Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid (Book 1)
Publication: DAW; Original edition (March 6, 2012)
Description: Cryptid, noun: Any creature whose existence has not yet been proven by science. See also "Monster."
Crytozoologist, noun: Any person who thinks hunting for cryptids is a good idea. See also "idiot."
Ghoulies. Ghosties. Long-legged beasties. Things that go bump in the night...
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 is spending a year in Manhattan while she pursues her career in professional ballroom dance. Sounds pretty simple, right?
It would be, if it weren't for the talking mice, the telepathic mathematicians, the asbestos supermodels, and the trained monster-hunter sent by the Price family's old enemies, the Covenant of St. George. When a Price girl meets a Covenant boy, high stakes, high heels, and a lot of collateral damage are almost guaranteed.
To complicate matters further, local cryptids are disappearing, strange lizard-men are appearing in the sewers, and someone's spreading rumors about a dragon sleeping underneath the city..
My Thoughts: DISCOUNT ARMAGEDDON begins a new urban fantasy series. In this first episode, Verity Price is trying to make a career for herself as a professional ballroom dancer in New York City while protecting the cryptids there. When Dominic De Luca from the Covenant of St. George comes to town, her cover as one of the Price girls from a family who left the Covenant generations earlier because they didn't think it was necessary to kill all cryptids is in danger of being blown. It doesn't help that cryptids are disappearing and there is rumor that there is a dragon sleeping under the city is growing. Verity needs to rescue the cryptids, find the dragon, and keep her family from being outed to the Covenant.
Verity is one kick-ass character who is as comfortable with weapons and martial arts as she is with the complexities of professional dance. She is smart-mouthed and witty. She is also very knowledgeable about the varieties of cryptids living in the City and treats the sentient ones the same way she would treat any other person.
I loved the variety of characters in this story. The world McGuire creates is a fascinating one. I am especially fond of the Aeslin Mice who look at any event as an opportunity to celebrate. I liked Verity's developing relationship with Dominic who needs an attitude adjustment and who gets it in this story.
This was a fun beginning to a series. I am eager to read more of the adventures.
Favorite Quote:
Straightening, he puffed out his chest and said, "I am armored with righteousness."I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.
"Does righteousness protect you from small-caliber bullets?"
Thanks for reminding me this is in my Library. With your positive thoughts, I'll put in my group for sooner than later listening. :-)
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