Rosemary and Rue (October Daye #1) by Seanan McGuire
Just finished reading Rosemary and Rue as part of a readalong with a great group of characters. I’ve had my eye on this series for a while but as I’m so far behind I found it a bit daunting – this readalong was the perfect incentive and Rosemary and Rue is a great set up book for the series. I very much look forward to seeing where Toby’s adventures take us next.
Toby Daye is a changeling. Her mother was a member of the fae and her father a regular old mundane human. Changelings are unfortunate in many respects because whilst you could argue that having a foot in both camps would be advantageous it actually leaves them being neither one thing or the other. They have to cover up their outward appearance so that human eyes won’t see their differences, using magic that is quite weak and they’re not particularly welcome at most of the fae courts being looked down on as lesser creatures. Toby has been gifted with a rare magic, she can use blood magic and she does so in order to become an investigator in the fae world. Unfortunately, at the start of R&R Toby is taken away from the family she loves, in fact away from everything she knows. I won’t elaborate other than to say this book certainly gets off to a dramatic start.
When Toby eventually returns to the world you could say she’s traumatised and left wanting nothing more to do with the fae underworld. Everything she knows, loves and has worked hard to achieve has been taken from her and she basically goes into a self imposed seclusion to lick her wounds. Unfortunately, the fae world have other ideas and in spite of her intentions Toby is pulled into an investigation of the brutal murder of a Countess and within less than an eye blink she’s sunk back into the twisty political world of the fae.
I really enjoyed Rosemary and Rue. I think it has good pacing, the writing is very easy to get along with, in fact the narrative practically reads itself and the characters are a whole mixed bag of the fantastic.
It pretty soon becomes clear that Toby has more support than she lets on as friends and allies from her past start to seep out of the woodwork. However, Toby also has a darker side to her past and it’s in this direction that she seeks aid making bargains with perhaps those that she ought best to avoid.
This was a great start to series. I loved dipping my toes back into fae waters and there’s no shortage of Knowes/Courts/Politics/Seelies/magical artifacts and other creatures of myth with a murder mystery thrown in for good measure.
A very promising start to this series that I look forward to continuing.
Rosemary and Rue October Daye #1, by Seanan McGuire, readalong week 4
30 January 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: A Local Habitation, readalong week 4, Rosemary and Rue, Seanan McGuire
Today is the conclusion of our Rosemary and Rue readalong arranged by Lisa from Over the Effing Rainbow. This week Lisa is our lovely host and coming up with the questions.
The schedule is as follows, feel free to dive in with the comments:
Week 1: Saturday 9th January, Chapters 1-6, hosted by Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Saturday 16th January, Chapters 7-14, hosted by moi at Lynn’s Books
Week 3: Saturday 23rd January, Chapters 15-20, hosted by Anya at On Starships and Dragonwings
Week 4: Saturday 30th January, Chapters 21-End, hosted by Over the Effing Rainbow (still me!)
We’re going to be picking up book No.2 (A Local Habitation) during March so if you’re interested in reading this series details will follow shortly. There’s a discussion page over on Goodreads if that makes it easier to join. Without further ado here are the questions and answers with a word of warning that spoilers will be lurking, nay positively running amok, below:
1. On the way to finding Evening’s killer at last, we get to meet the Luidaeg in person. What are your impressions of her, and what do you think of the sneaky ‘deal’ Toby managed to make with her?
I actually like her – which is probably weird because she’s this terrifying creature – but I just didn’t have any bad feelings about her – for now. I mean, I’m not saying I’d like to get on her wrong side but overall she came across as sort of fair! I thought Toby was very crafty coming up with that deal – I think the Luidaeg will appreciate that sort of intelligence though. Yeah, it was cheeky but it shows that Toby is thinking sensibly about things.
2. Next stop is the Court of Cats, where we see Tybalt in his role as a king, followed by another visit to Lily to finally learn the truth. We get some more evidence of the regard they both have for Toby; in light of previous discussions about Toby’s friendships, what do you make of this new evidence?
I loved the Court of Cats and definitely want to go back and see more! I think Toby has a lot of powerful friends, she’s been in a sort of denial about her life – post fish – and at the start of the book she felt very alone but clearly that was self imposed while she came to terms with things. What this tells me is that Toby is the sort of person who can make and keep good friends, which speaks volumes of her own character.
3. Now for the final reveal! Devin ‘fesses up, and Dare is killed defending Toby… Was any of this finale what you’d expected? What do you make of Devin’s reasons for killing Evening?
This wasn’t what I expected, in fact, to be honest, I didn’t really have any expectations as I just didn’t have any clue and I was simply enjoying the read and waiting to see what the outcome was – basically no second guessing from me at this point. Obviously Devin was a sleazy character – I think part of me didn’t want him to be the culprit, not because I wanted to like him but more because I suppose on the face of it he was one of the most obvious choice (along with the Queen). That being said, no, I didn’t see it coming – I almost thought he was a red herring. He’s mad as a box of spiders though. And Dare – OMG, why! Just why!!
4. The hope chest is given over to the Queen at the end of the story. In light of what we’ve seen of her and the potential power that the hope chest has (regardless of what it does), do you think this was the right thing for Toby to do?
I think it was the only thing she could do. There’s a lot of court politics going on here and Toby couldn’t very well just stick her tongue out and say ‘finders keepers’. Plus, she couldn’t really keep the Chest herself as it was too dangerous for her. We still really don’t know what the real power of the Chest is but we can see it had an impact on Toby. I don’t like it though – I think the Queen herself also came across as a bit unstable so it feels like giving something quite powerful to somebody a bit unhinged. It’s got an ‘inmates running the asylum’ feel. Let’s see!
That’s it for now folks – it’s going to feel like a long wait for A Local Habitation – check out the creepy cover!
Rosemary and Rue October Daye #1, by Seanan McGuire, readalong week 3
23 January 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Readalong week 3, Rosemary and Rue, Seanan McGuire
Today is week three of our Rosemary and Rue readalong arranged by Lisa from Over the Effing Rainbow. This week Anya at On Starships and Dragonwings is our lovely host and coming up with the questions.
The schedule is as follows, feel free to dive in with the comments:
Week 1: Saturday 9th January, Chapters 1-6, hosted by Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Saturday 16th January, Chapters 7-14, hosted by moi at Lynn’s Books
Week 3: Saturday 23rd January, Chapters 15-20, hosted by Anya at On Starships and Dragonwings
Week 4: Saturday 30th January, Chapters 21-End, hosted by Over the Effing Rainbow (still me!)
All are welcome to join in and there’s a discussion page over on Goodreads if that makes it easier to join. Without further ado here are the questions and answers with a word of warning that spoilers will be lurking below:
1. We finally get to meet Lily in person! What do you think? Does she live up to the buildup in the first part of the book? We also meet Julie for the first time. Does it surprise you that Toby seems to have more friends than she lets on?
I liked Lily – it felt a little as though she’d been pulled into the scheme to capture Toby and I felt sorry for her in that respect. She seemed to be a genuine person and to really like toby and want to help – that being said she seems restricted on how much help she can give. Julie also seems to be a good friend – I don’t know what’s going on now with Toby. On starting the story she felt very alone but people seem to be popping out of the woodwork now to help her and be friendly. Maybe she’s withdrawn herself from everyone rather than the other way around – I guess she doesn’t know who to trust either!
2. Tybalt to the rescue! Do you buy his excuse for why he chose to save Toby’s life? Ulterior motives much?
I don’t buy his excuse at all. Those two are both in denial about their feelings I thin. It’s a little bit of a pity that he didn’t step into the fray sooner though – but, perhaps he was genuinely distracted before he could come to the rescue!
3. Toby gets together with Devin in this section. Their relationship is a bit fraught, what do you think? Is it good she is relying on Devin or do you think it is unhealthy?
I’m really starting to think it’s not a good idea. Devin treats everyone badly around him, he seems to be obsessed with Toby but I think that’s more to do with the fact that she was the one that ‘got away’. I didn’t know what to make of him last week but warning bells are now going off and actually in more ways than one. He’s not just a control freak is he – he seems to be maybe helping Toby because he has an interest in what she finds. Not healthy at all.
4. That freaking doppleganger! Did you suspect Gillian was fake? Do you think Toby should try to get to know Gillian now that she is older?
I didn’t suspect right away to be honest which makes me feel a little bit stupid really – after all this time, why would Gillian just show up like that?I do think Toby should try to get to know Gillian, although to an extent I can see why she would avoid contact because she’s probably trying to protect Gillian and not let her get sucked into her world.
5. Finally, we only have a few chapters left, any idea how everything is going to shake out? Ideas on who is behind it all yet?
At this point no. I don’t really trust certain people and think they have an interest. In fact, at the moment the only people I really trust are Toby and Tybalt.
Rosemary and Rue October Daye #1, by Seanan McGuire, readalong week 2
16 January 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: October Daye, Readalong week 2, Rosemary and Rue, Seanan McGuire
Today is week two of our Rosemary and Rue readalong arranged by Lisa from Over the Effing Rainbow. I’ve been looking forward to reading this and so far it’s really living up to my expectations – this week’s chapters were great so I apologise for going overboard with the questions – but I had things on my mind and I needed answers!!
The schedule is as follows and it’s definitely not too late to join in so go and grab a copy – or if you’re already read it dive in with the comments:
Week 1: Saturday 9th January, Chapters 1-6, hosted by Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Saturday 16th January, Chapters 7-14, hosted by moi at Lynn’s Books
Week 3: Saturday 23rd January, Chapters 15-20, hosted by Anya at On Starships and Dragonwings
Week 4: Saturday 30th January, Chapters 21-End, hosted by Over the Effing Rainbow (still me!)
All are welcome to join in and there’s a discussion page over on Goodreads if that makes it easier to join. Without further ado here are the questions and answers with a word of warning that spoilers will be lurking below:
1. We finally get to meet Devin and Sylvester. They’ve both played important roles in Toby’s life. What were your initial impressions of both of them and the worlds in which they live. What were your first thoughts about them?
I think I need more information about Devin and this whole setup of his because at the moment I’m not totally sure I understand what it’s all about. He obviously has an interest in Toby (and by interest – I mean ‘an interest’!) I can’t quite make my mind up at the moment if he’s being portrayed as a bit sleazy and dangerous but really he isn’t – or maybe really he is! It’s interesting that he surrounds himself with slightly more vulnerable and younger types – so, he either has a heart of gold but likes to give off a ‘don’t mess with me attitude’ as a cover or he finds it easier to play the boss in this way. I don’t really get the feeling it’s the latter. Or maybe I’m just hoping that there’s more to him if you scratch the surface as at the moment I didn’t immediately dislike him or anything – although he has made something of a pact with Toby which I think she may regret.
Sylvester – he seemed to be so genuinely pleased, nay thrilled, to see Toby – twirling her around and grinning, acting all concerned, etc. But, at the back of my mind, and I’m not saying I distrust him – but I can’t help wonder why he didn’t make the effort to go and see Toby himself when he knew she was alive – he kept sending messages. I know, I know, he shouldn’t have to run his own errands – but even so.
Do you remember the whole scene in LoTR where Frodo and Sam first meet Strider and Sam says something along the line of trusting him because he looks foul but feels fair – well, it kind of makes me think… maybe sometimes things look fair but feel foul.
That being said, I liked Sylvester. Okay, I’m just going to go away and debate (argue with myself) some more.
2. I’m totally intrigued by the Hope Chest – do you have any ideas about what exactly it is and what might be the significance of it being found?
Well, I have a notion that it somehow increases the magical abilities of the changelings – which is why they’re drawn to it like iron filings to a magnet. Now, the only reason I thought that is because Toby seemed of a sudden to be able to conjure things more easily, for example, her human appearance or her fancy pants dress when she appeared in Sylvester’s court. That could of course be a complete clanger but I thought I’d chuck it out there. You can see why the fae would want to keep it hidden as it certainly would tip the balances a little. So, not to enjoy my own idea too much – I was then, on the other hand thinking of the name – A Hope Chest – is this a play on words or is this chest genuinely going to give hope to those that find it. Can’t wait to find out.
3. Tybalt – I was curious as to Toby’s reasoning to trust him with the Hope Chest – what do you think?
I guess it goes back to the Strider/Frodo scenario above. Can you really trust Tybalt. Is he foul or fair? I actually think you can. I’m not sure that I totally agree with Toby’s reasoning. But, maybe underneath it all she trusts Tybalt more than she wants to admit. After all there’s a fine line between love and hate and these two do seem to be getting in each other’s faces so far. Plus, there was that whole ‘rescuing Toby from the coming dawn scene’! *waggles eyebrows* – come on, he could have just left her to it methinks!
4. We experience the reaction of other members of the fae to the murder of Evening and Toby telling them about the Queen’s reactions – did their reactions give you any clues at all??
Yes, they did – but now I’ve forgotten in what way! Well, not totally (but why oh why don’t I make some notes occasionally!). Okay, it was interesting that everyone seemed to be puzzled by the Queen’s reactions to Evening’s murder. It seems to be genuinely felt that maybe she’s going a little crazy. Personally, it feels like she’s almost afraid – that could be totally off kilter but she feels like the ostrich with her head in the sand at the moment. She has her hands over her ears and is singing ‘lalalalalalal’ to stop from hearing anything. Which just makes me puzzled. She’s powerful isn’t she. Surely she wants to know who murdered Evening – unless she does know and is scared. Why, oh why, am I making all these highfalutin guesses! Simply to give you all a giggle.
5. What were your thoughts on Raysel and Luna?
You know – my immediate feelings with the whole ‘gone missing’ episode was that ‘how do we know they’re really who they’re supposed to be’ (arrggghh, stop with the guesses – stop, stop, stop!) After all – I can’t stop – fairies are always swapping fae for humans – what if they also swap fae for fae! IT COULD HAPPEN. Failing that, I guess they’re both traumatised by their ordeal (completely understandable). Luna feels a little withdrawn – Raysel, well, what can you say. Maniac, maybe? Too strong?? I wouldn’t want to meet her alone in a dark alley – that is all. Plus there’s this whole element of blaming Toby – she didn’t abduct them did she. She didn’t find them either but she wasn’t responsible for the fact they went missing, plus, her investigation was a bit hampered by the lack of a body and the addition of gills and fins.
6. That ending, did we just end up back in the first post? – what is going on? Speculation?? Lets just talk about it please.
I couldn’t believe it! I mean, obviously it’s not totally a deja vu to the prologue because Toby isn’t turned into a fish! Bear in mind that I haven’t read on here at all so I’m just going to say that I have no idea. Why was somebody in her car – and that did give me the goosebumps , I’ve got them again now just thinking about it – part of me wondered if he just really wanted to talk to her – and then I thought, yeah, maybe breaking into somebody’s car wouldn’t be the best way to go about doing that – plus, surely he had a chance to garble something during Toby’s high speed car drama. I’m genuinely puzzled over all of it and for once have no fantastical flights of fantasy floating round my noggin.
I must admit I really enjoyed these chapters though and can’t wait to read everyone’s thoughts 😀
Rosemary and Rue October Daye #1, by Seanan McGuire, readalong week 1
9 January 2016
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: readalong week 1, Rosemary and Rue, Seanan McGuire
Today is week one of our Rosemary and Rue readalong arranged by Lisa from Over the Effing Rainbow. I’ve been looking forward to reading this and I’m hoping it’s going to become one of my new favourite urban fantasy series.
The schedule is as follows and it’s definitely not too late to join in so go and grab a copy – or if you’re already read it dive in with the comments:
Week 1: Saturday 9th January, Chapters 1-6, hosted by Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Saturday 16th January, Chapters 7-14, hosted by moi at Lynn’s Books
Week 3: Saturday 23rd January, Chapters 15-20, hosted by Anya at On Starships and Dragonwings
Week 4: Saturday 30th January, Chapters 21-End, hosted by Over the Effing Rainbow (still me!)
All are welcome to join in and there’s a discussion page over on Goodreads if that makes it easier to join. Without further ado here are the questions and answers with a word of warning that spoilers will be lurking below:
1. So, first impressions time! What do you think of the book setup, first of all? Setting, magic system, Faerie in general?
I’m really enjoying it so far. There’s no messing about but straight in with that very interesting prologue and then fairly quickly into the fray. I’m not new to urban fantasy so it’s pretty easy to fall into this world which has a lot of characters and magic that already feel familiar and yet also seem to stand on it’s own two feet. This is my first Seanan McGuire book and I’m finding her writing very easy to get on with and the pages are turning with great ease. I do enjoy reading books with fae and so it feels like a welcome revisit. I’m particularly fascinated by Tybalt, King of the Cats and his sparkly emerald eyes! Not sure he’s entirely trustworthy – maybe that’s the appeal huh! The whole fae world here feels full of hierarchy, politics and prejudices, which isn’t necessarily a new theme but is nonetheless interesting to fall into again and I must say that Toby’s narration is very compelling.
2. Now let’s take Toby Daye herself. We get to see some of how she’s grown up and how she fits in, or doesn’t, in the modern world as it is post-fish. What are your initial thoughts on her?
What an opening! I was totally dismayed – I mean of all things – turned into a fish! She missed so much, lost her family, her job, her home. It was so cruel. I was thinking about her family and in particular her daughter. I wonder why Toby opted for this human existence in the first place and I’m hoping that’s going to be explored further. Plus, I wonder how she thought she would keep up the facade for ever anyway? She’s not a pureblood but she does still live longer than regular humans doesn’t she? Now, presumably her daughter is a changeling – I wonder if she had a visitation from the fae at a certain time/age? It opens up a lot of train of thoughts along a similar vein and I’m hoping to discover more.
3. We have yet to properly meet certain characters (Devin and Sylvester), though we’ve gotten brief intros to others (Tybalt and the Queen of the Mists)… Who stands out for you among these secondary characters, and why?
Well, I think Tybalt is very interesting in a sort of mysteriously sexy and dangerous type of way. He feels like he’s going to be one of these characters who pops up and tries to woo Toby – or maybe he’ll pop out of thin air when she’s in need and assist her after which she’ll owe him. I don’t really know but I strongly suspect we’ll see more.
The Queen of the Mists was sort of how I would expect a fae queen – all imposing and almost horribly beautiful. I was very curious as to why she wouldn’t help Toby. It seemed that she shared a special connection with Evening after all. I found that puzzling and was trying to think what was going on in her head at that particular point. Maybe she’s too full of grief and not helping or talking about it is like denial – but I doubt it and it makes me a little bit suspicious. Not that she had a hand in the murder but maybe that there’s more going on here – and clearly I haven’t a clue what! And what is this key??
Evening is also a puzzle to me – I couldn’t help thinking that in her hour of need she seemed to sit in her home making calls to a changling who supposedly has less power than her? That was a bit of a mystery. I wonder how much help she thought Toby could be exactly or whether she wanted to share some information with her. Curiouser and curiouser.
I definitely think Toby is going to be one of the characters with a lot of development throughout the series and a lot of revealed secrets maybe.
4. Toby has a murder mystery to solve. Any initial thoughts on the whodunit?
Like I said above – I have no clue and it just feels too early for even me to start making wild guesses. Although I do wonder if the two critters from the prologue will enter the story again – they both seemed like rather nasty pieces of work. Plus I wonder what they had to gain by tricking and transforming Toby? They didn’t kill her – so maybe they had instruction not to do so and this was the best way of taking her out of the picture for a while. Surely she’s missed quite a lot in the world of fae over the past 14 years.
Looking forward to next week already!
Books and travelling with Lynn 