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A review by arendaes
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've been on a mission to re-read the October Daye series for a while now. I keep getting set back, but I'm hopeful that this time I'll finally manage to get caught up!
One thing that's happened because of re-reading this first book for the second time in a year is that I've come to have a new appreciation for it. Back when I first read it, I was 18, An Artificial Night had just come out and that was the book I actually wanted to read, so I don't think I gave this book a chance, nor do I think teenage me had an appreciation for some of the emotions Toby experienced. Now in my 30s, I understand her so much better, and I think my reading experience was much more enjoyable as a result.
Toby's a great main character - a resourceful smartass is and always will be my favorite kind. In addition to that, she's got a backstory and trauma that, despite being very fantasy-based, feels relatable and makes me want to root for her. The supporting cast is amazing as well - shout out to the Luidaeg, who's been my favorite character in this series for as long as I've been reading it and continues to be so. The scene between her and Toby in this book is just *chef's kiss* - I love me an eons-old immortal being of dubious morals who's hiding in plain sight.
I've always enjoyed Seanan's writing. I think she paces her books well, with just the right amount of lore dropping in a way that doesn't feel info-dumpy. The world really just seems to come together so easily in her books, and it's so easy to lose myself in the story.
My only real complaints about this book are 1. Devin (I just dislike him and am very glad this is the only book we had to deal with him in) and 2. I feel things got wrapped up very quickly in the end. I guess I can understand since it's the first in a very long series, but it still feels a bit too "wrapped up in a nice bow" to me.
Overall, this is a very solid first book, and re-reading it with knowledge of what happens later in the series only heightened my enjoyment.
One thing that's happened because of re-reading this first book for the second time in a year is that I've come to have a new appreciation for it. Back when I first read it, I was 18, An Artificial Night had just come out and that was the book I actually wanted to read, so I don't think I gave this book a chance, nor do I think teenage me had an appreciation for some of the emotions Toby experienced. Now in my 30s, I understand her so much better, and I think my reading experience was much more enjoyable as a result.
Toby's a great main character - a resourceful smartass is and always will be my favorite kind. In addition to that, she's got a backstory and trauma that, despite being very fantasy-based, feels relatable and makes me want to root for her. The supporting cast is amazing as well - shout out to the Luidaeg, who's been my favorite character in this series for as long as I've been reading it and continues to be so. The scene between her and Toby in this book is just *chef's kiss* - I love me an eons-old immortal being of dubious morals who's hiding in plain sight.
I've always enjoyed Seanan's writing. I think she paces her books well, with just the right amount of lore dropping in a way that doesn't feel info-dumpy. The world really just seems to come together so easily in her books, and it's so easy to lose myself in the story.
My only real complaints about this book are 1. Devin (I just dislike him and am very glad this is the only book we had to deal with him in) and 2. I feel things got wrapped up very quickly in the end. I guess I can understand since it's the first in a very long series, but it still feels a bit too "wrapped up in a nice bow" to me.
Overall, this is a very solid first book, and re-reading it with knowledge of what happens later in the series only heightened my enjoyment.