Creature Cops: Special Varmint Unit Review

The composite critters and the special Sci-Fi animal control officers who work to keep them and us safe. These are their stories.

Review:

(Thank you NetGalley for a copy!)

Creature Cops: Special Varmint Unit has all the making to be an enjoyable romp of a sci-fi cop flick, or hell even a show sort of Brooklyn Nine Nine meets science experiments gone out of control. Our story takes place in a world where for the past 20 years China and The US have been in a gene war competing to make hybrid animals as very strange, very cute, or very dangerous pets. And with these new beasts come new problems which requires a special type of sci-fi animal control in order to deal with the various unique and sometimes outright dangerous creatures.

Enter the creature cops, individuals who you call to deal with infestations of big, and I do mean BIG rats, a gator-python sleeping in a parking lot, or to rescue a dog-rhino being abused for the hybrid animal fighting rings. There's a diverse cast here though sadly not too developed but we're given the gists of  their characters and move the story along a steady pace, giving readers some background on their world such as there are only hybrids of two animals so that makes the discovered nest of gryphon hybrids quite a surprise as well as the murder of someone involved in hybrid animal fights. However, readers eventually learn that the gryphons aren't the only mythical beasts created by science as an investigation into hybrid animal fighting rings with a Michael Vic-exply leads to cult lead by famous author who is hinted to be neglecting his medication.

The art is good, giving us nicely drawn humans and interesting animal mash-ups such as various dogs that are mixed with panda bears, rhinos, tigers, and even an elephant-dachshund pup. We're also given a little personal tale intertwined with the big investigation about one elder cop considered drunk or crazy by most redeeming himself by closing the case and tying loose ends from an older investigation. There's also his relationship with a partner whose life he saved, but not his arm that plays into this story as well as the officer taking in the abused dog-rhino, but not too excited about it at first. There's also some looks at other members in the force mostly Gabby who is described as being better with animals than people and befriends a stray panda-dog the rest of her force has been trying to catch.

Creature Cops is a fun concept, which could still be revisited and explored later for more stories. The concept is interesting, plausible stuff of sci-fi creature fun with perhaps exploring the workings of a world were bear-dogs and giant gator-snakes are realities to be aware of. The main story is straightforward but gives a fun read and a look at interesting mixed creatures.

Recommendations:
CC: SVU has it's share or animal and human violence but not a great deal. There's quite a bit or blood and a look at some organs near the end. However, it's nothing overtly gratuitous and can still be a good addition to the YA shelves.