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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
i'm usually really into this kind of thing! at first i was excited because the main character seems tough and rad, but it turned out she was super incompetent and it was frustrating.
This was, okay.
I liked the setting, and the idea of the fae in this kind of world was very cool. Some of the creatures and concepts were very fun. However this book was seriously let down by it's main character.
She was fickle, often downright stupid, and had confusing logic or entire lack of logic in all of her decisions. One of the things I couldn't stand reading was the TEDIOUS tendency to "accidentally" end up wearing very revealing and stupid outfits which she made a point of describing and going through a full process of "Oh look at me so silly but there's nothing I can do about it now I must valiantly continue looking like a skimpy idiot because reasons". This happened repeatedly and it was just annoying. It gave off "Why do I have to be so beautiful - sigh" vibes which just made me like the character less. Its the sort of thing I would have found poetic and relatable as an angsty teenager, but as an adult it just comes across as a bit lame.
In addition to this, she seemed to glorify inappropriate or toxic relationships and love triangles, which gets a bit boring after a while. Would love a cool fantasy series with a female lead that doesn't feel the need to swoon at every attractive male she encounters, no matter how boring they are as characters.
I finished the book, but have no drive to read any more in the series. If I knew they would have different main characters I might be more interested as the world is interesting enough, but I have no interest in exploring this character more.
I liked the setting, and the idea of the fae in this kind of world was very cool. Some of the creatures and concepts were very fun. However this book was seriously let down by it's main character.
She was fickle, often downright stupid, and had confusing logic or entire lack of logic in all of her decisions. One of the things I couldn't stand reading was the TEDIOUS tendency to "accidentally" end up wearing very revealing and stupid outfits which she made a point of describing and going through a full process of "Oh look at me so silly but there's nothing I can do about it now I must valiantly continue looking like a skimpy idiot because reasons". This happened repeatedly and it was just annoying. It gave off "Why do I have to be so beautiful - sigh" vibes which just made me like the character less. Its the sort of thing I would have found poetic and relatable as an angsty teenager, but as an adult it just comes across as a bit lame.
In addition to this, she seemed to glorify inappropriate or toxic relationships and love triangles, which gets a bit boring after a while. Would love a cool fantasy series with a female lead that doesn't feel the need to swoon at every attractive male she encounters, no matter how boring they are as characters.
I finished the book, but have no drive to read any more in the series. If I knew they would have different main characters I might be more interested as the world is interesting enough, but I have no interest in exploring this character more.
Overall I loved the world building, the cast of characters, and the pacing of the plot. I really liked how the relationship between Toby and Winter develops over the course of the story. I started off thinking they were barely civil to each other, but as the plot progresses, Toby's thoughts and insights from other characters reveals that they really did have a deeper bond of friendship underneath all the sarcasm. The plot's main mystery resolved itself in a satisfying way, and I would definitely read the next book in this series.
My one complaint is that I got a little tired of reading about the numerous ways she comes thisclose to dying or receives near-fatal wounds, but manages to come back and keep chugging along after some sleep or magic healing spells. Chapters seemed to constantly end with her blacking out or passing out, and while Toby is certainly a strong character, it felt a little off that she could just wake up and keep going after multiple near-death experiences.
My one complaint is that I got a little tired of reading about the numerous ways she comes thisclose to dying or receives near-fatal wounds, but manages to come back and keep chugging along after some sleep or magic healing spells. Chapters seemed to constantly end with her blacking out or passing out, and while Toby is certainly a strong character, it felt a little off that she could just wake up and keep going after multiple near-death experiences.
While she's no Harry Dresden, she's got an interesting setting and some of the supporting characters have potential.
Set in a world where being fae is supposed to be a secret, but instead faerie and mortals collides giving us changlings. These half fae, half human spend their lives as outsiders fighting for their place and respect of their immortal counterparts.
October ‘Toby’ Daye is an exception to the rule, openly rejecting the fae life and retreating into a normal mortal life....
... Until the murder of Countess Evening Winterrose. Toby is unable to resist Evening’s dying curse and is forced back into the faerie society and becomes the Duke of Shadowed Hills knight. Renewing old alliances, Toby is forced to solve the mystery of the Countess’s death or die trying.
I was torn when reading this book. Interesting world building and great character development. Toby being a changling does not belong in either the fae world or the human world. However being the underdog fighting for her place in the world makes you want to cheer her on. The story was fascinating and complex and even though i figured out who was responsible for the murder, I loved the conclusion.
Well done Seanan McGuire, you have piqued my interest to carry on reading.
October ‘Toby’ Daye is an exception to the rule, openly rejecting the fae life and retreating into a normal mortal life....
... Until the murder of Countess Evening Winterrose. Toby is unable to resist Evening’s dying curse and is forced back into the faerie society and becomes the Duke of Shadowed Hills knight. Renewing old alliances, Toby is forced to solve the mystery of the Countess’s death or die trying.
I was torn when reading this book. Interesting world building and great character development. Toby being a changling does not belong in either the fae world or the human world. However being the underdog fighting for her place in the world makes you want to cheer her on. The story was fascinating and complex and even though i figured out who was responsible for the murder, I loved the conclusion.
Well done Seanan McGuire, you have piqued my interest to carry on reading.
It was one of those I can't put it down books and suddenly I have yet another series to read.
It was my kind of UF, a rich setting, lots of fairy history and a heroine I liked from the start. And what a beginning, poor Toby. About Toby, I liked how she is getting caught up in the fairy world again, and these are fairies as they should be. Some nice (if you can call it that), and many nasty ones. Everyone wants something in this world. A favour for a favour. So yes I like this broken heroine.
It was a nice mystery too about who killed the Countess and Toby has a lot of detective work to do if she will find the killer, before she is killed herself. Action, treachery, something is rotten in fairyland.
I am not going to mention it now, but something broke me a bit and I hope Toby can sort that out. She has lost so much.
A nice bunch of side characters too in this one. Devin, who I would not trust because of the way he used her when she was younger. But she has feelings since he saved her. Tybalt, oh I loved him, but then i really like cats and he is the king of cats shifters. Old friends, new friends, and the question of whom to trust.
And of course me wondering who might be the romance interest *fingers crossed for my guy*.
Yes I want book 2, so this is another series I recommend. Dark Uf like it should be.
It was my kind of UF, a rich setting, lots of fairy history and a heroine I liked from the start. And what a beginning, poor Toby. About Toby, I liked how she is getting caught up in the fairy world again, and these are fairies as they should be. Some nice (if you can call it that), and many nasty ones. Everyone wants something in this world. A favour for a favour. So yes I like this broken heroine.
It was a nice mystery too about who killed the Countess and Toby has a lot of detective work to do if she will find the killer, before she is killed herself. Action, treachery, something is rotten in fairyland.
I am not going to mention it now, but something broke me a bit and I hope Toby can sort that out. She has lost so much.
A nice bunch of side characters too in this one. Devin, who I would not trust because of the way he used her when she was younger. But she has feelings since he saved her. Tybalt, oh I loved him, but then i really like cats and he is the king of cats shifters. Old friends, new friends, and the question of whom to trust.
And of course me wondering who might be the romance interest *fingers crossed for my guy*.
Yes I want book 2, so this is another series I recommend. Dark Uf like it should be.
3.5 stars
The world building was well done in this novel, using creatures and myths from the land of Fae that aren't used often in these sorts of books. However, the dialogue was merely average and the main character wasn't as memorable as I wanted her to be. Still, it was different enough from your run of the mill urban fantasy reads to be enjoyable. I'll definitely be checking out the next book in this series.
The world building was well done in this novel, using creatures and myths from the land of Fae that aren't used often in these sorts of books. However, the dialogue was merely average and the main character wasn't as memorable as I wanted her to be. Still, it was different enough from your run of the mill urban fantasy reads to be enjoyable. I'll definitely be checking out the next book in this series.
Meh, it wasn’t terrible, but I don’t think I’ll continue.
