Monstrous collection of stories inspired by classic monsters--fresh takes from new and established voices, paired with illustrations from top horror artists. A phenomenal collection from cover to cover.

Your enjoyment of this collection will hinge quite a bit on how much you know and appreciate classic monster stories, especially as they have been portrayed on the big screen. With most of the entries you need at least a passing knowledge of the original (or classic screen-adapted) version for the “unleashed” story to really make sense.

There is good variety in the monsters/creatures featured across the collection. I think that Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and werewolves are the only ones to make multiple appearances with 2-3 apiece (pretty impressive in a collection of 29 stories).

That being said, most of the plots fell into just a handful of categories used in various combinations:

1. Classic monster returns to cause more mayhem.
2. Try to guess which monster this is about before the big reveal…
3. Recast monster as misunderstood victim and/or hero as the villain.
4. Gender swap characters.
5. Engage in social commentary on gender or race.

I preferred the stories that built on the already-established characters rather than completely re-imagining them, but that’s just my personal taste.

Stylistically, this was a mixed bag. Some stories felt stilted, as if the author was just phoning it in and checking off the boxes needed to make a creature feature. Others demonstrated creativity and variety in language usage (including annoying but clever use of textspeak in Dacre Stoker’s offering). I would say that the well-written outnumber the “meh.”

Overall, this is worth a read if you are into classic monster horror. However, as with many bulky themed anthologies, you might want to take some time between stories so that they don’t start to sound repetitive.

I had backed the kickstarter as I loved the concept and wanted to support the book in review form. Each story was what I wanted from these classic movie monsters. The stories in this collection were so well done and I enjoyed every minute of it.

I love a good retelling, homage, or easter egg, and as such, this anthology seemed up my alley and I immediately requested a copy. The collection of short stories is strong overall and sprinkled through with original artwork – and it was all inspired by a classic story or character in horror writing.

First things first, I loved the wide range of authors included. Seeing Seanan McGuire (“’Can’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Should’”) and Owl Goingback (“Blood Hunt”) on the list immediately piqued my interest, and I discovered a number of new-to-me horror authors that I am excited to keep on my radar, such as Monique Snyman (“Modern Monsters”), Lisa Morton (“Hacking the Horseman’s Code”), Linda D. Addison (“Da Noise, Da Funk, Da Blob”), and Rena Mason (“Rapt”) – and I’d read a longer story set in any of those worlds, thankyouverymuch! In fact, I found the collection to be of high quality overall. Stories do not require the reader to have a knowledge of the “lore” surrounding previous incarnations of the characters they mention or use, but I think readers benefit from knowing a baseline. I, for one, really enjoyed hunting out easter eggs and mentions. It felt like most stories riffed off of Frankenstein or Dracula, but there’re some standout references to fortune tellers, mummies, and werewolves as well as some more obscure monsters. Perhaps a more thorough introduction for all these inspirations could have been warranted, either in the actual introduction of the volume or prior to each story?

Recommended for horror afficionados and those readers dipping their toe in uncharted waters alike! These are bite-size stories and most still manage to have an agreeable amount of heft to them and sit in the mind well after reading. Several are funny (or at least tongue-in-cheek), and some are quite creepy; a few have that good old-fashioned gore going for them.

My thanks to NetGalley, Black Spot Books, and the editor James Aquilone for providing an e-arc for review.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A mixed bag of monster stories. There were some great standout 5-star short stories like They Call Me Mother by Geneve Flynn and Blood Hunt by Owl Goingback. Some good stories I enjoyed like The Viscount and the Phantom by Lucy A. Snyder and Beautiful Monster by J.G. Faherty (and a handful more) but most were not that memorable. Of 30 pieces of writing there is really only a small amount that stood out as quality, interesting monster stories but overall I was fairly underwhelmed.

This interesting compilation of horror stories starts off with a poem that sets the tone for the tales that follow.
Each short story is a variation on iconic monsters and themes. Some set in the appropriate historical eras and others in more modern times. Saving Dr. Moreau's creations, sirens who lure modern day vacationers, the care and feeding of a family member, a woman who dreams of being a monster, a knife that belongs to the god of death and so many more thought provoking stories.
Thank you NetGalley and James Aquilone, editor, for this e-galley of "Classic Monsters Unleashed".

This collection is a mixed bag of short stories taking on classic monsters from literature or movies--The Blob, Dracula, and others. Most are clever and fun to read, but there are a few that are slogs that could have been better. The organization of the stories is such that most of the really strong ones come first, leaving a weaker middle and end. The final story, but Joe Lansdale, is perhaps the most viscerally horrifying. The illustrations are superfluous and not particularly well-executed or interesting.

Classic Monsters Unleashed sounded like a great anthology but sadly I just couldn’t get into it. Maybe it is one that I will revisit at a later date.

A thrilling anthology that makes me very excited to see what more will be released in this series. I was surprised by the breadth of monsters available in the stories and it completely snatched my attention from the world around me!

This was a very solid collection of short stories, and most of these were novella size, so it was a nice change from a couple pages short stories.

I did enjoy more the ones that were about monsters that I knew beforehand, or better that had something to do with monsters that I did know, for instance, one of the stories were about a kind of Frankenstein monster, but the doctor name was Victoria, instead of victor haha ^__^ but anyway I really believe if you do like monsters, and if you can empathize with them you’ll enjoy this quite a lot, there’s also very cool looking art of some well know monsters, like I said, a bit for everyone.

What let me a bit down was the lack of introduction of each story, for the ones that I don’t know the original story.

I got a free copy of this ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book has 30 stories that takes classic monster characters and brings them to new and old fans alike. The authors in this collection did a great job connecting me with the characters in each story and if you love classic monsters or anthologies...you are going to enjoy this. The illustrations are nice as well. Definitely going to be on my purchase list.

The stories are eerie and spooky, and it's a good anthology. Compared to other anthologies I read, I found that I enjoyed more stories in this and only disliked quite a few. I picked this up because the synopsis looked promising, and glad to say that I wasn't

Ever since I heard about this book via an announcement from Crystal Lake Publishing I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. I love the classic monsters so getting to read new stories about them was a no-brainer. As for the 30 stories included in the anthology I have to say I liked almost half of them, didn't like a few and was indifferent about the rest. I enjoyed stories by Jonathan Maberry, Owl Goingback, Joe R. Lansdale. I hated that there were about 6 or 7 Dracula stories when those spots could have been made available for other monsters and stories.
2.5 out of 5.

This collection features some of the best modern horror authors trying their hands at classic literature and movie monster myths. Often the stories tackle political and social issues, with several authors doing variations on female empowerment. Multiple Dracula and Frankenstein entries are balanced with fun explorations of movie monsters not created by Universal Studios. The editor brings a sense of humor to the introduction and the collection itself that is reflected in some of the content, but there is very little consistency. A strong start gives way to a weak finish as this anthology is front-loaded with pleasant surprises from talented writers but then peters out with unremarkable contributions. Overall, Classic Monsters Unleashed is still a standout for horror anthologies and essential reading for fans of monster movies.

Thank you to Black Spot Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Classic Monsters Unleashed features one of the best ideas ever for an anthology: all stories based on or inspired by the classic movie monsters that helped shape horror as we know it today. I enjoyed the majority of the tales, with the few I didn't like as much mostly being relegated towards the end of the book. There is a variety of types of stories in the collection; while many are directly based on or sequels to the classic tales, there are several re-imagined versions as well as some loosely inspired by stories. While I do think too many authors took the easy way out basing their stories on Dracula, Frankenstein and The Wolfman, there were a number of more adventurous takes on less popular/obvious fare like the Mummy, Jack the Ripper, the Phantom of the Opera and even the Wizard of Oz. My two favorites were among the more audacious of the group: Höllenlegion by Jonathan Maberry is a sequel to H. G. Wells's The Island of Dr. Moreau, my favorite story by Wells, and this sequel was so excellent I would gladly have read a full novella of the story; and Hacking the Horseman's Code by Lisa Morton which brought the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, another classic favorite of mine, into the digital age in "Black Mirror" fashion. This anthology is a treasure for all true horror fans. 4.5/5*

CLASSIC MONSTERS UNLEASHED – Kim Newman, Ed. James Aquilone with stories featuring various authors (Including Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Maberry, Geneve Flynn, Tim Waggoner & more)

I knew I was going to love this anthology from the start; a slew of authors telling new stories about our favourite classic creatures & monsters? Please sir, I want some more.

I was not a fan of the first poem of the book but it did its job to set the stage for the stories that followed, reminding us (in case we read neither the editor’s blurb nor the introduction) to erase any preconceptions we might have of the related classic tales.

“They Call Me Mother” by Geneve Flynn was atmospheric, their writing bringing Willa’s environment alive with scent, taste and touch. “Old Monsters Never Die” by Tim Waggoner is an immensely satisfying subversion of Werewolf tropes (and leaves me wanting a mini-series, at the very least). Oh, honestly, as I read I feel like every next story is as good as the last.

I don’t want to spoil anyone with too many details. If you’re a fan (or fanatic!) of classic horror monsters, you’ll eat up this book. It reinvents and reimagines all our old loves without dishonouring the canon. Turn down the lights, pour yourself something rich, light a few candles and curl up in a cozy corner to enjoy this collection.

(I received a free copy of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

Really enjoying this book, but pacing myself a bit not wanting to get to the end yet. You will have heard of most of the monsters (although a couple were new to me ). Well written. Best read during the day ,not while lying in bed trying to get to sleep.

Great anthologies for any horror lover’s collection! I enjoyed these very much. The cover is perfect as well!

Thanks to Kim Newman, the publisher, and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

Ok, this anthology is perfect for every horror fan out there! The lineup is also great. I was listening to HIM in the background a really set up a whole ambience while I was reading Dreams by Paul Wilson. I’d recommend!

Great lineup of authors on this book. The Joe Lansdale "God of the Razor" story had been previously publilshed, but is probably my favorite story of the collection. A little known fact - there is a batman story he wrote where the dark knight clashes with the same God of the Razor featured in the story. Worth checking out.