I tend to like mythology books, and this one still managed to surprise me. I loved the clean design and illustration style, though I was surprised at some of the contemporary 'masters' and movies that were referenced (The Last Knight? Gods of Egypt?) but this is a great primer for learning a bit about a broad set of stories. It's also nice that this isn't just a book about Greek myths, though there is plenty of that. I recommend this book for anyone who particularly likes contemporary adaptations of myths and creation stories, and would like a little more background on where those stories originate. And most importantly, there's a SHOUTOUT TO THE SHOW SUPERNATURAL at the very end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Finally, a good kid friendly mythology book that does it by not watering everything down to nothing, but by putting it in accessible language and making interesting connections. It's also incredibly diverse, covering the classic Greek and Egyptian myths, along side pantheons as widespread as the Inca empire to Japan, making stops across Africa and Asia. It also does a really good job explaining the concepts surrounding myths and the historical context. It's very well done. I may get a copy or five for my mythology classes.

This is a fantastic book to gift to anyone who is interested in mythology and folklore. As a child I would have eaten this one UP!
Instead of focusing on just pantheon / country this book gives a wide overview which I appreciate a lot. Another aspect that I find interesting and think makes this encyclopedia quite unique are the parts where the author goes into the definition and creation of myths, why they are created and what purpose they serve.
Every chapter / story is engaging and leaves the reader in awe.

In my opinion this should be included into general education, as it is both extremely educational as well as entertaining. Everyone would gain a lot from reading this book and thus learning more about other countries and their myths, legends and folklore.

This was great and full of knowledge, the only thing I think would make it that much better if it had more illustrations to capture your eye. But if you love learning more about myths, legends, and gods definitely pick this one up.

I read this courtesy Net Galley and Wellfleet Press. Myths and legends are all around us! Arie Kaplan’s book tells us that we can find reminders of those stories from everywhere around the world, ranging from the planets named after the Roman gods (Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, et al.) to Greek Nike and Achilles (of heel fame) to Hermes, whose image represents a particular floral delivery service and whose name inspired a way to make sure your seal is securely closed, to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of love, who is referenced by Beyonce in her music. And there’s more, much more, not just gods. Kaplan talks about Bigfoot (aka Sasquatch) and its origins, the differences between myths and religions (a notable distinction), why societies create myths, and even goes into smaller-detailed myths like the tooth fairy. So many myths, so many legends. This is an enjoyable read and instructional, too.
#TheEncyclopediaofEpicMythsandLegends #NetGalley

5⭐️/5
This is a book that I'd gift my children and grand-children. It's that good. The book is an inkling into the world of myths and folktales. It delves into myths from across the world from roman, greek myths to Egyptian, Japanese and South American tales. The common fabric that binds all the myths is captivating. It begins with myths about the creation of the universe and moves into stories of heroes and monsters. Every story leaves the reader wonderstruck and wanting to know more. The stories of heroes like Chi Li is awe-inspiring and teeming with bravery, courage and sinew. I'd highly recommend this book for those who love good stories and are curious about the universe.

This encyclopedia is so cool. I absolutely love learning and myths and legends to begin with but the detail and ease of reading is amazing. I love the colors and illustrations. The set up is perfect and I can easily read the stories and flip through to find one to learn about. I come from Greek heritage so that God's chapter was my favorite to read, short simple stories with the perfect amount of details! I would read another book like this in a heartbeat.

This is a very informative book on the topic, complete with stylish illustration. It covers a wide range of myths, including those from Africa and Asia, and that makes the book all the more interesting.

I almost immediately had to put this book down. I love the concept and I can't wait to read it when it comes out but the way it downloaded from my net galley shelf, the print was super tiny and hurt my eyes. Will pick back up when published.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. I really loved this book. In general I love myths and legends so was excited about the concept. I felt like Kaplan did a good job at trying to vary the stories from different countries and cultures. Of course many were missed but I do believe that this book is a good stepping stone for people to begin their journey. I really loved how this book was presented. I thought the font style, colouring, and illustrations all worked super well together and made it an enjoyable read. I also appreciated how Kaplan went into more detail with certain stories making note of how the story has changed through different pop culture moments such as Percy Jackson, Lord of the Rings, and What We Do In The Shadows. I would wholeheartedly recommend this!

It was a refreshing change to have a book on myths and legends that doesn’t solely concentrate on Greek, Roman, and Norse myths, but instead, also incorporates Egyptian, Indian, Ghanaian, Nigerian, English, & Japanese to name but a few others. The author also mentions famous films and tv shows, and how they link to the mythology. The book is sectioned according to, for example, heroes, monsters, vampires etc, but I feel it would’ve been better if it had been sorted according to location, as I would’ve preferred to skip the ones from countries I’d already studied previously, which I couldn’t due to the layout. Some parts were written in such a way to be dull, yet I appreciated the few moments when the authors humour and observations came into play. Overall a great book, which would make an excellent gift for anyone interested in myths and legends

I went to university to study classical studies and this book was a fun, nostalgic read for me. The illustrations are simple and bright and the author makes myths easier to read than any textbook I've had to deal with. Though it was easier to read in a more informal presentation of material, it still felt like many words had been substituted via thesaurus, leaving the book a little word-y.

Honestly I wish there were more illustrations!

I love studying myths, so I was excited to receive a copy of this book. While most of the information was things that I was already familiar with, I still enjoyed the book. The layout and style are easy to read. The information is interesting. The graphics were nice, although I would have loved to see more. I know that the wealth of myth and legend in our world make it nearly impossible to include everything, I do wish that a book with the title 'Encyclopedia' would have had a bit more of the less popular. So many books include Greek/Roman, Egyptian, and Norse and very little of the other myths and legends that are out there. Still, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to any fellow myth lover.

This is a very informative and descriptive book with lots of great myths and legends and lovely artwork

Thank you, Wellfleet Press, for the ARC.
I love how detailed and fun it is to read this book!

It explains well what myths really or could mean and it is done well.

However, considering the audience of this book I would say the content looks dull with minimal illustrations.

Such books read better with visuals that would strike the audience.

But I would totally recommend this book for the knowledge and information it provides.

3.5 stars
A quick and inspirational resource on myths and legends.
The prose, the level of details and the art style were not always my cup of tea, yet, I genuinely recommend this title.

Thank you for the ARC file.

What a great way to learn about myth and legends around the globe and the illustrations are beautiful!
The author comes across as witty and fun! This book could be a fun way to connect with children for storytelling. It could also be useful as a tool to talk about deeper subjects and bring individuals imagination into focus.

“The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends” by Arie Kaplan is a delightful and informative exploration of mythological stories from around the world. Kaplan's witty and engaging writing style brings these timeless tales to life, making the book a joy to read.

One of the standout features of this encyclopedia is the beautiful illustrations that accompany the text. The vibrant and imaginative artwork helps to transport the reader into the fantastical realms of these epic myths and legends. This makes the book not only a valuable educational resource but also a visually stunning one.

Kaplan's approach to the subject matter is both accessible and thought-provoking. The book could serve as a wonderful tool for storytelling and connecting with children, as the author's playful tone and engaging narratives are sure to capture their attention. At the same time, the book provides a springboard for deeper discussions about the universal themes and archetypes that underpin these timeless stories, making it a valuable resource for individuals of all ages.

Overall, “The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends” is a delightful and insightful exploration of the rich tapestry of human mythology. Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge of these captivating tales or simply seeking an enchanting and visually stunning read, this book is well worth adding to your collection.

Really informative, easy to follow and find the myths and lore. I love all the artistic elements as well.