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tani's review
4.0
I was a bit apprehensive about this book, what with the switch in main characters from Verity to Alex, and the number of reviewers who said that they did not enjoy this book as much as the first two. I didn't expect to dislike it, per se, but I thought it might end up being just OK. I was wrong in my apprehension. I enjoyed this one just as much as I did the Verity-centered books, which is to say, quite a bit.
I think one of the things that's really drawn me into this series is the variety of incryptids that are featured. McGuire draws from a variety of cultures and belief systems, and she treats each species with the same care in their elaboration. I find it fascinating! I love seeing the wadjets, the cockatrice, the gorgons, and I'm always interested to see what kind of creature is going to pop up next. With Verity, we got to meet a lot of the sentient creatures. With Alex, we get treated to many more of the 'animals' of the incryptid world. I could really see McGuire's scientific background in this one, and I loved all the detail that it lent to the world. (Also, I am absolutely dying for a miniature griffin pet of my own!)
I also became quite fond of Alex through this book. I love Verity, but I'd say that Alex is a bit closer to my own existence, as the geeky brother with more research skills than social. And yet he still has that Price sass that is so much fun. We also get to meet his grandmother and grandfather, who are quite interesting in their own right, and see how Sarah is doing after the events of the previous book. I also wasn't nearly as put off by Shelby as some of the other reviewers. She's tough, resourceful, and charismatic. She does mention her Australian origins quite often, but I saw it more as an icebreaker and a coping mechanism than as annoying. I think she balances with Alex quite well, and I'm excited to see more of both of them in the next book.
Despite this being a less action-oriented entry in the series, I never really felt bored while reading it. Even when I was forced to put the book down, I wanted to come back it as soon as I could. I wanted to find out more of what was going on and why. I thought it was a very worthy addition to a series that I would rank as one of my favorite in the urban fantasy genre.
I think one of the things that's really drawn me into this series is the variety of incryptids that are featured. McGuire draws from a variety of cultures and belief systems, and she treats each species with the same care in their elaboration. I find it fascinating! I love seeing the wadjets, the cockatrice, the gorgons, and I'm always interested to see what kind of creature is going to pop up next. With Verity, we got to meet a lot of the sentient creatures. With Alex, we get treated to many more of the 'animals' of the incryptid world. I could really see McGuire's scientific background in this one, and I loved all the detail that it lent to the world. (Also, I am absolutely dying for a miniature griffin pet of my own!)
I also became quite fond of Alex through this book. I love Verity, but I'd say that Alex is a bit closer to my own existence, as the geeky brother with more research skills than social. And yet he still has that Price sass that is so much fun. We also get to meet his grandmother and grandfather, who are quite interesting in their own right, and see how Sarah is doing after the events of the previous book. I also wasn't nearly as put off by Shelby as some of the other reviewers. She's tough, resourceful, and charismatic. She does mention her Australian origins quite often, but I saw it more as an icebreaker and a coping mechanism than as annoying. I think she balances with Alex quite well, and I'm excited to see more of both of them in the next book.
Despite this being a less action-oriented entry in the series, I never really felt bored while reading it. Even when I was forced to put the book down, I wanted to come back it as soon as I could. I wanted to find out more of what was going on and why. I thought it was a very worthy addition to a series that I would rank as one of my favorite in the urban fantasy genre.
ktaylor1164's review
3.0
I always enjoy this author's work, but I had a hard time getting into this book. I missed (so much!) the protagonist of the first two and never felt like a had a good sense of the brother Alex. I'll read the next, but I'm hopeful for another narrator.
lisawreading's review
4.0
Gorgons and basilisks and griffins, oh my! Another fun installment in the InCryptid series, this time shifting the main character to Alexander Price, a cryptozoologist specializing in reptiles. Throw in a murder at a zoo, victims turned to stone, and a hot Australian girlfriend with secrets of her own, and it's non-stop entertainment.
jasonmark's review
1.0
Tried the audio book and the guys voice is so lame I couldn't make it through. I can't tell how much it's because the main character is lame, and how much is because of the voice but only made it through a couple of chapters.
hgoravec's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Re-read of book #3 in the series. I was looking for something light and not too demanding, and this fit the bill. I started with 3, instead of trying to do a true re-read of the series, I feel like I remember enough of Verity’s books, but not as much as Alex.
I had actually picked up this series before October Daye, and I’m glad I did because I really enjoy Seanan McGuire’s writing, but I love the October Daye series. This is also fun, although this time I felt like I picked up on more of the tension between the Price family and the cryptids, even with Shelby. It’s not actually a happy book, but what I think McGuire does really well is show that it’s not about happiness, and instead focuses on moment of joy and levity, with a good dash of hope.
I might skip around in this series a bit more, instead of trying to read straight through.
I had actually picked up this series before October Daye, and I’m glad I did because I really enjoy Seanan McGuire’s writing, but I love the October Daye series. This is also fun, although this time I felt like I picked up on more of the tension between the Price family and the cryptids, even with Shelby. It’s not actually a happy book, but what I think McGuire does really well is show that it’s not about happiness, and instead focuses on moment of joy and levity, with a good dash of hope.
I might skip around in this series a bit more, instead of trying to read straight through.
carmiendo's review against another edition
4.0
this nerdy boy protagonist is not as cool as the bad ass girl protagonist from the first two books in this series. that's okay though, this is still real fun
amibunk's review
3.0
Solidly entertaining with a quick plot and fun characters (as always the Aeslin mice steal the show.) My complaints are few. First, there wasn't enough Aeslin mice (seriously, there wasn't and the book could have used their comic relief.)
Second, the big bad villain felt like a let down. There were a few clunky clues dropped like lumps throughout the novel and the reveal at the end was a tiny bit wack. Exactly why was did the bad guy go off the reservation? Jealousy or hatred towards the Price family or just a lot of rage in general? I'm still not sure after reading the book.
Last of all, I thought the dialogue was done better in Verity's books. We spent a lot of time in Alex's head which was okay, but not a lot spent in conversation with the other characters- it was a little more tell than show.
Still, it was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next one.
Second, the big bad villain felt like a let down. There were a few clunky clues dropped like lumps throughout the novel and the reveal at the end was a tiny bit wack. Exactly why was did the bad guy go off the reservation? Jealousy or hatred towards the Price family or just a lot of rage in general? I'm still not sure after reading the book.
Last of all, I thought the dialogue was done better in Verity's books. We spent a lot of time in Alex's head which was okay, but not a lot spent in conversation with the other characters- it was a little more tell than show.
Still, it was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the next one.
cassirosie's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
nerdywerewolf's review against another edition
4.0
"If she thought body disposal would take me twenty minutes, she’d clearly never watched me clean a snake cage. I could get rid of an average human body in ten minutes, tops."
This story is all about Verity's brother, Alex, who is a tad more research-and-record than his siblings, who are much more prone to bloodshed and blowing things up. There's a whole new setting and cast of characters introduced in this one.
I very much enjoyed delving into the world of cryptids and being fascinated by all the things that make them different. I especially love exploring the different cultures and how the Price family is so committed to trying to abide by everyone's different ways. There are a lot of snake and reptile creatures in this one and while it wasn't the same type of story as the Verity books have been, it was still a great addition to the series.
This story is all about Verity's brother, Alex, who is a tad more research-and-record than his siblings, who are much more prone to bloodshed and blowing things up. There's a whole new setting and cast of characters introduced in this one.
I very much enjoyed delving into the world of cryptids and being fascinated by all the things that make them different. I especially love exploring the different cultures and how the Price family is so committed to trying to abide by everyone's different ways. There are a lot of snake and reptile creatures in this one and while it wasn't the same type of story as the Verity books have been, it was still a great addition to the series.