haleyrae5566's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved Come Lady Death by Peter S. Beagle.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
4.0
Unnatural Creatures is a collection of short stories compiled by Neil Gaiman. From werewolves to cockatoucans - there's a lot of variety in this volume to interest readers. And whilst I found the stories entertaining, what I loved most about this book was the personal touches. Before each story, Gaiman gives a brief synopsis of the author and why he included the story in this book. The illustrations which accompanied the tales added perfectly to the reading experience.
It is clear upon reading Unnatural Creatures that each story was selected with care. Most compilations I've read contain stories which have no apparently relation to the others but in this book - whilst the tales are independent, they each feel as if they belong in the same compilation as the others included.
Each of the sixteen stories give something different. I had my favourites amongst them with Diana Wynne Jones' tale about gods, a missing Sage, and invisible dragons being the one I liked most. Gaiman himself contributed a story about a Sunbird and there is even a story with a completely unpronounceable title made up of a cartoon instead. I loved the inclusion of the cartoon story and never realized before just how creepy a plain and simple black dot could be ...
I was surprised by the variety of the authors. Some of the stories in this book were first written a hundred years ago with others being relatively recent in comparison. This is a compilation like no other - the diverse backgrounds of authors, the creatures which they wrote about and the era in which they were written all add to the dark and fantastical vibe.
Mythology, horror and the supernatural - Unnatural Creatures is a short story compilation with vast appeal. With a wide range of creatures and authors, I feel this is a book which will interest fantasy fans, young and old alike.
It is clear upon reading Unnatural Creatures that each story was selected with care. Most compilations I've read contain stories which have no apparently relation to the others but in this book - whilst the tales are independent, they each feel as if they belong in the same compilation as the others included.
Each of the sixteen stories give something different. I had my favourites amongst them with Diana Wynne Jones' tale about gods, a missing Sage, and invisible dragons being the one I liked most. Gaiman himself contributed a story about a Sunbird and there is even a story with a completely unpronounceable title made up of a cartoon instead. I loved the inclusion of the cartoon story and never realized before just how creepy a plain and simple black dot could be ...
I was surprised by the variety of the authors. Some of the stories in this book were first written a hundred years ago with others being relatively recent in comparison. This is a compilation like no other - the diverse backgrounds of authors, the creatures which they wrote about and the era in which they were written all add to the dark and fantastical vibe.
Mythology, horror and the supernatural - Unnatural Creatures is a short story compilation with vast appeal. With a wide range of creatures and authors, I feel this is a book which will interest fantasy fans, young and old alike.
crhurlbert's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
luna_rondo's review against another edition
2.0
There were sixteen stories and I really enjoyed five of them. The other 11 were pretty 'meh'.
peonytea's review against another edition
Lost steam. Maybe I'll pick it up again later?
muniemoe's review against another edition
5.0
A collection of short stories that entertaining especially if you are a fan of monster tales. This is something that you can read at Halloween Story Time (why we have to wait till Halloween to read this?) Every story has its own unique monsters and traits. But some stories leaving a long last impression on me. I pick 3 stories that I love most.
1. The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bee by E. Lily Yu.
2. The Compleat Werewolf by Anthony Boucher.
3. The Cockatoucan Or Great Aunt Willoughby by E. Nesbit.
Overall, this is a book you can read when you have reading slumps. It is not dragging and you can pick which stories that you like to read.
1. The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bee by E. Lily Yu.
2. The Compleat Werewolf by Anthony Boucher.
3. The Cockatoucan Or Great Aunt Willoughby by E. Nesbit.
Overall, this is a book you can read when you have reading slumps. It is not dragging and you can pick which stories that you like to read.
koda_kodak's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ende_b's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
the_color_of_the_wheat_fields's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5