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beltaine76's review against another edition
3.0
You know, after nine books I think we've gotten the point that Toby doesn't like the sight of blood. The author didn't try to shove it into our face like she used to, but it does get annoying. I liked this book well enough, but I don't think it was the best out of the series. It was just too slow in some parts, and I felt my attention starting to wane. I think what helped with this book was that I liked seeing Walther. He's an interesting character to me, and seeing some interactions between him and other characters made me like him more. Oh, and I also liked how Toby has gotten it through her thick skull that even though she didn't want to be a hero (which she said a gajillion times in the earlier books), she is now and she's good at it because she has friends to help her. Yes! She's had friends trying to help her out all this time, but she was so stubborn in the first couple of books.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
I still devour these in a day. I got home, I opened my parcel and started to read. I did not put it down until I was done.
An old bitch is back. And Silence has declared war on Mist. Ugh, King Rhys was a real piece. I wanted to kick him where it hurts.
Toby gets sent to his court to broker a peace deal. HA. Yes you who know her know that is the worst idea. She knows it's a bad idea, everyone know it's a bad idea. But she does her best, together with Quentin, May and Tybalt (still adore him, does he get better with each book? Awwww)
There will be drama, action, and lots of blood. Lots of blood. I do not really have a lot to say. I love this series. It's fun and Toby is awesome.
A year until the next book, sigh.
An old bitch is back. And Silence has declared war on Mist. Ugh, King Rhys was a real piece. I wanted to kick him where it hurts.
Toby gets sent to his court to broker a peace deal. HA. Yes you who know her know that is the worst idea. She knows it's a bad idea, everyone know it's a bad idea. But she does her best, together with Quentin, May and Tybalt (still adore him, does he get better with each book? Awwww)
There will be drama, action, and lots of blood. Lots of blood. I do not really have a lot to say. I love this series. It's fun and Toby is awesome.
A year until the next book, sigh.
amibunk's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I have grown to love this series over the last few installments, believing them to have improved dramatically since the first ones, however this novel was not my favorite. The recycled villain, the hurried ending, the overly simplistic plot, and the lack of comedic moments lightening the oppressive storyline all contributed to my "bleh" attitude towards this book. Basically it felt a bit like a filler installment. Hopefully, the next one (please oh please be a next one) does better.
I have grown to love this series over the last few installments, believing them to have improved dramatically since the first ones, however this novel was not my favorite. The recycled villain, the hurried ending, the overly simplistic plot, and the lack of comedic moments lightening the oppressive storyline all contributed to my "bleh" attitude towards this book. Basically it felt a bit like a filler installment. Hopefully, the next one (please oh please be a next one) does better.
riikk444's review
5.0
I simply loved this book. This series just gets better. Seanan McGuire is officially a hero of this realm!
nerdywerewolf's review
5.0
“Let’s go get ready to do something incredibly stupid.”
“Business as usual, then.”
In this book, we find ourselves for the most part, in a different Kingdom entirely. Silences has declared war on the Mists and as per usual, it's up to Toby and the gang to, ahem, stop another war.
I very much enjoy the background relationship between Jazz and May-they are more adorable than they have any right to be. Quentin is also coming into his own nicely and we are finally getting more of Walther's backstory. While this took place away from our 'norm,' it was still as much ohmygoshdidthatreallyjusthappen?! as usual. I cannot recommend this series enough.
“Business as usual, then.”
In this book, we find ourselves for the most part, in a different Kingdom entirely. Silences has declared war on the Mists and as per usual, it's up to Toby and the gang to, ahem, stop another war.
I very much enjoy the background relationship between Jazz and May-they are more adorable than they have any right to be. Quentin is also coming into his own nicely and we are finally getting more of Walther's backstory. While this took place away from our 'norm,' it was still as much ohmygoshdidthatreallyjusthappen?! as usual. I cannot recommend this series enough.
tzurky's review
3.0
And again a disappointment and for much the same reasons as the 7th book in the series. Zero emotional stakes. Worse, a pervasive sense of manufactured peril that you really saw coming a mile away. I mean seriously, seriously author? Going to eat breakfast is now just as fraught with danger as fighting a Firstborn? And I get that it’s something Toby isn’t good at and all, but there’s a difference between anxiety and fear. I never got the sense of anxiety. Oh, sure, there’s a lot of TALK of how she’s not good at this and it stresses her out but that’s all it is. It never materialized in her actually suffering the effects of anxiety. The Lady Astronaut series did many things wrong but the characterization of a protagonist with anxiety was absolutely on point. It was scary and inhibiting as hell. Toby on the other hand is just someone that’s not a smooth talker. And that’s it.
In fact I got so lulled into anger at the false sense of danger the book tries it’s hardest to beat you over the head with, that the actual danger completely lost it’s effect for me. So what little good plotting the book had to offer didn’t really impress me. Not that it was as good as the previous book. A lot of loose ends here - like are we seriously not even going to explore the possibility that the antagonist may have had a point? We’re just going to gloss over the fact that their stated reasoning pretty much means that Toby fucked up big time??? Well, I’m not on board for brushing away a plot point the author thought up to underpin a shaky edifice as irrelevant in just a couple of pages. Bad plot, go back to the editor!
In fact I got so lulled into anger at the false sense of danger the book tries it’s hardest to beat you over the head with, that the actual danger completely lost it’s effect for me. So what little good plotting the book had to offer didn’t really impress me. Not that it was as good as the previous book. A lot of loose ends here - like are we seriously not even going to explore the possibility that the antagonist may have had a point? We’re just going to gloss over the fact that their stated reasoning pretty much means that Toby fucked up big time??? Well, I’m not on board for brushing away a plot point the author thought up to underpin a shaky edifice as irrelevant in just a couple of pages. Bad plot, go back to the editor!
seeinghowitgoes's review
3.0
Everytime you think that Toby has managed to get out of the chaos that is her life, some shitstorm manages to pull her back in. In a way the best dynamics of the series has been between the false Queen and Toby, and it only feels fitting for them to have one more round.
christinawegner's review
3.0
We’re getting to a point where McGuire spends 70% of the book building up to something and then realizes she needs to wrap it up somehow. The endings are getting progressively more finger wavey and less satisfying, which sucks because the books are good up to that point. But then I realize my kindle says I’m at 72% and we are still developing the issue Toby has to solve.
Hoping the next one is better.
Hoping the next one is better.
berlinbibliophile's review
4.0
Another entry into this series that I loved. It's amazing to see how much Toby has grown since the first books, especially in her approach to dangerous situations. From "I have to go it alone and can trust no one" to "I'm so glad I have all these friends and allies as backup". The mystery plot of the book was great, but my favourite part were the relationships between the characters, and how their mutual trust has improved.
harkenthee's review against another edition
3.0
The ninth in the October Daye series follows Toby in her most daunting task yet... acting as an ambassador. To stop an impending war. Nine books in, and we all know this is gonna go smoothly.
McGuire has always done masterful work in ramping up the tension in every book; balancing the limitations of the hero with small victories which give way to even greater conflicts. Toby is no stranger to fantasy racism, but when the whole kingdom is built on the back of those systems and the abuses within, DAMN. I thought I've hated villains before, but this stink-lord takes the CAKE. Also some interesting developments in the personal lives of our core cast
Onto a more critical view: Is anyone else growing tired Tybalt's macho-man attitude? I understand him being protective of Toby, and I found it very endearing during their budding relationship when he was not Toby's fiance/shadow taxi. But snarkily threatening to disembowel allies because he's sooo cool and tough? Excuse me if I don't find
Also, as we get deeper into these stories Toby's circles grow closer, which makes sense. It's just starting to feel like the Boys Club when most of your recurring and active members are men, but characters like Li Qin or April are usually stuck on phone duty. I love my boys, but I won't lie if I wasn't surprised when May actually got to join in on the fun once more.
I will agree with the other reviews which say this was not a super satisfying read. Some of the biggest October Daye issues are here: Evil Queen (who has been a constant antagonist), goblin fruit addiction, fantasy racism, but almost none of that is touched upon, instead opting into this rather rote dance of "ooh, I'm not touching you *smirk*" with evil bigot king. I'd have liked to see more of the oppressed changelings and mind-control plot.
Overall these are minor criticisms to an overall solid book. Always eager to read what's going to happen next!
McGuire has always done masterful work in ramping up the tension in every book; balancing the limitations of the hero with small victories which give way to even greater conflicts. Toby is no stranger to fantasy racism, but when the whole kingdom is built on the back of those systems and the abuses within, DAMN. I thought I've hated villains before, but this stink-lord takes the CAKE. Also some interesting developments in the personal lives of our core cast
Spoiler
Dean and Quentin? I always thought it was gonna be Raj, but then I remember his girlfriend. Still, I can dig it. Part of me wishes Quentin would let loose for once and go up to smug royals and say, "Crown Prince, bitchhh"Onto a more critical view: Is anyone else growing tired Tybalt's macho-man attitude? I understand him being protective of Toby, and I found it very endearing during their budding relationship when he was not Toby's fiance/shadow taxi. But snarkily threatening to disembowel allies because he's sooo cool and tough? Excuse me if I don't find
Spoiler
feeling smug for maiming a woman who has been brainwashed for over a century into serving a horrible despot who mutilated her family members a particularly "chivalrous" thing to do. Why? Just because she grabbed your fiancee while trying to HELP HER while trying to remain UNDERCOVER? Like, in-story I understand, but a lot of these small, douchey actions done by Team Toby that aren't examined at all make me side-eye. Like, she's not the only person in the world who matters, my dudesAlso, as we get deeper into these stories Toby's circles grow closer, which makes sense. It's just starting to feel like the Boys Club when most of your recurring and active members are men, but characters like Li Qin or April are usually stuck on phone duty. I love my boys, but I won't lie if I wasn't surprised when May actually got to join in on the fun once more.
I will agree with the other reviews which say this was not a super satisfying read. Some of the biggest October Daye issues are here: Evil Queen (who has been a constant antagonist), goblin fruit addiction, fantasy racism, but almost none of that is touched upon, instead opting into this rather rote dance of "ooh, I'm not touching you *smirk*" with evil bigot king. I'd have liked to see more of the oppressed changelings and mind-control plot.
Spoiler
And no one gonna investigate that whole "Old royal family may have abused Cu plot", huh? It's fine. They're fine.Overall these are minor criticisms to an overall solid book. Always eager to read what's going to happen next!