That Ain't Witchcraft

Starred review from March 1, 2019

Antimony Price has been on the run from the Covenant of St. George. Now in debt to the crossroads, she finds the journey that much longer. While her cryptid friends are with her, including furi carnival boyfriend Sam, being away from her infamous family is still taking a toll. However, the group has found a house in the tiny town of New Gravesend, ME, and maybe Annie can rest a little, or not. The crossroads wants to call in its debt: Annie is to kill one James Smith, who lost his best friend to a contract with the crossroads. He wants revenge, and may be one of the few to take it. But Annie doesn't kill people--not usually. Not even the Covenant's heir apparent, Leonard Cunningham, who has arrived in town. If there's a way Annie can make it through this dilemma, she can finally go home, if she doesn't get herself killed first. The eighth title in the "InCryptid" series showcases McGuire's dry wit and humor in a story with compelling action and imagination that just keeps getting stronger. VERDICT With delightful worldbuilding and enjoyable characters, this follow-up to Tricks for Free is another solid entry in a great urban fantasy series.--Michelle Gilbert Doshi, Lake Forest Lib., IL

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2019

Carnivorous unicorns, cornfield blight that turns unsuspecting victims into zombielike creatures, and a tough-as-nails protagonist with a cadre of nonhuman friends are a winning combination for the eighth novel in the "InCryptid" series. Antimony "Annie" Price and her cryptid friends are on the run from Annie's family as well as members of the Covenant, a secret society whose heir apparent is attempting to bring the Price family back into the fold of cryptid hunters. In this installment, Annie and her band of cryptids have taken shelter in New Gravesend, ME, for some rest and relaxation after a harrowing experience. They meet James Smith, reluctant cat burglar and sorcerer, whose best friend was swindled by the Crossroads, a mythological being that stands between worlds and has the power to grant wishes in exchange for a heavy price. Together they try to bring down the entity that has appropriated the Crossroads' power and is working to destroy the desperate humans who seek its help. Annie, a former cheerleader and a roller derby athlete, is whip-smart and at times vulnerable, and the other characters are well-rounded, flawed individuals to whom teens will relate. McGuire provides enough backstory to engage new readers, then plunges them into a fast-paced plot that will keep them turning pages. VERDICT Fans of Cassandra Clare's work and Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl's "Beautiful Creatures" will fall in love with this series.-Jodeana Kruse, R.A. Long High School, Longview, WA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.