Twas the night before Christmas and instead of being in their warm homes watching the crap that passes for Christmas tv these days or being out celebrating the festive season with friends. A snowplow driver, a truck driver, a troubleshooter and his wife, a single mother and her two young children, a alcoholic Salvation Army worker, a young couple, a elderly couple and two childhood friends have found themselves stranded on a secluded highway during a severe blizzard. As time passes and the snow shows no signs of easing, tempers start to frey and decisions have to be made but no one can agree what they should do next. Eventually the two childhood friends decide to investigate the snowplow which is when they make a shocking discovery. The group of virtual strangers swiftly finds themselves caught up in a living nightmare,tightening for their lives whilst being hunted by savage killers who are lurking amongst the trees. It soon becomes apparent that for some of the travellers this is going to be their last Christmas.....Alive

This spine tingling story will probably remind readers who are old enough to remember of the disaster movies of the 70s or a horror anthology where all the characters have their own individual back stories and hidden secrets. There is always a really annoying character who constantly gets on your nerves but always manages to survive until towards the end of the film or story. There is usually characters that you like, characters who are just pathetic selfish cowards, characters who surprise you when they do something out of character and characters who are just secondary background characters. Well they are all present amongst this mixed bunch of relatable individuals who have found themselves trapped in a terrifying nightmare and fighting the elements and frightening creatures. But are these particular people in this situation by pure coincidence or is there more to the situation than here appeared to be? I really loved the setting for this book, the isolated highway that was surrounded by trees, I always feel that woods and forests add a sinister atmosphere to a book especially if the story is set during the night. The mysterious house that was hidden amongst the trees and had many secrets hidden within its walls.

Wow,this really is a spine chilling, roller coaster ride that is packed full of twists and turns, some seriously intense moments,quite a few gory deaths and a brilliant ending that could have come straight from a episode of Tales Of The Unexpected or The Twilight Zone. It is cleverly written and has short,snappy chapters which give the reader a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome. You start the book wondering how the title fits into the story but it becomes clear just how clever the author has been as the story unfolds. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this enthralling book. Very very highly recommended

I requested this book from NetGalley because the cover and genre intrigued me. Unfortunately, I DNF'd this book at 40% into it. The first 5% of this book was interesting but it lost its momentum and became lack luster of a story. There was no action, which is how I like my horror's to be. Thanks to NetGalley, The publisher and Author for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Snowball was a thrill ride that took the reader on an adventure from the very beginning of the book.  Mixing elements of the supernatural along with the terror of being stranded in a white out blizzard, Bastianelli intricately developed the plot and characters of this book to create the maximum amount of suspense for the reader as the story developed.  The first half of the book kept a breakneck pace as characters were added (and subtracted) from the story and the tension built as each individual began to share their background.  However, the plot took an unfortunate twist as two of the characters began a trek through the woods in an effort to seek safety.  Here the elements of the supernatural got away from the author as the characters sought safety and the introduction of the unusual occurrences were never fully developed or explained.  This led to a muddy resolution to the plot and took away from what was a stellar opening to a solid read.  Overall, this book rated 3 out of 5 stars for me due to the poor resolution of the storyline.  Snowball was a solid read but could have been spectacular with a slight increase in explanatory efforts from the author.

A group of motorists become stranded on a lonely stretch of highway during a Christmas Eve blizzard and fight for survival against an unnatural force in the storm. The gathered survivors realize a tenuous connection among them means it may not be a coincidence that they all ended up on this highway. An attempt to seek help leads a few of the travelers to a house in the woods where a twisted toymaker with a mystical snow globe is hell bent on playing deadly games with a group of people just trying to get home for the holidays.

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Can't wait to read what the author brings us next!
Recommend reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Flame Tree Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC. I am voluntarily giving an honest review

In reading Gregory Bastianelli's Snowball, I realized that we don't have enough book titles that have multiple meanings. There might be a few books whose titles have one or more meanings, but Snowball's title has probably about five different applications. Does it matter? Does it affect the book? Probably not, but I do think it helps get you in the mind space of this tense ride through a winter storm on Christmas Eve. Because, if there's one thing to take away from this story it's that one little event can grow into something terrible. Bastianelli weaves this event through a number of different characters to give us a snowy tale that picks up speed until it smashes into a decent ending.

I was getting a real Krampus and Ready or Not vibe while reading this. Snowball is soaked in the lore of Krampus without being solely a Krampus story. Our many, many characters find themselves trapped on a stretch of highway that has become impassible due to a sudden snow hurricane. While on the highway and trying to figure out what's happening people find evil snowmen, a large creature with horns, and a craggy man. Through a series of events, where a few characters die, the rest join up in a RV, where an elderly man from Germany tells a story about Krampus, and then get attacked. If you've seen Krampus then you are probably seeing the similarities. It's definitely not the same, and we quickly realize this isn't a Krampus story, however I couldn't help but think about Michael Dougherty's movie.

Ready or Not, which came out during the summer of 2019, is all about a family that made their fortune through selling board games. Here in Snowball, our antagonist, also happens to own a board game company, and also happens to like playing games with people where losing means death. It definitely goes in a different direction than the movie, and I know that's not the only book or movie that deals with board games, but it's the first one that came to me, so I'm going with it.

Now, getting back to my snowball analogy, we have the first half of the book, which introduces a new character or two in each chapter. I think we end up with about twenty characters by the time we get to the end. And while at first it seems like too many to keep track of, Bastianelli shows us why this is a horror novel, and gives us some brutal deaths to thin the heard. But, I do think some of the characters are a bit thin, only showing up to die or push other characters to do something. On the other side of the coin, the characters we do have left are engaging, fully developed, and will keep you invested in their survival. 

Once you get past the idea of a ton of characters, you look at the mixed bag plot. At first it feels like a winter survival story, with a group of strangers fighting against the elements, then you have the killer snowmen and other creatures, and you have a monster story, then you have a revenge story. And this is where it lost me. The impetus for the revenge was a half-baked concept circling around a thrown snowball and the events that happened after. I kinda liked the idea of how one thing can change an entire life, but the reasoning and the person behind it doesn't work for me. There were a lot of different directions to go in and while I didn't see this one coming, I also didn't buy it, which took me out of the story.

If you are looking for a good winter horror story, then I'd say don't look much further than Snowball. It captures a lot of the things you want in a terrifying snowy tale while making you rethink anytime you throw a snowball. Despite some of my complaints, I did have fun with this one and enjoyed the directions Bastianelli went in.

3 and 1/2 stars

I enjoyed this title to a certain degree. I liked the idea, motorists caught up in a blizzard. The execution, however, could have been a tad better. Not enough characterization in my opinion. I found myself mixing characters with one another and often had to check back to figure them out. The action is what sells SNOWBALL, because when the blood hits the dashboards the plot never lets up. All in all, not too bad of a novel. I would certainly give the author another shot.

The premise of this book sounded intriguing and I love a story that takes place during cold weather. 

It's Christmas Eve and folks are trying to get home in time to celebrate the holiday but a blizzard filled with screaming winds and heavy snows puts a damper on the would be festivities for those unfortunates who become stranded along a deserted stretch of highway.

I really loved how this book started out. A snow plow driver runs into trouble when his truck becomes stuck and he tries to dig himself out. The creatures he encounters I'll admit were a bit goofy but they did have a creepy menace about them.

Several vehicles become stuck behind the abandoned snow plow and those stranded decide to congregate inside a RV hoping to ride out the storm and await rescue. To pass the time they begin to tell stories about the worst winters they ever experienced and these were my favorite parts of the book. All of our travelers have had some sort of tragic incident in their pasts. Unbeknownst to them they are all connected in some way. I enjoyed unraveling the mystery of how all these strangers were connected with one another and thought it was well done. 

The second half of the book taking place in the house I didn't enjoy as much, not that it was bad it just didn't seem to flow as well with the first half. Almost as if the author had two different story ideas but decided to combine them into one book. I also didn't find the big bads motivations to thoroughly justified. 

This book has a high body count and the death scenes were filled with great and vivid imagery, stark white snow splattered with bright red blood. There was one scene in particular that made me feel very claustrophobic. 

Overall I thought this was a good fun ride with some chilling kills but was a bit predictable at times. I could totally picture this as a 90's horror movie. This would be a great wintery or Christmas read.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley for review consideration.

It’s been such a long time since I’ve read horror and like bumping into an old friend I welcomed this book with open arms and a nostalgic glance to my youth reading Stephen King.

The only thing missing reading this was snow outside but I won’t hold the author accountable for that. Everything else was perfect.

Ominous from the start we join a group of motorists stranded in a snow storm, the snow plough driver is missing and blood was on the driver seat but not surrounding the vehicle.

Deciding safety in numbers is better than being alone in their own vehicles they all make way to a couple’s RV and bunker down. To pass the time they share their stories of their worst winter. Creepy snowmen, snow globes, Krampus and tales of the ice man ensue and you begin to realise they are all connected.

The characters, some likeable some creepy as Krampus himself (yeah I’m talking about you Salvation Army guy) are all so interesting you are completely captured by them.

The plot is tense and sharp and the pacing impeccable and just the right amount of graphic gore to keep my sick little mind happy.

I absolutely loved this book in case you couldn’t tell and I’m just gutted my teenage self couldn’t read this.

In New Hampshire a group of drivers travelling on a lonely span of road, become stranded on the highway during a ferocious winter storm on Christmas Eve.
They eventually gather together in the RV of an older couple, feeling more safety in numbers.
They pass the time by telling stories of their worst winter experiences. The group begins to realize that they are strangely connected and it may not be an accident that they all ended up here. It started with a snowball.
Soon, they are battling killer snowmen, caught up in a game where they don't know the rules!
This supernatural horror/thriller had a tantalizing storyline, but it got a bit too far out for me.
I still had some creepy fun reading this entertaining book.
Thank you to Flame Tree Press for the e-ARC via NetGalley.

A story that will delight many a Dean Koontz and Stephen King fan! Atmospheric and definitely creepy for me! The scene is set with a snowstorm and a number of people making their ways home for Christmas. They all become stranded, seemingly unconnected strangers. They start to feel rather uncomfortable when they realise the snow plough at the head of the queue is abandoned and there is nothing but blood in the drivers compartment.The story develops with us finding out every single persons back story and it interweaves into the present day, in which it becomes apparent that they have connections with each other. This is no ordinary day for any of them! 
There are many deaths, personal history that they would rather forget, ancient legends, not your run of the mill snowmen either! 
All of this makes an exhilirating supernatural horror, which grabbed me and would not let go till the last page!
A massive thanks to Flame Tree Press and Net Galley for the opportunity.

When I was about 10, we got stuck in a surprise blizzard on the interstate. Thanks to #snowball for bringing that night's total isolation and sense of foreboding back into my conscious brain. Ha!

HERE'S THE SUMMARY: A bunch of travelers on a New England interstate get stuck in a surprise Christmas Eve blizzard. Then the dying starts.

HERE'S MY REVIEW: This was not at all what I expected. Where I thought this would be a quick and brutal slasher story, I got a weird sort of supernatural fairy tale. It reminded me quite a bit of the 2015 #krampusmovie (which I loved). There are lots of strange little interesting twists and every character has a terrible winter story to tell. 

Now I would have enjoyed this more if every female character had not been so utterly weak and mewling, and in need of a male savior to protect them from the truth of what was happening. And if the first few pages of the book didn't have the most awkward sex scene I've ever read.

But even with those problems, this was an enjoyable and weird book, and it's gets a strong ⭐⭐⭐1/2 from me.

Snow creates a wonderful setting and atmosphere and is particularly effective when applied to a horror story. This crisp souless, and silence stage needs little extra in the way of descriptions or characters....the silence says it all....

For the first 25% of Snowball the scene is set; a snowplough breaks down in the foulest of New Hampshire weather, leaving in its trail an asortment of abandoned vehicles. The occupants all regroup to recover in an RV, itself a casualty of the snowy conditions. With time on their hands this reluctant cast of survivors retell stories of unusual and horrific happenings from winters past. From this moment Snowball desintegrates into a rather laughable series of events more suitable to a teenage readership than the audience it was intended.

I was not a fan of this book. It was not what I was expecting at all. I was very disappointed. 
I didn’t actually finish this book

Reading this fine novel and its exquisite plot reminded me of my childhood in both Nebraska and Minnesota. Sledding, tobagonning, and watching horror movie Saturday matinees at the small town cinema. Very reminiscent of the Amicus classic Tales From the Crypt from 1972. Although the circumstances were somewhat turned on their heads in relation to the movie, the author of this novel does a great job of holding back what exactly is going on and ratchets the tension up nicely. I look forward to reading more offerings from Gregory Bastianelli.

Flame Tree Press have done it again , yet another horror author to keep an eye out for in future. What happens if you are stuck in a snow storm of seemingly epic proportions, do you stay put, investigate other stranded travellers or set out for help. This story covers all those scenarios and all with different and sometimes gory results. A coming together of personalities that all have differing views on what is happening and what they should do to survive. Unfortunately for them someone or something has an agenda that is slowly revealed and it seems that all those involved have a common past thread they share. One by one they are picked off by various ways and means. Lots of blood,gore and suspense to keep you locked in a blood strewn psychological horror story. As the narrative moves on and hints of who is behind the killings is revealed you just keep wanting to know more. More of the reasons behind the storm, the killings and more importantly will anyone survive the night. Wonderfully gory, a fast reading pace and an author to check out for all lovers of things that go bump in the night or in this case in the snow storm.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for this gripping tale of supernatural and horror. Keep in mind that this a well-written fantasy that is divorced from anything that could occur in reality, I hope, so be prepared to suspend disbelief. This is a great scary winter tale while watching the snowbanks outside. 

The situation evokes my greatest winter fear. I live in the Atlantic Provinces in Canada where we can get some monstrous snowstorms. I recall a couple of past storms where the snowdrifts reached the tops of both doors and I was trapped inside for several days. The thoughts of being stranded in a vehicle keeps me off the highway in winter months. 

 The author writes an atmospheric story with images of a raging snowstorm with accompanying winds is vividly described and believable. A snowplow operator becomes stuck in the drifting snow. A trailer truck jackknifes across the highway behind him, and a row of vehicles become stuck behind with no way past. It is Christmas Eve and the people are anxious to get home to family and friends. When they realize that rescue is not coming anytime soon, their concern is finding shelter from the cold. Hypothermia is a worry. The snowplow driver has vanished. 

 As if the freezing cold and the howling blizzard are not enough, there are killer snowmen, an ugly, frightening Krampus, a roar perceived to be that of a banshee, an iceman carrying a bloody ice pick, visions of dead people from the characters’ past, and a ghost engaged in a diabolical game with humans as pawns. All are lurking about in the darkness, bringing fright, danger, and death. 

This is a well-written plot. The author develops a story that moves from quiet desperation to spine-tingling terror, and on to frenzied action and mayhem. The personalities of the stranded group of strangers make them believable. Soon the group starts to suspect that they all have a hidden connection hidden in their past. They have a hunch that they are not trapped here by coincidence but have been brought here by some fiendish plan. They are not even sure where they are anymore, as some highway landmarks are missing. 

 Some of the characters from the vehicles show outstanding resourcefulness and heroism, bordering on foolhardiness, others exhibit cowardice, selfishness, and treachery. Some have found warmth and shelter in an RV, while others chose to remain in their own vehicles. Both choices may have terrible outcomes.  On seeing a distant light from a house, two brave men decide to track through snowbanks up to their hips and waists hoping to call for rescue. Not a good idea!! Who, if any, will survive this very bad Christmas? 

 Recommended for readers who enjoy supernatural and horror, with added elements of over the top fantasy, and can settle down for a good scary winters’ tale.

Get Ready!   Thrilling And Chilling!

It's Christmas Eve and a blizzard is taking place and the snowplows are out trying to make it safe for all the travelers and last minute Christmas Shoppers.   One plow drver is working on the turnpike when suddenly the snow becomes so deep that his vehicle gets stuck and his radio and cell phone have also lost service so he is stranded for the moment.   Sometime later a tractor trailer jackknifes on the same turnpike leaving a line of several vehicles to become stranded behind him.   All the travellers have different reasons for driving in this snowstorm and many are not dressed appropriately for the horrible weather so some will band together to try to get warm and not lose their sanity or their lives in this particular and peculiar blizzard on Christmas. 

What makes this snowstorm so unpredictable and peculiar?   What happened to the snowplow driver?   Why would people not survive this blizzard?   Why is the book titled "Snowball"?   You must hurry and read this book now if you want to experience  a downright chilling atmospheric story!

This is how I like my horror stories, suspenseful, dark and gritty with a little fun thrown in.   Gregory Bastianelli has written the perfect book especially for a cold and wintry night but anytime of year would work for this very creepy and scary story.   I found this book deliciously satisfying and so full of wonderful details and description that I could feel the bone chill of the storm and the panic of the characters who were unlucky to be out on this most brutal night (in many different ways) of the year!

Many years ago, I experienced being caught in a blizzard on Christmas Eve and I thought I would never make it home!   It took 3 1/2 hours to travel what should have only taken 10-12 minutes.   An experience I will never forget, so this story brought back a lot of memories for me, but at least I made it home and so glad that I did not read this book before I had my experience! Lol.

I want to thank the author and the publisher, "Flame Tree Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this surreal horror book and any expressed opinions in this review are mine alonel

I highly recommend to all horror lovers and have given a rating of 4 1/2 Outstanding and Chilling 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 Stars!!

Title : Snowball

Author: Gregory Bastianelli

Genre: Horror

Rating :4

A group of motorists become stranded on a lonely stretch of highway during a Christmas Eve blizzard and fight for survival against an unnatural force in the storm. The gathered survivors realize a tenuous connection among them means it may not be a coincidence that they all ended up on this highway. An attempt to seek help leads a few of the travelers to a house in the woods where a twisted toymaker with a mystical snow globe is hell bent on playing deadly games with a group of people just trying to get home for the holidays. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launched in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.


My thoughts

Would I recommend it ? Yes

Will I read more by this author? Yes

I can't believe it took me this long to pick it up, as soon as I read the first couple of pages I was hooked, and i do have to say after reading this book that I'll at a snowman the same way ever again.It was the perfect read for a cold snowy day ,and that made it even more spooky .Not only that but it gives of vibes of these movies which I've seen bits and pieces of and after reading this I don't think I want to see them, and the movies are Krampus, Jack Frost and and a Christmas Horror Story. With that said I want to thank the Publishers as well as NetGalley for letting me read and review it.

Thanks for the chance to review this book. Very interesting thriller to read during the winter months. Kept me guessing and anxious to turn the page. I loved it. Great, great story!

A wild ride of a Christmas horror story. A group of travelers are stranded on a stretch of highway during a blizzard on Christmas Eve in New Hampshire. The travelers don't know each other and have ended up here due to various circumstances but they are all linked.

"What is your worst winter memory?"

The question seems to be an odd one when you consider the horrific circumstances.  And as the night and the blizzard draw on, the question and the responses become even more jarring with the events going on out in the snow. Someone or something is playing a deadly game with their lives.

This book has it all without being overly gory. Probably the scene most stuck in my brain is the first one with the snowmen... I will never be able to look at a snowman the same way again! Snowball is a must read for any horror fan! 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.