A Very Ghostly Christmas: An Anthology of Seasonal Ghost Stories

Name: A Very Ghostly Christmas: An Anthology of Seasonal Ghost Stories
Price: 8.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781739611606

✍️ A R Ward

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$8.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

An anthology of flash fiction winners from a 2021 holiday horror contest compiled by A R Ward.

This volume gathers short stories selected for their ability to evoke fear during the Christmas season. The editor, A R Ward, curated the work from a specific campaign run by Ghost Orchid Press. The resulting book contains twenty-eight pieces by various writers including H.B. Diaz and Olivia Graves. These narratives draw on a Victorian aesthetic to create a sense of historical dread. The structure reflects the contest format rather than a linear plot. Readers encounter a variety of supernatural scenarios tied to holiday traditions. The tone remains consistently chilling throughout. The collection avoids traditional festive joy in favor of spooky entertainment. It serves as a companion for those who prefer their holidays with a side of terror.

Key Themes

seasonal ghost stories Victorian fireside vibe flash fiction campaign

Literary Context

The book originates from the United States through Ghost Orchid Press. It draws on Victorian literary traditions to frame its supernatural content. The source material indicates a focus on seasonal horror during December. The anthology reflects a contemporary interest in short-form ghost stories with historical influences.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

M.R. James · Shirley Jackson · Edith Wharton

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Ghost Orchid Press 📅 2022 📖 122 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781739611606

📝 Description: A Very Ghostly Christmas: An Anthology of Seasonal Ghost Stories

A R Ward compiled A Very Ghostly Christmas, an anthology drawn from winners and finalists of a flash fiction contest hosted by Ghost Orchid Press in December 2021. The collection presents twenty-eight distinct narratives that blend seasonal traditions with supernatural dread. Ward selected these pieces to create a cohesive volume that echoes the atmosphere of Victorian fireside storytelling while delivering modern chills. The book includes tales from authors such as Alex Ebenstein, Alice Austin, and Andrew Lyall, among others who contributed to this specific campaign. Readers seeking traditional holiday cheer will find little here. Instead, the stories offer a chilling alternative to festive warmth. The volume is organized by the contest results rather than thematic clusters or chronological order. Each entry stands alone as a complete narrative within the broader context of the seasonal setting. The text avoids overt horror tropes in favor of subtle unease rooted in holiday customs. This collection suits those who enjoy concise supernatural fiction with a historical aesthetic. It does not appeal to readers looking for long-form novels or explicit gore. The focus remains on the interplay between Christmas traditions and ghostly encounters. The final pages contain no resolution to the underlying tensions, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of cold.

💎 Our verdict on A Very Ghostly Christmas: An Anthology of Seasonal Ghost Stories

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

A Very Ghostly Christmas successfully captures the essence of seasonal dread through its curated selection of flash fiction. The editor’s choice to maintain a Victorian aesthetic while delivering modern chills creates a cohesive yet varied reading experience. The stories avoid traditional horror tropes in favor of subtle unease, making them accessible without sacrificing atmospheric depth. This collection is best suited for readers who enjoy historical ghost stories and concise supernatural fiction. It does not appeal to those seeking long-form narratives or explicit violence. Instead, it offers a perfect companion for a spooky holiday evening, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of cold rather than festive warmth.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who prefer concise supernatural narratives over expansive novels will find this collection particularly satisfying. It offers a chilling alternative to traditional festive cheer, appealing to those who enjoy subtle unease rooted in holiday customs rather than overt gore. The volume is ideal for fans of historical aesthetics and psychological horror who appreciate the interplay between Christmas traditions and ghostly encounters. Those seeking spooky entertainment with a side of terror during the holidays will discover twenty-eight distinct tales that provide lingering coldness instead of resolution.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

A Very Ghostly Christmas successfully captures the essence of seasonal dread through its curated selection of flash fiction. The editor’s choice to maintain a Victorian aesthetic while delivering modern chills creates a cohesive yet varied reading experience. The stories avoid traditional horror tropes in favor of subtle unease, making them accessible without sacrificing atmospheric depth. This collection is best suited for readers who enjoy historical ghost stories and concise supernatural fiction. It does not appeal to those seeking long-form narratives or explicit violence. Instead, it offers a perfect companion for a spooky holiday evening, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of cold rather than festive warmth.