J. W. Ocker

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, show more 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. show less

In a New York travel guide book, they're all going to list the Empire State Building and Nobu, but here's a book that tells you to visit the Empire not for the views, but the gift shop full of "King Kong" merchandise. Instead of the trendy restaurants, Ocker lists alien or monster themed restaurants. His interest in The Dakotas are not only because of John Lennon, but as the filming location for Rosemary's Baby. It's an irreverent road trip across the state, searching for some famous and show more never-heard-of sites. Visiting a "Grave of a Boy Killed by Kisses", he says:

The first thing we want to know when we hear that someone has died is the how. Yet when we enter any given graveyard, we rarely get answers to that question. It's just not information traditionally considered epitaph-worthy. I've always kind of wanted it to be there, though. I mean, we'd get mostly "heart attack" and "cancer" inscribed in the stones of our cemeteries, but that would be worth it for the one "strangled by tight rope wire after accidentally skydiving over a circus."

Visiting every grim site in the state that he could find, Ocker has a humorous, at times skeptical, view of movie locations, amusement park "dark" rides and little towns banking on monster-sighting tourism. He visits the infamous Amityville Horror house, an anatomy museum, crumbling insane asylums, memorials and many graveyards. All of this sounds like it would be a bit relentless, but Ocker is such a funny companion, full of backstories, history and opinions. I'll definitely be checking out his other books. show less

Ten year-old Griffin and his classmates are surprised when the plastic slide on the playground is suddenly replaced by a black slide that looks like it's made of leather. No one will use it, but Griffin is forced to by the class bully, and comes out with a broken arm and lacerations and the trauma of the bizarre ride. After that, Griffin's classmates seem hypnotized by the slide, but when they go down, they never come out. When his best friend begins to descend into the black slide, Griffin show more goes with her and they discover the horrible world all the kids are being held in and used as experiments.

Ocker is one of my favorites, but this book, targeted at 8-12 year-olds, is way too violent for children. Griffin is physically abused by his father and the school bully, where significant damage is done, then he enters an underworld that is all about physical pain being inflicted on children. The descriptions are graphic. I can't imagine what child would want to finish a book about another child suffering so unrelentingly. show less

Felix, a travel writer who specializes in dark locations, has one last shot at remaining a professional writer. His books are too niche to sell well and his wife, Elsa, is leaning on him to get a regular job. He's pinning his hopes on "Rotter House", a huge abandoned mansion that has seen more than its share of unexplained and violent deaths and has a reputation for being haunted. With the owner's permission, Felix enters Rotter House and intends on staying for thirteen nights, never setting show more foot outside, and documenting anything unusual. If Rotter House is haunted, Felix plans on getting concrete evidence and writing a famous book that will rival The Amityville Horror.
He's invited Thomas to keep him company. The two have been best friends and fellow horror geeks since they were kids but haven't spoken in over a year now, and Felix's second goal is to see if he and Thomas can repair their friendship, but to do that, someone has to bring up the incident that caused their rift.
Sleeping through the days so they can explore at night, the most likely time for supernatural activity, Felix and Thomas spend their time looking for phenomenon and sometimes finding it, but also having normal conversations that often turn accusatory. While Thomas is clearly staying just to back up his friend, Felix is exhilarated with each terrifying instance.
I thought I knew what would happen in the end, but there's even more of a twist. This was both fun and scary. show less