A review by cassandrat
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I wanted to like this more than I did. I found myself skimming sections in the last third of the book because October Daye got on my nerves and she talked too much. I didn't need things explained three times. The status of a changeling, for example, can be explained once and then reiterated in actions. The use of thank you was done a bit better.

Firstly, I never understood what was so special about October Daye. She mostly seemed incompetent and arrogant. 

Secondly, what is up with her and Devin? The first info dump about him made him seem horrible - a groomer of children. Yet, she is down to hang out and still loves him? While, ok, maybe that's how grooming works... it was weird. October maybe is just really unaware of herself. 

Thirdly, the faeries seen nice. October talks about them as if they are the amoral but rule bound kind. Nevertheless, they mostly seem nice and help her 80% of the time.

I liked the general breadth of the book. The broad cast of characters and types of fae was good. Faerie are my favorite fantasy type for novels, though I prefer them more selfish rather than plain murderous. 

The setting of San Francisco was a plus, though I was a bit confused by some settings in my neighborhood.