A Divided Duty

October Daye #20

by Seanan McGuire

Seanan McGuire’s New York Times bestselling and Hugo Award-nominated October Daye series finds Toby Daye torn between caring for her newborn daughter and keeping the world of Faerie—and her found family—safe.

October “Toby” Daye is settling into life with a baby, remembering the ins and outs of motherhood, and trying to find ways to balance her work with her desire to keep her baby safe at home and away from all the terrors Faerie has to offer. Her whole household is pitching in, from May all the way down to Raysel, the estranged daughter of Toby’s liege lord who is currently serving out a term of offense in Toby’s home.

Naturally, as everything is beginning to find a balance, it’s time for Raysel’s term of offense to end, and Luna Torquill very much wants her daughter back.

But Toby has been helping Raysel get the help she desperately needs, from giving her a safe place to hide all the way to finding her a licensed therapist who works with the fae, and Raysel isn’t ready to leave. Luna isn’t taking no for an answer, and before anyone can realize what she’s planning, she steals her own child away to Blind Michael’s lands.

Not even Luna knows all the terrible secrets her father and his works hid from the world, and not even she can protect her daughter from the monsters in their lineage. All too quickly, Toby must race the clock to save Raysel—before it’s too late for her to ever come home.

It’s been years, but now the question will be asked can she get there and back by the light of a candle?

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Romance, Fae, Adult

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

Hi! 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. :(

Reviews

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series Info/Source: This is the 20th book in the October Daye series. I got this on ebook from NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: Previously this had been one of my absolutely favorite series. The last few books, though, have been really dragging for me. There is so much recapping, back story, and over explanation that the story moves forward at a slog. I find myself skimming paragraphs of over explanation to get back to the meat of the story.

Toby and crew are settling into life with new baby, Miranda. Unfortunately, Raysel's term of offense is about to end and Raysel isn't ready to return to her home and her overbearing mother, Luna. When the Queen gives her blessing to extend Raysel's term of offense, Luna flies into a rage. Luna kidnaps Raysel and drags her into Blind Michael's lands. Toby has a duty to Raysel. While Toby's crew babysit; Toby and Tybalt must make a deal with the sea witch to journey back into Blind Michael's lands.

This was soooo slow. There is so much recapping that it is painful. You are 25% of the way into the story before Raysel's kidnapping happens. That 25% is just a lot of recapping, over-explaining, and juggling daycare for Miranda. I don't need a complete explanation of every bit of history behind every type of faerie every single time a fairy type is mentioned. We got this background in previous books, and this series is published yearly. I feel like every book in this series has been getting worse and worse about this. I frequently found myself skimming paragraphs of backstory, recapping, and detailed explanation that just wasn't that pertinent to the story.

I am not sure what to say about the characters at this point. Toby has formed a wonderful found family at this point. Her and Tybalt are happily starting a blood family of their own as well. Toby continues to charge into danger and suffer grave wounds (which don't seem to matter because she's invincible now). I found the whole premise of this story to be very outside of her character. She is willing to sacrifice everything she has worked for to protect Raysel, a girl who did nothing but cause pain to others. Yes this is noble but it also seems a bit out of character and I think Tybalt is a saint for not protesting more. Tybalt and Toby have a right to protect their family and find happiness. Yes, Toby is invincible, but that doesn't mean she still doesn't hurt.

The whole storyline around Titania re-writing the world felt contrived and unnecessary to me. This book is mainly dealing with the emotional fall out all the characters had from when that happened. It feels like this series is being pushed to continue rather than getting the cozy ending it deserves.

There are characters in here who do deserve to have their stories told. The short story at the end of the book takes a shot at this by visiting Quentin's POV. I give this short story a 4/5 stars. I think if this series needs to continue (which I am not sure it should) we'd be better served by hearing from some of the side characters directly (like the Sea Witch, or Raysel, or any other number of intriguing side characters).

So why do I keep reading this series? I honestly almost didn't pick up this book; I've been frustrated with this series since book 17 "Sleep No More" where the Titania reality shift happened. I do really love these characters, though and I think I keep picking this series ups in hopes of seeing the characters get some finality and peace in their lives.

My Summary (3/5): Overall this was okay but I feel like 50% of this could have been cut without effecting the main story. There is so much recapping, back story, and over explanation in here that this really drags. I continue to love the characters but find the story itself to be very contrived. It is like this series is being dragged along by contrived and unnecessary events; I am really not sure what the point is anymore. I have been struggling with this series since book 17 and would love to see our characters get some closure and peace. If the series has to continue, it would be nice to have it focus on some of the side characters that have more compelling stories to tell.

[Mykhe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.

Compared to the last 19 books this one was a little hard to get into -- part of the issue for me was going back to Blind Michael's skerry. The environment and some of the characters didn't really gel for me until after the 75% mark. But even a 4-star book from Ms. McGuire is better than most of the 5-stars I've recently read from other authors.

Plus, can you blame anyone for taking it a little easy after reading the masterfully plotted and written 2-novel story of #'s 17 & 18?

In A Divided Duty, I loved seeing the progression of Raysel's journey, 99% of the characters made me fall in love with them again, the world out of the skerry was beautifully described, and the banter between Toby & Tybalt was really fun, and did a great job of showing their evolving relationship. I thought the plot was well done, especially since I could see the reason for the use of the skerry. But the initial travels in the skerry reminded me of the Cure song, "A Forest" - bleak, seemingly never ending, and not all that interesting until some of the structures got involved.

And the short story at the end was AMAZING! (I may be a little biased...)

[Brittany S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read Completed 9/14/26 | 4 stars | Book #181 of 2026
I received an audiobook copy from the publisher Macmillan Audio via Netgalley.

I really enjoyed this one! Twenty books in and you feel like things can get stale, but Seanan McGuire does a great job at working all the different angles of this universe. There's SO much to explore Faerie that we can follow a new plot, keep characters growing and moving, and even revisit things that we already know and love to create a series that keeps feeling like coming home.

I did an entire series re-read up to this point so *everything* was pretty fresh, and I'm happy with the way that this went! Everyone is still getting back to their authentic selves after the whole mess with Titania and it felt like we were really digging into the roots and feelings and motivations behind every character. I really liked it a lot, like it was just circling back home.

I actually really liked the plot too. Toby gets to stay involved being the hero and all, but it's not a Toby-centric plot. We've been building to this point for quite a while with Rayseline and Luna, and things finally came to a breaking point. I love seeing Toby protecting her found family, and I love seeing Raysel working through her trauma and how much Toby and all of the young adults have rallied around her.

I also enjoyed revisiting some of the locations we see again here. We get even more world-building surrounding some of the lands, we see more first-born, and find out some new revelations of long-standing relationships.

Seeing Toby and Tybalt with their daughter is also so touching! I'm so happy to see Tybalt as a father after his trauma from all those years ago. It's also so fun to see the other characters with this new dynamic, Auntie May quickly taking to the baby, and the Luideag as godmother. There's just such a fun cast of characters and even ones like Danny make an appearance and ask after the baby.

This wasn't a perfect book, but I always feel a lot of pressure to enjoy new books from favorite authors in favorite series, and I was very satisfied with this.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Divided Duty is a strong, satisfying entry in the October Daye series, delivering exactly what long‑time readers crave: emotional fallout, sharpened stakes, and the return of the Toby/Tybalt dynamic at its best. After the chaos of Titania’s reality warp, the realms are still carrying both visible and invisible scars, and McGuire leans into that lingering damage and character growth is still seen after 20 + books and novellas in this series.

One of the real joys here is seeing Toby and Tybalt back in balance; not perfect, not magically healed, but working as a team again. Their partnership has always been one of the emotional anchors of the series, and this book lets them breathe, rebuild, and fight side by side without losing the tension and power dynamic that makes them oh so compelling.

The addition of a new baby in the household adds warmth and vulnerability, grounding the story even as the political temperature keeps rising. And rise it does; Oberon’s children and their descendants continue to wreak havoc with a level of entitlement that makes you want to throw the entire royal family into a timeout. There are moments where you can’t help wishing capital punishment were on the table for certain fae lineages, if only to spare everyone the next inevitable disaster.

The plot moves quickly, the emotional beats land, and the world feels more fragile and volatile than ever. My only hesitation keeping this from a full five stars is that some of the political escalation feels like it’s building toward a payoff we haven’t quite reached yet; but what is here is gripping, character‑rich, and deeply satisfying.

A strong, engaging installment that keeps me coming back even after all this time.

A big thank you to Tor Books | Macmillan and Edelweiss for this ARC copy. This is my review. A DIVIDED DUTY is set for publication on Sept. 29, 2026.

[Just Blue Through Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and to MacMIllan Audio for the e-ARC of A Divided Duty by Seanan McGuire.

Mary Robinette Kowal is THE only narrator I will accept for the October Daye series, and she once again does a phenomenal job.

A Divided Duty picks up 4 months after the events of the last book. The summary provided by the publisher is very much in line with the actual plot of the book, so I won't add any spoilers or try to recap it.

What I will say is that this book reflects a lot on the unseen and remaining impacts from Titania's illusion 1 year-8 months previously. It opens up the dual-timeline/history many of the characters are experiencing in ways that are both dangerous and heartbreaking. It returns to a wider ranging plot that affects the realm and Toby's chosen family, and it provides Toby another opportunity to establish her status as a hero. We see the ways her magic has grown since the last time she had a candle in her hand, and we see her more accepting of her need to bleed and confident in her ability to heal while also trying to protect Tybalt and Miranda from the impacts of her actions. She and Tybalt are stalwart in their love, though his strong worries for her do remain a present and needed topic, and both Toby and Tybalt's efforts to keep Miranda safe have isolated them a bit from their wider circle of friends.

Background stories do continue to percolate as Toby once again needs a bargain with the Luidaeg, with other trailing mentions of hanging plot threads. While this overall story brings together the past and the present, layers of forgiveness, and Toby's reckoning of taking on motherhood again while confronting her former mother-figures, there are still so many stories still to be told.

I can't wait for the next book - this one is another top notch read.

[Jules Poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Divided Duty
An October Daye Novel
by Seanan McGuire
with Mary Robinette Kowal (Narrator)

I received an ARC of this audiobook from Netgalley.

Seanan Mcguire’s Toby Daye series is my absolute favorite series, and has been for at least a decade.

The character building is unparalleled. Every character has a story, and a story within a story. They each have families, friends, a past, a passion, a motive, and a mission. Sometimes that mission is just being a damn good cook or being a loving significant other. Sometimes, even often, the stories go deeper to an emotional place rarely gone to, and yet, we find ourselves meeting that emotional place in every Toby novel.

The world-building is pure perfection. Every Toby novel makes me feel like faerie is real.

Toby is an incident-bound hero type with a heart of gold, smarts for days, wisdom beyond her years, and a complete penchant to disregard danger in order to save others. How could she not be my favorite character ever?

Seriously, please listen to this book, plus all the others. I swear it’s worth it, so worth it.

500 stars!!

Also, the narrator, Mary Robinette Kowal, as always, is divine - please give her a raise!!

[Wayward Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the last few books of huge surprises, and big emotional moments, I wasn't sure what to expect with this one, beyond knowing from the blurb that we would be revisiting Blind Michael's skerry again. This time in pursuit of Luna, who has abducted Raysel when she is just starting to make progress on getting better. Naturally, Toby goes into full mama bear mode, and I love how fiercely she fights for all her chosen kids. Also, can poor Raysel get a break already?!

I enjoyed that this book called back to earlier in the series by traveling to Blind Michael's skerry by the light of a candle, and re-encountering his magic, with Tybalt by her side this time. And since Toby is older and wiser, she does seem to view the skerry a little differently.

This book shows us who the monsters really are, reminds us that the protective bonds of chosen family can run just as deep, and hints that we haven't fully plumbed the depths of Toby's magical abilities.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're reading this, you've read the blurb. You know what you think to expect going into this book, but this is also Book #20, so you're prepared for a WHAM! I was prepared for a WHAM! I'm not sure I was prepared for what we got, after the last four times.

Yes, Toby is a new mother and Raysel's term of offense is coming to an end. Yes, Luna doesn't like the way the vote goes and kidnaps her own daughter, running home to her mother. What happens next is probably not what you were expecting.

Revisiting Blind Michael's lands at this point might feel overdone to many given how prominent it featured in Titania's Faerie, but for me it didn't feel repetitive; it felt like Toby finally maturing to a point where she might clean up her own messes. If Raysel can be saved, how many more might still come home again?

[Breann · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this addition to the series was getting back to the Tybalt and Toby adventures.

I thought the choice to go back to Blind Michael's lands a little boring since it doesn't feel like a threat anymore but I appreciated seeing new sides to it.

I'm really enjoying seeing Raysel's growth, though it's hard to believe all the "kids" are so old now. (Baby Quentin, where did you go?) It was cool to see Chelsea into some of the action, but I'm heartbroken about how Quentin is taking his time in Titania's world.

My biggest pet peeve though... Miranda? Miranda?!

Overall a fast paced ride back into one of my favorite series with my favorite fae. With the dynamics in relationships and parties changing, I'm interested to see what direction the series takes next.

[Gretal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one didn't really feel like a fourth book, so I guess we're not counting Tybalt's in that, and I hope people can temper their expectations accordingly. Also, it's a jumpscare every time Miranda's name is on the page. Still, it was nice to spend more time with Raysel and Chelsea, and revisit Michael's skerry.

And I missed Quentin during the main story, but fortunately the short at the end made up for it.

[MAB LongBeach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A threat to October's found family becomes a threat to all of Faerie, when Raysel's mother refuses to admit that Raysel could be better off with anyone but her. This time Tybalt is the one who accompanies her on her quest, returning to Blind Michael's skerry to track down a missing foster daughter--and prevent the monsters from returning.

A worthy entry in this powerful series.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever, completely unable to wait until closer to publication to read a new Toby arc. This was a very interesting adventure, answering questions left dangling about the status of Blind Michael's lands and the convoluted state we'd left the Sylvester/Luna/Toby/Raysel relationship in. A slight respite from the heavier plot-moving books recently, but I'm sure there are hugely important threads within that I'll only see once they pop up in later books and smack me in the face. Loved it, no shock.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rare 3 star (3.5) rating for me for the series. After so many books, it seemed like the first fifth of the book was devoted to getting us caught up. And I don't know if there's a way to get around that, but this time it really seemed to drag. The story itself is great and the novella But By Degrees is 4 or 5 stars. Of course I will still devour every entry in this series.
Thank you *very much* to Tor and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available for my review.

Twenty books in and this series still remains strong. Toby just never gives up, even when struggling to keep her extended family safe and happy. Toby's tendency toward protecting others is even stronger now that she is a mother. The bonus short is just as good, in its own way, as the main story. This is still my favorite urban fantasy series, and just looking forward to seeing where it leads.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was such a great read, loved coming back to Blind Michael’s lands and dealing with Raysel's complicated relationships with her family!

*Review of But by Degrees*
This story hurt and healed, and I really enjoyed getting this perspective!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to you continue to be a Hero of the Realm with a newborn nursing baby? Toby has to figure it out, because Raysel is in trouble and Toby promised to keep her safe. Luckily she has a crew to support her. Another good entry in my favorite urban fantasy series.

[Kimberley Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

With A Divided Duty, we’re at book 20 in the October Daye series. The title is especially apt as we watch October attempt to settle in as a mother & wife, while also honoring her promise to protect Raysel- even if it means going against her liege (and his wife). It wouldn’t be an October Daye book if she wasn’t putting herself in the line of fire to save a (found) family member- even if Tybalt would rather she didn’t! I always enjoy catching up with the gang. The narrator has grown on me (or else has settled down) over time so I look forward to listening to the different character voices.
*Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the free copy

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harkening back to the early novels, Toby must return to Blind Michael's lands to rescue Raysel. Meanwhile, everyone is still reeling from the fallout of Titania's spell.
Toby has grown as a character, but she still needs to get theraoy herself.

*** Read an eARC from Edelweiss ***

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love! Lots of adventure and unraveling of loose threads - not to give anything away!

[Kira · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come upon release. Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for the pre-release copy!

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Full RTC

[Glennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Kit Garton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks, NetGalley for an advance copy! One of my favorite October Daye books! I read it all in one day. Toby and Tybalt figuring out how to be parents to Miranda is great and the found family is wonderful as always. I liked the return of Sylvester as a major character, which I did not expect to feel. It deals with the complex trauma of Titania's world well, especially in the accompanying novella.

[Aiyesha]

** THE VERSION OF THIS BOOK THAT I READ WAS AN ARC **