"The snowman moved forward into the front seat, turning its head to look at them, its coal black eyes boring through his."

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Nobody wants to be travelling on Christmas Eve. They want to be home, in the warm, with their families. So what could be worse? Being stranded on a deserted highway in the middle of a snowstorm? 
A group of motorists all find themselves in this situation, and they are all afraid they won't make it home by morning. They all congregate in a big RV, hoping to wait out the storm. But soon strange things start happening, and they realise they may not be making it home at all. 

The story is in two parts. 
Part one we are introduced to all the motorists, find out why they're on this road on Christmas Eve, and see their fear as they realise what a predicament they're in. It's a slow start, but it starts to pick up once they're all in the RV together.
Part two is when everything becomes crazy. Supernatural beings start appearing and the motorists try to find a way to escape. 

This was suck a great read. Full of suspense, it had me hooked and I couldn't read it fast enough. I thoroughly enjoyed the supernatural element of the story and the twists thrown in along the way. 
The ending did not disappoint. 
A great Christmas read.

I wasn't really a fan. There was just too much information, about characters that weren't critical to the story.  It felt dragging, and carried on way too long.  I found myself skimming to the end to see what happened.

A creepy, supernatural story that will torment you, days after reading it. This books delivers a great read and a scary ride! Recommended!

This was right up my alley.  It reminds me of the really fun 80s and early 90s movies where people get trapped and tormented.  Please write more!

Requested solely based off the cover, and did not expect to love it this much! Very interesting concept and the author pulled it off well. Highly recommended if you want a creepy read in the winter time!

This has to be the BEST horror book I've read in a long time and I couldn't stop reading it! What starts when two young boys are on a school playground and one of them throws a snowball at his friend - the plot just "snowballs" from there until they are adults. All of the characters are connected in some way and they end up together stuck in a snow storm. The author winds all their stories together to an explosive ending!!! This book will keep you up at night!

Absolutely enjoyed from start to finish, u didn't want the book to end. Highly recommended, if you like books that keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat.

I love a good scare...and this book delivered! I kept imagining myself in the same situation. It would be terrifying to be stranded....but stranded with a malevolent being toying with your life? That adds a whole new dimension to things. The story builds revealing a bit more about what's actually going on...but just a bit at a time. The ending was great! This would be a perfect book for a horror lover to read while it's snowing outside. Unfortunately, here in NC this year, no snow yet. So I had to enjoy a snow-free experience...but still enjoyed the story!

I am not sure I still understand what was happening in this book but it didn’t detract from the story. It was enthralling and kept me reading late into the night. The question that still comes to mind is ‘where is the snow plot driver’? I kept expecting the group to find him eventually. Would look for more books from this author and would tell everyone to read this.

The settings were set quickly and the writer made things clear from the beginning itself that you are up for a thrilling tale of horror. 

It was a snowstorm and a damn scary night to be out, but it was not just the storm that was scary. The stranded people soon face evils of their worst nightmares and I liked the treatment given to the monsters by the writer. These were not typical cliché monsters seen in most books but were kind of like your worst nightmare coming true. 

Being a horror, apocalypse fan, I kind of liked the setting where a group of people is stranded on the road; survival being their next move. I liked the way the author describes the blizzard, you can almost feel the sting of icy wind on your face and also the warmth when you get inside the safety of your vehicle. 

I like the way books are written these days, it’s almost like a movie script, and you can move along with the characters. Snowball is no different. You can feel the tension of the backstories of each character and somehow can relate to all their stories.  

Character treatment was another good aspect of the book. Each one was there for a reason, and there was enough meat in every character. However, the relation built up between Shelby and Clark was kind of abrupt and misplaced. But I suppose it had to be done for the sake of the flow of the story. 

The story kind of loses its shine for a bit halfway; but the ending makes up for that. When you will finally get to the end you will be left with a bag of emotions. I won’t go further as it would ruin the story for you; so go ahead and pick this book if you are a genuine fan.

Thank you Netgalley and Flame Tree Press for the ARC of this book. I regret that I didn't get to it sooner as I really enjoyed this book! I don't usually like supernatural stuff but this was done so effectively that it worked for me - I was genuinely creeped out at times!
At the beginning the story jumped right in; by the end of the first chapter I was hooked. I really liked the atmosphere the author created, it really added to the creepy feel. Inside the cars it felt so claustrophobic - I was on edge at some points!
This book included quite a few perspectives, it added depth to the story and it was interesting to see how each character thought and felt. 
The characters felt real, each one was properly fleshed out, physically, mentally, the reader knows their motivations, fears and attitudes. I felt like I really understood them.
There was no time wasted in this book. Everything that happened had a purpose and nothing dragged on. 
I loved the parallels that were drawn between the past and present throughout the story, it was so clever.
Something I was a little disappointed with was Shelby and Clark's relationship, I felt it was a little undercooked so it appeared quite unrealistic. I understand the purpose of the relationship and I feel like if it had been a little more developed I would've really liked it.
I found this book to be so original. I can wholeheartedly say I've never read anything like it though I'm no frequenter of the supernatural genre.
A solid supernatural horror.

Snowball was one heck of a ride. It kept my attention and had me page turning till the end. The story was action packed with supernatural elements, suspense and terror. Any horror/supernatural fans would enjoy it.

I read this book over Christmas, and it was perfects timing, a bunch of strangers stranded in the middle of a snowstorm on a deserted stretch of road. Slowly throughout the night unexplained terrors begin to plague the group, as the ordeal progresses it becomes clear that maybe they aren't strangers and maybe there is a reason these specific people are being tormented.
The story treads a fine line between horror and paranormal. Personally I prefer my horror straight up but the paranormal aspect did bring something different to the plot.

Snowball
Author: Gregory Bastianelli
Publisher: Flame Tree Press
Page count: 256pp
Release date: 30th January 2020

Starting very much like a traditional Dean Koontz, Stephen King novel, Snowball starts on Christmas Eve, focusing of a number of passengers all trapped in a blizzard, their vehicles stalled, no phone signal, no idea of what road they’re on.
That’s enough to give the reader chills, until we realise that each set of characters in their own car or truck, are behaving strangely.
Four of the men, have gone to examine the leading, empty snowplough, finding traces of blood.
What exactly happened to the snowplow driver? 
Concern soon turns to fear; then nothing.
No one can remember what they’re supposed to be concerned about, and efficiency consultant, Dean Hagen is overheating, winding his car window down and taking off layers. In a snow blizzard.
Student Kirk, and his girlfriend, huddle in the backseat under blankets, oblivious to the snow swirling outside and covering their car.
The opening is almost reminiscent of the ‘Donner Party’ legend of the Nineteenth century, novelised by Alma Katsu.
Nature vs man, but this is no ecological horror. This is so much more.
We get to read snippets of the past of each character, before they tried to travel in a potential blizzard, and Mason and Joy’s story is particularly ironic, almost humorous - if grim.
These late night travellers are so close to potential warmth and hope, but stranded and no nearer to help arriving.
Part of the novel involves different memories of other winters; each person thinking back to their worst winter moments, so for a little while, this almost feels like an old portmanteau film, with all myriad of monstrous snowy images described.
The wintry scenes, disquieting, haunting imagery and odd, very strange occurrences, make for a creepy read, indeed.
Yet, as these individual stories progress, realisation dawns that all of these people are linked by a name.
And bam! Creepy turns to visceral; and deadly delight of blood-spattered snowy terrain, and creatures who only exist in legends.
A number of characters follow necessary clues to try and find a way out, and with the denouement, it’s clear Bastianelli has littered the novel with hints and foreshadowing to lead Clark, our main POV, and the reader, to the answers.
Channelling seasonal and snow-driven horror such as ‘The Shining’, ‘Krampus’ and ‘Where the Dead Go to Die’ by Aaron Dries and Mark Allan Gunnells, this novel subverts cliche and delivers top notch character’s fear and tension, as well as stunning yet horrific imagery.
The perfect read for a cold, blistery night.

RATING: 9/10

As horror movies or books go, one of the best traditions is making stories around childhood, whether that be children themselves or childlike things. It is a little boy who introduces us to “RED RUM” in The Shining – and let us not forget the twin girls begging us to “come play” with them. Pet Sematary centers around a dead child coming back to life to try to kill his parents. Chuckie is a murderous doll. And anyone who has seen the scene from Poltergeist where the little girl says “they’re heeeerrre” can attest it is something one never forgets.

Snowball is Gregory Bastianelli’s attempt to continue that tradition.

While there are no actual creepy kids in this book, the plot is driven by childlike things: the characters are trapped in the Game Master’s snow globe created in another dimension and function as pieces in a kids’ board game. Once they realize this, they have have to find a way to beat the game and get out before they are killed.

Not only is the plot based on a board game, but there is a puzzle for the characters (and the reader) to solve in background: how they are all connected. The author expertly drops clues along the way, some more obtuse than others. The reader should not be shocked that everything comes together in the end, but I found the full explanation to be surprising. I like the way the author planned twenty steps ahead and ended up without a hair out of place. The plot mechanic of a puzzle within a game gave off a kind of Inception-like vibe was a great way to keep the reader engaged throughout the whole book.

Snowball is very well-paced, as well. The overall story builds beginning with each character’s situation and being trapped in the snowstorm, to connecting with each other, all the way to the climax and the main problem with the board game; but, there are several mini-moments of tension along the way as each character is encouraged to tell a story about a horrifying event on a previous Christmas Eve. This intricate story weaving creates a series of small ebbs and flows throughout the book that I enjoyed as a reader and kept me intrigued as the main story continued to build to its own end.

Speaking of ends… I love how this novel ends. I am not trying to spoil it for anyone, so I will not say any more about it other than the author took a big risk ending it the way he did, and I applaud him for it. The gamble paid off big time.

Flame Tree Press continues to IMpress (*winky face because words are fun*) with its horror portfolio. Snowball is an excellent addition to the genre, and I recommend it for all horror fans. Snowball was released for publication on January 30, 2020.

Underwhelming. 

Snowball is a supernatural horror by Gregory Bastianelli that has a strong start but about halfway, its plot starts to weaken. 

It's Christmas Eve and a group of people get stranded on a highway in the middle of a snowstorm. As they await a rescue team, they share stories of their worst winters and realize that there's a strange connection between them. On seeing a light in the woods, a few of them undertake the mission to go seek help and thus begins their nightmare. 

I enjoyed reading the start because it was gripping and seemed fast-paced. But the supernatural elements and the twists and the turns, all felt a little bland. The chapters are short and it's a quick and fun read but sadly, it didn't meet my expectations. The writing is great but I didn't get attached to any of the characters which made reading this book a mediocre experience. I wouldn't recommend it. 

[I'd like to thank NetGalley, Gregory Bastianelli and Flame Tree Press for this ARC.]

What starts out as a typical road trip on Christmas Eve turned out to be anything but? Biggest snow storm ever and spookiest that goes bump in the night, how creepy can it get??  You will have to read it to find out but you won’t be disappointed! Thanks Gregory for sure a great book!

I really liked this! Being stranded in a snow storm is one of my biggest fears, so I knew I had to read it for some bone chilling fears, & this book definitely did not disappoint! Highly recommend!

A group of strangers become stranded on the highway in a Christmas snow storm with no apparent way out. An old man well known for his connection to a famous company producing all kinds of board games and puzzles has a plan for them and it won’t be a happy one. Their scariest memories will return to haunt them and possibly kill them in this creepy horror story.
When I started this book I wasn’t sure how it would play out and didn’t have any expectations. The opening chapters were fantastic and had a mix of things known to give a shivery feeling eg someone caught in the worst weather, a wind like a screeching banshee and a snowman with evil intent. The chapters dealing with the strangers seemed to go on for a while before anything further happened. This lulled me into thinking it was going to end up a mundane storyline then all of a sudden the horror began and I hung on for the rest of the ride. I assume the plot was structured this way deliberately? This author has turned a time of year known for happy times into a creepy, scary night. It may even have put me off games for a while at least. Fantastic premise for a novel and recommend for horror devotees.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Snowball by Gregory Bastianelli is a wonderfully unique story that will have your brain working in overdrive until the very end! I haven't been this surprised by a book in a long time. I went into reading this book with one idea of what the book was going to be. I expected a thriller story taking place in a snowy trapped environment. Half way though the book, I knew I was in for a very different kind of story, and I couldn't be more excited to recommend this book.

The Start of the Story

It's Christmas Eve and a dangerous blizzard has hit the area. We start with Toby Hodge who is driving a snowplow on a turnpike lane. New Hampshire hasn't seen a storm like this in over 40 years. Suddenly he sees brown shapes through the snow and slams on his brakes. Now his snowplow is stuck and the snow is now nearly at the top of his plow blade. He tries to move forward but the vehicle starts slipping sideways. Then Toby sees something in the road, and he gets out of the plow and sinks into the deep snow.

Eight More Vehicles

Eventually eight more vehicles line up behind the snow plow. They are all out on the road on this Christmas Eve for different reasons. Each of them have plans, and they have somewhere else to be. Some of the drivers got out of their stuck vehicles to check on the other drivers. Graham Sawyer gets out and is joined by a 20 something male wearing nothing warmer than a ski vest. Next they saw a heavy set black man talking with a middle-aged bearded man. They decide to check out the snow plow at the front of the line and see what is going on. The plow is turned off, without any hazard lights, and that seems strange to the group. They find a red smear along the air vents inside the plow and a puddle of blood on the floor mat.

They go back to their vehicles and decide not to tell their respective passengers the full story of what they have found. As the night moves on, 10 people make their way to an RV this is also stalled but offers heat and some other creature comforts to keep the panic at bay. To keep the conversation going, the driver of the RV poses the question "What was your worst winter memory?"

The stories start slowly, and not everyone is interested in sharing, but this is when the book takes on a different direction.

Snowball by Gregory Bastianelli is a spooky ride. There are graphic details, but they definitely apply to the story and the reasons that things are happening as they are. If you like dark fairy tales, this is the book for you. I haven't read a story that weaves together characters, their back stories, and the consequences of their actions so well, in a very long time. This is a book that you will be thinking about long after you have finished the story. A fast paced book that will keep you reading long into the night. I highly recommend this book.