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Abney Kelly #1
Abney Kelly and the Yuletide Shenanigans
Abney Kelly seems like your typical thirteen-year-old trying to find her place in the world. She’s shy, awkward, has no friends, and is bullied constantly. However things are not always as they appear, after being pushed into a clover patch, a creature who says he’s her assigned guardian whisks her off to a school in Tìr na nÓg, called Yule.
Turns out she’s a Changeling, and it’s time she learns what that means. Between making new friends, discovering that all the monsters in her nightmares are real, and starting at a new school, Abney didn’t think life could get any harder as she splits her time between the human and Fae realms.
That is until her house matron warns them about Nicholas Kringle. He is stalking his prey throughout realms and collecting the hearts of those on his so-called nice list. At a New Year’s Eve party, Abney and her new gang use an Ouija board and discover that one of their friends is on Kringle’s list.
Determined to stop their friend’s death, Abney and company set off on a chilly adventure, to try to change fate, but only one thing is for certain… This year they’ll end up on the naughty list or die trying.
Coming October 9th, 2020
Turns out she’s a Changeling, and it’s time she learns what that means. Between making new friends, discovering that all the monsters in her nightmares are real, and starting at a new school, Abney didn’t think life could get any harder as she splits her time between the human and Fae realms.
That is until her house matron warns them about Nicholas Kringle. He is stalking his prey throughout realms and collecting the hearts of those on his so-called nice list. At a New Year’s Eve party, Abney and her new gang use an Ouija board and discover that one of their friends is on Kringle’s list.
Determined to stop their friend’s death, Abney and company set off on a chilly adventure, to try to change fate, but only one thing is for certain… This year they’ll end up on the naughty list or die trying.
Coming October 9th, 2020
286 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2020
7 people are currently reading
4857 people want to read
About the author
SamiJo McQuiston
5 books95 followersSamiJo is a first-class shenanigator, decorated coddiwompler, narrator, creator, and award-winning author. Among her works are "Abney Kelly & the Yuletide Shenanigans," a dark YA Fantasy steeped in Pagan lore, and "The Haunt," a brisk, witty tale about a witch running a haunted bookstore. She earned fourth place in Writer’s Digest’s prestigious annual writing competition for her short story "One Samhain Night." Additionally, her poem "The Bottom" appeared in Great Plains Medley, an anthology of prose and poetry by North Dakota writers.
Her passion for making the arts accessible led her to co-found the North Dakota Book and Arts Festival in Jamestown, North Dakota. Unlike most events, the festival never charges authors or artists for table space, and admission is free to all. By removing financial barriers, the festival ensures equal opportunities for artists and makes the arts accessible to everyone. She feels privileged to work with co-founders Jill Pfaff (Assistant Director/Outreach Librarian, James River Library System) and Aaron Cloyd (Professor, University of Jamestown) toward this mission. Learn more about the North Dakota Book and Arts Festival here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
SamiJo lives in North Dakota with her husband and a small menagerie. Most days, she’s at her keyboard creating new worlds and adventures. When she can, she curls up with a book and blanket, enjoys video games, or, if lucky, gathers with friends and family for Dungeons & Dragons.
Follow her on social media—she loves connecting with readers and writers. Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and be part of her creative community. Your support means everything!
Her passion for making the arts accessible led her to co-found the North Dakota Book and Arts Festival in Jamestown, North Dakota. Unlike most events, the festival never charges authors or artists for table space, and admission is free to all. By removing financial barriers, the festival ensures equal opportunities for artists and makes the arts accessible to everyone. She feels privileged to work with co-founders Jill Pfaff (Assistant Director/Outreach Librarian, James River Library System) and Aaron Cloyd (Professor, University of Jamestown) toward this mission. Learn more about the North Dakota Book and Arts Festival here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
SamiJo lives in North Dakota with her husband and a small menagerie. Most days, she’s at her keyboard creating new worlds and adventures. When she can, she curls up with a book and blanket, enjoys video games, or, if lucky, gathers with friends and family for Dungeons & Dragons.
Follow her on social media—she loves connecting with readers and writers. Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and be part of her creative community. Your support means everything!
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 19, 2020
Super cute! I loved how all the different mythologies and folklore came together. It seemed like a lot at first but I was happy with how they all meshed. I also loved Abney and thought she was really relatable! I was definitely rooting for her and enjoyed watching her grow through the story. It was a perfect fit with all the other Christmas books I'm reading right now. Will definitely be picking up the next in the series!
I won this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you SamiJo!
I won this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you SamiJo!
October 15, 2020
I’m not usually in the mood for Christmasy books in October but snarky humor always floats my boat and I got that vibe from the description. Also, everything else in this world of ours is kind of topsy-turvy these days so why not read a Christmas story before we even get to Thanksgiving, right?
As it turns out, there isn’t much humor here, snarky or otherwise, but I wasn’t really too far off of “proper” timing because this has a distinct feeling of Halloween. Abney is a girl who doesn’t always have an easy time of it—much worse, in fact, than most teens—but she plugs along until life suddenly takes a dramatic turn, thrusting her into a world of magic and wondrous beings, and she learns that she’s actually a Changeling with a whole ‘nother future ahead. First, though, she and her new friends hear the real legend of Santa aka Nicholas Kringle and it’s a very different tale indeed, full of dark mischief and destruction. Unfortunately for them, it’s more than just a fable and they’re going to have to do something about the evil Kringle.
Abney Kelly & the Yuletide Shenanigans is a complex story with much interweaving of mythology and fairy tales mixed with a good deal of horror and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Fair warning, though—this is not the charming Good Saint Nick story you’ll want to share with the little kids in your life 😱 >:D
As it turns out, there isn’t much humor here, snarky or otherwise, but I wasn’t really too far off of “proper” timing because this has a distinct feeling of Halloween. Abney is a girl who doesn’t always have an easy time of it—much worse, in fact, than most teens—but she plugs along until life suddenly takes a dramatic turn, thrusting her into a world of magic and wondrous beings, and she learns that she’s actually a Changeling with a whole ‘nother future ahead. First, though, she and her new friends hear the real legend of Santa aka Nicholas Kringle and it’s a very different tale indeed, full of dark mischief and destruction. Unfortunately for them, it’s more than just a fable and they’re going to have to do something about the evil Kringle.
Abney Kelly & the Yuletide Shenanigans is a complex story with much interweaving of mythology and fairy tales mixed with a good deal of horror and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Fair warning, though—this is not the charming Good Saint Nick story you’ll want to share with the little kids in your life 😱 >:D
September 21, 2021
Finally a YA book in which the female is a truly strong character who doesn't need a love interest to define them. If you are looking for something that is both comfortable and familiar yet also dark and different, this is the new upcoming series for you!
October 7, 2020
SPANISH REVIEW: www.jossradillo.wix.com/storylinenews...
My Thoughts:
A chilling read with a mix of Alice in wonderland, peter pan, and witchcrafts.
This book isn't that long but it isn't either short so I don't really want to give too much away. It's a chilling read in my opinion. the dialogues sometimes seem from a really professional literature professor from a long time ago hehe. All of the other characters are well described. You get the chance to imagine creepy/spooky graphics that add something to the book.
The writing style though wasn't my favorite it as it was hard for me to deep into it but
I feel like this could be a fun book to read around Halloween. Maybe if this was written in the first person or more fluent I could have given it 4 stars but something was lacking for me. I went into this with too high of expectations because of the description of the book but the writing style was my problem. Though it still has a great plotline that you can enjoy to the fullest.
All in all, the storyline is deliciously disturbing, with a touch of modern with a surrealistic and spooky feel.
My Thoughts:
A chilling read with a mix of Alice in wonderland, peter pan, and witchcrafts.
This book isn't that long but it isn't either short so I don't really want to give too much away. It's a chilling read in my opinion. the dialogues sometimes seem from a really professional literature professor from a long time ago hehe. All of the other characters are well described. You get the chance to imagine creepy/spooky graphics that add something to the book.
The writing style though wasn't my favorite it as it was hard for me to deep into it but
I feel like this could be a fun book to read around Halloween. Maybe if this was written in the first person or more fluent I could have given it 4 stars but something was lacking for me. I went into this with too high of expectations because of the description of the book but the writing style was my problem. Though it still has a great plotline that you can enjoy to the fullest.
All in all, the storyline is deliciously disturbing, with a touch of modern with a surrealistic and spooky feel.
October 12, 2020
*I received this book from YA Bound Tours for my honest review*
This was an amazing novel! I loved how McQuiston spun together Celtic, and other regions, myths together and created a world much like Hogwarts, if not better. I found it to be refreshingly original, yet still have that feel we are used to in magical schools. I really loved her take on the Santa, or St Nicolas, myth and how it played part in this story.
Abney was a really nice character. It was great having a heroine one could relate to, and wasn't boy crazy. I don't mind having lots of love in stories, but having it not be the focus at all was very refreshing. I also loved the lgbtq representation in this book and her take on the two fairy queens.
All in all, if you love a book with twists and turns, based off of mythology, has the feel of Harry Potter except with a girl MC and lgbt representation, this is definitely the book for you! Read an excerpt below!
This was an amazing novel! I loved how McQuiston spun together Celtic, and other regions, myths together and created a world much like Hogwarts, if not better. I found it to be refreshingly original, yet still have that feel we are used to in magical schools. I really loved her take on the Santa, or St Nicolas, myth and how it played part in this story.
Abney was a really nice character. It was great having a heroine one could relate to, and wasn't boy crazy. I don't mind having lots of love in stories, but having it not be the focus at all was very refreshing. I also loved the lgbtq representation in this book and her take on the two fairy queens.
All in all, if you love a book with twists and turns, based off of mythology, has the feel of Harry Potter except with a girl MC and lgbt representation, this is definitely the book for you! Read an excerpt below!
October 24, 2020
Review:
Abney Kelly and the Yuletide Shenanigans by SamiJo McQuiston was such a fun read. This is a mixture of quote a few myths and cultures, creating such a unique world. I really enjoy unique takes on magical schools, and this was really well written.
Abney is a wonderful main character. Young, but smart, and I enjoyed watching her journey. I think anyone of any age could relate to her in different ways, which is always nice.
This is a great read, full of adventure and mythology. I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend giving it a read!
Rating:
5/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
Abney Kelly and the Yuletide Shenanigans by SamiJo McQuiston was such a fun read. This is a mixture of quote a few myths and cultures, creating such a unique world. I really enjoy unique takes on magical schools, and this was really well written.
Abney is a wonderful main character. Young, but smart, and I enjoyed watching her journey. I think anyone of any age could relate to her in different ways, which is always nice.
This is a great read, full of adventure and mythology. I really enjoyed it and I highly recommend giving it a read!
Rating:
5/5☆
*I received a free copy of this book from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
December 26, 2020
3.5 stars. I received a free copy of this book via Goodreads’ First Reads program. This was a fun and fast YA read with a bit of a holiday twist. The author packed in a lot of lore- from the fae to Arthurian legend to Saint Nicholas, there are many different traditions woven together here. I’m curious how those various threads will play into the next installment in the series.
November 23, 2024
I loved this adventure! I can't wait for the next one. Twists and turns, friendships, acceptance, and more.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews