Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins

by Claire Fayers

A wealth of Welsh myths, legends and ghost stories are reimagined for contemporary younger readers. Meet Idris, the teenage giant king on a quest to collect stories.

As he travels across Wales readers encounter a vengeful house goblin, a ghost that steals life, dwarves that have moved in beneath someone's garden, a tea party of lady ghosts, a furry trickster goblin and many other fascinating and devious fairy folk. These seventeen adventures, fairy tales and ghost stories from across Wales are retold and reimagined by the author as the traditional stories are given new life through the contemporary storyteller’s lens: a feisty, inclusive and relatable cast in a mix of traditional and contemporary settings.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Short Stories

208 pages, Hardcover

Published August 4, 2024

About the author

Please note: I don't often visit Goodreads so I don't accept friend requests and I'm unlikely to see questions posted here. If you'd like to get in touch, please send me a message through my website.

Claire Fayers writes comic fantasy featuring swashbuckling pirates, evil magicians, heroic librarians and man-eating penguins. She grew up in South Wales, studied English in Canterbury, and is now back in Wales where she spends a lot of her free time tramping around castles in the rain, looking for dragons.

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of Welsh myths, legends and ghost stories that have been reimagined for contemporary readers. The book is aimed at younger readers but it is suitable for all ages.

I loved this book, it had characters and themes that popped up throughout the book. Idris the teenage giant king on his quest to collect stories had a few chapters. I loved the Know Your Goblins chapters, such a great insight into Welsh folklore. Some of the original stories I was familiar with from the Mabinogi or other Welsh Folklore tales, I really enjoyed these retellings.

I pre-ordered a copy from my local independent book shop. It arrived before publication day and it is a beautiful book.

Thank you NetGalley and Firefly Press for sending this book for review, all opinions are my own.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories was a pleasure to read and I flew through them in one sitting. I enjoyed that a background with some information about the folklore/tales that each short story took inspiration from before each story. I had no knowledge of any welsh fairytales/folklore before reading this book and still thoroughly enjoyed it and this book has made me want to look into it all more and find more stories about it all!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this arc.

[Hege-Kristin Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a fun way to explore some Welsh folklore, you should check out "Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins" by Claire Fayers. This book is a collection of myths that has been made super relatable and easy to read for everyone, whether you’re a kid or a grown up.

Each story kicks off with an intro from the author, which helps set the vibe. I’ve never read Welsh myths before, and I was really surprised by how enjoyable and charming they are. The ghost stories, in particular, are pretty cool—just the right amount of spooky without being too scary.

What I loved about this book is that some tales feel really modern and relatable, while others have that classic, old-fashioned fairytale feel. It would be perfect for reading aloud.

I liked this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone looking for some enchanting and whimsical stories. The author has done a fantastic job bringing these giants and goblins to life.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

[BookswithLydscl | · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

A lovely collection, Middle Grade/YA level but adults will also likely enjoy it too.

[Bethany Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories are quite atmospheric, which I feel is a must with any folklore. I love the bits before each story, giving some insight into their origin.

The writing is quite simplistic, which I appreciate as it makes the stories easy to read.

Perfect for a nighttime read and fans of folklore.

Thanks to Netgalley and Firefly Press for the ARC

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins by Claire Fayers is a wonderful read filled with a blend of education about various creatures from Welsh legend and Fayers's way of weaving them into stories that are as enticing to adults as they would to a younger reader (albeit they may find themselves looking around warily for a goblin or two to come get them.)

I've always loved myths and legends from around the world, and with Wales being within sight across the sea from me? The creatures that can haunt the night, rile up farmers and perhaps play with the infamous Red Dragon or 'Y Ddraig Goch' have been ones that I'd read about on holidays to Anglesey or Conwy. Discovering this lovely book reawakened the child in me who would stare out of the window at bedtime waiting to see the infamous Gwrachod, or a Bwbach (Witches or a particularly friendly Sprite).

I do love how Fayers takes care to have the various characters of myth and legend be called by their Welsh names and not English which unfortunately I've seen. It adds to their stories and legends for me and acknowledges that these are unique to Welsh culture even if there may well be similar ones around the world.

My favourite has always been the Talwyth Teg who are the fae and how they were often responsible for Changelings finding their way into mortal homes. Seeing a story about them in Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins had my adult self be as swept away as I had at the age of nine. Thank you so much for that joy once again Claire Fayers!

This is a wonderful book with vivid storytelling, fantastical characters and world-building that brings these legends to life for all.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just before the schools broke up for summer I was talking to my line manager about the new library sessions for September. I told her my plans for each class, but I was stuck on a year 3 class, I didn’t know what to read with them. She mentioned some African folklore books she had planned to read in her class so this got me thinking.
After I finished reading this book I decided to use this book for the year 3 class. The idea being they get one story a week until the book is finished.
The stories are really short, maybe 5 - 10 minutes long, they all have a hidden message and they all will have something to talk about after.
What I love about books like these are the variety of stories contained in one book.
There is something for everyone.
The idea is that the Giant King, Idris (only a young lad) travels Wales looking for stories, to take back to the palace with him.

One of the stories I liked best is called Idris and the lonely shepherd. It tells the story of a shepherd who marries a fairy. The only problem is that iron will harm the fairy. Of course she accidentally gets touched by iron and disappears. The shepherd spends his day looking for his wife when he comes across Idris, well I’m not giving the ending away, you’ll just have to get yourself a copy of the book.
I just love everything about this book and hope there is more to come.

[Nikki L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins is a fantastic book, with 17 short reimagined Welsh folktales. I enjoyed that some of the stories contained the same character Idris the Giant prince on an adventure to discover new stories.

It was nice that each individual story had a little pretext to inform the reader what the story is based on and where the story is based, such as Caerphilly or Anglesey.
Whilst this book is aimed at younger readers 9 years and over, I would have to say it is a fantastic read for all ages interested in Welsh folktales, myths, and legends.
Both myself (F, 34) and my son (8) have enjoyed stories from this book.

As a non-welsh speaker, it was also a nice touch for any names in Welsh to have a phonetically written pairing so I could understand how it should be said, which was a huge help.

The book itself is also very stylish with a blue/green hardback cover with gold writing, pictures, and patterns. So even when you finish reading it, it will look great on the bookshelf.

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reading this lovely book, I can really feel the author's love for stories and that made the reading experience such a joyful and delightful one!

Right off the bat in the first chapter, our king Idris declares that he is going on a holiday AND I LOVE that for him!

I love learning about the Welsh fairy creatures and this book came just in time as I recently finished the Maizey Lee book which briefly mentioned Welsh fairy tales!

I love that at the start of every chapter, the author shares the original Welsh fairy tale, before diving into her story which can be a mix of various tales and even the author's own take to the stories. Often we will have our own questions to the tales that we come across, and I especially like how in one chapter, the author answered her question with a story of her own. I can truly feel how much fun the author is having with the stories!

(So much 'I love' in this review 🙈 but I really had fun!)

So glad to have stumbled upon this author, will love to check out more of her books!!

[emsonthebooks_again · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 Book Review 📚

A good retelling of Welsh myths and folklore, with imaginative updating into contemporary settings. I particularly like the theme of Idris the Giant as a central character who is collecting different tales throughout each chapter.

This is good for adults as well as children and although there was one misprint in the order of one of the tales, this didn’t detract from the different retelling of these myths.

A lovely, easy to read collection.

I’d like to Firefly Press, NetGalley and the author for the arc and the fantastic opportunity, in exchange for my honest feedback 😊

Book released on 1st August 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Mae of Scotland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Firefly press and Claire Fayers to receive a copy of Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins in exchange for a fair and honest review.

An amazing collection of fabulously written Welsh stories about the countries lore and legend. Very easy to read and written as a retelling in short story form. Claire Fayers' writing is engaging, fun and decriptive bring to life a beautiful landscape as a backdrop to the stories and paint vivid description of the creatures of folklore at the heart of each story. I loved the sections of Know Your Goblins. I will be definitely recommending this book to a couple of friends in Wales for their children.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a brilliant read, I'm a huge fan being Welsh myself of old folk tales and spooky Welsh tales.
Old stories told in a fun way with a modern twist but still with a nod to their roots and history with a little section at the start of each story narrating the background of its characters.
Curses, Princesses, hauntings, goblins, knights and ghosts.
There is something for everyone in this collection.
Usually with short story collections I find the stories rather hit or miss.
All of these were fantastic and very enjoyable.
My niece got me a signed copy at her local writing class as she knew I would adore it.

[Gem Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of Welsh myths, legends, and ghost stories reimagined for contemporary readers. While the book targets younger audiences, it is appropriate for readers of all ages. It was such an easy and enjoyable read surrounding Welsh myths (being Welsh myself, I found it very interesting!) Easy re telling make it a quick read, and for younger readers could definitely be read one short story per night - would make an excellent gift!

Thank you to the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

[Rhys Causon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and child friendly introduction to some stories of Welsh folkloric creatures and a enjoyable little book that is perfect for the autumn season with its stories of Ghosts and Goblins.

And the inclusion of an adaptation of Culwch and Olwen, one of the oldest Welsh stories, is a treat. Though I fear the ending may… aggravate… some readers who refuse to be flexible with how stories can change.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely gorgeous collection of traditional Welsh supernatural stories updated and retold beautifully (and in a very natural way) for the 21st century. The illustrations are also lovely. Highly recommended all round!

(When our copy arrived, my 11-year-old grabbed it and devoured all the stories first, before passing it on to me. Now, my 16-year-old wants to read it. So in other words, it's great for the whole family!)

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you LIKE FAIRYTALES . . . You'll LOVE this book: Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins! Bits and pieces of folklore gathered from all over Wales are presented and woven anew into stories that can't help but make you smile! Memorable magical characters and fantasy in short stories. A true delight!

[Rachel Hawkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. You can tell the author had fun writing it, mixing Welsh tales with modern settings. I especially liked the little introductions for each story explaining where a story had come from!

[Wesley Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author did a fantastic job of drawing from rooted Welsh folklore and weaving it into an exciting, fresh narrative. The general connections made in the book between the tales keep you grounded in the same universe, and allowed the author to finish beautifully.

[Ryan Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I acknowledge that I'm not the target audience for this book and think kids would love it and its a very accessible entry point for traditional myths. That being said, I personally am not a big fan of the modernisation of traditional stories.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Cute, fun, and easy

[Robyn G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Oliver Newton-Welsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The stories are great and really kept me hooked, once I started reading I literally couldn’t put it down!

[Grace Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, I loved reading about places I know so well. I liked researching the legends and myths the stories were inspired by. Brilliant

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute read!

[Heidi Rose Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Meg Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book for younger readers which gives a new take on some of Wales' oldest stories - a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Vee Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book , I loved the modern take on the traditional Welsh Legends and the character of Idris the giant.

[Anwen Smart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting way of retelling Welsh myths, but I wasn’t expecting it to be written for younger readers. Still a decent read though