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Cryptid Zoo #0
Cryptid Island
Allen Moss experiences an unexplainable and horrifying metamorphosis so shocking he might lose his sanity if it weren’t for his trusted wife, Laney, as he copes with his ever-changing body. Soon they realize Allen’s true potential and purpose when they embark on a perilous journey in a struggle to preserve the planet. Meanwhile, Professor Nora Howard, a cryptozoologist and geneticist working for an unscrupulous high-tech conglomerate, Wilde Enterprises, recruits wildlife conservationists, Jack Tremens and Miguel Walla to travel the globe searching for evidence of cryptid creatures and secure proof of their existence. Adventurous treks into the unknown filled with danger and near death as they defend themselves against bizarre beasts and voracious man-eating plants. Soon everyone’s paths will cross in a terrifying fight for survival on CRYPTID ISLAND...the thrilling prequel to Cryptid Zoo.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 18, 2024
Had its Sluggish Moments
Cryptid Island is a prequel to Cryptid Zoo. Cryptid Zoo is an excellent book. It is filled with action and drama throughout the entire book.
Cryptid Island is a sluggish book. It is filled with tedious details that makes the book listless. The story is dull and boring throughout the whole book.
The author’s goal was to create a timeline that would lead to the making of Cryptid Zoo. But the timeline is tedious because it is stultifying.
It is interspersed with occasional scenes that are interesting, but not necessarily incredible. For this I give the book two stars.
Two stars. ✨✨
Cryptid Island is a prequel to Cryptid Zoo. Cryptid Zoo is an excellent book. It is filled with action and drama throughout the entire book.
Cryptid Island is a sluggish book. It is filled with tedious details that makes the book listless. The story is dull and boring throughout the whole book.
The author’s goal was to create a timeline that would lead to the making of Cryptid Zoo. But the timeline is tedious because it is stultifying.
It is interspersed with occasional scenes that are interesting, but not necessarily incredible. For this I give the book two stars.
Two stars. ✨✨
May 16, 2020
This was my least favorite of the collection but still a decent read.
July 23, 2021
OK, I think I am finished with the Cryptid Zoo series. This one was just a bit too much for me. First two books are decent though.
January 28, 2020
Low 3 stars/high 2 stars. I'll call it 2 for now until I see how the first 'full' book goes!
An enjoyable enough if not extremely rushed and uneven novella that (I assume) introduces us to some of the bigger things that are coming up in the next two books. It certainly does NOT deliver more than a passing blip on the radar of books of this ilk, where tales by Hunter Shea or Russell James would be much more in line with what I'm looking for! Still, if you're looking for a short afternoon read-through, well, here's an option particularly for the Kindle Unlimited crowd.
The writing is not bad but it isn't very 'mature' and can't be considered all that smooth what with the stilted style. I wish Griffiths had taken the opportunity to add a LOT more meat to the bone of this tale. Naturally, I can't yet judge this against what happens in 'Cryptid Zoo' which is anyway the main focus of my reading target. I would point out that there are some sympathetic characters introduced that we could have spent a lot more time with but every small snippet in this book is slammed together like there's a 10-page limit for each. Plus, the structure with a clear section A (very interesting but abrupt) followed by a clear section B (lots of mini-stories) followed by a final mixing of the two really makes it hard to get a grip on the rhythm of things.
I'm left wondering if this was even written AFTER the first book (if the publication date is accurate, then yes it was). So I'm putting my bet in terms of my eager search for cryptid creepiness on what is yet to come. We'll see.
An enjoyable enough if not extremely rushed and uneven novella that (I assume) introduces us to some of the bigger things that are coming up in the next two books. It certainly does NOT deliver more than a passing blip on the radar of books of this ilk, where tales by Hunter Shea or Russell James would be much more in line with what I'm looking for! Still, if you're looking for a short afternoon read-through, well, here's an option particularly for the Kindle Unlimited crowd.
The writing is not bad but it isn't very 'mature' and can't be considered all that smooth what with the stilted style. I wish Griffiths had taken the opportunity to add a LOT more meat to the bone of this tale. Naturally, I can't yet judge this against what happens in 'Cryptid Zoo' which is anyway the main focus of my reading target. I would point out that there are some sympathetic characters introduced that we could have spent a lot more time with but every small snippet in this book is slammed together like there's a 10-page limit for each. Plus, the structure with a clear section A (very interesting but abrupt) followed by a clear section B (lots of mini-stories) followed by a final mixing of the two really makes it hard to get a grip on the rhythm of things.
I'm left wondering if this was even written AFTER the first book (if the publication date is accurate, then yes it was). So I'm putting my bet in terms of my eager search for cryptid creepiness on what is yet to come. We'll see.
June 15, 2019
After reading the brilliant creature feature, "Cryptid Zoo" I just had to check out the so called prequel as soon as I learned of it. Hidden creatures on the edge of myth, wonder and terror, that first book doesn't disappoint for wondrous creatures, harrowing excitement and unfortunate demises. Now when I first started "Cryptid Island" I thought perhaps that I was reading a rendition of Swamp Thing. The first half of the book is solely about...a different situation other than focusing in on the necessary beasties that I was looking for. However the author eventually gets to the two hunters responsibe for capturing dna and samples from different cryptid species around the world. This portion of the work is speedily captured in small vignettes that are far too rushed. Creature after creature are so hurridly captured with amazing near misses and the luck of the gods! And then...somehow the book goes full circle back to the Swamp Thing plot. While I enjoyed the scenes with the cryptid hunters per say, I would have enjoyed it more if that section was stretched out throughout the book instead of rushed through.
The book was enjoyable, but it could have been so much more so if it was drawn out and focused, I think.
The book was enjoyable, but it could have been so much more so if it was drawn out and focused, I think.
August 18, 2020
The grammar for this book is AWFUL. And I mean SOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad. Wow.
The story drags and is boring compared with Book 1. It gives backstory and on its own, that'd be fine but the grammar is so awful, I don't know how even the most basic readers can look beyond it. The formatting's a mess too but not as bad as the grammar.
Let me put it this way - there's a 55 word FRAGMENT sentence.
Let's not get started on the animal errors. While a child might, there's no way a grown woman would mistake a dolphin fin for a shark. SMH. And the way they describe feeding a stingray, holding something "up" under the water? No, again.
I'm so disgusted by this book I don't know if I can finish the rest of the series.
The story drags and is boring compared with Book 1. It gives backstory and on its own, that'd be fine but the grammar is so awful, I don't know how even the most basic readers can look beyond it. The formatting's a mess too but not as bad as the grammar.
Let me put it this way - there's a 55 word FRAGMENT sentence.
Let's not get started on the animal errors. While a child might, there's no way a grown woman would mistake a dolphin fin for a shark. SMH. And the way they describe feeding a stingray, holding something "up" under the water? No, again.
I'm so disgusted by this book I don't know if I can finish the rest of the series.
July 9, 2020
I really loved this "origins" installment in the Cryptid Zoo series, Cryptid Island. To see the transformation of Allen Moss from a hard working landscaper to a living plant was fascinating. Also learning the beginnings of the amazing cryptid hunting team of Jack Tremens and Miguel Walla was intriguing and funny too. I'm so glad I stumbled onto this addictive creature thriller series!
March 8, 2019
Very exciting
I will just say I really liked this book. I had actually read the cryptid zoo first because I didn't know cryptid island came first. But it worked out great and I recommend both books. They are very intertaining.
I will just say I really liked this book. I had actually read the cryptid zoo first because I didn't know cryptid island came first. But it worked out great and I recommend both books. They are very intertaining.
April 26, 2021
Love the characters
This was a perfect read. I always wanted to know a bit of the background of these 2 and I was very happy with their antics!
This was a perfect read. I always wanted to know a bit of the background of these 2 and I was very happy with their antics!
September 15, 2025
The high point of this book is the types of cryptids that Gerry has put out from across the world. Kudos to his research.
There is absolutely nothing else to the story which seems an afterthought for the more popular Cryptid Zoo. We have a billionaire who envisions a cryptid Jurassic park of sorts but this comes at the end.
The book starts of very well with Allen Moss the veritable hero of this piece who inexplicably becomes a mutant of sorts and the rest of the story unravels as another adventure. There are two distinct adventures here with the former starring Moss and his wife the more engaging of the two although the two twine three fourth into the book.
I would have loved the Moss arc to be more detailed as to why and how and maybe a more in depth analysis of his character and interests.
The book is short at just over a couple of hours of reading which means most of these anomalies and bumps become excusable and redundant. Gerry keeps the pace fast and this contributes to allow for the completion of the book.
There is absolutely nothing else to the story which seems an afterthought for the more popular Cryptid Zoo. We have a billionaire who envisions a cryptid Jurassic park of sorts but this comes at the end.
The book starts of very well with Allen Moss the veritable hero of this piece who inexplicably becomes a mutant of sorts and the rest of the story unravels as another adventure. There are two distinct adventures here with the former starring Moss and his wife the more engaging of the two although the two twine three fourth into the book.
I would have loved the Moss arc to be more detailed as to why and how and maybe a more in depth analysis of his character and interests.
The book is short at just over a couple of hours of reading which means most of these anomalies and bumps become excusable and redundant. Gerry keeps the pace fast and this contributes to allow for the completion of the book.
April 14, 2020
Several issues
It is like the author did not do research on anything but cryptids and even then limited. It is like this was just thrown together to get a book out without any real thought.
Firstly this comes across more as a short story. When poachers attack animals the animals do not just go on after as if nothing happened. Pangolin are shy fairly fast moving animals that are generally shy of people. Not how portrayed.
Crabs do NOT actively attack and chase people out of their territory!
If you send someone to hunt deadly cryptids why would you send them in blind with no information or next to no information?!?
This is called Cryptid Island yet the island parts take up maybe 1/4 of the book.
What is the obsession with the hunters website? Never even brought up in any other book and never really explained. Also apparently changes content then becomes a blog site?
And finally, this is a prequel why would the author number it as third in the series?!?
It is like the author did not do research on anything but cryptids and even then limited. It is like this was just thrown together to get a book out without any real thought.
Firstly this comes across more as a short story. When poachers attack animals the animals do not just go on after as if nothing happened. Pangolin are shy fairly fast moving animals that are generally shy of people. Not how portrayed.
Crabs do NOT actively attack and chase people out of their territory!
If you send someone to hunt deadly cryptids why would you send them in blind with no information or next to no information?!?
This is called Cryptid Island yet the island parts take up maybe 1/4 of the book.
What is the obsession with the hunters website? Never even brought up in any other book and never really explained. Also apparently changes content then becomes a blog site?
And finally, this is a prequel why would the author number it as third in the series?!?
May 31, 2022
Imaginative Stories
This series is wonderful! The cryptids are imaginative and the characters are well developed and the action is realistic. This is the 3rd book in the series that I have read and I really like it. I highly recommend it to anyone who has interest in cryptid creatures!
This series is wonderful! The cryptids are imaginative and the characters are well developed and the action is realistic. This is the 3rd book in the series that I have read and I really like it. I highly recommend it to anyone who has interest in cryptid creatures!
October 7, 2025
I read this book out of order but nonetheless it wasn't as good as Cryptid Zoo which I think is the best so far and Cryptid Country, there is more action in that book. I feel like there is too much downtime in this one. I'm hoping the subsequent books are better. I thought the chapters could elaborate a little bit more but alas they didn't.
June 13, 2021
5 Stars
Book 3 actually takes place before the 1st 2 books. Tells how Jack and Miguel was hired by Laura Howard to catch the zoo animals. And the strange story of Andy and Laney Moss.
Book 3 actually takes place before the 1st 2 books. Tells how Jack and Miguel was hired by Laura Howard to catch the zoo animals. And the strange story of Andy and Laney Moss.
August 2, 2023
So that’s how Allen Moss came to be!! Wish I had read this first then cryptic zoo. Oh well, at least I know the back story !! Happy Reading:)
September 17, 2023
A really good prequel to the whole history of the "Cryptid Zoo".
April 4, 2024
Great Story
First book of this author I’ve read. Kept me interested and engaged. I look forward to the next one. It’s holding my attention.
First book of this author I’ve read. Kept me interested and engaged. I look forward to the next one. It’s holding my attention.
December 22, 2024
More!
Channeling my inner Oliver, "Please, sir. I want some more."
Love the criptids, love the characters. Just please, fix the errors.
Channeling my inner Oliver, "Please, sir. I want some more."
Love the criptids, love the characters. Just please, fix the errors.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews