I got a surprise when I opened my Kindle on Friday. See, the email I use for Amazon was being annoying on my phone, so I wasn’t getting emails and I frequently forget the release dates for books. When I opened my Kindle and saw the cover of Magic for Nothing staring out at me, ready for my reading pleasure, I died of happiness. It was the best. Magic for Nothing is book six in Seanan McGuire’s Incryptid series, and is really not the place to start reading these books. However, you should TOTALLY read the series and then this one. The series in general follows the three Price siblings as they go about their lives as cryptozoologists, Magic for Nothing is the first book from the POV of the youngest Price sibling, Antimony Timpani Price. Yes, her name is a mouthful, but apparently, there’s a legitimate reason behind it.
A really brief, non-spoilery summary is this: Antimony (Annie) is sent undercover to the Covenant of Saint George (the series big bads) after the events of previous novels have endangered her family’s safety. The family used to be a part of the Covenant; they left several generations ago and have since convinced the Covenant that they don’t exist. Except oops, that was blown. So, Annie is sent to find out what they know. Anymore and I risk spoilers, but it involves a circus/carnival and acrobatics and the most adorable human/monkey EVER.
I’ve praised McGuire several times before on this site, and for good reason. She writes two of my favorite urban fantasy series (including this series), and I tend to think everyone should read her books. Though, I haven’t read much under the Mira Grant pen name- I don’t really enjoy zombies so… However, even with that bias this book was very good. My favorite thing about it was that the murder (of course there was a murder- urban fantasy really ought to be called ‘detective novels with magic’ books) was completely secondary, as the main plot was really about Annie dealing with her feelings about her sister Verity, and I am here for sister feelings.
Ohh another urban fantasy writer to check out! Thanks for the heads up. I am looking for some books to past the time between today and Thursday due to winter storm: this is not a drill 2017
I’m trying so hard not to word vomit in my excitment. Because she’s just amazing. I’ve heard that some people have a bit of difficulty with Rosemary and Rue (the first book in her October Daye series) but I loved it, and as that was her first book I think some leeway is allowable. And the series really does get quite a lot better. Also, Every Heart a Doorway is worth checking out, it’s not quite an UF series, but it’s definitely related.
I just posted my review of this too! I was really happy to finally get Antimony’s story. I actually like some of the stuff she publishes under Mira Grant – there was one about mermaids that was pretty interesting. The zombie books have more of a Buffy-feel to them, about folks kicking zombie butts. I would say pass on the Parasitology series if you don’t love the Feed ones.