Books Like...

'Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos, Vol 1' is a collection of stories inspired by H.P. Lovecraft's universe, including works by both Lovecraft and other authors influenced by his mythos. The book features iconic stories like 'The Call of Cthulhu' and 'The Haunter of the Dark', as well as contributions from contemporary and modern writers such as Clark Ashton Smith, Frank Belknap Long, Ramsey Campbell, and Stephen King. The stories explore the Cthulhu universe, offering a mix of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi elements that delve into the mysterious and terrifying world created by Lovecraft.

The book is praised for its diverse selection of Lovecraftian tales that expand upon the Cthulhu mythos, providing a thrilling and engaging reading experience for fans of horror, fantasy, and Mythos genres. Readers appreciate the blend of classic and modern stories, with standout pieces like Robert Bloch's 'Notebook Found In A Deserted House' and Fritz Leiber's contributions adding depth and intrigue to the collection. Overall, 'Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos, Vol 1' serves as a gateway into the eerie and captivating world of Lovecraft's mythos, offering a mix of chilling narratives that pay homage to the master of cosmic horror.

'Lovecraft's Monsters' edited by Ellen Datlow is an anthology of short stories, poems, and novellas inspired by the early master of horror, HP Lovecraft. The collection features a variety of tales that reimagine Lovecraft's universe of cosmic horror, each written by renowned authors such as Neil Gaiman, Elizabeth Bear, and Nick Mamatas. The stories range from eerie goings-on to full-on Lovecraftian horror, taking readers on a journey through different time periods and locations, all while invoking a sense of cosmic dread and helplessness.

The writing style in 'Lovecraft's Monsters' is praised for its ability to capture the essence of Lovecraft's work while adding a fresh perspective to his mythos. Readers appreciate the diverse range of stories that explore Lovecraftian themes in unique settings such as Indonesia, California's Gold Rush, and a future with only a few human survivors on Earth. The anthology offers a blend of familiarity and novelty, breathing new life into Lovecraft's monstrous creations and cosmic horror.

"A Mountain Walked" is a Lovecraftian anthology that pays homage to the Weird Tales of the 20th century. The collection features a variety of stories, ranging from gritty to surreal, all entwined with Lovecraft's mythos but also showcasing originality in each writer's voice. The book includes a mix of neo-Mythos tales, some of which are twists on original stories, adding new dimensions to the familiar themes and motifs of Lovecraftian work.

The anthology presents a wonderful collection of horror and weird tales, spanning from 1933 to 2014, crafted by talented authors who share a similar sensibility to H.P. Lovecraft. Readers can expect a diverse range of stories that are both entertaining and ingeniously written, offering a great introduction to the work of some of the best horror authors in the genre.

The Book of Cthulhu 1 in the series by Ross E. Lockhart is a collection of Lovecraft-inspired stories that delve into the world of HP Lovecraft, offering various interpretations of the Cthulhu Mythos. The book features a mix of stories closely tied to the Cthulhu Mythos and others that take elements of Lovecraft's style with less emphasis on Cthulhu himself. The editor's arrangement of the stories ensures a smooth flow, although some readers found the copyediting to be subpar, affecting their reading experience.

The book includes tales that explore portals connecting realms of man and monsters, families tasked with closing divides, and cosmic apocalypses. Some stories are praised for their compelling and clever narratives, while others are critiqued for their strained incorporation of supernatural elements. The writing style varies from dense, vaporous prose to syntactically strange sentences, with some readers enjoying the intricate details of the narratives while others find the storytelling lacking momentum.

'Agents of Dreamland' by Caitlin R. Kiernan is a blend of Lovecraftian horror and espionage, featuring dark and surreal elements that draw readers into a mysterious and mesmerizing story. The narrative follows American operative, The Signalman, as he navigates a mission involving a prophetess from a British agency to combat cultists with dark intentions. The writing style is described as poetic, with a touch of Kafkaesque officialdom, creating a gripping and ambiguous atmosphere that keeps readers engaged.

The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson is a novella that serves as a response to H.P. Lovecraft's work, focusing on the erasure of women in his stories. The book follows Vellitt Boe, a professor at Ulthar University for Women, on a quest through the Dreamlands to find her student who has disappeared to the Waking World. The writing style is described as fantastic, clear, and inspiring, with a focus on the journey and the descriptions of the Dreamworld.

In The Drowning Girl, the story revolves around India Morgan Phelps, also known as Imp, a young woman struggling with schizophrenia. Through a complex and layered narrative, Imp recounts her encounters with Eva Canning, a character who embodies various identities such as a ghost, a mermaid, and a werewolf. The book delves into themes of reality versus fantasy, mental illness, artistic obsession, and the blurred lines between truth and imagination. The writing style of the book is described as dense, immersive, and non-linear, challenging readers with its unreliable narrator and requiring attention to detail to unravel the story's complexities.

The Drowning Girl is a haunting and dark exploration of Imp's journey as she navigates her mental illness and grapples with her own perceptions of reality. The narrative is filled with symbolism, cultural references, and a mix of dreamlike sequences that blur the boundaries between fact and fiction. The book's rich storytelling weaves together themes of love, friendship, madness, and self-discovery, creating a compelling and thought-provoking reading experience.

The Red Tree by Caitlin R. Kiernan is a psychological horror novel that follows writer Sarah Crowe as she moves to a small town in Rhode Island and gets entangled in eerie events surrounding an ancient red oak. The story unfolds through Sarah's journal, blending personal traumas with mysterious occurrences, creating a sense of psychological horror. Kiernan's writing style incorporates elements of Lovecraftian horror, with an unreliable narrator and a focus on the psychological aspects of fear and dread.

'Shadows over Innsmouth' is a compilation of Lovecraftian stories inspired by the town of Innsmouth. The anthology features various authors presenting their own take on the shadow-haunted town, incorporating elements of Cthulhu mythos and ancient beings with sinister intentions. The stories capture the oppressive atmosphere of Lovecraft's work while offering a mix of classic and innovative writing styles, each contributing to the eerie world of Innsmouth.

The book showcases a collection of stories that delve into the events surrounding Innsmouth, providing novel takes on the aftermath of Lovecraft's original narrative. With a mix of pulpy mysteries, Lovecraftian influences, and British interpretations of the town, the anthology offers a diverse range of tales that appeal to fans of Mythos fiction and Lovecraft enthusiasts.

'A Study in Emerald' by Neil Gaiman is a graphic novel adaptation of Gaiman's 2003 short story that combines elements of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories with H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. The story follows a detective and his assistant investigating the death of a crowned prince, only to discover a world ruled by the Great Old Ones who conquered humanity. The book intricately weaves together mystery, horror, and fantasy elements to deliver a unique and complex narrative that appeals to fans of Gaiman, Doyle, and Lovecraft.

The graphic novel captures the essence of Gaiman's original story, bringing it to life with beautiful illustrations that perfectly complement the tone of the narrative. The artwork pays scrupulous attention to detail, creating a mysterious and immersive atmosphere that enhances the Lovecraftian and Sherlock Holmes elements of the plot. Overall, 'A Study in Emerald' offers readers a fresh and engaging take on familiar literary worlds, making it a must-read for fans of mystery, horror, and fantasy genres.