That Ain't Witchcraft (InCryptid, #8)

by Seanan McGuire

[Quirky Cat]

That Ain't Witchcraft is the eighth novel in Seanan McGuire's InCryptid series, and the final novel focused on the one and only, Antimony (Annie) Price. Well, for the moment, anyway. This series has been such a blast to binge, though I still wish that I had picked it up years ago. So much wasted time!

Antimony Price is still on the run, though at least now she's not alone. She has loyal friends and even a boyfriend along for the ride now. Together, they're bending luck and trying to find a safe spot to settle down, even if only for a short while.

Somehow, that brought them to Gravesend, Maine. Maine may have a certain reputation, thanks to Stephen King, but Gravesend truly does deserve it. You see, it's closer to the Crossroads than normal, and has kept one family trapped, while exacting prices from countless others.

Enter James Smith, his best friend was taken by the Crossroads, and he's going to make them pay. He just needs Annie's help, and the help of her friends, in order to stand any chance of actually doing so and surviving.

“A cryptozoologist is always prepared for mayhem, whatever form it takes.”

I have binged the whole InCryptid series over the course of a week, and I sincerely think that That Ain't Witchcraft is my favorite of the entire series (so far). It's fast-paced, chaotic, full of magic, contracts, and the plight of the Crossroads.

In short, it's the perfect series for those that love the Ghost Roads series, and have been looking for something else to dive into. It's a novel full of action and consequences, as well as magic, the supernatural, oh! And don't forget the Covenant. Or at least, one stubborn member of them, whom I have found that I love to hate.

Actually, I'm really looking forward to reading the next Ghost Roads novel (Angel of the Overpass), simply to see how much what happened in this book affects everything else. I was already really excited about that novel, but now I feel like I can't wait any longer!

“Don’t look back. You’ll never see anything but what you’re doing your best to leave behind, and you’re a lot more likely to trip and fall down, which gives it another chance to eat you.”

One of the many things I loved about this book is the introduction of a new character. James is a great character, and I'm not so secretly hoping we'll get a book from his perspective at some point in the future. A girl can dream, right? Anyway, what I really appreciate here is that he wasn't introduced as a romantic interest (thus creating a romantic triangle), but instead as something else (I don't want to spoil what). Also, I love that Leonard isn't in the running for Annie's affections, thank you! I'm perfectly happy with my determination to continue despising him and what he stands for.

“There’s nothing like moonlight and monsters to remind a girl why she loves her job.”

Only two books left and I will officially be caught up in the InCryptid series. That's going to be a sad day for me, as I have really enjoyed this whole binge session. InCryptid has been a blast to read, and I'm already looking forward to what is next. Speaking of, it looks like we will be switching to Sarah's perspective for the next two novels (Imaginary Numbers and Calculated Risks).

The Measure of a Monster
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
The Measure of a Monster is the short story included at the end of This Ain't Witchcraft, and we're back to Alex's perspective! That was a refreshing surprise, truth be told! This short explains what he has been up to this whole time (it has been a few books at this point), as well as explaining something that was hinted at during the novel.

The Measure of a Monster successfully showed the darker side of human and InCryptid interactions, though by this point most of us know the risks that come with that. Still, it was interesting to see, if a bit horrifying at times.

It did a great job of flipping the script, so to speak. There are easy assumptions about monsters and men, and Seanan McGuire really played with that concept, as well as the concept of humanity. One of the many reasons why I love this series.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks