Krampus the Yule Lord
By Andy Frisk
December 19, 2012 - 17:15
HarperCollins Publishers
Writer(s): Gerald BROM
$27.99 US
Packed with brilliantly subtle references to Old Norse mythology and not so subtle metaphorical examinations of the good, and evil, inherent in the continually commercialized time of year we all call Christmastime, that originally began as the pagan Yuletide, Krampus the Yule Lord by BROM is not only not your usually holiday read, it's a thrilling (if at times graphically violent) adventure story about one man's decision to follow his dreams, as well as the rebirth of wonder and hope that often accompanies the holiday season. Krampus, along with Santa, is one of the few survivors of Ragnarok and has been longing to be free of his imprisonment at the hands of Santa in order to not only get revenge on Santa for betraying him (in the name of his new religion: Christianity), but to renew the broken land of not only the strip mined hills and mountains of West Virginia, but the whole world. BROM brilliantly sets up a conflict, that he smartly gives no solid answers to, between the blind commercialism of the Christmas holiday and the back to nature esthetic of Krampus' Yuletide. Neither being, Santa nor Krampus, are both 100% in the right though, as they both have their flaws as well as their strengths. Santa is seriously motivated to truthfully engage in Christian charity and Krampus is wholly dedicated to the rebirth of man's connection to nature and the benefits to one's spirit that it brings. BROM has portrayed both the Christian Christmastime and the pagan Yuletide as both sides of the same coin, but a coin that mankind should spend wisely each year.
For those looking for a smart, fast paced, and well written Christmas (Yuletide! as Krampus would undoubtedly correct me) story, Krampus the Yule Lord is for you. Being a fan of both Dickens' A Christmas Carol AND dark fantasy in the vein of The Dresden Files, Krampus the Yule Lord was the perfect holiday read for me. From here on out, it'll be taking its place next to A Christmas Carol as one of my yearly Christmas reads (and re-reads).
Rating: 9/10
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