200,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

Black Friday Sale on Now! Save up to 25% off Books, Toys, Board Games, & Puzzles! ✨

Smoke and Mirrors

Short Fictions and Illusions
4.01 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 73,329 ratings, 3,678 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman is a captivating collection of short stories that explore the realms of fantasy and the supernatural. Each tale weaves intricate narratives filled with magic, mystery, and a touch of darkness, showcasing Gaiman's signature storytelling prowess. It is a mesmerising journey through strange and fantastical worlds.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you love a mix of fantasy and science fiction, blended with Neil Gaiman's signature darkly whimsical storytelling and thought-provoking themes. This collection of short stories and poems offers a variety of tales that explore the surreal and the magical, often with a twist of the unexpected.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A newly repackaged edition of this extraordinary collection of Neil Gaiman's short fiction, featuring short story 'Chivalry'.

SMOKE AND MIRRORS will haunt your imagination and move you to the very depths of your soul

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Smoke and Mirrors is a definitive collection of Neil Gaiman's short fiction that will haunt your imagination and move you to the very depths of your soul. Within its pages, Gaiman spins an intricate web of eeriness, wit, and profound insight that underscores his mastery as a storyteller. Each story transports the reader into a world where the mundane and the magical blend seamlessly, challenging perceptions and stirring emotions.

In this anthology, an elderly widow stumbles upon the Holy Grail in the most unassuming of places—beneath an old fur coat. A stray cat engages in a relentless and harrowing nightly battle against a sinister force to protect his unsuspecting adoptive family. A young couple's wedding gift unfolds a chilling alternative history of their relationship, blurring the lines between reality and the eerie unknown. These tales, among others, reveal Gaiman's unparalleled ability to explore the human condition through the prism of fantasy and gothic horror.

Gaiman's nuanced prose is complemented by his dark humour and keen emotional insight, making each story as thought-provoking as it is unsettling. From modern myth-making and magical realism to timeless allegories and ghostly imaginings, the collection is a testament to the limitless scope of Gaiman's imagination.

Smoke and Mirrors also includes extra material exclusive to this Headline Review edition, offering readers more content to delve deeper into the enchanting worlds Gaiman creates. Whether you are a long-time fan or a newcomer to Gaiman's work, this collection is sure to captivate your senses and linger in your thoughts long after the final page is turned.

Dive into Smoke and Mirrors and experience an extraordinary journey through the surreal and the sublime, brought to life by one of the most gifted storytellers of our time.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Smoke and Mirrors by Neil Gaiman has been praised for its inventive and imaginative storytelling. Critics have highlighted Gaiman as a very fine and imaginative writer, with his work being described as exuberantly inventive.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780755322831

Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 19 September 2005

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Headline Review

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Neil Gaiman was born in England but now lives in Minnesota, in a big house of uncertain location where he grows exotic pumpkins and accumulates computers and cats.

Also by Neil Gaiman

View all
  • Coraline
    Coraline by Neil Gaiman is a bewitching classic children's novel that masterfully blends elements of fantasy and horror. When young Coraline Jones moves into a new flat with her parents, she discovers a mysterious door that leads to an eerily similar yet sinister version of her own world. This new world is inhabited by her "Other Mother" and "Other Father,"...
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    23% off
    Norse Mythology
    THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF NETFLIX HIT THE SANDMAN Neil Gaiman, one of the world’s most beloved storytellers, brings to life the great Norse myths in Norse Mythology, a captivating and masterfully crafted collection of tales that have inspired countless works of modern fiction and fantasy. The book delves deep into...
    Paperback
    $1700
    Usually:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Graveyard Book
    Discover the bewitching, classic children’s novel The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, featuring spellbinding illustrations from Chris Riddell. WINNER of the 2010 CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL and the 2009 JOHN NEWBERY MEDAL The Graveyard Book tells the story of a young boy named Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod. Raised in a graveyard by ghosts and other supernatural beings...
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    28% off
    American Gods
    American Gods by Neil Gaiman is an epic blend of modernity and mythology, creating a rich narrative that delves into the heart and soul of America. Shadow Moon has been serving time in prison for three years. His days behind bars are almost over, and freedom is just within his grasp when tragedy strikes – his beloved wife dies in...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Usually:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Alex’s Pick
    Good Omens
    Good Omens, written by the brilliant duo Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, is a rollercoaster of a novel that weaves a hilarious and darkly satirical tale about the end of the world. The narrative centres on an angel, Aziraphale, and a demon, Crowley, who have both lived on Earth since the beginning of time and have grown rather fond of...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Sandman Volume 1
    One of the most popular and critically acclaimed graphic novels of all time, Neil Gaiman's award-winning masterpiece The Sandman set the standard for mature, lyrical fantasy in the modern comics era. Illustrated by an exemplary selection of the medium's most gifted artists, the series is a rich blend of modern and ancient mythology in which contemporary fiction, historical drama, and...
    Paperback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Ocean at the End of the Lane
    THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD 'BOOK OF THE YEAR' AN ACCLAIMED WEST END THEATRE PRODUCTION * Neil Gaiman's entire body of work is a feat of elegant sorcery. He writes with such assurance and originality that the reader has no choice but to surrender to a waking dream. ARMISTEAD MAUPIN Some books just swallow you up, heart and soul. JOANNE HARRIS...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Backorder
    Ships early December
  • The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1
    Massive hardcover collection that reprints the first 37 issues of Neil Gaiman's seminal, award-winning fantasy series. A New York Times Bestseller! The Sandman is the universally lauded masterwork following Morpheus, Lord of the Dreaming—a vast hallucinatory landscape housing all the dreams of any and everyone who's ever existed. Regardless of cultures or historical eras, all dreamers visit Morpheus' realm—be they...
    Hardback
    $31100
    Elsewhere:
    $34500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    21% off
    Good Omens
    The classic, bestselling dark and hilarious take on mankind's final judgement by two genre giants, now an Amazon Prime Original / BBC TV production - written by Neil Gaiman and with a brilliant all-star cast! Good Omens Season 2 coming 28th July on Amazon Prime. The book behind the Amazon Prime / BBC Series starring David Tennant, Michael Sheen, Jon...
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Stardust
    Stardust by Neil Gaiman is a captivating fairy tale that transcends age and time, welcoming readers into a world full of enchantment and infinite possibilities. Set at the dawn of the Victorian era in the quaint village of Wall, the story follows young Tristran Thorn who, in a bid to win the heart of the beautiful Victoria Forester, makes an...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Neverwhere
    Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman is an extraordinary urban fantasy novel that delves into the hidden world lurking beneath the bustling streets of London. This modern classic, beautifully illustrated for the first time by Chris Riddell, the 2015-2017 UK Children's Laureate, is a must-have for fans of Coraline, Philip Pullman, and Doctor Who. Richard Mayhew is an ordinary young man with...
    Paperback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess's Stardust
    Immerse yourself in a tale of adventure, romance, and magic with Stardust by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess. This gripping fantasy novel, adorned with exquisite illustrations, transports readers to the quaint town of Wall, where young Tristran Thorn embarks on an extraordinary quest. In Wall, a small village bordering a magical realm, Tristran Thorn loses his heart to Victoria Forester,...
    Paperback
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Browse lists from our team

More from Sci-Fi & Fantasy

View all
  • He Who Fights With Monsters: Hero
    New Release
    He Who Fights With Monsters: Hero
    Book Three in Shirtaloon's wildly popular LitRPG series. For all that Jason's new life is amazing, he is about to learn that his new power, wealth, and influence come at a price... Riding high on success, he and his team prepare for what comes next, but nothing can prepare them for what their enemies have planned. When magic enters the...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    12% off
    New Release
    Other Worlds Than These
    I wanted to go back to Mid-World, which was always the Territories by another name - Stephen King This is Stephen King and Peter Straub's epic and unforgettable finale to the Talisman Trilogy (including the novels The Talisman and Black House) and a wrapping up of the fate of the worlds in King's iconic, fiercely beloved Dark Tower epic. It...
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Sixth Nik
    On Sale
    16% off
    New Release
    The Sixth Nik
    Daniel Kraus, 2026 Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Angel Down and soon-to-be-a-film Whalefall, returns with The Sixth Nik, a galaxy spanning, genre-blending scifi literary horror, for fans of Ursula K Le Guin and the Alien franchise. Deep into space, far past the triworld outposts, beyond range of the lethal trollbot internet, soars The Sickness: a ship woven from biomatter and capable...
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Massif
    New Release
    Massif
    Caught me a mountain Rode it to the stars It's business as usual for Ship Leader Parnell Shi-Sawahla and the crew of the corvette Sassafras. Ride a Massif to a new system, fight the enemy, repeat. For more than two hundred years, humans have been hitching rides on these sentient, starfaring mountain ranges, colonising planets and exporting an on-again, off-again...
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • He Who Fights With Monsters: Adventurer
    On Sale
    16% off
    New Release
    He Who Fights With Monsters: Adventurer
    He Who Fights With Monsters: Adventurer Book Two in Shirtaloon's wildly popular LitRPG series. The path from retail middle management to interdimensional wizard adventurer wasn't easy, but Jason Asano is settling into his new life. Now, a contest draws young elites to the city of Greenstone, competing for a grand prize. Jason must gather a band of companions if he...
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • New Release
    Scion
    ‘Scion’ is an electrifying sci-fi thriller that follows a contract killer tasked with protecting a scientist from assassination, only to find himself in the crosshairs. My name’s Azure. I kill rich idiots for a living. All completely legal, of course, even if it does still make the old-fashioned crowd a bit uncomfortable. Once the ultra-wealthy realised they had a way...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    25% off
    Project Hail Mary
    Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, the SUNDAY TIMES and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of The Martian, offers a gripping new adventure in hard science fiction. With endorsement from notable figures such as Barack Obama and a slew of five-star reviews, this novel promises a thrilling and intellectually stimulating journey. Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut, finds himself on a...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    (5)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Strength of the Few
    The highly anticipated follow-up to The Will of the Many—one of 2023's most lauded and bestselling fantasy novels. The Hierarchy still call me Vis Telimus. They still, as one, believe they know who I am. But with all that has happened—with what I fear is coming—I am not sure it matters anymore. I am no longer one. I won the...
    Paperback
    $3099
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Red Rising
    The first book in the incredible New York Times bestselling series Darrow is a Helldiver, toiling beneath the surface of Mars. As a member of the Red caste, he performs grueling labor in the belief that his sacrifice will enable future generations to one day inhabit the surface of the Red Planet. The Reds are humankind's lowest caste, living in...
    Paperback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (2)
    Backorder
    Ships late November
  • Crossroads of Ravens
    THE GLOBAL PHENOMENON RETURNS... Every legend has an origin - and Geralt of Rivia's begins here. In this brand-new chapter of Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher series, follow Geralt in his earliest days as a Witcher, as he faces monsters and humans alike. Discover the untold stories and encounters that shaped the iconic character known today. Crossroads of Ravens brings readers into...
    Paperback
    $3099
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • On Sale
    23% off
    Wind and Truth
    The long-awaited explosive climax to the first arc of the Number One New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive. Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson sees Dalinar Kholin challenge the evil god Odium to a contest of champions with the future of Roshar on the line. The Knights Radiant have only ten days to prepare, and the sudden ascension of the...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Ministry of Time
    One of the 18 best novels of the year for the Sunday Times A book of the year for the New York Times, Guardian, Independent, Evening Standard, Spectator, Red, NPR, Vanity Fair, People, Slate, Advocate, Sydney Morning Herald, Globe and Mail, Den of Geek, Good Housekeeping, Goodreads, NetGalley and Smithsonian Magazine 'A sparkling delight' Observer 'Make room on your bookshelves...
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    (2)
    Backorder
    Ships late November

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 200,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.