What do you think?
Rate this book
Advent
An evil Santa skulking through the shadows. A snowman with a taste for blood. Terrorized children who will never look at presents the same way again. This collection includes 24 twisted holiday tales and a bonus novella that explores the dark side of wintering in the tropics. Treat yourself to a daily helping of horror with stories that will leave you wondering whether Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year…
300 pages, Hardcover
Published October 18, 2022
395 people are currently reading
889 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Pyle
21 books94 followersDaniel Pyle is the author of Advent, Breakdown, Dismember, and many novellas and short stories. He lives in Springfield, Missouri, with his wife and three children. Visit him online at danielpyle.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 15, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this horror Anthology. The short stories were just the right length and the longer story kept me so intrigued I flew right through it. I can't wait to read more from Daniel Pyle.
December 20, 2025
As with most short story collections, some pieces are stronger than others. A few had real potential and could have been excellent, but they were simply too short to fully develop.
Pyle is clearly a good writer, and the stories I enjoyed were easily 4/5 star reads. Taken as a whole though, I can’t give the collection more than 3 stars overall.
Pyle is clearly a good writer, and the stories I enjoyed were easily 4/5 star reads. Taken as a whole though, I can’t give the collection more than 3 stars overall.
October 27, 2022
Huge thank you to LibraryThing and Daniel Pyle for providing me with a free copy of Advent!
I swear I just finished a series of Goosebumps for adults. Talk about things that go bump in the night. With a side of slaughter, perhaps.
When I suggested we read story #2 - The Line to our kids to scare them into their best behaviour, my husband wasn't so impressed with me, but I still think it's funny.
I flew through this collection of short stories followed by Snowbirds, which was absolutely incredible as well. If you want to be disturbed, amused, shocked, and even sometimes a little sad, all while loving Christmas, this book is for you.
As for Snowbirds, Liv was an absolute joy to read about. She was strong, brave, and quick-witted. The story was so well written and it read so smoothly that I blinked and I was finished reading it.
What an incredibly disturbing and enjoyable journey. This makes me question my mental health, because it may say a lot about me as a person. Thank you!
I swear I just finished a series of Goosebumps for adults. Talk about things that go bump in the night. With a side of slaughter, perhaps.
When I suggested we read story #2 - The Line to our kids to scare them into their best behaviour, my husband wasn't so impressed with me, but I still think it's funny.
I flew through this collection of short stories followed by Snowbirds, which was absolutely incredible as well. If you want to be disturbed, amused, shocked, and even sometimes a little sad, all while loving Christmas, this book is for you.
As for Snowbirds, Liv was an absolute joy to read about. She was strong, brave, and quick-witted. The story was so well written and it read so smoothly that I blinked and I was finished reading it.
What an incredibly disturbing and enjoyable journey. This makes me question my mental health, because it may say a lot about me as a person. Thank you!
April 6, 2025
Entertaining🎅🎄 listening 🎧🎶
This kindle ebook is from my Kindle Unlimited account
A number of short stories each different with interesting characters some action and lots of misdirection leading to each conclusion 🎅🎉
I would recommend this novel and author to readers of fantasy world 🌐 Christmas Season short stories novels 😮😁 2025 👀🎅
This kindle ebook is from my Kindle Unlimited account
A number of short stories each different with interesting characters some action and lots of misdirection leading to each conclusion 🎅🎉
I would recommend this novel and author to readers of fantasy world 🌐 Christmas Season short stories novels 😮😁 2025 👀🎅
November 6, 2022
This book is so creative and different from other Christmas themed horror books that I've come across. The stories are short, but they are perfect length for devouring in between errands, chores, and other distractions. I also enjoyed the longer story at the end of the book. It is easy to read and well-written. Anyone who loves a bit of horror coupled with their Christmas festivities should get their hands on this book.
Many thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for providing this ARC. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own, free of outside influence.
Many thanks to LibraryThing Early Reviewers for providing this ARC. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own, free of outside influence.
November 5, 2022
A bit on the dark side, definitely on the weird side. But all of the stories and the novella were all tales that were entertaining and fun to read. Sometimes, I just like a series of short stories and since these were almost into the Advent season, they fit the bill perfectly.
December 29, 2022
You better watch out! In this collection of not so merry stories, you'll find that Santa is not always the jolly old guy with the beard, and the red on his suit may come from the blood spilled.
I love Advent calendars and was really happy to find this book, which offers one scary story for each day up until Christmas (if you can be patient) and, if you made it that far, an additional bonus novella. While all stories share the Christmas theme, each one is a delicious treat of its own flavor and I was positively surprised by how many different faces Santa shows, like the one on the gorgeous book cover.
This will definitely go to my re-read pile of Christmas books for years to come. Thank you Mr Pyle!
I love Advent calendars and was really happy to find this book, which offers one scary story for each day up until Christmas (if you can be patient) and, if you made it that far, an additional bonus novella. While all stories share the Christmas theme, each one is a delicious treat of its own flavor and I was positively surprised by how many different faces Santa shows, like the one on the gorgeous book cover.
This will definitely go to my re-read pile of Christmas books for years to come. Thank you Mr Pyle!
December 23, 2025
I broke the rules with “Advent”. The first 24 stories are meant to be read like an advent calendar. One creepy 3–5 page treat per day, from December 1st through Christmas Eve, followed by a longer novella meant to be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace. I couldn’t do it. I was lucky to drag it out as long as I did.
I really enjoyed most of the bite-sized stories, and the novella was pretty engaging, even if I wanted a little more from the ending. All in all, probably a 3.5 star read, rounded up. I approached it the same way I approach holiday food and cocktails… with enthusiasm and very little restraint. Honestly, if it weren’t for the cocktails, I probably would have finished this even sooner. 😅
I really enjoyed most of the bite-sized stories, and the novella was pretty engaging, even if I wanted a little more from the ending. All in all, probably a 3.5 star read, rounded up. I approached it the same way I approach holiday food and cocktails… with enthusiasm and very little restraint. Honestly, if it weren’t for the cocktails, I probably would have finished this even sooner. 😅
December 15, 2025
Wow! Very creepy.
The initial Advent stories were twisted, but so much fun to read.
Nothing really prepared the reader for the wonderful 2nd story. I absolutely loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down.
The author takes the reader on a vacation to Florida that turns from vacation into a really scary nightmare scenario.
If you are squeamish, don't read this book. It could very well give you nightmares. But if you enjoy having the creeps, by all means, READ this book!
The initial Advent stories were twisted, but so much fun to read.
Nothing really prepared the reader for the wonderful 2nd story. I absolutely loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down.
The author takes the reader on a vacation to Florida that turns from vacation into a really scary nightmare scenario.
If you are squeamish, don't read this book. It could very well give you nightmares. But if you enjoy having the creeps, by all means, READ this book!
December 13, 2022
Buckle up and hang on!! If you can!!
This is a thrill ride of ambient horror (aka Twilight Zone -eske, with a bit of gore and scare and lots of mind-bending; not the full-blown horror per se) in short stories (one brief story for each day of Advent) plus a more fully developed and twisted novella for Christmas! Buckle up and hang on ... If you dare!!!
This is a thrill ride of ambient horror (aka Twilight Zone -eske, with a bit of gore and scare and lots of mind-bending; not the full-blown horror per se) in short stories (one brief story for each day of Advent) plus a more fully developed and twisted novella for Christmas! Buckle up and hang on ... If you dare!!!
December 11, 2025
24 short stories of 5 pages or less of christmas horror. Leading up to the final story Snowbirds. All stories are enticing but there was a few that stood out. For me a few included; Secret Santa and Questions.
December 22, 2022
Such a fun read! I started off reading it like an advent calendar, and then just blew through the rest. Great short stories!
January 21, 2024
Loved this book. Some stories I loved more than others. BUT I would recommend this book, and I would re-read it. Thanks for the recommendation Sandra, and the signed copy!
December 18, 2025
some crazy stories in this book! loved it
December 6, 2025
The short stories were quick and easy to read and the novella was a great read too.
I loved Liv and Connie her granny. They both evolved as characters.
My favourites of the short stories were: The Line, The Bear, Ornaments, White Christmas and Questions.
I loved Liv and Connie her granny. They both evolved as characters.
My favourites of the short stories were: The Line, The Bear, Ornaments, White Christmas and Questions.
December 23, 2022
Fun twisted Christmas stories
November 29, 2025
Interesting mix
Several of these stories were just fantastic, with shocking storylines and events that I didn't see coming. Like any collection, it is a mixed bag, but in this case, the good far outweighs the bad.
Several of these stories were just fantastic, with shocking storylines and events that I didn't see coming. Like any collection, it is a mixed bag, but in this case, the good far outweighs the bad.
November 22, 2025
Advent 👍
Best short stories I've read in awhile. This is a bunch of stories that just get ahold of your interest and you can't stop reading. I wanted to savor these stories one at a time. I gave up and indulged in this great buffet. I couldn't not stop because each story, just grabbed my mind and took me for a ride into the dark, deep part of Christmas that has my eyes wide and dried wife open. That means I didn't blink, and my eyes were dry and such open. Seriously😵
Get some eye drops. I had to use mine☃️👀
Best short stories I've read in awhile. This is a bunch of stories that just get ahold of your interest and you can't stop reading. I wanted to savor these stories one at a time. I gave up and indulged in this great buffet. I couldn't not stop because each story, just grabbed my mind and took me for a ride into the dark, deep part of Christmas that has my eyes wide and dried wife open. That means I didn't blink, and my eyes were dry and such open. Seriously😵
Get some eye drops. I had to use mine☃️👀
December 18, 2024
I had mixed feelings about these stories. Horror can be subjective and the author approached it from many angles with these tales. I feel like there is something for everyone, but for me, I only enjoyed about 75% of the stories in this anthology. All of them tie into Christmas in some way, but two of them just made me sad. My favorite story was The Beard. Santa's a badass! The last story, number 25, is a novella. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would give it 4.5 stars on its own.
December 26, 2024
I loved this book so so much. The short stories were the perfect length to read one a day, even if you only have 5 minutes spare.
I really liked how it went full circle between the 1st story and the 24th. Very clever. Every story I read in between I enjoyed, too.
The final, slightly longer story was a fantastic finish. I liked the characters and the storyline was engaging and unique.
Seriously enjoyable book!
I really liked how it went full circle between the 1st story and the 24th. Very clever. Every story I read in between I enjoyed, too.
The final, slightly longer story was a fantastic finish. I liked the characters and the storyline was engaging and unique.
Seriously enjoyable book!
December 28, 2024
holy christmas hell
All of the short stories in this book were great but the final story at the end is amazingly mindblowingly disturbing and beautifully written. I’ve never seen someone meld horror and Christmas together so well in a book. I’d give this 100 stars if I could.
All of the short stories in this book were great but the final story at the end is amazingly mindblowingly disturbing and beautifully written. I’ve never seen someone meld horror and Christmas together so well in a book. I’d give this 100 stars if I could.
January 24, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this! Such a fun and twisted spin for the holidays! I loved having a story to read every morning with my coffee. Great idea! (Please write another one 😂)
December 14, 2024
Great stories
Not even half way through and I couldn't hold back anymore. Great stories every day of December through Christmas. At the end Snowbirds was worthy of it's own stars.
Not even half way through and I couldn't hold back anymore. Great stories every day of December through Christmas. At the end Snowbirds was worthy of it's own stars.
December 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this and I tried to keep with the advent style. I will defo buy a physical copy to add to my collection.
December 25, 2024
4 ⭐️ the perfect horror advent book for Christmas! Chapters are short and creepy I loved it 🤭🎄
December 8, 2022
***I received a free Kindle copy via Goodreads Giveaways in exchange for a honest review. ***
What I learned in 2022... I'm not a fan of horror short stories. I have won and read several this year and I'm just not feeling it. I think that has more to do with me than anything because I love horror and I like short stories but there's just not enough build up for me.
The novella at the end, saved this book for me. "Snowbirds" was worth the read and I enjoyed it. It was fleshed out and had good descriptions. I don't scare easy and so, nothing weirded me out but it was a fun read with an interesting premise. I was invested in the characters and their journey.
On the other hand, I could have done without 75% of the actual short stories. I think I require more depth and detail to really get into it. Some of the shorts, I think I would have liked better if they just had a little more filling out.
"The Line"
"Dear Santa"
"Bylaws"
"Ornaments"
"Santa's Little Helper"
All of the above were good. Good, not great. Again, I think this boils down to my need for more detailing. Most would have improved with a few more pages.
My favorite of the shorts was "Secret Santa". I don't know why it worked, but this one amused me. Gave me 1989 "Batman" vibes with a little "Die Hard". I liked it.
What I learned in 2022... I'm not a fan of horror short stories. I have won and read several this year and I'm just not feeling it. I think that has more to do with me than anything because I love horror and I like short stories but there's just not enough build up for me.
The novella at the end, saved this book for me. "Snowbirds" was worth the read and I enjoyed it. It was fleshed out and had good descriptions. I don't scare easy and so, nothing weirded me out but it was a fun read with an interesting premise. I was invested in the characters and their journey.
On the other hand, I could have done without 75% of the actual short stories. I think I require more depth and detail to really get into it. Some of the shorts, I think I would have liked better if they just had a little more filling out.
"The Line"
"Dear Santa"
"Bylaws"
"Ornaments"
"Santa's Little Helper"
All of the above were good. Good, not great. Again, I think this boils down to my need for more detailing. Most would have improved with a few more pages.
My favorite of the shorts was "Secret Santa". I don't know why it worked, but this one amused me. Gave me 1989 "Batman" vibes with a little "Die Hard". I liked it.
February 29, 2024
FULL DISCLOSURE: I recived this book for free in the Goodreads Giveaway program about a year and a half ago. It took me this long to read the book because of my cataracts. My apologies to the author for the massive delay.
Advent is a neat book with a simple premise. Just like its namesake calendar, you read this book, starting on December 1, one story per day. On December 25, you get treated to a novella that takes up more than half the book.
The stories are short. They get in and get out, sometimes leaving you wanting more... sometimes making you wonder what just hit you.
Of course, like every short story collection, some of the stories are better than others. Also, some readers may be disturbed by some of the elements in the book. Not the way you're supposed to be disturbed in a horror novel, but in a triggering sense. (I have advised a dear friend that even if she did get curious about it, she should never read it due to one of her triggers.)
I had much fun with this book. The author does not shy away from the gruesome and bloody, nor does he let certain "rules" stand in the way of a good story. (Minor spoiler / trigger warning... Children are not safe in this book. More than one child character died in the course of the stories told herein.)
All of that to say, if you like Christmas themed stories that are not all abut the feels and the jolly, give this one a try. A dark and twisted tale every day leading up to Christmas, with a nice, juicy story on the holiday to cap it off.
And it's an Advent calendar you can use every single year...
Advent is a neat book with a simple premise. Just like its namesake calendar, you read this book, starting on December 1, one story per day. On December 25, you get treated to a novella that takes up more than half the book.
The stories are short. They get in and get out, sometimes leaving you wanting more... sometimes making you wonder what just hit you.
Of course, like every short story collection, some of the stories are better than others. Also, some readers may be disturbed by some of the elements in the book. Not the way you're supposed to be disturbed in a horror novel, but in a triggering sense. (I have advised a dear friend that even if she did get curious about it, she should never read it due to one of her triggers.)
I had much fun with this book. The author does not shy away from the gruesome and bloody, nor does he let certain "rules" stand in the way of a good story. (Minor spoiler / trigger warning... Children are not safe in this book. More than one child character died in the course of the stories told herein.)
All of that to say, if you like Christmas themed stories that are not all abut the feels and the jolly, give this one a try. A dark and twisted tale every day leading up to Christmas, with a nice, juicy story on the holiday to cap it off.
And it's an Advent calendar you can use every single year...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2025
Daniel Pyle's Advent is a Christmas horror anthology that offers a dark, twisted alternative to traditional holiday tales. Instead of heartwarming stories, the collection features 24 "nasty little pieces of fun horror fast-food" for each day of Advent, along with a bonus novella, Snowbirds. Stories range from an evil, blood-stained Santa to terrorized children and bloodthirsty snowmen.
Many readers praise Pyle for his success in subverting Christmas nostalgia. The tales are designed to be disturbing, shocking, and amusing, forcing readers to see the holiday in a new, chilling light. While some reviewers felt the short nature of the daily stories was unsubstantial, others enjoyed their quick-reading format. The concluding novella, Snowbirds, received more universal acclaim for its depth and disturbing narrative. Overall, Advent is recommended for horror fans looking for a seasonal scare rather than a sentimental holiday read.
Many readers praise Pyle for his success in subverting Christmas nostalgia. The tales are designed to be disturbing, shocking, and amusing, forcing readers to see the holiday in a new, chilling light. While some reviewers felt the short nature of the daily stories was unsubstantial, others enjoyed their quick-reading format. The concluding novella, Snowbirds, received more universal acclaim for its depth and disturbing narrative. Overall, Advent is recommended for horror fans looking for a seasonal scare rather than a sentimental holiday read.
December 20, 2025
Great collection of short stories that warmed my ghoulish heart and got me in the mood for the Christmas season. It's tough to write good short stores, but Mr. Pyle pulls it off beautifully. I enjoy the illustrations scattered throughout as well. Enough heart, gore, and thrills to warm even the coldest of nights. Stories reminded me of good Creepshow or Tales from the Crypt. My only wish is that some of the stories were longer - or maybe they can be grown into longer novellas, some really good setups in here. I tried to read them as an Advent experience, however they were short and delicious so I just had to keep going and consumed them all in a few days! I will definitely be on the look out for more Daniel Pyle writings!
February 1, 2025
M'è piaciuto, e pure tanto! Finalmente, una bella antologia a tema natalhorror che non risparmia i colpi allo stomaco! Storie brevi ma belle cariche di dolore, di tensione, di lieto fine solo se sei marcio fino al midollo!
Storie da leggere, idealmente, una al giorno, ognuna corredata dalla sua bella illustrazione, come nel calendario dell'avvento cui il titolo si riferisce. NON spoilererò di cosa parlano, perché il tema è il plot twist della storia. Sappiate solo che è per animi forti...o quantomeno, desensibilizzati dall'orgiastica dolcezza artificiale come l'aspartame di questa annuale ricorrenza. Togliamoci delle soddisfazioni!
Storie da leggere, idealmente, una al giorno, ognuna corredata dalla sua bella illustrazione, come nel calendario dell'avvento cui il titolo si riferisce. NON spoilererò di cosa parlano, perché il tema è il plot twist della storia. Sappiate solo che è per animi forti...o quantomeno, desensibilizzati dall'orgiastica dolcezza artificiale come l'aspartame di questa annuale ricorrenza. Togliamoci delle soddisfazioni!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews