Motif · Book 8, A Parade of Horribles

Shadow Mimics

The counter to the changeling principals: ambush predators who grow in intelligence and strength without limit, are prone to 'ideation breaking', can pass as crawlers and are nearly undetectable — Mordecai's impossible reaper form is one; Mitch the croupier and the whole casino are another. 'Devise safe words and quiz each other every day.'

Segment appearances

• Chapter 2 — The wheel; a food truck
• Chapter 7 — The Moon Reaper
• Chapter 39 — The Lollipop: a needle over the singer
• Chapter 55 — The cleaner bot plan
• Chapter 86 — Mimics; the Big Six
• Chapter 87 — Louis goes; Safehome Yolanda; the giant Imani
• Chapter 89 — Every screen; the Tome of Gatekeeper; the Lucky Shot patch
• Epilogue — Epilogue: Sydnee Iglacia, Prime Minister Victory, Louis Santiago 2

Progression

Mordecai's impossible combo (ch. 7); in the Cabaret (ch. 38); maybe on this floor (ch. 39); the casino (ch. 86); safe words (ch. 87).