Half-Off Ragnarok (InCryptid Series #3)

by Seanan McGuire

Overview

The third book in New York Times-bestselling Seanan McGuire's witty urban fantasy InCryptid series about a family of cryptozoologists who act as a buffer between humans and the magical creatures living in secret around us.

"The only thing more fun than an October Daye book is an InCryptid book." —Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Sookie Stackhouse series

Cryptid, noun: Any creature whose existence has not yet been proven by science. See also "monster."

Cryptozoologist, noun: Any person who thinks hunting for cryptids is a good idea. See also "idiot."

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 has snakes in place of hair, little girls who may actually be cobras, and brilliant, beautiful 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756408114
Publisher:	DAW
Publication date:	03/04/2014
Series:	InCryptid Series , #3
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	169,390
Product dimensions:	4.10(w) x 6.70(h) x 1.40(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Seanan McGuire is a Washington State-based author with a strong penchant for travel and can regularly be found just about anyplace capable of supporting human life (as well as a few places that probably aren’t). Early exposure to a vast number of books left her with a lifelong affection for the written word, and led, perhaps inevitably, to her writing books of her own, starting somewhere around the age of eleven. The October Daye novels are her first urban fantasy series, and the InCryptid novels are her second series, both published by DAW and both of which have put her in the New York Times bestseller list. Seanan was the winner of the 2010 John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer; Rosemary and Rue, the first novel in the October Daye series, was named one of the Top 20 Paranormal Fantasy Novels of the Past Decade; and her novel Feed, written under the name Mira Grant, was named as one of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2010. She also won a Hugo for her podcast, and is the first person to be nominated for five Hugo Awards in a single year. You can visit her at www.seananmcguire.com.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“The only thing more fun than an October Daye book is an InCryptid book. Swift narrative, charm, great world-building ... all the McGuire trademarks.” —Charlaine Harris

"Discount Armageddon is an urban fantasy triple threat—smart and sexy and funny. The Aeslin mice alone are worth the price of the book, so consider a cast of truly original characters, a plot where weird never overwhelms logic, and some serious kickass worldbuilding as a bonus." —Tanya Huff

"Discount Armageddon is an exceptionally well-written tale with a unique premise, fantastic character work, and a plot that just pulls you along until you finish. This is one for the urban fantasy enthusiasts out there—as well as for anyone who wants something different from most anything else on shelves today. Easily one of my favorite books of 2012." —The Ranting Dragon

"Verity is a winning protagonist, and her snarky but loving observations on her world of bogeyman strip club owners, Japanese demon badger bartenders, and dragon princess waitresses make for a delightful read." —Publishers Weekly

"McGuire returns with book two in her InCryptid series, and if you loved the wisecracking dancer-cum-monster-savior Verity Price from Discount Armageddon, it’s a good bet you’ll also love this second installment.... The developing relationship between Dominic and Verity is one to savor, by turns tender and sharp." —RT Book Reviews

“The story is fast-moving and enjoyable.... Assured and engrossing... will keep readers hooked.” —Locus

"McGuire has a way with words that transports the reader into the Incryptid world and doesn't let go of you until the end.... Midnight Blue-Light Special is a fantastic read, full of action, suspense, and humor. It’s just flat-out entertaining." —Night-Owl Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Verity Price's older brother Alexander takes center stage in this third installment of Seanan McGuire's enchanting InCryptid urban fantasy series. He's a serious cryptid researcher and all-around nice guy, but before long, his stay at the Columbus, Ohio zoo becomes a criminal matter: He and his Australian gal pal Shelby Tanner find themselves suspects in several cases of very premature petrifaction. With its talking mice and undulating plot developments, this mass-market and NOOK Book original series is pleasantly addictive.

05/19/2014
McGuire's exciting third Incryptid installment (after Midnight Blue-Light Special) opens with a new protagonist, cryptozoologist Alexander Price, currently studying Ohio swamp wildlife while posing as a visiting researcher for the West Columbus Zoo. His hunt for feathered frogs called "frickens" is disrupted by several petrification-based murders in his vicinity, suggesting that a stray basilisk, misplaced cockatrice, or rogue gorgon is to blame. With the aid of his feisty Australian girlfriend, Shelby, a tiger trainer with secrets of her own, Alex must delve into the affairs of the reclusive, repulsive, and downright disturbing, while trying not to end up stoned in the worst way possible. McGuire creates a sense of wonder and playfulness with her love for mythology and folklore, weaving together numerous manifestations of a single theme. Her enthusiastic and fast-paced style makes this an entertaining page-turner, marred only by a tendency to emphasize whimsy and quirkiness over character depth. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for the InCryptid series:

"The only thing more fun than an October Daye book is an InCryptid book. Swift narrative, charm, great world-building...all the McGuire trademarks." —Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series

"[Half-Off Ragnarok] is kind of like taking a tour through a very deadly theme park made up of alternating parts awesome and terrifying. Come to think of it, that sums up this series quite nicely.... This book effectively acts as a jumping-on point to those just coming in." —Tor.com 

"Half-Off Ragnarok is my favorite book in the InCryptid series thus far.... If urban fantasy, intriguing animals, and fast-paced adventure is your thing, you’re going to love Half-Off Ragnarok. Highly recommended." —Jennifer Brozek

"McGuire creates a sense of wonder and playfulness with her love for mythology and folklore.... Her enthusiastic and fast-paced style makes this an entertaining page-turner." —Publishers Weekly

"A funny, fast-paced and genuinely suspenseful adventure that is sure to engross and entertain.... There is still a wide world for the intrepid Price family to explore, much to readers' guaranteed delight." —RT Reviews

"While chock-full of quality worldbuilding, realistic characters, and a double helping of sass, at its core, Half-Off Ragnarok is a book about judging others according to stereotypes, how nurture can overcome nature, and the importance of family." —Ranting Dragon

From the Publisher