From here on out, Scalzi gets to do what he really came here for: write a story about nuclear powered Godzillas and lots of (rather infantile) snarky dialogue with a lot of WHAT?? going on. He spends so much energy on those two aspects that there's nothing left for either character development, workbuilding or even a single thought that has more depth than a dried-out puddle. The Kaiju Preservation Society is John Scalzi's first standalone adventure since the conclusion of his New York Times bestselling Interdependency trilogy. Well on his way to a doctorate in econ from the prestigious University of Chicago, Jamie Gray believes he has life figured out. So, he jumps to a New York City job with a “start-up” and starts to make things happen for himself and this company.

Now, does that sound realistic? No, and nor should it, though there is a lot of interesting world building. The important question, though, is does The Kaiju Preservation Society sound fun? And the answer to that is hell yes. The story is sort of combination of Jurassic Park and Redshirts (not the latter’s meta parts, but the vibe of four new people being dropped together into a strange new environment and learning about it at the same time as the reader). Most of the plot is simply living in and learning about this strange world, but there’s a development late in the book that sets up a surprisingly dramatic conclusion. The book tells a complete story, but creates a world and set of characters that could easily be used in a sequel. vaccines in general, as described in the book: I, personally, know of no vaccine that is 100% sure to work within 2(!) days. Yes!” I made a pointing gesture, which sunk me further into the bean bag. “I mean, we’re already better than the other apps. We just have to drive the point home.” We’re going to miss you as part of the füdmüd family, Jamie.” Rob said. “But remember, there’s always a slot open for you in deliverating. That’s a promise.” During his delivery job he runs into an old acquaintance who ends up scoring him an interview at the KPS and the rest is history.

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Tom smiled again; eye crinkles. “I take it you weren’t the one to come up with the ‘deliverator’ name.” Lastly, the humor felt kind of lazy to me. It was either "Haha that's so random" humor or humor through repetition of a phrase, i.e. "I lift things". Also every character always had something snarky to say/reply with about everything, even in the more dramatic scenes. Kaiju Preservation Society (for those like me who are insufficiently cool, for “kaiju” basically think “Godzilla”, but nuclear reactor-powered. Yes, just roll with that) is light-hearted and very funny, full of present-day references and neverending quips and snark, almost a meme in book form. It’s meant to entertain above anything, with a bit of self-aware “reverse lampshading”. And banter — or dear, the banter comes in kaiju-sized chunks and is perfect. But let’s have Scalzi himself explain things just a bit in his Author’s Note:

Fair.” She handed me my severance paperwork. “I was also told to tell you that a deliverator account has been opened in your name.” She said deliverator like it hurt her to say it. “You know, just in case.” Sorry, inside joke,” the dude said. “You know ‘deliverator’ is from Snow Crash, right? The Neal Stephenson book? Anyway, the protagonist of the book is a delivery guy who has samurai swords. I forget the hero’s name.” So that was my day,” I said to my roommate Brent. We were in the pathetically small fourth floor walkup on Henry Street that I shared with Brent, Brent’s boyfriend Laertes, and a convenient stranger named Reba who we almost never saw and, if she didn’t leave long strands of hair on the shower wall on the daily, might not believe actually existed. What were you thinking when you started beating the shit out of that thing?" Kahurangi asked Niamh. We were at the point in the video where Niamh had gone ham on the creature, but not yet where they had zapped it. I didn’t,” Satie said. “If it were up to me, I would have named them Sid and Nancy. Fits their personalities better. But no one asked me. One of you millennials did it.”Jamie Gray goes to a six-month performance review as an employee for food delivery startup füdmüd expecting to impress boss Rob Sanders with plans to grow the company, only to be terminated and offered a delivery contract instead. At first rejecting the offer, Jamie is eventually forced to take it after all to make rent, as jobs are scarce in COVID-19-afflicted New York City. One delivery client turns out to be Tom Stevens, an old acquaintance, and over the next few weeks of deliveries they renew their friendship. Tom has a lucrative position with KPS, a secretive animal rights NGO, and is slated to head out into the field right about the same time Jamie loses the delivery job (füdmüd having been bought out). Tom offers Jamie a job with his own employer, and Jamie, again out of options, goes in for the interview, is accepted, and is soon on a plane to Thule Air Base in Greenland. John Scalzi's newest book is brought down by an under-developed, rushed plot that's focused more on the “society” of the title than the “kaiju.” Any comparison to Jurassic Park applies only insofar as this is a story about humans living alongside huge, dangerous creatures. Scalzi didn’t flesh out his characters (human and monster alike) or include any high-adrenaline thrills. the information on the Covid-vaccine is downright false: it does not immunise people against the virus: you cannot conveniently take off your masks in close quarters, just because you're vaccinated and be absolutely sure, you're safe. Yes!” I made a pointing gesture, which sank me farther into the beanbag. “I mean, we’re already better than the other apps. We just have to drive the point home.”

I think so. I know, wild, right? But that’s the whole point. We’ll be where everyone else in the food delivery app space isn’t. And by the time they figure out what we’re up to, we’ll own New York City. For starters.”

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Angrily consume your bacon on the toilet, is my advice.” Dr. Lee lifted the first syringe. “Ready?” We’ll make it work,” I smiled at Brent and then went to my room, which was the size of a postage stamp, but at least it was drafty and the floor creaked. I think this book is an easy read, I had fun at some point, and I'll probably read more Scalzi in the future, especially his serious stuff. Because ‘FoodMood’ was already taken by a food delivery app in Bangladesh, and they wouldn’t sell the name,” I said. “So if you’re ever in Mymensingh area, be sure to use the app with the name that actually makes sense.” Firebomb the place,” Laertes said, from the room he and Brent shared, where he was playing a video game.