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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
"Naked people are, by definition, unarmed."
I honestly didn't think I would enjoy this as much as I did. Based on reviews or word of mouth, I thought it would be a stuggle. You know what? I had fun. Entertainment is the only reason I read so much and this book accomplished that in spades.
Sure, it's got some well-used tropes and there were some things I could spot in looming in the distance, but there were plenty of other characters or plot points that I just couldn't peg down. The result was: Ta-da: I kept reading! That's a win, y'all.
I loved the main character, October "Toby" Daye. She makes mistakes and she picks herself back up even if she's been kicked down. She doesn't think she's the baddest bitch in the room-she's fully aware she's not. She also makes really bad decisions sometimes and then accepts full responsibility for their consequences. Yep, she's awesome. I've already started the second book and if it only gets better from here, bring it on.
I honestly didn't think I would enjoy this as much as I did. Based on reviews or word of mouth, I thought it would be a stuggle. You know what? I had fun. Entertainment is the only reason I read so much and this book accomplished that in spades.
Sure, it's got some well-used tropes and there were some things I could spot in looming in the distance, but there were plenty of other characters or plot points that I just couldn't peg down. The result was: Ta-da: I kept reading! That's a win, y'all.
I loved the main character, October "Toby" Daye. She makes mistakes and she picks herself back up even if she's been kicked down. She doesn't think she's the baddest bitch in the room-she's fully aware she's not. She also makes really bad decisions sometimes and then accepts full responsibility for their consequences. Yep, she's awesome. I've already started the second book and if it only gets better from here, bring it on.
I read the first two installments of the Incrypted series before I read this first book of the October Daye series. I didn't enjoy this novel as much as I did the first Incrypted - maybe because I just became attached to the Incrypted characters first.
What I liked:
* The surprising beginning
* The strong female lead
* The King of cats
* The creative way magic was developed with scent, consequences, and various strengths
* The rose bush pet
What I didn't like:
* Not enough King of Cats
* Story wandered a little bit in spots
* Found the plot a little predictable
Would I recommend? Yes. I enjoyed the story and character development, and I'm eager to see what happens next.
What I liked:
* The surprising beginning
* The strong female lead
* The King of cats
* The creative way magic was developed with scent, consequences, and various strengths
* The rose bush pet
What I didn't like:
* Not enough King of Cats
* Story wandered a little bit in spots
* Found the plot a little predictable
Would I recommend? Yes. I enjoyed the story and character development, and I'm eager to see what happens next.
This book ended up somewhere between a 2 and a 3 star for me. I rounded down though. I might just be cranky tonight.
The best thing I can say is that I enjoyed the writing style of this book. It's certainly fairly easy to read, flows well, and the action is engaging. I think that's what kept me going the most. I never had to struggle to turn the page because I was wondering what I just read.
However, I never connected with the main character, Toby. She's not a bad character per say, but maybe just not what I'm looking for in a urban fantasy heroine. I tend to like more badass, even more snark. She wasn't off-putting though and there were glimmers of moments so maybe we might connect in future books.
I appreciated the fae world even if the book struggled to always fully articulate what's going on. I'm sure there will be more coming in the future books, but I'm confused more than intrigued. I could have either used just a few more details or a little bit more mystery. Either I could have understood the different areas or knowes and all the relationships fully or make me intrigued by them.
My biggest problem is the whole mystery/plot at the center of the book. There were so many pieces but I never felt any of them connected. Things happened to the characters more than the characters went out and did things. I thought there was going to be a cool interweaving between the prologue of what happened to the character and the murder she's out to solve, but there never was. Again, this might come later, but without foreshadowing it just seems dropped, and if so, why even show it to me? I think I could have gotten over Toby and the world if I was super into solving the murder and what was going to next. In the end, it just seemed meh. I think it was supposed to be a bit of twist but there was never any other suspect.
I've heard the series gets better so I might try to give later books a try. Maybe next time I want a light read or I see one on sale.
The best thing I can say is that I enjoyed the writing style of this book. It's certainly fairly easy to read, flows well, and the action is engaging. I think that's what kept me going the most. I never had to struggle to turn the page because I was wondering what I just read.
However, I never connected with the main character, Toby. She's not a bad character per say, but maybe just not what I'm looking for in a urban fantasy heroine. I tend to like more badass, even more snark. She wasn't off-putting though and there were glimmers of moments so maybe we might connect in future books.
I appreciated the fae world even if the book struggled to always fully articulate what's going on. I'm sure there will be more coming in the future books, but I'm confused more than intrigued. I could have either used just a few more details or a little bit more mystery. Either I could have understood the different areas or knowes and all the relationships fully or make me intrigued by them.
My biggest problem is the whole mystery/plot at the center of the book. There were so many pieces but I never felt any of them connected. Things happened to the characters more than the characters went out and did things. I thought there was going to be a cool interweaving between the prologue of what happened to the character and the murder she's out to solve, but there never was. Again, this might come later, but without foreshadowing it just seems dropped, and if so, why even show it to me? I think I could have gotten over Toby and the world if I was super into solving the murder and what was going to next. In the end, it just seemed meh. I think it was supposed to be a bit of twist but there was never any other suspect.
I've heard the series gets better so I might try to give later books a try. Maybe next time I want a light read or I see one on sale.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyable start to a series. I'll continue with it.
Interesting take on the fae which are a supernatural being that hasn't been done to death like weres and vampires. It's kind of fornulaic but that's okay. I'll be continuing this series.
I was bullied into reading this book, and I am very glad that I was. It was a great fast past urban fantasy/mystery with enough snark, twists, and turns to keep anyone happy. I was worried that the mythology would be hard to pick up, but it came easily and I had no need to hit up Wikipedia to confirm my knowledge of fairy hierarchy.
Toby was a great character, she was snarky and grumpy, and while I didn't identify with her, I felt connected to the choices she made throughout the novel. I look forward to tackling the rest of the series.
I will gladly suggest this book to patrons and friends who are also into urban fantasy or fae based fantasy stories.
Toby was a great character, she was snarky and grumpy, and while I didn't identify with her, I felt connected to the choices she made throughout the novel. I look forward to tackling the rest of the series.
I will gladly suggest this book to patrons and friends who are also into urban fantasy or fae based fantasy stories.
She's a half-fae changeling, she's had a hard time, and she wants coffee. It's fine.
I found this story entertaining, and funny. I really liked October, she's plucky and always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I read this story for a group reads challenge and I probably wouldn't have picked it out otherwise but I must say that I am glad I did. Although this book had a few boring parts that I found myself slogging through, the series looks like it has some serious potential. Tybalt intrigued me and I wish he had been more present in the book but from what I have seen of book 2 it looks like he will be getting a more prominent role in the future. Yay! If you are looking to read just one book as stand alone I wouldn't pick this one but if you are looking to start a new series I do recommend it.
I remember reading McGuire say that she had trouble getting the main character past the editors and beta readers, who felt she wasn't likeable enough. Since when does every heroine have to be a frickin' Disney princess? I liked Toby. She felt real. Maybe that means I wouldn't be very likeable as a character?