A wonderfully welcome book about mythical creatures from around the world. The author does a great job of having the reader believe what she has written. I was pulled in from the introduction because Rowland is a master of words and this is a fun book especially if you’re interested in faerie lore, something I find fascinating. Also there are so many different creatures I’ve never heard about before and Rowland describes them vividly. This book was fun and very much worth your time.

Somehow this book finds the very precise line between informative and magical. But maybe find isn't the best word, it feels more like it has invented it. Not to mention the designs and changes in font added extra whimsy and a delicacy that was entirely fitting for a faerie.

If I had to describe this book I would say it's 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' for muggles. It's an encyclopedia of sorts covering the vast array of magical creatures found around the world. It describes their physical features and habitats, most of which have had to adapt to modern day society. The author makes no point in hiding the fact that colonialism was a big factor in the reduction and disappearance of many magical species. She spoke passionately about this and it seemed a little political in my opinion.

There were countless bits of information included in this book such as how to spot a creature, what to look for, how to interact with them, et cetera. The author does appear to be an expert in this field, but the believability of some of the information presented was questionable...bordering laughable.

I do think it is an interesting modern guide to liminal beings but it felt juvenile and the author's tone felt condescending.