Kathryn’s Reviews > Christmas and Other Horrors: A winter solstice anthology > Status Update
Kathryn
is on page 83 of 448
The Mawkin by Terry Dowling - 3/5 ⭐️
I was really excited upon starting this to see it was set in Australia (we NEVER get Christmas rep and frankly Australia is the perfect place for creepy Christmas takes) but the story itself didn’t really do it for me. The concept of a spooky scarecrow is excellent and there was some brilliant imagery but I didn’t like Dowling’s writing style and the ending fell flat.
— Nov 30, 2025 01:49AM
I was really excited upon starting this to see it was set in Australia (we NEVER get Christmas rep and frankly Australia is the perfect place for creepy Christmas takes) but the story itself didn’t really do it for me. The concept of a spooky scarecrow is excellent and there was some brilliant imagery but I didn’t like Dowling’s writing style and the ending fell flat.
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Kathryn’s Previous Updates
Kathryn
is on page 139 of 448
Last Drinks at Bondi Beach by Garth Nix - 2/5 ⭐️
Not gonna lie, I read and noted my rating for this yesterday but I’ve already forgotten what it was about which I think is review enough?
— Dec 07, 2025 01:35AM
Not gonna lie, I read and noted my rating for this yesterday but I’ve already forgotten what it was about which I think is review enough?
Kathryn
is on page 131 of 448
Dry and Ready by Glen Hirshberg - 4/5 ⭐️
This was creepy af and layered with familial trauma and guilt and I ate that shit up! I would have loved a more *bam* ending BUT that is not to say I didn’t like the ending, just that I’m greedy haha!
— Dec 02, 2025 01:34AM
This was creepy af and layered with familial trauma and guilt and I ate that shit up! I would have loved a more *bam* ending BUT that is not to say I didn’t like the ending, just that I’m greedy haha!
Kathryn
is on page 97 of 448
The Blessing of the Waters by Nick Mamatas - 3.5/5 ⭐️
I liked this story but it definitely fell far from being “spooky”. A tragic short story about family and faith, the imagery was vivid and the characters incredibly compelling but it felt like it needed more cooking time - more time with the siblings, more time on the things in the depths.
— Dec 01, 2025 12:00AM
I liked this story but it definitely fell far from being “spooky”. A tragic short story about family and faith, the imagery was vivid and the characters incredibly compelling but it felt like it needed more cooking time - more time with the siblings, more time on the things in the depths.
Kathryn
is on page 59 of 448
His Castle by Alma Katsu - 4/5 ⭐️
This was fun and nicely creepy! I did feel like it was setting up for a broader story which I would have liked to see (eat the rich etc) but for what it was I enjoyed it.
— Nov 28, 2025 04:14PM
This was fun and nicely creepy! I did feel like it was setting up for a broader story which I would have liked to see (eat the rich etc) but for what it was I enjoyed it.
Kathryn
is on page 41 of 448
The One He Takes by Benjamin Percy - 3.5/5 ⭐️
Short, simple, surprisingly creepy! I love the idea that Santa is low key evil (bc let’s be honest - creeping into your home and delivery the items made by slaves is pretty fucked up) and this really delivers that unsettling imagery! I wished it were a bit longer or more substantial.
— Oct 19, 2025 12:48AM
Short, simple, surprisingly creepy! I love the idea that Santa is low key evil (bc let’s be honest - creeping into your home and delivery the items made by slaves is pretty fucked up) and this really delivers that unsettling imagery! I wished it were a bit longer or more substantial.
Kathryn
is on page 31 of 448
The Importance of a Tidy Home by Christopher Golden - 4/5 ⭐️
This reminded me of that episode of Buffy where The Gentlemen are scooting around town being big old creeps - I loved it! A sad story but also what I would call delightfully unsettling.
— Oct 17, 2025 03:11PM
This reminded me of that episode of Buffy where The Gentlemen are scooting around town being big old creeps - I loved it! A sad story but also what I would call delightfully unsettling.
