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Thursday, April 7, 2016

Discount Armageddon

Discount Armageddon (InCryptid, #1)

Discount Armageddon is a book I've wanted to read for a while, mainly due to the cover and the premise. The idea of supernatural creatures living among us has always appealed to me, and with wanting to try more urban fantasy this seemed like a good place to start. So I gave this one a try and I'm glad I did. Verity Price is a ballroom dancer and a cryptozoologist- someone who studies cryptids or supernatural beings. She does the former because she loves it and the latter because it's the family business. They broke off from a group called The Covenant years ago and live on the west coast, but Verity is in Manhattan auditioning for dance competitions and patrolling the night in her off hours.

Verity practices free running and uses it to run the rooftops of Manhattan, and she also works at a strip club populated by cryptids. She knows most of the cryptid population but when women start disappearing in the city and a Covenant hunter shows up, she knows something's up. Dominic De Luca is the hunter and doesn't take to Verity at first- his order considers her family traitors, but when they have to join forces of course the sparks fly.

I liked Verity and Dominic a lot- he's kind of the straight man to her snark. She's attracted to him even though she thinks she can kick his ass, and their relationship is a lot of fun. They constantly have weapons hidden on their person and it's fun seeing them try to outmaneuver the other. Plus the side character Sarah is awesome- she's a cryptid telepath who is also Ver's cousin, and her powers come in handy several times. I'd like to see more of her. And I have to mention the mice- yes Ver has a mouse population in her apartment, but these mice worship her as their priestess and are constantly dragging her into their religious observations. Hilarious.

The book started a little bit slow for me and it took a little while for it to build up steam. I liked the cryptids living in Manhattan angle but there were almost too many- with something like this I think less is more. Still there was a nice range of creatures- we get nagas, gorgons and harpies, among others. Also the tone is pretty snarky throughout, so if you like that you'll love this, but if you like your narrative a little more serious it may wear on you after a while. Just depends what kind of urban fantasy you like I guess.

I liked it- not perfect, but intriguing enough I'll definitely continue with the series.

16 comments:

  1. I might read this just for the mice.

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  2. I have a few Paranormal reads coming up myself - lately I was focusing on Fantasy (as always) and Sci-Fi but I've been missing my Paranormals :) I'll have to check this one out too, it sounds fun and I do love my snark :D I can't wait to see how you'll make out with the rest of the series!

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    1. If you like snark you'll like this one. Good stuff. :)

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  3. I have been wanting to try some urban fantasy, I'm not sure if this one is for me but it sounds interesting all the same. Nice review.

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    1. It was interesting and I'm new to urban fantasy too, so it was fun to read.

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  4. I really liked this one. It did take a bit to get going though, the amount of the cryptids did make it difficult to keep them all straight.

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    1. Yeah i thought so, it took me a bit to get going but once I did it picked up nice.

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  5. I'm really curious about this one. I am glad you liked it, Greg!

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    1. Thank! Do you read a lot of urban fantasy? If so you might like this, although it's on the lighter side.

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  6. I AM going to read this book at some point, dammit. I also LOVE the cover. And it's cool that the MC is a dancer. I didn't know she also does freerunning. But since I know a bit about freerunning, that can be kind of hit or miss because I get annoyed if the author gets it all wrong, you know?

    The way you described the relationship does seem like it'll be fun to read about, and the mice thing sounds great, haha. And I do like snarky characters. Hence all the reasons I really need to read this lol. Great review! Glad you enjoyed your foray into urban fantasy!

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    1. Yes you have to read this one! I liked that she was a dancer a lot- it added a lot to the story and gave a reason her physicality. And I know what you mean- I think the freerunning was an excuse to get her running over rooftops, would be curious to see your thoughts on it.

      I actually really liked their relationship. They were attracted but on opposite sides of things, so there was that tension. And the mice were hilarious. I think you'll like this... :)

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  7. Oh my gosh! The mice sound so amazing! I'm giggling already.
    Okay, so: dancer and cryptozoologist? Sounds awesome. Okay. A bit of snark? Never a bad thing.
    It sounds just the kind of weird book I'd expect from Seanan McGuire at this point. I think I'll give it a go when I can!
    I'm glad you enjoyed it enough to pick up the next one, Greg! Thanks for the review :)

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  8. I loved Every Heart a Doorway and was thinking about reading another of her books and I think this will be the one! Thanks for sharing. :)

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  9. This one looks interesting. I haven't gotten around to reading it yet though. I might have to add it to my list of books to check out. I'm glad to see you're checking out more urban fantasy! Love that genre.

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  10. Mmmmm could be worth a look, see when I see Armageddon I see zombies and nukes not a woman in a mini kilt!! Thanks for sharing!

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