Quotes from Brom

Would not do to have children watch dear old Santa hack Krampus and his abominations to death, after all.

Their lives are no longer tied to the cycles of the seasons and the harvest, no longer do they need the Yule Lord to chase away the winter darkness and usher in the light of spring. Man has only himself to fear now . . . he has become his own worst devil.

The towering trees grew ever denser as she went, leaning in on her from either side, blocking out the sun—a twisted tunnel of branches and leaves and gnarled roots that felt ready to swallow her at any moment.

Santa Claus and all his little presents tend to get in the way of God's message." "As can religion," Santa replied.

Santa Claus ran his finger across the rough parchment, lightly tracing the inscription below. "Charity unto others brings its own reward," he whispered.

Krampus found me, forced me into servitude—me, the son of Odin, a slave to a low-cast demon. I did not care, did not feel. Hollow of heart and soul, I came to believe this to be my fate, my penance, that I had been spared to bear torment not just for my own vanity and arrogance, but for that of all my forebears.

was He … that turned His back on me. I will always have room … for God … in my heart." The minister began to pray.

There will never be an end to suffering. You do what you can, only what you can. Peace comes from knowing you helped those that you could.

He saw Krampus grinning at him and knew then that the Yule Lord was right, he could no more quit music than breathing, and while he needed air to live, he needed music to truly be alive.

I think he's real," the boy said. "Me, too," the girl agreed. "Well," the mom said. "If enough folks believe in a thing, I guess it becomes real enough. Don't it?

She laughed and said not to confuse pride with nobleness.

Stop your weeping. Grief is for the dead.

Something's just not right," he said, shaking his head, "not by a long shot.

They headed east, deeper into hill country, leaving Krampus's gift of Yule cheer in over three dozen homes spread about as many neighborhoods all along eastern Boone County. Most of the visits went smoothly, as smoothly as one could hope for any home invasion carried out by a host of costume-clad devils.

Why would they destroy the forest, the mountains . . . the very land?" "For the coal. They blast the tops off the mountains to get to the coal." Krampus shook his head, his face bewildered. "It is like cutting off one's own arm to feed one's self.

Makwa, my bravest warrior." His words were earnest and measured. "The great spirits call. It is time for you to go to them, to be honored for your loyalty and bravery. Mishe Moneto has gathered all your great fathers and they all await you with a magnificent feast. Go to them with your chin held high. Take your rightful place.

But things don't always go the way folks want . . . or hope. Life ain't like that.

Search for his beasts, his abominations, the Belsnickels. For they will be on the hunt as well. When you find them, stay with them like a dark omen, lead me to them with your cry . . . for my sword thirsts for their blood.

So I must ask myself, what role can I play in a world where men worship the moving-picture box, where they make and consume potions that eat away their own brains, where they ravage and pillage entire mountains, kill the very earth itself? "Mankind has lost its connection to the land, to the earth, to the beasts and spirits. They gather their food not from the forest and fields, but from plastic bins and ice boxes.

Hey!" the kid screamed. "Hey, you can't do that!" He stood up and when he did, Santa snatched the bicycle out from under him. He lifted the bike over his head and chucked it down the hill.

He noticed Millie Boggs's little plastic Jesus wedged between the back of his cab and the front of the camper shell. The baby Savior appeared to be looking directly at him and smiling. "You having yourself a good time?" Jesse shouted up at the doll.

Is there not room in your heart for both? They both spread peace, charity, and goodwill." "Only Jesus can save your soul from eternal damnation." A smug smile spread across the reverend's face. "Can Santa Claus do that? Don't think so." Santa let out a sigh. "We all serve God in our way." Then, almost to himself: "Sometimes whether we wish it or not.

He inhaled deeply, felt some vestige of strength returning to him, the moon's rays, the stars, and forest air all like food for his starving soul.

Spain?" Jesse said and glanced about at the others, but they looked equally perplexed. "Spain?" "Yes, to Baldr's castle. Where did you think he lived? The North Pole?