The problem or the joy of this book is that you find you knew this subjectively, she's just pulled it out for everyone to see. The section on clothing was an eye opener. Think back on the fantasy you've read. Okay, now take cloaks. "On horseback they leave the shirt-sleeved arms and most of the torso exposed to wind and weather". She goes over the drawback and the pluses of cloaks (everyone looks great from the back). I just don't think I can see fantasy realms in the same way again. For those of you who have watched 10th Kingdom and enjoyed the tongue firmly implanted in cheek twists to the old tales, well you know what I mean.

Jones deconstructs fantasyland to its bare bones and displays the incongruities and tropes for all to see. Once you read through the 'guide' book, you'll have a better idea of when an author strays out of the known universe and sets out to do something new and exciting. You'll have a feel for those authors that play a bit with the standard fare of fantasy and those that cleave to the straight and narrow. But even more you'll get a few good laughs as well as some food for thought.