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Summary
Summary
A Reading the West Longlist Pick for 2018
The Cryptid Catcher is the first book in a monstrously fun middle-grade duology by Lija Fisher about a boy who inherits a job hunting legendary creatures.
After Clivo Wren's archaeologist father dies mysteriously, the newly orphaned thirteen-year-old finds out the truth: his dad was no archaeologist. He was actually a cryptid catcher, known for finding elusive beasts like the bloodsucking chupacabra. His goal: discover the one extraordinary cryptid whose blood grants immortality--before the knowledge falls into the wrong hands.
The mission remains unfinished, and now there's only one person who can take the renowned cryptid catcher's place: Clivo. He may not know the first thing about monster hunting, but he's willing to give it a try--because anything beats staying home with his salsa-crazy aunt and her neurotic cats.
Author Notes
Lija Fisher lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The Cryptid Catcher is her debut novel.
Reviews (3)
Horn Book Review
Newly orphaned Clivo discovers his late father was secretly a cryptid catcher, traveling the world in search of strange, mythological creatures. Hired by his father's employer, Clivo must find the one immortal cryptid and keep it hidden from those seeking its blood to become immortal themselves. This mystery-adventure boasts unusual creatures, oddball supporting characters, and entertaining twists along the way. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Newly orphaned Clivo Wren's about to discover a monstrous family secret.After 13-year-old Clivo's archaeologist father dies on a dig in Colombia (his mother passed away previously), eccentric Aunt Pearl, who used to care for Clivo during his dad's frequent expeditions, moves in with her cats. Clivo's ready to settle into his average life when Douglas Chancery, a pushy stranger, visits to inform Clivo that his father, Russell, was actually a cryptid catcher traveling the world hunting for legendary creatures. Russell was trying to locate a specific cryptid whose blood is the key to immortality. Russell and Douglas had an agreement that, should something happen to Russell, Douglas would hire Clivo to do the job. Suddenly, all the martial arts, language classes (in Japanese, Hindustani, Arabic, and Russian), and survival training Clivo's parents put him through makes sense. Clivo agrees to help grumpy Douglas find the one Russell was looking for and keep it out of the hands of evildoersbut Clivo's going to need more help than Douglas' money can buy. Fisher's debut, the first half of a duology, delivers adventure and laughs to readers who are willing to check their disbelief on Page 1. Clivo's a white boy, a good-hearted Everykid, and the helpers he finds are a multicultural melting pot of monster-loving nerds.Though there's a bit of closure, readers will be ready for the sequel when they turn the final page. (Fantasy. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Initially stunned to learn that his father wasn't an archaeologist but a cryptid hunter employed by a decidedly short-tempered (apparent) billionaire, orphaned seventh-grader Clivo takes up the mantle. As his gratifyingly well-funded travels take him from the Colorado Rockies to the Maine woods, Loch Ness, and remotest Alaska in this first of a planned duology, he discovers that rare, legendary creatures aren't that hard to find he comes away with some nifty selfies and that they actually need protection from unscrupulous rival hunters. So does he, as it turns out. Fortunately, Clivo's homeschooling in languages, jujitsu, and wilderness survival skills stand him in good stead. Better yet, he finds geeky but able allies in the Myth Blasters, a club of young brainiacs, and despite torrents of verbal abuse, his new boss proves willing to mount a rescue mission in the clutch. Fisher slips in occasional cryptid info dumps, but rather than indulging in the first novelist's usual tendency to cram in lots of distracting extra themes and subplots, she dishes up an action-oriented romp, puts a resourceful but not superhuman protagonist at the head of a colorful, diverse (of species as well as race) supporting cast, and salts the plot with tantalizing hints that the stakes are about to be raised. Stay tuned for further monsters and mishaps in the forthcoming sequel, Cryptid Keeper.--John Peters Copyright 2018 Booklist
