Will leave an annoying song stuck in your head and a smirk plastered on your face.
Elvin is one angsty elf, but in all fairness, he’s seen a lot of shady things and has even been party to more than a few himself. If his many decades living under the influence of peppermint sticks and status-loving parents have taught him anything, it’s that the world is always changing. Whether society is recovering from a war or entering the space race, churning out toys has been a constant when everything else is chaos. But even that can be outsourced, overhyped, and unionized. Not content with his humble roots at the top of the world, Elvin is a hustler with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. His exit from merrymaking opens up his own personal oyster of opportunities in southern California, and not a moment too soon. What was once the most wonderful time of the year slides into a series of fiascoes to be managed and financial contracts to be sold to the highest bidder. And don’t think that the iconic red-nosed reindeer isn’t partially to blame! You can take the elf away from Christmas, but you can’t take Christmas away from the elf, and Elvin always manages to find his way back home when his people need him most. With an almost endless life ahead of him, will Elvin ever find his happy holiday ending?
Colin Dodds grabs a box of dusty Christmas folklore from the attic, blows off generations of cobwebs, and gives it all a wild new paint job in The Reign of the Anti-Santas. As you read of Elvin’s escapades, all the requisite magic and whimsy are present, but with disenchantment clouding the edges and darkness coloring the festivities. If you’re looking for meaning, there is plenty to be found, and if you crave satire, there is none better. Even if you’re just looking for a fun twist on some beloved traditions, you’ll be glad you picked up this unconventional elf-noir holiday extravaganza. Dubbed a Christmas misadventure for grownups, this holly-not-so-jolly exposé on the legendary gift-giver, Santa Claus, walks a red and white striped tightrope of cynicism and sentiment. The indignation, sarcasm, and wryness come through like the thoughts were your own as the author conveys these specific notions with precision and wit. Relationships range from torrid affairs to marital unions, but the only real romance comes from Elvin’s complicated connection to Christmas. A holiday parody for the ages, The Reign of the Anti-Santas is an ingenious trip through modern history that will leave an annoying song stuck in your head and a smirk plastered on your face.
