Aftermarket Afterlife by Seanan McGuire

 

The InCryptid series has twice been a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Series, and Aftermarket Afterlife proves why this is still one of the best and most popular series running. 

Mary Dunlavy has been the Price family babysitter for generations. She doesn't have trouble keeping up with her charges even though they are scattered across the country (and sometimes across dimensions) because, well, she's a ghost. Just as the Price family is all back together, including Alice and her decades-lost husband, the Covenant of St. George launches an all out attack on the Prices and the cryptid community in North America. 

The Price family and allies are outmanned and very much in danger. It's going to take a lot of skill and some clever thinking to survive this. Mary Dunlavy is facing a question she's never had to ponder before: What happens to a babysitting ghost if all the people she's supposed to protect are gone?

Each book in the InCryptid series tells a complete story and is told from one viewpoint character. I've jumped around a bit in the series so I was familiar with all the characters and a lot of the history, but most people will want to read the series in order. This world is filled with many fascinating cryptid races and familiarity with them builds throughout the series as well.

Mary Dunlavy is an interesting viewpoint character, both in relation to her powers and duties as a babysitting ghost and in her history with the Crossroads. Her ability to move to her charges in different parts of the country allow for direct interaction with many individual family members that is not always possible in some of the other novels. Her knowledge and abilities are a huge asset even considering her limitations compared to some of the other family members. 

Seanan McGuire is such a skilled writer that her style pulls you deeply and effortlessly into this world. Her characters are varied but relatable, particularly in their passion and determination. Ruminations on life and death, particularly from a ghost, offer a unique perspective. 

There is plenty of thrilling action and the pace moves along briskly. With the escalation of war with the Covenant, there is less levity in this story than some of the others along with some truly devastating heartbreak. The book tells a complete story, but there are still loose ends and consequences to be dealt with in the future.

I do enjoy spending any time I can with the Aeslin mice, which belong on the Mount Rushmore of greatest literary creatures ever invented. 

Another great entry in an outstanding series.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.