Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first in the October Daye books does not disappoint. After a few chapters of character and urban fantasy world building, the non-stop action keeps you engaged and wanting to know more!
Following along with Toby as she tries to solve a murder case that she has been bound to by the dying breath of the victim, I found myself also trying to piece things together and figure out the who and why. I really loved some of the new takes on Fae mythology, mixed in with familiar tropes as well.
I did have a hard time with Toby as a character at first and it took some time for her to grow on me. She starts off a little too woe-is-me, which is understandable as she was unwittingly turned into a fish for 14 years, but still frustrating. There were a few times when I wanted to reach into the book and shake her for being so dense. By the end of the story though she finally gets there.
Also, side characters, I instantly loved some and need more, and others were instantly on my blacklist. And no, I won't name names, because who likes spoilers?!
I'm looking forward continuing this series and learning more about some of the breadcrumbs Seanan left along the way.
Following along with Toby as she tries to solve a murder case that she has been bound to by the dying breath of the victim, I found myself also trying to piece things together and figure out the who and why. I really loved some of the new takes on Fae mythology, mixed in with familiar tropes as well.
I did have a hard time with Toby as a character at first and it took some time for her to grow on me. She starts off a little too woe-is-me, which is understandable as she was unwittingly turned into a fish for 14 years, but still frustrating. There were a few times when I wanted to reach into the book and shake her for being so dense. By the end of the story though she finally gets there.
Also, side characters, I instantly loved some and need more, and others were instantly on my blacklist. And no, I won't name names, because who likes spoilers?!
I'm looking forward continuing this series and learning more about some of the breadcrumbs Seanan left along the way.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This makes me nostalgic for the urban fantasy boom a few years ago. The first installment of the October Daye series, Rosemary and Rue was unexpectedly dark from the very first chapter. The main character is knocked down, hurt, or almost killed nearly every chapter and while the main mystery of the book is resolved, there are no happy endings. I enjoyed McGuire’s version of faerie and the weaving of various myths throughout the story, and October Daye has a strong voice that makes spending time with her enjoyable. Still, the plot was repetitive throughout the middle third or so of the book and the pacing could be improved. It also felt very urban fantasy protagonist to have a half-human who can’t seem to stop themselves from stumbling into poor faerie based decisions. I’ve heard that this series gets a lot stronger from book 3 on & I enjoyed this entry enough to make me pick up the next to see if that’s true.
This was a really good urban fantasy novel, with a great blend of fairies and humans. I really liked the protagonist and the supporting characters that people this world. What I really appreciated was that there is no long and tedious phase of introduction, but that the reader is rather thrown straight into the action, with a protagonist who already has relationships with the major players of this world, be they good or bad, and who already has experienced the good and bad sides of life between human and fairy.
2022 reread: It's been a long time since I read this book. It was great to come back to early Toby, and to discover all the foreshadowing already woven into this book. Also really fun to see how her relationships change between now and the (currently) latest book in the series, When Sorrows Come.
I also really liked the novella included in the 10th anniversary hardcover edition of the book. I had always wondered how Toby was made a knight, and it was great to see her accomplish that here.
2022 reread: It's been a long time since I read this book. It was great to come back to early Toby, and to discover all the foreshadowing already woven into this book. Also really fun to see how her relationships change between now and the (currently) latest book in the series, When Sorrows Come.
I also really liked the novella included in the 10th anniversary hardcover edition of the book. I had always wondered how Toby was made a knight, and it was great to see her accomplish that here.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
It was a little slow starting out but ended strong. I'm anxious to start the next in the series
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is so up my alley and I love the world building and the characters. I just feel like sometimes Toby frustrated me
I read this book years ago and parts of it stuck with me forever but I also forgot I finished it so
I want her and tybalt together so bad though
I read this book years ago and parts of it stuck with me forever but I also forgot I finished it so
I want her and tybalt together so bad though
I was looking for a fast light read, but this didn't live up to those hopes. It was uniformly depressing; I'm sure the author was trying for 'dark' and 'gritty' but it just ended up being one horrible thing after another. Also, there were some major inconsistencies in some of the characters' actions which really threw me out of the story. It is the first in a series, so maybe they get better? I doubt I'll be trying them though.
Quite enjoyable. The word-weaving was excellent and the character were relatable, if a bit thin in some cases. I’m chalking this up to the fact that we’re getting the story entirely from Toby’s point of view, and she is at this point damaged to the point of barely functional. Plus, I always enjoy yet another version of how the Fae have integrated into the modern world. Lots of ends were left untied, as is typical for this type of multi-book series, and I don’t know if it’ll be worth reading through to see them all tied up. I’ll definitely try the next one, though, and see how it goes.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes