Strange Animals

By Jarod K Anderson 
** Publication Date 10 February 2026 **
5 stars




My favorite book, so far, of 2026.. I love all the mythology surrounding cryptids. Yeti, Bigfoot, chupacabra, jackalopes, the Loch Ness Monster. There are so many in our folklore both here in the US and abroad. 


In Strange Animals, Green has a near-death encounter with a city bus. Though he remembers the actual experience of dying, shortly thereafter he is not under the bus, but standing on the sidewalk as though it never happened. He has memories of a crow and now has an acorn in his pocket.


This sends Green a bit over the edge. He decides to give up his bland city life and try the wilderness. He happens upon a very strange little gas station in Appalachia where he meets two locals. They direct him to a nearby off the grid campground. This campground leads to a very strange encounter with two creatures that could be called anything but ‘normal.’ And so begins Green’s new life.


From the start this book is so strange and ethereal. Green giving up all the comforts of the city to head into the unknown is mighty brave, and in a way, a little bit stupid. But what he encounters from the time he finds the Candle-fly campground is wild and spectacular. I loved all the details of the cryptids. The transformation of Green from a city dweller to one who was comfortable being in the great outdoors. I especially loved his experiences as the book goes on.


But… I certainly hope that Anderson has a sequel planned. Because while I found the final chapters fantastic, I want to know what happens next. I’m so invested in this story and the characters, I truly want to experience more of this world. 


If you love fantasy and tales of the unknown, you will probably enjoy this one.