Krampus

The Yule Lord

By: Brom

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Santa Claus, my dear old friend, you are a thief, a traitor, a slanderer, a murderer, a liar, but worst of all you are a mockery of everything for which I stood. You have sung your last ho, ho, ho, for I am coming for your head.... I am coming to take back what is mine, to take back Yuletide....
—from Krampus

The author and artist of The Child Thief returns with a modern fabulist tale of Krampus, the Lord of Yule and the dark enemy of Santa Claus.

One Christmas Eve in a small hollow in Boone County, West Virginia, struggling songwriter Jesse Walker witnesses a strange spectacle: seven devilish figures chasing a man in a red suit toward a sleigh and eight reindeer. When the reindeer leap skyward, taking the sleigh, devil men, and Santa into the clouds, screams follow. Moments later, a large sack plummets back to earth, a magical sack that thrusts the down-on-his-luck singer into the clutches of the terrifying Yule Lord, Krampus. But the lines between good and evil become blurred as Jesse's new master reveals many dark secrets about the cherry-cheeked Santa Claus, including how half a millennium ago the jolly old saint imprisoned Krampus and usurped his magic.

Now Santa's time is running short, for the Yule Lord is determined to have his retribution and reclaim Yuletide. If Jesse can survive this ancient feud, he might have the chance to redeem himself in his family's eyes, to save his own broken dreams... and to help bring the magic of Yule to the impoverished folk of Boone County.

©2012 Gerald Brom (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

This book is Worth it. Buy this book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The narrator makes all the different characters come alive and have real passion. I'm glad I got this on audio. This is a real interesting look at some of the alternate traditions for Christmas and a subtle and not so subtle poke at the commercialism that has come to be Christmas and lake of true spirit of the holiday reminding everyone to be good to each other and enjoy life and probably a look at some of the pagan traditions of that year made up or real. Its really fun.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Krampus definitely. He's part savage elemental spirit, whiny child, Yule lord and noble lord and cruel Santa. His performed voice was memorable and captivating.

Have you listened to any of Kirby Heyborne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't listened to any other of Kirby Heborne's performances, but I'll certainly be on the look out for them. This book would only be half as good with out his voice to perform it and he really performs it and doesn't just read it to us. I listened to the books all day for two days because I couldn't put it down.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"It is good to be terrible" Krampus The Yule Lord.

Any additional comments?

Buy the book, you'll enjoy it, just don't listen with young children there is a lot of cussing by evil characters and some vulgar talk from a bad guy. but other than that it is awesome.

Awesome "Christmas" story!

This has got to be the best non traditional Christmas story I've heard! Brom combines modern Christmas traditions with old Yule traditions as well old Norse mythology and a little modern religion. Santa isn't who you thought. He is a good and jolly spirit, but he has done many bad things to become Santa. Krampus is a horned, goat like man associated with Yule. Christians and the Christmas traditions see him as a devil or a Christmas demon. Krampus is good and terrible. He brings Yuletide which helps to renew the Earth. He also delivers gifts to good children that believe in him and leave a tribute of candy or some treat in their shoes for him. Bad children get put into his sack and beaten with birch sticks. Before the Modern Santa, Krampus was always depicted as working with Saint Nicholas. Brom creates an incredible story of the origin of Santa and his relationship to Krampus.

This is my second book by Brom. He has a third available on Audible which I've already bought and plan to enjoy very soon! This is my first book with narrator Kirby Heyborne. I'm happy to see he narrates the other book I picked up by Brom. He does such a wonderful job with the narration in this book. He gives each character their own voice and brings out their true personalities.

I just love this line from the book.
"Santa Claus, my dear old friend, you are a thief, a traitor, a slanderer, a murderer, a liar, but worst of all you are a mockery of everything for which I stood. You have sung your last hour, ho, ho, for I am coming for your head.... I am coming to take back what is mine, to take back Yuletide...."
- from Krampus

Surprisingly well written and expertly performed...350+ books in my library

This was a a chance purchase. I saw an Audible editor recommended it and then I saw Kirby Heyborne narrated it. What an awesome surprise. This for me is a little gem. It was fun but also included accurate mythology woven through the story. It was a quick listen for me. But I was totally satisfied when finished. Kirby Heyborne has hit his stride in narration.

a strange but enjoyable fable

not at all what I expected. very amusing story with a little action and some hilarious quotes from the main character

Very good book

This book was a grabber right from the begin, seriously, 30 sec into the opening and I was hooked. I just had to see where this was going. great characters, great narrator, great writing. Enjoy.

Christmas and Yule

A delightful story combining the traditional Christian Christmas and the pagan Yule. A good solid story with just the right mix of history

It's time to be TERRIBLE !!!

Brom has become one of my favorite authors. Krampus is amazing. My first review. Excellent

Krampus is watching

Loved this book. A different look at Christmas.
And loved the way the story mixed with other legends. I’m not saying more because I want you to be as surprised as I was.

I’ll be leaving my shoes out for Krampus...

This is another gem in the distinct style that is Brom. I am so thankful I have found his stories for the worlds he weaves are magical indeed.

I won’t say much about the plot, but Brom has a way of making all hope seem lost... and his tales can be macabre... but he always restores that hope in the end, making me more of a believer in the hidden magic of the world in which we live.

Give the story a shot.... you won’t be disappointed.

Interesting.

Didn't expect much from this, but was a different story and rich with Norse Mythology.