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...

“ 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...

The human mind needs monsters. In every culture and in every epoch in human history, from ancient Egypt to modern Hollywood, imaginary beings have haunted dreams and fantasies, provoking in young and old shivers of delight, thrills of terror, and endless fascination. In Monsters: Evil Beings, Mythical Beasts, and All Manner of Imaginary Terrors, anthropologist David D. Gilmore explores what human traits monsters represent and why they are so ubiquitous in people's imaginations and share so many features across different cultures.

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 ...

"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 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...

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...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

Mythical creatures, shapeshifters, and magic – a gripping fantasy series for fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Narnia. A hidden island shrouded in fog. That unseen place Out There on the mainland where something terrible happened years ago. Only a handful of people left in the world... Or so the children are told. When Hal and Robbie make an astonishing discovery in the woods, they realize the adults of the small community have a dark secret. And the arrival of a mysterious woman at school proves it. Who is she? Where on earth did she come from? The classmates are more determined ...

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 ...

Damon Cross is a journalist whose cynicism is his armor. When he’s sent to the forgotten woods of West Virginia to write a puff piece on the anniversary of a local legend, he expects to find hucksters and ghost stories. Instead, he finds a town gripped by a seventy-year silence and a terrifying truth buried in the static. The legend is real. But it's not a creature. It's a machine. Ancient, patient, and impossibly advanced, it has been waiting, listening through the wires of a world that has unknowingly built it a new nervous system. Now, it's waking up. As Damon peels back layers of ...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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.

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...