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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
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
fast-paced
Was kind of a disappointment after the expectations set by the author's more recent works, in terms of pacing, character depth, and authorial compassion, and when I saw it was first published in 2009 I was like, oh, that makes a lot of sense! I hear the series gets better and better and I was looking for a light read anyway, so it's not a total write-off, but definitely hoping later books are more thoughtful.
I've started and stopped this book easily a dozen times. I finally hunkered down today and read it-the story is a solid 3.5. I loved the rose goblin so much. SO MUCH. The last 1/4 of the book was super enjoyable. It seems like there is a ton of backstory, a ton of characters and a lot smushed into this book. I wanted Toby to catch a break because this story was rough for her! I've heard the series gets better as it progresses, I'm going to read the second one at some point this year. Also: rose goblin. ROSE GOBLIN!
To be honest I'm surprised I finished this one. It wasn't badly written, but I get frustrated with authors who believe they can substitute constant battles and fighting for plot. In this book the main character, Toby, would turn a corner and get attacked and almost beaten to death. Then upon awakening she'd be somewhat healed by friends, but two minutes later would be attacked again. When she wasn't being attacked, she was suffering from the effects of the "curse" that was placed upon her which (of course) would nearly kill her. I don't mind a bit of fighting but honestly by the time the fighting was done this book was over. And spending 14 years of her life transformed as a fish? Come on, where's her sense of humor? Won't be reading more of this series.
I'm going to say this only once. This is not the Dresden Files, Toby is no Harry, and Seanan McGuire is no Jim Butcher. To be fair, I have yet to read a series that is an adequate comparison (though Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid has a similar feel) so I really mean no disrespect to this author or her work. I just love, love, love (see? three loves. that's a lot!) Butcher's work. Don't go into this thinking that it's on the same level. Just my opinion.
With that out of the way, this is one of those books that I like more in retrospect. It's an unusual enough occurrence that I'm actually writing a review almost a year after reading it. I think that once some of the issues that annoyed me initially faded from memory I was able to appreciate some of the other aspects more. However, the 3 star rating stays only now it's less of 2.75ish and more of a 3.5ish. Honestly, I think it may be my fascination with Tybalt and my need to see what happens there more than anything else lol. What can I say? I'm a sucker for an intriguing catman. Since he's still there in my head I guess that means on to book 2. Plus, I've heard this is a series that actually improves with each installment so here's to hoping.
With that out of the way, this is one of those books that I like more in retrospect. It's an unusual enough occurrence that I'm actually writing a review almost a year after reading it. I think that once some of the issues that annoyed me initially faded from memory I was able to appreciate some of the other aspects more. However, the 3 star rating stays only now it's less of 2.75ish and more of a 3.5ish. Honestly, I think it may be my fascination with Tybalt and my need to see what happens there more than anything else lol. What can I say? I'm a sucker for an intriguing catman. Since he's still there in my head I guess that means on to book 2. Plus, I've heard this is a series that actually improves with each installment so here's to hoping.
Rating: Lots more action than character building.
Well, she didn't leave the reader much time to ponder what the heck her character was up to as said character staggered from one disaster to the next right up to the end. I tend to like protags who actually use her brain rather than just let events control her. So.. It was okay, but not at all sure I want to continue with the series.
Well, she didn't leave the reader much time to ponder what the heck her character was up to as said character staggered from one disaster to the next right up to the end. I tend to like protags who actually use her brain rather than just let events control her. So.. It was okay, but not at all sure I want to continue with the series.