thank you to netgalley & the publisher for gifting me this advanced reader copy.
attention horror fans!!! this book is the one for you! at first i was confused by these stories & the book which is why i gave the lower rating. I did have a hard time getting into the book and stories but overall it was a fun time & i really think horror fans will enjoy this one!!

For fans of the classic monster horror stories. This includes a great variety of stories that will appeal to nostalgic readers.

Unfortunately, this collection of stories just didn't work for me. It had a great list of authors, but I just couldn't really connect with any of the stories.

"Classic Monsters Unleashed," edited by James Aquilone and featuring a stellar lineup of renowned authors, presents a collection of horror short stories that reimagine and pay homage to iconic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, and the Phantom of the Opera. While the anthology boasts an impressive roster of contributors and promises fresh perspectives on classic creatures, it falls short of reaching its full potential.

One of the strengths of the collection is the diversity of authors involved, including Joe R. Lansdale, F. Paul Wilson, Jonathan Maberry, and many others. Each writer brings their unique voice and style to the reinterpretation of these timeless monsters. The variety of storytelling approaches is a refreshing aspect of the anthology, providing readers with different takes on familiar characters.

However, despite the individual talent of the authors, the overall cohesion of the anthology feels somewhat lacking. The stories, while individually strong, don't always flow seamlessly from one to the next. The transitions between tales can be abrupt, disrupting the overall reading experience and preventing a more immersive journey through the world of classic monsters.

Additionally, some stories in the collection may not resonate equally with all readers. While horror is a subjective genre, and personal preferences vary, the uneven quality of the stories might leave some readers disappointed. The anthology's potential to fully captivate the audience is hindered by a lack of consistency in maintaining a high standard throughout.

On the positive side, the concept of reimagining classic monsters is intriguing and offers a fresh perspective on well-known characters. The anthology successfully subverts expectations and explores new angles, contributing to the ongoing legacy of these legendary creatures in the horror genre.

In conclusion, "Classic Monsters Unleashed" has its merits, including a stellar lineup of authors and inventive reinterpretations of classic monsters. However, the lack of cohesion between stories and inconsistent quality prevent it from achieving a higher rating. It's a worthwhile read for fans of horror who appreciate diverse approaches to familiar tales, but it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more consistently engaging and immersive anthology experience.

I was very intrigued by the cover of this as I love monster movies I thought I would like this anthology of classic monster tales. Most of the authors were those I’d never heard of but I still enjoyed most of the stories. The first half or so was better than the second half. I only skipped one story near the end. Some of my favorite stories were Blood Hunt, Mummy Calls, Old Monsters Never Die, Mai Don Izahn, and Hollenlegion. I’d recommend this book if you’re a classic monster lover or just a horror fan in general who likes anthologies.

I listened to the audiobook as well and the narrators did a great job.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc I received, all opinions are my own.

Short stories about the well known monsters we know and love!! Enjoyed each story and was a nice read. Would make a nice gift

DNF. 67% I couldn't keep going, Several of the stories failed to capture my interest, even though that I liked the ideas behind them. Some were even confusing and I had no idea what was happening.

Mixed bag of stories, some that I really enjoyed and some that I didn't like at all. My two favorites were easily the one renaming Frankenstein's Bride as the Widow and the final story in the collection.

My main criticism is that some of the chosen monsters became repetitive. It felt like there were a lot of Frankenstein stories. I think it may have been a more fun reading experience if there was only one story per monster.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I grew up loving monster stories. Dracula, mummies, werewolves, etc. were my go-to’s when it came to what to read and watch. What I loved most about Classic Monsters Unleashed: New Stories of Famous Creatures is that none of the stories are retellings of classic monster legends; these stories are more of a re-imagining of them. My favorites are: Rapt (a mummy story), The Picture of Doriana Gray (a possession tale for the internet age), Hacking the Horseman’s Code (a spin on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow with artificial intelligence), and God of the Razor (a terrifying Jack the Ripper-esque story). This collection is a perfection addition to anyone’s library, but especially for someone who loves the classics. Classic Monsters Unleashed will give the reader a hefty dose of nostalgia while also expanding on the classic stories for the modern age.

New stories of old monsters. This anthology is full of new twist and turns for some much loved and known classIc monsters. The stories have been written by a selection of great horror writers and the reimagining’s are fun and easy to read. I would highly recommend this to any hammer horror fans.

Overall, I was disappointed by this anthology. There were some fantastic stories (like the one by Seanan McGuire, which is why I requested the ARC in the first place), but with 30 stories and over 400 pages, it needed to be trimmed down so those stories could shine. There were at least six I scrolled past due to male authors writing women with 'small, compact breasts' in the first person, racial slurs, and just blah writing that's bogging the flow of the collection down.
Thank you to Black Spot Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a very fun collection for lovers of horror monsters. I do think it could have benefited from some editing, as in, omitting half the stories. Ones I enjoyed:
Mummy Calls; Dead Lions; and The Picture of Doriana Gray. Ones I loved: Hollenlegion; They Call Me Mother; She-Creature From the Golden Cove; Dreams; The Nightbird; A Tale of Wickedness; You Can Have the Ground, My Love; and ‘Can’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Should’. Big thank you to NetGalley for an ARC many, many months ago

Thank you to Black Spot Books for providing me with an e-ARC of Classic Monsters Unleashed!

A collection of short stories based on classic monsters? Yes, please. Absolutely loved the theme of this book & the stories inside did not disappoint. All of the authors took their classic monster & put their own spin on it & it was amazing. The only stories that I didn't vibe with were Dracula-based & that's only because I never cared for Dracula to begin with; these stories were still very well-written & this is just a me and my preferences thing. With that being my only issue with this collection & again, a very me issue, it's obvious that I definitely recommend this to horror fans.

Both an exciting collection of retellings and a loving tribute to some of horror's most famous monsters, Classic Monsters Unleashed is a must-read for horror fans. Best enjoyed one per evening, teamed with a comfy chair, some mood lighting, and a stiff drink. Loved every twisted, inventive moment.

The book contains stories about many of my favorite monsters and quite a few that I was less familiar with. The idea behind ​​the book was very good and exciting, but the execution was quite varied. There were a couple of short stories that felt a bit cliche and a couple that would probably fit better in another medium. The short story "The Picture of Doriana Gray'' was one of my favorites and had moved the story to the present and showed how false the image of an influencer can be. "The Invisible Man" was another story that depicted the present in a thought-provoking manner. Honorable mentions are "Diminished Seventh" and "Rapt" which I think would be great on screen.
If you like classic monsters I think this is a book you would enjoy and where you can find your own favourite.

Classic Monsters Unleashed is an anthology with an impressive TOC. Talented authors come together to invite readers into stories inspired by our most beloved classic monsters. This was a no-brainer for me. I knew I would want to read this as soon as I saw an announcement on social media. Later, a buzz was generated when the artwork and contributing authors were shared.
Overall, I think this is a solid collection, a little bit of "something for everyone". As per usual, not every story was a hit for me, but the ones that did make an impression are worth the price of admission. I'll share with you the ones that stood out among the others for me.

Jonathan Maberry's spin on the Island of Dr. Moreau
They Call Me Mother by Geneve Flynn was creepy and I fell in love with Flynn's storytelling voice. New author to me.
Tim Waggoner, the classic 'hunter becomes the hunted' tale. Great new werewolf lore
The Viscount and the Phantom by Lucy A. Snyder should win a Stoker, that was incredible.
An amusing origin story from Kelsea Yu, A Tale of Wickedness. Loved it
The Picture of Doriana Gray by Mercedes M. Yardley was spot on.
"Can" Doesn't Mean "Should" by Seanan McGuire was loads of tongue-in-cheek wit and sarcasm.
And The God of the Razor by Joe R. Lansdale fits well in this anthology as a nod to Jack the Ripper.

I actually started reading this a while ago as I wanted to do this review for Halloween, but life got in the way (as it always does). I finally finished it and I am so happy that I did. I loved the different takes on each Monster. This anthology was so refreshing as I was getting tired of all the same monster horror tropes and knowing exactly how each story was going to end. Like most Anthologies, I did like other stories more than others, but that is always expected. Each author's reimagined monster added something new to the monster genre. I'm glad I wasn't left feeling disappointed or let down when I finished this book and will be looking up a lot of the authors that contributed to this book.

Overall, a new exciting take on the Classic Monsters in Horror.

I love a good monster story and this collection did not disappoint! Very fun from beginning to end, I would definitely recommend this one to my horror loving friends.

This book!!!!
Had all my favourite monsters. From Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dr. Moreau, the Headless Horseman, to the Invisible Man, the Phantom of the Opera, the Wicked Witch of the West.
I absolutely loved it and I want a hard copy asap.

This was a great homage to all the great literary monsters we all grow up reading, watching, and bonding over. There were some new, interesting retellings and some that struck the chord in my mind that craves classic horror monster stories.