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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Fun, solid urban fantasy - I have zero complaints. It's not life changing but I would happily read more on the series when I want something satisfying and easy.
My first foray back into urban fantasy after a few months, left me reeling at the pace and world building.
I thoroughly enjoyed stepping into the fae magical world of Toby Daye’s San Francisco, as the world building was intricate but did not weigh the plot down at all. All manner of creatures and other worlds were introduced in Toby’s mission, allowing the world to easily sink into the urban setting. Characters were fascinating too, all different and casting different loyalties that can absolutely be expanded in further volumes. My main issue was with the plot, essentially a murder mystery with hard boiled detective on the case, Toby seemed to merely flit from place to place being attacked, shot at, rescued in between each location. Understanding that we were following a character who had lost her previous life due to magic, had little care for her own life and only reacted to events rather than assessing them - I still got a little tired of the plot repetition.
Otherwise, an excellent debut novel and introduction into an intriguing world.
I thoroughly enjoyed stepping into the fae magical world of Toby Daye’s San Francisco, as the world building was intricate but did not weigh the plot down at all. All manner of creatures and other worlds were introduced in Toby’s mission, allowing the world to easily sink into the urban setting. Characters were fascinating too, all different and casting different loyalties that can absolutely be expanded in further volumes. My main issue was with the plot, essentially a murder mystery with hard boiled detective on the case, Toby seemed to merely flit from place to place being attacked, shot at, rescued in between each location. Understanding that we were following a character who had lost her previous life due to magic, had little care for her own life and only reacted to events rather than assessing them - I still got a little tired of the plot repetition.
Otherwise, an excellent debut novel and introduction into an intriguing world.
I was skeptical - the combination of fairies and detective novel worried me. But I liked the San Francisco setting and the world-building of the fairie kingdoms, and the lead character grew on me quite a bit. Definitely enjoyed it, and I will read the next one. I hope they don't become too much like mystery novels, though.
I got a Barnes & Noble gift card for Christmas. I don't normally shop there because the prices at Amazon are half as much, so why spend extra money when I don't have to? So, I used it as an opportunity to browse around and pick up some books that looked interesting, but I didn't know anything about. This was one of those books. I didn't care for it. I had a hard time caring anything about Toby. I mean, I can't imagine what being a fish for 14 years would be like, but as someone with a child, it's hard to read this and see how she barely even acknowledges the fact that she's got a child she didn't get to see growing up and doesn't get to see now. The book didn't start out on a good note for me because it starts with a big long list of names and how to pronounce them. Really? First, why do you have to introduce THAT many new world elements in the first in a series? Second, put it in the back of the book. Pretentious much? So, yeah. I didn't care for this story. Didn't care about any of the characters at all and could barely make it through the thing. I don't recommend it at all.
This is a promising start to the series. Toby Daye is a likeable, realistic, and most importantly, non whiny heroine (I have just read Twilight). And someone gets turned into a fish for 14 years. What's not to love?
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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:
No
This was probably more of a 2.5 than just a 2. I was interested in the world-building, but the lackluster character development was frustrating. Plus, the main character who gets hurt to the point of nearly dying about half a dozen times while supposed to be a pretty awesome investigator and ass-kicker herself... but you never see it. Mostly, she calls on favors and spends a lot of time being healed. The finale was pretty blah and was basically a finally-you-asked-the-right-person kind of ending. She didn't have to use any deductive reasoning, just talk to another creature who uses blood magic to "see". So, as far as being a mystery goes, I'm unimpressed. The writing itself was decent enough to warrant the stars, but otherwise it felt like a novice effort.
As a detective / crime-solving story, there wasn't really any clues throughout the book to let me speculate "whodunnit?" I like coming up with theories, even if the author ultimately pulls an awesome twist at the end.
Beyond that, there was a lot of world building done that will surely make subsequent stories better as the magic system is now well defined.
Beyond that, there was a lot of world building done that will surely make subsequent stories better as the magic system is now well defined.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like so many fantasy books, this story could have been amazing, but the author wasn't up to the task. Toby is... a wet blanket. She's an hourly employee at a grocery store. Her family hates her because she wasn't around for 14 years (I didn't get this part, but it was a so briefly talked about I forgot she ever had a family to begin with). She's beloved, but we never learn why, and she refuses to see people who care about her. She investigates a murder. She gets into trouble and almost dies. Multiple times. There's no emotion to any of it. The book is first person, but it might as well have been in third.
The beginning grips you and then does it's best to toss you off a cliff.
The beginning grips you and then does it's best to toss you off a cliff.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Some series start with an explosion of greatness, grabbing the reader's attention, drawing them in, and leaving them starved for more in the wake of the debut. Well, October Daye isn't like that. The concept of a fae-infested San Francisco was interesting, the story was acceptable, the characters made me scowl and smile as needed...but it was all just fine. There wasn't anything to it that would make me thrust this book into someone's hands, insisting that they read this great new series right now. I'd expected more from this much-hyped series, but I suspect that might be my problem right there - getting caught in the hype.
The strength of the series so far is undoubtedly the world building, how McGuire fit all the species of fae in and around our own modern(ish) world. I'll forgive any number of plot and character sins if it means I get to explore the nooks and crannies. I also really enjoyed the way magic was handled, with the unique scents and constraints on casting. The cast of characters were interesting and varied, but I found myself frustrated by Toby herself. It felt as if she was tumbling from one plot point to the next, getting knocked down only to be revived by her allies over and over. I liked viewing the world from her perspective, but at the same time I wanted to smack her until she let me drive, because she kept being stubborn. I know McGuire's writing enough to know that she's probably going somewhere with this characterization, but it was frustrating throughout this whole first book.
I do intend to continue with this series. I've heard it gets better as it goes along, and I was interested in many of the plot teasers that were dangled in the final chapter. But unfortunately it's a bit of a rough introduction.
The strength of the series so far is undoubtedly the world building, how McGuire fit all the species of fae in and around our own modern(ish) world. I'll forgive any number of plot and character sins if it means I get to explore the nooks and crannies. I also really enjoyed the way magic was handled, with the unique scents and constraints on casting. The cast of characters were interesting and varied, but I found myself frustrated by Toby herself. It felt as if she was tumbling from one plot point to the next, getting knocked down only to be revived by her allies over and over. I liked viewing the world from her perspective, but at the same time I wanted to smack her until she let me drive, because she kept being stubborn. I know McGuire's writing enough to know that she's probably going somewhere with this characterization, but it was frustrating throughout this whole first book.
I do intend to continue with this series. I've heard it gets better as it goes along, and I was interested in many of the plot teasers that were dangled in the final chapter. But unfortunately it's a bit of a rough introduction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Physical abuse