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Christmas Fear
Welcome to Bliss High, rated one of the top schools in the nation for its high test scores and outstanding academic reputation. It's also the perfect place to commit murder.
Christmas time should be a season of joy. But for Bliss High, 'tis the season to fear.
When Denise and her friends discover an anonymously written book that points to the school's deadly past, they realize a copycat is stalking the halls of Bliss High. Someone who dresses in a Santa suit whose threatening notes slice through their festive spirit. And this psycho seems to know them well, because he's leaving personal clues for Denise, determined to twist the holiday she's always cherished from bright to fright.
There's nothing silent about this Christmas.
Bliss High turns into a terrifying nightmare when students start to die. In a desperate attempt to stop the lunatic from increasing his death toll, Denise digs into the past for answers. But as Denise gets closer to the truth, her life and the lives of those closest to her are soon at stake, and she realizes that the killer is someone they should have never trusted at all.
For fans of Karen M. McManus and Holly Jackson
*Previously published as Christmas Fear
Christmas time should be a season of joy. But for Bliss High, 'tis the season to fear.
When Denise and her friends discover an anonymously written book that points to the school's deadly past, they realize a copycat is stalking the halls of Bliss High. Someone who dresses in a Santa suit whose threatening notes slice through their festive spirit. And this psycho seems to know them well, because he's leaving personal clues for Denise, determined to twist the holiday she's always cherished from bright to fright.
There's nothing silent about this Christmas.
Bliss High turns into a terrifying nightmare when students start to die. In a desperate attempt to stop the lunatic from increasing his death toll, Denise digs into the past for answers. But as Denise gets closer to the truth, her life and the lives of those closest to her are soon at stake, and she realizes that the killer is someone they should have never trusted at all.
For fans of Karen M. McManus and Holly Jackson
*Previously published as Christmas Fear
- GenresChristmas
211 pages, ebook
Published July 1, 2022
3 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Blade
6 books26 followersJessica Blade writes YA horror. She wrote her first complete novel when she was fourteen. That's when she realized how much she adores twisty plots and psycho killers, and she's been writing ever since. Jessica also loves reading RL Stine and Christopher Pike, and when she's not creating her next terrifying story, you'll find her binging horror movies and scary video games with her awesome husband.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 30, 2022
“’ Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh, what fun it is to die in Santa’s sleigh one day.’” -Christmas Fear
Who says high school is easy? Have you ever been told that high school with be the best of times? Well, it’s a lie. Currently, I am a junior in high school and have two best friends that I am always with, Audrey and Jack. Christmas is right around the corner, and it seems as though the past is repeating itself when classmates start being killed. After the first one was killed, I started receiving these weird notes hinting that I am next and so are those that I love. Will I escape my junior year with my life?
Within the first couple of pages, you realize this book is for younger readers. I could picture my junior high self reading this book and enjoying it. The pace of the storyline, characters, and length of the book all relate to younger readers. There was no depth to the characters and not much in terms of background details. I also found the relationship between Denise and the police to be unrealistic, driving it more towards younger readers.
Although the book was rushed, it intrigued me enough to finish it and find out who the killer was. I rate this book 3 stars and would recommend it to younger readers in junior high school who enjoy mysteries.
Content/Trigger Warnings: blood, a little bit of gore, killing, poisoning, stalking, and violence
Who says high school is easy? Have you ever been told that high school with be the best of times? Well, it’s a lie. Currently, I am a junior in high school and have two best friends that I am always with, Audrey and Jack. Christmas is right around the corner, and it seems as though the past is repeating itself when classmates start being killed. After the first one was killed, I started receiving these weird notes hinting that I am next and so are those that I love. Will I escape my junior year with my life?
Within the first couple of pages, you realize this book is for younger readers. I could picture my junior high self reading this book and enjoying it. The pace of the storyline, characters, and length of the book all relate to younger readers. There was no depth to the characters and not much in terms of background details. I also found the relationship between Denise and the police to be unrealistic, driving it more towards younger readers.
Although the book was rushed, it intrigued me enough to finish it and find out who the killer was. I rate this book 3 stars and would recommend it to younger readers in junior high school who enjoy mysteries.
Content/Trigger Warnings: blood, a little bit of gore, killing, poisoning, stalking, and violence
July 2, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
June 21, 2022
A YA high school serial killer mystery with several possible suspects and plot twists to keep the reader guessing.
June 19, 2022
This book was clearly written for the younger reader. It was an okay mystery.
July 10, 2022
I liked this story. Although for a younger audience, I thought the concept was interesting. I had never read anything by this author before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I got an intriguing story that I was invested in and wanted to unravel. When you think you know what’s going on, a significant plot twist changes everything.
I found myself trying to piece together clues dropped within the story to solve it. While I successfully figured out who was responsible, the reasoning for it all blew my mind. The town, although horrified, was happy for it to all be over and eventually learned to live again.
Even with everything that happened, Denise found strength in it, which I loved for her. I added Natalie's story to my TBR list when I saw that it existed, and I can't wait to read it.
Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of the author, Jessica Blade.
I found myself trying to piece together clues dropped within the story to solve it. While I successfully figured out who was responsible, the reasoning for it all blew my mind. The town, although horrified, was happy for it to all be over and eventually learned to live again.
Even with everything that happened, Denise found strength in it, which I loved for her. I added Natalie's story to my TBR list when I saw that it existed, and I can't wait to read it.
Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of the author, Jessica Blade.
February 28, 2025
Book Review: It's Your Turn to Die by Jessica Blade
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 Stars)
I recently had the chance to read It's Your Turn to Die by Jessica Blade, thanks to an ARC from BookSprout. While I initially had trouble getting into the story, once it picked up, I found myself intrigued by the plot and overall storyline.
As a YA horror novel, it definitely has that eerie, suspenseful feel—reminiscent of classic Goosebumps books. However, I did find it harder to connect with some of the characters, likely due to the younger target audience. That said, the book still delivered a decent amount of tension and thrills, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre.
While it wasn’t my favorite, I can see younger readers or those who love YA horror really enjoying it. If you're in the mood for a spooky, fast-paced story, this one might be worth checking out!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 Stars)
I recently had the chance to read It's Your Turn to Die by Jessica Blade, thanks to an ARC from BookSprout. While I initially had trouble getting into the story, once it picked up, I found myself intrigued by the plot and overall storyline.
As a YA horror novel, it definitely has that eerie, suspenseful feel—reminiscent of classic Goosebumps books. However, I did find it harder to connect with some of the characters, likely due to the younger target audience. That said, the book still delivered a decent amount of tension and thrills, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre.
While it wasn’t my favorite, I can see younger readers or those who love YA horror really enjoying it. If you're in the mood for a spooky, fast-paced story, this one might be worth checking out!
July 28, 2022
High school can be Murder. Jessica Blade’s Christmas Fear is a thrilling ride through, let’s just say, a bad Junior year. As a murderer stalks the classmates, (you and) Denise struggles to figure out who is committing the murders before the whole Junior class is wiped out. It starts when a new book in the school library uncovers resentments, jealousies and love? Follow Jessica and her inner circle as they try to piece the puzzle together clue by clue, death by death. I’m looking forward to seeing what else Bliss High School has in store for it’s students.
July 31, 2022
If you are a younger reader or someone who likes YA novels, this is a good slasher style teen mystery. The deaths are a bit graphic (but it's slasher horror, so a plus for me!) and have some good descriptions. I liked that it kept you guessing who the murder could be through the whole story, changing your guess as people kept dying. I think some more character depth and emotional depth could have made the Killer's motives stronger, but I enjoyed the mystery none the less. I received this book as an arc and am leaving my review voluntarily .
August 3, 2022
Review through Voracious Readers Only
This was a thrilling wee read. It took me a bit to get who was who and it went from zero to a hundred pretty quickly but once we were into the killer part, I was hooked. It was a interesting journey through Denise's research and hunt to find the killer who is obsessed with ruining Christmas and dresses as a sadistical evil Santa.
Jessica Blade writes a great scary story but keeps it clean with no bad language or sexual themes.
This was a thrilling wee read. It took me a bit to get who was who and it went from zero to a hundred pretty quickly but once we were into the killer part, I was hooked. It was a interesting journey through Denise's research and hunt to find the killer who is obsessed with ruining Christmas and dresses as a sadistical evil Santa.
Jessica Blade writes a great scary story but keeps it clean with no bad language or sexual themes.
July 1, 2022
#horror #suspense #youngadult
🎅 Christmas in July🎅 Christmas time should be a season of joy. But for Bliss High, 'tis the season to fear😱
AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE RETAILERS.
IN PAPERBACK, EBOOK, AND AUDIO!
https://books2read.com/ChristmasFear
🎅 Christmas in July🎅 Christmas time should be a season of joy. But for Bliss High, 'tis the season to fear😱
AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE RETAILERS.
IN PAPERBACK, EBOOK, AND AUDIO!
https://books2read.com/ChristmasFear
July 3, 2022
There is a list of suspects that could be the Christmas vengeance killer. Set in a high school and reminds me of a cross between Scream and Mean Girls. This is one Santa you don't want to have come to your town.
July 9, 2022
I might be scared of Santa now! lol! In all seriousness... I couldn't put this book down. The events in this story escalated very well. I had a feeling of who the killer might be, but Jessica did a good job of steering towards different suspects.
November 29, 2023
A real page turner. Kept me guessing until the end regarding who was causing terror and committing murder.
January 3, 2026
It’s Your Turn To Die by Jessica Blade is a fun, fast-paced YA horror that turns the Christmas season into something dark and dangerous. Set in a high school plagued by anonymous threats and a killer in a Santa suit, it quickly creates a creepy, slasher-style atmosphere that pulls you straight in.
The story moves at a brisk pace, delivering suspense, twists, and a clear sense of danger without getting overly complicated. It knows its audience well, focusing on tension and mystery rather than deep character study, which keeps it light and very readable.
Overall, this is an entertaining, quick horror read with a festive edge. Perfect for fans of YA thrillers who want something spooky, seasonal, and easy to devour in just a few sittings.
The story moves at a brisk pace, delivering suspense, twists, and a clear sense of danger without getting overly complicated. It knows its audience well, focusing on tension and mystery rather than deep character study, which keeps it light and very readable.
Overall, this is an entertaining, quick horror read with a festive edge. Perfect for fans of YA thrillers who want something spooky, seasonal, and easy to devour in just a few sittings.
August 29, 2025
Book two in the Bliss High horror series. Book one characters do take a small part in the story but I do not feel that the reader has to have read it to enjoy this one. Relatable characters, Christmas theme, and various murders make it a fun read. It is one that I just wanted to keep reading until done. I did find the ending to be a bit abrupt but that did not deter from my enjoyment of the book.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.
July 2, 2022
I loved this psychological thriller. The characters are realistic and believable. The twists kept me turning the pages. It is an amazing blend of action, mystery and psychological suspense with a gripping plot that had me completely hooked. The killer was an unexpected surprise. I would highly recommend it. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
September 14, 2025
A riveting YA with a bite. Jessica brings us into the halls of Bliss high, the best place to kill someone at Christmas. In this whodunnit, we get a slasher that puts a new spin on Santa Claus. The twists will keep you guessing and the blood and suspense will make you stay until the end. Reminded me of Goosebumps. This was my first experience with her, and I look forward to going to read her other work as well.
March 10, 2025
Suspenseful, spooky, fast paced and well written. Reminds me of Goosebumps which was my favorite growing up. I can't wait to read book three and other books from Blade. Loved it!.
August 17, 2025
I love how everyone of her books is feeling like you're in true crime podcast. The jealousy, the Christmas headlines, and the deaths. It so scary, intense, and amazing!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews