Rating: 5/5 stars!
Length: 208 pages
Format: Digital
Started: 12/01/2023
Finished: 12/13/2023
For transparency’s sake, I received Tales of Christmas Villains as an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) and my review is honest and unpaid/unsponsored. Since this book is a compilation of short stories, I will list each story’s review in its own paragraph. There are some spoilers included in the last two paragraphs; you’ve been warned.
A Yuletide Spell for a Grump by Jamie Dalton is a Grinch retelling, minus the green fur. You’ll follow this Christmas season’s war between Ginger and Beck. Initially, it felt as though Beck’s miserly ways melting into Christmas spirit per the good witch, Ginger’s, persuasions was rushed, but I realized that each of the three chapters in this story was a phase in the character’s development. This story isn’t typically up my alley, but it was a cute read. I’d give 3/5 stars here.
Kamakazi Grinches: A Bartholomew the Reaper Adventure by D.C Gomez is an ADVENTURE and I NEED to know what happens next! This story follows the group of Reapers on a mission to safely transport D.J. Bag of Bones and gold while under attack of the Kamakazi Grinches. It’s witty, badass, paranormal crime fighting goodness and I couldn’t get enough! There are Reapers (Grim), the four horsemen, trolls, witches, Grinches, an animated skeleton, a talking cat, and more. This fun, unique story definitely gets 5/5 from me.
Frosted – A Christmas Story by Teshelle Combs was FANTASTIC! The story follows Jack Frost through a couple of days, just normal life for him….or is it? Suddenly there’s someone in his bathtub. How curious? Then they have the audacity to wear his designer sweater and socks?! Despicable. The sass from Jack countered by the innocent sweetness of Summer is quite the dichotomy. I absolutely cannot wait for Teshelle to write more of their story in the future, or to read what the other incredible authors have written in their villainous stories. Easily 5/5 stars, like almost everything I’ve read from Tess.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW:
The Ice Fairy by Stephanie B. Whitfield left me in a bad way. Don’t get me wrong, I love the story, but I’m conflicted with how the story ended. Eria appeared to be truly warming up to the idea of human love, but unalived Slade regardless. Perhaps she had been a feral, nymph-like being for loo long, but it almost felt like her betrayal of Slade’s trust came out of nowhere. I certainly was not expecting it. Sure, there were maybe some hints that it could happen, but the way I read the story it felt like she was coming around, not plotting his demise. It’s unclear to me if this was just my hopeful mindset or how the story was written that led to my confusion and unease. Still 4/5 stars, though.
How the Grinch Stole Ms. Christmas by Stephanie K. Clemens is also a Grinch retelling (still no green fur). I loved this story so much. I’ve learned through reading these short stories that I may be a sucker for a good Grumpy-Sunshine narrative. Grayson is the Grinch of this story, a former laywer turner book store owner. Avery is a best-selling author of Christmas romance novels. She’s also the daughter of Santa and he’s charged her with improving the Christmas Spirit in the town Grayson lives. Turns out he’s a joy-suck and it threatened the entirety of Christmas. Well, actually Santa had an ulterior motive to set Grayson and Avery up. GOSH, this was such a cute story and I can’t help but smile thinking about it. 5/5 Stars for me.
Overall I’m giving this compilation a 5/5 because one clear dislike, one unclear love, and 3 genuine loves evens out for me. I hope you enjoy these stories as much as I did!
XOXO
La Biblio-Fille 