Title: Half-Off Ragnarok

Author: Seanan McGuire

Series: InCryptid, #3

My rating: 3.5 of 5

(Book read on November 13th to November 22nd, 2014.) 

  

 

Summary:

What do gorgons, basilisks, and frogs with feathers all have in common? They're all considered mythological by modern science, and some people are working very hard to keep them that way.

Alexander Price is a member of a cryptozoological lineage that spans generations, and it's his job to act as a buffer between the human and cryptid worlds - not an easy task when you're dealing with women who have snakes in place of hair, little girls who may actually be cobras, and oh, right, brilliant, beautiful, distressingly curious Australian zookeepers. And then there's the matter of the murders...

Alex thought he was choosing the easier career when he decided to specialize in non-urban cryptids, leaving the cities to his little sister, Verity. He had no idea what he was letting himself in for. It's a family affair, and everyone - from his reanimated grandfather to his slightly broken telepathic cousin - is going to find themselves drawn in before things get any better.

There are some things that you can train for. And then there are the things you have to figure out on the fly. This is definitely the latter.

 

 

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

 

 

I adored the first two InCryptid books, and I adored almost all of the short stories set in the world, no matter the point-of-view, or the time period. I actually appreciated learning more about the Healy/Price family, and their friends. So, yes, I'm totally addicted to the awesomeness of the InCryptid world the author created, and its characters.

That being said, Half-Off Ragnarok was a little bit of a disappointment - at first. Despite appreciating the fact that it was absolutely obvious that the point-of-view is a different character, Alex Price is no Verity. So, yes, after her books & her awesomeness, Alex & his story felt boring. It started slow (though I loved that first scene), and Alex is this sciency, quiet guy, that would be happy if he spends all of his days doing research. So, yes, he was a little bit on the nerdy, but boring side. But, slowly, and before this book was over, I warmed up to him, and quite liked him as a character, really enjoyed the story, and can't wait to see what will happen next. After all, he is a Price, and he shows it. 

As for Shelby, I had to warm up to her, too. I did not saw that coming about her character. But, I found it to be quite amusing & delightful & funny, and I liked seeing her & Alex getting closer. When the book starts, they're already in a relationship, and before the story was over, I liked them together. Actually, they just might be perfect for each other.

The story itself was entertaining (after the boring beginning passed), funny, full of danger & mystery, and despite sometimes being predictable, I enjoyed the book quite a lot. Also, I loved meeting new Cryptids, and learning more about the Cryptid world, and learning more about the Price family. Loved the Aeslin mice (of course), I loved Crow, and even though it was heartbreaking seeing Sarah in that condition, I loved the fact that she is getting better, too.

Half-Off Ragnarok is a good addition to the InCryptid series, and it actually made me even more excited about the next chapter, especially because Alex is going to Australia, and I can't wait! It's still one of my fav urban fantasy series, probably my most fav urban fantasy world, and I can't recommend the series enough!

 

 

 

Challenges: 

Holiday Bookish Bingo

Title: Midnight Blue-Light Special

  

Author: Seanan McGuire

Series: InCryptid, #2

  

My rating: 5 of 5

(Book read on October 17th-19th, 2013.) 

Summary:

Cryptid, noun:
1. Any creature whose existence has been suggested but not proven scientifically. Term officially coined by cryptozoologist John E. Wall in 1983.
2. That thing that's getting ready to eat your head.
3. See also: "monster." 

 

The Price family has spent generations studying the monsters of the world, working to protect them from humanity--and humanity from them. Enter Verity Price. Despite being trained from birth as a cryptozoologist, she'd rather dance a tango than tangle with a demon, and when her work with the cryptid community took her to Manhattan, she thought she would finally be free to pursue competition-level dance in earnest. It didn't quite work out that way...

But now, with the snake cult that was killing virgins all over Manhattan finally taken care of, Verity is ready to settle down for some serious ballroom dancing—until her on-again, off-again, semi-boyfriend Dominic De Luca, a member of the monster-hunting Covenant of St. George, informs her that the Covenant is on their way to assess the city's readiness for a cryptid purge. With everything and everyone she loves on the line, there's no way Verity can take that lying down.

Alliances will be tested, allies will be questioned, lives will be lost, and the talking mice in Verity's apartment will immortalize everything as holy writ--assuming there's anyone left standing when all is said and done. It's a midnight blue-light special, and the sale of the day is on betrayal, deceit...and carnage. 

  

 

My Thoughts on the Book:

 

First of all, I have to say that I absolutely adore the world Seanan McGuire had created when it comes to the InCryptid series. Discount Armageddon was the 1st book by Seanan McGuire that I read, and right away I knew that it won't be the last, because it was a great book, filled with amazing characters & great world-building, so of course I was looking forward to the next book.

But, Seanan McGuire surprised me with writing prequel short stories featuring the ancestors of the Price family, with Fran & Johnny being the main characters, and she made me totally fall in love with them, too, as well as the world itself even more, so if you're interested, you should totally check them out on her website, since almost all of them are available for free there.

Now, when it comes to Midnight Blue-Light Special, it was another great addition to the series, that actually ended up being amazing, and it only confirmed my love for the series & the characters.

I won't go into details about the story, but it was great, there was some butt-kicking, some heartbreak, lots of awesomeness, some romance, amazing world-building, awesome characters & cryptids, and surprises, mainly in the way the story developed, it was unexpected, but I totally loved it!

And the most positive thing about this book & the way everything wrapped up, was the way it left me feeling really happy inside, and that's not something that every book can do for me.

  

And the characters, oh how much I love all of them. First of all, Verity Price - she's definitely one of my fav heroines - she's funny, smart, persistent, resilient, and she can dance, she can fight & kick some butt (both cryptid & human) - she's a Price girl :) And of course I loved Sarah as a character - actually part of the book is from her PoV, and that was a pleasant surprise - and although she's sweet, she's also one dangerous cryptid, but amazing friend. Of course there are the Aeslin mice - I never thought I'd love mice, but I love these guys. And then there's Dominic De Luca - I'm pretty sure he's awesome, and I'm hoping we'll get to know him a lot more in future books, and he & Verity are so sweet & perfect for each other. And not to forget all the supporting characters - such a colorful cast, full of different cryptids & characters, that you can't help but like, or at least find really interesting & fun.

The Incryptid series is amazing urban fantasy that I can't recommend enough. I can't wait to read the next 2 books which will follow Verity's brother Alex, I just know it will be awesome, and in the meantime, I'll just have to hope for more prequel short stories. I think I'll never get enough of the Price family & the Healys, they're awesome, and definitely one of my fav families ever!

 

  

 

Challenges:

 

2013 Books-In-A-Series Reading Challenge

2013 Spooktacular Paranormal Challenge