The Christmas Chronicles The Legend of Santa Claus by Tim Slovner

Synopsis from Goodreads:  In this new holiday classic, Tim Slover crafts a marvelous, magical novel about how Santa Claus became the man he is today. After reading The Christmas Chronicles, you’ll believe all over again in the magic of the season.
 
Snow is falling, and the clock ticks toward midnight on Christmas Eve while countless children, too excited to sleep, anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus. But in Tim Slover’s deeply charming and utterly thrilling new novel, that’s the end rather than the beginning of the story. In this richly imagined tale of Santa’s origins, the man in full finally emerges. The Christmas Chronicles is at once an action-packed adventure, an inspiring story of commitment and faith, and a moving love story.

It all starts in 1343, when the child Klaus is orphaned and adopted by a craftsmen’s guild. The boy will grow to become a master woodworker with an infectious laugh and an unparalleled gift for making toys. His talent and generosity uniquely equip him to bestow hundreds of gifts on children at Christmas—and to court the delightful Anna, who enters his life on a sleigh driven by the reindeer Dasher and becomes his beloved wife.

Still, all is not snowfall and presents. Klaus will be shadowed by the envious Rolf Eckhof, who will stop at nothing to subvert him. But in the end, Santa’s magic is at last unleashed, flying reindeer come to his aid, and an epic battle between good and evil is waged in the frosty Christmas skies.


My thoughts:  I am the type of person who has to wait until after Thanksgiving to embrace the holiday season.  As soon as the Thanksgiving feast was finished and the leftovers packed away I grabbed a warm fuzzy blanket, a hot cup of tea and this book and made my first venture into the holiday season of 2010. 

This story was a delightful way to kick off the holiday season.  I could almost smell the peppermint in the air.  While the story is not geared for younger readers (it opens with the premise that Santa isn't real) it is a great little story for the older reader.  I would welcome you to pick up a copy and make it part of your holiday tradition.  It will renew your own belief in Santa.  


I'll be putting out the cookies on Christmas Eve along with my little monkey, will you?  If not, read The Christmas Chronicles and you just might change your mind.  


I received my copy of The Christmas Chronicles from the publicist in order to participate in this blog tour.  Receipt of the book did not affect my opinion of the story.