Rosemary and Rue (4/5). The first October Daye novel really sells her. She’s complicated and obligated and does the right things, despite wanting to shirk, she can’t. Interesting charms/magic system and Changeling like feel.
A Local Habitation. (4/5) Complicated new circumstances; Tobe has to really push confronting weird murders; Tamed Lightning’s people are annoying and insular and feel realistic. The relationship between Tobe and Quentin is well executed, balancing obligation and support.
An Artificial Night (3/5). Another solid Tobe book; it’s a series of quests, and she’s definitely outmatched. There’s a heartbreaking chapter of enslavement, and hard choices with bitter consequences.
Seanan McGuire, Late Eclipses (October Daye, #4). (4/5) Tobe’s life gets even more complicated as Oleander returns to haunt us, parts of her twisted past are revealed, and her friends keep falling ill. I’m eagerly awaiting the next, One Salt Sea.
One Salt Sea (October Daye #5) by Seanan McGuire. — A very solid continuation to the series; a fascinating introduction to the undersea fae, and dramatic and terrible consequences. 5/5 #BookReviews
Ashes of Honor (October Daye #6) by Seanan McGuire. Does a good job of Tobe not dealing well with tragedy; handled with empathy. Interesting developments in San Jose and the depths of faerie. 3/5.
Chimes at Midnight (October Daye #7) by Seanan McGuire. Replacing a duchess isn’t enough… an interesting delve into the Kingdom and its history, brought current. Evil pie was worrisome, but handled compassionately (and magically) to ensure less wallowing. 4/5
The Winter Long (October Daye #8) by Seanan McGuire. Interesting dredging of lots of book 1 elements; it’s great to get answers… far more than Tobe wants. A tough foe, without a bunch of violence; an ambiguous resolution. 3/5
A Red Rose Chain (October Daye #9) by Seanan McGuire. A solid continuation of the series; Toby’s in over her head as a diplomat. Fun sparring with the pretender and her puppet in Silences; plus a look at Faerie reactionaries. 3/5