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Available
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Publication
New York : DAW Books, 2014
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. HTML: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.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member bluesalamanders
Half-Off Ragnarok is focused not on Verity Price but on her brother Alex, who by day works in the Reptile House at the Columbus Zoo and by night (or in his off-hours, anyway) studies the mating habits of basilisks and frickins. And in between, tries to find time to spend with his family and his
Definitely a lot of fun. There were some laugh-out-loud moments, as expected in this series, and there were also lots more details about both the cryptids and the Prices, which is almost as interesting as the story itself.
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girlfriend. And then bad stuff happens. Because they’re Prices, and bad stuff always happens.Definitely a lot of fun. There were some laugh-out-loud moments, as expected in this series, and there were also lots more details about both the cryptids and the Prices, which is almost as interesting as the story itself.
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LibraryThing member whatsmacksaid
I wasn't hugely impressed one way or the other, but the beginning in particular was very slow. I doubt I'll make time to keep reading these.
LibraryThing member bgknighton
You have to love the Price family -- but it is only safe to do so from a distance. Alexander Price is doing research on why frikens are moving in, but an insane gorgon cross makes his life interesting.
LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the third book in the InCryptid series. Rather than following Verity this book follows her brother Alex. It was a fantastic book and I continue to just absolutely love this series.
This book follows Alex (Verity's brother) as he tries to start a basilisk breeding program and study fricken
Alex is a bit more geeky and bookish than Verity, but he can still totally kick-butt. I enjoyed his character a lot, he is absolutely obsessed with finding out how these InCryptid creatures work and it was fun to read about this.
Alex is joined by his “kind of” girlfriend...the very spunky zoologist, Shelby. Shelby specializes in large cat care and was also a lot of fun to read about. She has some pretty big secrets of her own that are unveiled as the book progresses. She was a super fun character that was highly entertaining.
Alex’s grandparents are also in the story, they are both very quirky characters that were, again, highly entertaining.
I really continue to enjoy the world in this book and all the awesome mythological creatures we meet. I was a bit worried about the main viewpoint switching from Verity to Alex, but I shouldn't have worried. All the new characters we meet are engaging and awesome.
The story is mainly a mystery as Alex is trying to figure out who/what is turning people to stone. There are a lot of excellent action scenes and the whole mystery ties back into the main storyline that was started in the first two books of this series.
The book is well written and ends at a good spot. There are still some questions left unanswered here, but the main issue is resolved. It sounds like the next couple books will feature Alex and I am excited to see where the story goes.
Overall I really loved this book. This whole series is highly recommended to urban fantasy fans. There is lots of magic, action, and mystery throughout with a hint of romance as well. I love the new characters and really enjoy all the mythical beasties. The story is engaging and exciting and very well written. I can’t wait to read Pocket Apocalypse (the 4th book in this series) when it releases in March of 2015.
This book follows Alex (Verity's brother) as he tries to start a basilisk breeding program and study fricken
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population in the nearby forest. As cover for this research he is working at a zoo. Things go south fast when people start turning up at the zoo turned to stone, Alex is sure it is not his basilisk...so what or who could be doing this? Alex has to find out fast because if he doesn't and news of this leaks out, the Covenant will come and kill every magical creature in sight.Alex is a bit more geeky and bookish than Verity, but he can still totally kick-butt. I enjoyed his character a lot, he is absolutely obsessed with finding out how these InCryptid creatures work and it was fun to read about this.
Alex is joined by his “kind of” girlfriend...the very spunky zoologist, Shelby. Shelby specializes in large cat care and was also a lot of fun to read about. She has some pretty big secrets of her own that are unveiled as the book progresses. She was a super fun character that was highly entertaining.
Alex’s grandparents are also in the story, they are both very quirky characters that were, again, highly entertaining.
I really continue to enjoy the world in this book and all the awesome mythological creatures we meet. I was a bit worried about the main viewpoint switching from Verity to Alex, but I shouldn't have worried. All the new characters we meet are engaging and awesome.
The story is mainly a mystery as Alex is trying to figure out who/what is turning people to stone. There are a lot of excellent action scenes and the whole mystery ties back into the main storyline that was started in the first two books of this series.
The book is well written and ends at a good spot. There are still some questions left unanswered here, but the main issue is resolved. It sounds like the next couple books will feature Alex and I am excited to see where the story goes.
Overall I really loved this book. This whole series is highly recommended to urban fantasy fans. There is lots of magic, action, and mystery throughout with a hint of romance as well. I love the new characters and really enjoy all the mythical beasties. The story is engaging and exciting and very well written. I can’t wait to read Pocket Apocalypse (the 4th book in this series) when it releases in March of 2015.
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LibraryThing member terriko
I admit, I was disappointed when I first heard that this would follow Alex rather than his sister Verity, who was the heroine of the previous two books in the series. But the minute I opened my new paperback, I realized how very wrong I was.
From the opening scene, I found myself totally enchanted
To avoid any further spoilers, I'll just say that I loved it. Highly recommended if you enjoy urban fantasy... or field biology!
From the opening scene, I found myself totally enchanted
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with crypid herpetology and of course Alex. As an amateur field-naturalist who used to be one of those teenaged volunteers wandering around the bog for the annual turtle count, I could identify with Alex right from the get-go. On top of that, as one might expect for the InCryptid series, it's still a fast paced story of magic, family, love and biological science. And, oh, it's also a murder mystery where people are being turned to stone. To avoid any further spoilers, I'll just say that I loved it. Highly recommended if you enjoy urban fantasy... or field biology!
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LibraryThing member DVKov
In the Incryptid series, Seanan McGuire has created an amazing world where evolution has far surpassed our normal, with fantastical creatures that seem as if they really could exist along with human kind. I am a big fan of the first two books and was eager to rejoin the adventures of Verity Price
Alex Price is a cryptozoologist, studying the various species of cryptids and their population growth, determining when mainstream scientists may stumble upon them and trying to guide the discovery. He's on loan to Ohio's West Columbus Zoo posing as a normal zookeeper of the reptile house while he does his other studies of the State's hidden populations. He's semi-involved with Shelby Tanner, a zoologist for the big cats. One day they discover a dead colleague and Alex realizes it was no normal death. The man was partially turned to stone, something that could be caused only by a few species of cryptids. Alex needs to catch the culprit before it does any more harm, while keeping Shelby in the dark.
Once I got into the book I didn't miss Verity much at all (she makes one small appearance). I was pleased that Alex's and Verity's cousin Sarah played a prominent role. She was badly injured saving Verity in the last book and the toll it takes on everyone is evident. It was nice to see how things were progressing in the aftermath. I look forward to Alex'a next installment, and hope Sarah and Antimony (the other Price sibling) get some star treatment as well. You could certainly read this as a stand alone book, but if you like reading a series in order as I do I suggest starting from the beginning.
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and her boyfriend Dominic. I admit I was disappointed to discover the next two books of the series would focus on Verity's brother Alex. Turns out I was worried for no good reason. This book is every bit as entertaining and engaging as the first two. Alex Price is a cryptozoologist, studying the various species of cryptids and their population growth, determining when mainstream scientists may stumble upon them and trying to guide the discovery. He's on loan to Ohio's West Columbus Zoo posing as a normal zookeeper of the reptile house while he does his other studies of the State's hidden populations. He's semi-involved with Shelby Tanner, a zoologist for the big cats. One day they discover a dead colleague and Alex realizes it was no normal death. The man was partially turned to stone, something that could be caused only by a few species of cryptids. Alex needs to catch the culprit before it does any more harm, while keeping Shelby in the dark.
Once I got into the book I didn't miss Verity much at all (she makes one small appearance). I was pleased that Alex's and Verity's cousin Sarah played a prominent role. She was badly injured saving Verity in the last book and the toll it takes on everyone is evident. It was nice to see how things were progressing in the aftermath. I look forward to Alex'a next installment, and hope Sarah and Antimony (the other Price sibling) get some star treatment as well. You could certainly read this as a stand alone book, but if you like reading a series in order as I do I suggest starting from the beginning.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Lovely. I like Alex, though he spends a lot of time complaining about his life choices (mostly, the aspect of cryptozoology he's chosen - reptiles and their kin). Wah wah I have to go in swamps and labs all the time instead of running around cities and talking to cryptids.... Still, when he's not
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actually involved in something messy or boring he's delighted by it (I get to find out neat stuff! For Science!). Shelby is a great addition to his life, and less problematic than Dominic. And I like Dee and Shami too, and the other cryptids he deals with. The crisis really shows up his intelligence and dedication - he manages to convince Hannah to make the right choice (for certain varieties of "right" - especially given his repeated "family comes first" mantra). And the minor matter he first came to Ohio to deal with may become very important later on in the series (next book, or later) - if it happens the way he thinks it will, it'll mean a complete rearrangement of humans' worldview. Oh yes - I found the family tree at the beginning of the book immensely useful - kept flipping back there to check who _this_ person was. So - yeah. Fun, and next please! Show Less
LibraryThing member PerpetualRevision
I'm enjoying this series more than I thought I would when I started the first novel, but I wasn't expecting a shift to a man's POV in this book. I enjoyed Alex's story, but I missed Verity and her world. And I much prefer the female voiceover narrator's version of the Aeslin Mice! (Verity's mice
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are also funnier.) Show Less
LibraryThing member tigerb
Very entertaining. Alex is a science nerd who happens to have combat skilz, which is an amusing combination. I figured out the culprit way before him, but hey, he was distracted by the hot Australian chick. Quite a good read.
LibraryThing member imyril
Alex may be my new favourite Price sibling, as I thoroughly enjoyed the switch from over-the-top New York City to quiet Ohio. The world-building is more intriguing and I loved the change in perspective to cryptid science. Also, Grandma Angela. I look forward to see a lot more family members if
Otherwise, more traditional Price escapades as Alex must try and discover who is trying to petrify him and his girlfriend...
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they're all this fab.Otherwise, more traditional Price escapades as Alex must try and discover who is trying to petrify him and his girlfriend...
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LibraryThing member STACYatUFI
No Verity? WAHHHH. That was my first reaction when I saw the blurb for HALF-OFF RAGNAROK. Don't be alarmed though, we get to meet Alex her brother and his love interest Shelby who ends up being way more than expected. We also have a new set of Aeslin mice! They are not in the book as much as
Alex comes off as a bit of a (ok a big) nerd. He is more of a scientist and he talks like one. He is working in the Reptile House at the zoo, he's studying the local frogs, and trying to keep his girlfriend around even though he has to keep canceling dates on her and now people are showing up dead and he needs to find out who or what is responsible before more are lost.
I didn't find Alex AS exciting as Verity but he was still entertaining and fun to learn about. Shelby ended up really surprising me. She came out of left field and rolled with every punch thrown her way. Dee, Alex's assistant happens to be a Gorgon and let me tell ya! They are pretty darn cool. Alex's Grandparents were also great secondary characters. There is nothing like watching Granny pull a gun on someone, even if she is a Johrlac.
The great thing about Seanan McGuire is that she can change characters but still keep the story smooth and consistent with the series. She did great with continuing to teach us about the InCryptid world and the different species involved. Everything with Alex and Shelby felt wrapped up by the end of book 3 so now the only question I have left after reading HALF-OFF RAGNAROK is who will be the main character in POCKET APOCALYPSE? Will we meet the third sibling maybe?
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Verity's but they are still fun. Sarah also happens to be a secondary character in HALF-OFF RAGNAROK. She is still not the same Sarah but she is starting to heal and I have hope she will be back to normal in future books. Alex comes off as a bit of a (ok a big) nerd. He is more of a scientist and he talks like one. He is working in the Reptile House at the zoo, he's studying the local frogs, and trying to keep his girlfriend around even though he has to keep canceling dates on her and now people are showing up dead and he needs to find out who or what is responsible before more are lost.
I didn't find Alex AS exciting as Verity but he was still entertaining and fun to learn about. Shelby ended up really surprising me. She came out of left field and rolled with every punch thrown her way. Dee, Alex's assistant happens to be a Gorgon and let me tell ya! They are pretty darn cool. Alex's Grandparents were also great secondary characters. There is nothing like watching Granny pull a gun on someone, even if she is a Johrlac.
The great thing about Seanan McGuire is that she can change characters but still keep the story smooth and consistent with the series. She did great with continuing to teach us about the InCryptid world and the different species involved. Everything with Alex and Shelby felt wrapped up by the end of book 3 so now the only question I have left after reading HALF-OFF RAGNAROK is who will be the main character in POCKET APOCALYPSE? Will we meet the third sibling maybe?
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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LibraryThing member JJbooklvr
This is book three in the InCryptid series. The first two books featured Verity Price. I loved the first one Discount Armageddon and the second one Midnight Blue-Light Special was good, but not quite as good as the first one. I like how for this title she featured Verity's brother Alex and moved
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the location to Ohio. It was a nice change of pace. Great characters, a lot of humor, with a dash of romance. Looking forward to the next one! Show Less
LibraryThing member tldegray
A light, quick read. This felt as if there was less on the line than in previous books. That didn't take away from it, just made it different.
One thing: Shelby is no Fran.
One thing: Shelby is no Fran.
LibraryThing member RedQueen
Just as much fun as the previous books, with a lovely twist. McGuire never fails to delight!
LibraryThing member lavaturtle
Loads of fun, with great characters and impressive worldbuilding.
LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
With book three the focus switched to Alex, Verity’s older brother. Alex is working at a zoo in Ohio while staying with his grandparents and cousin Sarah. He assistant at the zoo is a gorgon who is helping him with cataloguing the local fricken population. Turns out his girlfriend at the zoo, a
Another fun entertaining read set in the InCryptid universe and I picked up book four right after this one to find out what happens next for Alex.
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visiting professional from Australia knows about the cyprid population. After a few crossed wired they are both working to find what is turning people to stone around the zoo and it isn’t his assistant. Another fun entertaining read set in the InCryptid universe and I picked up book four right after this one to find out what happens next for Alex.
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LibraryThing member MynTop
Summer vacation made this book take me longer to read than it should have. I enjoyed it very much. I was surprised to find that this installment was about Alex and not either one of the girls. Pleasantly surprised as it turns out, though I do admit to missing Verity at this point. Alex's life as a
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cryptozoologist differs quite a bit from his sisters. He's working in a zoo and I loved that mix of cryptids and "normal" animals. I also loved the dynamic between him and his love interest in the book and I look forward to seeing that grow in future books (please Ms. McGuire?) Another thing that I truly loved about this volume, was how shocked I was at who the "villain" was at the end. I honestly did not see it coming and I love when a novel like this can truly take me by surprise. I'm so glad I picked up this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member m_mozeleski
Omg
I love Alex
Stupid for such a smart man. Seriously.
It does raise some interesting questions, and I'm not gonna spoil it, but really, the Price family is amazing and yeah, they probably need some help. But for now they are hanging in there, I think.
A !
I love Alex
Stupid for such a smart man. Seriously.
It does raise some interesting questions, and I'm not gonna spoil it, but really, the Price family is amazing and yeah, they probably need some help. But for now they are hanging in there, I think.
A !
LibraryThing member unsquare
I decided to listen to this on a whim. At the time, I was in the middle of several audiobooks that were good but weren’t quite catching my fancy, so I thought it might be time for a bit of good old-fashioned modern fantasy from one of the best. I read and enjoyed the first two books in this
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series all the way back in 2013, but never got around to reading more until now. This book was actually a great reintroduction to the series because it switches viewpoint characters to Alex Price, the older brother of Verity Price, who is the protagonist from the first two books. I blew through this book over the course of a week, and then I immediately bought book four and started listening. I may just keep plowing my way through the rest of the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
These books always start off so slow for me, and this one felt especially so. I suppose the author might have felt as though she needed to do a bit of world building with the change of character. Whatever the case, Alex’s story dragged in spite of some cryptid action early on in the first
Fortunately, I liked Alex, and I was interested enough in Sarah’s recovery after book 2 to keep on. Which became more important as I failed to find anything interesting or authentic about Shelby, Alex’s romantic interest. Partly because, living in Australia, I was looking for the “Aussie-ness” of her personality, and it never appeared. In the acknowledgements, the author thanked someone for keeping her from making Shelby a cliché, which I can wholly appreciate wanting to avoid, as well as how easily it might be to fall into that trap. But I think her advisor might have over-compensated (and failed to catch that it’s the Great Ocean Road, not highway). Most Aussies aren’t Crocodile Dundee, or Steve Irwin, but they do have a unique character, and Shelby didn’t have it. Though my favorite quote of the book was:
“Pretty sure that ship has sailed,” said Shelby, who was eyeing the nearby foliage with trepidation, as if she expected it to attack at any moment. Then again, she came from Australia: she probably did expect some sort of vegetable ambush.
(Australia. The only continent designed with a difficulty rating of “ha ha fuck you no.”)
After about the first half, the story started to stand on its own legs. Shelby never really got off the ground for me, but the rest of the story coalesced into something moderately interesting. The plot was well crafted, but it just didn’t have any oomph, for me. As always though, the presence of the Aeslin mice, and in this case, Angela Baker, made up for a lot.
I have the second of Alex’s books, and I’ll read it – it takes place in Australia, and it will be interesting to see of the author writes the characters any more authentically on the second try.
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half.Fortunately, I liked Alex, and I was interested enough in Sarah’s recovery after book 2 to keep on. Which became more important as I failed to find anything interesting or authentic about Shelby, Alex’s romantic interest. Partly because, living in Australia, I was looking for the “Aussie-ness” of her personality, and it never appeared. In the acknowledgements, the author thanked someone for keeping her from making Shelby a cliché, which I can wholly appreciate wanting to avoid, as well as how easily it might be to fall into that trap. But I think her advisor might have over-compensated (and failed to catch that it’s the Great Ocean Road, not highway). Most Aussies aren’t Crocodile Dundee, or Steve Irwin, but they do have a unique character, and Shelby didn’t have it. Though my favorite quote of the book was:
“Pretty sure that ship has sailed,” said Shelby, who was eyeing the nearby foliage with trepidation, as if she expected it to attack at any moment. Then again, she came from Australia: she probably did expect some sort of vegetable ambush.
(Australia. The only continent designed with a difficulty rating of “ha ha fuck you no.”)
After about the first half, the story started to stand on its own legs. Shelby never really got off the ground for me, but the rest of the story coalesced into something moderately interesting. The plot was well crafted, but it just didn’t have any oomph, for me. As always though, the presence of the Aeslin mice, and in this case, Angela Baker, made up for a lot.
I have the second of Alex’s books, and I’ll read it – it takes place in Australia, and it will be interesting to see of the author writes the characters any more authentically on the second try.
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LibraryThing member jennybeast
Excellent, these books are getting better. Love the shift to a new family member (Alex), amused by the Australian love interest, delighted to learn more about the species of gorgons, and pleased that it looks like Sarah might recover. Also, a new member of the family, a new colony of mice --
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jubilation! Show Less
LibraryThing member sriddell
I'm loving this series. The first two books focused on Verity, but with book 3 (and I think the next book too) we're introduced to Verity's brother Alex.
The Price family is human, but they act as guardians of the Cryptid community.
In this book, Alex is working for the local zoo in charge of the
When people and animals at the zoo start turning to stone, Alex suspects a number of species capable of petrifying with their gaze. So a bit of a mystery to be solved.
The story was good, but I miss Verity, and I thought her story line was more exciting.
The Price family is human, but they act as guardians of the Cryptid community.
In this book, Alex is working for the local zoo in charge of the
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reptile house. He also has his own cryptid reptile research. Specifically with frikens, a frog/chicken hybrid. When people and animals at the zoo start turning to stone, Alex suspects a number of species capable of petrifying with their gaze. So a bit of a mystery to be solved.
The story was good, but I miss Verity, and I thought her story line was more exciting.
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LibraryThing member JudyGibson
Entertaining. A bit fluffy but kept moving along. I like this series better than the Wayward Children.
LibraryThing member StarKnits
I wasn't sure if I would like Alex. It ends up I like his snarky commentary and nerdy-ness. I really like Shelby.
Language
Original publication date
2014-03-04
Physical description
17 cm
ISBN
9780756408114
Local notes
Incryptid, 3
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF McGuire |