About the author
Ann Shen is an illustrator and author known for richly illustrated nonfiction that blends art with history and folklore. Her books published by Chronicle Books, including Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed the World and Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You, pair watercolor portraits with short profiles of historical women and mythological goddesses. Shen has extended the Legendary Ladies project into an illustrated oracle deck, and her more recent work, Cottage Magic Tarot, is a 78-card tarot deck with an accompanying guidebook set in a cottage-and-fairy-tale visual world. Across these projects her approach stays consistent: accessible research paired with distinctive illustration, aimed at readers who want their history or divination tools to double as art. Her books are widely stocked in general and gift-book sections as well as in tarot and divination catalogues.
📖 Where to start with Ann Shen
💬 What our editors say about Ann Shen's books
“This deck serves as a beautiful introduction to goddess archetypes, boasting stunning visuals and clear guidance for beginners. However, it is not suited for scholars seeking rigorous academic analysis or traditionalists who…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Legendary Ladies Goddess Deck: 58 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You
“While beautifully illustrated and uplifting, this compendium prioritizes accessibility over scholarly rigor. It is not suited for academic mythologists or readers seeking critical historical analysis of religious texts. The tone…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You
“Ann Shen’s Cottage Magic Tarot succeeds in creating a serene atmosphere where traditional divination meets whimsical artistry. The guidebook effectively bridges the gap between complex tarot symbolism and approachable, domestic…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Cottage Magic Tarot: A 78-Card Deck and Guidebook
📋 Editions by Ann Shen in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legendary Ladies Goddess Deck: 58 Goddesses to Empower and Inspi | — | Chronicle Books | 78 | 9781452181073 |
| Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You | 2018 | Chronicle Books | 128 | 9781452163413 |
| Cottage Magic Tarot: A 78-Card Deck and Guidebook | 2026 | Clarkson Potter Publishers | 78 | 9780593799543 |
| Bad Girls Throughout History: 100 Remarkable Women Who Changed t | 2016 | Chronicle Books | 216 | 9781452153933 |
