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amym84's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Things have never been easy for October Daye. Pretty much, when things start to get quiet, it’s time to start worrying. At least this time around Toby gets to enjoy her karaoke bachelorette party (thrown by her fetch May) before all hell breaks loose.
When Toby’s absent mother, Amandine, shows up and demands Toby find her long lost stepsister August, Toby is quick to dismiss Amandine’s demands. I mean Toby owes nothing to the mother that abandoned her long ago. When Amandine takes Tybalt and May’s girlfriend Jazz as collateral to ensure Toby’s cooperation, Toby will have to turn to the last person she’d ever think of asking for help: Simon Torquill.
Simon is, as we more recently learned in the series, Amandine’s husband, therefore he’s August’s father (Toby’s stepfather), so he’s an extremely useful resource when trying to recover August, who, by the way, has been missing for one hundred years.
Simon was truly a standout character for me in this book. He’s been painted the villain from the very beginning after he turned Toby into a fish for fourteen years and ruined her life with her human fiancé and daughter. He has a chance to redeem himself somewhat here, and we learn that maybe things aren’t exactly what they seem when it comes to his past. A novella featuring Simon and Amandine would be one I’d quickly devour should Seanan McGuire choose to write one. I loved how Toby’s devotion to those she loves, and her willingness to do anything to get them back, mirrors Simon’s own experiences when he went in search of August by himself once upon a time. Simon holding on to his failures was heartbreaking to read. The Brightest Fell was not lacking on these moments, which made it one of the more tear-worthy reads in the series thus far.
The Brightest Fell deals a lot with family. I’ve been looking forward to Amandine properly showing up for a while now, and while I could have hoped for more page-time from this extremely complicated character, it definitely solidified the idea that families are not always what you’re born into. Sometimes, as with Toby, you make your own family, and we see that here when you compare Toby’s relationship with May (who despite initially being her fetch, is now her sister is all ways that matter) and the non-existent relationship with her true sister August.
The Brightest Fell was nearly perfect for me. I’d say one of the only things I’m a little disappointed about is the fact that I’m starting to dislike Tybalt being use too frequently as of late as the catalyst by which Toby is forced to solve whatever mystery is going on at present. I loved when he would lend the helping hand to Toby and I don’t think that should change just because they are now engaged. He’s a captivating and powerful character. I don’t like seeing him delegated to the background.
While I won’t tell you how things end up working out I will say that The Brightest Fell seems to set up more complications to come in the near future for Toby. I loved getting to walk back through memory lane as the history we thought we knew plays out before us, and before we embark on new uncharted territory.
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Things have never been easy for October Daye. Pretty much, when things start to get quiet, it’s time to start worrying. At least this time around Toby gets to enjoy her karaoke bachelorette party (thrown by her fetch May) before all hell breaks loose.
When Toby’s absent mother, Amandine, shows up and demands Toby find her long lost stepsister August, Toby is quick to dismiss Amandine’s demands. I mean Toby owes nothing to the mother that abandoned her long ago. When Amandine takes Tybalt and May’s girlfriend Jazz as collateral to ensure Toby’s cooperation, Toby will have to turn to the last person she’d ever think of asking for help: Simon Torquill.
Simon is, as we more recently learned in the series, Amandine’s husband, therefore he’s August’s father (Toby’s stepfather), so he’s an extremely useful resource when trying to recover August, who, by the way, has been missing for one hundred years.
Simon was truly a standout character for me in this book. He’s been painted the villain from the very beginning after he turned Toby into a fish for fourteen years and ruined her life with her human fiancé and daughter. He has a chance to redeem himself somewhat here, and we learn that maybe things aren’t exactly what they seem when it comes to his past. A novella featuring Simon and Amandine would be one I’d quickly devour should Seanan McGuire choose to write one. I loved how Toby’s devotion to those she loves, and her willingness to do anything to get them back, mirrors Simon’s own experiences when he went in search of August by himself once upon a time. Simon holding on to his failures was heartbreaking to read. The Brightest Fell was not lacking on these moments, which made it one of the more tear-worthy reads in the series thus far.
The Brightest Fell deals a lot with family. I’ve been looking forward to Amandine properly showing up for a while now, and while I could have hoped for more page-time from this extremely complicated character, it definitely solidified the idea that families are not always what you’re born into. Sometimes, as with Toby, you make your own family, and we see that here when you compare Toby’s relationship with May (who despite initially being her fetch, is now her sister is all ways that matter) and the non-existent relationship with her true sister August.
The Brightest Fell was nearly perfect for me. I’d say one of the only things I’m a little disappointed about is the fact that I’m starting to dislike Tybalt being use too frequently as of late as the catalyst by which Toby is forced to solve whatever mystery is going on at present. I loved when he would lend the helping hand to Toby and I don’t think that should change just because they are now engaged. He’s a captivating and powerful character. I don’t like seeing him delegated to the background.
While I won’t tell you how things end up working out I will say that The Brightest Fell seems to set up more complications to come in the near future for Toby. I loved getting to walk back through memory lane as the history we thought we knew plays out before us, and before we embark on new uncharted territory.
bjayfogg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
glashtyn's review against another edition
5.0
So far this has been the most intricate and heart stopping of the October Daye Series. Read them all!!!
mamap's review against another edition
3.0
A little sadder than I would like.
And to fill the book up with a Novella.
I understand the need for drama, but seriously, how depressing.
And to fill the book up with a Novella.
I understand the need for drama, but seriously, how depressing.
onespaceymother's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this ending. I loved this leg of the story. This story feels like a transition so I can see how some felt this installment was boring or lacking, but it was clear. Darkness this way comes. Toby is no longer a novice, she's all woman.
yousei's review against another edition
5.0
This one, much like An Artificial Night, has left an impression that will linger. It was also the first book I felt we really got to see Amandine’s relationship with October and — *oh boy* — do I have choice words to describe Toby’s Mom. There were so many times I gasped or had to put the book down for what people said or did. I am completely enamoured with this series and so glad I have the next book already at hand.
lisawreading's review against another edition
5.0
I'm done, and I'm heart-broken that I'm all caught up and have to wait months for the next book! I love this series and these characters so much. A proper review to follow, once I calm down a bit.
Update 8/12/2018: Just as good, and just as powerful, the 2nd time around.
Update 8/12/2018: Just as good, and just as powerful, the 2nd time around.
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
5.0
There is no book I anticipate more every year than the new addition to the October Daye Series. In THE BRIGHTEST FELL, Amandine, Toby's mom, is back with a seemingly impossible demand for Toby - find August, who's been missing for over a century. Easy, right? NOT! With no leads, nothing to go on, and owing Amandine nothing, Toby refuses. Well... that doesn't go over too well. To force Toby's compliance, Amandine kidnaps a couple of Toby's loved ones. Now the stakes are too high for Toby to fail.
There was one part in the first chapter (I won't spoil what) where I was laughing so hard I was literally crying. SO FUNNY! I haven't laughed that hard in awhile and even now, thinking back on it, I can't help but chuckle. But in typical Toby fashion, it didn't take long for things to turn more serious and for the action to pick up.
Okay, so let me get this out of the way... Amandine is an absolutely horrible person. I didn't think I could like her any less... well, this book proved me wrong! It's amazing how much more I dislike her now! I think she's in line for the Worst Mother of the Year award. Amandine's always been a mystery and even though she's such a terrible person, it was still completely fascinating to read about her, to learn a little more about her.
THE BRIGHTEST FELL was epic! I wanted it to go on forever... why did it have to end? This was the best in the series since THE WINTER LONG. Not to say the ones in between were bad, they weren't. They were spectacular... But this one... Gosh! The payoff from a lot of events that began in previous books was amazing! There's so many layers of complexity woven seamlessly throughout this series from beginning til now! I can't wait to find out what comes next!
There's so much more I want say, but the right words won't come and even if they did, they'd probably be full of spoilers anyway. So it's just better if I stop here and say go pick up a copy! There's so much awesomeness in this book, so many answers, so much payoff! It doesn't get better than this!
OF THINGS UNKNOWN
OF THINGS UNKNOWN was a novella from the viewpoint of April O'Leary. April was never one of my favorite characters, so I wasn't expecting to like this novella as much as I did. It was awesome and absolutely exceeded my expectations. It was super interesting to see things from April's unique perspective. I think this is my favorite novella in the Toby-verse. I want to say so much more, but again... it would all be spoilers. So, I'll just say... it was amazing!
There was one part in the first chapter (I won't spoil what) where I was laughing so hard I was literally crying. SO FUNNY! I haven't laughed that hard in awhile and even now, thinking back on it, I can't help but chuckle. But in typical Toby fashion, it didn't take long for things to turn more serious and for the action to pick up.
Okay, so let me get this out of the way... Amandine is an absolutely horrible person. I didn't think I could like her any less... well, this book proved me wrong! It's amazing how much more I dislike her now! I think she's in line for the Worst Mother of the Year award. Amandine's always been a mystery and even though she's such a terrible person, it was still completely fascinating to read about her, to learn a little more about her.
THE BRIGHTEST FELL was epic! I wanted it to go on forever... why did it have to end? This was the best in the series since THE WINTER LONG. Not to say the ones in between were bad, they weren't. They were spectacular... But this one... Gosh! The payoff from a lot of events that began in previous books was amazing! There's so many layers of complexity woven seamlessly throughout this series from beginning til now! I can't wait to find out what comes next!
There's so much more I want say, but the right words won't come and even if they did, they'd probably be full of spoilers anyway. So it's just better if I stop here and say go pick up a copy! There's so much awesomeness in this book, so many answers, so much payoff! It doesn't get better than this!
OF THINGS UNKNOWN
OF THINGS UNKNOWN was a novella from the viewpoint of April O'Leary. April was never one of my favorite characters, so I wasn't expecting to like this novella as much as I did. It was awesome and absolutely exceeded my expectations. It was super interesting to see things from April's unique perspective. I think this is my favorite novella in the Toby-verse. I want to say so much more, but again... it would all be spoilers. So, I'll just say... it was amazing!
jeremybost's review against another edition
3.0
This series frustrates me immensely: the emotional connection the author builds between readers and the characters is quite strong, which makes it all the harder to follow long as Toby tries to find new ways to kill herself and her friends. I know all the characters make jokes about it, so maybe I'm supposed to laugh it off because "Oh, at least they're self-aware." But seriously, Toby's approach to everything is step one, get mad, and step two, run headfirst into obvious danger with the excuse of being to heal everything. Except her healing has a ton of limitations.
Fortunately and conveniently for the plot, there is always a male around, usually Tybalt, to rescue her every time! Wow! So maybe Toby is actually the secret genius here and knows she is a protagonist in her own series with the inability to die because the series must continue and all this makes sense.
As a reader, though, I've gotten to the point where I can pretty much predict at what point someone will come to rescue her, and that definitely lessens the enjoyment. I guess the suspense is figuring out who the rescuer will be this time, though Tybalt is generally the safe guess.
But hey, I'm still hooked and still reading, secretly wishing I was reading the Dresden Files or something instead with a moderately self-sufficient and intelligent character.
Fortunately and conveniently for the plot, there is always a male around, usually Tybalt, to rescue her every time! Wow! So maybe Toby is actually the secret genius here and knows she is a protagonist in her own series with the inability to die because the series must continue and all this makes sense.
As a reader, though, I've gotten to the point where I can pretty much predict at what point someone will come to rescue her, and that definitely lessens the enjoyment. I guess the suspense is figuring out who the rescuer will be this time, though Tybalt is generally the safe guess.
But hey, I'm still hooked and still reading, secretly wishing I was reading the Dresden Files or something instead with a moderately self-sufficient and intelligent character.