Published by Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US on May 5, 2018
Genres: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Humor, Humorous
Pages: 277
Format: Paperback
Source: ARC
A suicidal janitor is recruited into the world of Cryptofauna: a strange and wondrous game that secretly influences most of the important events on the planet.
Jim, a young janitor working at an insane asylum in Idaho, is about to commit suicide when he's rudely interrupted by a strange resident who recruits him to play a game called Cryptofauna. The next thing Jim knows, he's being whisked off to an absurd competition of worldwide mischief and meddling, where he meets a handful of lifelong friends, and a boatload of deadly enemies.
The bizarre game of Cryptofauna might actually help the blue custodian discover a reason to live, assuming, of course, he survives long enough to figure it out..."If Alice and Wonderland and The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy had a love child, it'd be Cryptofauna. This fantasy novel creates an acid dream of lovable characters, tense twists, and a storyworld unlike any I've experienced. [...] it's a beautiful story, funny at times, ridiculous in the best possible way, intense and action packed." - Nico Bell Writes
"...a very readable fast-paced adventure packed with fantastic and ridiculous invention." - Ingenious Cat
"...one of the strangest, most intriguing things I've ever read." - Songs Wrote my Story
"Cryptofauna is fantastically strange, it's so funny and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. But it's also deep and poignant and [the] attention to detail is superb." - Rae's Reading Lounge
Billed as similar to Alice in Wonderland and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Patrick Canning gives his readers a cheerful “Have fun!” before shoving us off a cliff into a bizarre world filled with magic, sock obsession, and some wicked humor. Canning’s unique writing style quickly built up this game of Cryptofauna in what should have been an ordinary world. We learn, much like the protagonist Jim, by trial and error as we stretch our imaginations to accommodate Canning’s clever story. In the middle of the second chapter, I was so utterly confused but eventually it became as clear as a game like Cryptofauna is going to get. This is definitely a character driven book and Jim’s Mentor is the absolute worst at being helpful leaving the situation primed for issues. The side characters are, for the most part, vibrant and charming and we get some important life lessons delivered using a delightful combination of wit, sarcasm, and nuance.
I do wish that we had more interactions with Jim’s Combination. I wanted to know more about them in the team setting. As the plot progressed, we spent less time with each of the new characters which is a shame because I really loved Buck. Cryptofauna had a nice ending but I found myself wanting more, whether that be this book being longer or maybe a second book! I would thoroughly enjoy reading biweekly chronicles depicting Jim and Co.’s exploits.
At this point, I’m sure it is clear that I adored this book. I’m not sure I would have discovered this book on my own so I’m thankful that Mr. Canning reached out to ask if I was interested. Several days later the story still pops in my head which shows just how intriguing I found the world of Cryptofauna. I’ve already asked my husband to read it and I’ve been excited to share my review with all of you! Cryptofauna is a twisty, sometimes confusing, but always funny tale with lovable characters that charm their way into readers hearts. I actually picked up a short story collection of Canning’s on KU after reading Cryptofauna and it was just as funny and absurd (review to come later).
Available on Kindle Unlimited and definitely worth your time!
**Thank you Patrick Canning for sending me a copy to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About Patrick Canning
PATRICK CANNING is the author of three novels, including Cryptofauna (2018), The Colonel and the Bee (2018), and his latest, Hawthorn Woods (2020). He has also published several short stories. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys playing beach volleyball, following space exploration, and losing at bar trivia. Some of his favorite authors include Bill Watterson, Liane Moriarty, David Foster Wallace, Stephen King, and Kurt Vonnegut.
Patrick lives in Los Angeles with his Australian Shepherd, Hank, who some consider to be the greatest dog of all time.
Fantastic review! I love the sounds of this one. The synopsis alone is absurd. 😂
Thank you! It was such a fun read! 🤗
What an interesting book!! Great review!