Julia’s Updated List of Christmas SFF

A bit like Die Hard meeting fantasy.

What did Santa do before he became the man delivering presents? Apparently, he was some sort of mercenary, and if needed, he can still polish up those old skills. It’s a darker and slightly violent Christmas read, but also genuinely funny (if you gel with the humour), and it kept me well entertained throughout.

This is by far my favourite Christmas fantasy anthology so far. Almost all of the stories were 4 or 5 star reads for me, and I really enjoyed the variety on offer. The collection covers a wide range of topics and tones, from serious to silly, and from fantasy to dystopia and even science fiction.

I breezed through this one in a single afternoon, and it definitely made me curious to check out more work by some of the contributing authors. There was only one clear miss for me, but aside from that, this was a hugely entertaining and very easy seasonal read.

I loved this anthology. Contrary to what I saw in many other reviews, I didn’t buy it for the Patricia Briggs story, which I still thought was good, but one of the weaker entries for me. Overall, though, this collection is packed with strong stories, and I enjoyed every single one.

While I’m not usually a big fan of anthologies, both Fantastic Holiday Season books completely worked for me. This one offers a well-balanced mix of grim and dark, cute, fun, melancholy, thought-provoking, and silly stories. My only real criticism is the repeated introductions, which felt unnecessary. I would have loved a simple list of stories and authors at the end, especially to make it easier to remember favourites after finishing, particularly in audio.

A short story is set in the world of The Keeper Chronicles. While it can definitely be read and understood on its own, I think it’s a lot more meaningful if you’ve read the main series first and already know the characters and their backstory.

It’s a warm-hearted and comforting read that left me with a real sense of warmth and contentment once I’d finished.

Not our real world Christmas, but a wintery equivalent fitting the world.

A hard one to review, because I didn’t particularly enjoy reading it, but I did like the ending, and I liked having read it.

It’s very short and can easily be devoured in one sitting. I’ve always liked Death as a character, which was a big plus for me here. Even though I didn’t really click with the main character, I still wanted to know what would happen next. It’s a contemplative story, and depending on how you read it, you might want to have some tissues nearby.

This anthology was a lot of fun and never got boring. It offers a wide range of stories in different tones, styles, and genres, moving from nostalgic to silly, from creepy to properly haunted, and from quietly contemplative to genuinely strange. It even stretches from Victorian-feeling tales all the way to science fiction, which kept the reading experience fresh throughout.

The order of the stories is very well thought out, and they flow nicely into one another. I had several favourites, especially the story by Amanda DeWees, which made me immediately buy the first book in that series, as well as pieces by Josh Reynolds, John Linwood Grant, Jim Beard, and the final story by James A. Moore and Charles R. Rutledge, which ended the book on a real high note.

An easy, cosy Christmas fantasy that works well as a standalone. The setting, a living history town where ghosts are a known and accepted part of everyday life, is introduced naturally and quickly becomes one of the book’s most charming elements.

What stood out to me most is the focus on a middle-aged woman at the centre of the story. The portrayal of family life, an established relationship, and the quiet pressures of everyday change felt refreshingly honest. While I would have liked a bit more Christmas woven in, this is a gentle, character-focused seasonal read with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

You can read my full review here.

Initial hesitation vanished fast. This is a dark, bloody blend of Norse myth, Yule lore, Christmas traditions, and European legends, all wrapped around a small town with very big problems. The ideas and twists are inventive and gripping, and the mythic elements feel fresh rather than familiar.

The balance between an unassuming, timid main character and the vast, brutal scope of magic and mythology works extremely well. Side characters grow more interesting as the story goes on, and by the end I’d devoured it in two days. Definitely not cute, but very compelling.

A cute and fun dungeon core story with a festive Christmas twist. The main character is easy to like, and the seasonal dungeon decorations add a lot of charm, especially when paired with the adventurers making their way through.

This isn’t meant to be deep or complex, but as lighthearted LitRPG holiday entertainment it works really well. If you enjoy Christmas themes and dungeon cores, this is a pleasant, cheerful read.

Finished in a single evening, this is very easy to read and immediately engaging. It may not aim for depth, but the tone and voice hooked me early on. The story follows a young girl caring for two smaller children after a volcanic disaster kills much of the population and forces an evacuation that leaves the three of them behind.

What really works here is the main character’s pragmatism and steady “just get on with it” attitude, which makes her feel relatable and believable despite her age. The apocalyptic setting offers a strong contrast to typical Christmas stories, yet the ending still fits the spirit of the season.

More winter than Christmas, but utterly charming. The story feels like a blend of Jane Austen with fae, trolls, and magic, light on its feet and full of atmosphere.

The characters are a pleasure to spend time with, the plot keeps things moving, and the balance between setting, tone, and style works beautifully. Short and engaging, it’s an ideal read when you want something cozy and magical between larger, heavier books.

A nice little Dresden short story that quickly sparks some Christmas spirit. It carries the familiar tone, humour, and banter, while also leaning into a more emotional note that leaves you smiling.

That slightly bittersweet feeling fits Harry’s world perfectly and adds warmth without losing the series’ voice. A small but very enjoyable holiday visit with Dresden.

Picked up on a whim for its Christmas fantasy vibes and low price, my expectations were modest. Stories with animal protagonists often don’t work for me, especially when they lean too hard into anthropomorphism, so I went in cautiously.

That hesitation turned out to be unnecessary. The story grabbed me almost immediately and kept me engaged throughout. The cats feel like real felines with distinct personalities, and their attempts to save their humans are both charming and easy to follow. While the final fantasy reveal was a little underwhelming, the tone, voice, and four-legged cast more than made up for it, making this a very enjoyable read overall

This is a spooky collection that works just as well for Halloween as it does for Christmas. The wintry atmosphere and ghostly themes make it a great fit for long, dark evenings.

As with most anthologies, the stories vary in impact. Some I loved, some I merely liked, and a few didn’t quite work for me, but none were outright misses. Overall, it’s a strong mix of haunting tales in different styles and tones, and well worth a look if you enjoy seasonal ghost stories.

As with most anthologies, this one was a mixed bag for me. Some stories worked far better than others, and a few left me completely unmoved. The stronger entries, however, delivered sharp twists that earned a very satisfying witchy cackle, especially where the horror leaned into dark humour and didn’t take itself too seriously.

What really held the collection together was its core idea: turning the usual comforting Christmas narrative on its head. Focusing on the unsettling, the broken, and the morally dark side of the season gave the book a distinct, gothic edge. While not every story landed, it was engaging enough that I don’t regret the time or money spent, which is ultimately all I ask of a collection like this.

This anthology offers four short festive romance stories with a paranormal twist, covering one f/f, one m/m, and two f/m pairings. Overall, it’s a cute and enjoyable read, and I don’t regret the time or money spent on it. That said, it never quite reaches its full potential, mostly because all four stories feel too short for what they are trying to do.

Each entry has a solid core idea and moments I genuinely liked, but they tend to end just as I was starting to feel invested. The Christmas element is also uneven, with only the final story really leaning into a festive atmosphere. In the end, this is pleasant, light entertainment and works well if you’re looking for quick paranormal holiday romances, but readers hoping for more depth, stronger emotional arcs, or richer Christmas vibes may be left wishing for a bit more.

A short and very entertaining urban fantasy holiday story. The setup is simple but unique, following supernatural paramedic Dean Flynn as he responds to an unusually festive emergency involving an injured Christmas elf.

Despite its brief length, the story has a lot of warmth and humour, with a light tone that fits the season. It works well as a quick Christmas read and a little introduction to the world and its characters.

This is a book I’m including even though it didn’t fully work for me, because I can easily see it being a better fit for other readers. The first half completely won me over with its sense of magic, imagination, and adventure, as well as its themes of found family and discovering your place in the world. That part felt warm, creative, and very much in the spirit I’d hoped for.

The second half, unfortunately, lost me. The story shifts into a much bleaker direction, focusing on rivalry, jealousy, war, and loss, and the characters began to feel less grounded and believable to me. By the final third, the tone felt so far removed from what the blurb suggested that I found myself more frustrated than engaged. I still genuinely loved the magic, the imaginative elements, and especially the patchwork dog.

This was a near-perfect read for me. Set around Christmas, it combines a cozy supernatural mystery with strong female characters, sharp banter, hidden secrets, and a wonderfully festive atmosphere. The tone hits exactly the right balance between comfort and intrigue, and the twists kept me fully engaged throughout.

What really shines is Sybil herself, capable, determined, and refreshingly practical, with a voice and presence that make even a short story feel rich and satisfying. I loved this so much that I immediately bought the first full novel in the series on audiobook as soon as I finished. If you enjoy Victorian mysteries with ghosts, warmth, and a smart, engaging heroine, this short story is an excellent place to start.

A quick, fun holiday SFF read with a strong cozy vibe. The romance stays firmly in the background, which I appreciated, letting the story focus more on magic, mystery, and festive fun.

Easy to read, humorous, and very comforting, it has the same warm feel as the cookies from the family bakery at the heart of the story. A lovely choice if you’re in the mood for something light, cheerful, and seasonal.

Set in the same world as the main series, this short story features the same cast of characters, though it works perfectly well on its own, even if you haven’t read the first book yet. I actually read this one first and had no trouble following along.

The focus is firmly on fun rather than romance, which only adds a light touch to the story. Between the cute elves, cozy atmosphere, and an abundance of baked goods, this makes for a very enjoyable holiday read. A great quick bite for the festive season.

Heavily inspired by A Christmas Carol, this modern retelling was fun, but the core idea didn’t fully click for me. The concept of a whole team constantly observing someone’s life through cameras in order to redeem them Dickens-style felt oddly invasive and a bit implausible. I think I would have connected more easily if that insight had been achieved through magic rather than surveillance.

That said, I did enjoy the characters and spending time with them, even if Holly herself can be quite annoying at times. Given that the story is about modern-day “Scrooges” learning to be better people, that flaw feels intentional. If you don’t mind a self-centred teenage protagonist with an instant crush on the handsome guy, this offers an entertaining and easy-to-read twist on a familiar story.

This anthology was a mixed experience for me. Overall, it wasn’t one of my favourites, largely because it leans heavily into paranormal romance and the “very hot men” trope, which just isn’t my thing. That said, most of the stories were entertaining enough, and readers who enjoy that style will likely get a lot more out of this collection than I did.

The quality varies widely, from entries that left me completely cold to a few standouts I genuinely loved. Several stories played in interesting ways with vampire and werewolf lore, and a handful were strong enough that they made me pick up the first books in their respective series. While there’s a lot here that didn’t work for me personally, the range of tones and approaches means there’s something for many tastes, especially if paranormal romance is firmly in your comfort zone.

I went into this completely blind and ended up with a lovely surprise. Christmas, science fiction, and a female space janitor was already a hard combination to resist, even without knowing anything about the series or the author beforehand.

While I briefly worried it might lean too heavily into romance, that never really happens. Instead, the story focuses on dry humour and a tone that worked perfectly for me. Even though the twist was easy to spot early on, it was still a fun, quick, and very enjoyable read. I’m definitely planning to try the main series as well and hope it keeps the same sense of humour without drifting into too much romantic pining.

This was a really entertaining read that scratched my creepy Christmas itch perfectly. With so many sugary-sweet holiday stories around, it was refreshing to dive into something darker, complete with zombies, plagues, and other unpleasant surprises.

The book contains four stories, all of which worked for me, with the final one ending on a particularly strong note. If you’re looking for some rotten fun and a bit of fresh air away from traditional Christmas cheer, this is easy to recommend.

This is the third book in an ongoing series, which I didn’t realise going in, and that definitely affected my reading experience. Being dropped straight into an established cast made it feel a bit like arriving late to a party where everyone else already knows each other. And it took a while before the characters caught my interest.

Once I got past that initial hurdle, I did enjoy the quirky tone and easy flow of the story. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and mixes murder, mystery, festive food, and a wilful ghost into an entertaining Christmas read. The plot felt a little rough in places, and a bit more depth would have helped smooth things out, but even so this was a quick, fun, and slightly odd holiday mystery that’s worth a look, especially if you already know the series.

This urban fantasy novella is a great example of a popcorn read done right. Although it’s the fourth book in the series, it’s easy to jump into without any prior knowledge and works well as a standalone if you’re simply in the mood for something festive with a mystery element.

Light, fast, and playful, this is the kind of story that fits perfectly into the busy Christmas season. The main character can see ghosts and often gets dragged into solving their unfinished business, in this case involving a dead Santa with no memory of who killed him. The premise is deliberately silly and fully embraces that tone, making this a cosy, humorous blend of Christmas vibes, ghosts, and an uncomplicated whodunnit.

Just as weird, chaotic, sweary, and wildly entertaining as the previous books, this fifth instalment throws the Stranger Times crew straight into a very un-cosy Christmas. A gruesome murder sets the tone early on, and from there it’s the usual mix of bad decisions, apocalyptic threats, bodily fluids, and deeply questionable life choices, now with tinsel added for extra danger.

At the heart of the mess is an old god struggling to survive in the modern world, alongside themes of belief, faith, and why children might still matter in that equation. There’s plenty of character development woven into the madness, and the humour leans hard into the absurd and irreverent. Not warm or fuzzy in the slightest, but if you like your Christmas stories loud, foul-mouthed, and completely unhinged, this delivers exactly that.

You can read my full review here.

Weird, trippy, and completely unhinged, this was an absolute blast. It starts with a horrible man in a Santa costume getting accidentally killed, and then an angel with about half a brain cell turns the situation into something far, far worse.

Bloody, chaotic, and gleefully absurd, the story is packed with death, murder, drugs, alcohol, strange experiments, voices in people’s heads, and some sex, all handled with relentless humour. It never takes itself seriously for a second and kept me oscillating between laughter, disbelief, and constant “what the hell?” reactions. Utterly bizarre and hugely entertaining.

This Christmassy science fiction story blends seasonal vibes with a touch of murder mystery, which is very much in my comfort zone. I’m always a bit of a sucker for anything that combines SFF and Christmas, and that definitely helped this one work for me.

The story can be a little confusing at times, and I would have liked it to be longer to get a better feel for the characters. Still, as a quick bite between bigger books, it was a fun and entertaining read.

Even though this collection leans more heavily into romance than I usually prefer, I ended up enjoying all of the stories. As with most anthologies, some worked better for me than others, but there wasn’t a single one I felt tempted to skip or abandon.

The novellas are noticeably longer than many comparable holiday collections, which made it easier to connect with the characters and get properly invested. With a good mix of tones and styles, this made for very pleasant and Christmassy reading overall.

Reading this for a second time didn’t lessen its magic in the slightest. Death remains one of my absolute favourite characters, and I always enjoy spending time with Susan as well.

Packed with humour, absurd ideas, and unforgettable characters, this is also a story with real heart, strong themes, and plenty of Christmas spirit. Easily one of my favourite winter fantasy reads, and a book I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who enjoys laughing out loud while reading.

This collects a handful of weird, fun, and entertaining Christmas stories in one small volume. While my memory of all the details is a little fuzzy now, there are still a couple of stories that stuck with me very clearly, which says a lot on its own.

I do remember enjoying the book and wishing it hadn’t ended so soon. It works well for children, but there’s plenty here for adults too, especially if you enjoy Pratchett’s playful humour and slightly offbeat take on the festive season.

A quick, fun Christmas read that kept me entertained while baking my first batch of holiday cookies. The book is a wonderfully weird mix of short stories, fake Christmas facts, and mock interviews with various “Christmas professionals”, including Santa’s lawyer.

It had me smiling, snorting, and chuckling more than once, but it’s not all pure silliness. One story, deliberately written to be emotional, even had me sniffing a little. If you enjoy your Christmas reads silly, clever, and slightly unhinged, this is well worth picking up.

Short, not deep, and utterly fun, this is a fast zombie romp with a very relatable setup. A retail worker facing down a zombie horde with access to baseball bats and axes feels oddly perfect for the season, especially if you’ve ever harboured even a tiny grudge against Christmas shoppers.

As someone who deals with festive crowds myself, this had me snorting and chuckling along. There is a typo or two, but the fun easily outweighs that. I enjoyed it enough to immediately pick up Wreck the Halls by the same author, which includes this story along with four more Christmas horror tales.

The concept won me over right away. Noel, Santa’s second son, feels out of place at the North Pole and strikes out on his own, armed with only a dash of magic and no real job skills. Becoming a private investigator turns out to be a surprisingly fitting choice, and I liked both his character and his backstory.

The mystery itself is entertaining, though it relies more on sudden insight than on piecing together clues, and some solutions come together a little too neatly. The magic also feels shaped to suit the plot rather than fully grounded in the worldbuilding. Still, the blend of Christmas sparkle with murder, blood, and a decidedly non-cozy tone kept me reading almost in one go. A fun and unusual holiday fantasy with a darker edge.

I picked this up after enjoying one of the included stories, A Very Zombie Christmas, and it turned out to be a very solid collection. While not every story is perfect, they all entertained me and delivered exactly what I was hoping for.

Finding Christmas-themed SFF that isn’t paranormal romance can be surprisingly difficult, so this blend of dark humour, bloody mayhem, and a gritty tone hit the spot for me. A few twists were predictable, but they still earned a smirk or a snort. Overall, this was a very satisfying read and a great fit for anyone who likes their Christmas stories on the darker side.

A very quick and easy read that had me smirking more than once. It’s not the most memorable thing I’ve ever read, but it doesn’t try to be.

What it does deliver is exactly what I was hoping for: fast, dark, and lightly twisted Christmas stories with a touch of humour. A solid choice if you’re in the mood for something creepy and festive that won’t take much time or effort.

This was my first book by the author, and despite being the seventh in the series, it works well as a standalone. You can tell there’s a lot of established background, but I never felt lost, and the story provides enough context to enjoy it on its own.

The romance stays very light, which suited me well, and I really enjoyed the mix of mystery, action, friendship, and family, all wrapped in a festive atmosphere. As a German reader, I also found the blend of US and German elements particularly entertaining and well handled. A solid Christmas-flavoured SFF read I’d happily recommend to fellow Christmas fantasy addicts.

(This book is a stand in for all the many Christmas shorts in this series.)

Taken together, these Christmas short stories form a chaotic, banter-filled, and very seasonal slice of The Chronicles of St Mary’s series. I ended up gravitating to the holiday shorts even more than the main novels. They lean hard into humour, chaos, and character interactions, while largely sidestepping the romance elements that didn’t work for me as well in the full-length books. The tone and voice are consistently lively, and when these stories fully embrace Christmas in setting, mood, and plot, they scratch that festive fantasy itch extremely well.

That said, these are very much tied to the wider series. While some can technically be read on their own, they work best if you’ve read at least the first novel and have a basic grasp of the characters and world. Several entries contain major spoilers for the main storyline, which didn’t bother me personally, but is worth knowing going in. The collection The Most Wonderful Time of the Year was a particular highlight, especially for including a story from the Time Police’s point of view, which added a fun change of perspective.

Not every story landed equally for me. Some, like “Christmas Past”, felt especially festive and delightful, while others, such as “Christmas Present” or “Christmas Pie”, leaned more on familiar ideas and felt a bit less inspired. Even so, the sharp banter, fast pacing, and seasonal chaos kept me entertained throughout. Overall, these Christmas shorts are best seen as bonus treats for readers who enjoy Jodi Taylor’s humour and want festive adventures with the St Mary’s cast, rather than as standalone entry points into the series.

This makes for a comforting return to the series and works best read after finishing the main books, as it contains clear spoilers and would be confusing on its own. Seen as a short epilogue rather than a standalone story, it’s an enjoyable extension of the world.

The novella adds extra time with side characters and gently ties up a few lingering threads, which I appreciated. While the Christmas elements are fairly light and not strong enough to carry the story on their own, that didn’t bother me here. As a series add-on, it’s well worth reading.

A real joy to read, this hefty collection of Christmas stories and novellas is more than enough to fill several cosy winter evenings. The range is impressive, with stories that vary widely in tone and topic, all driven by a lot of imagination.

As with any anthology, some entries worked better for me than others, but there wasn’t a single story I didn’t at least enjoy. I was also struck by how well these stories have aged. Even those written decades ago feel surprisingly current, and without the occasional period detail, you might not guess some date back to the 1990s. Adventurous, funny, and sometimes delightfully weird, this made for perfect festive reading with a cup of mulled wine.