Mini Review: 'The Kaiju Preservation Society'
It was difficult to give this book 3 stars, because it was such a brisk and entertaining read. The premise is fascinating, which makes me crave more information, more lore about this bizarre world Scalzi has created.
I know this critique is going to sound contradictory when we're discussing a novel about nuclear-powered kaiju, "monster police," and alternate earths, but the characters just weren't realistic enough. Not grounded enough. Every single person in this world has the perfect snappy comebacks, sharp humor, and elevated charisma. As if they were all cut from the same snarky Scalzi template and then just given different names, pronouns, and histories.
To put it bluntly, while the dialogue is downright hilarious, it just wasn't remotely believable. Regardless of the dire circumstances we see them in, they're cheery and witty, cracking jokes, and barely showing a speck of genuine human emotion.
That's just my opinion as someone who really values dialogue and deep characters I can sink my teeth into. Is this still worth reading? Absolutely! It's ridiculously fun and light-hearted, but that becomes jarring during many scenes.
I do hope Scalzi revisits this world at some point, because I felt like so much potential world-building and situational drama was left on the table.
The Kaiju Preservation Society
Author: John Scalzi
Official Blurb: 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.
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