This is sort of a B-sides and rarities compilation for Lovecraft and, as such, is hard to rate as the quality varies so wildly. Much of it traces the development that would leave to the outright masterpiece, The Dreamquest of Unknown Kadath, and there are echoes of this in stories like The Other Gods. Poetry, prose poems, collaborations and ghost writing jobs are included to round out the collection, reminding us that HPL struggled for recognition during his time.

These more atypical works aren't to be underestimated - Imprisoned With the Pharoahs, which was apparently ghost-written for Weird Tales on behalf of Harry Houdini, comes across as inspired and is much more readable than half the collection.

This is very much the sound of HPL finding his voice. Better work was to come, but this collection shouldn't be overlooked.