This book was unbelievably fun! I had such a joy reading this and having J W Ocker share the stories of how cryptids and urban legends are such a shared universal experience. The tying of some cryptids to the whole town's identities in some cases was absolutely fascinating.

As a zoologist, I jumped at the chance to review this title. While I may not believe in every alleged cryptic, I'm not so bold to deny the existence of all of them. In my current job, I've taken reports of Dogman, Bigfoot, and chupacabra sightings, and I'm somewhat of the office expert, if you will. I found this book to be a little more fanciful than I expected, but it was still interesting.

Cryptid lovers and those who want to find out more about the stories of these creatures across America are likely to enjoy this encyclopedia-like book on the topic. It's a gorgeous book to look at and offers plenty of interesting things to think about.

The book covers a variety of cryptids, which means readers will likely find ones they are familiar with as well as ones they have never heard of in these pages. Having the cryptids grouped by area helps organize the book for people who want to casually peruse the subject matter. The book is surface-level, so it's a great start for people who are generally interested and not looking for in-depth research.

The major criticism I have about the book is the handling of Indigenous creatures and mythologies. Pairing those with Bigfoot comes across as disrespectful. This especially feels wrong when the author reports, for example, meeting with a Navajo guide to learn more about a particular creature and is told that it isn't something discussed outside of that population--and yet the author goes on to cover it, including using the names for this creature that are not supposed to be used according to the Indigenous people it belongs to. The way those Indigenous figures are discussed alongside tongue-in-cheek commentary about silly stories just doesn't feel right.

The author's loose interpretation of "crypid" including everything from sacred parts of Indigenous religion to roadside attractions definitely causes an unfortunate effect of the book coming across as tacky in some cases and half-assed in others. While it's a fun book overall, I wouldn't recommend this as a must-have book in the genre.

The United States of Cryptids by JW Ocker takes readers on a journey through the lore of myriad mystery monsters in America. Broken down into four broad categories- the Northeast (Jersey Devil, Puckwudgie), the South (Wampus Cat, Rougarou), the Midwest (Piasa Bird, Wendigo), and the West (Fresno Nightcrawler, Shunka Warak'in).

Ocker's playful, and at times sarcastic, tone is nothing short of spellbinding. The author's attention to detail is commendable as he provides historical anecdotes, scientific theories, and accounts of eyewitness sightings to build a comprehensive picture of each cryptid's story. Interspersed among the cryptids are essay boxes with interesting stories such as 'Jimmy Stewart, Cryptid Smuggler' and 'The Billion Names of Bigfoot', and notable cryptid statuary and installations such as the Dawson Gnomes.

The book is not merely a list of monsters without context. Ocker uses his ample research to provide insights into the cultural and historical significance of each creature. He highlights how cryptids have been used to express the fears and anxieties of humans over time. The narrative includes several layers, making it a fulfilling read for anyone interested not only in the history of monsters, but also in the ways in which humans interact with the unknown.

The author takes readers on a coast-to-coast tour of the United States, revealing that every part of the country has its own tales of the supernatural. From the mighty Thunderbird of the Midwest to the elusive Chupacabra of the South and Southwest, Ocker compiles a comprehensive guide to cryptids that have captured the imagination of Americans over the years.

Ocker's writing is at its best when he adds a personal touch to the stories. He shares his own experiences visiting the locations where sightings have taken place, and the reader is transported along with him. The author's passion for his subject matter is infectious, and the reader cannot help but be swept up in his enthusiasm.

Overall, The United States of Cryptids is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the supernatural. Ocker's prose is engaging, and his research is meticulous. He provides a thorough examination of each cryptid while tying it into the greater cultural and historical framework. The book is a compelling addition to the canon of cryptozoology and a must-read for anyone hoping to expand their understanding of cryptid lore in America.

If you enjoyed the World of Lore series by Aaron Munke, or The Wizard's Bestiary by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart and Ash deKirk, you are sure to enjoy The United States of Cryptids.

****Many thanks to Netgalley and Quirk Books for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The authors takes us on a tour of the United States of America through the lens of cryptozoology. I found them hilarious and insightful. There are many great recommendations and examples of how town can and have banked on cryptid sightings. The author also gives alternative explanations of the sighting without outright dismissing the existence and focusing more on the cultural importance of the cryptids.

Loved this author’s book about cursed objects and this one was even more entertaining. Great voice that manages to walk between acknowledging the ridiculous while still keeping an open mind to the inexplicable. Recommended.

A fun tour through the United States and local lore of monsters and the paranormal. Wonderful illustrations and thorough coverage of these specifically American folklore. For fans of cryptids like mothman or the jackalope, history documentaries on bigfoot and the loch ness monster or anyone craving information on mysterious creatures.

J. W. Ocker's book, "The United States of Cryptids: A Tour of American Myths and Monsters," has the feel of a magical encyclopaedia while you're reading it. It's almost as if I'm a monster hunter from the old days, complete with a dusty old book, trying to identify and learn about the various beasts I come across. It gave the impression of being both educational and exciting.

I am unable to comment on the reliability of the information that was provided because it is not a topic that I am familiar with; however, a few quick searches on Google led me to the conclusion that what I was reading appeared to be true. I apologise for my inability to comment on the reliability of the information that was provided.

Those who are interested in the unusual and the mysterious should definitely check out this book. In addition, I believe that it would make an excellent writing tool for fantasy writers who are looking for ideas for monsters. The creatures are organised according to where they are thought to have originated, which makes this an excellent resource for learning about mythical beings native to your region or for using as inspiration for writing your own stories that include creatures native to the setting of your stories.

4/5 Stars from me.

***A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced ready copy in exchange for an honest review.***

*3 stars*

This was a really interesting look at cryptids. I liked the way they were grouped by region. I had a very surface level knowledge of cryptozoology going into this so I enjoyed learning about some new cryptids and their stories. This is the only non fiction cryptid book I’ve read so I don’t know how it stacks up in the genre but I would recommend it to someone looking for a place to start.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ALC of this work. All opinions in this review are my own.

Ocker's latest title is the ultimate guide & companion book for every cryptid fan. This catalogue of U.S. cryptids is exhaustive and each has their own description, as well as a whimsical illustration. It has been nominated for a Stoker award, deservedly so.

This gorgeous hardcover will make a great addition to any cryptid enthusiast's bookshelf. Bigfoot, Mothman...they're all here. This isn't simply an academic overview, but a personal travelogue (he visited many of the places in this book). Another gem from J. W. Ocker, who always goes above and beyond when doing a deep dive into a subject (his guide to Salem is a must-read).

As someone who loves cryptids any time I can read from a new view is fantastic. A whole tour through the United States? Sign me up and let me know about all those little spooks.

Really in depth look at so many cryptids. I appreciated the first hand accounts to give a full picture of each creature.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. I really enjoyed the stories in this book. If you like cryptid tales then this is a great book for you.

An excellent look at the tales and mysteries that exist in the continental U.S. and represent parts of our history. The division of regions and explanations of each creature or being highlights a part of American culture that is usually, well, kept in the dark.

This review was originally published on NetGalley.com. I was given an ebook freely by NetGalley and the book’s publisher in return for a voluntary and honest review.

The United States of Cryptids :A Tour of American Myths and Monsters.
By J.W. Ocker

If you’re like me and enjoy a good cryptid story regardless if it’s true or not this is a must for you. Just recently I started visiting different locations of famous Cryptid sightings and encounters. I wish I had this book when I started.

J.W. Ocker breaks down America by its regions and then within each region exposes us to a ton of cryptids. Now I consider myself a well read cryptid fan and I discovered many new myths and legends in this book. The best part about this book is at the end of each cryptid Ocker either mentions what touristy stores or locations each town offers for their hometown cryptid. If they don’t offer anything he even gives some ideas to the towns.

As a cryptid tourist I’ve experienced a wide spectrum. For example The Beast of Bray Rd is ignored by the town while I did see a few statues of the beast on people’s yards but I didn’t feel like I could stop and take a picture with it. Whereas Hodag is fully embraced by the town and has a museum, multiple places to buy souvenirs as well as a giant statue of the Hodag in front of the Town Hall with a great stand for taking a perfect selfie with the Hodag. Lake Champlain was in the middle of those.

If you have any desire to visit a location or have a favorite cryptid grab this book you might just be tempted to take a trip.

Note: provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review
5 stars

Having read Cursed Objects, I pretty much knew what to expect here. I love this sort of thing: a large amount of these types of stories told clearly and well, but in bite-sized pieces. It goes in depth enough to tell the story without feeling like you’re studying. There’s a fair degree of skepticism here too, but to me seeing what people and towns have done with their cryptids is just as interesting as their origin stories.

I have enjoyed the works that Ocker has previously released, so I was very excited for the opportunity to review this book! It is a fun dive into the various creatures that fill the Lore told throughout the US. It is a perfect gift for anyone that shares interests in cryptids and why we love to tell their tales!

Anything having to do with cryptos zoology is my guilty pleasure. They also mention aliens but can you really have one without the other? I knew most of the stories would be familiar to me, but like any goodauthor the head new details I hadn’t heard and also a couple of stories I’ve never read… Anywhere! I had never heard of the silver serpent in Kirby New York even though they say it was a hoax one of the biggest skeptics claimed the hoax was is a hoax they have the New Jersey Devil, which I’m sure everyone has heard of but they also had Albatwiches… Something else I hadn’t heard of it’s a little big foot and OMG they must be adorable. I really enjoyed this book and if you like crypto zoology don’t think you know all of them because these are just in the United States and they were a few I knew nothing about. The ones that were familiar to me they also had new details I hadn’t heard before so don’t take this for a copy and paste crypto book because it’s much more than that and also interesting! I received this book from NetGalleyShelf and a publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

If you're the type of person who obsesses over Mothman, has a favorite local Bigfoot story, or lives to find out what happened to the Lizard Man of South Carolina, J.W. Ocker has the next book you need in your hot little hands. The United States of Cryptids is a compendium of monsters, unexplained creatures, and stories of the bizarre, all divided into individual regions.   You can read about the mysterious Flatwoods Monster, Batsquatch (which supposedly flew out of Mount Saint Helens).

I enjoyed this book immensely, though I am a huge fan of cryptids so was familiar with almost every story in the book. For the hardcore Cryptid reader who is obsessed with one or two major figures, this might seem like a beginner's course. For those who are more interested in the weird stories of the entire United States or just getting into cryptids, this is definitely the book to pick up.

The United States of Cryptids is available October 11, 2022 from Quirk Books.