Member Reviews
This is a really neat book! This is all about various creepy places throughout the world. There are photos throughout that are great. If you enjoy creepy places and atmospheres, I think you would enjoy this! Special Thank You to Evelyn Hollow, Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Put on some warm, fuzzy socks and give yourself some chills reading about these places around the world. Some of these places you'll have heard of; others are more esoteric. The strength of this book is the design and layout. Double page spreads with attractive diagrams and maps put it somewhere between guide and coffee table book.
I’m a big fan of guides to haunted places, and this one totally met my expectations! It’s captivating and not your typical read, featuring a cool mix of spots from all around the world—just right for adding some new ones my list. You can see that the author put a lot of effort into the research and details. What makes Atlas of the Paranormal stand out from other books is Hollow’s awesome, descriptive writing. Instead of just going for shock value, she takes her time with each story, letting readers soak up the unique feel of every spot.
I’m definitely on the hunt for a physical copy; this is the perfect coffee table book for me!
Extremely interesting book. Fun to search all of the spooky places and learn about a ton of new ones I was not aware of. I loved it.
A fantastic overview. Felt like a lovely book to dip into rather than read in one long go, an interesting coffee table book. I would also definitely buy this as a gift for friends with an interest in the paranormal.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-ARC edition of this title in exchange for my reviews.
This was an amazing book, and one I would love to hold in my hands as a printed book. The information was well researched and well organized, it was interesting to read, and I wanted to visit all of the locations!
Any other paranormal/cryptid fans out there would probably also really enjoy doing some armchair traveling and sightseeing with this book!
5 stars for Loved it, want a copy for my shelf, will recommend and will probably purchase a printed copy!
This was so so interesting and left me wanting to explore the places covered in more detail. The photographs included added to my intrigue and understanding. The author had clearly done their research as it showed in this brilliantly put together book.
When picking up the Atlas of Paranormal Places I was expecting a touch more fact and more about the locations themselves and a bit less about the ghost stories that haunt them. Based on the description I assumed this would be more on par with the Lore podcast, and instead got a delightful book with lots of ghost stories and local legends, but very little historical fact.
While I enjoyed this book and found a couple new sites in it I would not recommend it as much beyond a great coffee table read/book, as while it has some amazing photos of the locations and a good mix of facts about the locations and ghost stories it doesn't do a great job at making the line where fact ends and fiction beings clear.
I would pick this up if you want a spooky coffee table book or are just getting into learning about dark tourism and spooky locations but not if you already have any information on the matter.
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.
This is a fascinating book which covers a wide variety of different kinds of "paranormal" - whether that's things made macabre by unusual cultural practises, or connections with UFOs, cryptids or ghosts. There is a good balance between photos and text, and it covers locations from all across the world. (I've already recommended it to a friend who purchased it and also thinks it's great.)
While this would be a great gift or coffee table book, it's also a wonderful resource for learning about different parts of the world and figuring out what places should be on your bucket list. The pictures were astonishing -- clear, beautiful and detailed. I also enjoyed the writing style, which felt very conversational.
I was already familiar with many of the places in the book, but still felt as though I learned many interesting things about them. The selection was wonderful, and I feel the need to visit the ones in Indonesia, Denmark, and Ukraine. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
Ooooh, creepy creepy!
Atlas of Paranormal Places is a look at over 100 places that have experienced supernatural events. It includes witchcraft, hauntings, mythical landmarks and mysterious phenomena from all over the globe, and is a great gift for anyone interested in the strange and unusual.
It's also well-researched and has an element of folklore that I quite liked. Some of the photos could have been left out.
3 and a half spooky stars.
Atlas of Paranormal Places is a fascinating travel book that provides insight into some of the most strange, haunting, and unexplainable places in the world. The author does a fantastic job of balancing history with myth/legend. The accompanying photos are gorgeous. As I read, I took multiple notes for my future travels. In particular, I loved the section on the strange places found in nature. My only issue with this book is that in the summary/book description, it says that the book provides a look into 100 different places; however, there are only 38 sites described. I had really been looking forward to reading a few of the advertised locations (the tree of dolls and the St Augustine lighthouse); however, they were not included. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed Atlas of Paranormal Places and can't wait to visit some of these super eerie and unique locations.
Definitely a cool book! It details 38 haunted locations from all over the world. The description says 100 haunted locations, but it's definitely only 38. It doesn't go super in depth, which I actually like, but it gives a short history of the place, along with paranormal experiences. It also includes pictures of the locations, which I think is a wonderful addition. It's an easy and really fun read, especially if you're into the paranomal or just spooky places.
I'd definitely recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this
Evelyn Hollow’s *Atlas of the Paranormal* takes readers on a chilling and captivating global tour of over 50 eerie, haunted, and mysterious locations, uncovering paranormal phenomena that have bewildered humankind for centuries. With a gripping foreword by award-winning writer Danny Robins, Hollow masterfully blends historical intrigue with supernatural tales, making this an essential read for both seasoned paranormal enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike.
The book is structured as a guide to some of the world’s most infamous—and often overlooked—paranormal hotspots. Each location, whether it’s a centuries-old crypt in Barbados or a blazing infernal crater in Turkmenistan, is brought to life with vivid descriptions and in-depth explorations of the mysterious events tied to them. The variety of locations Hollow covers is remarkable. From haunted castles in Ireland to eerie forests, ghost towns, and witch markets in Bolivia, she paints a picture of how the paranormal manifests in vastly different cultures and settings.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is how it seamlessly balances storytelling with historical context. Hollow delves into the origins of each paranormal event, offering possible explanations for why these strange occurrences have captivated the imagination for so long. For example, the Chase Vault in Barbados, where coffins allegedly move on their own, is explored with the same level of curiosity and detail as the bleeding glaciers or the unnerving Gunnuhver Mud Pool in Iceland. Each chapter feels like a self-contained mystery, but when taken as a whole, *Atlas of the Paranormal* offers a broader meditation on the human fascination with the unknown.
What sets *Atlas of the Paranormal* apart from other books in this genre is its international scope and Hollow’s clear, evocative prose. The author doesn’t rely on the typical shock-and-awe approach; instead, she carefully crafts each account, encouraging readers to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of each location. While some entries, like the haunted Charleville Castle or the infamous “Door to Hell,” may be familiar to readers, Hollow’s research uncovers fresh angles, lesser-known stories, and strange phenomena that are often overshadowed by their more famous counterparts.
The book’s richly detailed maps and illustrations further enhance the experience, allowing readers to visualize the haunted landscapes and paranormal sites discussed within. Hollow has a talent for not only describing the physical locations but also capturing the emotional and psychological weight that these sites carry. The sense of dread and wonder that permeates the book makes it as much a study of human belief as it is a travel guide to the paranormal.
Moreover, *Atlas of the Paranormal* goes beyond simple ghost stories. It also dives into alien sightings, freak natural occurrences, and unexplained phenomena like moving rocks or cursed lands where crops refuse to grow. This range of paranormal activity, from hauntings to extraterrestrial events, broadens the scope of the book and ensures that there is something to intrigue every kind of reader.
If there is one piece of advice to give potential readers, it’s to follow Hollow’s own warning: *You may not want to read this when you are alone.* Her ability to weave a creepy, unsettling atmosphere into each chapter will leave even the most skeptical readers feeling a chill.
In conclusion, *Atlas of the Paranormal* is an enthralling and expertly researched exploration of the world’s most mysterious and haunted locations. Evelyn Hollow’s clear-eyed curiosity and storytelling prowess make this book a must-read for anyone intrigued by the supernatural. Whether you’re seeking a dark armchair adventure or want to deepen your knowledge of paranormal legends, this cursed collection of global hauntings and mysteries is sure to captivate—and spook—you from cover to cover.
While I'm not much of a believer in the paranormal, I am always curious to learn more about the beliefs, folklore, and backstories of various destinations. Such information, even when immensely interesting, often remains hidden from the casual traveler. For example, had a not read this book I wouldn't have known that Siquijor Island in the Philippines (a place I've been to) had a thriving witch market. I read this book not only because of an interest relevant to places I've been and also places I intend to go (e.g. Bhangarh Fort,) but -- most importantly -- to learn about new and fascinating locations that were not yet on my radar. The book did not disappoint.
The almost forty entries in this atlas are divided among six categories (ghosts, witches, sacred, mythic, nature, and cryptid/creatures.) It is a broad and varied selection of locations from around the world and will most certainly offer even vagabonds some new sites for their "to travel" lists.
I appreciated the thoughtfulness of this book. I noticed this with the discussion of Báthori Erzsébet, a Hungarian noblewoman who was accused of mass murder and - literal - blood baths. Many paranormal authors, either out of an intense need to believe strange things or because of a desire to sell more books, would ignore the extensive evidence that Báthori was framed for purely political motives. Hollow presents said evidence despite the fact that it kind of undercuts her argument that Cachtice Castle is a locus of supernatural happenings.
I found this book compelling, well-written, and illustrated with fine maps and photographs. If you're interested in the folklore and ghost stories of various locations, I'd check it out.
This was a very informative and creepy read it was full of information about so many locations with scary pasts.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinion are completely my own.
I think this is the most indepth book on supernatural places I have come across and I have been reading on the subject for 30 plus years.
The only draw back is the size of the font, I did need to strain my eyes to read online
Following the same format, and written by an author who is apparently very well-respected in the field, Atlas of Paranormal Places: A Journey to the World's Most Supernatural Places is a worthy addition to the 'Atlas of ... Places' canon. I learned more about some places I was already familiar with, as well as discovering many new ones at which to marvel.
This book includes 38 entries from six continents, divided into six different categories: haunted places, witchcraft, sacred sites, myths & legends, strange nature and cryptids & creatures. The entries range from 4-8 pages, including photographs, maps and even floorplans where relevant, alongside the author's engaging description. It was all interesting, but Strange Nature is the one that really appealed to me.
Some of my favourites were the Chase Vault in Barbados (haunted), Pendle Hill in England (witchcraft), Borobudur Temple in Indonesia (sacred site), Gunnuhver in Iceland (strange nature) and Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan (cryptids & creatures).
This would be a great book to gift to someone with an interest in the paranormal, or just one to have sitting on the coffeetable, to dip into on rainy days.
This was really interesting to me, as I'm not familiar with paranormal studies at all and usually also avoid non-fiction. As a newbie to the field, Atlas of Paranormal Places gave a great overview of some incredibly fascinating places all over the world. The six chapters focused on different aspects of paranormal places and came together beautifully. The illustrations and photos were also great!
Some minor critique: Another round of fact-checking would be great before publishing. Minor details such as a hanbok being referred to as funeral attire.
All in all a great informational read! Would recommend to anyone interested in the field of study!
I love anything paranormal and this book definitely ticks those boxes. It tells us about haunted places and what happened there, with quite a bit of history. Its a really nice book if you want to know more about the "hotspots" of paranormal research!