Monster Folklore

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 not only uncovers the bizarre stories of these creatures but investigates the ways in which communities have embraced and celebrated their local cryptids.

Discover the history and culture of over 50 of the most fearsome mythical creatures to capture the human imagination. Freaky Folklore is your guide to the world’s most terrifying beings, from ancient times to today. Hosts from Eeriecast, the leading horror podcast network, present the most...

A brutal snowstorm traps five strangers in a remote cabin deep in the northern pines. When mutilated animals, strange symbols, and violent visions begin to surface, it becomes clear something ancient is hunting them in the dark. An emaciated figure with antlers watches from the trees—silent, calculating, and starving. As survival instincts turn to madness, the line between man and monster begins to blur. Inspired by real Native American folklore, this chilling cryptid horror thriller explores what happens when the cold sets in—and something colder follows. Wendigo: Hunger in the Pines ...

The locals warned them. The science couldn't explain it. Now, the hunt is on—and they are the prey. In the deep, isolated woods of Appalachia, a patch of land lies sick and silent. They call it Hemlock Hollow, a place where technology fails and nature itself seems to hold its breath. For research scientist Dr. Alistair Finch and his team, it’s the perfect place to study a mysterious ecological blight. They believe in data, in observation, in rational explanations. But the hollow doesn't care about reason. The warnings from the tight-lipped townspeople were just folklore. The strange ...

Discover a magical world where monsters aren’t scary—they’re friendly! Dive into a collection of 29 delightful short stories perfect for young listeners. Each tale is a quick, engaging story, crafted especially for kids who are just starting to explore the world of books.

Dr. Chelsea Buckley, anthropology professor at Colgate University and a leading authority on cryptozoology and folklore, receives a late-night call from Pete Callahan, a shaken Catskills park ranger. Campers are reporting sightings of a towering, bipedal canine with burning red eyes, a creature long whispered about in local legend as the Dogman. Most dismiss it as hysteria. Chelsea does not. Certain there is something deliberate behind the fear, she gathers her trusted team: her husband, Francois; tactical specialist Lux Makarios and her husband, Ben; and Dustin “Cowboy” McCord and his ...

The dark gods of my people are back, and they’re hunting the shadow-winged — like me. Being a bush pilot is the third most dangerous job in the world. I’m Piper Tikaani, and I take that in stride. As an Inupiaq Raven Clan shapeshifter—flying is second nature, whether in my supernatural form or tackling the skies in my Super Cub. Strong winds, rugged terrain, and rough clients are all the excitement I need. But when a family friend is found dead on the roof of his wilderness cabin, I find myself caught in a world of hidden treasure and a new, dark reality. Now the people I love hide ...

Deep in the abyss of Loch Ness, a forty-year-old secret is waking up. High school English teacher Isla McKenna knows the old rules of the loch: show respect, stay off the water after dark, and never mock the deep. But when billionaire Julian Croft builds Serenity Point Lodge—a modernist glass palace—directly over the water, he disturbs a territorial titan that has been studied, enhanced, and imprisoned for decades. Marine biologist Dr. Rowan Cade arrived chasing acoustic phantoms, but he found a biological nightmare. The "accident" that claimed an elite guest was no slip; it was a ...

They’ve stalked Europe’s haunted woods and prowled America’s forgotten roads. Now their blood-soaked legacy is exposed. Werewolves have howled through our darkest stories for centuries—but what if the legends were true? In this unnerving collection, author Ethan Blackwood hunts down the origins, folklore, and chilling real-world encounters behind the world’s most terrifying shapeshifters. From ancient European villages to the eerie backroads of rural America, you'll discover: The horrifying roots of werewolf myths across cultures Real-life accounts from survivors who claim they ...

An "atmospheric and evocative" (Rachel Gillig) romantasy about a threatened Siren who forges a bond with a brooding, self-righteous king in order to flee the king who raised her. Perfect for fans of One Dark Window and For the Wolf. The monster is always slain … Imogen Nel is in hiding. Hiding...

This cottagecore fantasy follows a man with a monster in his head as he reunites with his first love in order to find mythical honey in the woods of Appalachia. Perfect for fans of Adrienne Young and Alix E. Harrow. “Deliciously atmospheric” —Sydney J. Shields, author of The Honey Witch...

From the brilliant mind of #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes a collection of short stories, gorgeously illustrated in full color and set in the Faerie world, where beauty can be monstrous and love can be capricious…. A reluctant king is thrown into turmoil when the girl he...

Troy Turner is a writer living in a secluded cabin in the Rocky Mountains. He believes his new home in the peaceful valley, miles away from the busy resort town of Hawthorn, is the perfect setting for his work. When two of Troy's closest friends join him on a hunting trip, they are caught in an unexpected snowstorm. Eager to reach the safety of the cabin, they are suddenly and viciously attacked by a terrifying creature they never believed existed. Separated from his friends and badly injured, Troy tries to leave the mountain to seek help. The winter storm made the drive down the mountain ...

“ The best kind of vampire story—one in which the real evil is us.” —Peng Shepherd “Deliciously monstrous and demanding of our attention, Anna Kovatcheva crafts a feminist vampire story like no other.” —Ms, Magazine A heady, dark-hued Gothic gem of a debut novel: in...

Leaving no headstone unturned, Sacha Coward will take you on a wild ride through the night from ancient Greece to the main stage of RuPaul's Drag Race, visiting cross-dressing pirates, radical fairies, and the graves of the 'queerly departed' along the way. Queer communities have often sought refuge in the shadows, found kinship in the in-between, and created safe spaces in underworlds; but these forgotten narratives tell stories of remarkable resilience that deserve to be heard.

His magic is a sin. His rival is a monster. Their song could save the world... or shatter it. Rafael Solís is a heretic. At El Conservatorio, a magical academy where music is power, his sentimiento is fueled by a grief so profound it freezes the air. Scorned by his instructors and feared by his peers, he is an outcast whose only solace is the chaotic, sorrowful music that channels the loss of his mother. His opposite in every way is Xolotl de la Noche—a prodigy of terrifying discipline, a silent god of stone hiding in the skin of a student. His music is flawless, his control absolute, ...

Traditional interpretations of the creatures of the Bible have sanded down their sharp, unsavory edges, transforming them into celestial beings of glory and light—or chubby, happy cherubs. Those cherubs? They're actually hybrid guardian monsters, more closely associated with the Egyptian sphinx than with flying babies. And the seraphim? Winged serpents sent to mete out God's vengeance. Demons aren't at war with angels; they're a distinct supernatural species used by Satan and by God. The pattern is chilling. Most of these monsters aren't God's opponents—they're God's entourage.

In the explosive third book of the viral Heavenly Bodies series, Elara and Lorenzo have no choice but to join forces with their greatest enemy to stop the Dark from destroying the world, but as their power grows and their bond deepens, love itself may become the price of salvation. The Dark has...

When monster hunters Rick Becker and Sarah Dalton retreat to the Smoky Mountains for a well-earned vacation, they expect peaceful hikes and quiet nights. But when a gruesome attack shakes the nearby woods and massive feline tracks turn up near a tourist cabin, peace quickly gives way to something darker. As legends of the Wampus Cat begin to blur with reality, Rick and Sarah are pulled into a chilling investigation that uncovers not just ancient Cherokee myths, but evidence of a secretive research facility hidden deep in the forest. With the help of trusted allies and a mysterious Cherokee ...

Discover everything you’ve ever wondered about the legendary spirits, creatures, and figures of Japanese folklore including how they have found their way into every corner of our pop culture from the creator of the podcast Uncanny Japan. Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating...