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eddieboy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Car accident, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
pumpkincore's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
I liked some stories better than others, and skipped around a bit while reading. There's a fun mix of contemporary and classic tucked inside, as well as a mix of speculative fiction subgenres (fantasy, magical realism, horror, science fiction) so there's a bit of something for every taste.
gwenhwyfar82's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
katya741's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
greysun69's review against another edition
3.0
Based off books I read:
DNF’d I’m not good with anthologies:
Story 1: (image of a blob) by Gahan Wilson
4⭐️ This is a story about a petty inter dimensional blob in the home of a peculiarly tidy man. He calls upon the help of a man who I assume will be a regular feature in the book. I don’t know why I was fully entertained by this story. I just found it funny.
Story 2: The cartographer wasps and the anarchist bees by E. Lily Yu
2⭐️ Maybe I’m stupid but I understood like 2 pages of what I read and just wanted it to be over.
Story 3: The Griffin and The Minor Canon by Frank R. Stockton
3.75⭐️ This story was mad cute. I wish I had more griffin stories to read.
Story 4: Ozioma The Wicked by Nnedi Okorafor
4.5⭐️Yes! The Rainbow Serpent Loa herself!!! What?! I need this one to be a full book, please and thank you. no notes! It ended on a cliffhanger and I hope that story is in this book as well. If it’s not, I’m gone be hot!
Story 5: Sunbird by Neil Gaiman
5 ⭐️ Neil done did it! This was excellent.
DNF’d I’m not good with anthologies:
Story 1: (image of a blob) by Gahan Wilson
4⭐️ This is a story about a petty inter dimensional blob in the home of a peculiarly tidy man. He calls upon the help of a man who I assume will be a regular feature in the book. I don’t know why I was fully entertained by this story. I just found it funny.
Story 2: The cartographer wasps and the anarchist bees by E. Lily Yu
2⭐️ Maybe I’m stupid but I understood like 2 pages of what I read and just wanted it to be over.
Story 3: The Griffin and The Minor Canon by Frank R. Stockton
3.75⭐️ This story was mad cute. I wish I had more griffin stories to read.
Story 4: Ozioma The Wicked by Nnedi Okorafor
4.5⭐️Yes! The Rainbow Serpent Loa herself!!! What?! I need this one to be a full book, please and thank you. no notes! It ended on a cliffhanger and I hope that story is in this book as well. If it’s not, I’m gone be hot!
Story 5: Sunbird by Neil Gaiman
5 ⭐️ Neil done did it! This was excellent.
gold_star_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Some interesting choices for stories. The term creature is definitely used very vaguely from werewolves to sentient bicycles to Death herself. A large collection of great writers assembled with a hodgepodge of supernatural stories.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
mehsi's review against another edition
3.0
There were a lot of good stories in here, but also some stories that weren't for me. I didn't like them, or (in case of the bees/wasps) I skipped it because I am afraid of/dislike bees/wasps.
Other then that, it was a magical journey through weird, gruesome and thrilling stories. We got Unicorns, Mermaids, Werewolves, Gryphons, scary blots that grow, and more!
I also liked the introductions to each story. They give a bit of background info about the writer and tell us a short bit of the story.
Overall a well balanced book, and I would recommend it to all who like a book with weird tales and various fantasy/imaginary beasts/monsters. :)
Other then that, it was a magical journey through weird, gruesome and thrilling stories. We got Unicorns, Mermaids, Werewolves, Gryphons, scary blots that grow, and more!
I also liked the introductions to each story. They give a bit of background info about the writer and tell us a short bit of the story.
Overall a well balanced book, and I would recommend it to all who like a book with weird tales and various fantasy/imaginary beasts/monsters. :)
carokfulf's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely collection of stories, all of which contain their own delights. NG makes for an effective anthologist, what with his encyclopedic knowledge of all things sf-fan-literary. The blend of older and more recent writers, both well-known and unknown, whet my palate.
kewolayn's review against another edition
4.0
Just when I was about to give a rating of 3 stars, the last couple of stories convinced me to increase it to 4. I always find it fascinating when death comes to life and takes another form - may it be a storyteller, a sister/brother, or a party guest.
morgasm's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.25
Some stories were phenomenal. Some dragged. Not my favorite anthology book but not my least favorite