Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire

A Spoiler-Free Review

I loved Midnight Blue-Light Special so much, I'm not even sure I have the words to articulate it. There were distinct Buffy, Season 7 vibes mixed with Seanan McGuire's unique brand of mythology and just the right amount of anxiety running throughout. I love pretty much all of McGuire's characters, although Sarah and Istas really stood out this time around. Partially because Sarah got to carry the story for a bit and Istas... Istas is the next best thing to a talking cat, which is saying something because I love me a talking cat.

So first, I really like my brain's version of how Kitty turned he uncle's strip-joint into Freakshow. I just loved that idea and would definitely visit myself if given the chance. Also, Kitty kind of amuses me. Her dress-sense is just the best contrast with her attitude. Chef's kiss. I also really love how she decided to turn Freakshow into a safe-house. Definitely a contrast her her uncle.

I also quite liked Verity turning her own safe-house into a safe-house for more than just herself, Sarah, Mike, and the mice. It was honestly that, that gave me the Buffy, Season 7 vibes. Just random cryptids showing up for safety's sake. Not actually, though, because it was ultimately only Sunil and Rochak, but still. I enjoyed Uncle Mike. Nice to know that the Gucciard family is still around and kicking. They're introduced in the short stories that are largely available on Seanan McGuire's website and I highly recommend reading those if you're enjoying this series.

Sarah's chapters in Midnight Blue-Light Special were interesting. I'm glad we got a good look at how she thinks in order for her fate at the end to really pack more of a punch. Like, I enjoyed Sarah in Discount Armageddon, but she's largely seen as an aloof nerd by Verity. Getting to see how she thinks and experiences the world did more to fully realize her than anything we got in the last book. And I know you're probably going "well duh, cuz that's what being a main POV character does" but I'm also having a bit of trouble actually saying what I mean about Sarah. She's definitely more than an aloof nerd and actually a lot more insecure than I think Verity gives her credit for.

As fun a running around with the Price family is, I do actually kind of want to see some of this stuff from a Covenant perspective. I feel like The Covenant isn't as fleshed out as it could be, or maybe even should be. Just going off of Margaret Healy's reaction to Verity... they're really fucked up. Like, really fucked up and I'd weirdly like to see just how that level of fucked-up-ed-ness comes into being. But maybe not. I don't know. The InCryptid universe is just so different than your run of the mill fantasy universe and just seeing how the denizens of it outside The Covenant function make me question how The Covenant actually functions. Maybe I just have questions. I dunno. Religious zealots of all kinds make me angry so... I just don't know.

Speaking of The Covenant, Dominic has a bit of a crisis here. However, it's supremely uninteresting to me. I had zero doubts about Dominic's ultimate loyalty. Just... bleh. Probably the only thing about Midnight Blue-Light Special I didn't enjoy. Dominic was kind of amusing in the last book, but here... just nah. He's boring and one-note.

Midnight Blue-Light Special was definitely an enjoyable read. I'm so very glad it lived up to an expanded on everything Discount Armageddon started. I didn't really have any doubts about that, but... ya know, sequels and all that. Also, on a slightly separate note: I like how the narrative is divided into smaller chunks. Makes it a bit of an easier toilet-read, if I'm being completely honest. But yeah. Loved Midnight Blue-Light Special. Istas is the best.

Favorite Quotes

"If wishes were horses, we'd have a way easier time feeding the chupacabras." - Verity Price

Not a quote, I just like the term: "Pantheistic Cryptid Mouse Dream House"

"There have been rumors which indicate that a sewer kraken may be making its home dowtown. I would enjoy the opportunity to battle something with that many limbs." - Istas

    "I was unaware the telepathic girl possessed a temper. This is pleasing. Temperamental people are more likely to participate in carnage.

    "Sweetie, what have we talked about?" asked Ryan.

    Now it was Istas' turn to sigh. "Humans are discomforted by excessive discussion of their squishy interiors."

    "Which means...?"

    "No referencing carnage more than once in a single conversation."

    "As the dominant human in the room, that rule is hereby suspended until we get my niece back," announced Uncle Mike.

"Vengeance carnage is often satisfying, but it takes longer to perform properly than the kind which does not require a death to begin." - Istas

"If we encounter heretics while on the search for our brave Priestess, we will smite them down wuth the Fury of a Thousand Angry Rolling Pins!" squeaked the mouse.