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belanna2's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
nhonami's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
spitzig's review against another edition
2.0
AWFUL. The main character whined a LOT. I can't stand a whiny character. Melodramatic. I read this as an audiobook, and maybe the reader was too melodramatic, too.
Not much happened in the plot. And, a little predictable.
The world of fairy was interesting. Sometimes, not believable, though. There seemed to be fairies all over the place, and they seem to need to go to a lot of trouble to hide their existence. But, somehow humans aren't aware of them?
I just saw that she's the author of Feed, which had been on my "To-Read" list, but now I'm taking it off. There've been books on that list since before there was an actual list, and this is the first time a book has come off it.
To "wash the taste" out of my mouth, I'm reading a Felix Castor novel. Urban Fantasy, without the whining.
On a personal side note, I've noticed that I seldom like female protagonists. Same with female authors. I don't have any in my A-list of favorites, and I don't know if I have any in my B-list of favorites, even. I have plenty in my non-fiction list of good authors, though.
Maybe part of it is that sometimes I don't know the sex of the author. In the Golden Age of SF, female authors used to show a gender neutral version of their name(like initials), or even use a male pseudonym. Most of my favorite authors are SF, though most aren't old school.
Not much happened in the plot. And, a little predictable.
The world of fairy was interesting. Sometimes, not believable, though. There seemed to be fairies all over the place, and they seem to need to go to a lot of trouble to hide their existence. But, somehow humans aren't aware of them?
I just saw that she's the author of Feed, which had been on my "To-Read" list, but now I'm taking it off. There've been books on that list since before there was an actual list, and this is the first time a book has come off it.
To "wash the taste" out of my mouth, I'm reading a Felix Castor novel. Urban Fantasy, without the whining.
On a personal side note, I've noticed that I seldom like female protagonists. Same with female authors. I don't have any in my A-list of favorites, and I don't know if I have any in my B-list of favorites, even. I have plenty in my non-fiction list of good authors, though.
Maybe part of it is that sometimes I don't know the sex of the author. In the Golden Age of SF, female authors used to show a gender neutral version of their name(like initials), or even use a male pseudonym. Most of my favorite authors are SF, though most aren't old school.
kayteeem's review against another edition
Now I'm regretting not starting this series sooner. Fits nicely in the constellation of urban fantasy by Emma Bull, Charles DeLint, Jim Butcher or Ilona Andrews, but set in modern-day San Francisco. Recommended.
mythie's review against another edition
4.0
The second half is better than the first half and worth the effort to keep reading.
smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't what I expected. I'm not usually a fan of the Fae world as much as I enjoy the shapeshifter world. This is no Kate Daniels, but it's not bad. For fantasy/paranormal lovers, why not?
My warning is the multiple love interests. I smell a triangle for book 2 between Connor and Tybalt, but I guess I'll find out. I don't think the plot and the mystery were very deep. I feel like the villain was very obvious and Toby was just blinded. But, we'll see next book.
My warning is the multiple love interests. I smell a triangle for book 2 between Connor and Tybalt, but I guess I'll find out. I don't think the plot and the mystery were very deep. I feel like the villain was very obvious and Toby was just blinded. But, we'll see next book.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
3.0
Changeling October Daye was living a mortal life with her human husband and daughter when she was turned into a koi carp, destined to live out her life in the Tea Garden of Golden Gate Park. 14 years later, she miraculously transforms back into her old self, but the rest of the world has moved on. Her family has mourned her and refuse to take her back. In turn, Toby has turned her back on the fae world, until she receives a series of voicemail messages from the Countess of Goldengreen, Evening. In her final moments, the pureblood had reached out to Toby and when she didn’t answer she bound her. Toby must find out who murdered the woman who was the closest she had to a friend or face death herself.
I was warned by several trustworthy sources that this series takes a while to get going. There is an info-dump approach to world-building, lots of paragraphs throwing information about the fae at you and somewhat breaking up the flow of the story. Sometimes the snippets of back-story made me feel there should be other books prior to Rosemary and Rue (there aren’t). I think if you weren’t used to the mythology of fae, you might struggle to pick up on everything. However, I am writing this having read several other books and it gets so much better. Your patience will be rewarded!
However the story really picks up in the second half and settles into the sort of urban fantasy mystery the series promises to be. I am really fond of novel featuring the fae as something to be wary of, with a mix of different races and prejudices; weird creatures lurking in the shadows. I think this series has potential to deliver a fantastic split-world between reality (San Francisco) and the Summerlands (the world beyond the veil). Devin’s whole set-up seemed really dodgy and I’m not sure there was enough supporting information to really grasp Toby’s ambivalent feelings. It sounded like he was a changeling pimp but this was never made clear, perhaps he just used the poor teens in his “care”.
I instantly loved Tybalt, the King of Cats. A Cait Sidhe who is cat-like even in his humanoid form but a grouchy tabby in his other. He probably has the least amount of back-story and I do think the lack of over-description adds to his mystique. Some of the other characters are a bit obvious (Connor) and you know I like the bad boys (even though we know they must be redeemable). There’s not really an emphasis on romance (nor sex, I don’t think there was any) but this makes any little interactions between characters all the more effective.
The books all come with a pronunciation guide, which is useful if you’re unfamiliar with the traditional fae names, however I think some of the words are a little obvious! All the titles come from Shakespearean quotes, and I think the relevant plays are connected in small ways. I promise this series gets better.
I was warned by several trustworthy sources that this series takes a while to get going. There is an info-dump approach to world-building, lots of paragraphs throwing information about the fae at you and somewhat breaking up the flow of the story. Sometimes the snippets of back-story made me feel there should be other books prior to Rosemary and Rue (there aren’t). I think if you weren’t used to the mythology of fae, you might struggle to pick up on everything. However, I am writing this having read several other books and it gets so much better. Your patience will be rewarded!
However the story really picks up in the second half and settles into the sort of urban fantasy mystery the series promises to be. I am really fond of novel featuring the fae as something to be wary of, with a mix of different races and prejudices; weird creatures lurking in the shadows. I think this series has potential to deliver a fantastic split-world between reality (San Francisco) and the Summerlands (the world beyond the veil). Devin’s whole set-up seemed really dodgy and I’m not sure there was enough supporting information to really grasp Toby’s ambivalent feelings. It sounded like he was a changeling pimp but this was never made clear, perhaps he just used the poor teens in his “care”.
I instantly loved Tybalt, the King of Cats. A Cait Sidhe who is cat-like even in his humanoid form but a grouchy tabby in his other. He probably has the least amount of back-story and I do think the lack of over-description adds to his mystique. Some of the other characters are a bit obvious (Connor) and you know I like the bad boys (even though we know they must be redeemable). There’s not really an emphasis on romance (nor sex, I don’t think there was any) but this makes any little interactions between characters all the more effective.
The books all come with a pronunciation guide, which is useful if you’re unfamiliar with the traditional fae names, however I think some of the words are a little obvious! All the titles come from Shakespearean quotes, and I think the relevant plays are connected in small ways. I promise this series gets better.
b_m_thompson's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
andgineer's review against another edition
1.0
Изумительно как даже фантастический мир можно сделать нудным.
Раньше любой роман с элементами фэнтези был событием и путешествием в неведомые миры, будоражащие фантазию.
А теперь есть колоссальные фабрики выдающие тоннами это добро, примерно как в МакДональдсе - невкусно, не полезно, но массово.
Затрудняюсь рецензировать конкретную книгу - я не очень уверен, что это вообще литературное произведение.
Раньше любой роман с элементами фэнтези был событием и путешествием в неведомые миры, будоражащие фантазию.
А теперь есть колоссальные фабрики выдающие тоннами это добро, примерно как в МакДональдсе - невкусно, не полезно, но массово.
Затрудняюсь рецензировать конкретную книгу - я не очень уверен, что это вообще литературное произведение.
charlierk's review against another edition
While I love McGuire’s voice and world, Toby and anything to do with romance just drives me nuts. Whenever she’s not talking to a man and is focused on the action or the mystery at hand it’s a great read! But her relationships with the male characters and her “im not like other girls” vibes are just too much for me right now.