Review: The Myth Manifestation by Lisa Shearin (SPI Files #5)

The Myth Manifestation (SPI Files #5)
Lisa Shearin
Published: Jan. 16, 2018 (NLA Digital)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: library

Reviewed by: Margaret

Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars

Note: While review will be spoiler free, it does make reference to previous books in the series.

Supernaturals from all over the world, and other worlds, have gathered at the Regor Regency Hotel in New York for the Centennial Supernatural Summit: three days of negotiations culminating in a treaty signing. Agent Makenna Fraser of Supernatural Protection and Investigations, the paranormal version of the FBI, is there with her team to provide security. Nothing ever goes smoothly for Mac when supernaturals are involved though. Before all the delegates have even arrived, monsters start appearing around the hotel, attacking and disappearing into thin air.

Just as Mac and her partner Ian are starting to investigate the monsters, she finds a body. Then something magical traps everyone inside the hotel. With a murderer, and did I mention the buttload of monsters? The action is non-stop and the monsters are as diverse as they are frightening. It’s like supernatural Die Hard with a much bigger cast (and no air ducts).

All of the SPI agents from previous books appear in this one. Tech genius and Young Spock look-alike Kenji was one of my faves in the early books and I was happy to see more of him, as well as the Scandinavian commando team. There’s also lots of Goblin Rake Danscu, Mac’s maybe-boyfriend and the host of the Summit. But he’s not nearly as charming when he’s keeping secrets from Mac. And I felt like I didn’t see much of Ian at all. I usually enjoy his chemistry with Mac, even though they’re not a couple, so I missed that.

There are also some crossover characters (and politics) from Shearin’s Raine Benares series. It’s been years since I read those! I’m thinking I’ll have to do a reread since it looks like the stories are going to continue to intertwine.

I felt like Mac’s “down home charm” style of narration was a little more rambling than usual. I’m guessing that because The Myth Manifestation is the first self-published book in the series, Shearin’s working with a new editor. I briefly wished I were doing the audio version so it wouldn’t be so noticeable, but the writing seemed to get tighter as the book went on. And even though I was enjoying all the monsters, I felt like it took too long (about 2/3 of the book) before Mac finally found a clue about the killer. Once she does, the mystery wraps up pretty quickly.

The SPI Files is such a fun series, full of unusual monsters and pop culture references. The Myth Manifestation isn’t my favorite, but it won’t disappoint fans.

 Sexual content: kissing