Best Fictional Encyclopedias Like Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were
The weird, wonderful, mythical, and fantastical have always fascinated both authors and readers through the ages. This has resulted in many books getting published featuring detailed descriptions of creatures and places that don’t exist. Typically, these books also feature beautiful illustrations of these entities and locations. Many of these books, such as the Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were, also inspired other books, movies, and television shows that included unknown elements. For more fantasy encyclopedias, check out the following books like Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were.
Encyclopedia of Imaginary and Mythical Places
by Theresa Bane
Encyclopedia of Imaginary and Mythical Places is part of a series by Theresa Bane that also features topics such as spirits and ghosts in world mythology, fairies in world folklore and mythology, and vampire mythology. This particular encyclopedia catalogs more than 800 imaginary and mythological lands from all over the world. These include everything from kingdoms found in fairy tales to settings from Arthurian lore, fairy realms, and more. In addition, this book provides readers with the literary origin of each of these sites as well as useful information such as cultural context and topical features.
The Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia
by Daniel Harms
H.P. Lovecraft left behind a rich mythos with the horror universe he created, all of which can be found in The Cthulhu Mythos Encyclopedia by Daniel Harms. Lovecraft was a master of cosmic horror, and this encyclopedia is packed with information about the creatures, gods, locations, and characters he created during his lifetime. The in-depth analysis is excellent for anyone who wants to incorporate the Cthulhu Mythos in their own stories or readers who want to know more about the fascinating world created by Lovecraft.
The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures
by John Matthews & Caitlin Matthews
The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John Matthews and Caitlin Matthews claims to be the ultimate A-Z of fantastic beings from myth and magic. It covers magical creatures from myth, folklore, and legend worldwide while covering their history, folklore, and mythology. The creatures featured in this encyclopedia should be familiar to most readers as they have appeared in classic stories by everyone from the Brothers Grimm and Lewis Carroll to Tolkien and J.K Rowling. In addition, the book also contains information about obscure magical beings and even everyday animals that carry magical symbolism.
Encyclopedia of Spirits
by Judika Illes
Encyclopedia of Spirits by Judika Illes is described as the ultimate guide to the magic of fairies, genies, demons, ghosts, gods, and goddesses. It invites readers to learn more about the world of spirits with a comprehensive and entertaining A to Z list of ones from around this world and the next. In addition to the true identities of over one thousand spirits, the encyclopedia includes information such as their likes and dislikes. Furthermore, readers can learn how to recognize these spirits when they manifest themselves and what mythological and historical events are associated with specific spirits.
Classic Mythology A to Z
by Annette Giesecke
Classic Mythology A to Z by Annette Giesecke is an encyclopedia of gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, nymphs, spirits, monsters, and places. Along with fascinating definitions of 700 major and minor characters, creatures, and places of classic mythology, the book is also filled with illustrations by Jim Tierney. The author is a Professor of Classics and Chair of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Delaware who drew on her expertise for this comprehensive encyclopedia. In addition to being a brilliant reference, each definition in the encyclopedia is also cross-referenced to related characters, locations, and myths, along with their equivalent in Roman mythology.
The Neverending Story: The Encyclopedia of Fantastica
by Michael Ende, Roman Hocke, and Patrick Hocke
The Neverending Story: The Encyclopedia of Fantastica by Roman Hocke and Patrick Hock offers a comprehensive look at the beloved universe created by Michael Ende. Fantastica, called Fantasia in the film adaptations, is a vast and musical place with numerous locations and many strange inhabitants. This encyclopedia takes readers on a journey to revisit this world’s beloved and unknown creatures and the beautiful and eerie places they call home in Fantastica. The information is presented in A to Z format with detailed descriptions and fascinating information about everything related to Fantastica.
The Impossible Zoo
by Leo Ruickbie
The Impossible Zoo is an encyclopedia of fabulous beasts and mythical monsters by Leo Ruickbie. It is a biology of the supernatural and a study of the life of things that never lived. From the Abominable Snowman and Hydra to the Loch Ness Monster and more, The Impossible Zoo covers creatures of legend, beasts of fable, and monsters of mythology. According to the author, it is a collection of things that natural science has ruled out but still has a role in history and the social sciences. While the book’s purpose is entertainment, it also features many illustrations and sources for readers who want to further study and explore specific entries.
The Complete Zombie Encyclopedia
by Mike Anderson
The Complete Zombie Encyclopedia by Mike Anderson promises readers everything they ever wanted to know about zombies, the zombie apocalypse, and zombie survival. It is filled with zombie facts, survival tips, and pop culture. In addition, this illustrated encyclopedia features fascinating facts such as the “official” zombie food pyramid, the reason why zombies are called zombies, and where the worst places to be in a zombie outbreak are. While definitely written from a humorous point of view, the encyclopedia features enough facts to satisfy anyone’s curiosity about the undead.
