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b_m_thompson's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tsquare345's review against another edition
4.0
Yes! I love the action and emotional tugs. I’m still wondering how I forgot about this series
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
After Toby found her half-sister August and freed Tybalt and Jazz after Amandine kidnapped and threatened their lives to ensure Toby’s cooperation, any kind of respite is not on the cards for our hero.
For one, things between Toby and Tybalt are strained to put it mildly. Being forced to stay in his feline form while imprisoned has given him some emotional trauma. Instead of talking to Toby, he’s shut himself away.
Then Toby’s very human daughter Gillian is kidnapped. Toby will do anything to make sure her daughter is found safe and sound, even if it means confronting some long-forgotten foes.
I feel like any long-running series is going to have a few bridge books in their midst, and at the end of the day, that’s exactly how Night and Silence read to me.
Seanan McGuire even goes so far as to have a few of the characters comment on how many times Toby’s daughter has been kidnapped (answer: previously in One Salt Sea). So, I feel like it’s a conscious decision to give readers some familiar territory so we’re left with enough room to continue processing the ramifications of Amandine’s actions—at least where Tybalt and Toby’s relationship is concerned.
I appreciated that this wasn’t overlooked or drawn out/put off until the next book. As I said we’ll be feeling the ramifications for books to come, as is standard in this series, but I feel like the ice has at least been broken.
Besides the relationship woes, Seanan McGuire continues to build and reinforce the bonds of family and what makes a family. You get to see the juxtaposition of the family life Toby had with her ex and daughter—how they seemingly replaced Toby after her disappearance and then cut all ties when she returned—to what she has built now—how Quentine and May are quick to jump into action to help find Gillian at a moment’s notice, no questions asked.
Of course this wouldn’t be an October Daye novel without some revelations, and Seanan McGuire does throw in some very interesting ones, but like the rest of the book, they’re more things where the importance or significance will play out over the course of the next book(s).
Still, Night and Silence was a fast-paced, deftly written, enjoyable installment in an already excellent series.
After Toby found her half-sister August and freed Tybalt and Jazz after Amandine kidnapped and threatened their lives to ensure Toby’s cooperation, any kind of respite is not on the cards for our hero.
For one, things between Toby and Tybalt are strained to put it mildly. Being forced to stay in his feline form while imprisoned has given him some emotional trauma. Instead of talking to Toby, he’s shut himself away.
Then Toby’s very human daughter Gillian is kidnapped. Toby will do anything to make sure her daughter is found safe and sound, even if it means confronting some long-forgotten foes.
I feel like any long-running series is going to have a few bridge books in their midst, and at the end of the day, that’s exactly how Night and Silence read to me.
Seanan McGuire even goes so far as to have a few of the characters comment on how many times Toby’s daughter has been kidnapped (answer: previously in One Salt Sea). So, I feel like it’s a conscious decision to give readers some familiar territory so we’re left with enough room to continue processing the ramifications of Amandine’s actions—at least where Tybalt and Toby’s relationship is concerned.
I appreciated that this wasn’t overlooked or drawn out/put off until the next book. As I said we’ll be feeling the ramifications for books to come, as is standard in this series, but I feel like the ice has at least been broken.
Besides the relationship woes, Seanan McGuire continues to build and reinforce the bonds of family and what makes a family. You get to see the juxtaposition of the family life Toby had with her ex and daughter—how they seemingly replaced Toby after her disappearance and then cut all ties when she returned—to what she has built now—how Quentine and May are quick to jump into action to help find Gillian at a moment’s notice, no questions asked.
Of course this wouldn’t be an October Daye novel without some revelations, and Seanan McGuire does throw in some very interesting ones, but like the rest of the book, they’re more things where the importance or significance will play out over the course of the next book(s).
Still, Night and Silence was a fast-paced, deftly written, enjoyable installment in an already excellent series.
bjayfogg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kayzie7's review against another edition
4.0
I was so sure I had figured out the twist! It seemed so obvious and I was right! For about two pages until the real twist :o nicely done McGuire, as always!
yousei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mamap's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this one, but I daren't give it 5 stars since it's not really a "learn something about yourself" kind of book.
Tybalt is off - scarred from his bout with October's mom - Jazz is struggling as well. And then Gillian is taken - again. Time is of the essence.
Secrets are learned and hard decisions have to be made. I did think Toby cried a little much for my taste - sometimes - a hero needs to appear more stoic. Bad choices - even well intentioned ones - are still bad choices.
Still, they'll make it in the end.
Gillian's novella was a treat.
Tybalt is off - scarred from his bout with October's mom - Jazz is struggling as well. And then Gillian is taken - again. Time is of the essence.
Secrets are learned and hard decisions have to be made. I did think Toby cried a little much for my taste - sometimes - a hero needs to appear more stoic. Bad choices - even well intentioned ones - are still bad choices.
Still, they'll make it in the end.
Gillian's novella was a treat.
onespaceymother's review against another edition
5.0
Coming back to an October Daye novel is like slipping back into my favorite TV or a group of friends I haven’t seen in awhile. I have to admit the premise of this one didn’t excite me. If I have one complaint about how Toby is written it’s her relationship to her daughter and ex-husband, but this book actually turned a lot of that around for me. There’s a big spoiler I won’t put here - I made a lot of things make sense but at the same time felt like an easy out for Toby as she relates to her human family. I enjoyed the Tybalt storyline too. I appreciate that McGuire isn’t too scared to show the haunting real life affects of that some of these adventures have on the characters.
lisawreading's review against another edition
5.0
Seanan McGuire never fails to amaze me... and to wreak utter havoc with my emotions. Night and Silence is a strong addition to the October Daye series, with new twists and turns and some totally startling revelations and developments. How many series can get to book #12 with no signs of slowing or slumping? The October Daye series has always been excellent, and this new book lives up to all the rest.
Since this is a pre-release review, I'm going to be vague about just about everything. I know I'd hate to discover spoilers before the book even comes out, so I'll be discreet, I promise! If you're reading this review, chances are more than good that you're a Toby fan, and that you're panting (and maybe drooling a bit) to find out what happens next, after that doozy of an ending from book #11, The Brightest Fell.
As the official synopsis makes clear, things are NOT okay at the beginning of this book. Toby and Tybalt are more or less estranged, since Tybalt is suffering serious trauma after his ordeal at the hands of Amandine in book #11. And this just breaks my heart. I love the two of them together, and I love Tybalt as an individual. It hurts to see him suffering, and it hurts to see Toby suffering from his distance and her inability to reach him and help him.
When Gillian is kidnapped and Toby springs into action, it brings her back into contact with both the humans from her past and some nefarious folks from the fae part of her life too. Still, it's great to see Toby on a mission, and to see her allies rallying round to back her up and give her their support.
There are some MAJOR reveals, including the answer to a question that's bugged me almost from the start of the series. But see, I'm being discreet, so I won't even say what the question is, much less the answer.
The hunt for the kidnappers and the outcome are not what anyone would expect. Let's leave it at that. The ending of this book is a game-changer, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
It's startling to me to realize that as of the beginning of this year, I had not yet entered the amazing world of October Daye. What a difference a few months make! I love this series to bits and pieces, and can't recommend it highly enough! Seanan McGuire must be part Fae herself, because she spins the best magical stories. I love everything she writes, and Night and Silence is a treat. Read it! And if you haven't read any October Daye books yet, start with Rosemary and Rue. I dare you to stop after one book!
PS:
As an afterward to Night and Silence is the long short-story Suffer A Sea-Change. I'm not going to tell you who's in it (okay, obviously the Luidaeg, but I'm not saying who else) or what it's about, because anything I might say would be majorly spoilery. Suffice it to say that Suffer A Sea-Change picks up from the end point of Night and Silence, and is a fantastic side note to the main novel -- absolutely not to be missed.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. Full review appears at Bookshelf Fantasies.
Since this is a pre-release review, I'm going to be vague about just about everything. I know I'd hate to discover spoilers before the book even comes out, so I'll be discreet, I promise! If you're reading this review, chances are more than good that you're a Toby fan, and that you're panting (and maybe drooling a bit) to find out what happens next, after that doozy of an ending from book #11, The Brightest Fell.
As the official synopsis makes clear, things are NOT okay at the beginning of this book. Toby and Tybalt are more or less estranged, since Tybalt is suffering serious trauma after his ordeal at the hands of Amandine in book #11. And this just breaks my heart. I love the two of them together, and I love Tybalt as an individual. It hurts to see him suffering, and it hurts to see Toby suffering from his distance and her inability to reach him and help him.
When Gillian is kidnapped and Toby springs into action, it brings her back into contact with both the humans from her past and some nefarious folks from the fae part of her life too. Still, it's great to see Toby on a mission, and to see her allies rallying round to back her up and give her their support.
There are some MAJOR reveals, including the answer to a question that's bugged me almost from the start of the series. But see, I'm being discreet, so I won't even say what the question is, much less the answer.
The hunt for the kidnappers and the outcome are not what anyone would expect. Let's leave it at that. The ending of this book is a game-changer, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
It's startling to me to realize that as of the beginning of this year, I had not yet entered the amazing world of October Daye. What a difference a few months make! I love this series to bits and pieces, and can't recommend it highly enough! Seanan McGuire must be part Fae herself, because she spins the best magical stories. I love everything she writes, and Night and Silence is a treat. Read it! And if you haven't read any October Daye books yet, start with Rosemary and Rue. I dare you to stop after one book!
PS:
As an afterward to Night and Silence is the long short-story Suffer A Sea-Change. I'm not going to tell you who's in it (okay, obviously the Luidaeg, but I'm not saying who else) or what it's about, because anything I might say would be majorly spoilery. Suffice it to say that Suffer A Sea-Change picks up from the end point of Night and Silence, and is a fantastic side note to the main novel -- absolutely not to be missed.
Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley. Full review appears at Bookshelf Fantasies.
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't think it was possible, but Seanan McGuire has really outdone herself with NIGHT AND SILENCE. There was no way, in my mind, that she could top THE BRIGHTEST FELL, but she certainly did. It never fails, each book keeps getting better and better. How is that possible?
In this book, the characters are dealing with the aftermath of the events from the previous book. Tybalt's in bad shape. He's retreated into himself and is hardly acknowledging anyone – even Toby. It's heartbreaking and no one knows how to make things go back to normal. And then someone kidnaps Toby's human daughter and all heck breaks loose. She will stop at nothing to bring Gillian back home.
It's even more apparent in this latest story how much Toby has grown as a character since the first book, ROSEMARY AND RUE. From only working solo and refusing any kind of help whatsoever to now surrounding herself with friends and family and not hesitating to ask for assistance when she needs it. She's still the Toby we all love, but a slightly more mature version. It's been great watching her progression.
It seems like with every book in this series there's a big reveal or two that changes the whole landscape, alters things completely, and brings the bigger picture into clearer focus. And let me tell ya, there was one reveal in NIGHT AND SILENCE that was so epic it gave me goosebumps. I didn't see it coming, but it made such perfect sense and further reiterated the fact that Seanan McGuire is a freaking genius. I seriously cannot wait for the next installment!
In this book, the characters are dealing with the aftermath of the events from the previous book. Tybalt's in bad shape. He's retreated into himself and is hardly acknowledging anyone – even Toby. It's heartbreaking and no one knows how to make things go back to normal. And then someone kidnaps Toby's human daughter and all heck breaks loose. She will stop at nothing to bring Gillian back home.
It's even more apparent in this latest story how much Toby has grown as a character since the first book, ROSEMARY AND RUE. From only working solo and refusing any kind of help whatsoever to now surrounding herself with friends and family and not hesitating to ask for assistance when she needs it. She's still the Toby we all love, but a slightly more mature version. It's been great watching her progression.
It seems like with every book in this series there's a big reveal or two that changes the whole landscape, alters things completely, and brings the bigger picture into clearer focus. And let me tell ya, there was one reveal in NIGHT AND SILENCE that was so epic it gave me goosebumps. I didn't see it coming, but it made such perfect sense and further reiterated the fact that Seanan McGuire is a freaking genius. I seriously cannot wait for the next installment!