All across the world, people look up at the moon and dream of gods. Gods of knowledge and wisdom, gods of tides and longevity. Over time, some of these moon gods incarnated into the human world alongside the other manifest natural concepts. Their job is to cross the sky above the Impossible City—the heart of all creation—to keep it connected to reality.
And someone is killing them.
There are so many of them that it’s easy for a few disappearances to slip through the cracks. But they aren’t limitless.
In the name of the moon, the lunar divinities must uncover the roots of the plot and thwart the true goal of those behind these attacks—control of the Impossible City itself.
In Tidal Creatures (Alchemical Journeys Book 3), Seanan McGuire has continued creating a series that is brilliantly layered and full of incredible depth. As much as I loved the first two books in the series, I found myself loving Tidal Creatures as much as the previous two as it delves into the folklore and gods worshiped around the world and how they manifest.
What makes this novel so intriguing and complex is the intricate folklore that Seanan McGuire delves into, tying this novel into the series with a fluidity and ease, exploring the nature of godhood, the universe and magic. I loved the multiple incarnations of the moon gods and how they tie into the rest of Seanan McGuire’s alchemical universe. The story flows from through different points of views, exploring both the moon gods but also those tied to them including the alchemical college as they attempt to take control of creation.It also gives insight into what it means to be human and a monster, exploring love and loss.
Seanan McGuire has brought her usual brilliance to the third book in the series. While all of her books are incredible, this rises above along with the other books in the series to explore profound ideas and the construct of the universe. The story is brilliantly layered and thoughtful with concepts I will need a second read through just to begin to grasp. The characters are vivid and delightful. I especially loved that we got much more of Roger and Dodger than in the 2nd book. If you liked Middle Game and Seasonal Fears, this is the book you want to read next. And if you haven’t read the series, what are you waiting for? This is the apex of Seanan McGuire’s storytelling, beautiful, creative and breathtaking to read.
Rating: 5 out of 5 moon gods.
