Today is the final week of a three week readalong of Seanan McGuire’s The Winter Long (October Daye #8). Today Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow is hosting the questions.   The Goodreads page link is here. Be aware that spoilers will be lurking below for not only this book but for the previous books in the series. If you haven’t started reading the Toby Daye series and you like urban fantasy then I strongly recommend this series to you.

1. Some of Toby’s relationships are falling apart even more now. Luna and Sylvester both say (or don’t say) things they can’t take back, and it looks as though Toby may finally have had enough. What did you think of her confrontations with them, and is there any hope of reconciliation?

I would like to think that there is always hope of reconciliation.  I mean, these friendships didn’t turn out to be what Toby (or me for that matter) thought they were but nonetheless I feel at the moment I don’t know the true status.  Just like I didn’t know who Toby really was I wonder if there are bits and pieces of Sylvester and Luna’s history that I still don’t know.  I thought the confrontations were cold – in fact it felt like the two of them were finally showing that real ‘fae’ demeanour that we’ve read about so often.  The frozen, chilly kind that keeps people at arms length.  That was my first thought with both of them.  But, still at the back of my mind I don’t like to think too harshly of Sylvester.  I’d like to think that there is something holding him back or preventing him telling Toby what is going on.  Luna is another thing altogether.  I don’t think I’ve ever really warmed to her – she’s feels too detached or remote somehow.  Again, I will try to keep an open mind with both of them because if this series has taught me anything is that things aint always what they seem.

2. Conversely, it’s Simon who makes the effort to be supportive of Toby, in the end – despite what it costs him. How do you feel about what happens to him here?

I felt sorry for Simon.  He’s been weak, and he’s made mistakes, but he tried to turn it round didn’t he and I believe in second chances.  He’s going to take a long sleep now and hopefully over the next 100 years things won’t seem as bleak for him!  Although the fae are worse than elephants with their long memories.

3. Some family feuds really can be epic. What was your take on the big showdown with Toby, Eira and the Luidaeg?  

Well, yet more revelations and what really stands out to me is the fact that Eira can’t harm Toby  –  lordy, if she’d only known that a little bit sooner eh!  And the Luidaeg can’t harm Eira – all these protections that have been put in place – clearly to protect those that are weaker from those that could run amok.  I guess it keeps a strange sort of peace in a way doesn’t it.  It also makes it a little bit more obvious why the fae keep so many secrets.

4. Tybalt proposed! Is this going to be a happy ending, do you think?

OMG – it was almost the perfect ending.  In fact what I am talking about – it was the perfect ending.  I have no doubt that Ms McGuire will continue to chuck everything she has at Toby and Tybalt.  No doubt Toby will be covered in blood many, many more times, and no doubt Tybalt will continue to try and help rescue her and more often than not end up with her rescuing him.  Yes, I think they can have the perfect ending – they both know what they want now and it’s within reach!

Bring on the next book!