The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The ... (ISBN 140273543X)

It is what it is...:
a comprehensive research volume. Personally, I have found it extremely valuable in my work, and will even pick it up on occasion for an aimless perusal. It does cry out for a few illustration, though I am sure many of the creatures in the book are loath to have their likenesses set down. Not for the very young, but a must for the serious cryptozoologist. The Care And Feeding of Dragons: An Illustrated Guide to Alternative Pet Maintenance, Book One

Ok, great.....:
So here I have (what I thought) to be the perfect reference for magical beings, etc. Also, here I have our second bedroom that I just redecorated into a study/guestroom with a magical theme (it's decorated with vintage magic posters), and I have a seven-year old stepson who will be sleeping in said room. The vintage magic posters are of Carter, Herrman, Blackstone, Houdini, Kellar, etc. Of course, they all have IMPS in them. I thought I'd show my son what imps are with this book so he wouldn't be afraid... Well, I thought I'd just pull out my trusty encyclopedia, but NO. There's every possible being you could ever imagine, except IMPS. Bollocks I say... Just when you need a good reference book. NOT.

Magical Creatures--They're everywhere:
This is not a book you look at once and never think of again. If you like magical creatures, you will find yourself going back to this book over and over again. Even simple creature that you didn't think could have magical properties are in here, like the horse. Ancient Druids worshipped the horse, but what else makes them so special? It's all in side Magical Creatures.

Loved It!:
I've never been sorry purchasing a book by John and/or Caitlin Matthews. This is no exception. Unlike many "new age" authors whose work suffers from any real scholarship or practical experience, and who frequently make things up as they go along, the Matthews work is both well researched and accessible. I recommend checking out their website some time: http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/ Gandalf

Worth Every Penny!:
I give this vibrant and fascinating tome five stars simply because I can't give it more. I was hesitant to buy it because of the relatively low rating on Amazon...but I am so glad now that I went with my instincts. I can't understand how it came by such a poor rating, but I assure you that this book doesn't deserve anything less then a five. I am a fantasy writer and this is an invaluable resource, besides that, I love fantasy and the imagination in their own right...and this book gives wonderful homage to the magical beings all around us. Have you ever heard of a Haikur (a water horse)? How about the Dev (a race of giants with seven heads)? Did you know that the Valkyrie are female spirits that carry away the souls of those killed in battle? This is just the tiniest taste of all you will read about in this wonderful Encyclopedia. Not only does this book cover the obscure, but it details well-known creatures, such as Centaurs, Vampires, Elves, and Werewolves. It even explains how animals we know well are magical in their own right (ants are believed holy in many cultures, such as China, where it is considered righteous and prized for its orderliness and patriotism). I really am fascinated by this tome, and thoroughly believe it belongs on the shelf of anyone who is interested in the things we have to believe in to see. I will say that this book does not have many illustrations (and the ones it does have are really just sketches). I did not take away in the rating for that because, first of all, the description of the book never said anything about pictures and secondly because most of these creatures, I think, are best seen by the minds eye...where they will never disappoint because they will look exactly as you think they should. Also, I wouldn't recommend this book for children...it's written for teens and adults. If you get this book with the understanding that everyone has their own set of beliefs, that it is (literally) impossible to set all those beliefs down on paper (this is not an exhaustive work because of the nature of the subject, not because of author fault), and that this book is just a wonderful starting ground for the imagination and it is up to you to take it as far as you want, you will love this tome.