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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Re-read: 1/09/16
I originally rated this book with a 3.5, but after a re-read, I've upgraded it to 4 stars. Having now read all but the most recent book in the series, I can now recognize a level of brilliance in how McGuire set the series in this book. I don't know if everything has been planned out from the beginning, but unlike some authors (too many in my opinion), I could detect no contradictions with future plots. In fact, having a deeper appreciation for the characters and the world, I was able to notice some nuances this second go-round that I regret having missed the first time.
In this first book, we are introduced to Toby and the world of the fae. While she is trying to separate herself from that world and embrace her human side, she gets pulled back into mix to solve the case of a murdered fae noble woman.
McGuire cleverly mixes back story and mystery plot setting up a world that continues to captivate me. There are so many layers of politics and mythology overlaying a story steeped in suspense. Through it all, we meet this crazy cast of characters that could only exist in the world of October Daye.
I originally rated this book with a 3.5, but after a re-read, I've upgraded it to 4 stars. Having now read all but the most recent book in the series, I can now recognize a level of brilliance in how McGuire set the series in this book. I don't know if everything has been planned out from the beginning, but unlike some authors (too many in my opinion), I could detect no contradictions with future plots. In fact, having a deeper appreciation for the characters and the world, I was able to notice some nuances this second go-round that I regret having missed the first time.
In this first book, we are introduced to Toby and the world of the fae. While she is trying to separate herself from that world and embrace her human side, she gets pulled back into mix to solve the case of a murdered fae noble woman.
McGuire cleverly mixes back story and mystery plot setting up a world that continues to captivate me. There are so many layers of politics and mythology overlaying a story steeped in suspense. Through it all, we meet this crazy cast of characters that could only exist in the world of October Daye.
I picked this up because I loved the "Newsflesh" trilogy and heard this was other work the author was behind. I otherwise wouldn't have picked this up; the genre isn't much my thing. Still, in spite of not being a fan of books that focus heavily on fantasy elements like faeries and such, I found myself enjoying the story. I may even continue and read more in the series, which I didn't think was likely when I first started October's story.
Line I liked:
We have to burn brightly. We can't burn forever.
Line I liked:
We have to burn brightly. We can't burn forever.
I honestly can't decide if I liked it or not! It's a quick read and somewhat entertaining but there was a lot going on and a lot of characters to sort through and keep track of. I may need to read the second book in the series before I decide...
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Interesting world, I look forward to reading more.
Rosemary and Rue is a first in series and, regardless of the author's prowess or the premise of the series, firsts are always hard to evaluate. Was it excellent and unsurpassed? No. Do I have anything to compare it to? Not really. Not outside of other books of the genre and I hope they're all different in their own way. It was not derivative or clichéd. Therefore, was it good enough to continue with the series? Yes.
Within the confines of this book, it seems the October Daye series may take place entirely within the world of Faerie. I don't imagine McGuire taking this heroine too far outside of the world created in this first story. While there is plenty in Faerie to keep her busy, I don't imagine we'll see October going toe to toe with the Divine or Fallen or vampires or the Undead or anything else that doesn't fit into the Faerie realm. And that's fine. We have series where anything goes; it's comforting to know that we can almost certainly expect exclusively Faerie shenanigans from the October Daye series. This means it's a place to come back to if one is looking for Fae.
I don't have a lot more to say on this subject. As I mentioned before, it is hard to talk about a first in series when I don't know what's to come (I am not, nor have I ever been one to read ahead and spoil things for myself). As it stands, I will be seeking out book two, A Local Habitation, before long.
Within the confines of this book, it seems the October Daye series may take place entirely within the world of Faerie. I don't imagine McGuire taking this heroine too far outside of the world created in this first story. While there is plenty in Faerie to keep her busy, I don't imagine we'll see October going toe to toe with the Divine or Fallen or vampires or the Undead or anything else that doesn't fit into the Faerie realm. And that's fine. We have series where anything goes; it's comforting to know that we can almost certainly expect exclusively Faerie shenanigans from the October Daye series. This means it's a place to come back to if one is looking for Fae.
I don't have a lot more to say on this subject. As I mentioned before, it is hard to talk about a first in series when I don't know what's to come (I am not, nor have I ever been one to read ahead and spoil things for myself). As it stands, I will be seeking out book two, A Local Habitation, before long.
I really, really enjoyed this book. While I haven't read much of anything in the last 6 months that doesn't have at least one or two vampires, werewolves or Fae in it, this series seems like it isn't just rehashing all the other series out there. The heroine is really gritty, deeply flawed and deeply hurt. The Fae aren't that much different. I'm looking forward to reading more.
October "Toby" Daye has a bit of a problem. She's been trapped as fish in a pond for fourteen years. As a changeling (half-human and half-faerie) it seems that her faerie friends were more than willing to accept that she's come back, even as she's shunning them. The human husband and daughter that she'd had before her stint in the pond? They're not so welcoming. They don't seem to care whether she'd been kidnapped, left them by choice, or had hit her head and lost her memory for all of these years. We never really meet them. They accepted her death long ago and would apparently prefer to go on pretending that she's still dead, even after they learn she's been found.
This leaves Toby feeling as though she has no home and no purpose -- Unless you consider working the late shift in a grocery store, while refusing everyone's calls a purpose. And then one day while checking her answering machine Toby receives a message which will give her a reason to live, whether she likes it or not. Solve a murder, or die of a curse.
I was torn between four and five stars. It's a really good book. But it also felt as though several of the characters in Toby's world were somehow lost in the story, even though it's clear they'll be important in the series. I suspect that the next book might be the five star one for me -- as we see more character development.
This leaves Toby feeling as though she has no home and no purpose -- Unless you consider working the late shift in a grocery store, while refusing everyone's calls a purpose. And then one day while checking her answering machine Toby receives a message which will give her a reason to live, whether she likes it or not. Solve a murder, or die of a curse.
I was torn between four and five stars. It's a really good book. But it also felt as though several of the characters in Toby's world were somehow lost in the story, even though it's clear they'll be important in the series. I suspect that the next book might be the five star one for me -- as we see more character development.
Seanan McGuire'ın yarattığı dünya serüvenler açısından epeyce ilginç ama beni pek doyurmadı. Toby hep yardımla ilerleyen, düşüp bayılan, sürekli yaralanan bir kadın. Kitapta da benzeri geçen bir cümle: Bu kadar hayatta kalması bir mucize.
Bu tür kitaplarda periler niyeyse benim için bir tık geride kalıyor ancak kitabın tanıtımı hoşuma gittiği için başladım. Ama pek sevemedim. Sonraki kitapları incelediğimde de ilgimi çeken pek bir şey bulamadım. Çaresiz kaldığımda okurum belki.
Bence (sevişme ve grup olaylarını saymazsak) Laurell K. Hamilton bu peri acımasızlığını, ölümsüzlüğü ve diğer her şeyi daha iyi yakalamaştı.
Kitap kötü değil ama insanı hemen içine çekmiyor, heyecanlandırmıyor. Whudunit için okuyorsunuz.
Bu tür kitaplarda periler niyeyse benim için bir tık geride kalıyor ancak kitabın tanıtımı hoşuma gittiği için başladım. Ama pek sevemedim. Sonraki kitapları incelediğimde de ilgimi çeken pek bir şey bulamadım. Çaresiz kaldığımda okurum belki.
Bence (sevişme ve grup olaylarını saymazsak) Laurell K. Hamilton bu peri acımasızlığını, ölümsüzlüğü ve diğer her şeyi daha iyi yakalamaştı.
Kitap kötü değil ama insanı hemen içine çekmiyor, heyecanlandırmıyor. Whudunit için okuyorsunuz.
Like the Dresden books before things went horribly wrong. Central mystery a bit obvi but the world is entertaining.