The Christmas Chronicles: The Legend of Santa Claus

This is one of those cases where I wish Goodreads allowed half stars. I really give this book 3.5 stars. It's cute and creative, but not my cup of tea. Sometimes I felt there was too much explanation, other times I just said “why”?.... I should have expected a book about santa clause to be very unbelievable. It started as realistic with just a touch of magic. Around the halfway mark it left believable behind for the bizarre. Anna is killed by poisoned herbs only to be back by three wise men? That's where this book lost me. I could believe how Klaus and Anna met, I could believe the toys and the talking and flying reindeer. I could believe the north pole and the elves. I couldn't buy Anna's death and magic resurrection. I couldn't buy Anna's later injury and the loss of Dasher. I also couldn't buy the part where the guy turns into “fog” or “mist”. The first half deserved 4.5 stars, but the second half knocked it down.