InCryptid
InCryptid is an urban fantasy novel series written by American author Seanan McGuire, chronicling the adventures of the Price family, a multi-generational lineage of cryptozoologists dedicated to protecting cryptids—mythical and supernatural creatures—from extermination by the Covenant of St. George, a secretive organization bent on eradicating anything not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, while also shielding humanity from these beings.[1] The series blends elements of adventure, horror, and humor, exploring themes of family loyalty, conservation, and the blurred lines between myth and reality in a modern world where cryptids like mice with human-level intelligence, shape-shifting chupacabra, and teleporting frogs coexist hidden among humans.[1] The series, published initially by DAW Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House) and from 2025 by Tor Publishing Group (an imprint of Macmillan Publishers), launched with Discount Armageddon on March 6, 2012, introducing protagonist Verity Price, a professional dancer and journeyman cryptozoologist operating in New York City.[1] Subsequent installments shift perspectives across family members, including Verity's brother Alexander "Alex" Price, a cryptoherpetologist specializing in reptilian cryptids; their younger sister Antimony "Annie" Price, a former Covenant operative turned family ally; adopted cousin Sarah Zellaby, a telepathic cuckoo (an invasive cryptid species); and matriarch Alice Price-Healy, whose exploits are detailed in earlier timelines.[1] As of November 2025, the series comprises 14 novels, with the most recent, Installment Immortality, released on March 11, 2025, spanning nearly a century of family history from the early 20th century to the present day.[1] The narrative structure emphasizes interconnected storylines, with short fiction expanding on side characters, historical events, and cryptid lore, available through collections and online.[2] McGuire's world-building draws on real cryptozoological concepts while inventing diverse cryptid species, each with unique biology and societal roles, creating a richly detailed universe that critiques human encroachment on the natural—and supernatural—world.[1] The series has garnered acclaim for its witty dialogue, strong ensemble cast, and progressive themes, including representations of disability, queer relationships, and environmentalism.[3]Overview
Series Premise
The InCryptid series is an urban fantasy centered on the Price family, a lineage of cryptozoologists dedicated to protecting cryptid species—creatures from folklore and mythology, such as dragons, basilisks, and cuckoos—that coexist secretly with humans in the modern world.[4] The central hook revolves around the family's efforts to maintain an ecological balance, safeguarding these hidden populations from human encroachment while preventing cryptids from endangering people, all amid threats from the Covenant of St. George, an ancient organization committed to eradicating "unnatural" beings not accounted for in biblical lore.[1] This premise draws on cryptozoology as a legitimate scientific field, portraying cryptids as integral to ecosystems rather than mere monsters.[4] Key world-building establishes that cryptids have remained concealed through a combination of adaptation, human ignorance, and deliberate cover-ups, blending ancient myths with contemporary urban environments like New York City and the Pacific Northwest.[3] The Prices, descendants of former Covenant members who defected in the early 20th century, employ diverse skills—from ballroom dancing to herpetology—to navigate this dual existence, often operating undercover to thwart Covenant incursions.[1] The narrative spans multiple generations, with each installment shifting perspectives to explore the family's ongoing mission against a backdrop of evolving threats, including invasive species and internal betrayals.[4] The series began publication with the novel Discount Armageddon in 2012, marking the transition from earlier short fiction explorations of the universe into a structured novel sequence published primarily by DAW Books.[1] This debut introduced protagonist Verity Price, a professional dancer doubling as a cryptid protector in Manhattan, setting the tone for the blend of humor, action, and lore that defines the InCryptid world.[3]Author and Creation
Seanan McGuire is an American author specializing in urban fantasy and horror, with a background that includes studies in folklore and herpetology at the University of California, Berkeley.[5] She publishes her science fiction and horror works under the pseudonym Mira Grant, including the acclaimed Newsflesh series, which debuted in 2010 and earned her the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 2010. McGuire's experience in crafting intricate worlds and character-driven narratives in these genres informed her approach to urban fantasy, where she blends mythological elements with contemporary settings.[6][7] The InCryptid series originated from McGuire's fascination with cryptozoology, a field she has described as central to the project's appeal, emphasizing "gonzo cryptozoology" grounded in plausible biology to create believable cryptid species. Conceived around 2009 as a multi-generational story of a family dedicated to protecting such creatures, it began as an exploratory side project amid her established October Daye series. McGuire drew on her lifelong interest in folklore and unproven creatures to develop the core concept, viewing it as an opportunity to explore themes of conservation and coexistence through a speculative lens.[8][9] Development progressed with the release of initial short stories in early 2012, including "The Flower of Arizona" and "One Hell of a Ride," which fleshed out the series' historical backstory. In November 2010, DAW Books acquired the first two novels, Discount Armageddon and Midnight Blue-Light Special, marking the transition to full-length works. McGuire opted for rotating multiple points of view across books to delve into the Price family's dynamics, allowing each installment to highlight different siblings and eras while maintaining narrative continuity. This structure was chosen to showcase the intergenerational legacy without confining the story to a single protagonist.[2][10][11]Universe and Setting
Cryptozoological Elements
In the InCryptid universe, cryptids are systematically classified by the Price family field guides into sapient species—those exhibiting human-level intelligence, complex social structures, and cultural practices—and non-sapient species, which operate primarily on instinctual behaviors despite remarkable adaptations. This division informs conservation strategies, with sapient cryptids afforded rights akin to human societies to prevent exploitation or extermination. Representative sapient species include the lamia, dragon princesses, aeslin mice, and waheela, each integrated into or concealed within human-dominated environments.[12] Sapient cryptids demonstrate diverse biological traits evolved for survival amid human expansion. Lamia, classified under the order Synapsedia as mammal-like reptiles, possess humanoid upper bodies with serpentine lower halves, venomous fangs for defense, and enhanced sensory capabilities that allow them to navigate urban landscapes undetected; their ecology ties to folklore of seductive snake-women, but in this framework, they form advanced societies with universities and interdimensional travel. Dragon princesses, humanoid females descended from extinct great dragons, exhibit fire immunity and a communal hoarding instinct, adapting to modern life through unassuming human appearances and integration into city populations, echoing mythical tales of dragon brides while functioning as covert community leaders. Aeslin mice (Apodemus sapiens), diminutive rodent-like beings with enlarged cerebral cortices enabling near-perfect recall and linguistic abilities, thrive in hidden colonies within human dwellings, their religious fervor—manifesting as oral histories and rituals—serving as an ecological niche for information preservation without direct confrontation. Waheela, therianthropic mammals of the class Therianthropa, shift between indistinguishable human forms and massive bear-wolf hybrids up to twelve feet tall, occupying remote wilderness niches as apex predators while using shapeshifting for occasional urban infiltration, drawing from Indigenous North American legends of spectral wolves.[12][13][14][15] These species' ecological adaptations emphasize concealment and symbiosis with human society, such as urban camouflage via mimicry or size reduction, enabling coexistence despite pressures from scientific skepticism and historical folklore that often portrays them as monstrous threats. Biologically, many cryptids interface with real-world pseudosciences like cryptozoology, reinterpreting sightings—such as "great snake" encounters for lamia or ghostly wolf packs for waheela—as evidence of hidden biodiversity rather than myth. Non-sapient cryptids, like questing beasts or cactus cats, complement this by filling predatory or symbiotic roles in ecosystems, often serving as indicators of environmental health.[12][1] Within the series' narratives, cryptids function as both vital allies—providing intelligence, combat support, or magical aid to protagonists—and tragic victims of organized hunts, underscoring the centrality of conservation missions to avert extinction. For instance, aeslin mice colonies document events to aid strategic planning, while waheela leverage their predatory prowess in defensive alliances, highlighting cryptids' dual role in fostering ecological balance and resisting systemic persecution. This speculative biology frames the universe's conflicts around preserving biodiversity against encroaching human ignorance.[12][1]Price Family Legacy
The Price family traces its origins to the mid-20th century, when Alice Healy and Thomas Price defected from the Covenant of St. George, a British organization dedicated to the systematic extermination of cryptids deemed unnatural. Originally rooted in the Healys' earlier break from the Covenant in the early 1900s—led by Alice's grandparents Alexander and Enid Healy, who immigrated to the United States to advocate for cryptid protection rather than destruction—the Prices formalized their shift to guardianship following Alice and Thomas's union. Thomas, hailing from a prominent Covenant lineage, renounced his heritage upon allying with Alice, whose family had already begun fostering coexistence between humans and cryptids. This defection, occurring amid post-World War II tensions, established the Prices as renegades committed to balancing human safety with cryptid conservation.[1][16] Central to the Price legacy are longstanding traditions that reinforce their mission across generations. Annual family reunions, held at secure compounds like the one in Buckley Township, Michigan, serve as vital gatherings for sharing knowledge, strategizing against threats, and maintaining familial bonds amid their nomadic lifestyles. The family also emphasizes rigorous training in combat and cryptozoology from a young age, equipping members with skills in fieldwork, species identification, and defensive tactics honed through decades of encounters. Additionally, the Prices cultivate a hereditary affinity for "math"—a probabilistic framework used for decision-making that borders on precognition in certain individuals, allowing them to anticipate outcomes in high-stakes scenarios. These practices, passed down since the Healys' era, underscore the family's evolution from extermination-minded hunters to ethical protectors.[1][4][12] The Prices' opposition to the Covenant remains a defining conflict, marked by persistent tensions, occasional betrayals, and rare pragmatic alliances. The Covenant's purist ideology views the Prices as traitors, leading to targeted pursuits and ideological clashes that span continents. Despite this, the family has grown its influence, forging networks with allied cryptids and human sympathizers while adapting their protective role to modern challenges. This legacy of defiance has transformed the Prices into a bulwark against unchecked extermination, prioritizing ecological harmony over eradication.[1][4]Primary Works
Novels
The InCryptid series comprises fourteen full-length novels as of November 2025, with a fifteenth announced for release in 2026, forming the central narrative arcs that explore the Price family's ongoing conflicts with the Covenant of St. George and their efforts to safeguard cryptids. Published by DAW Books until 2024 and transitioning to Tor starting with the fourteenth installment, the novels employ a rotating protagonist structure, shifting focus among family members across different locations and timelines to broaden the scope of the universe while maintaining interconnected plot threads. This approach allows for self-contained stories per book that advance the overarching family legacy, often integrating excerpts from fictional in-universe documents like diaries and reports for added depth. Brief short story interludes within the novels occasionally expand on peripheral lore, though the primary emphasis remains on the protagonists' personal and protective missions.[1][17] Discount Armageddon (2012) centers on Verity Price, a young cryptozoologist who relocates to Manhattan to chase her passion for ballroom dancing, only to become embroiled in investigating a series of cryptid abductions that threaten the city's hidden population. Midnight Blue-Light Special (2013) continues Verity's story as she confronts an impending Covenant purge in New York, balancing her covert duties with personal relationships and the high-stakes world of competitive dance. Half-Off Ragnarok (2014) shifts to Verity's brother, Alex Price, who assists family allies in Columbus, Ohio, managing a secret basilisk breeding program amid mysterious petrification events and local cryptid tensions. Pocket Apocalypse (2015) follows Alex to Australia, where he aids his fiancée Shelby in combating a deadly werewolf infestation that endangers both human and cryptid communities in the Outback. Chaos Choreography (2016) returns to Verity, now participating in an international dance competition filmed as a reality show, where she uncovers a pattern of suspicious deaths linked to resurgent Covenant activity. Magic for Nothing (2017) introduces Antimony Price, Verity and Alex's younger sister, who infiltrates a Covenant stronghold in England under false pretenses, navigating espionage and unexpected alliances within the organization's ranks. Tricks for Free (2018) tracks Antimony's evasion of Covenant pursuers as she takes a job at the fictional Lowryland theme park in Florida, dealing with magical cabals and a rash of anomalous accidents. That Ain't Witchcraft (2019) sends Antimony to rural Maine on a crossroads ghost's directive, where she grapples with local folklore, family obligations, and a web of interpersonal deceptions. Imaginary Numbers (2020) focuses on Sarah Zellaby, the adopted cuckoo mathematician in the Price family, who returns to Oregon for a visit and faces escalating threats from her own species intent on disrupting the household. Calculated Risks (2021) sees Sarah trapped in a parallel dimension after a dimensional mishap, relying on her mathematical prowess and recovered memories to orchestrate an escape while countering cuckoo incursions. Spelunking Through Hell (2022) follows Alice Price-Healy, Verity and Alex's mother, on a multiverse-spanning quest to locate her long-lost husband Thomas, confronting dimensional anomalies and personal demons along the way. Backpacking Through Bedlam (2023) reunites Alice with Thomas upon their return to Earth, thrusting them into a Covenant operation targeting New York City's cryptids and forcing alliances with unlikely figures. Aftermarket Afterlife (2024) features family babysitter and crossroads ghost Mary Dunlavy, who coordinates protection for the Prices during a volatile reunion complicated by intensifying Covenant aggression. Installment Immortality (2025) expands on Mary's role as she travels cross-country with young Price relatives, hunting Covenant agents who are systematically capturing and exploiting American ghosts.[18] The fifteenth novel, Butterfly Effects (2026), is slated to center on Sarah Zellaby, who faces a trial by the Johrlac on their homeworld for her past actions as a cuckoo queen, requiring her family to cross dimensional borders to save her.[19]Short Stories
The short stories set in the InCryptid universe expand the series' lore by delving into the Price family's multi-generational history of cryptozoology, often serving as prequels or interstitial tales that provide context for the novels without advancing their primary arcs. These works, authored by Seanan McGuire, frequently feature episodic adventures involving cryptid encounters, family dynamics, and ethical dilemmas in protecting mythical creatures from human threats. Many are offered as free downloads on McGuire's official website, organized chronologically by family generation, while others appear in speculative fiction anthologies.[2] Stories centered on the first generation, Jonathan Healy and Frances Brown (circa 1928–1945), chronicle their defection from the Covenant of St. George and early efforts to safeguard cryptids in the American West and beyond. These narratives establish foundational elements of the Price legacy, such as the couple's partnership and encounters with species like waheela and incubi. Key examples include:- "The Flower of Arizona" (2012), published in the Westward Weird anthology, depicting a confrontation with a dangerous floral cryptid.[2]
- "One Hell of a Ride" (2012), a free online story introducing their collaboration during a perilous train journey.[2]
- "Stingers and Strangers" (2014), from the Dead Man's Hand anthology, exploring tensions in a Wild West-inspired setting.[2]