Non-fiction isn’t normally my preferred genre, but I’ve really enjoyed it recently. So, let’s review The United States of Cryptids. It was a fun read.
Synopsis
Welcome to the United States of Cryptids, where mysterious monsters lurk in the dark forests, deep lakes, and sticky swamps of all fifty states. From the infamous Jersey Devil to the obscure Snallygaster, travel writer and chronicler of the strange J. W. Ocker uncovers the bizarre stories of these creatures and investigates the ways in which communities embrace and celebrate their local cryptids. Readers will learn about:
– Batsquatch of Washington, a winged bigfoot that is said to have emerged from the eruption of Mount Saint Helens
– Nain Rouge of Michigan, a fierce red goblin that has been spotted before every major city disaster in Detroit
– Flatwoods Monster of West Virginia, a robotic extraterrestrial that crash-landed in rural Appalachia
– Lizard Man of South Carolina, a reptilian mutant that attacked a teenager in the summer of 1988
– Glocester Ghoul of Rhode Island, a fire-breathing dragon that guards a hoard of pirate treasure
– And many more!
Whether you believe in bigfoot or not, this fully illustrated compendium is a fun, frightening, fascinating tour through American folklore and history, exploring the stories we tell about monsters and what those stories say about us.
My Thoughts on The United States of Cryptids
I really enjoyed my time reading The United States of Cryptids. The author done a great job at summarizing each legend without being too lengthy. He also included a lot of humor in his narrative that I really appreciated. Now keep in mind this isn’t going to tell you everything you want to know about each cryptid. He just hits the high points but it’s a great way to familiarize yourself with some of the most iconic local legends. Then if you’re interested you can do a deep dive into the lore of your favorite cryptids.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- Mothman
- Wampahoofus
- Jersey Devil
- Woodbooger
- Moon Eyed People
So, if you’re a beginner in the world of cryptids like I am this would be a good place to start your journey.
My Rating: 5/5
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This sounds like so much fun! I’ve heard of Mothman and the Jersey Devil, but plenty more would be new to me. Thanks for sharing!
This sound cool and right up my ally. The cover also look nice.