When COVID-19 sweeps through New York City, Jamie Gray is stuck as a dead-end driver for food delivery apps. That is, until Jamie makes a delivery to an old acquaintance, Tom, who works at what he calls “an animal rights organization.” Tom’s team needs a last-minute grunt to handle things on their next field visit. Jamie, eager to do anything, immediately signs on.
What Tom doesn’t tell Jamie is that the animals his team cares for are not here on Earth. Not our Earth, at least. In an alternate dimension, massive dinosaur-like creatures named Kaiju roam a warm and human-free world. They’re the universe’s largest and most dangerous panda and they’re in trouble.
It’s not just the Kaiju Preservation Society that’s found its way to the alternate world. Others have, too–and their carelessness could cause millions back on our Earth to die.
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi. Published by Tor Books, March 2022. Hardback edition, 258 pages.
Ha!! The humor in this book is epic. 😀 The witty banter is just top notch. Sarcastic and dry. Very nice! Just my type of humor.
There is just so much I enjoyed in this story. ❤ It is a beautiful story of friendship and community. The characters felt so real. They are super relatable. It is absolutely wonderful watching Jamie’s journey as well as watching the group of people becoming friends! 😀 Bonus points for zero romantic BS bogging down the plot. 😮 It is all about friends and community coming together. Just beautiful.
The plot is a very interesting slow build. There is no rush to the set up. It takes it’s time but is never feels boring or too slow. I also love how Covid is handled. You get the gist of what Covid was like without being too on the nose (I’m looking at you, Aurora!)! The story is about community and friendship during difficult times. With kaijus!
Speaking of the kaiju, I really enjoyed how they are handled. Not as creatures but as their own ecological systems. We never get a detailed description of what they look like, but there is amazing details in how the kaiju works. What a fascinating way of breaking down how the kaiju is formed, taking care of by the enviroment and parasites (EW), and how the kaiju forms a NUCLEAR REACTOR. :O Very interesting! I do wish there was a little bit more detail to tell the reader what these beasties look like though.
I am glad I got around to reading this one! Don’t let the covid / pandemic part of the story keep you away. 🙂 This is a beautiful and amusing story about friendship, community, and giant monsters. It is as entertaining as it is hopeful.
Creature From The Book Lagoon 