Member Reviews

I absolutely LOVE folklore in general, but this collection was astounding. The stories were well written, full of life and easy to read. I'm excited to see if there is another collection in the works.

Was this review helpful?

Loves this book. I love learning about cryptids and this book takes a look at cryptids from all over the world. The pages are beautiful and styled in a way that adds creepiness to the stories of the cryptids making them come to life. A must read for anyone who loves cryptozoology.

Was this review helpful?

I love reading about folklore. I absolutely enjoyed reading about different monsters/creatures from around the world, and the illustrations are amazing! This is perfect for people who love reading about different legends and myths from different cultures.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Wellfleet Press for a copy of Freaky Folklore!

"Accompanied by illustrations of each beast, Freaky Folklore is your guide to the world’s most terrifying beings, from ancient times to today."

I enjoyed discovering and reading more about cryptids and monsters! I love the similarity between countries as well as common occurring themes, like how in Asia, monsters were mainly depicted or seen as women. Great beginner story but I did not care much for the fictional stories. I did flip through those sections, but I loved the illustrations and the background info for each monster.

Was this review helpful?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a super informative and engaging book! The illustrations are super pretty. Would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about the origin stories of the world’s monsters/cryptids.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I love creepy stories and folklore. This is a great read for spooky season

Was this review helpful?

This is such a cool book! I love the illustrations and the fact is has both a condensed background of, and an "experience" with the entity. Maybe now people can see the difference between a wendigo and a skinwalker lol.

But for those who don't believe in cryptids, this book is still an excellent dive into all things creepy. If not a compendium of true folklore, then one of easy to digest mythological creatures. It showcases beings from all across the world- just opening the door for other cultures and mythos that you can explore.

Was this review helpful?

Unfortunately I didn't find this book as enjoyable as I thought I would. I felt like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Did it want to be a book talking about and sharing information on specific cryptids or did it want to be a book telling scary stories about various monsters? I think if it chose one of those options and focused on that it would've been much better.

Was this review helpful?

If you don't love cryptids, are you even human? This is a captivating exploration of the mysterious world of cryptozoology. 'Freaky Folklore' explores the legends and lore surrounding some of the most intriguing and elusive creatures. From Sasquatch to the Loch Ness Monster, readers are guided on a chilling journey through cryptid history. Each chapter is meticulously researched, blending historical accounts, eyewitness testimonies, and the latest scientific theories to paint vivid pictures.

Was this review helpful?

This books talks about all the different kinds of monster folklore throughout different countries and states. It talks about famous monster folklore such as Mothman, Werewolf, Big foot, and so many other classics. The illustrations are beautiful, it helps picture the way the author envisions these monsters . This book talks about where the monsters originated from. This books also talks about the story that started the legend’s.

Was this review helpful?

SO. GOOD. Kid are obsessed with folklore, they always have been. I found myself reading passages over and over again to instill them in my memory for future storytelling. I have already recommended this book to many of the kiddos at the school I work at. It’s fun for them- one even said it didn’t feel like reading. Another said it made them sleep with their lamp on. Both are qualities in a book that you know will make it live throughout the ages.

Was this review helpful?

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting book with lots of details on the different bumps in the night and then a short story about each. Perfect when you want to read something but not commit to anything long term.

Was this review helpful?

This book is very informative! The illustrations are amazing! They are terrifying as needed to convey the thoughts if you ever came across one of these.

You can tell the different area interpretations of each demon or entity, the Asian ones are a bit more regal but the American one are more well known such as bigfoot and motorman. Both I have heard of.

I can imagine how scared you would be if you encountered one of these creatures! Would recommend for a truly exciting read!

Was this review helpful?

Monster, beast, and spine-tingling mythical creature tales from around the world. Separated into different continents, each tale contains freaky facts and a comprehensive profile, story, and illustration.

Was this review helpful?

Freaky Folklore is a cryptid lovers dream. An extremely well illustrated coffee table style book about cryptids from around the world that breaks down each one with a page that types them, a brief description and background lore, then an illustration and short story of someone encountering them.

This book toes the line between horror and non-fiction and was clearly written by someone who lovers monsters. The writing itself is clear and descriptive in the more non-fiction style sections with it relaying the facts of the folklore in an easy-to-understand manner and in the more horror-based sections is descriptive and reads like a horror podcast brought to life.

The art work however is really where the book shines, I would myself skipping ahead when reading about a new cryptid to first look at the artwork for it prior to reading and being invested in the book in part out of excitement to see each new piece.

I would recommend this book those looking for:
- A cryptid coffee table read
- A well illustrated book about monsters
- Any monster or cryptid lovers
- And those who are fans of the spooky and morbid

I received an advance review copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are wholly my own and unbiased.

Was this review helpful?

It's a nice book with many illustrations and cryptids I hadn't heard of before, but I kinda expected more.

Was this review helpful?

‘Freaky Folklore’ by Carman Carrion is an intriguing dive into the eerie and enchanting world of folklore. This book explores various myths and legends, providing readers with a fascinating glimpse into different cultures and their stories.

Accuracy: ★★★★★
The accuracy of this book is commendable. From what I know of the folklore featured, Carrion has done an excellent job of staying true to the original tales. The details and narratives are presented with a high degree of authenticity, ensuring that readers get a genuine sense of the folklore’s essence.

Perspective: ★★★★☆
The perspective offered in ‘Freaky Folklore’ is decent. Carrion approaches the stories with a respectful and informative tone, providing background and context that enhance the reader's understanding. While it may not delve deeply into analysis, it serves its purpose well as a collection of folklore.

Relevance: ★★★★☆
While folklore might not be the most sought-after genre, this book remains relevant for those with an interest in myths and legends. It serves as a valuable resource for readers looking to explore cultural stories and traditions, even if it’s not a mainstream topic.

Engagement: ★★★★☆
The engagement level of ‘Freaky Folklore’ is average. The stories are captivating and well-told, but the book might not hold the attention of all readers, particularly those who aren't already interested in folklore. However, for those who appreciate this genre, it provides a satisfying read.

Readability: ★★★★☆
Readability is generally good, though it feels a bit lacking at times. The writing is clear, but there are moments where the pacing or structure could be improved to maintain reader interest. Despite this, the book is still accessible and enjoyable.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆
Overall enjoyment of ‘Freaky Folklore’ is quite good. The collection of stories is diverse and well-curated, offering a delightful mix of the eerie and the enchanting. It’s a book that can be savoured by folklore enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

‘Freaky Folklore’ by Carman Carrion is a well-researched and engaging collection of myths and legends from around the world. While it may not appeal to all readers, it stands out as a valuable addition to the genre for those interested in exploring the rich tapestry of cultural stories. With its accurate portrayals and intriguing narratives, it’s a book that offers both education and entertainment.

Was this review helpful?

The art is stunning, just really really pretty. It has names, basic facts, information, and stories of sightings. There are both the more common cryptids that we all expect, but also rarer ones that I had not heard of. Very cool book.

5 stars

Was this review helpful?

Freaky folklore is an encyclopedia like collection of monsters and cryptids (many well-known but also some that were completely new to me), with facts, short stories and beautiful illustrations to go along with each creature.

I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this collection, it was just so beautifully illustrated and featured creatures from all over the world.
However, I did feel like that the short stories became a little repetitive after a while and towards the end I did end up skimming through those sections.

As a big supernatural fan, it did give me some of the same vibes as John Winchester’s journal.

Highly recommend this book to lovers of folklore and weird creatures. (Also recommend the podcast with the same name from the same creators)

Big thanks to Netgalley, Wellfleet Press, Darkness Prevails and Carman Carrion for allowing me to read an E-Arc of this collection.

Was this review helpful?

What a wonderfully creepy little coffee table book. Great info and beautiful illustrations. Very cool read!

Was this review helpful?