Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Gaiman here breaks his own rule of anthology structure. The 24 entries are a willy-nilly hodgepodge of contemporary horror, classic fantasy, poetry, and general imaginative musings sketched out by one of our time's most celebrated fantasy authors. For this, Gaiman asks the reader's indulgence and forgiveness in his equally meandering and captivating introduction (including perhaps one of the best and shortest of his stories). This collection will surely be absolved and thoroughly indulged in, as all but one of the included stories are previously published favorites that chill and enchant with worlds of meaning, serendipity, and intent. Black Dog is the lengthy newcomer here, taken from a director's cut of Gaiman's novel American Gods. The story caps off Gaiman's folktale-fed narratives by following a mysterious traveler through an English countryside still quietly ruled by the spirits of old religion. Those who want to greet and shake hands, or settle in for a conversational catch-up with Gaiman's delightfully dramatic minstrel's-tale-by-the-campfire style will love everything in Trigger Warning, naturally.--Francis, Chris Copyright 2015 Booklist

Library Journal
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In this compilation, Gaiman (The Graveyard Book) brings together poems and short stories, some original and some built inside of existing fictional universes (including Doctor Who, Sherlock Holmes, American Gods, and others). In his typical hauntingly beautiful and well-paced style, Gaiman bewitches listeners, crafting exquisitely detailed worlds and guiding us along the unfamiliar paths of familiar archetypes. Though every narrative is different, and at times some feel slightly out of place, each holds its own in captivating listeners and nudging the boundaries of natural and supernatural realities, leaving us with questions about the worlds into which we've glimpsed. Gaiman narrates his own work, which makes it feel particularly authentic, every pause and tonal shift deliberate and meaningful; unfortunately, some sections are very quiet, requiring occasional fiddling with the volume. VERDICT Both dedicated fans and those new to Gaiman's work will delight in the unexpected twists and turns of this collection.-Jeremy Bright, Georgia State Univ. Lib., Atlanta © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The third collection of short fiction from a beloved modern mythmaker. Everything that endears Gaiman (The Ocean at the End of the Lane, 2014, etc.) to his legions of fans is on display in this collection of short stories (and the occasional poem): his gift for reimagining ancient tales, his willingness to get down into the dark places, his humor. Most of these stories have been published elsewhere, except for the new American Gods story "Black Dog" (which does not disappoint), but the collection as a whole does add up to something bigger than it seems (only partly because there's a TARDIS in it). Even the weakest of these tales have something to recommend theman image, a turn of phrase, a mood. And the strongest are truly extraordinary. There's the grim implacability of "The Truth Is a Cave in the Black Mountains," walking steadily on to its inevitable yet unexpected ending; there's the absurd Wodehouse-an charm of "And Weep, Like Alexander"; the haunting power of "The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury"; and the skin-crawling, slow-building creepiness of the love letter "Feminine Endings." Sherlock Holmes is here, explaining the real reason he started keeping bees, and Sleeping Beauty, twice, and our old friend Shadow, and even David Bowie, in a way. Full of all manner of witches and monsters and things that creep in the night, this collection will thoroughly satisfy faithful fans and win new onesif there's anyone out there left unconverted. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.