---
product_id: 124531843
title: "Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic Hardcover – January 1, 2005"
brand: "john matthews"
price: "$150"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/124531843-element-encyclopedia-of-magical-creatures-the-ultimate-a-z-fantastic
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic Hardcover – January 1, 2005

**Brand:** john matthews
**Price:** $150
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of Fantastic Beings from Myth and Magic Hardcover – January 1, 2005 by john matthews
- **How much does it cost?** $150 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/124531843-element-encyclopedia-of-magical-creatures-the-ultimate-a-z-fantastic)

## Best For

- john matthews enthusiasts

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## Description

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## Images

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Best book of its genre anywhere on earth.
  

*by G***. on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 12, 2016*

This book is really interesting. It's a full encyclopedia with decent amounts of information on more than 1,000 entries of cryptozoological creatures. Most books I've read, typically focus primarily on the Loch Ness Monster and the damn Sasquatch and that's about it. However, this book contains viable information for each of its entries. The ones that have more history behind them will have more information than some others, which offer only a short paragraph about it, but it will at least give you an "awareness" of some of the rarer creatures. So if you want more information on those, using the internet sometimes comes in handy. But you'll most likely not find much more information on them anyways as modern man does not know as much about them as the ancients did. This is by far the LARGEST and most comprehensive collection of mythical animals and creatures I have ever seen. It's THICK, too. with 643 pages of creatures, plus a bibliography and index. The print is large as well, plus there are big margins to write in notes if you like, with extra information you may have found about the beasts elsewhere (This is what I do). I only wished that it was illustrated. It does have a few drawings in there, but they are very random and not specified towards any certain creature, nor are they labled. I believe that a pronunciation guide for the names of the creatures would have been a nice feature as well as I struggle to pronounce the names as they are written, but overall, John and Caillin Matthews did a terrific job on compiling and writing this fantastic book, which has no equal or rival in my search for books like this. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars, I would. Pliny the Elder and Younger would both be very impressed with this excellent book.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    great for writing research!
  

*by A***R on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 13, 2019*

This has been super helpful for finding less common mythical creatures to put in my novel. But, I will suggest BE SURE YOU BUY THE HARDBACK as the paper back does not include the index in the back, which is the most helpful part! The index allows me to look up creatures according to what animals they most resemble. So if I want a dog like creature, I look up "Dog" in the back and then sift through the pages referenced until I find a made up creature that I like. The book as a whole is like a big dictionary, everything in alphabetical order with physical descriptions, where the tales originated from, and traits of the creatures. So great for finding mythical creatures OUTSIDE of the overused European fairy tales and Greek mythology! Only wish it was easier to look up creatures by region (ex. American legends, India Mythology, etc.).

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    More than I ever needed to know, and more, and more, and still more
  

*by E***G on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 22, 2020*

I just wanted to research dragons for a children's book.Well, I got dragons, and a slew of other creatures I never knew existed, that give me ideas for a dozen other books.I imagine this would be a hit with any child interested in mythological beasts and spark their curiosity and imagination.... maybe even take a breather from those  mind numbing computer games and use their brains creatively. Who knows, you might find reading it yourself.

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*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-02-21*