Synopses & Reviews
From the author of the
New York Times bestselling Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, comes
Unholy Night, the next evolution in dark historical revisionism.
They're an iconic part of history's most celebrated birth. But what do we really know about the Three Kings of the Nativity, besides the fact that they followed a star to Bethlehem bearing strange gifts? The Bible has little to say about this enigmatic trio. But leave it to Seth Grahame-Smith, the brilliant and twisted mind behind Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to take a little mystery, bend a little history, and weave an epic tale.
In Grahame-Smith's telling, the so-called "Three Wise Men" are infamous thieves, led by the dark, murderous Balthazar. After a daring escape from Herod's prison, they stumble upon the famous manger and its newborn king. The last thing Balthazar needs is to be slowed down by young Joseph, Mary and their infant. But when Herod's men begin to slaughter the first born in Judea, he has no choice but to help them escape to Egypt.
It's the beginning of an adventure that will see them fight the last magical creatures of the Old Testament; cross paths with biblical figures like Pontius Pilate and John the Baptist; and finally deliver them to Egypt. It may just be the greatest story never told.
Review
"The genius of mashup revisionism (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) turns the Three Kings into escaped thieves who have come upon the glowy manger by accident. When Herod starts slaughtering the Innocents, the thieves reluctantly agree to help the Holy Family escape to Egypt. Doubtless some readers will be offended, but bound to be in demand." Library Journal
Review
"Three notorious villains protect a carpenter, his virgin wife and their newborn son as they flee the wrath of their Roman pursuers. Grahame-Smith (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, 2010, etc.) hones his writing chops in this latest take on history's mysteries." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Grahame-Smith manages to have great fun with this material while remaining (mostly) true to its original narrative. His Herod is truly a villain for the ages; Pilate, at 22, is already a conflicted truth-seeker. The Holy Family is depicted with warmth and humor. It's left to Balthazar, still guilty over the death of his little brother decades earlier, to bear the weight of modern cynicism and vengefulness, while remaining open to redemption. He also brandishes a mean sword... In Unholy Night, Grahame-Smith manages the neat trick of providing a satisfying and moving new ending to a story that has been recounted untold times.
The Washington Post
Synopsis
From the author of the New York Times bestselling Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, comes Unholy Night, the next evolution in dark historical revisionism.
They're an iconic part of history's most celebrated birth. But what do we really know about the Three Kings of the Nativity, besides the fact that they followed a star to Bethlehem bearing strange gifts? The Bible has little to say about this enigmatic trio. But leave it to Seth Grahame-Smith, the brilliant and twisted mind behind Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to take a little mystery, bend a little history, and weave an epic tale.
In Grahame-Smith's telling, the so-called "Three Wise Men" are infamous thieves, led by the dark, murderous Balthazar. After a daring escape from Herod's prison, they stumble upon the famous manger and its newborn king. The last thing Balthazar needs is to be slowed down by young Joseph, Mary and their infant. But when Herod's men begin to slaughter the first born in Judea, he has no choice but to help them escape to Egypt.
It's the beginning of an adventure that will see them fight the last magical creatures of the Old Testament; cross paths with biblical figures like Pontius Pilate and John the Baptist; and finally deliver them to Egypt. It may just be the greatest story never told.
About the Author
Seth Grahame-Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In addition to adapting the screenplay for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Seth also wrote Tim Burton's latest film, Dark Shadows. He lives in Los Angeles.