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I've put off reviewing this as I can't really give a good reason, but I didn't like this book as much. I think it doesn't help is there's a lot of gaps in the story, and the story itself is two sides guessing about the other, and the UK guessing what its agents are doing while they're guessing what the others are doing, and then the author guessing about the gaps in the record. Lots of guessing.

And it's just a bit less cheerful, didn't end super well for the spies.

There's some interesting history here but it's buried by not really telling any chronological story, presumably assuming the reader already knows how the Klondike Highway was built by the US Army. Instead there is some theming around the stories but they didn't quite keep my interest.

This is based on someone else's short story, about which I know nothing. Maybe this is better with more context? Anyway, on its own merits, it's a reasonable story. Funny, some obvious twists. Unlike Starter Villain, the protagonist feels more consistent in character. The end just starts to feel a little patchy or thin or something. Can't quite explain it.

I found this one less cozy than the first book. I think there's more explicit threat hanging over it. But still very enjoyable if bittersweet throughout. Goes well with cake.

I always feel bad for giving a rating a book by how I enjoyed it rather than its quality. But after suspecting I wouldn't like Kingfisher's teen horror books, I bought one in a sale. And I don't like it. But it's just as well written as her other books, just creepier and more dreamlike.

This is a love story, but quite a messy one. I'm a bit sad the protagonist didn't get to eat more people! Also quite funny, despite touching on a number of quite sad themes.

This is alright, I preferred Kaiju Preservation Society. As I read more Scalzi (and I enjoy his work so I will continue to do so) I haven't quite worked out why I like some books more than others. This one I felt I was missing some American references as it felt like there were more than usual.

I think one thing for me is the story is both a "fish out of water" story as the protagonist is introduced to this new world of villainy, and also a "quiet competence" one of he just makes all the right decisions. But his character is that he's also ruined his life, so why is he suddenly much better at all this stuff? Yeah that's it, I didn't really get the main character, unless it's an unreliable narrator and he's just taking credit for everything.

Entertaining though.