The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi, Tor Books (March 2022) hardcover, 272 pages
The Blurb: (
from the publisher’s website)
“When COVID-19 sweeps through New York City, Jamie Gray is stuck as a dead-end driver for food delivery apps. That is, until Jamie makes a delivery to an old acquaintance, Tom, who works at what he calls “an animal rights organization.” Tom’s team needs a last-minute grunt to handle things on their next field visit. Jamie, eager to do anything, immediately signs on.
What Tom doesn’t tell Jamie is that the animals his team cares for are not here on Earth. Not our Earth, at least. In an alternate dimension, massive dinosaur-like creatures named Kaiju roam a warm, human-free world. They’re the universe’s largest and most dangerous panda and they’re in trouble.
It’s not just the Kaiju Preservation Society who have found their way to the alternate world. Others have, too. And their carelessness could cause millions back on our Earth to die.”
My Take:
What fun! I usually like what Scalzi writes, and I enjoyed this stand-alone novel more than most. It’s full of humor, SF and movie references, has an interesting lead character and the setting is great. I would really like to read more about of this organization, alternate earth, and people. More, please, Mr. Scalzi!
Tip the Wink 
I’m hit or miss with Scalzi. I loved Old Man’s War but disliked his last novel.
This standalone is more enjoyable (with less F words) than his recent trilogy.
I am glad you liked this. It does sound like a great story. I have loved all the novels by Scalzi that I have read, but I did not like a book of his short stories that I read.
It’s light, fun, quick reading, I think you’ll like it.
I downloaded Tor’s free preview of the first 5 chapters and read them, and now I’m waiting for my copy to come from the library so I can read the rest of it. I’ve liked most of Scalzi’s books (Old Man’s War series, REDSHIRTS) and this is indeed a lot of fun.
I was one of the first to get it from my library, a new copy.
Like Steve, I miss the Old Scalzi of OLD MAN’S WAR days. But, I’ll order THE KAIJU PRESERVATION SOCIETY on your strong review.
Everybody seemed to like the OMW books, though not everyone read all 5, but this is different, fun, quick, you’ll like it.
So the Covid novels have begun. Looks like it is just background in this one. I would be hesitant to use much for many reasons.
This has nothing to do with Covid other than to set the timing of a job hunt. Peter May’s LOCKDOWN , published a year ago, is much more about a pandemic.