What do you think?
Rate this book
The Winter Box
It’s Todd and Heather’s twenty-first anniversary. A blizzard rages outside their home, but it’s far colder inside. Their marriage is falling apart, the love they once shared gone, in its place only bitter resentment. As the night wears on, strange things start to happen in their house—bad things. If they can work together, they might find a way to survive until morning…but only if they don’t open the Winter Box.
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2016
6 people are currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Tim Waggoner
282 books755 followersTim Waggoner's first novel came out in 2001, and since then, he's published over sixty novels and eight collections of short stories. He writes original dark fantasy and horror, as well as media tie-ins. He's written tie-in fiction based on Supernatural, The X-Files, Alien, Doctor Who, Conan the Barbarian, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Grimm, and Transformers, among others, and he's written novelizations for films such as Ti West’s X-Trilogy, Halloween Kills, Terrifier 2 and 3, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. He’s also the author of the award-winning guide to horror Writing in the Dark. He’s a four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, a one-time winner of the Scribe Award, and he’s been a two-time finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and a one-time finalist for the Splatterpunk Award. He’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews
June 27, 2017
Todd and Heather's marriage has been on the rocks for some time. When they get trapped at home with no power during a blizzard, they're forced to confront their problems by the terror that lurks within... the Winter Box!
Okay, I made The Winter Box sound like a Twilight Zone episode. I guess it could be but it's more like a ghost story/cautionary tale.
Todd and Heather have drifted apart over the years and the specter of divorce is lurking in the background. When they get snowed in, weird things start happening and they're forced to work on their marriage, though it may be too late.
The Winter Box is a chilling tale in many ways. The blizzard and power outage are the least so. Much more chilling is what they let happen to their marriage and the shitstorm emanating from the Winter Box.
I've said many times that ebooks have once again made the novella a viable form and this is a prime example. The Winter Box is a fantastic story. I can't say enough good things about it. Five out of five stars.
Okay, I made The Winter Box sound like a Twilight Zone episode. I guess it could be but it's more like a ghost story/cautionary tale.
Todd and Heather have drifted apart over the years and the specter of divorce is lurking in the background. When they get snowed in, weird things start happening and they're forced to work on their marriage, though it may be too late.
The Winter Box is a chilling tale in many ways. The blizzard and power outage are the least so. Much more chilling is what they let happen to their marriage and the shitstorm emanating from the Winter Box.
I've said many times that ebooks have once again made the novella a viable form and this is a prime example. The Winter Box is a fantastic story. I can't say enough good things about it. Five out of five stars.
March 23, 2016
4.5 stars!
THE WINTER BOX, by Tim Waggoner was a shorter novella that took me by complete surprise with the sheer depth of emotion and mental complexity it imparted. I didn't really know what to expect going into this one, but I ended it almost reluctantly--such was the intense connection I felt with the characters.
On the surface, THE WINTER BOX is about a couple, Heather and Todd, who have been married twenty-some years. Their anniversary plans end up getting cancelled by an unexpected, severe blizzard. Soon, the electricity goes out, and our married couple are left in front of their gas fireplace, each one realizing the brutal extent of how far apart they feel in their marriage. "Trapped" is more like it--figuratively, by their vows, and literally, by the snowstorm.
The story continues to get more evocative as the night goes on.
"She thought she was able to mask her emotions from him with relative ease, and he'd never disavowed her of the notion. He sometimes thought that's what love really was: helping to maintain your partner's illusions."
The winter box is merely a place where they've kept small mementos of their marriage--one added by each of them every year, except for the past two . . . that alone speaks more than any words could as to the state of their love for one another.
However, trinkets aren't the only things in the box this night . . .
The emotional depth of this book was simply outstanding. I honestly felt as though I knew Heather and Todd, and could see--and feel--exactly how far they had let themselves drift apart. This was such a poignant look at the decline of one couple's union and the events that had affected it throughout the years that I couldn't help caring about them, even when the characters themselves didn't: "She didn't feel sad. She didn't feel much of anything. She couldn't decide which was worse."
Then, there were the "other" things that the box let out for Heather and Todd to contend with . . .
By the time I'd reached the end of this novella, I was nearly numb myself from both a combination of the fantastically real descriptions of the penetrating wind and blizzard, and the strong emotional upheaval of the characters. I've read several books by Tim Waggoner now, and can say with confidence that he is an author I'll be eagerly awaiting more from.
Highly recommended!
*I received an e-copy of this novella through the publisher, DarkFuse, in exchange for an honest review.*
THE WINTER BOX, by Tim Waggoner was a shorter novella that took me by complete surprise with the sheer depth of emotion and mental complexity it imparted. I didn't really know what to expect going into this one, but I ended it almost reluctantly--such was the intense connection I felt with the characters.
On the surface, THE WINTER BOX is about a couple, Heather and Todd, who have been married twenty-some years. Their anniversary plans end up getting cancelled by an unexpected, severe blizzard. Soon, the electricity goes out, and our married couple are left in front of their gas fireplace, each one realizing the brutal extent of how far apart they feel in their marriage. "Trapped" is more like it--figuratively, by their vows, and literally, by the snowstorm.
The story continues to get more evocative as the night goes on.
"She thought she was able to mask her emotions from him with relative ease, and he'd never disavowed her of the notion. He sometimes thought that's what love really was: helping to maintain your partner's illusions."
The winter box is merely a place where they've kept small mementos of their marriage--one added by each of them every year, except for the past two . . . that alone speaks more than any words could as to the state of their love for one another.
However, trinkets aren't the only things in the box this night . . .
The emotional depth of this book was simply outstanding. I honestly felt as though I knew Heather and Todd, and could see--and feel--exactly how far they had let themselves drift apart. This was such a poignant look at the decline of one couple's union and the events that had affected it throughout the years that I couldn't help caring about them, even when the characters themselves didn't: "She didn't feel sad. She didn't feel much of anything. She couldn't decide which was worse."
Then, there were the "other" things that the box let out for Heather and Todd to contend with . . .
By the time I'd reached the end of this novella, I was nearly numb myself from both a combination of the fantastically real descriptions of the penetrating wind and blizzard, and the strong emotional upheaval of the characters. I've read several books by Tim Waggoner now, and can say with confidence that he is an author I'll be eagerly awaiting more from.
Highly recommended!
*I received an e-copy of this novella through the publisher, DarkFuse, in exchange for an honest review.*
July 13, 2022
2.5 stelle, parere neutro.
Il matrimonio dei protagonisti è messo a repentaglio da una brutta crisi di coppia; mentre Todd sente che ormai è andato tutto in malora, Heather tenta disperatamente di salvare la baracca. Per questo Heather ha organizzato una serata speciale per il loro ventunesimo anniversario, per ricordare a entrambi quanto sia stato importante il loro amore. Ma una forte tormenta obbliga la coppia a passare la notte barricati in casa anziché a teatro... Ed è tra quelle quattro mura, sempre più fredde e inospitale, che i protagonisti si ritroveranno faccia a faccia proprio con quella cosetta che, seppur in modi diversi, hanno tentato di ignorare per troppo tempo: lo spettro dei loro problemi coniugali.
The Winter Box inizia con un cliché del genere: i nostri protagonisti sono sul ciglio del burrone del divorzio. Quante opere horror iniziano con una crisi di coppia? Tantissime; sono giusto leggermente meno numerose di quelle che partono con un lutto recente di un parente prossimo. Ma The Winter Box si distacca dalla massa proponendo una versione insolita di questo topos.
Infatti Heather e Todd non si ritrovano a dover fare fronte comune contro un nemico esterno, no, il pericolo viene direttamente dalle loro teste, dai sogni infranti, dal peso degli anni, dalle ceneri di una passione che li ha legati per più di un ventennio. Dai loro cuori che esigono lo scotto per le promesse non mantenute e l'impegno mancato.
Ma se da un lato The Winter Box tenta con successo di proporre qualcusa di nuovo, dall'altro ci sono tanti piccoli problemi che affosano l'opera.
Lo stile di Waggoner è diretto e pulito, ma manca di personalità e non coinvolge molto; di per sé non sarebbe neanche un gran male, se il ritmo fosse più serrato e/o ci fossero più dettagli interessanti ad attirare l'attenzione del lettore... Ma in un racconto come questo, con molti punti di quiete statica, lo stile rende tutto lento e a tratti noiosetto.
Non aiutano i due protagonisti, Heather e Todd: coinvolgono poco, e ciò è particolarmente grave in un'opera così incentrata sulle emozioni dei personaggi. L'autore non riesce a presentarceli come si deve, non riesce a farceli conoscere anche se le menti di questi due non stanno mai zitte. Forse anche per questo, la fine di The Winter Box giunge improvvisa e anticlimatica, lasciando un senso di vuoto.
Tirando le somme, The Winter Box ha una sequenza di buone idee che lo rendono un'opera interessante, ma non aspettatevi un capolavoro.
Il matrimonio dei protagonisti è messo a repentaglio da una brutta crisi di coppia; mentre Todd sente che ormai è andato tutto in malora, Heather tenta disperatamente di salvare la baracca. Per questo Heather ha organizzato una serata speciale per il loro ventunesimo anniversario, per ricordare a entrambi quanto sia stato importante il loro amore. Ma una forte tormenta obbliga la coppia a passare la notte barricati in casa anziché a teatro... Ed è tra quelle quattro mura, sempre più fredde e inospitale, che i protagonisti si ritroveranno faccia a faccia proprio con quella cosetta che, seppur in modi diversi, hanno tentato di ignorare per troppo tempo: lo spettro dei loro problemi coniugali.
The Winter Box inizia con un cliché del genere: i nostri protagonisti sono sul ciglio del burrone del divorzio. Quante opere horror iniziano con una crisi di coppia? Tantissime; sono giusto leggermente meno numerose di quelle che partono con un lutto recente di un parente prossimo. Ma The Winter Box si distacca dalla massa proponendo una versione insolita di questo topos.
Infatti Heather e Todd non si ritrovano a dover fare fronte comune contro un nemico esterno, no, il pericolo viene direttamente dalle loro teste, dai sogni infranti, dal peso degli anni, dalle ceneri di una passione che li ha legati per più di un ventennio. Dai loro cuori che esigono lo scotto per le promesse non mantenute e l'impegno mancato.
Ma se da un lato The Winter Box tenta con successo di proporre qualcusa di nuovo, dall'altro ci sono tanti piccoli problemi che affosano l'opera.
Lo stile di Waggoner è diretto e pulito, ma manca di personalità e non coinvolge molto; di per sé non sarebbe neanche un gran male, se il ritmo fosse più serrato e/o ci fossero più dettagli interessanti ad attirare l'attenzione del lettore... Ma in un racconto come questo, con molti punti di quiete statica, lo stile rende tutto lento e a tratti noiosetto.
Non aiutano i due protagonisti, Heather e Todd: coinvolgono poco, e ciò è particolarmente grave in un'opera così incentrata sulle emozioni dei personaggi. L'autore non riesce a presentarceli come si deve, non riesce a farceli conoscere anche se le menti di questi due non stanno mai zitte. Forse anche per questo, la fine di The Winter Box giunge improvvisa e anticlimatica, lasciando un senso di vuoto.
Tirando le somme, The Winter Box ha una sequenza di buone idee che lo rendono un'opera interessante, ma non aspettatevi un capolavoro.
July 29, 2016
*3.5 Stars*
A winter storm that has trapped everyone in their homes for the night. An unhappily married couple struggling to keep up appearances to each other even though they both know it's been a futile effort for years. Biting cold that seems to get worse by the minute. And an unassuming box that might hold more than just relationship memorabilia.
The stage is well set as the book begins; the atmosphere quickly and effectively developed. I loved the idea of telling what is essentially a simple story of a couple trying to save their marriage, and wrapping it in the trappings of a creepy horror tale. And I think it fits well in the DarkFuse line-up, with much of the book reminiscent of some of Greg F. Gifune's atmospheric work. But, the plot development here just didn't feel fully-conceived. I didn't get the sense that there was anything special about this anniversary night in particular that makes the time right for these events to happen, and I also didn't really understand what the importance of the winter box was as a plot point, although I understood it's thematic significance. All of the good ideas and concepts are there but it seemed like the second half of the book needed to be revisited to make it tighter, stronger, and more fully realized. And with that, this book's solid ending would have even more of an emotional pay-off. There's some good stuff in this one, enough for me to enjoy it, but it didn't feel fully accomplished.
A winter storm that has trapped everyone in their homes for the night. An unhappily married couple struggling to keep up appearances to each other even though they both know it's been a futile effort for years. Biting cold that seems to get worse by the minute. And an unassuming box that might hold more than just relationship memorabilia.
The stage is well set as the book begins; the atmosphere quickly and effectively developed. I loved the idea of telling what is essentially a simple story of a couple trying to save their marriage, and wrapping it in the trappings of a creepy horror tale. And I think it fits well in the DarkFuse line-up, with much of the book reminiscent of some of Greg F. Gifune's atmospheric work. But, the plot development here just didn't feel fully-conceived. I didn't get the sense that there was anything special about this anniversary night in particular that makes the time right for these events to happen, and I also didn't really understand what the importance of the winter box was as a plot point, although I understood it's thematic significance. All of the good ideas and concepts are there but it seemed like the second half of the book needed to be revisited to make it tighter, stronger, and more fully realized. And with that, this book's solid ending would have even more of an emotional pay-off. There's some good stuff in this one, enough for me to enjoy it, but it didn't feel fully accomplished.
Want to read
June 14, 2017This mini hardcover is number 95 of 100 signed and numbered copies , signed by Tim Waggoner.
March 20, 2016
I suspect that anyone who has been married for some length or in a long-term relationship will find plenty to relate to, perhaps uncomfortably so, in Tim Waggoner’s latest novella, The Winter Box.
Waggoner does a beautiful job of taking a twenty-plus year long marriage and casting it at the center of a ghost story. After so long together, Todd and Heather’s union has hit a snag. Neither will speak the dreaded D-word, even if both think it, and Todd oftentimes finds himself deliberately putting distance, both physically and emotionally, between he and his wife. Stuck in a cabin during a blizzard, the two are forced to admit the emotions they’ve kept buried and examine the deep wounds running beneath the scars they’ve bandaged over in all their years together.
I have to admit, I’m a bit of a sucker for horror stories that put weather extremes, particularly the blustery snow-driven cold, smack dab in the middle of the narrative. There’s just something about the winter freeze and thick, icy haze that lends itself particularly well to horror, and I’m a big fan of these types of stories. Even more so when, as Waggoner capably demonstrates, these freaky storms help to thematically echo the human plight.
Todd wants to escape, but can’t. The marriage, on the eve of their anniversary, is as cold and barren as the wintry landscape confining them to their cabin. These are people who want but can’t have, even if neither quite knows what it is that they want or how to obtain it.
And then the ghosts. Oh yeah, the ghosts. There’s an extra bit of fun right there, and Waggoner does just as well making that element as inhospitable and challenging for the couple as he does the elemental conditions they’re stuck in. For such a short read at only 50 pages or so, Waggoner packs in a lot of story, and this is a read that just sails by nicely. Or, you know, not so nicely as it were. Marriage is a hard enough job to maintain and survive, and to do so in the worst of conditions…good luck!
I haven’t read much of Waggoner’s work, but every time I finish one of his stories I’m always left wanting to buy more of his work. The Winter Box is a great reminder of why that is.
[Note: I received a copy of this novella from the DarkFuse Book Club.]
Waggoner does a beautiful job of taking a twenty-plus year long marriage and casting it at the center of a ghost story. After so long together, Todd and Heather’s union has hit a snag. Neither will speak the dreaded D-word, even if both think it, and Todd oftentimes finds himself deliberately putting distance, both physically and emotionally, between he and his wife. Stuck in a cabin during a blizzard, the two are forced to admit the emotions they’ve kept buried and examine the deep wounds running beneath the scars they’ve bandaged over in all their years together.
I have to admit, I’m a bit of a sucker for horror stories that put weather extremes, particularly the blustery snow-driven cold, smack dab in the middle of the narrative. There’s just something about the winter freeze and thick, icy haze that lends itself particularly well to horror, and I’m a big fan of these types of stories. Even more so when, as Waggoner capably demonstrates, these freaky storms help to thematically echo the human plight.
Todd wants to escape, but can’t. The marriage, on the eve of their anniversary, is as cold and barren as the wintry landscape confining them to their cabin. These are people who want but can’t have, even if neither quite knows what it is that they want or how to obtain it.
And then the ghosts. Oh yeah, the ghosts. There’s an extra bit of fun right there, and Waggoner does just as well making that element as inhospitable and challenging for the couple as he does the elemental conditions they’re stuck in. For such a short read at only 50 pages or so, Waggoner packs in a lot of story, and this is a read that just sails by nicely. Or, you know, not so nicely as it were. Marriage is a hard enough job to maintain and survive, and to do so in the worst of conditions…good luck!
I haven’t read much of Waggoner’s work, but every time I finish one of his stories I’m always left wanting to buy more of his work. The Winter Box is a great reminder of why that is.
[Note: I received a copy of this novella from the DarkFuse Book Club.]
May 1, 2016
This was the ninth book by Tim I have read. The Winter Box is a ghost story centered around a couple( Todd & Heather) that have been married over twenty years. It was their anniversary today but they cancelled their plans because of the blizzard. Every year on their anniversary they put something in this Winter Box that has some meaning of them and their marriage. The power goes out and all they have left is the gas fireplace. It starts getting colder in the house and strange things start to happen. I'll stop here, don't want to say too much. This was well written, had a eerie feel and a good flow. This was a very good quick read. I gave The Winter Box 4 stars.
I received an e-arc of this book from DarkFuse in exchange for an honest review.
I received an e-arc of this book from DarkFuse in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2016
A very good short short from Tim Waggoner. A marriage deteriorated. Youth lost. Love worn down. Memories locked away in The Winter Box.
Tim does a great job with this one. You can feel the biting frost throughout this one and there isn’t a thaw in sight.
Tim does a great job with this one. You can feel the biting frost throughout this one and there isn’t a thaw in sight.
May 5, 2016
I received an advance copy of this title from the publisher, Darkfuse, in exchange for an honest review. Darkfuse, as I have said many times before, is a great source for horror and dark fiction that is deeper and more literary (and at times disturbing) than most other in this genre.
I thought this was an interesting novel. The premise is quite original. I have read in other places (I think it was Jim Thompson but that may be because I have been reading him a lot recently) that we tend to think of ourselves frozen in a particular time until we move on in our own mind. We do this several times in our life. A person will internalize of the 21 year old version of himself for about 20 years. Then he will adopt and try to project a 40 year old version until he gets too old to hold vision even in his own mind. We only go through about 4 internal versions of ourselves in our life and we only change, I guess, when we look in the mirror and don’t recognize the person staring back.
In The Winter Box we have a box that holds momentos of prior versions of a marriage. One that has fallen on hard times, both emotionally and physically. This trove contains items that represent memories and symbolic reminders of an earlier version of the marriage. And memories can be powerful.
What if one day you woke up, let’s say at the age of 40, and were confronted by the 21 year old you. He wanted to know how you screwed him up so badly and became what you are now. And he is very angry. And he wants to hurt you.
This is that type of story.
4 stars.
I thought this was an interesting novel. The premise is quite original. I have read in other places (I think it was Jim Thompson but that may be because I have been reading him a lot recently) that we tend to think of ourselves frozen in a particular time until we move on in our own mind. We do this several times in our life. A person will internalize of the 21 year old version of himself for about 20 years. Then he will adopt and try to project a 40 year old version until he gets too old to hold vision even in his own mind. We only go through about 4 internal versions of ourselves in our life and we only change, I guess, when we look in the mirror and don’t recognize the person staring back.
In The Winter Box we have a box that holds momentos of prior versions of a marriage. One that has fallen on hard times, both emotionally and physically. This trove contains items that represent memories and symbolic reminders of an earlier version of the marriage. And memories can be powerful.
What if one day you woke up, let’s say at the age of 40, and were confronted by the 21 year old you. He wanted to know how you screwed him up so badly and became what you are now. And he is very angry. And he wants to hurt you.
This is that type of story.
4 stars.
February 8, 2021
How shameful on my part that I didn’t even have this on my radar until Friday of last week (Feb 5). I connected with Tim some time ago and have read a few of his works (even been fortunate enough to have him blurb one of my books!) but for some reason, this release completely escaped me. It wasn’t until Tim posted a really well done blog about award season and nominations that I discovered it and dove in.
(Look before you message me with ridicule and shame – Tim’s had a wonderful career, with a number of releases that could’ve easily have won the Stoker at that time!)
This was a no-brainer for me to jump into – cold weather fiction? Yes, please!
What I liked: The story follows a married couple, Todd and Heather, trying to come to terms with how their marriage has ended up as it has and where did it take a turn towards two people who tolerate each other, when a blizzard hits.
From here, Waggoner crafts a stunning chilled, supernatural story. One thing I always love about really well done novellas, is when we get 300+ pages of story in 50-75 pages, which is what Tim does here. We get character depth with back story aplenty and from this we really begin to formulate how we feel about each of these two, even as events begin to unfold.
I loved when the two begin to realize that they’ve each been experiencing odd moments and that it’s interconnected. Waggoner really did a fantastic job of letting things dawn on each of them and by that point their reactions felt so true, from how well Tim had breathed life into these two characters.
The ending. Wow. I wasn’t expecting that and even though it was a really dark moment, it definitely had a glimmer like sun does on a fresh snow fall.
What I didn’t like: Irrational now, but at the beginning I wasn’t a big fan of how the characters interacted. It was their anniversary after all, but that soon gets pushed aside when details are revealed.
Why you should buy this: ‘The Winter Box’ shows just why Waggoner is so well respected and has had such a long and storied career. This was a masterclass in dread and tension while using very minimal parts. Every aspect of this story felt bigger and more expanded than was offered, which is a testament to Tim’s ability.
I loved this one and, while it took me far too long to discover it, am thankful that I did.
Outstanding work.
(Look before you message me with ridicule and shame – Tim’s had a wonderful career, with a number of releases that could’ve easily have won the Stoker at that time!)
This was a no-brainer for me to jump into – cold weather fiction? Yes, please!
What I liked: The story follows a married couple, Todd and Heather, trying to come to terms with how their marriage has ended up as it has and where did it take a turn towards two people who tolerate each other, when a blizzard hits.
From here, Waggoner crafts a stunning chilled, supernatural story. One thing I always love about really well done novellas, is when we get 300+ pages of story in 50-75 pages, which is what Tim does here. We get character depth with back story aplenty and from this we really begin to formulate how we feel about each of these two, even as events begin to unfold.
I loved when the two begin to realize that they’ve each been experiencing odd moments and that it’s interconnected. Waggoner really did a fantastic job of letting things dawn on each of them and by that point their reactions felt so true, from how well Tim had breathed life into these two characters.
The ending. Wow. I wasn’t expecting that and even though it was a really dark moment, it definitely had a glimmer like sun does on a fresh snow fall.
What I didn’t like: Irrational now, but at the beginning I wasn’t a big fan of how the characters interacted. It was their anniversary after all, but that soon gets pushed aside when details are revealed.
Why you should buy this: ‘The Winter Box’ shows just why Waggoner is so well respected and has had such a long and storied career. This was a masterclass in dread and tension while using very minimal parts. Every aspect of this story felt bigger and more expanded than was offered, which is a testament to Tim’s ability.
I loved this one and, while it took me far too long to discover it, am thankful that I did.
Outstanding work.
March 19, 2016
Heather and Todd have been together nearly a quarter of a century and have plans for sushi and "Phantom", but a blizzard cancels those plans. They end up at home with crackers and nothing on On Demand and wind up not very happy with their remaining choices. Then the power goes out.
Tim Waggoner gently steers the reader down a path of horror that gets worse with twist the story takes. By the time I reached the end, I was in tears.
I highly recommend this novella. I received my copy from the publisher at DarkFuse.
Tim Waggoner gently steers the reader down a path of horror that gets worse with twist the story takes. By the time I reached the end, I was in tears.
I highly recommend this novella. I received my copy from the publisher at DarkFuse.
September 30, 2017
4.5 Stars
This is a fantastic novella by Tim Waggoner that reads like a Graham Joyce adult fairytale.
This is a fantastic novella by Tim Waggoner that reads like a Graham Joyce adult fairytale.
December 22, 2016
The winter box was an antique wooden box purchased by Heather when her and Todd were first together and they would put one object in the box on their anniversary that represents something about their relationship. Twenty one years later, their relationship is in peril of collapsing. Snowed in on their anniversary, they're close to throwing in the towel when an outside force reveals how bad life can be apart.
The Winter Box has a nice atmosphere and Waggoner has an easy writing style, but somewhere along the line it doesn't fully deliver. There's not much in the way of scares and the reason why the events take place is fuzzy and never really explained. The story kind of comes off as a derivative of A Christmas Carol for relationships. However, it still shows promise and doesn't discourage me to check out more of Waggoner's work.
3 white out blizzards out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
The Winter Box has a nice atmosphere and Waggoner has an easy writing style, but somewhere along the line it doesn't fully deliver. There's not much in the way of scares and the reason why the events take place is fuzzy and never really explained. The story kind of comes off as a derivative of A Christmas Carol for relationships. However, it still shows promise and doesn't discourage me to check out more of Waggoner's work.
3 white out blizzards out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
March 25, 2016
3.5 stars.
I had a hard time rating this one. I like the way that Tim Waggoner writes. I really liked the last book I read by him, The Last Mile, but The Winter Box didn't do it for me.
There are some aspects of this book that I really liked, but I didn't care for the general premise. I found the cheesy-turned-supernatural Winter Box to be a bit over the top. I didn't feel any sympathy for the characters because other than the fact that they were once young (like everyone else) and that they have physical characteristics, I didn't know anything about them. I do think this has the potential to be a great novel with a little more depth and a lot more expounding on the key parts of the story. I did love the ending which is why I gave it an extra half-star.
I received this e-book as a member of DarkFuse and this is my honest review.
I had a hard time rating this one. I like the way that Tim Waggoner writes. I really liked the last book I read by him, The Last Mile, but The Winter Box didn't do it for me.
There are some aspects of this book that I really liked, but I didn't care for the general premise. I found the cheesy-turned-supernatural Winter Box to be a bit over the top. I didn't feel any sympathy for the characters because other than the fact that they were once young (like everyone else) and that they have physical characteristics, I didn't know anything about them. I do think this has the potential to be a great novel with a little more depth and a lot more expounding on the key parts of the story. I did love the ending which is why I gave it an extra half-star.
I received this e-book as a member of DarkFuse and this is my honest review.
December 10, 2020
My first time reading Waggoner and I really dig his straightforward writing style. I know some people are howling about the characterisation but I thought it was spot on for a jaded, pre-divorce couple. I was having a great time with this story until around the 80% mark when it was revealed that their weird encounters with the younger version of their respective spouse were just a dream. That stopped me cold. Still, Waggoner nailed the ending and brought me back to the fold.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
I didn't hate this but at certain points I was SURE it was going to go in a different direction. Heather climbing through the objects of their relationship and trying to free herself from being caught in them reads to me like someone trying to get over the memories of their relationship and move on. Also the story treats them as if they both neglected the relationship when Todd cheats on Heather and Heather just...consensually asked if they want an open relationship. Like I get the jealousy but jeez Todd. Also, I do think it over-explains a bit. There was a metaphor with the fire I thought was kinda neat and then the story went and told me it to make sure I got it (and this happened a few times). Just a few rambling thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2020
Read on my Kindle. HOWLS read for the week, but it's short so I finished it quick. I tend to not entirely relate to angsty relationship problems in books, often times thinking "Just talk to one another, jeez" or "Break it off and move on with your damn lives". This time is no different.
Both sides of this couple annoyed me in ways I cannot seem to explain. You have the stereotypical "emotional female" and "logical man" who won't communicate with one another. The first half of this story is them brooding inside of their own heads, rather than using their time alone to talk it out.
Really not a lot to like about this to be honest - but I'm giving two stars because it's cold outside here too and the monster part of it was pretty neat. So, cool concept, poor execution.
Both sides of this couple annoyed me in ways I cannot seem to explain. You have the stereotypical "emotional female" and "logical man" who won't communicate with one another. The first half of this story is them brooding inside of their own heads, rather than using their time alone to talk it out.
Really not a lot to like about this to be honest - but I'm giving two stars because it's cold outside here too and the monster part of it was pretty neat. So, cool concept, poor execution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2016
Heather and Todd are snowed in on their anniversary, so Heather pulls out "The Winter Box", a box of mementos they have added to almost every year of their relationship. She's hoping for a trip down memory lane, but Todd is not in the mood. It is obvious right away that there are problems in the relationship, but we don't come to fully understand the depths of them until the details are revealed gradually throughout the story.
The details of what transpires between Todd and Heather after that, which I won't go into so as not to spoil anything, is imaginative and well-executed. The sense of hopelessness and despair coming off each of them is very real and heartbreaking. Tim writes very well, and the prose was smooth and polished.
There aren't many negatives here, but one minor one is that I felt like it got a bit preachy towards the end about relationships. I think the point was well-made within the context of the story, but then it is outright stated in a pretty unsubtle fashion towards the end, and it really wasn't necessary. I'm also not sure I fully understand the link between the seemingly supernatural events that transpired and the box, though it is at least hinted at. It just seemed thin to me.
I liked the ending, though I did see it coming, which is not always the case for me. Overall, I definitely recommend this one. There's a lot of depth and emotion for such a short story.
The details of what transpires between Todd and Heather after that, which I won't go into so as not to spoil anything, is imaginative and well-executed. The sense of hopelessness and despair coming off each of them is very real and heartbreaking. Tim writes very well, and the prose was smooth and polished.
There aren't many negatives here, but one minor one is that I felt like it got a bit preachy towards the end about relationships. I think the point was well-made within the context of the story, but then it is outright stated in a pretty unsubtle fashion towards the end, and it really wasn't necessary. I'm also not sure I fully understand the link between the seemingly supernatural events that transpired and the box, though it is at least hinted at. It just seemed thin to me.
I liked the ending, though I did see it coming, which is not always the case for me. Overall, I definitely recommend this one. There's a lot of depth and emotion for such a short story.
April 2, 2016
A short love story under the disguise of horror. What happens when you question the relationship of the one you thought you would share you life with forever? Todd has grown tired and complacent with Heather and she in her turn does little to try to stop the breakdown of their teenage love. Both have indulged in random pointless affairs and yet both refuse to have a conversation that includes the D word.
When Heather produces an old winter box that contains precious memories from each year they have spent together, strange dreams and happenings occur. The cold, the snow, the illusions all add to a strange and yet enjoyable tale that attempts to mend the cracks in a broken marriage....."It wasn't just him, though. The same thing had happened to Heather, if to a lesser degree, but that was no excuse. Each partner was expected to do his or her share of the heavy lifting in the relationship, and neither of them had done any for a long time, him more so than her."
The story has a surprisingly good and very relevant ending which brings all the strands of this sad tale to a somewhat unexpected but suitable conclusion.
When Heather produces an old winter box that contains precious memories from each year they have spent together, strange dreams and happenings occur. The cold, the snow, the illusions all add to a strange and yet enjoyable tale that attempts to mend the cracks in a broken marriage....."It wasn't just him, though. The same thing had happened to Heather, if to a lesser degree, but that was no excuse. Each partner was expected to do his or her share of the heavy lifting in the relationship, and neither of them had done any for a long time, him more so than her."
The story has a surprisingly good and very relevant ending which brings all the strands of this sad tale to a somewhat unexpected but suitable conclusion.
July 26, 2016
A feuding couple's strange night by the fireplace during a blizzard and centering on a Pandora's box of mementoes. I liked it and recommend it.
May 1, 2018
This book won the Bram Stoker award and I’m sure it deserved it. It’s really good, maybe even special.
July 31, 2020
Not much to see here.
Starts off well, develops quickly, then the paranormal things started to happen and it lost me as well as the focus.
Starts off well, develops quickly, then the paranormal things started to happen and it lost me as well as the focus.
February 15, 2025
What started out as a wedding anniversary night full of excitement (ok FULL is a stretch), ended with a closer-to-divorce-than-married couple (Heather & Todd) being snowed in and forced them to be in each other’s company more than either wanted. But that's not a spoiler, not even close.
The Winter Box takes Heather & Todd down a bone-chilling cold reminder of where their marriage had been. But it was also a great reminder for all married couples that marriage isn’t easy. It’s not all sunshine and unicorns. That there will be a LOT of snow-filled days where it feels as if the cold could snap the relationship apart.
The questions facing Heather & Todd are the same ones that every relationship will face. Do you focus on the little day-to-day annoyances that can cause cracks in the foundation? Or are you willing to do whatever it takes to keep the relationship alive.
The Winter Box takes Heather & Todd down a bone-chilling cold reminder of where their marriage had been. But it was also a great reminder for all married couples that marriage isn’t easy. It’s not all sunshine and unicorns. That there will be a LOT of snow-filled days where it feels as if the cold could snap the relationship apart.
The questions facing Heather & Todd are the same ones that every relationship will face. Do you focus on the little day-to-day annoyances that can cause cracks in the foundation? Or are you willing to do whatever it takes to keep the relationship alive.
The words were promises. Of love, yes, but much more than that. Of partnership. Of support. Of a bond that only seemed deep at the beginning, but which could grow far deeper in time. If tended to, cared for, and honored. It had been a long time since he had done any of those things, and the realization filled him with shame, sorrow, and regret.
Each partner was expected to do his or her share of the heavy lifting in the relationship, and neither of them had done any for a long time, him more so than her.
November 15, 2017
In The Winter Box, a box of tiny treasures commemorates special moments between a married couple. But as the years have weathered the relationship, the box becomes a device to taunt them, point out how they've failed each other.
Waggoner's prose is descriptive in a wonderful way, leaving the reader bitterly cold. The opening scene lends an air of suspense to an ordinary anniversary night. Plans are dashed by an unusual storm. While this couple has lost their initial spark of love, they've decided to keep trying.
At times, the story grows heavy with more telling how the characters feel rather than showing. There are some intriguing relationship strains hinted at that would have been interesting to witness as a reader rather than hear a report from the character.
The story's terror blows in with a biting wind, but loses a bit of metaphor by spelling out the Winter Box's dark purpose. Near the end, the story slid into moralizing which seemed out of place with the psychological horror and magical realism.
An intriguing story overall - I would definitely read more by this author.
Waggoner's prose is descriptive in a wonderful way, leaving the reader bitterly cold. The opening scene lends an air of suspense to an ordinary anniversary night. Plans are dashed by an unusual storm. While this couple has lost their initial spark of love, they've decided to keep trying.
At times, the story grows heavy with more telling how the characters feel rather than showing. There are some intriguing relationship strains hinted at that would have been interesting to witness as a reader rather than hear a report from the character.
The story's terror blows in with a biting wind, but loses a bit of metaphor by spelling out the Winter Box's dark purpose. Near the end, the story slid into moralizing which seemed out of place with the psychological horror and magical realism.
An intriguing story overall - I would definitely read more by this author.
July 7, 2017
This story had an interesting premise and was fairly well executed, but left me unsatisfied. As many others have noted, it has the feel of a Twilight Zone episode, which isn't a bad thing for me, however, TZ episodes either seem to show characters their own flaws so they can change them, or let characters play their faults out to an eventual hell of their own making. Neither seems true for this story. The characters begin with a relationship which is essentially dead and after enduring this unnatural assault, concludes... well I don't want to spoil the ending, but it feels to me like their fate was sealed before page 1, which makes the journey to the end a futile labor.
January 14, 2021
Because of certain elements (like the very abrupt ending) this story has I would have guessed it is the work of a beginner writer, but apparently not. I am assuming it just wasn't edited.
The idea behind it is certainly unique and interesting and it would have merited a longer novel. I was in the mood for some winter horror, and this is a cold and snowy story, just not long enough to let you really bite into it.
The idea behind it is certainly unique and interesting and it would have merited a longer novel. I was in the mood for some winter horror, and this is a cold and snowy story, just not long enough to let you really bite into it.
December 11, 2020
Meh
This is an interesting concept that might be better suited to a longer format. The novelette length of this story, and if I’m being honest the mediocre prose, didn’t really get me invested in the characters or their experiences. There were some cool moments, but sadly they felt like punctuation in a stream of boredom. This short book just didn’t really resonate with me.
This is an interesting concept that might be better suited to a longer format. The novelette length of this story, and if I’m being honest the mediocre prose, didn’t really get me invested in the characters or their experiences. There were some cool moments, but sadly they felt like punctuation in a stream of boredom. This short book just didn’t really resonate with me.
July 23, 2024
Tim Wagoner's novella is an emotional and harrowing read. Some nice concepts and very relatable characters contribute to its power. And the best thing about it is it isn't predictable.
The ending is poignant and well-written.
The ending is poignant and well-written.
November 20, 2020
I enjoyed it, quick easy read. I recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 42 reviews