The Supernatural Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls

 

Firstly, I'd like to thank HarperCollins for sharing a copy of the book with the site. As a hardened fan, I tend to buy all the merchandise that comes my way, but that doesn't mean it's always good merchandise. Kudos to the publishers for letting us, the fans, make our own minds up!

Okay, so, enough of my random blathering and on with the review. I have to admit, I'm not usually a big reader of anything that isn't a novel - not unless I'm researching for a story I'm writing. That being said, I fully intended to buy The Supernatural Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls upon its release date, simply because it was part and parcel of my favorite show. What I hadn't realized then, or indeed until I opened the book up last night, was that its actually from Sam and Dean's point of view!

I had expected a book full of facts written in something similiar to text book form, and was very pleasantly surprised to read everything in my favorite two hunters 'voices.' The book doesn't tell you who is doing the narrating, and it does switch between brothers, but any hardened fan will know exactly which Winchester is 'talking' from the way everything is worded. It's actually quite an amusing way to lay everything out and keep the fans interested!

So, I hear you say, what exactly is it all about? Basically, Sam and Dean take your on a tour of every spook, creature or demon they've encountered thus far on the show. (Well, at least upto the latter half of season 2) Included in each article are Winchester diary excerpts as well as descriptions of other similiar creatures/spirits. For instance, when talking about shapeshifters, the book goes on to explain about Yenaldooshi, Bearwalkers, Leszy, Nahuales, Puca, and many more.

If you think you'll be bored by hearing about the same old creatures you've already seen on the show, then think again. While the book does give more information on what the brothers have hunted on screen, it also goes on a tangent letting us see many more supernatural legends - and they're all out there if you want to look them up on the net or at your local library!

One thing I did find interesting too was the fact the book actually mentions the sigil of Azazel is needed to summon the yellow-eyed demon. While many fans noted the symbol John used in In My Time Of Dying, as far as I'm aware, the show has never mentioned Azazel by name...or maybe it's just my imagination.

If you're interested in exorcism, then the book has several pages of the Rituale Romanum to keep you busy, as well as the incantation 'Meg' used to break the Devil's Trap in Born Under a Bad Sign. There are plenty of pictures and diagrams too, including the Clavicula Solomonis or Key of Solomon.

My favorite two parts are in the latter half of the book, and I suspect it's the fan fiction writer in me talking when I say this. Both the Herbs, Oils and Hoodoo Hands and Names and Attributes of European Demons sections immediately had me hunting for things I could write about.

The 'Herbs' section lists all the interesting roots and plants from Agrimony to Yucca along with their uses in the supernatural world. For instance, parsely was associated with death by the Greeks, and rosemary could be used to draw elves and fairies! I'll never look at the dinner table the same again...

Likewise the 'Euro Demons' section should provide fun for those wanting to write or simply learn a little more about what's out there in the demon universe. While the book admits there really are too many to list throughout history and differing religions, it does list most of the big guns in Judeo-Christian tradition. So, if you want to know who Barbatos is, (and no, its not a holiday destination!) then this is your book.

Overall, The Supernatural Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls is a fun read and a cool book to have on your shelf as a handy reference guide. I loved the idea of it being narrated by Sam and Dean as it kept things fresh rather then the whole thing coming over like some stuffy school book. To give you an idea of content, I've listed the different chapters below!

Preface

Spirits

Monsters

Ghouls, Revenants, Et Cetera

Witches, Familiars, and Black Dogs

Demons

Appendix A: Herbs, Oils and Hoodoo Hands

Appendix B: Names and Attributes of European Demons

The Supernatural Book of Monsters, Spirits, Demons, and Ghouls by Alex Irvine is released in the US on September 4th, but you can pre-order your copy from Amazon.com or tvmerch.com now! Alternatively, you can always pick one up on the day form your local book store!

Rating 9/10

Review by Kittsbud

Watch out for irismay42's review of Nevermore, coming soon...