Series Review: October Daye (#1 - #3) by Seanan McGuire

Title: Rosemary and Rue (October Daye, #1) 
Author: Seanan McGuire
Rating: 3 Stars

Rosemary and Rue is a promising start to what I can already see shaping up to be one of my favorite UF Series. From the beginning itself, McGuire's novel starts out differently from most other UF Series - with our protagonist being turned into a fish for fourteen years. Thus, when the book really kicks off, Toby Daye, our changeling heroine in question, is determined to avoid her past as a faerie knight and PI. What I really love about this set-up is that it allows us, the reader, to be newly introduced into this world all while assimilating right in the middle of Toby's life. McGuire writes superbly, imbibing her characters with depth and covering the back story - full of well-crafted world-building - perfectly too.

I was particularly surprised, however, by how quickly I came to enjoy Toby's narration. Usually, it takes me awhile to warm up to a new UF narrator, but with Toby, I seemed to merely fall into the story. Not only is she kick-ass - as you'd expect - but her vulnerability bleeds through as well, making her sharp feelings and conflicted emotions deeply felt. Moreover, her interactions with the secondary characters are filled with a past - which I always love - and has made me eager to see how these friendships - and not-so-friendly-relationships - develop in the future. If there are any true downfalls with this installment, it is that the middle lags - considerably. Rosemary and Rue is slow, as can be expected from Grant, but it does knock off the pace of the story until it finally picks up by the end. Nevertheless, this first edition to the October Daye Series leaves readers thirsting for more, both of Toby and her world. And, really, what more can an avid UF lover ask for?

Title: A Local Habitation (October Daye, #2) 

Author: Seanan McGuire

Rating: 2.5 Stars

A Local Habitation is a disappointment after the promising start of Rosemary and Rue. While Toby is a changed woman from both books - her acceptance of her role in Faerie a relief - the plot of this novel is its ultimate downfall. While Rosemary and Rue could be slow, it kept me guessing till the end, quite unlike this installment. A Local Habitation is dragged out to the point where Toby simply looks stupid. Although she's a detective, she misses many obvious clues until the end. And sure, I didn't put together the entire mystery scheme, but she could have done it a lot sooner too. If there are any saving graces it is the relationships Toby establishes with Quentin, her sidekick, and the sizzling tension between herself and Tybalt. Also, Toby is no longer the bitter and upset woman she was in the previous installment, so finally seeing her self-sacrificing and kick-ass nature come out was a pleasant change. I haven't given up on this series yet - I'm too obsessed with Tybalt for that - but I doubt I'll be quite as excited for the next book.

Title: An Artificial Night (October Daye, #3) 
Author: Seanan McGuire
Rating: 2 Stars/DNF

I got through a little more than half of this novel before I realized, plain and simple, that I wasn't enjoying it. When it comes to the October Daye series, I go through a cycle, of sorts. First, there's the love phase, which is the first third of the book. McGuire sets up each novel perfectly, the mystery unique and intriguing, Toby's growth and relationships gripping...until the set-up is over and then comes the wait. McGuire has a tendency to drag out her stories, whether it be through a decreased pace or just an ignorance of in-your-face facts. During this phase of the books, Toby interacts with a variety of characters - none of whom I've come to feel much emotional attachment for - and the novel seems as if it will never end. Finally, during the last fifth of the book, the plot finally picks up, the story is wrapped up well, and Tybalt makes a final appearance.

It's Tybalt's appearance that screws me over every time. I feel the urge to pick up the next book and not give up on this series because of his presence, despite the fact that he is a rather underused character. I feel as if McGuire could develop so many more of these secondary characters, instead of keeping Toby the center - and only - true focus. More than that, however, the slow pacing of these books causes me to tune out, the repetitive settings and themes - particularly the fact that Toby isn't actually a hero - force me to grind my jaw in frustration and, ultimately, I don't have the patience to continue with this series anymore. I still believe it has a lot of potential and, I know for a fact, that many readers will really enjoy this. I prefer my Urban Fantasy fast-paced, emotional, and not quite a chore to read through, though. I know I'll be checking out McGuire's Indexing sometime soon, but my adventures with Toby (and sadly Tybalt too!) have come to an end.