Monster Folklore

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.

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...

"Cryptids of the Deep South: Unveiling Myths, Monsters, and Mysteries of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama" takes you deep into the heart of Southern folklore, where shadowy creatures roam the swamps, mountains, and rivers of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama. From the terrifying Rougarou of Cajun legend to the elusive White River Monster and the enigmatic Honey Island Swamp Monster, this book explores the rich tapestry of myths and mysteries that have fascinated generations. Dive into detailed accounts of cryptid sightings, historical folklore, and cultural traditions that reveal the ...

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 ...

A princess with a mostly useless magical talent takes on horrible monsters, a dozen identical masked heroes, and a talking lion in a quest to save a kingdom—and herself—in this feminist fairy tale satire. “The Princess Bride meets Shrek.”—Susie Dumond, author of Bed and Breakup...

A fresh cultural analysis of female monsters from Greek mythology, and an invitation for all women to reclaim these stories as inspiration for a more wild, more “monstrous” version of feminism The folklore that has shaped our dominant culture teems with frightening female creatures. In our...

Mia is reluctant to go camping with her boyfriend and sister, who are graduate students working on a dissertation about American folklore. But ultimately, they convince her to help document the trip. The group sets off to Black Creek, a remote destination in the Pacific Northwest where Bigfoot has allegedly been sighted. They think they’re prepared for anything, but their sense of terror grows as they find more and more evidence to suggest the monster really is out there. Eventually, Mia realizes she’ll be lucky just to make it out of the woods alive.

He is the ancient frost. She is the living fire. And this Christmas, the legend of Saint Nick gets a primal, deadly rewrite. Dr. Nia Abara has spent her career deconstructing the myths of the Winter Solstice. She knows the stories of the Wild Hunt and the Yule beasts are born from ancient fears. But when a mysterious research grant lands her on a private jet that crashes into the frozen Arctic wastes, Nia discovers that the monsters aren't metaphors. They are real, they are hungry, and she is on the menu. Her savior is a nightmare wrapped in muscle and fur. Niklas Vinter is no jolly old elf...

The first book of an epic progression fantasy series inspired by Scandinavian folklore, The Witcher, and Dungeons & Dragons, where a young man named Hallik has been training his whole life to become a magic-wielder, or Grimnir, to keep his island safe. But when monsters breach the shield...

Sunny Kinnion thought leaving the NFL for the Black Hills would be the strangest turn his life ever took. He was wrong. Sunny and his team bring their war on sex trafficking predators to Navajo country for a clean-up mission seeking to finish off the evil man with the silver hair. Their journey collides with an old outlaw legend, mutilated livestock, and a village that wears its new name—Skin Walker Village—like a nervous joke. As an eclipse darkens the desert sky and stories of things in the Blood Caves stop feeling like stories, Sunny finds himself standing between a haunted community...

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...

Embark on a chilling journey across the United States with "Fear & Folklore: American Monsters." This gripping exploration delves into the shadows of American history to unearth the most notorious cryptids and monsters that have haunted the nation's collective imagination. From the misty woodlands of the Pacific Northwest to the eerie swamps of Louisiana, this collection reveals the tales behind some of the most enduring legends. Encounter the elusive Bigfoot, the ominous Jersey Devil, and the winged harbinger of doom, Mothman, each with its own haunting narrative that has captivated ...

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.

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 ...

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...

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 ...

“A dark and endlessly enchanting fairy tale ... I adored every page.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Ava Reid The Maiden and Her Monster is a gorgeous, atmospheric debut fantasy rooted in history, folklore, and sapphic romance—perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Ava Reid, Hannah...

In the deep woods of the Allegheny Mountains, Rhea's life is one of quiet respect for the land she calls home. But the peace is shattered when ruthless men invade her family’s sanctuary, bringing with them the stench of gasoline and greed. They come with maps, guns, and a plan to seize her ancestral land. They see a simple mountain family they can bully into submission. They don’t see the ancient power that watches from the shadows, a legacy of blood and moonlight passed down through generations. Pushed to the brink, Rhea has no choice but to unleash the ferocious, primal strength she ...