cover image Tricks for Free

Tricks for Free

Seanan McGuire. DAW, $7.99 mass market (432p) ISBN 978-0-7564-1040-7

In the highly entertaining seventh installment of the InCryptid urban fantasy series, cryptozoologist Antimony Price is on the run from the ruthless monster-slaying group known as the Covenant of St. George, unable to contact her family or friends lest she endanger them. Eight months after the events of 2017’s Magic for Nothing, Antimony has gone to ground as an employee of Lowryland, a fairy tale–themed Florida theme park. However, two things disrupt her quiet routine: she’s offered a chance to gain control over her unpredictable pyrokinetic abilities and a series of tragedies rocks the park. Antimony must break cover and gather a motley assortment of inhuman allies—including her boyfriend, Sam—to discover and destroy the rot at Lowryland’s heart, no matter what it costs her. McGuire’s clear passion for theme parks and roller derby results in a joyous romp that juggles action, magic, and romance to great effect. Though it doesn’t push the larger Covenant story line forward, it represents significant change and growth for Antimony’s corner of the world. This volume also contains a novella featuring Sam and the fan-favorite Aeslin mice, covering their time between Antimony’s adventures, so there’s plenty to keep fans invested in this open-ended series. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (Mar.)