A review by Clare Elaine
Wolfsbane and Mistletoe is an anthology edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner that contains 15 stories from authors who come from various different genres. Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner gave each of the authors the two elements ‘Christmas’ and ‘werewolves’ and let their imaginations take it from there.
Each story is preceded with a short paragraph or two about who the author is and what style of writing they have been involved with. This is really nice for me, as I have a hard time remembering names and what they are associated with, and also gives me a little insight into the authors that I have not read before.
Bringing together Sookie Stackhouse, a Dr Seuss reference and the phrase ‘Are they… evil nuts?’, Wolfsbane and Mistletoe includes some of the funniest short stories I have ever read. Bringing together a debate between two Russian vampires over weather Santa is a myth or he is actually a vampire, and an awkward conversation with a doctor, there is something for every reader, at least the anyone who enjoy science fiction and the paranormal.
The one notable absence for me in the book was mention of a warm Christmas full of mangoes and swimming, which was what my growing up in Queensland was filled with each year. Even the Australian author portrayed a snow filled Christmas, which was a little hard for me to relate to.
I really enjoyed reading the book, as each story finished I was left wanting more. Reading Wolfsbane and Mistletoe was an enjoyable way to spend the pre-Christmas season, rather than joining the last second shopping before the big day. I will defiantly be reading this again, perhaps every Christmas.
This review was previously published in Dark Matter issue 2, January 2011, and predated on this website to reflect the original publication date.
