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Review: Loreland Bestiary by Hope Christofferson

November 4, 2024 by Frasier Armitage Leave a Comment

Rating: 10/10

Synopsis

An illustrated mythology of the world’s most fantastical creatures.

Turn your gaze toward the skies
Where wyvern, lung, and phoenix fly.
As mermaids swim through oceans blue 
Under Arctic ice, past coral hues. 
Accounts arise from here and there, 
Of manticores in hidden lairs, 
And faeries dance ’round mushroom caps 
As brownies steal your fabric scraps. 
But beware the moon and mind the howls 
For many hungry beasts doth prowl. 

My dearest trav’lers, enjoy these pages
Filled with creatures throughout the ages 
That wander ’cross the lands of lore 
Where few have dared to venture forth.

Review

This compendium of mythical creatures is visually the most beautiful book I’ve ever read. There’s real magic in these pages. I didn’t want it to end. 

It’s not just the impressive artwork or the cleverness of how these beasts have been catalogued. It’s the vibe. Every single page elicits a sense of wonder. Christofferson’s paint is laced with pixie dust, and you can’t help but be thrilled by the enchantment of it all.

When I was a kid, I had a book about animals that contained facts and pictures of each species, from mammals to sea creatures and sky beasts. It’s how I know who would win in a race between a cheetah and an emu, or how big the wingspan of an albatross is. I treasured that book, not just because it looked cool or kept me entertained for hours, but because it fuelled my love of the animal kingdom. In many ways, this is the equivalent for fantasy and mythology fans. These pages stir a love for the fantastical in your soul. As a creative in the SFF World, it’s impossible not to be inspired by them, and I can’t stress enough how much of an essential collection this is for anyone with even the vaguest interest in the genre. 

One of the coolest things about the book is in how it approaches the mythologies of different cultures. It tours the world through the subtle differences between creatures. You’ll see various types of dragons, mermaids, fairies, and unicorns treated individually and not just thrown together into one big soup. From creature size to lifespan to natural habitat, each beast is presented with an acute attention to detail. This lets us see familiar creatures in fresh, revelatory, and mind-blowing ways. It expands our appreciation, not just for these creatures, but for the importance of their lore. I was riveted from the very first page.

What about those who don’t already know the difference between a dragon and a wyvern, a mermaid and a selkie, or a fairy and a mogwai? Don’t worry. You don’t have to be a fantasy nerd to appreciate the marvels of the text or the intricacy of the illustrations, and you may actually find yourself learning some valuable information about these beasts. Watch out, future pub quizzes!

A picture paints a thousand words. But these pictures paint a thousand worlds. They catalogue our history, our heritage, our humanity. They span countless centuries of imagination to bring us the best of what mythology and fantasy have to offer. The research alone that must have gone into this collection is off the charts, and I love the passion that the author/artist has put into their work. It’s a showcase, not just for their art, but for the power of our imaginations. Loreland Bestiary preserves tales and legends that have endured for aeons — it honours the creatures that have shaped who we are in new and exciting ways. 

This would make an excellent gift, particularly for a fantasy enthusiast — even it’s a gift for yourself. Buy this book. Get it on your shelf. Get it on as many shelves as you can. And bask in the sumptuous beauty of this unique, enchanting, and definitive collection. Seriously, I cannot stress how much you need this in your life. 

Also — it’s perfect in hardback. Don’t settle for the digital copy. Get it as a physical book, and thank me later. 

Come for the illustrations. Stay for the magic. An absolute beast of a book, and a real treasure for mythologists everywhere. 

Filed Under: Art Book, Dragons, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Eastern Inspired, Reviews Tagged With: Art Book, Fantasy Books

About Frasier Armitage

Self-confessed geek and lover of sci-fi. When he’s not reading it, he’s writing it. Partial to time travel and Keanu Reeves movies. Dad. Husband. Part-time robot, full-time nerd.

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