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October Daye #8
The Winter Long
For once, it seems like the Kingdom of the Mists has reached a point of, if not perfection, at least relative peace. Queen Arden Windermere is getting settled on her family's throne; no one's going to war with anyone else; it's almost like everything is going to be okay. Even October "Toby" Daye is starting to relax her constant vigilance, allowing herself to think about the future, and what it might entail.
And then Simon Torquill comes back, and everything begins to fall apart. In Faerie, nothing stays buried forever. No matter how much you might want it to.
And then Simon Torquill comes back, and everything begins to fall apart. In Faerie, nothing stays buried forever. No matter how much you might want it to.
358 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 2, 2014
283 people are currently reading
4713 people want to read
About the author
Seanan McGuire
508 books17.1k followersHi! I'm Seanan McGuire, author of the Toby Daye series (Rosemary and Rue, A Local Habitation, An Artificial Night, Late Eclipses), as well as a lot of other things. I'm also Mira Grant (www.miragrant.com), author of Feed and Deadline.
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).
I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).
I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 946 reviews
September 30, 2025
Sooo, I love paranormal detectives. I love the twisted plots, the dangerous characters, the desperate situations…it provides a rush that few other genres can match.
And October Toby Daye is a damn good example with the fey-orientated series that blends crime, action-adventure, and some pretty great characters.
As a heroine, Toby is definitely one of my favorites *acknowleding her depression and struggle in book 4+5* even with all the shit in her life, she doesn't just bitch and moan about how unfair life is. She does what needs to be done, often in the most hilarious way possible
“According to the digital readout, it wasn’t even eight o’clock in the morning. I’d been in bed for less than ten minutes.
The doorbell rang again.
“Oh, someone’s getting murdered today,” I muttered”
Toby's official court/squad has been formed and together they solve one major fuck-up after another: Toby, Tybalt, Quinn, Raj, Luidaeg, Ormond, Danny
Before, we had some side scenes with brief peaks at each of these characters. Now they are way more developed, interacting with each other AND Toby, and just honestly fucking adorable.
“ I resent that,” said Quentin.
“Many men have resented me in their days, young prince,” said Tybalt. “Be proud of the legacy you have joined.”
“Tybalt, don’t taunt my squire,” I said. “Quentin, don’t kill my boyfriend. Both of you, shut up and let me work.”
By far my favorite is definitely, Quinn and Raj. These two kids characters were hilarious and added to the whole story !! Usually I get annoyed with kids slowing stuff down but McGuire does a great job to keep them engaged with Toby in character realistic ways
“You can start a snowball fight with Raj later, okay?”
“Okay,” said Quentin.
“Wait, what?” said Raj.
“Both of you, come on.” I turned, trying not to shiver”
oh hey remember that fucker that turned Toby into a fish? Well he’s backkkkk
“Consider your own history. You’ve killed a Firstborn and overthrown a Queen. Against your record, turning someone into a fish is positively friendly.”
Honestly its so strange to think about how far we’ve come and its so weird to think about Toby’s old life in the human world
And now the biggie, Tybalt, our ♥Lord of Cats♥
“I am beginning to feel as if we do not save each other in equal measure,” he said wearily, voice rasping a little from the strain he had put on it with all the screaming. “Next time you must let me save you, or I will start to feel I am not contributing to this partnership.”
Thie series creatively builds a storyline that is credible and interesting around the tendrils of magic power wielded in different ways by many of the characters in this novel.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because we’re all too stupid to live, and that’s why we’re all going to die soon,” I said slowly.”
October’s past in the fey court with the lords and ladies that either love or hate her come back into play
And better yet, we able to create a female magic-wielder who wasn't a witch. Honestly I just kinda sick of witchy urban fantasy and paranormal heroines, it's gotten to the point where it's almost cliche'. So that made me love this series even more with the fey aspect especially a weaker fey series just a great fresh take.
The author's use of folklore is clever and well-placed. She takes a different direction with fey courts and the different hierarchies of magic. The mythical badass Luidaeg being a prime and my favorite example:
“Mother, if you can hear me, I’ve been very good,” said the Luidaeg. “I haven’t killed anyone who didn’t deserve it, not even my sister, who should probably have been killed a hundred times over by now”
Even baddies are afraid of their terrifying fucking mothers that gave them a portion of their power
How would I describe this series?
Paranormal mystery solver? Check!
Tough-talking super bravado? Check!
Awesome secondary side characters that make me like heroine more? Check!
And October Toby Daye is a damn good example with the fey-orientated series that blends crime, action-adventure, and some pretty great characters.
As a heroine, Toby is definitely one of my favorites *acknowleding her depression and struggle in book 4+5* even with all the shit in her life, she doesn't just bitch and moan about how unfair life is. She does what needs to be done, often in the most hilarious way possible
“According to the digital readout, it wasn’t even eight o’clock in the morning. I’d been in bed for less than ten minutes.
The doorbell rang again.
“Oh, someone’s getting murdered today,” I muttered”
Toby's official court/squad has been formed and together they solve one major fuck-up after another: Toby, Tybalt, Quinn, Raj, Luidaeg, Ormond, Danny
Before, we had some side scenes with brief peaks at each of these characters. Now they are way more developed, interacting with each other AND Toby, and just honestly fucking adorable.
“ I resent that,” said Quentin.
“Many men have resented me in their days, young prince,” said Tybalt. “Be proud of the legacy you have joined.”
“Tybalt, don’t taunt my squire,” I said. “Quentin, don’t kill my boyfriend. Both of you, shut up and let me work.”
By far my favorite is definitely, Quinn and Raj. These two kids characters were hilarious and added to the whole story !! Usually I get annoyed with kids slowing stuff down but McGuire does a great job to keep them engaged with Toby in character realistic ways
“You can start a snowball fight with Raj later, okay?”
“Okay,” said Quentin.
“Wait, what?” said Raj.
“Both of you, come on.” I turned, trying not to shiver”
oh hey remember that fucker that turned Toby into a fish? Well he’s backkkkk
“Consider your own history. You’ve killed a Firstborn and overthrown a Queen. Against your record, turning someone into a fish is positively friendly.”
Honestly its so strange to think about how far we’ve come and its so weird to think about Toby’s old life in the human world
And now the biggie, Tybalt, our ♥Lord of Cats♥
“I am beginning to feel as if we do not save each other in equal measure,” he said wearily, voice rasping a little from the strain he had put on it with all the screaming. “Next time you must let me save you, or I will start to feel I am not contributing to this partnership.”
Thie series creatively builds a storyline that is credible and interesting around the tendrils of magic power wielded in different ways by many of the characters in this novel.
“Why do you ask?”
“Because we’re all too stupid to live, and that’s why we’re all going to die soon,” I said slowly.”
October’s past in the fey court with the lords and ladies that either love or hate her come back into play
And better yet, we able to create a female magic-wielder who wasn't a witch. Honestly I just kinda sick of witchy urban fantasy and paranormal heroines, it's gotten to the point where it's almost cliche'. So that made me love this series even more with the fey aspect especially a weaker fey series just a great fresh take.
The author's use of folklore is clever and well-placed. She takes a different direction with fey courts and the different hierarchies of magic. The mythical badass Luidaeg being a prime and my favorite example:
“Mother, if you can hear me, I’ve been very good,” said the Luidaeg. “I haven’t killed anyone who didn’t deserve it, not even my sister, who should probably have been killed a hundred times over by now”
Even baddies are afraid of their terrifying fucking mothers that gave them a portion of their power
How would I describe this series?
Paranormal mystery solver? Check!
Tough-talking super bravado? Check!
Awesome secondary side characters that make me like heroine more? Check!
May 2, 2016
This book, along with the rest of the series, will either lands you in the camp of "I love all you guys," or "Oh god this just isn't for me." Of course, if you've made it to book eight, then you're already pretty damn familiar with all the peeps, and if you are, then you're going to LOVE this one.
Why? Because practically everyone gets a walk-on and a few early villains come back to wreak havoc. :)
Death? Oh yeah, lots of death and surprises in store for us, but October wouldn't be October without huge changes and crazy in-laws, would she? Nah, and I didn't even mind that this one had a pretty huge side-plot dealing with estranged parental (or in this case, quasi-parental) reconciliation. It's even better when all the history comes back to you as you read it. :) It might even be better if I had just gone off a full re-read binge, even. :)
This Is Urban Fantasy, but mostly it's just Fae being fucking cray-cray, and isn't that why we always keep coming back? Yup. I do believe it is. That, or the Sea Witch and the blood. One or the other. :)
Why? Because practically everyone gets a walk-on and a few early villains come back to wreak havoc. :)
Death? Oh yeah, lots of death and surprises in store for us, but October wouldn't be October without huge changes and crazy in-laws, would she? Nah, and I didn't even mind that this one had a pretty huge side-plot dealing with estranged parental (or in this case, quasi-parental) reconciliation. It's even better when all the history comes back to you as you read it. :) It might even be better if I had just gone off a full re-read binge, even. :)
This Is Urban Fantasy, but mostly it's just Fae being fucking cray-cray, and isn't that why we always keep coming back? Yup. I do believe it is. That, or the Sea Witch and the blood. One or the other. :)
August 13, 2023
*** 4.57 ***
A weekly buddy read with the TnT maniacs at BB&B!!!
I am blown away!!! This series has been planned so meticulously, that all the small clues dropped by the author from the beginning of the first book through the rest of the books, finally begin to cluster together and unravel answers to many of the questions we have been beating our heads over ... And just when you explode with excitement over an answer you might have had some good suspicions about, the answer turned out to be a whole new question of a whole new level of mysteries we just need the answers to ASAP!!! But no, we would not be so lucky! After all, Ms. McGuire has not been raising our tolerance to torture for no reason - more and bigger anguish is on its way, no fear! But we all know, "It hurts so good, yea baby make it hurt so good,..."... yea, something is definitely wrong with us...
As with most readers who get to the 8 book in a series, at this point we all know where we stand with the storytelling, the world, the characters and the plot. Most who don't like it, or are barely interested, have dropped out by book 3... There are some who probably read it because it is something familiar, even if they don't find it special. But most of us who have followed Toby, Tybolt, Luidaeg, May, Jazz, Quinn and Raj have accepted these fictional characters as part of our real lives and care for them as we would our friends... Only maybe even more in some cases, because books show us the souls of the written heroes, while we can never achieve this level of openness and honesty with our living companions. Yes, I know this should be wrong, but just think about how much of our thoughts and feelings we truly expose to our loved ones, no matter of the reasoning behind this lack of communication... This is the reason books steal our hearts - they really talk to us!
This is an Urban Fantasy series, all the main characters are Fae of one race or another. They are all made up, some are influenced by Fae folklore and some come straight from the imagination of the author. They all deal with situations as far from realistic as we can imagine, and they all survive difficulties in miraculous manner. And despite the product as a whole to be the definition of Fantasy, it is one of the most deeply realistic and humane series out there! Because it is realistic in the places which count, it deals with fears, hopes, what is family, how much does blood make us who we are, who are our friends and what are the values that really matter to us and where do we draw the line... Those are the same questions we all struggle with all the time and this is why we can relate with this series in such a visceral way!
I purposely chose not to discuss any of the plot here, because it seems that anything I might be tempted to say would give something away, and it would be a great disservice to this wonderful book!. Needless to say, I recommend the series to one and all, as long as you read it in order! Thank you to my buddies at BB&B - reading this with y'all is an absolute pleasure!!!
Now I wish all of you fun books and Happy Reading!!!
A weekly buddy read with the TnT maniacs at BB&B!!!
I am blown away!!! This series has been planned so meticulously, that all the small clues dropped by the author from the beginning of the first book through the rest of the books, finally begin to cluster together and unravel answers to many of the questions we have been beating our heads over ... And just when you explode with excitement over an answer you might have had some good suspicions about, the answer turned out to be a whole new question of a whole new level of mysteries we just need the answers to ASAP!!! But no, we would not be so lucky! After all, Ms. McGuire has not been raising our tolerance to torture for no reason - more and bigger anguish is on its way, no fear! But we all know, "It hurts so good, yea baby make it hurt so good,..."... yea, something is definitely wrong with us...
As with most readers who get to the 8 book in a series, at this point we all know where we stand with the storytelling, the world, the characters and the plot. Most who don't like it, or are barely interested, have dropped out by book 3... There are some who probably read it because it is something familiar, even if they don't find it special. But most of us who have followed Toby, Tybolt, Luidaeg, May, Jazz, Quinn and Raj have accepted these fictional characters as part of our real lives and care for them as we would our friends... Only maybe even more in some cases, because books show us the souls of the written heroes, while we can never achieve this level of openness and honesty with our living companions. Yes, I know this should be wrong, but just think about how much of our thoughts and feelings we truly expose to our loved ones, no matter of the reasoning behind this lack of communication... This is the reason books steal our hearts - they really talk to us!
This is an Urban Fantasy series, all the main characters are Fae of one race or another. They are all made up, some are influenced by Fae folklore and some come straight from the imagination of the author. They all deal with situations as far from realistic as we can imagine, and they all survive difficulties in miraculous manner. And despite the product as a whole to be the definition of Fantasy, it is one of the most deeply realistic and humane series out there! Because it is realistic in the places which count, it deals with fears, hopes, what is family, how much does blood make us who we are, who are our friends and what are the values that really matter to us and where do we draw the line... Those are the same questions we all struggle with all the time and this is why we can relate with this series in such a visceral way!
I purposely chose not to discuss any of the plot here, because it seems that anything I might be tempted to say would give something away, and it would be a great disservice to this wonderful book!. Needless to say, I recommend the series to one and all, as long as you read it in order! Thank you to my buddies at BB&B - reading this with y'all is an absolute pleasure!!!
Now I wish all of you fun books and Happy Reading!!!
August 28, 2014
http://www.mybookishways.com/2014/08/...
The Winter Long is so chock full of revelations, and more than a few answered questions, that revealing any of them, would pretty thoroughly spoil the book for you. So, I’ll keep it short and sweet, and deliberately, and probably annoyingly, vague. Sorry about that… I mean, seriously, when you see back cover copy like this:
Toby thought she understood her own past; she thought she knew the score.
She was wrong.
It’s time to learn the truth.
It’s kind of a giveaway that even a vague description of events in the book would be ruinous. I’m gonna give it a try. Toby and Tybalt are enjoying couple time. In fact, they’re enjoying it so much that any expectation of peace can’t possibly be realistic, right? We all know that Toby attracts trouble like white on rice so it’s no surprise when she’s visited by Simon Torquill. Remember him? He’s Sylvester’s twin brother and the charming fellow that turned Toby into a fish (among other things.) He’s desperately trying to tell Toby something, but he’s under a geas, so a big reveal isn’t in the cards. So, Toby and crew go to the best place she knows of to get answers: The Luidaeg. Things don’t quite go as Toby hopes, but she does manage to get a wee bit more info out of The Luidaeg before things go all to hell.
I almost feel like I’m under a geas writing this review, but anyway, another blast from Toby’s past rears, um, its ugly head, and of course, it’s time for Toby to save the day. Like I said, revelations carry the narrative in The Winter Long, and during this journey, Toby will learn some blinding truths about her past, that will have great repercussions on her future, if she lets them. I probably should have just written Betrayals! Revelations! Answers!, and left it at that, so needless to say, McGuire wraps up a ton of plot strings in this one, but as always, a pretty bow tying things up is nowhere to be seen. Seanan McGuire mentions in her acknowledgements that this is the book that all others led up to, that everything she’s done until now was for the sake of getting here. Indeed. What she manages to do is make it very clear how intricate Toby’s story is, and the richness of Toby’s world is a thing of genius. And don’t worry, while The Winter Long clears up a TON of stuff, it’s made clear that Toby’s story is far from over. This is a good thing. The Winter Long is a testament to McGuire’s ability to take so many threads and pull them together into a harrowing, and believable tapestry, and it’s all Toby’s own. While there’s plenty of action, this is one of the most introspective books in the bunch, and of course, another great book in the Toby-verse.
The Winter Long is so chock full of revelations, and more than a few answered questions, that revealing any of them, would pretty thoroughly spoil the book for you. So, I’ll keep it short and sweet, and deliberately, and probably annoyingly, vague. Sorry about that… I mean, seriously, when you see back cover copy like this:
Toby thought she understood her own past; she thought she knew the score.
She was wrong.
It’s time to learn the truth.
It’s kind of a giveaway that even a vague description of events in the book would be ruinous. I’m gonna give it a try. Toby and Tybalt are enjoying couple time. In fact, they’re enjoying it so much that any expectation of peace can’t possibly be realistic, right? We all know that Toby attracts trouble like white on rice so it’s no surprise when she’s visited by Simon Torquill. Remember him? He’s Sylvester’s twin brother and the charming fellow that turned Toby into a fish (among other things.) He’s desperately trying to tell Toby something, but he’s under a geas, so a big reveal isn’t in the cards. So, Toby and crew go to the best place she knows of to get answers: The Luidaeg. Things don’t quite go as Toby hopes, but she does manage to get a wee bit more info out of The Luidaeg before things go all to hell.
I almost feel like I’m under a geas writing this review, but anyway, another blast from Toby’s past rears, um, its ugly head, and of course, it’s time for Toby to save the day. Like I said, revelations carry the narrative in The Winter Long, and during this journey, Toby will learn some blinding truths about her past, that will have great repercussions on her future, if she lets them. I probably should have just written Betrayals! Revelations! Answers!, and left it at that, so needless to say, McGuire wraps up a ton of plot strings in this one, but as always, a pretty bow tying things up is nowhere to be seen. Seanan McGuire mentions in her acknowledgements that this is the book that all others led up to, that everything she’s done until now was for the sake of getting here. Indeed. What she manages to do is make it very clear how intricate Toby’s story is, and the richness of Toby’s world is a thing of genius. And don’t worry, while The Winter Long clears up a TON of stuff, it’s made clear that Toby’s story is far from over. This is a good thing. The Winter Long is a testament to McGuire’s ability to take so many threads and pull them together into a harrowing, and believable tapestry, and it’s all Toby’s own. While there’s plenty of action, this is one of the most introspective books in the bunch, and of course, another great book in the Toby-verse.
May 23, 2019
So many surprising developments occurred! This was the game changer. There were some things that I thought would happen but almost everything went in a totally different direction than I thought it would. This is my second favorite book in the series after Ashes of Honor.
Simon Torquill returns to cause trouble in Toby's life. There is more to him than Toby ever thought there was. Finally clues that have been dropped since the first book have been explained although just as many new questions arise as old ones are answered. Toby learns to do some interesting things with her magic, which makes much more powerful than she was before. She finally knows who her true friends are. There were some people she considered friends or family whose true loyalty lies elsewhere.
The Luidaeg is fucking awesome! I love her more than ever after this installment, and I thought she was pretty damn cool before. And, as usual, Tybalt is amazing. I love the way he expresses himself.
The ending was such a pleasant surprise! I figured that would have happened at some point but not so soon. I can't wait to see where things go from here because it will be different in the future!
May 13, 2016
Read with the UF lovers of Buddies Books and Baubles
Just when I’m pretty sure that Toby can’t become more interesting….she does. Her blood magic becomes bigger and better all the time and well it seems like she is gathering quite a few Thank Yous from some pretty powerful fae, I wonder what she will get when she starts cashing them all in.
I’ve been wondering about Simon and what his real role in Toby’s life is for some time now. I even had a few theories that came close but weren’t quite right. Still when the man that turned you into a fish for 14 years says he wants to help you…well take it with a grain of salt and definitely watch your back.
What I have really come to enjoy about this series are all the little world building add ins and characters that seem to enter in. Some of the artistic license taken with this series has been fun. I mean April the computer network Dryad is one example and the mystical traveling fae library is another. As a person that really loves libraries it was one of my favorite things about this book in particular.
TnT (Tybalt and Toby) get cuter and stronger every book and I enjoy seeing how close they are coming to one another. They make a great team and I really like how well Tybalt is protective and supportive of Toby. Sure he’d love to lock her away in a tower so she was safe but since that would hurt her he chooses the other play which is just to help her with all of her dreams and challenges.
This book added some new twists to some characters and I again LOVE the Luidaeg’s role in this. She is a mystery that I can’t wait to unravel a little more. I enjoyed learning who it was who betrayed the Roan and the Luidaeg and the why of it. I’ve come to think of some of these stories not just as Toby’s but also the Luidaegs. Toby sure does know how to pick both her friends and enemies she is stacking up firstborns on both sides of that line.
There is danger around ever corner, someone is playing snow white and Toby needs to find out who before she ends up dead or worse…yes there is a worse.
This series still engages me and I love how far all the characters have come from the beginning. It’s holding really strong for a series I only had luke warm feelings for in the first few books. Toby has pulled me in and I don’t want to leave now.
Just when I’m pretty sure that Toby can’t become more interesting….she does. Her blood magic becomes bigger and better all the time and well it seems like she is gathering quite a few Thank Yous from some pretty powerful fae, I wonder what she will get when she starts cashing them all in.
I’ve been wondering about Simon and what his real role in Toby’s life is for some time now. I even had a few theories that came close but weren’t quite right. Still when the man that turned you into a fish for 14 years says he wants to help you…well take it with a grain of salt and definitely watch your back.
“This was the sort of situation that called for a certain amount of terror.”
What I have really come to enjoy about this series are all the little world building add ins and characters that seem to enter in. Some of the artistic license taken with this series has been fun. I mean April the computer network Dryad is one example and the mystical traveling fae library is another. As a person that really loves libraries it was one of my favorite things about this book in particular.
“There is no fighting in the Library. Anyone who starts a fight or responds to a challenge will be thrown out. You may think you can take me. You're probably right. But none of you can take the Library.”
TnT (Tybalt and Toby) get cuter and stronger every book and I enjoy seeing how close they are coming to one another. They make a great team and I really like how well Tybalt is protective and supportive of Toby. Sure he’d love to lock her away in a tower so she was safe but since that would hurt her he chooses the other play which is just to help her with all of her dreams and challenges.
This book added some new twists to some characters and I again LOVE the Luidaeg’s role in this. She is a mystery that I can’t wait to unravel a little more. I enjoyed learning who it was who betrayed the Roan and the Luidaeg and the why of it. I’ve come to think of some of these stories not just as Toby’s but also the Luidaegs. Toby sure does know how to pick both her friends and enemies she is stacking up firstborns on both sides of that line.
There is danger around ever corner, someone is playing snow white and Toby needs to find out who before she ends up dead or worse…yes there is a worse.
This series still engages me and I love how far all the characters have come from the beginning. It’s holding really strong for a series I only had luke warm feelings for in the first few books. Toby has pulled me in and I don’t want to leave now.
November 29, 2016
4.8 I can't seem to get bored with this series!
I've been curious about this Simon guy from the beginning and I'm really happy to say that he didn't disappoint!
What's to say about this book? If you're read the other ones, you know the story, you know the characters and you know the world. If you don't know these things, you really should go find out.
I loved the plot twist and unfortunately (or luckily?) all it did was get me even more curious. And the series ends in 2 books, and it'll be a year until I get a new one, and I want to hit someone... guess October is rubbing off on me.
I've been curious about this Simon guy from the beginning and I'm really happy to say that he didn't disappoint!
What's to say about this book? If you're read the other ones, you know the story, you know the characters and you know the world. If you don't know these things, you really should go find out.
I loved the plot twist and unfortunately (or luckily?) all it did was get me even more curious. And the series ends in 2 books, and it'll be a year until I get a new one, and I want to hit someone... guess October is rubbing off on me.
April 11, 2021
I'll give McGuire credit with this one. The long game she played to set this up? That deserves a round of applause. And I'm not just saying that because we had some questions answered. The villain of the week? Unexpected. The way so much was foretold and yet, like Toby, the reader was made oblivious? Well done. As for some of the reveals? I'm not surprised things are more complex than they appeared. But I'm surprised by almost everything we learned.
Are all the cards on the table? Hahaha of course not.
I really hope we see some consequences play out in the next book in the sense that some relationships were badly damaged in this one. We have been watching them fray for some time now, and in general I thought one of the two people in question were hella incompetent and I've been wanting Toby to break away from that sense of duty she's been clinging to. As for the other, well. Like so many characters in this world, she's only been concerned for herself, and I've never understood the dynamic, and I think it's not surprising that if relationships are going to change, they will happen at the same time as they are part and parcel of the same issue. I know, this is so vague, I guarantee if I ever have to refer to this review again even I won't know what I'm talking about.. but I'm wary of spoilers.
As usual, though, the sea witch as just a serious badass and I love her.
I'm still not rounding up on this book, though, because even though I just can't stop reading this series, and I enjoy an aspect or two of the experience, overall I just don't love cast and there is so much repetition (made worse by the binge, I'm sure). For all the good of some of the overall plotting, everything is really hard earned, few things are followed up on by the characters even when they are strung along with breadcrumbs, and that is forever frustrating; particularly when this is a common occurence, number one, but made even worse by a character who was once a private investigator and, like, investigates shit. Again, I mentioned before in one review or another, it's hard to root for a character who is made to be woefully unintelligent in a lot of ways. Sure, she usually figures things out in the nick of time when she's in the mess, but on the whole? Nope.
Additionally, this series would be greatly improved by some sexytimes. I'm just putting it out there.
My last note? For those keeping track, we had an August added to the months-as-names list. No one is surprised, though, are they?
2.5 stars
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
Are all the cards on the table? Hahaha of course not.
I really hope we see some consequences play out in the next book in the sense that some relationships were badly damaged in this one. We have been watching them fray for some time now, and in general I thought one of the two people in question were hella incompetent and I've been wanting Toby to break away from that sense of duty she's been clinging to. As for the other, well. Like so many characters in this world, she's only been concerned for herself, and I've never understood the dynamic, and I think it's not surprising that if relationships are going to change, they will happen at the same time as they are part and parcel of the same issue. I know, this is so vague, I guarantee if I ever have to refer to this review again even I won't know what I'm talking about.. but I'm wary of spoilers.
As usual, though, the sea witch as just a serious badass and I love her.
I'm still not rounding up on this book, though, because even though I just can't stop reading this series, and I enjoy an aspect or two of the experience, overall I just don't love cast and there is so much repetition (made worse by the binge, I'm sure). For all the good of some of the overall plotting, everything is really hard earned, few things are followed up on by the characters even when they are strung along with breadcrumbs, and that is forever frustrating; particularly when this is a common occurence, number one, but made even worse by a character who was once a private investigator and, like, investigates shit. Again, I mentioned before in one review or another, it's hard to root for a character who is made to be woefully unintelligent in a lot of ways. Sure, she usually figures things out in the nick of time when she's in the mess, but on the whole? Nope.
Additionally, this series would be greatly improved by some sexytimes. I'm just putting it out there.
My last note? For those keeping track, we had an August added to the months-as-names list. No one is surprised, though, are they?
2.5 stars
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
May 9, 2019
When Seanan McGuire said that everything that happened from the very first book was leading here, she wasn't kidding. It was the most intense book of the whole series so far and that says a lot considering what Toby dealt with and went against before, and dayumn! When before it was throwing punches against heavyweights, this time it was like facing Tyson in his ear-biting stage. Fucking scary.
I'm all geared up for round two.
Over and out
I'm all geared up for round two.
Over and out
August 17, 2021
August 2021 Re-Read
You'll never look at Snow White in the same way... o_O
----------------------------------------
Toby's life is finally looking good.
She has her friends. A job that she likes. And a guy who can turn himself into one of her favorite pets: A Cat. ;)
Then there's her actual two cats, and her rose-goblin Spike.
Unfortunately, the quiet has not come to stay...because where would be the fun in it?
An old nemesis of the past has returned, and he seems determined in finishing her of... or is he?
Of course Toby's has had enough of living in ponds, thank you very much. *see first volume* so she's not very receptive to hisoffers threats.
And the only contact she wants to have with fishes is Tybalt's pet name for her.
As if one villain wasn't enough, it seems that another one is behind Simon Torquill's actions.
And that person is strong enough to come after Toby's greatest allies.
Now, once again, Toby will have to defeat the foes that are determined to get her, while she comes to terms with more peculiarities that are part of her race. And yes, for someone whose greatest asset is blood manipulation _ or whatever it is that you want to call it _ Toby continues to be grossed out by the thing.
Thankfully she has a group of friends who are always there for her, even while some old links of her past are being slowly eroded.
I really liked Toby in this book. She actedmostly in a sensible manner and finally came to terms to the fact that some things can't be fixed.
You'll never look at Snow White in the same way... o_O
----------------------------------------
Toby's life is finally looking good.
She has her friends. A job that she likes. And a guy who can turn himself into one of her favorite pets: A Cat. ;)
Then there's her actual two cats, and her rose-goblin Spike.
Unfortunately, the quiet has not come to stay...because where would be the fun in it?
An old nemesis of the past has returned, and he seems determined in finishing her of... or is he?
Of course Toby's has had enough of living in ponds, thank you very much. *see first volume* so she's not very receptive to his
And the only contact she wants to have with fishes is Tybalt's pet name for her.
As if one villain wasn't enough, it seems that another one is behind Simon Torquill's actions.
And that person is strong enough to come after Toby's greatest allies.
Now, once again, Toby will have to defeat the foes that are determined to get her, while she comes to terms with more peculiarities that are part of her race. And yes, for someone whose greatest asset is blood manipulation _ or whatever it is that you want to call it _ Toby continues to be grossed out by the thing.
Thankfully she has a group of friends who are always there for her, even while some old links of her past are being slowly eroded.
I really liked Toby in this book. She acted
July 13, 2021
"I dislike the dead returning to life," said Etienne, his shoulders slumping again. "It's untidy and inappropriate."
"And that's Etienne in a nutshell," I said blithely.
Another mystery waiting to be solved, another dangerous foe from the past resurfacing, this series is still going strong. Plus the cover artwork is so, so, so pretty! It's very good and I can't wait to read the next book!
PS: I'm also thankful that the heroine doesn't keep changing love interests, hehe.
Review for book 1: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for book 2: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review book 3: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for book 4: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for book 5: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for book 7: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 6, 2014
WHY AREN'T YOU READING THIS SERIES?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?
If you enjoy smart stories, tight plots, top notch characterization, humor, action, and romance, you NEED this series. If you like urban fantasy, if you like fairy tales that are set in the modern world, you NEED this series. If you want to feel and think and lose yourself in another world, you NEED this series.
Okay, enough about the series, now the book. I love Seanan McGuire and I hate her; I want to marry her and have her babies and I want to slowly torture her. No, not really. I'm being hyperbolic but you get my point, yes? Oh, the anguish she puts poor Toby through in this book. In a lesser author's hands, it would have been pure soap opera but McGuire turns it into a modern Greek tragedy, though with a happier ending than those tend towards. And I LOVED the ending. I honestly was not surprised, I expected it. That said, when do things ever go smoothly in Toby's world? I foresee much acrimony, division, and pettiness in the future.
It's hard to discuss the book because so much of it is spoilery so I apologize for how vague this review is. So much happens and so much of it is important that I don't want to inadvertently give away something.
The blurb for the book may seem like it says nothing but it really does sum up the book. Pretty much everything we thought we knew about Toby, about her family, even her friends, is not what we thought. I lost track of how many times my jaw dropped while reading. Partly, it was shock at the revelations, partly at the events that occur, and partly it was because I couldn't believe I'd missed the clues and hints for the revelations in the earlier books. McGuire played fair; the earlier books really do contain the info, but I doubt if most readers figured out where McGuire was going and what she was doing. A word of advice: you might want to re-read book one before tackling this one. While not necessary, I think it would be useful. There's some masterful storytelling in "The Winter Long" and amazing plotting. She says in her acknowledgments:
This book was one of the first I fully plotted, back when this series was a glimmer in my eye and a fantasy for the future. Everything I have done with October's world to this point has been for the sake of getting here, to the book that you now hold in your hands.
I believe it. Careful plotting and attention to detail of the whole series led to this book and there's a lot of detail in this story. Toby has grown so much over the series and built for herself a wonderful, loving, supportive family. That said, I really missed Danny, who doesn't appear, and both May and Jazz make only minor appearances. In one of her few appearances, Jazz is a force to reckon with when armed with a baseball bat. My only real quibble with the book is the use of elf-shot; it's becoming entirely too useful and convenient. It's turning into a deux a machina. Apart from that, "The Winter Long" was fantastic. It grabbed me from the first page and kept my attention because I never knew what was coming next. It's the perfect blend of action, plot, romance, and characterization. The year-long wait for the next book will be a killer. McGuire is evil. In a good way.
Some fave quotes:
This one may be my fave quote in the entire book:
They were my boys and they loved me, and I needed to be careful with them if I ever wanted to be worthy of them.
That was an unsettling thought, no matter how true I knew it to be.
This one is my second favorite quote in the book, the Luidaeg is speaking:
"Love is love. It's rarer in Faerie than it used to be-rarer than it should be, if you ask me. If you can find it, you should cling to it, and never let anything interfere. Besides, he has a nice ass." Her lips quirked in a weirdly mischievous smile. "I mean, damn. Some people shouldn't be allowed to wear leather pants. He's one of them. He's a clear and present danger when he puts those things on. Or takes them off."
If you enjoy smart stories, tight plots, top notch characterization, humor, action, and romance, you NEED this series. If you like urban fantasy, if you like fairy tales that are set in the modern world, you NEED this series. If you want to feel and think and lose yourself in another world, you NEED this series.
Okay, enough about the series, now the book. I love Seanan McGuire and I hate her; I want to marry her and have her babies and I want to slowly torture her. No, not really. I'm being hyperbolic but you get my point, yes? Oh, the anguish she puts poor Toby through in this book. In a lesser author's hands, it would have been pure soap opera but McGuire turns it into a modern Greek tragedy, though with a happier ending than those tend towards. And I LOVED the ending. I honestly was not surprised, I expected it. That said, when do things ever go smoothly in Toby's world? I foresee much acrimony, division, and pettiness in the future.
It's hard to discuss the book because so much of it is spoilery so I apologize for how vague this review is. So much happens and so much of it is important that I don't want to inadvertently give away something.
The blurb for the book may seem like it says nothing but it really does sum up the book. Pretty much everything we thought we knew about Toby, about her family, even her friends, is not what we thought. I lost track of how many times my jaw dropped while reading. Partly, it was shock at the revelations, partly at the events that occur, and partly it was because I couldn't believe I'd missed the clues and hints for the revelations in the earlier books. McGuire played fair; the earlier books really do contain the info, but I doubt if most readers figured out where McGuire was going and what she was doing. A word of advice: you might want to re-read book one before tackling this one. While not necessary, I think it would be useful. There's some masterful storytelling in "The Winter Long" and amazing plotting. She says in her acknowledgments:
This book was one of the first I fully plotted, back when this series was a glimmer in my eye and a fantasy for the future. Everything I have done with October's world to this point has been for the sake of getting here, to the book that you now hold in your hands.
I believe it. Careful plotting and attention to detail of the whole series led to this book and there's a lot of detail in this story. Toby has grown so much over the series and built for herself a wonderful, loving, supportive family. That said, I really missed Danny, who doesn't appear, and both May and Jazz make only minor appearances. In one of her few appearances, Jazz is a force to reckon with when armed with a baseball bat. My only real quibble with the book is the use of elf-shot; it's becoming entirely too useful and convenient. It's turning into a deux a machina. Apart from that, "The Winter Long" was fantastic. It grabbed me from the first page and kept my attention because I never knew what was coming next. It's the perfect blend of action, plot, romance, and characterization. The year-long wait for the next book will be a killer. McGuire is evil. In a good way.
Some fave quotes:
This one may be my fave quote in the entire book:
They were my boys and they loved me, and I needed to be careful with them if I ever wanted to be worthy of them.
That was an unsettling thought, no matter how true I knew it to be.
This one is my second favorite quote in the book, the Luidaeg is speaking:
"Love is love. It's rarer in Faerie than it used to be-rarer than it should be, if you ask me. If you can find it, you should cling to it, and never let anything interfere. Besides, he has a nice ass." Her lips quirked in a weirdly mischievous smile. "I mean, damn. Some people shouldn't be allowed to wear leather pants. He's one of them. He's a clear and present danger when he puts those things on. Or takes them off."
January 24, 2019
"You want me to be a villain: things are always easier when there's a clear villain, and I can fill the role admirably. I have before, and I probably will again. Please don't mistake villainy for evil. The two can exist side by side while remaining quite distinct."Re-read: January 2019
If you want to hear my full thoughts on this book, proceed to read my original review of this book. This time, I'm just writing down a few stray observations that crossed my mind during this re-read:
1. This installment is one of the very few in October Daye series that have somewhat optimistic ending. However, this series has a sad and melancholic feel to it, whichever way you look at it. It's bloody and it's often heartbreaking. And I'm not just talking about big heartbreaks, such as a death of a character, but also smaller, almost every day things, such as betrayals, miscommunication or people changing and growing apart. Just like Toby likes to say, Faerie isn't fair and this series is a proof of it. If you pick this book up, don't expect rainbows and cheery atmosphere.
2. I'm still dying to know who were Amandine's parents. Since we found out that . I can't wait to find out the answer to this question. It will be no doubt genially thought out just like all the other McGuire twists and it will probably cast a completely new light on all the previous installment.
3. McGuire's ability to create such an interesting world with all the twists and turns she manages to throw in is amazing. All the twists are very well thought out and they make you see the whole series in a whole new light.
4. Torquills keep breaking my heart. Please, stop doing that, guys.
5. Everyone needs a Tybalt in their life.
Original review: February 2017
Simon Torquill returns to Toby's life after 17 years. Seventeen years of hatred and fear and what does Toby do when he comes back? She makes him a tea. Because why not.
To be honest, I actually like Simon. Call me crazy, but I have soft spot for Torquills (yes, even batshit crazy Raysel). The twist with him and Amendine wasn't that surprising, but the fact that caught me quite off guard and I will be VERY disappointed if this little piece of history won't come back in the future.
I felt really sorry for Torquills in this book, even though it probably wasn't the goal McGuire wanted to accomplish. I know that Sylvester lied to Toby, but... he has been like a father to her for a long time. He protected her and loved her and she is willing to forget all that just for a few lies. I'm also sad about Luna, because although I was hoping things would get better between her and Toby, it didn't happen. However, I really enjoyed .
In a way, Toby is slowly losing her family. But she is also making her own. May, Tybalt, Quentin, Raj and the Luidaeg are a perfect family for her. And I know I should swoon all over Tybalt and his leather pants (and trust me, I do), but I swoon even more over the Luidaeg. I really love relationship between her and Toby and the fact that Toby is willing to sacrifice for the Luidaeg as much, as the Luidaeg is willing to sacrifice for her.
The main villain of the book was... surprising in a way and not surprising in other. It was pretty obvious it would be from previous book/short story, but really surprised me. Really didn't see that one coming.
By the way - what's the deal with Toby and leaving her enemies at forgotten lands of Faerie? I mean, in a short term, it's a good solution, but if I were her, I couldn't sleep very well knowing there are some seriously pissed off people plotting against me. But that's her problem, I guess.
January 16, 2017
I'm a little confused at what Sylvester didn't say to October. Besides that, the book was really good. I liked the evolution of October's romance with Tybalt. I really love the sea witch (I can't remember how to spell her name). I just wish the next book wouldn't have so much blood everywhere.
September 10, 2023
I’m not sure how many times I’ve read this one, but during my last re-read I stopped here so seemed a good time to start again. This is one of those key books in the series and every time I read it the twist feels like a fresh betrayal. Toby’s nemesis Simon has returned and she is sure he is up to no good. Unwilling to be turned into a fish again she is determined to figure out who his employer is and stop them both. But someone impossible has returned to the kingdom and it’s a pretty big distraction. And Toby realizes that there are lots of big truths that several people have been keeping from her. And even her strongest allies aren’t safe.
April 13, 2019
I think I read the previous book in this series at least five years ago. Back in those days I strictly read Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books. Those genres were my favorites, and I couldn't get enough. There was just so many series I still had to read. However, at some point I discovered the new indie YA/NA genre, and fell completely in love. I started reading less and less Urban Fantasy, and was addicted to the romance genre. However, every time I fall into a book slump, I always end up reading either a Thriller or Urban Fantasy book. And every time I realize how much I love those genres.
I have a bad memory, so I forget about a lot of books I have read over the years, however, the moment I started The Winter Long, everything about the characters came back in pieces. I remembered why I loved this series so much, and couldn't wait to see what would happen. Each book is a separate adventure with a continuous storyline that keeps developing and evolving. The characters are all so amazing and I love all the secrets that are being uncovered. This book had many elements that came together, and the twists were incorporated perfectly into the story. It is always very unpredictable and that is what I love most about this genre. There are still many UF series I have to finish and get up to date to, but the October Daye series is definitely on top of that list.
![Profile Image for Namera [The Literary Invertebrate].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1647896333i%2F31792110._UX200_CR0%2C96%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
September 26, 2014
Just when I thought the October Daye series couldn’t get any better, along comes THE WINTER LONG. Gathering so many hints and threads and portents, this book is one delicious secret after another coming undone.
From the circumstances leading up to Toby’s fish years, to the true line between friend or for, so much becomes clear. Perhaps most emotional were the family moments. Most Changelings are used to be surrounded by lies, but now Toby herself gets a taste of this bitter pill. As new allies are gained, old friends are lost, creating a poignant balance of emotions. The characters that McGuire has lovingly crafted are wonderful sparking and playing off each other, dark and light.
So much from the series comes together in THE WINTER LONG, it’s difficult to write a review without spoilers. What I can say, however, is that new readers should start at the beginning and returning fans should prepare to be dazzled. And even with so much coming to light, this book by no means wraps everything up in a neat bow. Like the best of urban fantasy, with each reveal and mystery solved Toby’s world grows ever more enticing . As seductive as faerie itself, this is one series I could never give up.
Sexual Content: References to sex.
From the circumstances leading up to Toby’s fish years, to the true line between friend or for, so much becomes clear. Perhaps most emotional were the family moments. Most Changelings are used to be surrounded by lies, but now Toby herself gets a taste of this bitter pill. As new allies are gained, old friends are lost, creating a poignant balance of emotions. The characters that McGuire has lovingly crafted are wonderful sparking and playing off each other, dark and light.
So much from the series comes together in THE WINTER LONG, it’s difficult to write a review without spoilers. What I can say, however, is that new readers should start at the beginning and returning fans should prepare to be dazzled. And even with so much coming to light, this book by no means wraps everything up in a neat bow. Like the best of urban fantasy, with each reveal and mystery solved Toby’s world grows ever more enticing . As seductive as faerie itself, this is one series I could never give up.
Sexual Content: References to sex.
September 8, 2014
Maybe it's me, and the fact that it's been awhile since I read the other books in the series, so I had to go back and look up a lot of things I had forgotten about.
Maybe it's the fact that I had huge expectations, based on the information provided by the author and the reviews that said that this book held some life changing revelations for Toby.
Whatever the reason, the book didn't deliver for me.
The "life altering" surprises weren't all that much of a surprise, since I had kinda expected them.
But the biggest disappointment is probably that a lot of things just didn't make sense. Partly because they weren't explained, but what annoyed me most of all is that the motivations of those who lied to her for years elude me completely, and that the geas were anything but consistent.
Not my favorite in the series.
Maybe it's the fact that I had huge expectations, based on the information provided by the author and the reviews that said that this book held some life changing revelations for Toby.
Whatever the reason, the book didn't deliver for me.
The "life altering" surprises weren't all that much of a surprise, since I had kinda expected them.
But the biggest disappointment is probably that a lot of things just didn't make sense. Partly because they weren't explained, but what annoyed me most of all is that the motivations of those who lied to her for years elude me completely, and that the geas were anything but consistent.
Not my favorite in the series.
December 15, 2014
I always love getting a new October Daye book. I love everything about them, from the beautiful covers (Chris McGrath, yay!) to the lovely, Shakespearean titles to the richly plotted stories. The author has created a wonderful, fae populated world here complete with Kings, Queens, Knights, and Squires and every new book just continues to build upon the rich foundation that has been laid in previous books. This book certainly continued that fine tradition, so much so, in fact, that I wish I had been able to do a series re-read prior to reading this latest installment. This book really looks back to pick up subtle clues from the past and Toby learns that hindsight really is 20/20.
October is hit with a LOT in this book. She finds out more about her heritage but even as questions are answered, new ones are created. There are betrayals but also assistance from unlooked for places. The pacing was brisk and the characters we know and love continue to shine. And just speaking for myself, I was thoroughly surprised twice in this book. If I have one quibble, it's the same one as the last book. Namely, not nearly enough time with October and Tybalt and by that I mean ALONE time. Have no fear, Tybalt is all over this book as he would never willingly leave October's side (yay!) but I would have liked them to have more time when it was just the two of them, without any third parties. As for the ending? Well, I wasn't expecting that. At. All. One thing is for sure though, nothing will ever be the same again.
October is hit with a LOT in this book. She finds out more about her heritage but even as questions are answered, new ones are created. There are betrayals but also assistance from unlooked for places. The pacing was brisk and the characters we know and love continue to shine. And just speaking for myself, I was thoroughly surprised twice in this book. If I have one quibble, it's the same one as the last book. Namely, not nearly enough time with October and Tybalt and by that I mean ALONE time. Have no fear, Tybalt is all over this book as he would never willingly leave October's side (yay!) but I would have liked them to have more time when it was just the two of them, without any third parties. As for the ending? Well, I wasn't expecting that. At. All. One thing is for sure though, nothing will ever be the same again.
September 4, 2014
Blood drench, Toby's known and unknown past comes back to haunt her, torture her, threaten her and maybe even destroy her.
I love the October Daye series!
This book is just AWESOME!
I loved Toby and her character's growth, was riveted to Tybalt and his devotion, and absolutely adored the depth of every character is outstanding read.
So many things are revealed, shocking revelations that are quite mind blowing.
I can't even begin to describe this story without giving something vital away not just to this book but to many previous installments in this series ...
GO READ The Winter Long and if you haven't read the October Daye Series...what are you waiting for...
I love the October Daye series!
This book is just AWESOME!
I loved Toby and her character's growth, was riveted to Tybalt and his devotion, and absolutely adored the depth of every character is outstanding read.
So many things are revealed, shocking revelations that are quite mind blowing.
I can't even begin to describe this story without giving something vital away not just to this book but to many previous installments in this series ...
GO READ The Winter Long and if you haven't read the October Daye Series...what are you waiting for...
November 30, 2017
4.5 stars rounded up. Ooh, that was good! I never really took to Sylvester..interesting return of a couple of characters. Interesting developments in Toby's powers and life. I'm sure this series is getting better and better!
April 12, 2020
*finishes book*
*opens mouth*
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
IF I COULD WRITE "AHHHH" TEN+ TIMES BUT IN SUCCESSIVELY LARGER FONT THEN I WOULD
*opens mouth*
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
IF I COULD WRITE "AHHHH" TEN+ TIMES BUT IN SUCCESSIVELY LARGER FONT THEN I WOULD
November 4, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Everything has been leading to this, what was started in Rosemary and Rue comes to a head in this book.
Opening Sentence: “The woods were dark, filled with strange shadows.”
The Review:
Toby is back and six months have passed since the events of Chimes at Midnight. Arden is the Queen in the Mists and Toby is happy to be alive and out of the limelight, mostly. Until her past literally rings her doorbell. When Toby opens the door she immediately invites Sylvester in only to realize moments later that it isn’t Sylvester, but Simon. Simon, the man who turned her into a fish and left her in the pond for fourteen years, tries to apologize to her. He’s bound by the geas and can’t reveal too much information about who employed him and for what gain. When Toby turns to the Sea Witch for help, and ends up having to run she knows things are bad.
Toby knows that Simon is trouble, but she doesn’t realize until it’s too late that his employer is pulling the strings and with her friends lives on the line will Toby be able to figure this out? Will Toby be able to put together all the clues given to her since the beginning and figure out who behind everything? Or will more people die?
When I first read this book, it was like the major ah-ha moment occurred. This was the book that all the others were leading too. It answered so many questions and led to so many more being asked. I can’t even say why without giving away huge spoilers in this book. Suffice to say that it ties back to Rosemary and Rue and in a huge way! Re-reading it was just, I am not sure I have the words. It reminded me of all the questions I had forgotten that were answered after reading this.
Toby has come so far and still has so far to go, but The Winter Long is the first time you begin to realize that there is a long game being played. It makes you reflect on the things that you learn in the past books. You come to a moment where even though long held questions have been answered there are still several mysteries going on in the October Daye world. For instance, in Chimes at Midnight, you learn that King Gilead and his parents were murdered. In One Salt Sea, you learn the tale of the Selkies and Roane, but you don’t learn the whole story. Not all of these are addressed in The Winter Long, I just wanted to give some examples of things that are in previous books that I feel are important in the long run in this series.
So if you haven’t started Rosemary and Rue or you haven’t kept up with the series, I don’t know why you are reading this. Go and read them now!
Notable Scene:
“You remember me.” I said quietly. “I never forced you to go against your nature, or tried to wrest you away from the owners you’d chosen. And when I couldn’t be the Countess you needed I found you someone who could play the part. I’ve tried to be a friend, when I could and I’ve tried to do no harm when friendship wasn’t possible. Now I’m here because I need a favor. I am begging you. If you have any power over the spells that hold your wards in place, let me in. I need to know what’s going on. I need to, know why the doors are locked. Please.”
FTC Advisory: DAW/Penguin provided me with a copy of The Winter Long. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Everything has been leading to this, what was started in Rosemary and Rue comes to a head in this book.
Opening Sentence: “The woods were dark, filled with strange shadows.”
The Review:
Toby is back and six months have passed since the events of Chimes at Midnight. Arden is the Queen in the Mists and Toby is happy to be alive and out of the limelight, mostly. Until her past literally rings her doorbell. When Toby opens the door she immediately invites Sylvester in only to realize moments later that it isn’t Sylvester, but Simon. Simon, the man who turned her into a fish and left her in the pond for fourteen years, tries to apologize to her. He’s bound by the geas and can’t reveal too much information about who employed him and for what gain. When Toby turns to the Sea Witch for help, and ends up having to run she knows things are bad.
Toby knows that Simon is trouble, but she doesn’t realize until it’s too late that his employer is pulling the strings and with her friends lives on the line will Toby be able to figure this out? Will Toby be able to put together all the clues given to her since the beginning and figure out who behind everything? Or will more people die?
When I first read this book, it was like the major ah-ha moment occurred. This was the book that all the others were leading too. It answered so many questions and led to so many more being asked. I can’t even say why without giving away huge spoilers in this book. Suffice to say that it ties back to Rosemary and Rue and in a huge way! Re-reading it was just, I am not sure I have the words. It reminded me of all the questions I had forgotten that were answered after reading this.
Toby has come so far and still has so far to go, but The Winter Long is the first time you begin to realize that there is a long game being played. It makes you reflect on the things that you learn in the past books. You come to a moment where even though long held questions have been answered there are still several mysteries going on in the October Daye world. For instance, in Chimes at Midnight, you learn that King Gilead and his parents were murdered. In One Salt Sea, you learn the tale of the Selkies and Roane, but you don’t learn the whole story. Not all of these are addressed in The Winter Long, I just wanted to give some examples of things that are in previous books that I feel are important in the long run in this series.
So if you haven’t started Rosemary and Rue or you haven’t kept up with the series, I don’t know why you are reading this. Go and read them now!
Notable Scene:
“You remember me.” I said quietly. “I never forced you to go against your nature, or tried to wrest you away from the owners you’d chosen. And when I couldn’t be the Countess you needed I found you someone who could play the part. I’ve tried to be a friend, when I could and I’ve tried to do no harm when friendship wasn’t possible. Now I’m here because I need a favor. I am begging you. If you have any power over the spells that hold your wards in place, let me in. I need to know what’s going on. I need to, know why the doors are locked. Please.”
FTC Advisory: DAW/Penguin provided me with a copy of The Winter Long. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
September 21, 2024
Not my favorite of the series but still a good book. Lots of secrets revealed. An important book because big important secrets are revealed and Toby definitely finds out things were not as she imagined.
November 21, 2020
I love this series.
I adore Toby, although I will admit that I missed something. I don't know what happened to make her and Luna's relationship so strained.
I didn't see that plot twist coming, I was trying to figure it out and I had no idea because that person was not in my thoughts.
I loved the ending!!
Another good addition to the series.
I adore Toby, although I will admit that I missed something. I don't know what happened to make her and Luna's relationship so strained.
I didn't see that plot twist coming, I was trying to figure it out and I had no idea because that person was not in my thoughts.
I loved the ending!!
Another good addition to the series.
September 9, 2014
Wow. What a huge letdown. I know I'm going to be in the tiny minority here but WTF happened to Toby? I've never been so repulsed by a character I used to love in a series since Anita Blake (different reasons, same disgust.)
Plot wise, it was standard and fast paced. My two stars comes from the fact that all the supporting cast were cardboard and Toby was incredibly OOC. Like, she thinks her man is dead and instead of looking for him, she just cries like a heap of uselessness. THAT kind of OOC. And all the rest of the time, she was acting like a five year old brat.
This book broadened an aspect from book 3 that bugged the hell out of me. That is, this demand for knowing everything. She had a split from Luna because Luna didn't tell her that Blind Michel was her father and she'd said that she thought Toby would die. Toby feels 'betrayed' by this.
You know what Toby? You were going to kill her father, even if it did free her, and she gave you passage to him. She didn't owe you a goddamn thing and as for being sent to die? HELLO! Changling girl against a first born? If Luna had said, before Toby went, that Toby wouldn't die, then everyone knows Toby would chide her for telling lies. It was an obvious conclusion.
What does this have to do with this book? Well, I agree with Luna when she snipped at Toby because, I hate to say it, Luna was right. Yes, Toby missed ten years of Jill's life but at least Jill wasn't with her in some dark hole for eight years and last time I checked, Jill didn't kidnap any one nor did she try to kill Toby.
Yeah, Toby, it was a shitty thing to happen to you but grow the fuck you. It's not the same thing. Not even close.
And then Toby starts to rail on Sylvester for not telling her about her mother and step-father? That wasn't any of Sylvester's business to tell her if her own mother hadn't.
I kept wanting him to smack her, especially at the end where she said 'you let me go after him knowing he was ...' I wanted to punch her. That's the most self-absorbed comment in this entire book series.
Yeah Toby, sorry about Sylvester being worried for his missing family. Obviously, he should've put your needs (to know everything) above that of his wife and child. You are obviously the most important person in Sylvester's universe and she always be told everything.
CAN I PUNCH TOBY? I really want to punch her. I honestly do.
Plot wise, it was standard and fast paced. My two stars comes from the fact that all the supporting cast were cardboard and Toby was incredibly OOC. Like, she thinks her man is dead and instead of looking for him, she just cries like a heap of uselessness. THAT kind of OOC. And all the rest of the time, she was acting like a five year old brat.
This book broadened an aspect from book 3 that bugged the hell out of me. That is, this demand for knowing everything. She had a split from Luna because Luna didn't tell her that Blind Michel was her father and she'd said that she thought Toby would die. Toby feels 'betrayed' by this.
You know what Toby? You were going to kill her father, even if it did free her, and she gave you passage to him. She didn't owe you a goddamn thing and as for being sent to die? HELLO! Changling girl against a first born? If Luna had said, before Toby went, that Toby wouldn't die, then everyone knows Toby would chide her for telling lies. It was an obvious conclusion.
What does this have to do with this book? Well, I agree with Luna when she snipped at Toby because, I hate to say it, Luna was right. Yes, Toby missed ten years of Jill's life but at least Jill wasn't with her in some dark hole for eight years and last time I checked, Jill didn't kidnap any one nor did she try to kill Toby.
Yeah, Toby, it was a shitty thing to happen to you but grow the fuck you. It's not the same thing. Not even close.
And then Toby starts to rail on Sylvester for not telling her about her mother and step-father? That wasn't any of Sylvester's business to tell her if her own mother hadn't.
I kept wanting him to smack her, especially at the end where she said 'you let me go after him knowing he was ...' I wanted to punch her. That's the most self-absorbed comment in this entire book series.
Yeah Toby, sorry about Sylvester being worried for his missing family. Obviously, he should've put your needs (to know everything) above that of his wife and child. You are obviously the most important person in Sylvester's universe and she always be told everything.
CAN I PUNCH TOBY? I really want to punch her. I honestly do.
June 9, 2015
Holy cow. This book rocked my socks off. It takes the series full circle in a way I never expected, but satisfies completely. Obviously, the journey itself is supposed to be a mystery. The blurb couldn’t be more cryptic:
But the thing is: the book is better for it. I’ll talk about what I can without spoiling the big reveals.
Obviously, some tightly held secrets are being revealed. Seanan McGuire says in the forward that this book was the culmination of her plans from the beginning of the series, and though I really struggled with Rosemary and Rue, the events of that book are pivotal to the way everything plays out. It’s time for Toby to face her old ghosts and to finally better understand what started the chain of events that lead her to where she is now.
What’s so gratifying about it all is that her character growth has prepared her for this battle. She has cultivated allies that are critical to her survival. She has grabbed on to her magic with both hands, strengthening herself in ways no one expected. And she has stepped away from the blind faith of youth, allowing herself to see dangers she likely would never been able to face before.
One of the things I love about this book is that is forces us, as readers, to redefine how we see many of the characters. That makes sense with it being in first person and with Toby’s perspective changing so fundamentally. But in the context of how all this is revealed, it makes sense. I am so very impressed at how McGuire pulled so many threads together in ways I never considered to be connected. So many questions are answered… some I didn’t even realize I had. It’s big. But it leaves many doors open. We don’t know everything. Specifically, we don’t know many of the “why’s” behind everyone’s behavior. Not every mystery is solved, and the door is left wide open for what is clearly more story on the horizon.
Even though this is a big plot driven book, it’s still deep rooted in characters and relationships. The big winners here, beyond Toby herself, are Tybalt and the Luidaeg. They are amazing and Toby’s connections to them made this exciting journey even more wonderful to read.
I couldn’t be more excited to see where this series will go next.
Rating: A-/B+
Toby thought she understood her own past; she thought she knew the score.
She was wrong.
It’s time to learn the truth.
But the thing is: the book is better for it. I’ll talk about what I can without spoiling the big reveals.
Obviously, some tightly held secrets are being revealed. Seanan McGuire says in the forward that this book was the culmination of her plans from the beginning of the series, and though I really struggled with Rosemary and Rue, the events of that book are pivotal to the way everything plays out. It’s time for Toby to face her old ghosts and to finally better understand what started the chain of events that lead her to where she is now.
What’s so gratifying about it all is that her character growth has prepared her for this battle. She has cultivated allies that are critical to her survival. She has grabbed on to her magic with both hands, strengthening herself in ways no one expected. And she has stepped away from the blind faith of youth, allowing herself to see dangers she likely would never been able to face before.
One of the things I love about this book is that is forces us, as readers, to redefine how we see many of the characters. That makes sense with it being in first person and with Toby’s perspective changing so fundamentally. But in the context of how all this is revealed, it makes sense. I am so very impressed at how McGuire pulled so many threads together in ways I never considered to be connected. So many questions are answered… some I didn’t even realize I had. It’s big. But it leaves many doors open. We don’t know everything. Specifically, we don’t know many of the “why’s” behind everyone’s behavior. Not every mystery is solved, and the door is left wide open for what is clearly more story on the horizon.
Even though this is a big plot driven book, it’s still deep rooted in characters and relationships. The big winners here, beyond Toby herself, are Tybalt and the Luidaeg. They are amazing and Toby’s connections to them made this exciting journey even more wonderful to read.
I couldn’t be more excited to see where this series will go next.
Rating: A-/B+
September 8, 2015
I don't know how this book can give so many answers and still leave me with a billion burning questions.
This was definitely the Book Where Things Are ~REVEALED~. It answers a LOT of questions that have gone unanswered since the first book, and some things you didn't even know you needed answers to. Also, there's lots of blood magic. I love when Toby shifts someone's blood, so this was like magic porn to me. DO ALL THE BLOOD MAGIC. ALL OF IT. There's an exciting new magic thing, too, which I bet will be explored more in the later books, and which SOMEONE knew about beforehand but didn't tell Toby. Sometimes I think things would be a lot easier if Toby just sat down everyone she knew in a big room and asked them to tell her all they know about her. EVERY BOOK has someone being like "oh by the way Toby, there's this thing about you (and/or your mom) that I knew all along but you had no idea, sorry I didn't tell you before, *shrug*." I MEAN. COME ON.
Now, for the spoilery QUESTIONS:
I love this series.
This was definitely the Book Where Things Are ~REVEALED~. It answers a LOT of questions that have gone unanswered since the first book, and some things you didn't even know you needed answers to. Also, there's lots of blood magic. I love when Toby shifts someone's blood, so this was like magic porn to me. DO ALL THE BLOOD MAGIC. ALL OF IT. There's an exciting new magic thing, too, which I bet will be explored more in the later books, and which SOMEONE knew about beforehand but didn't tell Toby. Sometimes I think things would be a lot easier if Toby just sat down everyone she knew in a big room and asked them to tell her all they know about her. EVERY BOOK has someone being like "oh by the way Toby, there's this thing about you (and/or your mom) that I knew all along but you had no idea, sorry I didn't tell you before, *shrug*." I MEAN. COME ON.
Now, for the spoilery QUESTIONS:
I love this series.
July 26, 2014
I love this series!!! This book was amazing! I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. Simon Torquill is back. He is the twin of Sylvester Torquill, October's liege lord. Simon is also the one who turned October (Toby) into a fish and kidnapped Sylvester's wife and daughter. During this book Toby finds out that she has a connection to Simon. Simon may not be the total bad guy she thought he was. Turns out there is someone else who was pulling his strings. Toby must find out who it is and put a stop to them before Shadowed Hills falls and her friends are killed.
There was nonstop action in this book and so many secrets were revealed. I could not stop reading this book. I also must say that the ending will take your breath away. I love Tybalt!! An absolute amazing read. I am so thankful to have won this book but I would pay good money for it as well. A fantastic book!
There was nonstop action in this book and so many secrets were revealed. I could not stop reading this book. I also must say that the ending will take your breath away. I love Tybalt!! An absolute amazing read. I am so thankful to have won this book but I would pay good money for it as well. A fantastic book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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