The Kaiju Preservation Society

264 pages

English language

Published April 5, 2022

ISBN:
978-0-7653-8912-1
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Goodreads:
57693406

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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.

1 edition

Seeds of greatness, not sprouted

This book starts with the same formula as his next, Starter Villain: snappy, funny dialog with a silly plot idea. And I mean 'silly' as a good thing. It totally works in Villain.

This book though relies on a very tired plot point to move forward and then falters. Just didn't work for me.

Standard Scalzi, as expected

Is this a fun ride with lots of satisfaction, a good story and a quick pace. Definitely. Is this a good book? No, not really. Scalzi is an amazing storyteller, but not a particularly good writer. (Having said that, he is far better than he used to be, and he's even commented on problems with his writing that he has tried to correct.) I started this as a light vacation read and it performed exactly as expected.

Review of 'The Kaiju Preservation Society' on 'Goodreads'

If snarky, self-aware dialog and giant alien monsters in alternate dimensions are your thing, this is your book. It's got humor (of course), adventure, and bad guys you really want to punch in the face.

It's nice to have some moral clarity in a story, and also giant monsters who breath nuclear fire.

Review of 'The Kaiju Preservation Society' on 'Goodreads'

Scalzi described this book as a pop song rather than a symphony, and that's an apt description. It's a catchy, fun pop song that is stuck in my head and I find myself wanting to revisit. I haven't had this much fun since Agent to the Stars!