A rather superficial coverage of fantasy but it was cheap and had some nice pictures. Though As I've been re-reading it for this review, I've realised that there is more to it than I had supposed. There is a rather brief overview of different types of fantasy which is quite well done. But the main thrust of the book is about fantasy in the cinema and there are short reviews of most of the fantasy films that have been produced (mainly in USA) over the years. I was going to give it two stars but I've upped it to three. ( )

This book is not "ultimate", nor is it "encyclopedia", but it definitely represents different aspects of fantasy. It has sections on:

- The different types of fantasy (interesting, but not by any means a definitive division)
- Fantasy movies (very interesting, although the reviewers have some odd notions sometimes)
- Fantasy tv series and movies (pretty exhaustive, I presume)
- Fantasy writers (great short descriptions of the authors and their work)
- Fantasy characters (an odd section, which does not give a lot of new information)
- Fantasy games (an interesting addon, probably gives an idea of the field for non-gamers...)
- Fantasy worlds (only a couple of worlds described, and as such, quite useless)
- Fantasy magazines (Interesting, but again, too short and too few magazines presented)

I would say that the book is very good for a person like me, who has previously thought that the only good fantasy is either Tolkien or Howard. :) The sections on fantasy authors and movies are the best ones in the book, and definitely are worth the price of the book.

The book is very well laid out, and it has beautiful colour pictures throughout. ( )

This is more like an illustrated compendium than an actual encyclopedia - the book attempts at a wide area of media, including games, and as a result each department lacks in depth.

Also, I thought the commentary initiated until I read a passage about the book Tigana stating that the book discussed what happens when a matriarchal hierarchy clashes with a patriachal one, and that is something I did NOT think that book was about.

One could of course discuss the selection of books, characters, etc. included. I would not do that - the space is limited and not everyones pet can make it. BUT I wonder about the inclusion of Hergé when Hugo Pratt (the Corto Maltese graphic novels) is excluded.
In my mind Tintin is NOT fantasy, while Corto Maltese include multiple elements common to works of fantasy, like celtic and arthurian myth, dreamlike passages set in secondary or imaginary worlds.

I also wonder why the movie Crouching tiger Hidden dragon wasn't listed when a some movies got mentioned both in original and as remakes.

Not a bad book, but not comprehensive enough to deserve the label encyclopedia. ( )