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A review by tani
Chaos Choreography by Seanan McGuire
4.0
This one started out shakily for me. I was really excited to dive into it. I love Verity and Dominic and I was looking forward to another adventure with them, but the start of the book did not pull me in like other books in the series have. I am not sure if that was because I'm really not into reality TV, or if it was that the emotional logic behind Verity's decision to participate in the show was a little lacking. Perhaps a bit of both.
However, once I got a bit further into the book, I found myself not caring as much about my distaste for reality TV. It was kind of interesting to get a look at how it might work, although it did also reaffirm my disinterest in actually watching any of it. And as usual, I really enjoy Seanan McGuire's way of writing characters. She has a way of making them unique and memorable that goes beyond just what creature they are. (Although I definitely loved the featured creatures of this one, as always.)
Also, minor spoiler:
Technically, I would say that this may be the weakest book in the series. I struggled with the fourth book in the series, mostly because I just disliked some of the characters, but this one spends a lot of time rehashing what feels like old ground with Verity. Once the mystery kicks up a notch, that didn't bother me at much, and I certainly understand that Verity might still be struggling with the consequences of her choice between dance and cryptozoology, but it just felt a bit forced. I also found myself a bit annoyed with Verity. For someone who's usually quite astute about character, she was remarkably blind to the flaws of her dancing friends, which was frustrating to watch.
Still, I ended up enjoying this one almost as much as the others in the series, and I read the entire second half of the book in what amounted to a single gulp, so clearly the flaws didn't bother me that much. And let me tell you. That ending! It was a doozy, the kind of ending that changes the shape and direction of the rest of the series. I can certainly figure a bit of awkward set-up for that. Because I am now extremely excited for the moment when I can move on the next book in the series and see just what Antimony's going to get up to!
However, once I got a bit further into the book, I found myself not caring as much about my distaste for reality TV. It was kind of interesting to get a look at how it might work, although it did also reaffirm my disinterest in actually watching any of it. And as usual, I really enjoy Seanan McGuire's way of writing characters. She has a way of making them unique and memorable that goes beyond just what creature they are. (Although I definitely loved the featured creatures of this one, as always.)
Also, minor spoiler:
Spoiler
I was so excited to meet Verity's grandmother! She was a very intriguing experience for me, and I really hope that we eventually get more of her story. I'd really love a book that's just about her, chasing after her husband through the dimensions.Technically, I would say that this may be the weakest book in the series. I struggled with the fourth book in the series, mostly because I just disliked some of the characters, but this one spends a lot of time rehashing what feels like old ground with Verity. Once the mystery kicks up a notch, that didn't bother me at much, and I certainly understand that Verity might still be struggling with the consequences of her choice between dance and cryptozoology, but it just felt a bit forced. I also found myself a bit annoyed with Verity. For someone who's usually quite astute about character, she was remarkably blind to the flaws of her dancing friends, which was frustrating to watch.
Still, I ended up enjoying this one almost as much as the others in the series, and I read the entire second half of the book in what amounted to a single gulp, so clearly the flaws didn't bother me that much. And let me tell you. That ending! It was a doozy, the kind of ending that changes the shape and direction of the rest of the series. I can certainly figure a bit of awkward set-up for that. Because I am now extremely excited for the moment when I can move on the next book in the series and see just what Antimony's going to get up to!