On Christmas Eve the worst of the worst gather at Old Souls College for an evening of terrifying storytelling. The prize for the best story…the chance to enter the catacombs and search for the legendary Dead Man’s Jabberers. At this year’s gathering there will be one extra guest, specially invited by the Dean as punishment for throwing stones through the college windows. As usual, eleven-year-old Lewis wasn’t the only one causing trouble but he was the only one that got caught and that is why he finds himself working the night before Christmas. But the gathering at Old Souls College is no place for a young boy and Lewis is going to have to find a way out before the dinner is over or he might never make it out alive... You're at the wrong party if you're after feel-good festivities, warm cosy settings, magic and sparkle, and an ending where everything is merry and bright. Christmas Dinner of Souls is the most delightfully disgusting of festive reads as Montgomery takes the merry out of Christmas and serves up lashings of macabre instead.
Don’t expect to find turkey dinners, presents under the tree, carolers at the door, a procession of reindeer or chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Ross has dreamt up a Christmas of nightmares with a gingerbread house of horrors, poisoned drinks, screams coming from the walls, things coming back from the dead and a guest list of revolting characters. This is the season to be terrified; joining the gathering and taking a seat at the table of terrors is only for brave souls. Manners are non-existent and the guests are wild; they down wine and gin like it is water, throw cutlery around and howl like crazed beasts. And things just get worse. As the night goes on, the guests become more and more deranged, the meals get increasingly ghastly, the stories get ever more gruesome, and as for Lewis, well, his time is running out - you’ll have to read for yourself to see if he makes it out alive. Hungry readers will find their horror cravings satisfied in seven ghastly short stories as seven of the chosen guests compete to the tell the best tale. Each story is more spine-chilling and haunting than the last and there is enough to frighten even the most daring of readers. A supporting narrative helps move the overall story along and the mix of humour and horror makes for frighteningly good fun. Creepy illustrations, by one of my favourite illustrators, David Litchfield, add to the seasonal scare-fest. On my Christmas menu every year, all seven courses guzzled like a fiend. Will be devoured by fans of Goosebumps, Lindsay Currie, Jennifer Killick and anyone who fancies a good fright on a December night. Word of caution - Christmas Dinner of Souls is definitely not suitable for those that scare easily. Recommended for 9+.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
March 2024
|