How did I get the book? I bought it.
Genre: Fantasy
First Impression: HotKey & Neil Gaiman, sold.
Synopsis: A stellar cast of acclaimed fantasy writers weave spellbinding tales that bring the world of witches to life. Boasting over 70 awards between them, including a Newbery Medal, five Hugo Awards and a Carnegie Medal, authors including Neil Gaiman, Garth Nix and Holly Black delve into the realms of magic to explore all things witchy… From familiars that talk, to covens that offer dark secrets to explore, these are tales to tickle the hair on the back of your neck and send shivers down your spine.
200words (or less) review: Let me start by saying that I was disappointed with Neil Gaiman’s offering for this collection. (I know, what’s wrong with me?!) Not so much the quality of it but the fact that it’s only 2 pages, making it by far the shortest in the book. If I had checked this before buying the book it might have made me hesitate but I really would have missed out because so many of the others more than make up for it.
You have 18 separate tales; except two which didn’t work for me I enjoyed them all. Diana Peterfreud’s is a brilliant story to start with and it was still one of my favourites by the end of the book. I also loved The Witch in the Wood and The Carved Forest to name but a few.
Apart from Jim Butcher’s B is for Bigfoot I’m not aware of any of the stories linking to existing works by the authors. I don’t know a lot of their published works so please don’t take my word for it.
Inevitably not every story will be loved by everyone but Under My Hat: Tales from the Cauldron provides a good and varied mix.
Recommend it?
Absolutely
Luna's Little Library 