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kareila_booksI enjoy Alex as a protagonist more than Verity. He's not as relentlessly athletic and more of an Indiana Jones type, if Indiana Jones were a herpetologist and actually liked snakes. Also, the fact that he's always a scientist first and foremost is endearing; his sisters are more like generic action heroes for whom cryptozoology is a convenient excuse for combat.
I'm so glad Sarah was included in this story, although it broke my heart to see her so broken. I can only wonder how poor unseen Artie is coping without her.
I was annoyed by Shelby at first; I didn't feel like the story needed a love interest for Alex. Then I thought it might be interesting to see him bring a mundane into the fold, but I was disappointed again when she turned out not to be mundane after all. That said, the whole scene where she invites herself over was pretty thrilling, and they worked pretty well as a team after that.
I thought the "who" of the mystery became clear pretty quickly, just not the "why" of it. The tells are there, and Alex is just too distracted or rushed to pay attention to them.
Final thought: I love that Alex gets to have a cryptid pet other than the Aeslin mice. I guess Verity couldn't because of her lifestyle, but it seemed like an obvious step to take.
I'm so glad Sarah was included in this story, although it broke my heart to see her so broken. I can only wonder how poor unseen Artie is coping without her.
I was annoyed by Shelby at first; I didn't feel like the story needed a love interest for Alex. Then I thought it might be interesting to see him bring a mundane into the fold, but I was disappointed again when she turned out not to be mundane after all. That said, the whole scene where she invites herself over was pretty thrilling, and they worked pretty well as a team after that.
I thought the "who" of the mystery became clear pretty quickly, just not the "why" of it. The tells are there, and Alex is just too distracted or rushed to pay attention to them.
Final thought: I love that Alex gets to have a cryptid pet other than the Aeslin mice. I guess Verity couldn't because of her lifestyle, but it seemed like an obvious step to take.
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Date: 2014-05-17 04:51 am (UTC)I also liked seeing Sarah as a broken telepath...Chilling. Like having a loved one with (temporary?) Alzheimer's, who could also destroy your own mind.
And the rest of the family we got to see? Great. The cryptozoologist family feeding the murder victim's body to the alligators? Well done!
P.S. Did you know that Seanan has made available a number of stories online at her website about the extended family? While she has occasionally provided a tip jar to finance the time required for creating a short story (I usually donate what I can), all the stories are free. There is even a story or two set in her October Daye series (have you started that one yet, with Rosemary and Rue?)
no subject
Date: 2014-05-17 04:58 am (UTC)"After spending several generations running around protecting the world's cryptid population from persecution (and protecting the world's human population from being eaten), it's only natural that there would be quite a few stories about the Price family, and their predecessors, the Healys. These are a few of those tales..."
Postscript: Have you gotten to Seanan's "Indexing" yet on your queue? It's interesting that of the books I would think you would never like -- Newsflesh, etc. -- you read them ASAP, while when it comes to what I would swear was a sure thing (Indexing, October Daye), they are far distant relatives of your interest. If you continue to defy stereotyping and easy predictions, how will I figure out what books to get you?
:)