I had in mind that this was going to be more about maps and cartography but it was instead a collection of sci fi and fantasy stories. I should probably have read the blurb more carefully but my expectations weren’t met. I’m not a huge fan of fantasy novels so the stories in that genre just didn’t do it for me.

This anthology is a great choice for fans of science fiction and fantasy short stories! It is a great way to learn about different science fiction and fantasy authors.

Because of the beautiful cover and pitch, I was expecting a lot more Fantasy. It is, in fact, much more speculative fiction and SF. So, we are already starting with some disappointment here.

Of course, an anthology with only excellent texts doesn't exist. However, in this case, I must, unfortunately, admit that I was more often disappointed than enthusiastic. There were good stories, some with good ideas but lacking in the execution, and some that just didn't touch me at all. Seanan McGuire and Becky Chambers never disappoint, but I hoped they were not the only ones.

Lost Worlds & Mythological Kingdoms is a wonderful collection of imaginative stories by many of my favorite authors. Each story is different and brings another world or situation to light and I thank the editors for putting another excellent anthology together.

Do you love stories of missing worlds and places? Stories such as the lost city of Atlantis, El Dorado, or Shangri-La? Well, then I have some good news for you! Lost Worlds and Mythological Kingdoms is an entire collection of very similar stories.

In total, I believe there are seventeen short stories in this anthology, all revolving around the concept of missing worlds and all very much fitting a sci-fi vibe. I'll confess that this anthology first came up on my radar because of one of my favorite authors (Seanan McGuire). Other authors I adore in this anthology include Becky Chambers, Kate Elliot, Theodora Goss, and Carrie Vaughn.

The Light Long Lost at Sea by An Owomoyela
Rating: ★ ★ ★
The Light Long Lost at Sea kinda read like it was the continuation of a story – but I can't find any evidence of the story it may have spawned from. This isn't unusual – reading a short story out of context, and actually seems to happen a lot in anthologies. Still, I would love to know more about this world before diving on in.

The Cleft of Bones by Kate Elliot
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
I love Kate Elliot, so I wasn't surprised to find myself enjoying this latest world she's built, The Cleft of Bones. It's dark and heavy, but still wonderfully done. I found myself wanting more as the story came to a conclusion.

The Voyage of Brenya by Carrie Vaughn
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
This was a very interesting story, one that felt more lyrical, which was a nice surprise. It follows a woman who sets off all alone on a journey of her own. I didn't mean to rhyme there, sorry!

Comfort Lodge by Enigma Valley
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
If you don't like unique storytelling formats then you probably won't enjoy Comfort Lodge. It's a collection of reviews/notes about a hotel and is totally different from anything else I've read. I rather enjoyed the unique take on the subject.

The Expedition for the Evening at the Foot of the Mountain Pass by Genevieve Valentine
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
There's something very somber about The Expedition for the Evening at the Foot of the Mountain Pass. Probably the fact that many of the people in the expedition know that they won't all survive. It's very realistic in that sense, I suppose.

Down in the Dim Kingdom by Tobias S. Buckell
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
This one got dark – it was good, don't get me wrong. But there are certainly some dark elements. Down in the Dim Kingdom raises all sorts of questions about the intention behind missing worlds.

Those Who Have Gone by C.C. Finlay
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Those Who Have Gone hurt my heart in a way. It felt too real – with a situation many younger women have found themselves in. Yet it had a fantasy edge, though I'm not entirely sure that the fantasy elements helped soothe the ache.

An Account, by Dr. Inge Kuhn, of the Summer Expedition and Its Discoveries by E. Lily Yu
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
I loved An Account, by Dr. Inge Kuhn, of the Summer Expedition and Its Discoveries. I know that it relied on a common fascination these days – something cropping up from the melting polar ice caps, but I really appreciated the twist here.

Out of the Dark by James L. Cambias
Rating: ★ ★ ★
Out of the Dark very much felt like repo men in space. It was a solid foundation to work with, I only wish that there had been more time to explore the concept.

Endosymbiosis by Darcie Little Badger
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
How many people do you think have gone missing over the years? Are there certain jobs more prone to a mysterious fate than others? I imagine that oceanographers would be more at risk of getting taken away by sirens, for obvious reasons. It would seem that Darcie Little Badger has the same thought.

The Orpheus Gate by Jonathan Maberry
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
The Orpheus Gate uses magic and fantasy realms to explore a common concept – having our worlds rocked by a new discovery. I really enjoyed it, even though the overall themes felt familiar.

Hotel Motel Holiday Inn by Dexter Palmer
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Palmer imagines a series of salespeople gathering in hotels and the like to share their stories. While many of them probably see the same thing day in and out, the odds are always higher than average that they will come across the strange and unknown. It is the nature of their job.

On the Cold Hill Side by Seanan McGuire
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
On the Cold Hill Side is my absolute favorite short story from this collection, and I'm not just saying that because Seanan McGuire is a favorite author of mine. This one grabbed my imagination and would not let go. It's a story that takes place across hundreds of years, following an island as it comes and goes. I loved the collection of stories it collects, and the modern conclusion to the tale (not so much a conclusion – I would love to see McGuire pick this up as a series).

The Return of Grace Malfrey by Jeffrey Ford
Rating: ★ ★ ★
I honestly don't quite know what to say about this one. It is extremely imaginative, I'll give you that! It's out there, in a way that stories of the lost could only ever hope to be.

The Tomb Ship by Becky Chambers
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I love that this anthology included stories set in space as well as in fantastical lands. This one follows a miner in space (as in, they literally mine things for a living). Though they're about to come across a few surprises to make things more interesting.

Pellargonia: A Letter to the Journal of Imaginary Anthropology by Theodora Goss
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I love Theodora Goss' writing, it's so evocative and powerful. Especially in this story, which imagines three teens discussing a story that they created together and what it means to them. It feels rather relevant, don't you think?

There, She Didn't Need Air to Fill Her Lungs by Cadwell Turnbull
Rating: ★ ★ ★
I really love how There, She Didn't Need Air to Fill Her Lungs will (and has) made readers stop and think. As such, it makes total sense that this is the final story in the anthology. I won't say that it is the one that will linger the longest (for me that will always be On the Cold Hill Side), but it will linger in your mind nonetheless.

I was offered this book as an ARC via NetGalley and really enjoyed the breadth of stories here. Clearly in a short story collection not every story will appeal to everyone but this book will no doubt have something for any lover of sci-fi and fantasy.

I have enjoyed dipping in and out of this book over the past week. There are stories from some authors who were familiar to me and several who were not. Each story brought something new to the table and were very different from each other. A couple were unfathomable to me and felt as though they were excerpts lifted from a larger story because they seemed to not have a clear beginning or end. Most I really enjoyed and found them thought provoking, and some I wanted to continue on with the story.

The title is a slightly misleading one as it would indicate (to me, at any rate) stories about kingdoms half-known, perhaps in legend or folklore, but they are actually about new worlds and discoveries and realities.

Some beloved and new to me authors. A lot of fascinating short stories that left me wanting more stories and more from these authors.
An excellent anthology.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is a great collection of stories, I'd recommend them. I was hoping to read it for Seanan McGuire (a favorite author of mine), but I was thrilled to discover others. I recommend this to anyone who's interested in doorways, Narnia, Wonderland, Brakebills, Fillory, or further.

Once upon a time, before the world was all mapped out and figured out, there were mysteries out there. Lands unknown and kingdoms undiscovered.
The best thing about fiction is its stubborn refusal to be curtained or in any way limited by reality. Fiction can take you as far as imagination can go. And this collection will take you places you never knew existed. Literally. Places freshly made up by a number of very talented authors specifically for this anthology.
Ranging from science fiction to fantasy to magic realism to horror and beyond, these stories imagine distant worlds on this or other planets, giving you, the reader, an opportunity to have the most exciting sort of armchair traveling experience.
Yes, it took me a moment to get into this collection, the first two stories didn’t quite do it, but afterwards, it was one winner after the next. Such cleverly crafted, well-written, exciting adventures.
I’m not even sure I have favorites, there were so many. Vaughn, Yu (both), Buckell, Finlay and more. Even Seanan McGuire who normally doesn’t work for me due to its overwhelming YA-ness was really good here.
Overall, a great read. Recommended for every intrepid armchair traveler and everyone who looks at maps wishing for more. Thanks Netgalley.

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley UK and the publishers at Grim Oak Press for this ARC.

I was so excited to receive a copy of this anthology, as I adore exploring (fictional) new worlds and seeing where different authors will fearlessly tread.

Unfortunately, some of this stories felt like they strived too hard to distance themselves from the 'expected' tropes and, as a result, struggled to meet the brief of the anthology. Subsequently, I then struggled through them when really I longed for adventure and starry-eyed exploration.

Speaking of stars, the highlight of this collection, for me, was definitely Becky Chamber's story, which I happily would have read as an extended piece of writing. I also really enjoyed the offerings by Theodora Goss and Seanan McGuire.

Overall, however, the quality of this anthology felt mismatched for me- with high peaks and murky depths abound. This is always a pro and con of short story anthologies though and 'Lost Worlds, Mythological Kingdoms' is definitely a prime way for readers explore samples from a variety of authors.

I really enjoyed this one! I love learning about things like this, so I found it very eye opening. If you’re not a history/mythology person, you probably need to skip this.

Thank you to Grim Oak Press for this ARC copy! I will absolutely be trying to get my hands on a hard copy of this book, and then I think I might have some clearer thoughts on it. I find the subject matter of this book incredibly fascinating and has always been my area of interest, and in that way it did not disappoint. I think this can just be an issue with anthologies, and especially anthologies read on an e-copy, but I did feel it was uneven in parts and some entries were more stand-out where others were less intriguing. All in all, it was enjoyable and interesting and I would happily reread it.

As a teacher at a niche religious school in Florida, I am always looking out for material that will push my students' empathy and understanding. These stores, from so many different authors and styles, 100% fits what I generally look forward to.
However, like any anthology, the material is a little bit uneven, with some standouts (Valente's, for example) overshadowing others.
Still, a VERY good collection.

This was a fun collection with stories about discovering new places, which is something I generally enjoy alot!

Most of the stories were fun and interesting, but with all collections like these some didn't hit the spot with me.

All in all, I enjoyed it and think that most will find something to like here!

This anthology of short stories by well-known SFF writers promised 'Lost Worlds and Mythological Kingdoms' with the cover art pointing to a spot marked 'Here Be Dragons.' I was rather disappointed with the results of this prompt.

Here's the order I read them in:
There, She Didn't Need Air to Fill Her Lungs by Cadwell Turnbull 3.5/5 - I really liked Turnbull's full length speculative fiction novel No Gods, No Monsters read last year. Here a group of graduate students at an American university take a trip to Nepal to find a mythological tree on Fishtail Peak. One of them Maya is originally from Nepal so it's a homecoming of sorts while others are from St Croix, Mexico etc. I think it's about the code-switching and personality splitting that one has to do when living abroad stranded from one's true self.

Endosymbiosis by Darcie Little Badger 2/5 - A South Asian Oceanography graduate student Jul tries to back out of an expedition due to her nephew being injured. But her evil white thesis advisor and PI won't let her! The team encounter some kind of giant squid at sea and tragedy ensues. I usually like reading about POC female scientists but the execution of this one left a lot to be desired.

Pellargonia: A Letter to the Journal of Imaginary Anthropology by Theodora Goss - A group of female high schoolers discover.... skimmed, couldn't be bothered to finish

The Light Long Lost at Sea by An Owomoyela 4.25/5 - This is the only story in the whole collection whose characters and worldbuilding intrigued me.

Down in the Dim Kingdoms by Tobias S. Buckell 2.5/5 - This story has interesting valid points to make about colonialism and so-called explorers that are venerated being ruthless murderers. The teenage female protagonist is written to be shocking but I found her predictable and spoiled.

An Account, by Dr. Inge Kuhn, of the Summer Expedition and Its Discoveries by E. Lily Yu - I usually love Yu's short stories but this one couldn't capture my interest.

The Voyage of Brenya by Carrie Vaughn 2.25/5 Agree with the reviewer who said this had Moana vibes. Female adolescent sets off alone in boat to get help from the gods in the west for her beleagured island. Encounters talking tern and whale. Are we in a Disney movie?! Finally meets the 'gods' who can magically understand her, I guess there's no linguistics differences in this world /s. Moral of this simplistic story is a society builds up and passes down their myths and stories, which may not be true. Who knew?

Comfort Lodge, Enigma Valley by Charles Yu 3/5 - Somewhat creative, the entire story consists of Yelp reviews of a Comfort Lodge which has very strange properties.

Thanks to Grim Oak Press for providing an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I always love picking up an anthology So I can find new authors to read. Lost Worlds and Mythological Kingdoms gave me names to add to my list of one’s to watch. This thing is getting so long! Of course there were also some well loved authors offering up interesting short stories; some in step with what they write everyday and some as a way to step away from their usual.. I didn’t find any stories in this anthology that I did not enjoy. That is unusual.

To highlight a few that stood out for me:
Comfort Lodge, Enigma Valley
By Charles
I don’t know where Enigma Valley is and the Yelp reviews for this lodge really leave me conflicted about whether or not I would want to go there. Yes, I said Yelp reviews. This entire short story is written in a series of weirder and weirder Yelp reviews going backwards in time (someone set their preferences to “Newest First”). I loved the format even though it was slightly awkward. I’ve gone down a few Yelp rabbit holes in my time. I wish there were more casual references to Hidden Kingdoms, Gates, and Voices in the ones I have read. Really, any casual reference to the supernatural would be appreciated. I’ve seen Charles Yu’s name so many times that I was surprised when I looked through his titles that I had never read any. List slightly longer.

Those Who Have Gone
By CC Finlay
A couple who are obviously on very different wavelengths take a trip to the desert in Arizona. You know how some people are afraid of forest or mountains? I don’t get it but people visit me in my mountain home and are afraid to sit outside at night. Well, that is me about the desert. So the setting was already creepy for me. Add a woman who is trying to find a way to break up with her volatile boyfriend as they head out on a desert camping trip. They find themselves ambushed but you really end up cheering on the ambushers, as one of the ambushees really deserves it. The entire thing was subtly terrifying. CC Finlay is being added to the list.

Aberry- The Orpheus Gate
By Jonathan Maberry
Not a new name for me. As a matter of fact it was searching this name that brought me to this anthology. Maberry has a way of mixing science and supernatural in a way that reminds me of ``1970s horror movies. As a child I actually thought that every university must have a paranormal wing that they were mebarrassed about but somehow allowed to stay. In that tradition is Jessica, a serious scientist burdened by the pseudoscientific legacy of her great grandfather (G2, that’s great and I will use it with my parents when my brand new granddaughter can speak). The question, what if ghosts were people who had crossed dimensions and then been stuck there even after their body, left behind, died? Would you mess with the order of the universe to free them if you could? Would it influence your decision to know that one of these people was related to you? The moral dilemmas of changing the world, even the supernatural world, are not concrete.

Hotel Motel Holiday Inn
By Dexter Palmer
Another name I already have read and loved, but what got me was the Rapper’s Delight title. This one is weird but really speaks to anyone who has traveled a lot. I’ve driven every state, not just because flying makes people even harder to be around, but because I want to experience this huge country. This is a rambling monologue of a traveler sharing some of the secrets of the well-traveled. I can’t even put a finger on why this story made me smile. It spoke to me and the wanderer that has been housed for the past two years.

There are a lot of other fantastical stories here. These appealed to me most, but I think there is something for everyone here.

Like a lot of these anthologies, the stories can be good bad or ugly. This one hits that idea right on the head. Some are set in fantastical worlds, other in our world where magic exists. Others are all like a noir background. A couple of the stories seem to have no beginning, some have no end and others have neither, it's like you come in in the middle and then just stop.

Probably some of them are of the part genre that I don't enjoy or find too complicated to spend my time on. What this means is that there is something here for everyone, but not all for anyone.

Lost Worlds and Mythological Kingdoms is a collection of seventeen fantasy and science fiction stories about other worlds, on this planet or elsewhere. I was attracted to this book by the cover of a hand pointing to a symbol on the map and the caption “Hic sunt dracones“, “here be dragons“. Like any collection, some offerings were more appealing than others. The stand out stories for me were “The Voyage of the Brenya” by Carrie Vaughn and “On the Cold Hill Side” by Seanan McGuire.

“The Voyage of the Brenya” sees a young woman heading west across the ocean in her currach to find why the Gods had abandoned her village that had been subject to numerous raids.

“On the Cold Hill Side” is about an island which goes through a cycle of appearing and disappearing.

“Comfort Lodge, Enigma Hill” by Charles Yu, was very enigmatic, a story told through accommodation reviews, alongside the bizarre happenings in the reviews were mundane observations like the eggs being good.

There didn’t seem much connection between the stories and I felt it could havebegun with a stronger story, some of the strongest stories were towards the end of the collection.

I received an eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

My rating 3 out of 5

I loved discovering a new world in each short story-there are ancient magics, faraway gods, hidden knowledge.... great collection for fantasy fans!