If you haven’t read the prior book, IMAGINARY NUMBERS, stop right now and read it before reading another word about CALCULATED RISKS (unless, like me, you don’t mind spoilers). CALCULATED RISKS picks up right where the massive cliffhanger ending of IMAGINARY NUMBERS ends, leaving Sarah Zellaby who has gone through her cuckoo instar to become a Johrlac Queen, Sarah’s adopted cousin and the love of her life Artie Harrington, Sarah’s adopted cousin Annie Price, a sorcerer named James, and another cuckoo named Mark in an alternate world. Unfortunately for Sarah, no one remembers her in this world because the math she used to save their lives and that accidentally sent them to this world (see CALCULATED RISKS for more information) also erased all memory they have of her. All they remember is she’s responsible for the mess they are in and that the cuckoos (also called the Johrlac species) believed she was special. And everyone knows not to trust the cuckoos as they are dangerous and can bend your mind to their will! Somehow, Sarah has to convince them she is part of the family and figure out a plan to return all of them, as well as the entire university campus and the folks on campus at the time of the cuckoo ritual.

Wow! Seanan McGuire’s 10th book in the InCryptid series is a doozy! Everything we thought we knew about the Johrlacs and the world we live in has been turned upside down. The InCryptid series is unique to most urban fantasy series in that you really can jump into the series midstream, as long as you start with the main character’s first book- which is also a unique attribute in that we change narrators periodically as we get to know the various members of the Price, Harrington, and Baker families. Sarah’s story is the one I’ve been waiting on and oh, did Seanan McGuire deliver with the stunning revelations and story lines of both IMAGINARY NUMBERS and CALCULATED RISKS!

CALCULATED RISKS is perhaps the most emotionally gut-wrenching tale yet in the InCryptid series. My heart still aches for Sarah as she deals with constant rejection from most of the people she’s ever known and loved. Her adopted mom, also a cuckoo, raised her with an understanding of the power they have as telepathic creatures and helped instill ethics into her. Now, she’s trapped in scenarios where everyone believes the worst of her because of her species and it’s just heart-breaking. The scenes with Artie are the hardest because Sarah loves him in a wholly different way, and I love how Seanan McGuire explains how and why his distrust of Sarah is different than the others. CALCULATED RISKS is an emotionally charged tale, but thoroughly enjoyable as well. If you love urban fantasy, the InCryptid series is an absolute MUST read!