Books publishing news Erewhon Books Announces Twelve Dark Decembers by Alyssa Wees A dark historical fantasy arriving Fall 2027 By Reactor | Published on March 4, 2026 Photo credit: Frank Wees Comment 0 Share New Share Photo credit: Frank Wees We are pleased to announce the upcoming publication of Twelve Dark Decembers by Alyssa Wees, a dark historical fantasy based on the Krampus myth. Acquired by Editorial Director Diana Pho in a two-book deal, by Penelope Burns at Gelfman Schneider Literary Agency for World rights, Twelve Dark Decembers will be released by Erewhon Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing, in Fall 2027. They say Krampus is just a fairy tale. The dark inverse of merry old St. Nick, he haunts the houses of Bavaria on the night of December the fifth, punishing wicked children by beating them with his Ruten or dragging him up his mountain, where he swallows them whole.Ella Fürholzer has been told that she is too old to believe in fairy tales, but it is 1935 and her father, a journalist, has been violently arrested on charges of communism. She seeks out the horned demon of myth but he ignores her, even after she follows him to his castle made of ice. Krampus cannot help her—he only punishes those who still believe in him—but Ella’s courage and rage have opened a door to a dark, magical world that will widen as she grows. Unknowingly, she has tied her fate inextricably to his.Thus their tale begins. The novel follows Ella, her family, and her friends over the next twelve years, as they struggle to stay together—and to stay alive—during the time of Hitler’s Third Reich. Afraid for the safety of everyone she loves, including the boy who captured her heart when they were children, Ella will encounter monsters both ordinary and fantastical and undergo trials both familiar and otherworldly, until finally she is forced to decide if she will remain in a broken world of war and death, or leave it—and her humanity—behind. Author Alyssa Wees says: “Twelve Dark Decembers is my most ambitious book, and the one I love the most. A few years ago I would never have believed I had a Nazi Germany/WWII book in me. The research alone intimidated me so much that I almost gave up shortly after I began. But I’m so happy I pushed ahead with Ella and Krampus’s story, especially because it led to working with Diana Pho. She understands exactly what I want to convey through these characters and this place and time in history. Not only that, but she’s challenging me to thoughtfully and deeply explore the chipping away of one’s humanity, as well as what it takes for demons to find their humanity—either for the first time, or to claw back the humanity that was lost. Working with her is an absolute dream, and I can’t wait to welcome you to Krampus’s icy lair in 2027!” Editorial Director Diana M. Pho says: “The moment that Alyssa Wees’ version of Krampus appeared on the page, I felt a shiver run down my spine. Enraptured, I was pulled into this dark historical fantasy that feels all too relevant, as our communities struggle with the ethics of fighting back against the surrounding darkness in the US. What has really captured my heart is the blend of the magical with the small everyday heroics of her characters. This is a dark tale of resistance, humanity, and finding what hope may still be within our grasp—as long as we keep reaching. I’m so happy to have this special story with Erewhon Books.” Alyssa Wees is the acclaimed author of The Waking Forest, Nocturne, and We Shall Be Monsters. She grew up writing stories about her Beanie Babies in between ballet lessons. She earned a BA in English from Creighton University and an MFA in fiction writing from Columbia College Chicago. Currently she works as an assistant librarian in youth services at an awesome public library. She lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband and daughter. The post Erewhon Books Announces <i>Twelve Dark Decembers</i> by Alyssa Wees appeared first on Reactor.