“Cryptid Carl is for readers of Robert R. McCammon and Christopher Buehlman—a pulp adventure steeped in Appalachian folklore, following a half-feral drifter who hunts cryptids with the darkly comedic savagery of Evil Dead.”
A half-feral drifter raised in the shadow of Storm Mountain, Carl has spent years roaming broken, backwoods towns, hunting the uncanny creatures of folklore. When the mysterious Mothman begins terrorizing a dying town, Carl expects just another job and maybe a strange new specimen for his collection.
Instead, he stumbles into a nightmare swallowing Appalachia whole.
A parasitic force is spreading gangrenous grins and emptying hollers across the land. And at the center of it all waits Indrid Cold, an inhuman manipulator who tears open Carl’s oldest wounds and turn his memories against him.
To stop him, Carl must confront the truth of his bloodline, the monsters stalking the dark, and the ghosts of the past he’s buried for too long.
If Appalachian horror, haunted hollers, and backwoods monsters are your thing, this is one ride you don’t want to miss.
Waylon Graves's "Hollow King" is a haunting and atmospheric fantasy that'll draw you in... The plot is expertly woven, with a blend of action, intrigue, and eerie moments that'll keep you turning pages 📚. If you enjoy dark fantasies with a dash of grit, "Hollow King" is a compelling read.
—Anna Landon
...It's a wildly fun and entertaining read and I'm looking forward to future books. I highly recommend it.
—David Royce
I didn’t expect to get emotional, yet the story explores loss and identity in a very touching manner. The story stays with you, I assure you.
—Kenneth A.
Bloody, darkly funny, almost tongue-in-cheek, buddy road trip with an unlikely crew of human and non chasing down the evil smiling dude intent on world domination and coming upon some otherworldly battles along the way! If you picture Carl as Bruce Campbell, you are not alone. Horror humor at it's best, this one is genuine fun!
—Bonita Soley
You had me at the first chapter. Your story was a great mix of imagination, intrigue and insightful characters. I'm looking forward to reading your next creation.
—Mica M.
...hooked from the first chapter
—John A.
...couldn't put it down, easy reading.
—Bill B.
Crazy fun!... an absurd dip into Appalachian folklore
—Jacob B.
Highly Recommended! This was a novel that entertained from the beginning and never let its foot off the gas. It drove me down Crazyville, and I loved every moment of it. Highly recommended if you prefer humor in your horror!
—Chewable Orb
This book has a Dresden Files feel to it... I just will definitely read the next book
—Travis Butler
Beautifully strange and surprisingly moving
—Melissa K.
Beautiful storytelling in a spooky package
—Stirling C.
...highly recommend this book...
—Michael A.
I loved Yaya and I can not get over the Squonk being in this! It's the first time I have read about it in a book and outside of folklore stories. I would die for Squonk. I loved how many characters we met and how much folklore was woven into this. The plot was fast paced and had me hooked from the start,
—Caitlin Bramwell
I really did enjoy the book... It really was scary on some chapters. The pacing was fast. The writing was easy to follow.
—Jenniffer Tafoya
An Appalachian pulp writer from the hills of West Virginia. His work draws from the myths and mysteries of Appalachia, written in the spirit of classic pulp adventure and modern horror, for readers who still believe there are strange things moving out there in the dark.
