Pandemic, Godzilla, & the Multiverse: review of Kaiju Preservation Society

Cover of Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalia. Review by Markus McDowell

John Scalzi is one of my favorite science-fiction authors. I especially enjoyed Old Man’s War and Redshirts. His writing style is enjoyable, he often incorporates humor, and his plots and characters are unique and engaging.

This one is no exception. Set in modern times, during the after effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the story of a covert scientific program to take care and preserve animals who escape their biome. But these animals are nothing like anything earth knows—because they’re not from the Earth we know.

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.

This is an inventive story, with full characters and a clever plot. The main character is a bit of a smart ass, but he is kind and merely a sarcastic skeptic because of his life and the difficulties with people and finding a job during the pandemic.

There is a lot of dialogue in this book, it’s realistic and well done. Some humor might seem a bit forced and perhaps amateurish, but I do know people who talk that way. Despite the lighthearted tone and some of the dialogue and the scenes, the characters are believable, and experience growth throughout the story, especially the protagonist.

The setting is an interesting combination of the concept of the Multiverse with the Godzilla stories. Perhaps the Japanese words often used as what led me to the Godzilla connection. Someone also mentioned that the kaiju reminded them of the characters in the movies Pacific Rim films, buy I haven’t seen any.

It’s a great read, and a fast one at that. It would certainly lend itself to a film adaptation.

If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining, engaging, and clever book to read over the holidays, I highly suggest Kaiju Preservation Society.