4.5/5 Stars
If you're a fan of cryptids or anything mysterious and unexplained, this is a fun little read. It offers a unique perspective on these legendary creatures and is packed with plenty of cryptid commentary to keep things interesting.

"I guess the thing about deciding who belongs depends on who names the trespasser."

Pretty interesting twist on a poetry collection. I like that it still says something about us and about society but through the lense of cryptids/witness of cryptids.

I'm not a poetry expert but I enjoyed reading the poems themselves, and underlined a lot. I think it's one I'll dip in and out of in the future, to re-read a poem here and there for pleasure.

"I am homesick with nowhere to go."

Okay I'll be honest-- when I was offered the chance to advance review this book, I half- did it on a lark, and half- did it so that I would have something to talk to my stepson about. My kid has been into Mothman since he was in grade school, and he is 30 now-- so yes, at first I picked this up on a lark.

What I found was actually an amazing compilation of both humorous poems and critical thinking stories. As a scientist my entire life, the short poem "Pseudo Science" was right up my alley-- "Statistically, good data has the power to prove exactly what you want." Yep, that just about sums up most of Appalachia when it comes to Bigfoot, Mothman, and who knows whatever else they come up with in the mountains of West Virginia (where my son currently lives).

Then there was the poem, "Homophily, a Chorus", and I was like, am I high? What in the heck did I just read? I think that was the point though- to point out the absurdity of the ideas of these cryptids and unknown monsters throughout North America, while acknowledging their place in our zeitgeist.

As a former sailor in the United States Navy, I do however take issue with "Frogman." Those are Navy seals darn it! Not some random four- legged thing running around the hills of Ohio! Humph.

Finally, I think I grew up on way too many Indiana Jones movies, because I read the poem "Joyful Discovery" like the young maharaja in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Go ahead, try it.You will never be able to get it out of your head now!

Thank you very much to #NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to advance read this book. #TheCaseforCryptids

I loved it. The poetry was amazing and so diverse that I think everybody could find a favourite among the pieces. Some parts are melancholic, come simply made me laugh out loud, some lines I underlined because they were amazing. Have I already said that I loved it?

I like cryptids, so I decided to pick up something different. Poems about Cryptids....the thing is, I dont get poetry. BUT, that did not stop my from reading this collection, to me it read more like little short stories.

I do have some personal favourites, anything mothman related (bias) , the frogman poem was funny, and I enjoyed the poems involving cryptids loosing their habitats (Bigfoot starting a gofundme).

Perhaps I just dont have the same appreciation for poems as someone who does enjoy poetry. That being said, this poetry collection would definitely be loved and appreciated by those who are fans of the medium.

Thank you to the publisher and the author for this ARC!

This book of verse is remarkable. The poet’s work winds its way through different narratives, from that of the believer to that of the believed. Cryptids and curious humans, alike, grace the pages of this book and evoke feelings of genuine empathy, curiosity, and excitement.

As someone who has always kept their eyes open for the creatures that lurk in the liminal spaces… I can’t recommend this selection enough. The author avoids making a mockery of the subject, spinning stories that left me wondering not only what is out there, but what has this person seen?

A deep and delightful book of poetry.

I was given this book for free as an e-ARC on NetGalley in exchange for offering my honest opinion.

I loved this book. I kept taking notes of different quotes from these poems. The titles were clever. I loved the ones that were from the cryptids' perspectives, but also the ones that acknowledged why people are suspicious of claims of cryptids and evidence. I'm not much of a cryptid fan myself, but I am a poetry fan and I love when people do something really fun with it.

I'm an adult and I really liked it, but I could imagine this would be a great book to give to a kid who's a fan of cryptids as well, as something to get them into poetry more. Nothing about it is scary---which is great because I am very easy frightened in all honesty.

Some of my favorite lines/quotes (that honestly I'd probably like to have on a mug or some other merch):

From One Mysterious Life: "Forget the legends, the warnings./I hide my own evidence, bury labels/like withered secretions/One must resist whims that fail,/commit to something more."

All of This is Not a Hoax, but especially "It's an agenda is what. Denial as policy/If you believe the news,/you're worse than that professor./The facts are lies. Believe me, I know."

The whole of Sasquatch Crowdfunds His Healthcare.

All of Legalize Grassman, but especially "FYI, that property line you love so much/ain't nothing but dust."

Everything about Vote Frogman, especially "What a relief to know a little guy like that still exists, still wins./He listens like an angel to the ignored and wounded./Now that's a guy you can count on. Someone to trust."

Mothman Defines a Sense of Place is a beautiful poem with amazing imagery.

And finally, my absolute favorite, In the Shadow of Mothman: "Finally, Ohio delivers a night to die in,/wrapped in a deep, wet cold,/same as a hundred others..." and so on (I love all of it), but I don't want to copy the whole poem over!