setauuta's review against another edition
4.0
I'd enjoyed Seanan McGuire's work under the pen name Mira Grant, so I was anxious to see what her other work was like. It helped that my husband had recommended this book so highly.
I was not disappointed. The writing was crisp, and her characters were interesting and had some depth to them. I was impressed that she was able to get a lot of information across without feeling like there was extended exposition. Overall, I enjoyed the book quite a bit, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I was not disappointed. The writing was crisp, and her characters were interesting and had some depth to them. I was impressed that she was able to get a lot of information across without feeling like there was extended exposition. Overall, I enjoyed the book quite a bit, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
glitterbomb47's review against another edition
2.0
Didn't want to finish this. Poorly written. Potential unrealized.
pyrocat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Rosemary and Rue
3.5 Stars
As a changeling, October “Toby” Daye has never fit into either the human or the fae worlds, but vows to live a “normal” life when she is burned by the faeries one too many times. Unfortunately, the murder of an old friend forces Toby back into fae society as she renews old alliances and forges new ones while investigating the crime.
Like many first books in a UF series, much of the book is taken up by the world building and this tends to overshadow the mystery. The fae world is very interesting albeit confusing with a variety of different races, abilities and agendas to keep track of.
Toby is a likable and relatable heroine with just the right amount of strength, vulnerability and sass. Some have compared her to Kate Daniels but, personally, I don’t see the resemblance considering the fact that Toby tends to get her ass kicked quite often, is quite self-depricating and doesn’t have nearly the amount of snark as Kate.
On the romance front, there are quite a few men in Toby’s life - too many in fact and it isn’t 100% clear what the attraction is. Moreover, her taste isn’t exactly wonderful although Tybalt has definite potential (I’m a sucker for a love-hate relationship).
The mystery has some good twists and turns although Toby’s investigative skills are not all that and the villain is actually quite obvious once everyone else is ruled out.
All in all, the world building is solid and the characters intriguing enough to continue with the series.
3.5 Stars
As a changeling, October “Toby” Daye has never fit into either the human or the fae worlds, but vows to live a “normal” life when she is burned by the faeries one too many times. Unfortunately, the murder of an old friend forces Toby back into fae society as she renews old alliances and forges new ones while investigating the crime.
Like many first books in a UF series, much of the book is taken up by the world building and this tends to overshadow the mystery. The fae world is very interesting albeit confusing with a variety of different races, abilities and agendas to keep track of.
Toby is a likable and relatable heroine with just the right amount of strength, vulnerability and sass. Some have compared her to Kate Daniels but, personally, I don’t see the resemblance considering the fact that Toby tends to get her ass kicked quite often, is quite self-depricating and doesn’t have nearly the amount of snark as Kate.
On the romance front, there are quite a few men in Toby’s life - too many in fact and it isn’t 100% clear what the attraction is. Moreover, her taste isn’t exactly wonderful although Tybalt has definite potential (I’m a sucker for a love-hate relationship).
The mystery has some good twists and turns although Toby’s investigative skills are not all that and the villain is actually quite obvious once everyone else is ruled out.
All in all, the world building is solid and the characters intriguing enough to continue with the series.
meghan_rasnake's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very easy book to get into. From the opening scene I knew I would like October Daye. She's funny without being an annoying smart ass. She's brave but knows her limitations. And although she doesn't like all the pomp and circumstance of the Faerie courts, she knows how to be respectful when she needs to be. She was just very likeable.
The world-building an plot were a little harder to wrap my mind around. It seems quite complex, and we've only just scratched the surface. And some of the ideas were a bit weird, too. Still, it was well-written weirdness, and I imagine the richness of the world-building once I'm better used to it will only serve to make this series one of the greats.
It was predominately a murder mystery plot, but with lots of seeds of intrigue planted throughout involving October's own back story. In particular one major event that happened six months prior to the start of this book which was very intriguing, to put it mildly
There was no romance involved per se, but I see potential so this may be something that develops as the series goes on.
4.5 stars! ★★★★1/2
The world-building an plot were a little harder to wrap my mind around. It seems quite complex, and we've only just scratched the surface. And some of the ideas were a bit weird, too. Still, it was well-written weirdness, and I imagine the richness of the world-building once I'm better used to it will only serve to make this series one of the greats.
It was predominately a murder mystery plot, but with lots of seeds of intrigue planted throughout involving October's own back story. In particular one major event that happened six months prior to the start of this book which was very intriguing, to put it mildly
There was no romance involved per se, but I see potential so this may be something that develops as the series goes on.
4.5 stars! ★★★★1/2
kylek's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It was alright? I really wanted to like this because proper Fae and a PI changeling sounds awesome. However, it really intrigue me. There was some pretty dark topics here and yet I felt nothing much about it.
This book felt a lot like things were happening TO Toby and not Toby doing things. Not all of it but generally speaking those were the vibes.
This book felt a lot like things were happening TO Toby and not Toby doing things. Not all of it but generally speaking those were the vibes.
neladon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
2.75
woodendress's review against another edition
I first heard about this author and this series on the Black Phoenix Alchemy forum. Seanan McGuire is a member over there and there is a whole thread dedicated to her books. I have been getting into sci fi/fantasy recently and have yet to read an urban fantasy. From all the glowing recommendations over at the BPAL forum, plus good reviews for the series on blogs like Fantasy Book Cafe, I thought I would give it a try.
The description on the back of the book made it hard for me to want to read it at first, however. I find that faeries have been watered down so much, that reading about faeries doesn't really appeal to me. I was hoping that McGuire went down the route of the traditional faeries, before they became like Tinkerbell. I wanted the faeries to have some edge and not just be light and happy pixies, and this book definitely fits the dark faerie theme.
The story follows October (Toby) Daye, a half fairy, half human changeling. She was a private investigator for a member of the fairy nobility, and due to the drawbacks of a position like this, she was exiled in a pond as a fish for 14 years. The book begins not long after she has been transformed back into herself. Toby wants nothing to do with the faerie world, not surprising considering her past experiences. However, she is drawn back into the world, when an acquaintance/friend, Countess Evening Winterrose is murdered and Toby is the last person she calls. Toby is forced to investigate the crime and find the culprit, otherwise her own life may be in danger.
I had mixed feelings about the book. I did enjoy it, but there was a lot of info dumping from Toby and explanations of how the world worked. McGuire did a good job creating the world, but over half of the book felt like explanations of how the world functioned. The book is in first person, and it seems a little odd that Toby would be explaining things that are second nature to her, but I realize that McGuire has to set up the world. It wasn't until the end of the book that the action really started. There is a lot of build up and not enough action. I did like the world building, despite the info dumping. I loved all the little details that McGuire added, such as cats being in tune with the faerie world and the rose goblins. I really want a rose goblin after reading this book!
However, I have heard that the later books are excellent, so of course, I picked up the sequel, and I'm liking it so far, especially now that all the exposition on the world is mostly over.
I loved the characterization. Toby isn't a perfect character and even though she is a half faerie, she struggles with magic to the point that it can be crippling. My other favorite character is Tybalt. I have heard he features even more into the later books and I can't wait! Even Dare, a very minor character that dies, was well developed and I felt a little twinge of sadness when I realized she wasn't going to make it to the next book. I also liked how San Francisco was a character.
As said before, I'm on the second book and I can't wait to see where McGuire goes with these characters. Again, I love her characterization in the second book, and the ability McGuire has to make "monsters" likeable.
The description on the back of the book made it hard for me to want to read it at first, however. I find that faeries have been watered down so much, that reading about faeries doesn't really appeal to me. I was hoping that McGuire went down the route of the traditional faeries, before they became like Tinkerbell. I wanted the faeries to have some edge and not just be light and happy pixies, and this book definitely fits the dark faerie theme.
The story follows October (Toby) Daye, a half fairy, half human changeling. She was a private investigator for a member of the fairy nobility, and due to the drawbacks of a position like this, she was exiled in a pond as a fish for 14 years. The book begins not long after she has been transformed back into herself. Toby wants nothing to do with the faerie world, not surprising considering her past experiences. However, she is drawn back into the world, when an acquaintance/friend, Countess Evening Winterrose is murdered and Toby is the last person she calls. Toby is forced to investigate the crime and find the culprit, otherwise her own life may be in danger.
I had mixed feelings about the book. I did enjoy it, but there was a lot of info dumping from Toby and explanations of how the world worked. McGuire did a good job creating the world, but over half of the book felt like explanations of how the world functioned. The book is in first person, and it seems a little odd that Toby would be explaining things that are second nature to her, but I realize that McGuire has to set up the world. It wasn't until the end of the book that the action really started. There is a lot of build up and not enough action. I did like the world building, despite the info dumping. I loved all the little details that McGuire added, such as cats being in tune with the faerie world and the rose goblins. I really want a rose goblin after reading this book!
However, I have heard that the later books are excellent, so of course, I picked up the sequel, and I'm liking it so far, especially now that all the exposition on the world is mostly over.
I loved the characterization. Toby isn't a perfect character and even though she is a half faerie, she struggles with magic to the point that it can be crippling. My other favorite character is Tybalt. I have heard he features even more into the later books and I can't wait! Even Dare, a very minor character that dies, was well developed and I felt a little twinge of sadness when I realized she wasn't going to make it to the next book. I also liked how San Francisco was a character.
As said before, I'm on the second book and I can't wait to see where McGuire goes with these characters. Again, I love her characterization in the second book, and the ability McGuire has to make "monsters" likeable.
saoki's review against another edition
3.0
Rosemary and Rue is a book about how a person gets her life back from depression and oppression. That means it's not a light hearted book, even if there are faeries in it (I say it for all those people that haven't read enough fairytales to know fairies are usually cruel and mean), and it's not a romance book, even if there's sex in it.
I liked Seanan's writing enough to want to read the next one. I might as well, since October is a well thought viewpoint character that feels closer to Harry Dresden or Felix Castor than to Sookie Stackhouse, which is a always welcome**.
I do, however, have a small problem with this book. The setting feels derivative, like the author played a lot of Changeling: The Dreaming, then just went ahead and made her own version of it. It's not a huge problem, since the game setting itself is a remix of several other books, as well as mythology and fairy tales. Seanan might have just drunk from the same fountain. Still, the court scenes felt a bit like reading an extremely well written RPG novel (hell, that sounds terrible, but, believe me, it isn't) and the social organization is a bit to strict, as in the game (what is it with everyone thinking elves get to boss other fae around?).
Overall, it's a good urban fantasy. The kind of page turner that'll grab you and keep you reading until you finish it, only it does that because it makes you care, not because you want to know how could someone possibly survive***.
So, yeah, recommended.
*You have no idea how many urban fantasy books use random encounters and plot coupons as a substitute for a plotline.
**It's so rare to find an urban fantasy book with a female character that does not acts like a crazy teenager.
*** Not that it doesn't suffer from excess Chandler's Law, as most books with adventure elements do. I just decided I don't care about that trope anymore.
I liked Seanan's writing enough to want to read the next one. I might as well, since October is a well thought viewpoint character that feels closer to Harry Dresden or Felix Castor than to Sookie Stackhouse, which is a always welcome**.
I do, however, have a small problem with this book. The setting feels derivative, like the author played a lot of Changeling: The Dreaming, then just went ahead and made her own version of it. It's not a huge problem, since the game setting itself is a remix of several other books, as well as mythology and fairy tales. Seanan might have just drunk from the same fountain. Still, the court scenes felt a bit like reading an extremely well written RPG novel (hell, that sounds terrible, but, believe me, it isn't) and the social organization is a bit to strict, as in the game (what is it with everyone thinking elves get to boss other fae around?).
Overall, it's a good urban fantasy. The kind of page turner that'll grab you and keep you reading until you finish it, only it does that because it makes you care, not because you want to know how could someone possibly survive***.
So, yeah, recommended.
*You have no idea how many urban fantasy books use random encounters and plot coupons as a substitute for a plotline.
**It's so rare to find an urban fantasy book with a female character that does not acts like a crazy teenager.
*** Not that it doesn't suffer from excess Chandler's Law, as most books with adventure elements do. I just decided I don't care about that trope anymore.