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derhindemith's review
4.0
Dolph–
Cute re-centering of the story of Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. Love the concept of re-centering the story and making Mrs. Klaus a central figure. Yes, it’s a bit browbeating with its allegory, but the story is short enough that it’s not overly tiresome. I would also have liked a bit more on how life is for the freaks once Dolph made them visible, but that’s not that important. Choosing your family, that’s what’s important.
Dyke the Halls–
I give him a large pass for this one because it was written a while ago, when lazy lesbian stereotype jokes were considerably more acceptable. That said, the writing is strong and witty, and the pacing is excellent, even if the content is problematic.
The Most Beautiful Boy in the World–
I kind of loved this story because of the arc Emily has. I love how implausible it is that Emily would have the epiphany about how to live her life and make the necessary changes so quickly, that Betty would be so upset and leave so abruptly at not getting what she thought she wanted (or that Emily would invite and Betty accept an invitation to family christmas based on such a casual relationship). But most of all, I loved that Emily actually does have the epiphany and does start to realize that her life doesn’t have to continue to have the shape that it’s had for so long.
Klacky the Christmas Dragon–
I never knew I could like a grinch story so much, let alone an unrepentant grinch.
Pawprints in the Snow–
Firstly, this wasn’t a christmas story; it merely takes place during winter. Secondly, I felt lost at sea for most of it at the hints of information that takes place in, I’m guessing, a previous novel which, if you’re familiar with the novel, makes the story more interesting, but if you’re not, means you spend a lot of time guessing “what happened?” That said, it redeems itself by giving the reader enough information at the end to understand at least who the characters are what their journey is. In that regard, it’s a complete story, but generally, I’m more in the camp of, if you’re going to write a short story with existing characters, set that story well outside the action of the others, so the reader doesn’t have the experience of wondering what the characters have been through recently, and you as an author, have more to do to explain where the characters are and why. (Also, I’m just really not into the romanticized teen werewolf/vampire genre—ironic, I know, because a series I’m absolutely mad for centers around a werewolf/vampire/warlock trio.)
By Chance, in the Dark–
I’ve only ever read Dicken’s _A Christmas Carol_, and seen the movie _Scrooged_, so I’m not all that familiar with re-settings of the story. (And I’m probably a bit biased because I read the original every year.) So, in the interest of being fair to the author, because truly, the story was well-told, even if it didn’t appeal to me, I will say that it’s a fine story, well-written, and adds a modern depth to the characters and story.
The Moving Wallpaper–
Yes. Absolutely yes. This is exactly what a YA christmas story should be. Everything. Seriously, the bookends for this collection were absolutely perfect.
Cute re-centering of the story of Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. Love the concept of re-centering the story and making Mrs. Klaus a central figure. Yes, it’s a bit browbeating with its allegory, but the story is short enough that it’s not overly tiresome. I would also have liked a bit more on how life is for the freaks once Dolph made them visible, but that’s not that important. Choosing your family, that’s what’s important.
Dyke the Halls–
I give him a large pass for this one because it was written a while ago, when lazy lesbian stereotype jokes were considerably more acceptable. That said, the writing is strong and witty, and the pacing is excellent, even if the content is problematic.
The Most Beautiful Boy in the World–
I kind of loved this story because of the arc Emily has. I love how implausible it is that Emily would have the epiphany about how to live her life and make the necessary changes so quickly, that Betty would be so upset and leave so abruptly at not getting what she thought she wanted (or that Emily would invite and Betty accept an invitation to family christmas based on such a casual relationship). But most of all, I loved that Emily actually does have the epiphany and does start to realize that her life doesn’t have to continue to have the shape that it’s had for so long.
Klacky the Christmas Dragon–
I never knew I could like a grinch story so much, let alone an unrepentant grinch.
Pawprints in the Snow–
Firstly, this wasn’t a christmas story; it merely takes place during winter. Secondly, I felt lost at sea for most of it at the hints of information that takes place in, I’m guessing, a previous novel which, if you’re familiar with the novel, makes the story more interesting, but if you’re not, means you spend a lot of time guessing “what happened?” That said, it redeems itself by giving the reader enough information at the end to understand at least who the characters are what their journey is. In that regard, it’s a complete story, but generally, I’m more in the camp of, if you’re going to write a short story with existing characters, set that story well outside the action of the others, so the reader doesn’t have the experience of wondering what the characters have been through recently, and you as an author, have more to do to explain where the characters are and why. (Also, I’m just really not into the romanticized teen werewolf/vampire genre—ironic, I know, because a series I’m absolutely mad for centers around a werewolf/vampire/warlock trio.)
By Chance, in the Dark–
I’ve only ever read Dicken’s _A Christmas Carol_, and seen the movie _Scrooged_, so I’m not all that familiar with re-settings of the story. (And I’m probably a bit biased because I read the original every year.) So, in the interest of being fair to the author, because truly, the story was well-told, even if it didn’t appeal to me, I will say that it’s a fine story, well-written, and adds a modern depth to the characters and story.
The Moving Wallpaper–
Yes. Absolutely yes. This is exactly what a YA christmas story should be. Everything. Seriously, the bookends for this collection were absolutely perfect.
apostrophen's review
Edit, November 23rd, 2019: This wee collection is currently free over on Amazon for a few days.
Hello! It's me, one of the contributors, being, uh, contribut-y.
I wrote "Dolph" (my wee story in this collection) as a queer re-telling of the Rudolph story because I get frustrated at the holidays quite often by how, well, not-queer it is, and even when we can kind of project ourselves onto a narrative (like I did with Rudolph), it's never text, only subtext.
Anyway. I started re-writing Christmas stories, one a year, and when Matt Bright offered to put together a wee collection of reprints and stories of the holidays, I was happy to be included.
I hope you enjoy "Dolph," and all the rest of the stories, too (which I loved).
Hello! It's me, one of the contributors, being, uh, contribut-y.
I wrote "Dolph" (my wee story in this collection) as a queer re-telling of the Rudolph story because I get frustrated at the holidays quite often by how, well, not-queer it is, and even when we can kind of project ourselves onto a narrative (like I did with Rudolph), it's never text, only subtext.
Anyway. I started re-writing Christmas stories, one a year, and when Matt Bright offered to put together a wee collection of reprints and stories of the holidays, I was happy to be included.
I hope you enjoy "Dolph," and all the rest of the stories, too (which I loved).
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