Tag Archives: Mythology

Supernatural Creatures

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DK. (192p) ISBN: 9780241656938
Supernatural Creatures

Supernatural Creatures

This was such a highlight of a not so great week, opening an unexpected parcel and finding this sumptuous hardback from DK in (I’d forgotten I’d asked for it!)

When I opened it I wasn’t disappointed as each page (double page spread) talked about different mythical beings from around the world. Each entry was accompanied by gorgeous illustrations that really make this book stand out.

I’d read a book earlier this year about supernatural beings from around the world that made out that none of these creatures existed before a person from the colonising nation(s) had seen the creature and that was so wrong and racist. This book acknowledges the cultural and historic background of the myths and creatures that are included.

The information in the book is firmly aimed at children but is so well thought out that it would cover a large age range and even be a great primer for older people who get a new interest in myths and legends.

Set out in chapters that pull the various creatures into a loose classification, it makes it easier if you’re looking for something that you know of, but it also helps show similarities in myth from different timesand cultures.

Thoroughly enjoyed this read, lots of fun information presented in a beautiful format, well worth it for any youngster who is into mythology.

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The Night Mother

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Jeremy Lambert, Alexa Sharpe. Oni Press. (88p) ISBN: 9781637154946
The Night Mother

The Night Mother

A wonderfully fantastical story set in a world where the moon has stopped moving, stuck in the sky and there are no more days just nights.

The illustrations are rich and have such a warm palette when in the house of Tock, but when outside the world is full of cool blues and shades illuminated by the ever present full moon.

Madeline Tock is a foundling and can hear the whispers of the dead and lives on the graveyard island with her dad who makes clocks but knows so much more.

The story builds a wonderful mythology about The Night Mother, especially the latest one that has stopped the moon and is behaving differently from all the previous Night Mothers.

This first volume does a wonderful job of setting up all the characters, introducing the mythology that will pull the story through and adding a nice bit of peril to make us want the next volume, now please.

I received this from NetGalley and Oni Press in exchange for an honest review.

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Woven Song

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Rachael Krotec. Nib and Feather. (434p)
Woven Song

Woven Song

Another book where the cover drew me to it instantly!

So glad I did as this turned into a really fun read, mixing various mythologies up into a magical adventure with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.

One thing that threw me to begin with was the in-sentence explanations/translations of Japanese words/terms threw the pace a bit and could have been covered in a little glossary at the front beside the explanation of the honorifics.

This was a story of two halves (well one and two thirds, the first part a very descriptive tale beautifully told, then the action and romance increased as the barriers between worlds thinned.

This is a great tale of outsiders mixed with forbidden loves, found family, Imperial intrigue, spirit possession, a little bit of sword play, and a lot about not living up to others expectations of you.

If you like a bit of mythology and action this is a good book for you though I’m still wondering what happened to the prisoner with the facial scar, it felt as though there was going to be more but sadly not.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Norse Mythology

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Neil Gaiman. Bloomsbury. (304p) ISBN: 9781408891957
Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology

Another of those books that’s been adorning my shelves for many months, but Norse Mythology felt like another book for these times.

I’ve read the myths referenced in this work several times from several sources, and they were enjoyable, so I was really looking forward to seeing what Neil Gaiman would do with them, especially since I wasn’t that keen on Stephen Fry’s take on the Greek myths.

Once started it was impossible to put down, they were fresh and fun whilst not detracting from the source material. Neil’s voice and tone were spot on and added a great flavour to the myths, something which has sometimes felt lost in a lot of other translations/interpretations.

Finished this in an afternoon and evening, but the tales are so well executed that they can easily be revisited again and again, especially since the ones chosen are great fun.

Another great book from Neil Gaiman which is a keeper, a rare occurrence now we’re running out of shelf space.

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Storyland

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Amy Jeffs. Quercus Publishing. (384p) ISBN: 9781529407976
Storyland

Storyland

Is it wrong to say that I got this book because the cover was so beautiful, as were the internal prints?

The other reason is I’ve never really read a lot of British myths, lots of Norse and Greek, even Slavic and MesoAmerican, but not British.

This book seemed like a great introduction, written in modern english and interpreting the myths for a modern audience, perfect for the novice.

It also had lots of small chapters making it the perfect bedtime book, a small chapter before falling asleep, though after reading the first chapter I was thankful that the next day was my day off as I read the rest of it in one big sitting (beans on toast for dinner that night).

Amy Jeffs does a brilliant job of adapting these myths to modern language and sensibility, making them thrilling and fascinating in equal measure. From the very start these myths made me want to know more about where they came from and Amy lets you know as at the the end of each story there is a discussion about the myths origins.

Amy also places each story firmly within the landscape of Britain, travelling with you to the places that each was meant to have happened and describing the feel of place and history.

One of my favourites is a bit of Arthurian lore I never knew, Merlin going naked to his ex-wife’s wedding, hilarious.

I absolutely loved this book, so much so that I had to search out a signed hardback edition even though I’d already bought the paperback.

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Treasury of Folklore: Woodlands and Forests

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Dee Dee Chainey, Willow Winsham. Batsford Books. (192p) ISBN: 9781849946872. Folklore, read 17/10/21, Hardback ★★★★☆

Treasury of Folklore: Woodlands & Forests

Treasury of Folklore: Woodlands & Forests

As a follower of #FolkloreThursday plus many of the other similar hashtags it was really pleasing to see that there were some books coming out that collected some of these into different themes.

This is the one I chose to get first, mainly because it was the one I saw first 😉

Dee Dee and Willow collect tales from around the world with the theme of trees and woodlands threading them together, what I’ve especially liked about this is that the tales are seen and presented as living breathing things that are vital and still serve to give life lessons.

I especially liked some of the more eastern European based folklore, skirting the lines of life and death, reward and punishment, often in the same being. Baba Yaga being one of my personal favourites even before this, was also good to read the possible origins of Bloody Mary and Paul Bunyan.

There are also forays out of the western world into folk tales that aren’t Eurocentric and these are making me want to explore the folk tales of these countries and societies event further.

The various tales are wonderfully supported by illustrations in the style of German woodcuts by Joe McLaren and this really helps them to come to life.

Overall a great collection of tales taking us on a tour around the woodlands and forests of the world, which makes me want to read the Seas and Rivers collection right now.

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