Preludes & Apocrypha by Josdarama March

“I trust readers will distinguish between carefully researched, factual histories and the highly fanciful, entertaining folktales of Lupine origin.”

Shapeshifter mythology and folklore date back millennia, can be found in numerous cultures around the world and have become somewhat of a trope in various literary genres. From spicy erotica to gruesome horror, shapeshifters remain one of the most popular literary devices and versatile creatures that continue to prickle readers’ imaginations. When it comes to werewolf (or lupine) mythology, it’s logical that readers may have read almost all there is to read about these creatures, but as a werewolf enthusiast, I can honestly say Preludes & Apocrypha: A Little Werewomen™ Compendium (Varsity Aesthetics) by Josdarama March is nothing like anything I’ve read before. And, judging by the above-mentioned book quote, I did find it rather difficult to distinguish between factual histories and the fanciful folktales that were covered …

Fun, Fanciful, Yet Factual to an Extent

From the get-go, readers will be transported into a whole other world, where the whimsical meets history, and it is utterly delightful! Preludes & Apocrypha: A Little Werewomen™ Compendium reads like a quarterly magazine set in the early 1900s, with forewords, translator notes, short tales and even letters, not to mention the wonderful illustrations that are found in abundance. The chapters are short, to the point and full of information that makes this book seem almost like a non-fiction, yet it’s a fun, sometimes hilarious read. And while the book is short, there is so much for readers to discover, to memorize, to enjoy … In other words, one reading is not enough!

From a better-known retelling in the form of The Curious Tale of Little Red Raging Hood with an interesting ending to the lesser-known “Four stories in the Western Tracts”, which has a whole other feel to it, there’s truly something for everyone.

What I, personally, enjoyed the most was how the author also incorporated facts — or as factual as possible mythology — into the book, blurring the lines between what is “real” folklore and what is the “twist”.

A Book With Personality

“Entries such as Miracle of the Mice and The Story of Apohoph are among the oldest and may predate human civilization by several thousand years.”

Another interesting, and rather impressive feat the author achieved is to give the entire book a personality. Preludes & Apocrypha: A Little Werewomen™ Compendium isn’t just an ordinary book about werewolves (or werewomen), it’s an alternative history for us humans. But in the same breath, it isn’t necessarily written for humans, but rather marketed towards “were-people”. We’re just given a glimpse into the origins of these creatures, their trials and tribulations and their mythologies.

It’s a creative, contemporary compendium that seems to reach across time, embody the voice of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and yet is perfectly modern, too!

Of course, I cannot leave out the beautiful illustrations that set Preludes & Apocrypha: A Little Werewomen™ Compendium apart from all the other werewolf books in my personal collection. There’s something very traditional, almost vintage about the design of the book in its entirety, from the voice used to write the tales to the lovely formatting. The illustrations, however, draw readers into the book with such efficiency and truly make it difficult to differentiate whether it should even be categorized as fiction. After all, many of my mythology and history reference books use the same art techniques …

A Wonderful Addition to Werewolf Fiction

Preludes & Apocrypha: A Little Werewomen™ Compendium is an excellent addition to werewolf fiction. It’s, dare I say, almost interactive, and definitely one of the most memorable books I’ve ever read about werewolves. Readers will definitely be left wanting more, and luckily, if the advertisement in the back of the book is to be believed, we won’t have to wait too long for the sequel to this “quarterly”. Why? Preludes & Apocrypha: Bloodlines is on its way!