Strange Animals

by Jarod K. Anderson

An ordinary man discovers a hidden world of wondrous supernatural creatures—and an unexpected home—in this enchanting contemporary fantasy debut.

one who studies cryptids; an expert in or student of supernatural history.

After a series of inexplicable encounters upends his life, Green finds himself alone and terrified in the Appalachian mountains, full of questions about the transformation he’s undergoing and the impossible creatures he’s starting to see.

When he meets a hermit named Valentina, he realizes that something more than chance has brought him to her door. For she has devoted centuries to researching the hidden world of cryptids that Green is only now beginning to perceive.  

As Green begins his studies beneath her watchful eye, he comes face to face with time-stopping giant moths, cyclops squirrels, and doorways to elsewhere. Along the way come clues about his own nature and the powerful beings who led him here—and, most wondrous of all, a sense of fulfillment like nothing he’s felt before.

But Green’s new happiness promises to be short-lived, because alongside these marvels lurks a deadly threat to this place he’s already come to love.

Featuring incredible creatures and an unforgettable cast of characters, Strange Animals is a charming, addictive fantasy about the magic all around us.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Adult, Cozy, Audiobook, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary

320 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2026

About the author

Jarod K. Anderson is a writer and poet from Ohio. He has published three books of nature poetry as well as the memoir Something in the Woods Loves You, about his lifelong struggle with depression and the healing power of the natural world. His contemporary fantasy novel Strange Animals was called "a wholly captivating tale of magic and nature" by Publishers Weekly. Jarod's work has been featured in diverse places such as Asimov's, The Sun Magazine, Literary Hub, musical adaptations performed at Carnegie Hall, and even on Patagonia brand clothing. He has been a featured guest, workshop teacher, and speaker for organizations including Georgetown University's Earth Commons program and The Henry David Thoreau Foundation.

Reviews

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars- There was so much to love about this novel. From the odd creatures, the quirky characters, the mystery surrounding Green, and the setting in the Catskills Mountains, I did not want this novel to end. I really hope that there is a follow up novel because I want more to the story.

Green has a near death experience and finds himself drawn to nature. He leaves everything behind to go to the Catskill Mountains. Once there he rents a campground plot but really has no idea how to camp. While sleeping in his car the first night he encounters two strange creatures. He ends up finding out that he has an unusual ability to see cryptids. He becomes an apprentice to his neighbor who is a cyrptonaturalist and his world is turned upside down.

There was mystery, action, strange animals, and quirky but lovable characters. I enjoyed the fantasy elements and all of the different animals. There were some interesting twists as well. I loved the uniqueness of this novel and highly recommend it. If you are looking for a great story and something a little different you will want to read this novel.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is not always in our power to decide what a thing is...But what a thing means? That power may often be claimed.

What a surprising little gem of a novel!

The main character, Green, has a very strange (near?) death experience, after which he feels called to reconnect with nature, to rediscover his true self and the things in life that actually matter. He finds himself staying at a campsite in the Catskills, an area populated with some colorful characters.

"I got blood on your coat."
"It'll wipe off. Or add character. Whichever."

On his first night there, Green encounters a glowing deer and a horned wolf with mutable shadowy flesh. Is one of these creatures dangerous? Are they both? Not everyone can see these beasts, and this is how Green learns he is a born cryptonaturalist. Thankfully, one of his new neighbors can teach him just what that means. Together, they work to try to protect the mountains and their inhabitants from preternatural dangers.

The characters in this book are interesting, and the dynamic between teacher and pupil is amusing at times. The details of the plot are rather original, and I enjoyed the fanciful elements of "cryptonature". There is a sort of found family piece of the story that I very much appreciated as well. The author's love for nature is on clear display in this tale.

How humbling is nature? How many lives could you spend studying a single tree and still feel yourself a neophyte in the school of its character? What a gift it is to know that the ship of our curiosity will never run aground in the seas of Earth's mysteries.

This book seems to be a standalone, but I would gladly read any sequels further detailing Green's adventures. If you find yourself drawn to the idea of a contemporary "urban" fantasy (but that takes place in the wilderness!) with engaging characters and a lot of heart, I definitely recommend picking this one up.

Many thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

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[Samantha (ladybug.books)]

DNF 34%

The purple prose is too much for me. When there’s dialogue it’s snappy and fun but the narrative gets bogged down in way too much internal monologuing. The thoughts and vocabulary just seem completely out of character for Green and feel more like an excuse for the author to show off his writing.

[Tre' · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Strange Animals from Ballantine Books and NetGalley in return for an honest review.

From the first page, Strange Animals sinks its claws into you with a uniquely eerie and captivating premise. When Green narrowly escapes death only to find himself face-to-face with a reality-bending giant crow and an oddly menacing acorn, it's clear this isn’t your typical wilderness adventure. Jarod K. Anderson masterfully crafts a fresh twist on magical realism that truly deserves that elusive descriptor, "fresh."

The plot revolves around Green's sudden, bewildering journey away from city comforts into the heart of the mysterious Catskill Mountains, specifically the bizarre yet intriguing Candle-Fly Camp. This isn't just another "escape the city and find yourself" narrative; it explores the thin veil between ordinary life and something unsettling lurking in the wild.

The characters Anderson introduces along the way add rich layers to the story. Green, anxious, and relatable, makes for an authentic protagonist whose struggle with the surreal makes every strange encounter feel immediate and personal. Dancer, the delightfully odd camp owner, Alf and Jerome, the enigmatic duo at the gas station, and Valentina, a mysterious neighbor with her own intriguing presence, help balance the narrative with warmth, eccentric humor, and quiet intensity.

My only critique is that some readers might initially find surrealism a bit overwhelming. The narrative throws you straight into deep, strange waters and takes a moment to acclimate. However, once you're immersed, the storytelling becomes thoroughly engaging.

Anderson skillfully weaves suspense, mystery, and a dash of humor, maintaining a delicate balance that never lets the reader feel at ease. Perfect for those who love their fantasy tinged with a hint of the uncanny. Every twist feels earned and impactful, making the reading experience truly gripping.

Strange Animals is a fantastic pick for anyone seeking a unique, atmospheric tale that blurs the lines between horror, magical realism, and self-discovery. If you're a fan of Dan Simmons or Stephen King, this will feel like familiar territory, but with an entirely fresh perspective. Anderson has delivered something strange and wonderful, making me eager to see where his imagination will take us next.

[Nichole Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute must read gem!
Green avoids death and decides to go off into the woods to find himself. What he finds is far from what he could have expected! This was a 6/5 for me. It’s so good, that I had to read it twice! I am looking forward to reading it again when it publishes on February 10th!

Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Publisher, and Author, Jarod K Anderson for this Arc.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for the pre-release copy of Strange Animals by Jarod K. Anderson. Below is my honest review.

What a weird and wonderful and wild story! It definitely lives up to the "strange" descriptor. It's reminiscent of Seanan McGuire's Incryptid but much different take.

One thing I really enjoyed about this one is how isolated it felt. The whole book takes place in a small area set in the Catskills, a few mile radius around a specific spot, and includes a campground, a clearing in the woods, a gas station, a horse farm - all within that radius of said specific spot - and the surrounding forest. Anderson did an amazing job at really cutting us off from civilization and delving us straight into the story involving that specific area... while also finding a way to make the cryptid world mysterious and feel like a much much larger thing than the tiny circle of mountainous forest our story is set in.

I also found the creatures to be very inventive and quite entertaining to read about, so I was thrilled there.

I am not sure if this will have a sequel or if it'll just be standalone. I'd be thrilled to read more set in this world, but also felt like this one ended well enough to be standalone if the author chooses that.

Four stars, highly recommended for those who love the strange and exciting and mysterious creature feature.

[Leah M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Books like this are the reason I love reading debuts. I never know what I’m going to find between the covers, but I’ve discovered a lot of talented authors this way. And Anderson has done a wonderful job with this fantasy debut, creating an engrossing story that strips away illusions about what is around us and what is really important.

I found this to be a curiously engaging read. While I do love fantasy, I’m not so well-versed when it comes to cryptids aside from the basics. It has a fantastic opening scene, crafted to resonate throughout the story but also to dramatically grab the reader’s attention—depicting the main character, Green, falling to his death under the wheels of a bus. It wouldn’t be much of a story if he died on the first page, so Green undergoes a rescue along with an awakening to the hidden nature of the world around him that so few actually acknowledge—the world of cryptids and the study of them, known as cryptonaturalism.

After his not-death, something in Green changes. He’s left with a lingering memory of a huge crow and an acorn that he keeps with him at all times. Since he doesn’t know the meaning of these experiences, readers are allowed to experience the journey towards understanding alongside Green. He begins to devalue all the things that he has devoted his life to, and feels an increasing urge to leave everything behind and head into the wilderness. Which is exactly what he does after some research into destinations. He packs up his Prius full of camping gear, and finds himself in a strange campground in the Appalachian Mountains, in the range known as the Catskills in upstate New York.

It was tough to watch Green head out into the wilderness without anything even remotely resembling a plan, only to discover a gas station with two locals that direct him to Candle-Fly Camp, a bare bones campground run by an unusual woman known as Dancer. Unprepared to set up his camping gear upon arrival, he decides to sleep in the car, only to be accosted by a terrifying cryptid. Dancer directs him to the property of a permanent resident of the camp—Valentina Blackwood.

Valentina is a unique and tough character that gives off the vibe of a tough Eastern European grandmother, and she’s a wonderful teacher of the world of cryptonaturalists. Once she heard about Green’s experience, she takes him on as a student, and it was fascinating to watch her teach him about this hidden world he is only now privy to. She’s gruff and a little grumpy, but Green is ready to learn and willing to absorb and process everything that is thrown at him, which is great, because things hit the fan pretty quickly.

A big part of the story is devoted to cryptids and the study of various types of them, and it was one of my favorite parts of the story. Learning more about the dangerous and wild and connected nature of this world makes me want to leave everything behind and head upstate with a sleeping bag. But another part of the story is the connections that Green builds when he leaves all the meaningless fluff of his life behind—in his isolation, he discovers more about himself than he ever realized, but also discovers a found family that offers a sense of acceptance that he never found in ‘civilization,’ aka a major city in which he lives.

The bonds that form between Green, Dancer, and Valentina, as well as Alf and Jerome to a lesser extent, are heartwarming and make this feel like a cozy fantasy in some ways. Along with learning more about cryptids, Green learns the circumstances that contributed to the path to his current situation, and while it broke my brain a little to understand, I really enjoyed how it was presented.

Overall, this was an outstanding read and one of my favorites of the year so far. It was a slower-paced mix of character-driven and plot-driven. I usually gravitate strongly towards the plot-driven aspects, but I found myself loving everything about this book. This was the kind of book I had to savor, which is why my review is so late, but it was an enjoyable ride and makes me want to get back in contact with nature, even if I’m not quite sure that I want to encounter any cryptids of my own. However, it was an enjoyable read, written beautifully and so vividly that I had no trouble visualizing any of it and felt like I was walking right alongside Green and Valentina. It’s a fantastically creative story, and I can confidently say I will be looking forward to whatever else Anderson puts out.

Bottom line: A heartwarming, unique, and creative meander through one man’s journey into the world of cryptids, along with the found family and insights about himself that he gains along the way.

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange Animals
by Jarod K. Anderson
Cozy Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Feb 10, 2026
Ballantine Books
Ages: 14+

Tripping on the curb, Green falls into the street, watching as the city bus comes right at him, the tire inches from his eyes, then suddenly he's back on the curb, watching the bus pass right by. But when he looks up, he sees a five-foot-tall crow watching from the sign, but the rest of those on the crowded street seem oblivious.

Finding an acorn, along with seeing other creatures, Green finds himself drawn to the Appalachian Mountains, his car full of camping equipment that he has really no clue how to use, let alone survive in the wilderness as winter approaches.

Upon arriving at an out of the way campground, Green finds his campsite, but with night setting in, he opts to stay in his car, where he witnesses a glass fawn and the horned wolf, who breaks into his car, slicing his chin with its horn. Referred to a campground neighbor, Green finds himself her apprentice, there to study the odd creatures of the mountains.


Careful which blurb you read, for there is one that makes the book sound better than it is. It's not a bad book, but the creatures, cryptids, don't get the attention that I was hoping they would. This is mostly a story about Green (yes, that is his name), Valentina, his tutor, the horned wolf, and the fawn, with a few other appearances. The descriptions are pretty good, but I was still disappointed by the lack of creatures, which is what I was thinking when I requested this book.

The story did move kind of slowly, mostly because it had a lot of narration, but when there was dialogue and the main plot was centered on, the pace picked up. There's not a lot of violence, language, or other adult content, but there are a lot of internal thoughts which mess with the flow, so it just made the cozy genre, and it's still suitable for readers fourteen and older.

Because of the jumping around pacing and lack of creatures, I didn't find myself enjoying this book as much as I wanted, but there was one thing that happened that almost got it to the next star, because it brought tears to my eyes! It was the most touching part of the story.

2 Stars

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange Animals is a lovely book about the study of cryptid animals and cryptoecology (which was a new word for me on page 290, but quite appropriate). It's the story of a man named Green (I wonder why he only had one name? It must mean something...), who dies, kind of, in the very first line of the novel, which sets him off to the wilds of Appalachia on a quest of self-discovery. Things go poorly for him at first, but he finds a family and sticks it out. Valentina (who's very, very old) becomes his teacher, Dancer (who teaches him the importance of proper head wear in cold temperatures) becomes his landlord, he meets some friends at the local gas station, and he eventually meets some very unconventional characters in the wilderness, too. The writing is comfortable, cozy, clear, and flows lyrically. On page 290, for example: "How humbling is nature? How many lives could you spend studying a single tree and still feel yourself a neophyte in the school of its character? What a gift it is to know that the ship of our curiosity will never run aground in the seas of Earth's mysteries." Now that's a nonpareil paragraph that just sings. Anderson has published several volumes of poetry, but wow... The mountain setting is quite well drawn, too. You have the Appalachian backdrop like a 21st century Manly Wade Wellman, but without the annoying vernacular and dumb accents. You have the mysticism and self-discovery of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (without the Zen or the motorcycles) or early Castenada (without the drugs or the crazy). There are a few instances of humor, too, such as a line on page 246: "The strangest human we know visits a royal pan-dimensional manifestation of collective history-spanning crow-intelligence while battling an incursion from beyond reality... and he asks us for simplicity." Or on page 170, where we learn there was an epistemological sinkhole in Pataskala, Ohio. (I liked this one because my son and his family live in Pataskala. I wonder if it was their fault?) The story seems to encourage the reader to pay attention to details and small things, and I found myself noticing that the capital "Q" in the text on the typescript is very strange, with a very long and aggressive swooping tail that seems to threaten the following letters. How's that for a little detail? A couple of minor things bothered me, like page 161 states that the Appalachian Mountains are over a billion years old, and I remembered it as 480 million, but who's counting. Sometimes Green is too introspective, and why does he only have one name, and why doesn't he tell Valentina about one significant detail until two-thirds of the way in? Still, it's the best novel that I've this year so far, and an easy all-the-stars recommendation to all.

[Darcia Helle · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars!

STRANGE ANIMALS is a fever dream steeped in atmosphere, with a slice of supernatural horror. It’s also deep, heartfelt, and thought provoking.

What I loved: everything!

More specifically:

➛Quirky characters
➛Found family
➛Magic
➛Appalachian setting
➛The writing
➛The originality of the story

No spoilers. Go read it. 😉

*Thanks to Ballantine Books for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley!*

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come for the spooky Appalachian cryptid storyline, stay for the love letter to nature & wonder.

I couldn’t put this book down! I desperately wanted to know what happened next. I was terrified of the first few cryptids Green meets. I utter fell in love with all of these characters, though Dancer has a special place in my heart. And Green is so relatable yet wise because of how fully he trusts his intuition. And him accidentally and on purpose provoking Valentina is hilarious!

Thank you to NetGalley and to Ballantine Books for an eARC of this book! This is my honest review.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really lovely and delightfully odd, this fantasy novel brings touches of enchantment to the very real magic of nature.

Green died, but then he didn't. With no way of explaining what happened and possessing a seemingly magical acorn, Green takes off to the wild to find answers where he instead finds mysterious creatures, a wise mentor, and more than he could have ever imagined.

Something about the writing in this book immediately feels unique to me. It is at points unapologetically strange but also deeply heartfelt. Some of the other reviews I've seen described it as eerie or spooky but I didn't feel that way at all. Like Valentina says monster is a word of our creation arbitrarily applied to things that feel threatening or unusual. Their pursuit in understanding these creatures feels driven by curiosity and respect in a way that I really love and admire in academics.

It's a strange book, but it's a world that welcomes you in to see the beauty of these cryptids and the people who study them.

Thank you to Jarod K Anderson and Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

Happy reading!

[Nathan Shuherk · Rating 4 out of 5]

So enjoyable to read a story exuding so much gentleness

[Jakki (BizzyBookNook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes. That’s it. That’s my entire review.

There is so much happening in this book, and I love that it launches straight out of the gate with something monumental—something that sets the tone for everything that follows. Green is such a thoughtful, layered character, and following both his physical journey and his internal growth gave the story a depth I honestly wasn’t expecting. There wasn’t a single character I didn’t enjoy or want to know more about. Dancer, especially, was an absolute delight; I genuinely smiled every time she appeared on the page.

The relationship between Valentina and Green was amusing in all the right ways, but also surprisingly tender when it mattered. This is the kind of book that makes you pause and think—a tribute to nature, a love letter to cryptids, and a fever dream that somehow transcends genre in the best possible way.

It may only be February, but I’m pretty sure this is my favorite book of 2026.

[Books_the_Magical_Fruit]

When I first read the synopsis for this a while ago, I was intrigued. Cryptids in the Appalachian Mountains?? I’m there.

However, I could not connect with the main character, and the pacing is too slow. Green (an interesting name choice, for sure) has a strange moment where he dies…and then is alive again, in the same spot as before. After a month of feeling unsettled, he quits his job and heeds his inner voice telling him to go be in nature. He then meets Valentina, a cryptonaturalist, and becomes her apprentice.

Anderson definitely has writing talent. However, the story jumps all over the place, and there’s So.Much.Inner.Dialogue. I just didn’t find it compelling, even though there are beautiful descriptions here and here. The plot is an intriguing concept that fell a bit flat.

I do encourage the author to keep writing, though. The way he describes the environment and creatures is utterly unique, and he has great ideas.


My thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.



(I’m not rating it because it’s going on my DNF bookshelf.)

[Sauti Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is honestly what Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them should have been. Weird and charming, if you haven't listened to the Podcast Cryptonaturalist I'd also recommend

[BookwormishMe · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of 2026, so far. 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.

[Saralia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We're all strange animals so, act like it"

While not a line from the book, "Strange Animals" it's the sign off from the author's podcast, the Cryptonaturalist. As a long time fan of Jarod K. Anderson's poetry, I find it difficult to separate the works from one another, as I see the preparation for the novel in the podcast episodes.

Strange Animals is the story of Green after he does not die when he most definitely should have. An undeniable pull to the mountains brings him to Appalachia and to the cryptic destiny awaiting him. It's full of wonders mundane as an acorn and as fantastical as a transparent fawn.

Strange Animals is an exceptionally well written book. The world building, character development, and plot structure are solid. All of the characters are unique but feel appropriate to the world and the plot is at once surprising and familiar. The prose reminded me that this was a novel written by a poet.

In all of his work, there is a foundation of wonder and reverence that provides a platform for creativity and imagination. Nature itself is a character and readers who are open will find themselves transported to new perspectives and ways of seeing.


I cannot recommend it highly enough and for listeners of the Cryptonaturalist podcast, there are Easter eggs to be discovered and enjoyed.

Happy reading ☀️

[Scott DuJardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating new take on criptids which I thoroughly enjoyed.
At the beginning this felt annoyingly abrupt with no explanation for rampent weirdness. In the end, all was (mostly?) answered. The author has created an amazing world here, with well crafted characters and environment. For the most part, I got totally lost in this story (in a good way). My only wish would have been for a bit more closure at the end.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary

This is an amazing book. A man trips and falls into the path of an oncoming bus, and is suddenly standing again, but with an acorn that draws him away from his life into a new one. Read it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is by far my favorite book I’ve read in recent memory. It’s such a beautiful combination of cryptids and local folklore meets one man’s need to find meaning in life. It’s fantastical in new beautiful ways that still feel very honest to old folktales. Is the ending my favorite? Not necessarily due to the use of a trope I don’t personally like that I won’t spoil here. But it still wrapped up beautifully and satisfyingly. I highlighted so many more poignant quotes than I normally do in a fiction. Will absolutely be hoping for more from Anderson!

[Ckelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost this book is weird. Like crazy cryptid weird. And it’s amazing.

Green, our protagonist dies, but then doesn’t die? And the oddity begins. His non-death triggers him to uproot his life and run to the mountains. He stumbles upon a collection of quirky but lovable locals and finds out he’s a natural cryptonaturalist (aka someone who can see various types of cryptids). Well as you might guess, not all of them are harmless so it’s mystery solving time. The old lady in the woods takes him under her wing to teach him the ways of a cryptonaturalist and help out a stop to a bunch of mysterious deaths.

Weird enough for you?

Here’s the thing though; yes, it’s super weird. And initially I was trying to figure out if this was also a horror genre book (it’s not). But it’s so beautiful. I’m not usually a person who highlights passages in a book but this one I did. This book is a story about nature and our place in it. A story to challenge us to slow down a just be. Some of my favorite s:

“Drink in the stars. Feel the familiar pull of gravity on your bones. Smell the living trees. Nature is a thing of unity and renewal, change and cycles. You were a part of that before you were born and will remain a part of it eons after your death. And if ever these ideas become too distant or abstract, just pause and look around. You know what nature is and you know that it feels like home. When you feel that instinctual love of nature, your senses are trying to tell you something. They are telling you that human existence is not the only worthy kind of existence.” - Chapter 12

“Fact may be a found thing, but meaning is a crafted thing. It requires your participation, your choice.” - Chapter 15

So yes. Beautiful and weird in the most incredible way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the arc and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Jackie McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is WEIRD and I loved it! Strange Animals is the whimsical novel you get when a nature writer ventures into fantasy and writes about imaginary/supernatural nature. This is an absolutely trippy cryptid tale that follows Mr. Green, who finds himself at a place many of us may understand in the modern world: we have to get out of the city and into nature. Modern life has perhaps worn Mr. Green down more than most of us, and the place he finds in Appalachia is certainly far more outside the realm of reality than any of us would ever experience. The people and creatures he meets are exquisite. The adventure he has is suspenseful and unique. Cryptonature may not be real, but there is magic in nature, and it comes through in Anderson’s writing.

I loved Strange Animals and am so glad I picked it up! Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

[Stacy Keene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just stayed up all night and finished this outstanding book! I did not expect to find such a well written and moving book when I chose a book about Cryptids. I would have, had I googled the author, but I'm glad it was a surprise. All I can say is I found myself fully immersed in the beautiful scenery, entirely gripped by exhilarating fear, emotionally invested in all of the well developed characters, and am forever changed by a different perspective regarding the unknown. And, as if that's not enough, the story deepened the reverence I feel for the ancient mountains I grew up on. And now I MUST read more from this author. But first, a nap. Thanks to NetGalley, Ballentine Books, and author Jarod K. Anderson for this ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Green has a near death experience and finds an acorn in his pocket pushing him to the leave everything in the city behind and go to the Catskill mountains. With his Prius and a bunch of new camping equipment, he stumbles upon an obscure corner of the world where he starts seeing bits of wilderness in wholly strange ways. His campground host Dancer, cryptic neighbor Valentina, and a couple odd gas station employees are his only connection to reality. But is his new connection to the mountains actually more true? How will he reconcile this new version of himself and the world around him?

This novel is a whole lot of unusual awesomeness. I really like how Green is rediscovering the world through the lens of a cryptozoologist. The way he fits into this typically unseen world is so well done. He learns the basics from his mentor but really ends up expanding his knowledge through his own interactions, self discovery and even personal reinvention. The character growth of Green through his relationships with this new found family is also really well written. What a thoughtful, feel good read that keeps you engaged long after you close the book. 5 stars.

This is an honest review based on a digital Advanced Readers Copy provided by Ballantine Books and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[LD · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It was slightly different than most of the books I’ve been reading lately and that was exactly what I needed. I love how much detail was put in every description and each word choice. Some might see this as a negative but I found myself rereading sections of the book a few times before moving on just to make sure I got the picture right in my head. Slowing down to do that really gave me a good understanding of the characters and the environments they found themselves in. It was immensely rewarding when what I was reading would finally click in my mind. My favorite scene in the book was when Green went to the gas station for the first time and I know it sounds corny but I really did feel like I was there walking through the aisles and looking through the brochures. All in all great book and I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a book with themes and characters that will stick with them.

[Bill Philibin · Rating 5 out of 5]

(5.0 Stars)

This was pleasantly and unexpectedly good. Well, I didn't actually know what to expect, but it wasn't this. This was like Lev Grossman's The Magicians for adults. It was almost an Urban Fantasy, but not so urban. I really liked this. The characters were vivid and real, the lore was interesting, and the fantasy was just a small but important part of the story.

The narration is very good, I am looking forward to more fiction from this author.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book manages to be both strange and cozy at the same time. It is unique and interesting and set entirely in nature. A cell phone and vehicles are mentioned but in retrospect, their brief mentions really highlight how rooted in nature this story is. The book feels complete but can easily be expanded on to give readers the enjoyment of more time spent in this world of cryptids. The publisher's synopsis of this book is about all you can say without giving too much away, but if you enjoy nature, strange animals, exploring the unknown and yourself, I would highly suggest this book.
5/5 Stars
Strange Animals was released on February 10, 2026.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Relthelittlemerm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so delightfully odd in the best way possible. I deeply appreciated the way in which the author was able to convey Green’s ever shifting mental state as he grapples with his new realities. The language that is used had a lyrical aspect to it that made for many memorable quotes. The characters were all so impossibly quirky and fun, and Green as the protagonist was very refreshing in his kind earnestness. Overall I enjoyed this book so much more than I expected, and I didn’t want it to end! I’d absolutely be down to read a sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for a copy of this ARC

[Tonya Bryant Gillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my typical read, but glad I kept reading. This book moved fast or more likely I couldn’t stop turning pages. This book was so engrossing that I could not step away from it. You will root for Mr. Green. You will love Valentina and Ms. Dancer. These characters were so good. I really liked them.

This is a good read and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine - Ballantine Books for this advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.