*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,

I actually started reading this a while ago as I wanted to do this review for Halloween, but life got in the way (as it always does). I finally finished it and I am so happy that I did. I loved the different takes on each Monster. This anthology was so refreshing as I was getting tired of all the same monster horror tropes and knowing exactly how each story was going to end. Like most Anthologies, I did like other stories more than others, but that is always expected. Each author's reimagined monster added something new to the monster genre. I'm glad I wasn't left feeling disappointed or let down when I finished this book and will be looking up a lot of the authors that contributed to this book.

Overall, a new exciting take on the Classic Monsters in Horror. ( )

The most famous monsters of yesterday are given new life today by multiple award winning authors in this entertaining new anthology.
There were not a lot of scares, but there was a lot of fun, some social commentary and even the Invisible Man was an allegory of today's social climate.
Several stories pay homage to Mary Shelley with reimaginings of Frankenstein and his monster.
We learn how The Wicked Witch of the West made flying monkeys, dabble in the dangers of artificial intelligence with a headless horseman, and more in this huge volume of stories and illustrations.
Not every story was a huge hit with me but that is not unusual with such a massive selection. Much like a box of assorted chocolates you can take what you like and leave the rest.

A few of my favorites were They Call Me Mother by Geneve Flynn but I am not going to tell you the classic monster it was derived from because I didn't know myself until nearly halfway through so I'm not going to spoil it for you.
She Creature from the Golden Cove by John Palisano in which a boat trip turns dangerous when a family stops to help what they think is a woman in trouble.
Dreams by F. Paul Wilson is about a woman who dreams she is a monster
Beautiful Monster by JG Faherty - is another Frankenstein's monster story with a sad twist and a female lead.
Give Me Your Hand by David Surface is a different sort of werewolf tale.
A Tale of Wickedness by Kelsea Yu in which a very captive audience hears and experiences a witchy story.
Moonlight Serenade by Gaby Triana was another very original werewolf tale.

These for me were the 5 star stories, your favorites may differ from mine.
I received an advance copy under no obligation to write a review.
( )

Not too much surprising here; fewer vampires than would have been present a decade ago, more werewolves and Frankenstein’s monsters. Seanan McGuire contributes a mad scientist rant; also features Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Maberry, F. Paul Wilson, Ramsey Campbell, and others. ( )

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this arc!

My major issue with Classic Monsters Unleashed is that a good portion of stories could have been removed and the book would have been better.

I didn't understand the point of the first writer putting Dolores Haze in hell. Wasn't she the little girl from Lolita?!

But I don't want to focus on the negatives. I do want to mention the authors, who I felt, put together some good stories for this.

Dreams by F. Paul Wilson was an interesting take on Frankenstein's monster. I want a sequel for Mummy Calls by Simon Bestwick, while The Nightbird by Michael Knost, and Give Me Your Hand by David Surface aren't the most unexpected takes, but are solid decent stories. A Take of Wickedness by Kelsey Yu was a nice read, and I loved the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (I think) inspired story Dead Lions by Richard Christian Mathewson.

You can have the ground, my love by Charlie St. George is definitely one of my favorites from the collection and I would like to read more by her. Rapt by Rena Mason had so much potential, but something about it just confused me! I want to love it more!

I do feel like it will help you to know the stories behind the monsters that are being referenced here. For example, even if you aren't the biggest fan of Frankenstein, knowing generally about Frankenstein will definitely help, I also liked the Monstrous Quotes section and the dedication ( )