Krampus - Brom - A Short Summary and Review
Krampus - Brom - A Short Summary and Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
A Short Summary:
Krampus: The Yule Lord by Brom tells the story of Jesse Walker, a washed-up musician whose Christmas is already a disaster before he accidentally steals something that does not belong to him, a magical sack once carried by Krampus himself. Long ago betrayed and bound by St. Nicholas, Krampus has been stripped of his power and reduced to a shadow of the old pagan god he once was. Now, with Jesse unwillingly caught in the middle, an ancient rivalry reignites in the snow-covered hills of West Virginia.
What unfolds is not a simple battle between good and evil, but a layered exploration of myth and modernity. Brom reimagines the folklore of Krampus and Santa Claus, presenting them as relics of older, harsher traditions wrestling for survival in a world that has softened and commercialized Christmas. The result is dark, violent, strange, and unexpectedly thoughtful.
My Favorite Quote From the Book:
Questions to Ponder While Reading:
My Review:
Brom’s Krampus is not a cozy Christmas read. It is a dark little holiday tale filled with mud, blood, Appalachian grit, Norse myth, and the uncomfortable realization that legends are rarely as clean as we’ve made them.
At its core, this is the story of an underdog. Krampus, once a powerful Yule Lord rooted in ancient pagan tradition, claims he was betrayed by St. Nicholas, tricked, bound, and stripped of his rightful place. Brom paints him not as a mindless demon, but as a wronged god fighting to reclaim what he believes is his.
And here’s where the book gets interesting.
Just because someone is the underdog… are they always in the right? Brom forces that question quietly. Krampus may have been wronged. Santa may have rewritten history. But reclaiming power does not automatically equal righteousness. The moral lines blur, but they do not disappear entirely.
Jesse, the human caught in the middle, anchors the story. He is flawed, bitter, and beaten down by life. His arc mirrors the novel’s larger theme: dreams matter. Identity matters. What you believe about yourself shapes everything. The quote — “Your dreams are your spirit, your soul, and without them you are dead” — becomes the emotional spine of the story.
Visually, the novel is stunning. Brom’s illustrations elevate the experience. The depictions of Krampus and the Yule Lads feel ancient, feral, and dangerous. The artwork makes this book feel like an artifact rather than just a novel.
But make no mistake, this is dark fantasy. There is violence. There is crude humor. There are no polished Hallmark moments. And yet… I’m still on Team Santa.
Because while Brom complicates the mythology beautifully, there is something about St. Nick as a symbol of restraint, mercy, and order that feels… necessary. Krampus may have a grievance, but grievance alone does not sanctify rebellion.
If you enjoy folklore retellings, morally gray fantasy, illustrated novels, or darker Christmas stories that challenge tradition, Krampus is worth your time. It is rich, layered, and far more thoughtful than its premise might suggest. Just don’t read it expecting sleigh bells and cocoa.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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