A review of Bestiary of Blood, edited by Jamal Hodge

Let’s start off right away with the structure – Bestiary of Blood is a book outrageous in breadth and scope. Tons of established and tons of upcoming authors, all hand-picked by the editor Jamal Hodge, to fit his theme of Modern Fables and Dark Tales.

The stories are further subdivided into categories and subcategories, which might sound a little dry on the surface, but is instead a reflection of the wide variety of stories inside. Some are best in daylight, some by night, and some during the unknown bands of gray between. Some reflect beginnings, some reflect ends, and others reflect even stranger stages. For me, it all worked. My li’l inner organizer brain loved it.

But the stories themselves…

Wow.

So many authors, and each brings a new and dangerous voice to play in this sandbox, each bringing their own interpretation not only of the theme, but of the animal they’re writing of. Because these are fables, each is told from the place of an animal – or animal-like creature.

Some of the stories are traditional fables. Some of the stories are cautionary tales. Some of the stories offer insights only available from such a creature. Some are stories of people encountering and affected by creatures. Some are so outrageously bizarre that it’s hard to tell what Universe they’re from.

The picture is so big that approaching it intellectually isn’t the right way to do this. Approach it emotionally.

This book is an emotional ride through the nerve fibers of many different animals, and on each part of the ride, you’re gonna feel it, right down to your roots.

Get this book (you can find it on Amazon). Share this book. Feel it.

You won’t regret it.