In this continuation of the "InCryptid" series by Seanan McGuire, we actually abandon the main character from the first two books (Verity) and focus on her brother, Alexander Price. This certainly takes the series in a new direction.
The premise is that Alexander is "hiding" in plain sight as a reptile specialist at a zoo. What he's really doing is investigating the feathered frog cryptids in the area, while hoping his basilisks decide to breed sometime this century. Meanwhile, he's dealing with a potential relationship with Shelby, a visiting scientist from Australia who plays with lions for fun.
But then people start dying . . . by turning to stone. Suddenly, the local cryptid community is at risk of exposure and he needs to figure out how to keep the Covenant from converging on the zoo for a purge, while simultaneously figuring out exactly what's going on with his girlfriend Shelby.
I like the fact that this book takes us from one main character to another in the Price family. Focusing on one character in particular for an extended series can sometimes become . . . monotonous. I think Seanan has done a good job of giving Alexander enough difference from Verity that it doesn't feel like "Verity in drag" here.
Showing posts with label seanan mcguire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seanan mcguire. Show all posts
Friday, June 19, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
Pocket Apocalypse, by Seanan McGuire | Dark Fantasy | SFReader.com Book Review
This is the fourth book in Seanan McGuire's InCryptid series and the second in the series to focus on Alexander Price. It was an interesting book because it took us out of the US and to Australia, although I still think Verity Price is the stronger character in this series.
The premise: Shelby Tanner, Alexander's girlfriend, comes to Alexander to tell him that werewolves have popped up in Australia and her family needs his help, since he's dealt with werewolves before. Alexander overcomes his fear of the creatures from his previous experience and agrees to travel to Australia to help eradicate the disease, which manifests like rabies and is passed on by fluid contact, usually through bites. But once he arrives in Australia, he's uncertain about what might take him out first--the werewolves . . . or Shelby's family.
As usual, the writing is fluid and easy to read and the plot fairly light and straightforward. This series relies more on the characters and the situation to draw the reader in and hold them. Alexander Price is a fine character, although not as unique as Verity in her previous books. But unlike the last book, I felt that Alexander was his own character here, rather than just a male version of Verity (as I felt in the last book). I enjoyed this book more than Alexander's previous one. More focus was on Shelby's family here, and they were unique in their own ways. The sisters were far more entertaining than either Alexander or Shelby.
Read more at Pocket Apocalypse, by Seanan McGuire | Dark Fantasy | SFReader.com Book Review
The premise: Shelby Tanner, Alexander's girlfriend, comes to Alexander to tell him that werewolves have popped up in Australia and her family needs his help, since he's dealt with werewolves before. Alexander overcomes his fear of the creatures from his previous experience and agrees to travel to Australia to help eradicate the disease, which manifests like rabies and is passed on by fluid contact, usually through bites. But once he arrives in Australia, he's uncertain about what might take him out first--the werewolves . . . or Shelby's family.
As usual, the writing is fluid and easy to read and the plot fairly light and straightforward. This series relies more on the characters and the situation to draw the reader in and hold them. Alexander Price is a fine character, although not as unique as Verity in her previous books. But unlike the last book, I felt that Alexander was his own character here, rather than just a male version of Verity (as I felt in the last book). I enjoyed this book more than Alexander's previous one. More focus was on Shelby's family here, and they were unique in their own ways. The sisters were far more entertaining than either Alexander or Shelby.
Read more at Pocket Apocalypse, by Seanan McGuire | Dark Fantasy | SFReader.com Book Review
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