an unexpected secret. But through it all runs an impacting and deeply satisfying character arc and thematic message about marriage and owning up to your mistakes.
Content warnings for Violence, language and adult themes.
Content warnings for Violence, language and adult themes.
February 24, 2022
I haven’t read a book in awhile, and What The Frost is definitely the book that’s going to get me back into reading. It’s absolutely hysterical and full of action at the same time. On one hand I’m laughing my butt off and on the other I can’t put it down because I’m so interested to see what happens next! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
December 5, 2021
Made me laugh
On my, where to start. Well written with great not so subtle references to other books and movies. Put on your seat belt and enjoy the trip.
On my, where to start. Well written with great not so subtle references to other books and movies. Put on your seat belt and enjoy the trip.
December 18, 2021
A fun read
Good book for some light reading. I grew tired of the traditional Christmas stories. The humor and silliness interwoven with a decent plot makes for a good book.
Good book for some light reading. I grew tired of the traditional Christmas stories. The humor and silliness interwoven with a decent plot makes for a good book.
January 1, 2022
Funny and pretty fun
Loved the references to the current events and also some of the dark humor in the story. Can't wait to read the next book!
Loved the references to the current events and also some of the dark humor in the story. Can't wait to read the next book!
May 8, 2022
Great Story Line
It was great in the story line and left it open to continue. The characters and the monsters were creative along with the viruses and time control.
It was great in the story line and left it open to continue. The characters and the monsters were creative along with the viruses and time control.
December 2, 2024
The holidays is a time when I try to read a couple of prose books along with my annual assortment of seasonal comic books and graphic novels. Usually those books are non-fiction volumes that dig deep into the history and lore of the season. But then I came across an ad for this series of books on Facebook. Needless to say that the images on the cover left me intrigued.
The painted cover by Kirk DouPonce (in a style that reminds me of Robot Chicken) shows Santa Claus battling zombies. With a whip made of Christmas lights. And a shotgun... Triple barreled. Okay, you've got my interest.
The ad describes zombified reindeer. Exploding sea birds. And a foe in the form of Father Time. Alright. Shut up and take my money!
Ben Wolf crafts an insane story that combines elements of horror, time travel, and Lord of the Rings with the legend of Santa Claus. There's heavy doses of humor, surrealism and satire that make for the wildest representation of life at North Pole since the first 5 minutes of Richard Donner's Scrooged!
A couple of scenes were meant to be shocking. Normally, I'd feel those moments like a gut punch. However, since I had seen the covers of all 3 books in the Santa Saves Christmas trilogy, my level of disappointment and sadness was lessened. In other words, I knew that someone who dies in this book doesn't really die permanently. But you'll have to read the book to find out who.
My enjoyment with this first volume resulted in something I rarely do when reading a prose novel. With about 60 pages to go, I went on Amazon and ordered book 2! And that was after the spoiler!
If your view of life is a tad askew. If you like your Christmases to be a mix of both traditional and contemporary. If you root for the Grinch to make it an un-Merry Christmas to those Whos of Whoville, this is the holiday novel you've been waiting for.
If they ever make a movie of this, you can guarantee it won't appear on the Hallmark Channel!
The painted cover by Kirk DouPonce (in a style that reminds me of Robot Chicken) shows Santa Claus battling zombies. With a whip made of Christmas lights. And a shotgun... Triple barreled. Okay, you've got my interest.
The ad describes zombified reindeer. Exploding sea birds. And a foe in the form of Father Time. Alright. Shut up and take my money!
Ben Wolf crafts an insane story that combines elements of horror, time travel, and Lord of the Rings with the legend of Santa Claus. There's heavy doses of humor, surrealism and satire that make for the wildest representation of life at North Pole since the first 5 minutes of Richard Donner's Scrooged!
A couple of scenes were meant to be shocking. Normally, I'd feel those moments like a gut punch. However, since I had seen the covers of all 3 books in the Santa Saves Christmas trilogy, my level of disappointment and sadness was lessened. In other words, I knew that someone who dies in this book doesn't really die permanently. But you'll have to read the book to find out who.
My enjoyment with this first volume resulted in something I rarely do when reading a prose novel. With about 60 pages to go, I went on Amazon and ordered book 2! And that was after the spoiler!
If your view of life is a tad askew. If you like your Christmases to be a mix of both traditional and contemporary. If you root for the Grinch to make it an un-Merry Christmas to those Whos of Whoville, this is the holiday novel you've been waiting for.
If they ever make a movie of this, you can guarantee it won't appear on the Hallmark Channel!
December 30, 2025
This was wild!! It was a neat little gift that appealed to all the weirdness in me wrapped up in a brightly coloured christmas bow!!
Spoilers...
Who wouldn't enjoy a delightful Christmas story where Santa's reindeers turn into zombies, Father Time tries to blackmail Santa into letting him have some business time with Mrs Claus and there is a race to save Christmas? Throw in puffins strapped to bombs, dinosaurs that can heal themselves, a gun called Cherry, Jim Henson's brain (just the brain), Putin turning into Krampus and some of the best Christmas puns I have ever read and you have one of the funniest books around!
I'm still not sure what I read...but I can guarantee I will be reading this again next year!!
Some of the best lines from the book...
* a'carol-whining
* "I'm gonna deck his halls clear down to South America"
* Santa leaned Cherry against a wall in a corner of the workshop...then he thought better of it. No one puts Cherry in the corner.
* He turned back to the carnage of dead scientists everywher, gave them a salute and said "god rest ye zombie gentlemen"
* (when Russian intelligence picks up the sleigh on radar) "Sir? It appears that -" General Tsypkin swallowed. He couldn't beliver he was about to utter tehse words, but he did anyway. "- Santa Claus is coming to town."
* Santa -"I don't like it when people play with my toys." Putin's eys narrowed. "That is literally your job. People play with your toys."
* "I'm Santa Claus," He smirked at Snoot. "The cold never bothered me anyway."
* "Mele Kalikimaka, jackass!"
Spoilers...
Who wouldn't enjoy a delightful Christmas story where Santa's reindeers turn into zombies, Father Time tries to blackmail Santa into letting him have some business time with Mrs Claus and there is a race to save Christmas? Throw in puffins strapped to bombs, dinosaurs that can heal themselves, a gun called Cherry, Jim Henson's brain (just the brain), Putin turning into Krampus and some of the best Christmas puns I have ever read and you have one of the funniest books around!
I'm still not sure what I read...but I can guarantee I will be reading this again next year!!
Some of the best lines from the book...
* a'carol-whining
* "I'm gonna deck his halls clear down to South America"
* Santa leaned Cherry against a wall in a corner of the workshop...then he thought better of it. No one puts Cherry in the corner.
* He turned back to the carnage of dead scientists everywher, gave them a salute and said "god rest ye zombie gentlemen"
* (when Russian intelligence picks up the sleigh on radar) "Sir? It appears that -" General Tsypkin swallowed. He couldn't beliver he was about to utter tehse words, but he did anyway. "- Santa Claus is coming to town."
* Santa -"I don't like it when people play with my toys." Putin's eys narrowed. "That is literally your job. People play with your toys."
* "I'm Santa Claus," He smirked at Snoot. "The cold never bothered me anyway."
* "Mele Kalikimaka, jackass!"
November 17, 2024
Santa vs Zombies.... Sort of.
Since Christmas is coming soon, I decided to check this ebook out for fun, and it didn't disappoint me. Think Santa Claus meets Indiana Jones and James Bond. It is a pulpy type of fun with cool characters and a funny twist on Santa Claus. I thought the story was about Santa fighting zombies in the North Pole, but it wasn't the case. Yes, there are zombies, but there are more. I like Santa's sidekick, and I am glad the story doesn't take itself too seriously. One thing I didn't like was the villain's motivation. Without spoilers, there is one thing he wants from Santa, although there are plenty of others he could find. And the narrative never explained why. Overall, it's a fun book to read for the holidays if you like funny action thrillers with satire and gore. Merry Christmas!
Since Christmas is coming soon, I decided to check this ebook out for fun, and it didn't disappoint me. Think Santa Claus meets Indiana Jones and James Bond. It is a pulpy type of fun with cool characters and a funny twist on Santa Claus. I thought the story was about Santa fighting zombies in the North Pole, but it wasn't the case. Yes, there are zombies, but there are more. I like Santa's sidekick, and I am glad the story doesn't take itself too seriously. One thing I didn't like was the villain's motivation. Without spoilers, there is one thing he wants from Santa, although there are plenty of others he could find. And the narrative never explained why. Overall, it's a fun book to read for the holidays if you like funny action thrillers with satire and gore. Merry Christmas!
December 27, 2022
Santa on his sleigh with eight... Zombie reindeer. Wait. What?
You heard me right, folks!
Fiddlesticks. Twiddledicks. Tickle me Elmos.
What the frost did I just read?
I'm not so sure this could be considered cozy but it has Santa, elves, egg nog and the seasonal like in it... so yeah.
Cherry toting Santa Claus and a Rudolff pulled sleigh have one crazy adventure.
"On the first day of Christmas, Father Time gave to me… a polar bear that’s a zombie.’ Two of them, actually.”
Okay so this was hilarious in an unbelievably fresh urban fantasy, Die Hard, Rudolph, jurassic Park, Sci-Fi mash up way and I implore everyone to give it a read. It goes down quickly with spiked cider and is filled with all kinds of cackling Christmas fun.
You heard me right, folks!
Fiddlesticks. Twiddledicks. Tickle me Elmos.
What the frost did I just read?
I'm not so sure this could be considered cozy but it has Santa, elves, egg nog and the seasonal like in it... so yeah.
Cherry toting Santa Claus and a Rudolff pulled sleigh have one crazy adventure.
"On the first day of Christmas, Father Time gave to me… a polar bear that’s a zombie.’ Two of them, actually.”
Okay so this was hilarious in an unbelievably fresh urban fantasy, Die Hard, Rudolph, jurassic Park, Sci-Fi mash up way and I implore everyone to give it a read. It goes down quickly with spiked cider and is filled with all kinds of cackling Christmas fun.
January 22, 2022
I knew I'd love this book just from the cover. This author is one seriously sick and twisted bastard and I love him for it. Laughed so hard once I woke my wife which angered her. In all honesty I was too ashamed of what I was laughing at to even tell her why I was l laughing. (No spoilers but thumpety thump thump.....). And Santa getting troible because of a Victoria Secrets cata,og...who hasn't been there at least once in their life.
December 7, 2021
First in a crazy series about Santa solving weird problems. This one has all the reindeers being killed off by a zombie reindeer on Christmas Eve. Only Rudolph is left. Christmas is almost canceled until a solution is found by a misfit elf.
Fave scenes: Santa’s vault contents, the friendly puffin, the puffin’s destiny and Santa choosing a time portal.
Fave scenes: Santa’s vault contents, the friendly puffin, the puffin’s destiny and Santa choosing a time portal.
December 22, 2021
I laughed my way through this book. Don't get me wrong, it's dark! There are elf eating zombie reindeer and a zombie polar bear attack. However, it doesn't take itself too seriously, and it reminds you that dear old Saint Nick wasn't always a jolly gift giving elf. If you want a fun holiday urban fantasy read, this is it!
August 5, 2023
I’m sorry I have to rate this so low. Frozen quotes and Putin?!?! As the Sharks say….” And for that reason, I’m out!” It never caught my interest. Maybe because I read a Christmas book in the summer? Who knows. No knock against the author, he was a great guy to meet and talk to. Keep up your hard work!
July 15, 2022
A little twisted but very interesting
Wasn't sure about The book but the title drew me in. Enjoyed the story and the characters. Once i started i had to see where it went. It was a very different take on Santa than i have seen or read before.
Wasn't sure about The book but the title drew me in. Enjoyed the story and the characters. Once i started i had to see where it went. It was a very different take on Santa than i have seen or read before.
January 2, 2026
The audio version of this book came out last year, right after I had discovered Ben's writings. I was skeptical of a Santa based story, but oh my lord is it a great read. The characters are great, as are the villains. The audio version was phenomenal, available on Soundbooth Theater.
January 26, 2023
Nonstop
Just nothing but ridiculous action from the first sentence. No words can describe this. It has to be read to be understood and enjoyed. All the yes.
Just nothing but ridiculous action from the first sentence. No words can describe this. It has to be read to be understood and enjoyed. All the yes.
December 9, 2023
It was going so well until Vladimir Putin was brought in as a hero. *Sigh*
December 24, 2023
What the hell did I just read?
December 29, 2023
One thing Ben is great at is creating the books I call "popcorn" reads. They are just fun.
December 14, 2024
While it's humor can go to far at times, and the audiobook is very overacted, this was an flawed, yet enjoyable, little Christmas book.
November 28, 2025
a light fun read. Definitely for adults though
January 8, 2026
Why did puffsworth have to die though 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 8, 2026Bizarre, random, twisted and absolutely hilarious
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews