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katieinca's review
4.0
If you're ever looking for urban fantasy set on a reality TV set, or urban fantasy with as much possible about dance, look no further. Very little Dominic in this one (which is okay, really). Reasonable mystery plot, although not one I think she tried to make reader-solvable.
New favorite character: Malena.
New favorite character: Malena.
the_bees's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
crochetchrisie's review
4.0
Possibly my favourite of the series so far. I don't really get the whole must dance thing that Verity has but it was well explained and I definitely believed in her feelings, probably more than I did in the first book.
But not one sexy scene??? C'mon! :(
But not one sexy scene??? C'mon! :(
joyelbe's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kadtide's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
- Love Verity, was very happy to see her again
- Really liked the reality competition setting
- Cool to meet
Alice for the first time. Also liked new characters especially Malena. - Mystery was good. Didn't occur to me that
there could be three cultists; she'd only overheard two in the basement so I didn't figure it out completely but the reveal tracked with what came before very well. - Curious where we go from here.
Calling out the Covenant probably doesn't end well (let alone the public live TV spectacle
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death and Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
alikatson's review against another edition
4.0
I really do love Verity's stories - she is just so entertaining and I loved hearing about the dance competition.
I also enjoyed meeting Grandma Alice and some new Incryptids! The mystery was also gruesome and terrifying - I loved the climax to that.
However, the ending felt really abrupt... I hope the next book picks up some of the dropped threads (despite having a different MC).
I also enjoyed meeting Grandma Alice and some new Incryptids! The mystery was also gruesome and terrifying - I loved the climax to that.
However, the ending felt really abrupt... I hope the next book picks up some of the dropped threads (despite having a different MC).
jesslynh's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. As usual, Ms. McGuire did an excellent job. And I want more dragons.....
tani's review
4.0
This one started out shakily for me. I was really excited to dive into it. I love Verity and Dominic and I was looking forward to another adventure with them, but the start of the book did not pull me in like other books in the series have. I am not sure if that was because I'm really not into reality TV, or if it was that the emotional logic behind Verity's decision to participate in the show was a little lacking. Perhaps a bit of both.
However, once I got a bit further into the book, I found myself not caring as much about my distaste for reality TV. It was kind of interesting to get a look at how it might work, although it did also reaffirm my disinterest in actually watching any of it. And as usual, I really enjoy Seanan McGuire's way of writing characters. She has a way of making them unique and memorable that goes beyond just what creature they are. (Although I definitely loved the featured creatures of this one, as always.)
Also, minor spoiler:
Technically, I would say that this may be the weakest book in the series. I struggled with the fourth book in the series, mostly because I just disliked some of the characters, but this one spends a lot of time rehashing what feels like old ground with Verity. Once the mystery kicks up a notch, that didn't bother me at much, and I certainly understand that Verity might still be struggling with the consequences of her choice between dance and cryptozoology, but it just felt a bit forced. I also found myself a bit annoyed with Verity. For someone who's usually quite astute about character, she was remarkably blind to the flaws of her dancing friends, which was frustrating to watch.
Still, I ended up enjoying this one almost as much as the others in the series, and I read the entire second half of the book in what amounted to a single gulp, so clearly the flaws didn't bother me that much. And let me tell you. That ending! It was a doozy, the kind of ending that changes the shape and direction of the rest of the series. I can certainly figure a bit of awkward set-up for that. Because I am now extremely excited for the moment when I can move on the next book in the series and see just what Antimony's going to get up to!
However, once I got a bit further into the book, I found myself not caring as much about my distaste for reality TV. It was kind of interesting to get a look at how it might work, although it did also reaffirm my disinterest in actually watching any of it. And as usual, I really enjoy Seanan McGuire's way of writing characters. She has a way of making them unique and memorable that goes beyond just what creature they are. (Although I definitely loved the featured creatures of this one, as always.)
Also, minor spoiler:
Spoiler
I was so excited to meet Verity's grandmother! She was a very intriguing experience for me, and I really hope that we eventually get more of her story. I'd really love a book that's just about her, chasing after her husband through the dimensions.Technically, I would say that this may be the weakest book in the series. I struggled with the fourth book in the series, mostly because I just disliked some of the characters, but this one spends a lot of time rehashing what feels like old ground with Verity. Once the mystery kicks up a notch, that didn't bother me at much, and I certainly understand that Verity might still be struggling with the consequences of her choice between dance and cryptozoology, but it just felt a bit forced. I also found myself a bit annoyed with Verity. For someone who's usually quite astute about character, she was remarkably blind to the flaws of her dancing friends, which was frustrating to watch.
Still, I ended up enjoying this one almost as much as the others in the series, and I read the entire second half of the book in what amounted to a single gulp, so clearly the flaws didn't bother me that much. And let me tell you. That ending! It was a doozy, the kind of ending that changes the shape and direction of the rest of the series. I can certainly figure a bit of awkward set-up for that. Because I am now extremely excited for the moment when I can move on the next book in the series and see just what Antimony's going to get up to!