Visiting October makes my heart happy. I'm never disappointed, except when it's over and I have to wait another year.

Another winner in this popular series from Seanan McGuire! October follows her typical formula for success, in solving a mystery with her far companions along for the ride. Recommend, 4/5 ⭐️

I am in love with everything Seanan McGuire writes, so I wasn't SURPRISED by how much I loved this. But wow did I love it. I'm so amused that [SPOILER] was the reason that [SPOILER] finally happened. All around, a hell of a book, I have so many feelings.

Ah, "An October Daye Novel." This is a sweet elixir to fans of urban fantasy.

October (Toby) is finally planning her wedding to Tybalt, King of Cats, after a long engagement period. But Toby discovers that there is an archaic tradition in Fairie wedding ceremonies that states that the father of the bride must be invited to the wedding or political turmoil could ruin the kingdom. Nothing is ever simple for Toby, is it?

This custom holds true for Toby's stepfather (legally her father), Simon Torquill. There are two immediate problems with this. First, Toby has to find Simon. The two haven't been close lately, and Simon made a deal with the Sea Witch and has been lost since. Then Toby has to help Simon restore his memory in order for him to recognize October as a child he cares for.

This is not exactly what Toby wanted to be doing as part of her wedding planning.

I really like this series. Author Seanan McGuire is an absolute master. Her storytelling is beyond par and her characters are incredibly real. This is the 14th book in the October Daye series and if you've read any of them you are likely already attached to the characters that McGuire has given us.

If you are a fan of some of the other characters, such as Toby, you may find this a little disappointing. This book really focuses back on October, which I personally really liked. This was more of an adventure story than some of the last couple of October Daye books.

But there's more than just the fairly obvious adventure. I also felt I learned more about the family history in this book, giving some great perspective on the entire series.

If I'm ever given a choice of reading material, and Seanan McGuire is one of my choices, I'll choose a McGuire book every time. If you like fantasy, do yourself a favor and start this series.

The book includes a novella at the end (as most McGuire books seem to do) which also reveals some background of additional characters in the series.

Looking for a good book? A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire is the 14th book in the October Daye series and sets October on a family adventure in a world full of other-worldy beings.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

“A Killing Frost” by Seanan McGuire: Riveting, Full of Twists
When October is informed that Simon Torquill—legally her father, due to Faerie's archaic marriage traditions—must be invited to her wedding or risk the ceremony throwing the Kingdom in the Mists into political turmoil, she finds herself setting out on a quest she was not yet prepared to undertake for the sake of her future.... and the man who represents her family's past.
One of the absolutely best parts of getting a new October Daye book by Seanan McGuire is knowing that it will be as riveting and as excellent as the first book in the series. At number Fourteen in the series, I’m amazed at the quality of the writing and how invested I am in the characters in these books. Seanan brings them to life in a way that few authors can. This book is no exception to her normal quality but I will say that this one was extra special to me in the way that Seanan takes the characters and adds in elements that, while are new, seem like an extension to and integral to the characters.
One of the biggest reasons that I loved this new novel so much is the twists in the story, the unexpected turns and new aspects to the story and the world. In the story, October must seek out Simon, her stepfather and if she does not find him, it could cause chaos but while unready for the quest, one of the changes is in October’s feelings toward Simon. She wants to find him, she wants to find a way to save him from the burden he’s taken on. While Simon has made bad choices, he’s always done to find a way back to his family, his daughter August. In this new understanding, we see an expansion of October’s character and ways in which she has grown. The changes to her and the development of Simon are what made this story so beautiful and compelling.
For me, the action was as fast paced and as engaging as every October Daye novel I’ve read and the plot weaves in the chase for Simon, not only to find him but to connect with him, to save him from his curse before chaos can overtake the rest of the kingdom. While I will never give away or spoil a novel, this book has revelations, not just of October and Simon but of other characters in the world and it has key twists that will keep you up late at night as you race to finish the book.
I won’t recommend you read this if you haven’t read the rest in the series but I will happily say go out and read the series, as this book takes all the elements of the previous novels to build on and I can’t wait for the next novel to see what Seanan McGuire comes up with next. Every time I think I know the world and the characters, she finds new ways to surprise and delight.
Rating: 5 out of 5 curses.

I loved this newest installment in the October Daye series. It was a great continuation of the series.

Even if every subsequent book in this series is trash (they won't be), I'll always be in awe of Seanan McGuire's ability to maintain such a high level of quality in such a long-running series. Each character truly has their own personality and you feel like you get to know them when you read one of her books. Incredible.

"Having a reputation for king-breaking is sometimes more of a problem than I would have thought it could be."

Toby's back!!! And do you know why I love her stories so very, very much? It's probably the only series outside of Kim Harrison's The Hollows that can completely pull me back into the world in only a few pages. From there, it's mainly just adventure, character development, discoveries and betrayals. So: a whole lot of awesome. We got some GIANT puzzle pieces solved in this one. Can't wait for the next! Highly recommended series!!

Seanan McGuire immerses the reader in this fourteenth tale of October Daye, A Killing Frost, October Daye can't get married until she has the permission of Simon Torquill, her legal father by fae law. Simon is missing and unable to find his way home; October faces huge obstacles to find him and not have herself or her friends harmed. High fantasy at its best.

A Killing Frost is the 14th book in the October Daye series. I must admit that although this book provided some amazing reveals, it was not one of my top books in this series.

Toby discovers that she must find her missing “lost” stepfather, Simon, or she cannot marry Tybalt without causing all kinds of mayhem and insults in Fae world. Toby and her crew, less Tybalt, stumbled their way through perils trying to find Simon.

The Saltmist leaders just pissed me off, I had a hard time justifying their choices. And, who knew marriage and divorce could be so eventful. During their adventures, Toby makes some very shocking revelations! Which will turn the Fae World upside down.

Ultimately, I enjoyed A Killing Frost but did not find myself spellbound by this storyline as I normally am when reading an October Daye tale. It is fun, fast paced, and had one heck of an ending that left you imagining what might come next.

Considering this is the 14th book in the series, I understand that there's usually some super dramatic storyline going on, but even then sometimes "fairy rules" can be such an eye-rolling affair. Also, I keep up steadily with this series so I don't need much in the way of recapping, and while I understand that this is necessary if she wants readers to pick up her books but the recapping was seriously excessive in this installment. I could find myself flipping through pages on my kindle and not missing any of the new plot. I feel like I'd much prefer the author write some 3-5 page recap as a whole at the beginning of the book rather than interspersed throughout the story. After a while, it felt less like she was trying to help out new readers and more like she was trying to reach her word count.

Another great addition to the October Daye series. The plot is fast paced and draws you in quickly. Never a dull moment.

I love this series. It has action, Toby is an awesome conflicted heroine and the plot weaving is just so so good.

In order to get married Toby must bring back Simon Torquill who has lost his way home. In this adventure Toby must find what is lost, perhaps pick up another lost teenager and not get killed.

I love this take on the fae. Toby is worried about losing her humanity and she struggles with it in this book. She also has to wrestle with her feelings toward both Simon and Sylvester and her very complicated family relationship with her mother. I am looking forward to what sort of chaos Toby will be involved in next.

In many ways, <i>A Killing Frost</i> is a strange volume in the series. It's actually quite fluffy, at least in October Daye terms, but there's some massive plot developments. I really wasn't expecting that because of the aforementioned fluffiness. As ever, the plotting and character work is superb. I hate that I don't have more to say, but honestly anything is so spoilery for the rest of the series at this point that all I can say is: this is a great installment and I need the next book ASAP, please.

The included novella doesn't cover fresh ground, and thus felt a bit boring.

LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, okay, You want more detail. Sheeeesh.

Umm, what can I say that's not a spoiler. There's death, treachery, friendships, families, reunions. and surprises. We get all of that and more. Poor Toby, her family is soooo effed up. But at least she has her found/made family. They kick her butt when needed, support her, and they love her. Even when she screws up. Maybe most of all when she screws up.

What else? Well, McGuire's writing is top-notch. Tight plotting, rich details, complex characters, the story is pretty damn close to perfect. Details and plot threads from earlier books are brought back, fleshed out, even reimagined. McGuire really doesn't forget a thing. In fact, as Toby reminisced about the past few years, I realized how much I'd forgotten. I need to re-read the entire series. I have a year until the next book, so plenty of time. Toby's reminiscing also brought home just how complex both the world McGuire's created, and all of the characters inhabiting it, are. It was perhaps the characters who made the story for me. I wanted to smack several; cried for several; and found myself having emotions that I never expected. Characters I once loved, I am now upset with, and characters I hated, I am actually liking or feeling sympathetic for. McGuire's characters are never one dimensional and they are never static. Change is a constant in this world.

For the adventure lovers, there's plenty of action with fights and quests. There's also romance, humor, family drama, and lots of world building. There's even a wedding! Toby and Tybalt's wedding? Maaaaybe, maybe not. You'll just have to read and find out. :P

It's hard to talk about the story without giving away spoilers. If you haven't read the preceding books, don't start with this one. This series needs to be read in order. The story moves along the series arc, ties up threads, introduces new ones, and is a hell of a read. Just......go read it.

Some favorite quotes:

I've learned not to be too attached to plans. They never survive contact with reality when I'm around.

"Have a nice date, don't get stabbed!"

Quentin stared at me in obvious disbelief. "You get stabbed like it's the hot new thing, and that's what makes you show some self-preservation?" "I wasn't expecting it!" "Are you usually expecting to get stabbed?" "When we're out in public, yes."

If we're going to measure intelligence based on obedience, we're all going to be very disappointed. (YES! So true ~ Bea)

It seems safer to assume everything in Faerie is fully capable of understanding me and holding a grudge if it decides it wants to.

"Oh, come on," I protested. "I call for help when I need it! I've gotten so much better about that over the past few years. I hardly wind up ambushed and alone at all these days."

"I think Toby's allergic to subtle," said Quentin. "It makes her break out in hives or something. There's not another good explanation for why she is the way she is."

October Daye is looking forward to her marriage to Tybalt, King of Cats. She and her fetch, May, are busy looking at wedding dresses. While out on date night with Tybalt, they are approached by Diandra and Patrick Lorden, the Dukes of Undersea. The Lordens inform Toby that she has to invite her father to her marriage or they will be severe repercussions from Fairie, because there are RULES TO BE FOLLOWED. Unfortunately, her father, Simon Torquill, is lost on the Rose Road after trading his way home to his other daughter, August. Toby, May, and Toby's rose goblin, Spike, must ask Luna for passage. Luna and Sylvester Torquill are estranged from Toby, due to shenanigans in previous adventures and Luna tells Toby this is the last favor she will ever do for her. They venture out and find Simon, only to discover he is deeply under the spell of Winterrose, who would kill them all, if she was not elf-shot and asleep for 100 years. And, in the end, no one recognizes the greatest achievement of Toby's knighthood. Always recommended.

A Killing Frost is a great addition to an outstanding fantasy series. I love the aspect of wedding planning and how it complicates October's life. This is a must-read.

October and the gang are back again on a quest to find Simon. There is the usual assortment of almost deaths and shenanigans. ARC from NetGalley.

4 out of 5 stars

I loved it and I knew I would, Seanan McGuire has created an incredible series, with INCREDIBLE characters, and it makes my heart very happy. However, while I do still enjoy it and love the series to death - I honestly think it's time to wrap things up. There are only so many times the wedding can be put off, or someone needs saving. Look at Kate Daniels - it ended after 10 books and while I was sad it ended it was such a satisfying end I still re-read it. I love October Daye - I really do - but I am not as excited as I used to be when picking up the next book.

A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire
I think this book is one of my favorites in this series. Things are starting to more forward with Toby and Tybalt's wedding (hopefully). Toby goes in search of Simon and figures out a huge twist that I did not see coming and I can't wait to see where it takes her and the gang in the future. Sometimes, when I read a series, I feel like the author is dragging the story out but I don't feel ever let down when I read books by Seanan McGuire. The twists and turns are always surprising and unexpected. Please keep them coming!