This is a thorough and well researched book about the various different incarnations that magical folk take in folklore across the British Isles, with their many regional similarities and differences, separated out by county. The book is certainly informative but I found the delivery of the information a little dry for the casual reader.

I received an ARC from Netgalley

This book explores the world of British and Irish folklore, focusing on the digitization of fairy stories and contemporary fairy sightings. It delves into the evolution of fairies throughout history, their characteristics, habits, and interactions with humans. The book also discusses methods to appease fairies and dispel their spells, providing a captivating look into the enchanting realm of magical folk. Overall an interesting read

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book.
Having read a more tongue in cheek story of something similar I had a hard time taking the book seriously.

Everything you have ever wanted to know about fairies, fae, little people it's all here in this amazing, delightful book. If you love fairies, you will love this book.
Learning about fairies back through history, personal stories I found very interesting, different kinds, understanding who they are, where are they now, spells, magic. Did you know that they do a fairy count?
You will enter a whole new world and experience it with the faes.
The amount of research, documentation and dedication to write this book is astonishing. The writing style flowed perfectly with the subject matter.
This a must have for your library and perfect as
gift for your favorite fairy lover..

Thank you for bringing this book available to all of us fairy lovers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book! It was very informative about the different types of fairies and elves in folklore. Being a fan of Tolkien and CS Lewis, this subject really interested me. I'd recommend it to anyone!

An interesting academic account of fairies and folklore from the UK and Ireland including modern accounts and interpretations. The text is organised by region and takes a look at the etymology of place names and local traditions. Each chapter is written by a different author who takes a slightly different approach to the topic to produce a cohesive whole. The book provides an insight into the way perceptions of fairies changed with the passage of time as well as the way words, law and belief evolved with the growth of science - although the newspaper accounts suggest that an acceptance of fairies has never gone away. It’s factual and very interesting but probably not for someone who just wants stories.

I found the concept of this book very intriguing and so chose it to read and review. The authors certainly know their subject however I found the reading of it a bit slow. For such a choice of subject I would have preferred more easy reading text, it reads like an academic book which would not necessarily encourage those readers who prefer less weighty text. As I say, it is very informative and well researched but not a book I would read again.

This book was enjoyable and informative to those wanting a comprehensive encyclopedia on Fairylore in the British Isles. There was some of it I didn't know, however I did find the subject matter surprisingly dry. So a book I would recommend to lore purists only, it isn't a light read for an introductory take.

Magical Folk by Simon Young; Ceri Houlbrook is fascinating. Did you know there is a Fairy Census? The census dates back to the 1950's to present time. There are recorded experiences of seeing fairies from all over the world by people of all ages, and backgrounds. The book talks about many of these sightings. It also tells you about the many types of fairies, and how folklore has changed over the years. I found this to be a fun and very interesting book. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in the fae.

This book brings together a delightful mix of introductions and scholarship on the subject for the enjoyment of anyone interested in folklore. And thanks to the incredible innovation of digitization, we can now uncover these stories and others like them that were previously hidden away in printed works, which have been scanned and stored online. This technological advancement is revolutionizing the study of the British and Irish supernatural. It has unearthed a collection of fascinating individuals whose lives intertwined with the fairies, and we wouldn't have known their stories without digitization.

If digitization is a treasure trove for fairylore, there's another captivating aspect: contemporary fairy sightings. The Fairy Census is an ongoing worldwide online survey where people share their wildest and most intimate experiences with fairies. These enchanting encounters continue to occur even today, both in England and along the Celtic fringe.

Fairies have undoubtedly evolved throughout history, as evident in the findings from the Fairy Census. We have accounts of British and Irish fairies dating back to Roman times. In the Middle Ages, there were elves, gnomes, and trolls in Germanic and Celtic Europe, and Shakespeare's England had child-sized, light-carrying, musical fairies. Interestingly, the concept of fairy wings only emerged at the end of the eighteenth century through the imaginations of British artists, rather than being rooted in traditional folklore. Furthermore, all the medieval and Elizabethan records of fairies describe them as human- or child-sized beings.

The fairies were so potent and awe-inspiring that their human neighbors referred to them as the "Good People" or "the Gentry" to avoid irritating these morally ambivalent, unpredictable beings. Meanwhile, fairies would often play tricks, cause havoc, and, in some instances, even commit murder or kidnapping among human populations.

To put it simply, traditional fairies are magical humanoid beings who reside exclusively in Britain, Ireland, and the lands settled by British and Irish migrants. Other regions have their own magical beings with distinctive characteristics, such as "fée" in France, "fata" or "fada" in Southern Europe, "maitagarri" among the Basques, and "keijukainen" in Finland. These fairies are magical in the sense that they defy the laws of physics; they can fly through the air, appear and disappear at will, manipulate time, and transform their surroundings with a mere wave of their hands. And, most importantly, they are very much alive, not mere ghosts.

The fairies in different regions also possess distinct habits, traits, and physical appearances. For instance, it was noted that fairies, particularly in Britain and Ireland until recent times, had a mischievous tendency to snatch babies and replace them with fairy impostors who resembled the stolen child. This is known as the changeling tradition.

Indications that fairies have been provoked include inexplicable and sudden breakages, spoiled milk, rapidly decaying food, and a streak of ill fortune. Similarly, the mysterious disappearance and subsequent reappearance of shiny objects, or objects vanishing and returning in the same location, may hint at the presence of fairies. In an effort to appease these enchanted beings and encourage the swift return of missing items, some individuals offer bread dipped in milk or honey, accompanied by apologies in instances where the fairies might have been offended.

For example, one tried and true method to dispel a pixy-spell is to turn one's pockets inside out in the hope that the mischievous pixies will vanish. Legends recount the expulsion of a group of fairies from a county by the sound of church bells, as they are believed to act as fairy disinfectants. Alternatively, carrying stale bread in one's pocket is said to keep them at bay.

Overall, this book serves as a valuable repository of information gathered on the enchanting realm of magical folk. Personally, I found the stories captivating, brimming with delightful intricacies. The writing style maintains a well-paced and structured narrative, making it all the more engrossing.

A really informative and interesting book on the fae. I enjoyed the different types and where they're from. It was a nice and easy book to help break down the information.

A fascinating collection of British mythology relating to the Fae and Fairy folklores of the United Kingdom. I found the stories engaging and full of wonderful details - some were new to even me. The writing style is well pace and structured feeling like a skilled story teller is whispering the words too you. I found myself thinking this reads like some of the Highland story telling sessions I've been to.

A truly wonderful guide to fairies, whether for example they are called pixies, elves or fairies, the title magical folk includes all names. The history of fairies is stated, and also the fact that fairies are still seen today, not just in celtic lands like Ireland but in London. A useful store of information gathered on the subject of magical folk.