Who Would Like This Book:
If you're craving a Christmas tale with a twist of dark fantasy, biting humor, and a hefty dose of mythology, "Krampus: The Yule Lord" by Brom is a ride you won't forget. This book reimagines Christmas traditions through Norse and pagan folklore, pitting a vengeful, misunderstood Krampus against a broadsword-wielding Santa in a gritty, small-town setting. It weaves rich characters, vibrant illustrations, and thoughtful exploration of lost traditions for fans of urban fantasy, horror, and mythological retellings - especially anyone tired of the same old holiday stories.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the story less creepy than expected, with Krampus coming off more tragic than terrifying. The plot can get violent and grim - a turnoff if you prefer your holiday reads light and cheery. The pacing sometimes drags, and the characters are morally grey, which may not appeal to everyone. If you want straightforward heroes, clear-cut villains, or a tight, horror-driven narrative, this might not scratch your itch.
About:
Krampus: The Yule Lord by Brom is a modern tale about a failed musician named Jesse who gets entangled in an ancient battle between Krampus, the Lord of Yule, and Santa Claus. Set in a small town plagued by joblessness and meth, the story combines traditional folklore with Norse mythology. Jesse finds himself in possession of Loki's magical bag, desired by both Krampus and Santa, leading to a series of events where he strikes a deal with Krampus to save his family from local criminals. The book's writing style is described as engaging, fast-paced, and intriguing, blending dark urban fantasy elements with elements of horror and dark comedy.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include violence, drug use, and themes of abuse.
From The Publisher:
"Terrific. A wild ride….I loved it. It hooked me and I couldn't put it down."
-Mike Mignola, creator of Hellboy
"Brom is that rare breed: a person who is skilled in more than one area of artistic expression. Here's hoping that he will continue to share his dark and often beautiful dreams with us for many years to come." -Christopher Paolini, New York Times bestselling author of Eragon
Acclaimed author and artist Brom raised eyebrows and pulse rates with The Child Thief, his grim, brilliantly audacious, gorgeously illustrated reimagining of the Peter Pan legend. So what does this innovative fantasist do for an encore? He tinkers darkly with the beloved mythology of Santa Claus.
Set in Appalachia, Krampus the Yule Lord is a twisted fairytale about a failed West Virginia songwriter who gets ensnared on Christmas Eve in an eternal war between a not-so-saintly Saint Nick and his dark enemy Krampus, aka Black Peter, an ancient trickster demon. Krampus the Yule Lord is Gregory Maguire (Wicked) meets Susanna Clarke (Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell) in the realm of Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth, as Clive Barker (Mr. B. Gone) works his dark sorcery from the shadows. Once again featuring Brom's chillingly beautiful artwork throughout, Krampus the Yule Lord is a feast of wonder straight from the kitchen of Sweeney Todd.
Ratings (14)
Incredible (5) | |
Loved It (5) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (1) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (53):
Read It (16) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (26) | |
Not Interested (9) |
1 comment(s)
I wanted a holiday read but just didn't feel like reading more romance or a classic this year. Rememberd I've seen this one on my book AP and gave it a go. For the most part it was an engaging read and it was interesting in seeing Brooms version of Santa Claus and Krampus. I've heard of the Krampus over the years but don't think I've read anything about it before
What can you read after
Krampus: The Yule Lord?
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