Myths & Legendary Creatures: 6 Mythology eBooks Worth Reading on Google Play Books
Winged horses, fire-breathing hybrids, sea monsters and serpents that kill with a glance — the creatures of myth have outlived the empires that imagined them. ChatStick Team has written a whole shelf of short guides to these beings, several of them under the series name Enchanted Bestiary, and this reading list — Myths & Legendary Creatures — gathers six of them: Pegasus, the Griffin, the Chimera, the Phoenix, the Kraken and the Basilisk. All six are English-language eBooks on Google Play Books, and each one has a free sample, so you can try before you buy.
Below you will find what each book covers (based on its official description), how long it is and who it suits best, followed by a quick guide to choosing where to start.
1. Pegasus: The Immortal Equine of the Heavens
Part of the Enchanted Bestiary series, this is a "biography" of the divine winged horse. It covers Pegasus's birth and meaning in Greek mythology, his adventures alongside heroes such as Bellerophon and Perseus, his connection with the Muses and his transformation into a constellation, then follows him into art, culture and modern media. The book closes on the question of why this creature still captures the imagination today.
At a glance: 101 pages · published November 2023 · around US$2.99. Best for readers of all ages who want the most heroic, uplifting story on the list.
2. Griffin: Mystical Melding of Earth and Sky
Half eagle, half lion, the Griffin turns up in more cultures than most readers expect, and this book follows it across all of them. It traces the creature's roots in global folklore, its roles in Greek epics, Persian legends and medieval Europe, the symbolism of its eagle-and-lion body and its famous job as a guardian of treasure. It also compares the Griffin with other hybrid creatures and looks at its legacy in modern culture, all in a friendly tone written for casual readers as well as history fans.
At a glance: 94 pages · published November 2023 · around US$2.99. Best for readers curious about heraldry, symbols and how one myth travels between civilisations.
3. Chimera: Hybrid Myths Unleashed
The fire-breathing Chimera of Greek myth — the monster Bellerophon defeated with the help of Pegasus — gets a book of its own here. It explores the creature's origins, symbolism and lasting appeal, how it has been depicted and adapted across cultures, and its place in art and architecture. The most unusual part is the leap into science: the description promises a look at the Chimera's place in modern genetics and biomedical ethics, where the word "chimera" lives on.
At a glance: 94 pages · published February 2024 · around US$2.99. Best for students and readers who enjoy the point where myth, art and science meet.
4. The Phoenix: Wings of Immortality
Another Enchanted Bestiary title, this one follows the bird that dies in flame and rises again. It traces the Phoenix from its ancient origins to modern interpretations, with stops in Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Chinese mythology, and examines its fiery symbolism of immortality, renewal and resurrection. It then turns to the Phoenix in contemporary literature, film and television, and to what the legend says about life, death and rebirth.
At a glance: 92 pages · published August 2023 · around US$2.99. Best for readers who like comparing how East and West tell the same kind of story.
5. Kraken: The Ocean's Phantom
Subtitled Unveiling the Mystery of the Sea's Greatest Legend, this book heads north to the Kraken's origins in Scandinavian folklore, then follows the monster through other cultures and old maritime tales. It weighs possible real-world inspirations such as the giant squid, looks at the Kraken in modern media and asks what it symbolises today. The description notes that the book is illustrated and written for fans of mythology, maritime history and the ocean.
At a glance: 92 pages · published February 2024 · around US$2.99. Best for sea-story lovers who enjoy the line between legend and marine biology.
6. Basilisk: The Serpent King's Dark Reign
The darkest title on the list, and the longest. This Enchanted Bestiary volume traces how European lore cast the Basilisk as the king of serpents, a creature whose gaze could kill. It follows the legend from its ancient origins to modern portrayals, crosses cultural borders to meet other mythical adversaries, and asks what the Basilisk reveals about human psychology and our oldest fears.
At a glance: 110 pages · published November 2023 · around US$2.99. Best for readers who like their folklore with a shiver, and for anyone who first met the Basilisk in fantasy fiction.
Where should you start?
Want one connected story? Read Pegasus and then Chimera — the hero Bellerophon links the winged horse and the monster he was sent to slay.
Interested in symbols across cultures? Start with the Griffin or the Phoenix, the two books that travel furthest between civilisations.
Prefer a darker read? Go for the Basilisk, then the Kraken — monsters of fear, from the cellar to the deep sea.
Short on time? The Phoenix and the Kraken are the shortest at 92 pages each — an evening's read.
Who this reading list is for
Mythology fans who want each creature's full story in one place; fantasy readers, gamers and Dungeons & Dragons players who keep meeting these beasts and want to know where they came from; writers and artists looking for background on creature design; teachers and students who need an accessible starting point; and English learners who want short, engaging non-fiction. With six covers that look good side by side, the set also makes an easy gift for a young reader who loves dragons and monsters.
Our take
These are compact, enthusiastic introductions rather than academic studies of ancient sources, so specialists in classics or folklore will find familiar ground, and the tone sometimes leans towards wonder over analysis. What they do well is collect each creature's origins, key myths, symbolism and modern afterlife in one readable place at a low price. The Chimera book stands out for its unexpected turn into genetics and ethics; the Griffin and Phoenix books are the broadest in scope; the Basilisk is the most atmospheric. Every title has a free sample, so the easiest way to choose is to open two or three and see which beast you want to follow.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy these mythical creature books?
All six are sold as eBooks on Google Play Books for around US$2.99 each (local prices vary by country). Each book page has a free sample, and you buy with your Google account.
Can I read them on an iPhone?
Yes. Install the free Google Play Books app on iPhone or iPad, or read in any web browser at play.google.com/books. Android phones, tablets and supported e-readers work too.
What language are they in, and how long are they?
All six are in English. They range from 92 pages (the Phoenix and the Kraken) to 110 pages (the Basilisk) — roughly two hours of reading each.
Who is ChatStick Team?
ChatStick Team publishes accessible eBooks on mythology and legendary creatures, film and music legends, world history, science and nature, and technology. You can browse the full catalogue on Google Play Books.
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