Dancing is Dangerous Work

Chaos Choreography by Seanan McGuire is book 5 in her Incryptid series. I am of the opinion that Seanan McGuire is one of the best Urban Fantasy writers out there, and while this isn’t my favorite of her Urban Fantasy novels, it’s a pretty good addition to the bulk of her work.

For those not in the know, and really you should check this series out if you have the slightest inclination towards Urban Fantasy, Incryptid follows a family of scientists and social workers whose field of study just so happens to be the creatures most scientists would never believe exist, they are cryptozoologists, which covers creatures (and plants) both sentient and non-sentient. This family are traitors to the Covenant of St. George, a secret group of monster killers who would like nothing more then to wipe all non-science accepted creatures from the earth and the Price/Healy family along with them. For Chaos Choreography we’re back following Verity Price as she goes  deep into the underbelly of a reality dance competition and finds that the real monsters are generally humans.

This book hits all the high points I’ve come to expect from an Incryptid novel. There are enough Aeslin Mice, a species of Religious sentient mice who speak in Capitol Letters and worship the Price Healy Family, to satisfy me. Verity struggles between her public dance persona, a created character that allows her to be on national TV while still hiding from those who are hunting her family. There’s a touch of romance (Verity is married at this point), and a lot of danger.

Walking into danger with your eyes open and your mind clear is a sign of bravery, not foolishness. Well, sometimes foolishness. But as long as you walk back out again, you can pretend that part doesn’t matter.

Basically yes, you should read this. But only after you’ve read the other four books in this series. It’s a good addition, it slowly moves the overarching plot along, and it’s just fun to read.