Adam Gray plans a family getaway to a secluded mountain cabin for the holidays, hoping it will bring everyone closer together. But things take a sinister turn when they discover a mysterious Christmas stocking hanging outside containing disturbing gifts.
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Each day, the stocking reappears no matter how hard Adam tries to get rid of it. As the family tries to flee in freezing temperatures, they begin to realize that they’re caught in a twisted game of survival.
25 Days stands out for its unique structure. Per Jacobsen wants readers to enjoy this book like an advent calendar by reading one chapter each day throughout December. While you can read it at your own pace, the concept is fun and leans into the seasonal atmosphere.
The story starts off strong, with early chapters delivering a genuinely creepy tone that set the mood perfectly. I enjoyed Jacobsen’s descriptive writing and genuinely felt immersed into the story. The vivid imagery and attention to detail really heightened the sense of tension.
I read this book over the course of two days and had I read it as intended, with one chapter a day, I think I would have been disappointed because of how repetitive and similar some of the chapters were. I believe this concept would’ve been perfect as a novella, but as a full-length novel, it loses momentum and edges into predictability, especially given the limited number of characters and development.
As mentioned previously, Jacobsen excels at crafting a chilling atmosphere, so when the book picks up, it’s action-packed and keeps you on your toes. Overall, 25 Days is an entertaining, atmospheric read for the holiday season. I’d recommend it to horror fans who are looking for something fun and don’t mind slower-paced stories. Get your copy on Amazon today.
25 Days by Per Jacobsen
Genre: Horror, Mystery/Thriller
Pages: 320
Rating: 3/5
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The concept of 25 Days sounds interesting, and I am all for a creepy story. However, I can see how the chapters can feel repetitive since the location is secluded, and you only have the family as the characters.
This book sounds compelling and I like the concept of reading one chapter a day for advent. It’s too bad it doesn’t really work for this particular book. Wonderful review Winnie.
Thank you for reading Jodie!