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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I'm reading through this long-running UF series for the first time. I love these kinds of books for their dependable plots that pay off in character work, particularly the way the ensemble cast grows together. My Discord read Kate Daniels last year, and this year, we've turned to October Daye, so it's hard not to compare the two for me.
This was darker than I expected in some ways—not in a strictly amount-of-violence sort of way, but in terms of the brutality of the world overall. The opening scenes of this book were pretty devastating to me.
I like Toby pretty well, but not as much as I loved Kate Daniels, or Mercy Thompson, or Eve Dallas from the outset. I think, ultimately, Toby (the character) suffers because of the weakness of the plots she's in, and the plot suffers because of Toby's lack of skill as an investigator and lack of agency.
My one particular to this book critique is that, ultimately,
Spoiler
I feel like Toby comes around to Devin being the worst, but not quite for all the right reasons. I feel like it's realistic that she still has some blinders on when it comes to the very terrible relationship he had with her, but from a reading experience perspective, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.I wanted the book to go a little more in on being like CHILD ABUSER AND PREDATOR!!! and not just "Oh, he betrayed her, and something something about treating changelings poorly."
Yay! Another enjoyable urban fantasy series to catch up on and follow! I do like the Faerie-centric focus, as opposed to going into all kinds of mythos. My only gripe was the resolution seemed too quick, and really left a lot to answer in the future. Great for hooking people, but just a little rough to deal with personally.
Not sure about this one
which is kinda sad because I've had it for a while
There's a fair amount of October being kinda dragged through the plot
The twist was good, didn't figure out the real bad guy until the reveal-always nifty
Idk, there's just something that wasn't pulling me in as much.
which is kinda sad because I've had it for a while
There's a fair amount of October being kinda dragged through the plot
The twist was good, didn't figure out the real bad guy until the reveal-always nifty
Idk, there's just something that wasn't pulling me in as much.
I had heard so many good things about this one by Seanan McGuire, but I gotta say, it was a bit of a let down compared to her other stories. Don't get me wrong, it was still good, but I think maybe people had hyped it up too much for me, or maybe I just really like her other stuff a lot more. Usually her work grabs me and drags me in, but this time I really struggled for a while. Eventually I DID get hooked, though.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
Early in my reading of this book I felt the urge to look at McGuire's biography to see if perhaps she was a teenager when she wrote it (she wasn't) because the protagonist reads to me like what a young person imagines a woman in her thirties might be, which is, of course, merely an older version of the author, without any emotional development or greater maturity. Perhaps this was (somehow, perversely) McGuire's intent. Or was this, maybe, a misguided attempt at writing for young adults?
I am a great admirer of much of her other work, so I know she is capable of great sophistication and thoughtful character development. But the plot here, and the characters inhabiting it, just feel rote, as if they have been pulled off the pret-a-porter rack without much thought.
I did enjoy much of the book, the twists and some of the oddments. But I'm afraid the end result was, to me, pretty unsatisfying.
I am a great admirer of much of her other work, so I know she is capable of great sophistication and thoughtful character development. But the plot here, and the characters inhabiting it, just feel rote, as if they have been pulled off the pret-a-porter rack without much thought.
I did enjoy much of the book, the twists and some of the oddments. But I'm afraid the end result was, to me, pretty unsatisfying.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
i'm liking it so far. i'm very glad it was so well-written. for me, i saw that she was separated from her kid and went into panic mode. but it's ok. no panic. it's terrible, but not handmaids-tale-nightmare-inducing terrible.
This book has been on my recommended list for as long as I can remember, but I always looked over it until now. This a dream of an urban fantasy book and can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
I am enjoying the entire series. Book one draws you into a world on the edge of ours with fae and fae-human kin blending in, or not, as they navigate the two worlds. The main character lives with loss, and longing and still a sense of purpose. Good wriintg, excellent world building. Enjoyable characters who may not always be what they seem.