Half-Off Ragnarok

By: Seanan McGuire

Narrated by: Ray Porter, Emily Bauer

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

What do gorgons, basilisks, and frogs with feathers all have in common? They're all considered mythological by modern science, and some people are working very hard to keep them that way. Alexander Price is a member of a cryptozoological lineage that spans generations, and it's his job to act as a buffer between the human and cryptid worlds - not an easy task when you're dealing with women who have snakes in place of hair, little girls who may actually be cobras, and brilliant, beautiful Australian zookeepers. And then there's the matter of the murders...

Alex thought he was choosing the easier career when he decided to specialize in non-urban cryptids, leaving the cities to his little sister, Verity. It turns out that he had no idea what he was getting himself into. It's a family affair, and everyone - from his reanimated grandfather to his slightly broken telepathic cousin - is going to get involved before things get any better.

Half-Off Ragnarok is the third installment of the highly praised InCryptid series.

©2014 Seanan McGuire (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

*Hail* Meet the Price Family and Monsters

I'll be the first to admit I'm a shameless Seanan McGuire fangirl. Just accept it. So therefore, by virtue of my 'office' I tend to love everything she writes. I have yet to find an exception to this; though I will admit there was a thing or two that left me a wee bit wanting (but I think it's just because I'm abnormally attached to odd side characters.)

One of the things that ended up being a source of amusement, and simultaneously an irritation: it was ever so slightly predictable in spots. Now, that sounds worse than it is- it's like telling a 'good guy' that "I just want to be friends. It's not you, it's me." Sounds like the kiss of freakin' death when that's not the impression I want to give. Basically, there was more than one aspect that was not a shock or surprise at all, and that's not always a bad thing. There is some comfort in that fact, there is not such a huge 180 slap-to-the-head that makes you thing WTF? On the other hand, a little more flabbergasted shock might not have been such a bad thing to experience.

While there are new characters to learn about and love, there are still some of my favorites from previous books in the InCryptid series: (please excuse my spelling now, as I've primarily listened to the books and that doesn't give any clue if I'm spelling something right) Sarah, even a cameo from Verity, and one cannot forget the Aisling Mice *Hail*. I simply adore those mice, and really, really want a colony of my own. Even if I might go broke on baked goods.

It all boils down to this: Half-Off Ragnarok is a lovely addition to the series, but ultimately not my favorite so far in the series. It was nice hearing more from the male of the Price family, but Verity already danced her way into my heart as my favorite, I think. Besides, he really is quite the geek, and while I love me some hot nerdy men, 'tweed as a valid lifestyle choice' just redlines those warp drives despite the objections from the head engineer. I smidge up from 4♥'s and eagerly await more from the Price family!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Another great book from Seanan McGuire

Would you listen to Half-Off Ragnarok again? Why?

I don't re listen to books but it was a great book and glad I listened to it

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the mx of humor and action

What about Ray Porter and Emily Bauer ’s performance did you like?

I thnk they did a great job with all the characters

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

McGuire is brilliant as ever

After two very entertaining InCryptid books with Verity Price and her Covenant boyfriend Dominic, we now join her older brother Alex in Ohio. I had my doubts about McGuire’s decision to leave Verity and change narrators in the third book, but Alex proved to be a very entertaining, albeit completely different protagonist.

Alex joined his grandparents in Ohio to help his cousin Sarah and oversee the breeding of two basilisks (that sounds much dirtier than it actually is), but he certainly got more than he bargained for. For one, his chaotic life and his many, many secrets prevent him from being a good boyfriend to the Australian beauty he’s currently dating. Then dead, partially petrified bodies start showing up around Alex and his basilisks, as well as his relationship with Shelby simply have to take a back seat.

As usual, someone is targeting the Healy-Price family and this time, Alex is right in the middle of things. With the help of his grandparents, his cuckoo cousin and his girlfriend, he uses his calm, scientific approach to solve a very odd, frightening case. The fact that said scientific approach sometimes includes autopsies on his grandmother’s kitchen table is just a minor detail that barely even registers with the Price-Healy family.

The lines between Seanan McGuire and Mira Grant are starting to blur, and it’s a very good things. There are some common denominators that are easily recognizable regardless of the name she writes under. She likes short, effective quotes at the beginning of each chapter, she always does an insane amount of research, she tends to rely on science as much as she can, and her worldbuilding is nothing short of extraordinary. A pen name doesn’t mean a personality transplant, which is great for the brilliant and funny McGuire/Grant.

Ray Porter was an excellent choice for narrator and I felt that his voice reflected Alex’s calm, geeky personality perfectly. He had minor issues with female voices, but Seanan’s dry, quirky sense of humor wasn’t lost in his narration, which I appreciated more than I can say. If anything, it was made even stronger.

We’ll be joining Alex once more in the next installment titled Pocket Apocalypse. I am determined to go with the audio format once again, especially if they decide to keep Ray Porter on as narrator.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Welcome to the party, Alex Price!

After a couple of Verity Price books, I was a little hesitant to try a book where the "always somewhere else" older brother, Alex, was the lead character. What a pleasant surprise!
While the tone is distinctly Alex, the wry humor, self-awareness and overall fun was still present in spades. As an added bonus, Ray Porter is a BRILLIANT narrator! The story is told entirely from Alex's viewpoint and Ray performs like Alex relating his adventures to a good friend. Loved it!
The only complaint I have is the character of Shelby. MILD SPOILER: As the story progressed and she became more informed, there were many times that I just wanted to smack her and say "Quit arguing and just do what he asks. This is his area of expertise, not yours."

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

McGuire pulled me into the crazy world of InCrypti

From the Aeslin Mice to Alex’s unusual pet, and his gorgon assistant I enjoyed listening. There was humor, fleshed out characters, and scary situation. Alex is very different from Verify and has his geek-on. He cares about his family, gets excited by scientific discovery and can be kickass when necessary. Ray Porter narrates, and Emily Bauer has parts throughout. Ray’s performance of Alex was delightful. He captured Alex’s emotions, personality and enhanced the overall story.

third times the charm

I like this narrator better, but only because he can do accents. I still prefer Emily for Verity's voice though. all these books have the same irreverent tone that has be laughing through the book. even as things get serious which I'm sure the book is doing on purpose.

Funny and Entertaining

I have listened to the entire series more then once. My co workers think me crazy for all my snickering and giggles when I listen to this and the other books in the Crypted series. Very worth it.

Awesome!!

This series has hit its stride and Ray Porter is an excellent narrator. Changing character viewpoint was a wise choice on Ms Maguire's part.

Big brother gets his story.

This is a fun family, lots of mayhem happening. It’s great. This book was a bit less eye rolling than Verity’s book, but equally as good. I love all the lore and the world that Seanan McGuire has created. This family is crazy but fun, so if you are looking for an urban fantasy series that doesn’t have a lot of sex, has lots of monsters (some good, some bad) and is crazy this is it. This book says it has duel narration, but there was only one very short spot that I remember Emily Bauer reading, mostly it was Ray Porter and he does a good job of narrating too. I will be getting the next book soon.

Fun with cryptids.

More fun with the Price family, this time from the point of view of Alex. I didn't find him quite as consistent a character as his sister, especially early in the book, but the story is fun, and I loved all the bits with cryptids. Especially Sarah and the mice. Hail!