When Sorrows Come by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So you know your life is dark and depressing but then comes along Seanan McGuire with a new October Daye book and EVERYTHING suddenly gets sunshine and joy.

Why? Because we finally see whether Toby can get married without getting blood all over her dress!

*spoiler* She doesn't. *spoiler*

Fortunately, that's not really a spoiler. Merely a tease. And not only do we GET THE DEED, but we also get the deed, indeed, in CANADA.

So, if you like insurrection, elf-shots, stabbings, more insurrection, and a wonderful stop-and-start wedding ceremony with your favorite UF characters, AND you just can't get enough of the Luidaeg terrifying... um... EVERYONE... then you've come to the right place.

So delightful.

Of course, if you're reading this and wondering if it should be the right place to jump into the series... THINK AGAIN. Get your ass back to book 1 and catch up. Sheesh. Some people. *Yeah. I'm looking at you.*

I am a fan of October Daye and I couldn’t wait to dive into this novel! How could I not be as we finally see the wedding between October and Tybalt! Oh yes, after all this time, this is it! It’s time!

October didn’t organize her wedding. No, no, she hasn’t. Tybalt, May, Stacy and the others have done everything for her. All she has to do is to be there when the day comes and that day has finally arrived! Forced to go to the Westlands where the High King is supposed to marry them, you can imagine that, as always, nothing will be easy! Besides, it seems that someone has decided that this is the right time to dethrone the king and October will soon have to juggle her wedding with a coup d’etat. Not an easy task! Even for her.

I had a great time with this novel. It was a real pleasure to be reunited with all the characters and to finally see the moment we have all been waiting for. I’m also curious to see what the sequel will have in store for us. There are at least two more volumes and I know October will find a way to get into trouble!

This deep into a series, a book either needs to be comforting, shocking, moving, or some combination of all three. When Sorrows Come is the latter, with actual moments of surprise as our heroine, Toby, tries her best to make her wedding happen while on unfamiliar territory. But the best part of this series is how far Toby has come, and how McGuire seamlessly integrates her publisher's mandate for recapping into the story. This series is meant to be read as it is published, and I'm grab to read it before the internet spoiled it for me. (You'll see no spoilers here.)

Toby never disappoints me. It's always an enjoyable journey and I loved the bonus novella at the end.

This is one of my favorite series currently being written and I always read the new books as soon as I can. "When Sorrows Come" is the big payoff of the last several books. While Toby still spends a significant amount of time covered in blood, this book is about as close to comforting fluff as this series can get. It's finally time for Toby and her family and friends to travel to Toronto for her wedding to Tybalt. Aside from some usual wedding related shenanigans, there is of course a murderous plot afoot that someone needs to take care of. Toby is not going to let a little assassination get in the way of her wedding, and she's determined to take care of inconvenient political issues before the ceremony.

The wedding allows most of Toby's friends and allies to make appearances, and there are some key emotional moments that are just perfect (ie, between Toby and Quentin, or between Quentin and his parents). The novella at the end is a perfect coda to the main story, giving us a wonderfully indulgent look at the wedding reception. There are some very weighty events looming in the future, but for now at least October gets to take a bit of a break and enjoy finally getting married.

One question I keep thinking about ; <spoilers>Ok, what is up with Stacy? I'm starting to be super curious about her and her background.</spoiler>

Seanan McGuire has written a fantastic book. The book many of us have been waiting for: the Wedding of October Daye. But things keep happening to delay the wedding, but never fear there will be a wedding, there will just be much excitement before it happens. Read When Sorrows Come by Seanan McGuire to read all about it.

The 15th novel in the October Daye series finds our hero of the realm finally getting married, or will she? what with an attempt to overthrow the High King literally interrupting the proceedings. Definitely better and more enjoyable than the last entry, although I had hoped for some more advancement regarding Oberon but maybe that will be addressed in the next volume. A quick and easy read, very satisfying for longtime readers, but not the place to start if you're never read one previously.

Toby and Tybalt's wedding.

Of course it doesn't go smoothly, this is Toby we're talking about. But it's a lot of fun along the way. And the wedding dress is absolutely perfect for her.

Not the best place to start, because there's a lot of backstory here. But a new reader wouldn't be completely lost.

The follow-on novella included in the book is a nice lagniappe.

This was such a fabulous continuation of Toby's story and revolves around her upcoming nuptials to Tybalt. Toby has come a long way from a reviled, discounted changeling to Kinight and Hero of the Realm. Tybalt has been with her every step of the way (despite initial hostilities) and their relationship blossomed into true love.
Toby and Tybalt are to be married in Toronto in the demese of the High King of the Westlands, the trip there is uneventful however in true Toby style, trouble and mayhem follow in her wake! Plots, doppelgangers, and complex family dynamics line the path to a hero's wedding blessing - and all I can say is that for anyone who has been following Toby this is an exceptional book.. One of my favourite parts concern Toby's wedding dress - many charms laid on it = and to avoid spoiliers all I will say is that I wish this magic was accessible to me.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for access to the ARC - all opinions are my own.

When Sorrows Come by Seanan McGuire


Amazing, satisfying, full of joy! The worst part of this book is the title - no sorrows here, only happiness!

I love Seanan McGuire. (Note: I review a bunch of her books so I am copying part of some of my other reviews here to save time.). She has quickly become my favorite living writer and I feel very lucky that she is so prolific. I was first introduced to her work when her book Parasite, written as Mira Grant, was nominated for a Hugo Award. I loved it and quickly devoured the Newsflesh series before I realized that Mira Grant and Seanan McGuire were the same person.

I started reading her works under her own name, starting with Sparrow Hill Road, which is amazing, but I picked it because I was intimidated by her long running October Daye series. I had read some Urban Fantasy before, and I fondly remember Mercedes Lackey’s Diana Tregarde books, but my tastes run more to science fiction and then secondary world fantasy, so I was hesitant to dive into such a long series. I picked up the first book, Rosemary and Rue, when it was on sale as a kindle daily deal, and I found it somewhat disappointing compared to her other work. I reminded myself that it was her first published novel, so I cut it some slack. Then Incryptid was nominated for the Best Series Hugo in 2018 and I dove into that instead. I loved it! So I vowed to give Toby another chance. And I was so glad that I did! It is no one of my favorite series.

I was overjoyed when The publisher and NetGalley awarded me an eARC of When Sorrows Come (I had already preordered a copy beforehand). Minor spoilers: this is the wedding we have been waiting for! October and Tybalt! And it’s everything you could want. Bringing back old characters, royal coup hi-jinx, so much stabbing, so much blood, and just marvelous character work. And the bonus novella just kept on bringing the joy! It’s all character work, with some long simmering tensions starting to thaw in a way that is incredibly satisfying.

October Daye is on the top of my best series Hugo ballot - she deserves to win. This type of long running series excellence is what this award was designed for and none of the other nominees come close.

Usually, when I read a Seanan McGuire book, such as her newest October Daye book, When Sorrows Come releasing soon, I fall face first into it and do not come up for air until the book is over and I am near dead. I am sad to say that did not happen. I wish it had.

A bit about where we are in the October Daye series and in When Sorrows Come specifically. This is the fifteenth book in the October Daye series, plus multiple short stories and novellas. It is a big world with a substantial backstory incorporating myths and legends of various cultures worldwide. The story's main character is the titular October Daye, daughter of Amadine the Liar, one of the firstborn children of the King of Fairie. Her love is The King of Cats, Tybalt. Their love has been a long time coming; it has been full of twists, turns, and drama. But at the end of the day, their love is two unlikely people finding that familiar spark between them igniting a bonfire of passion at first, but that eventually simmers down to a love and familiar that you spend lifetimes protecting.

A few books back, Tybalt asked October to marry him. Marriage in itself is fraught with all sorts of issues as October is a half-born or changeling child and a hero of the realm. The changelings are not a protected class in fairy, and being a hero requires heroic acts and stepping into uncomfortable situations. October has also had various difficulties that come about through the neglect that she faced at the hands of her mother that she has fought hard to overcome. This is very honestly told and addressed throughout the series and affects her love life. I believe McGuire has handled her difficulties with care. one thing that McGuire is as an author is one where representation is hugely important and is prevalent throughout her work. I respect that and love that about her work.

In this story, October is finally getting married to Tybalt. Things are never that simple though...

October and Tybalt have been requestatold to come to the high king's knowe in Ontario to have the ceremony. This is a great honor but also stacked with logistical issues. McGuire spends a lot of time on these at the beginning of the story. And as always, through passive resistance, Toby wants nothing to do with wedding planning and logistical issues. She wants to show up and marry. Futzing is not something she is good at. I get this as a part of her character. Frillyness is not part of October's personality.

However, I think this tiny bit of passive resistance irked me in this setting. Instead of it coming off as a part of October's personality makeup, it came off a little like a toddler stamping her foot. I felt like it was time for October to embrace her destiny, even in small things and even if it was for just a few moments. Her family and friends have done a lot for her, and while October, as you will see as the story progresses, whether this is by destiny or her insatiable need to help, she cannot stay out of things. An attempted coup happens right as the festivities begin. And the shenanigans begin.

I get that all of October's stories have a mystery element, which is an essential part of the makeup of the series. However, just this once, the mystery part felt shoe-horned into a much bigger narrative of them finally getting married. Tybalt seems careworn trying to get this woman to the alter. Honestly, McGuire could have written this as a novella. I enjoyed the story, especially the ending. It was still a fun time. But it did not have the charming effect I look forward to when diving into one of her books.

When Sorrows Came is still very much worth still reading. But only if you have read the other books in the series. You have to read this one because we are fifteen books in. There are still many unanswered questions, and two future books planned that I know of. And while this certainly seemed like the weakest of the entire series, I cannot wait to continue with Toby's story.

*sigh* The sorrows came for me, that’s for sure.

When Sorrows Come was a ridiculous stretch of material that should’ve been just another novella in this unnecessarily prolonged series. Now, to back up, I am a longtime fan of this series specifically and have no issue with long series’ in general but only if it’s needed. That’s not to say that there isn’t a need because McGuire continues to introduce new and intriguing plot points (even in the later installments) but the issue is in how she divvies out the new stuff. New material is doled out sparingly with the remainder of the standard 350-page novel simply being regurgitated recaps for readers that may choose to start the series at any point (except, why lol), however, multiple pages being dedicated to explaining each and every backstory is simply absurd. For those of us that have been reading Toby from the very beginning, it’s a bit of a disservice to us, forcing us to wade through details that we already know. I know that some may say that new stuff did happen in this installment! Except did it? Setting aside the issue with the recaps, the basic plot points are also starting to feel stale. I mean honestly, how many times can Toby get stabbed or save a kingdom before we all start getting déjà vu?

My opinion of Toby has started to change as well what with her whining ad nauseam about the wedding, about all the people in her life that care for her and want her to stop getting stabbed (and just want her to eat regular meals), about her responsibilities, etc. The whole way this plot played out regarding the wedding we all knew was coming was pretty irritating too (especially the fact that Toby seemed to have no idea how politically important her wedding and the ceremony was, the intricacies and details that went into the ceremony, and the fact that none of this was explained to her until just about the day before the event.) The larger plot point that has yet to come full circle is the only thing that has me convinced I’ll be picking up the next installment of this series. All of the other details are wearisome and I’ve grown tired of the constant repetitiveness and am well past ready for this series to come to a close.

The wedding! Finally, the wedding. I've always loved how books in this series start off nice and slow, then shift into high gear and stay there until the end. This book was impossible to put down because some new action was always kicking off. Toby and Tybalt got the wedding they deserved. And it was typical Toby all the way.

October Daye returns in When Sorrows Come, the book in her series where she finally gets a Happily Ever After by marrying Tybalt. Getting to the alter is a bit difficult though—a few corpses get in the way because a plot against the High King is afoot!

I’ve always loved this series because the characters are great, the magic is fun, and the books seem to be driving somewhere with the return of Oberon and the future returns of Mauve and Tatiana. When Sorrows Come has all of that, but I don’t think it was the best book. Toby wasn’t really in the thick of things. She uncovered the first imposter and saved the High King’s life, but then she left him to his staff interrogations. She came back pretty quickly…only to find the answer right away. Tybalt might be glad that October was focused more on getting to the alter than uncovering plots against the throne, but readers might feel a bit left out.

When Sorrows Come straightens the plot out without inviting reader participation, but it is still a good book and I look forward to the next in the series.

The wedding is finally here! The only real questions are what disasters will happen and will her dress be ruined? I vowed not to ruin anyone’s wedding book with spoilers in this review so let’s just say that Toby and Tybalt of course have some issues to overcome besides just convincing Toby to not run from all the pomp a royal fae wedding requires . Their friends and family are all there to help them through it and Fae Toronto has a never to forgotten wedding . There is also some serious foreshadowing that maybe Toby is going to be moving up the ladder of Fae society in the future…. Great fun!

October is getting married! She and the wedding party travel to the Westlands and chaos ensues as always. I was glad for the novella at the end to put the bow on the story. ARC from NetGalley.

So, this series is on my automatic pre-order radar and I absolutely associate it with the beginning of September. It's my absolute favorite at this point, and this entry doesn't disappoint. I tore through it in less than 48 hours, and I really need to remember to take the day off when the next volume drops. Seanan does an incredible job of summarizing the necessary information from the previous fourteen books as things go along, for those of us who have forgotten some of the many characters and plot lines. The included novella wraps things up nicely, although it isn't as strong as some of the others.
4.5 stars
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is an exciting urban fantasy series I recently discovered and loving. I had high expectations for this book and I wasn't disappointed as it's fast paced, action packed and highly entertaining.
There's plenty of background stories in this book and I loved how the author was able to present such a load of information without making it boring or slowing the pace of the story.
We get to know more about Quentin and the complex of the relationship in this world. There're blood families and families that are created by love and respect, I think this is one of the main aspect of the stories.
I enjoyed every moment and loved the novella even though I don't understand the reason why is a bonus and not a chapter of the book.
Great storytelling, world building and character development.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Toby and Tybalt’s wedding has finally arrived... and so has a coup against the High King of the Westlands, who happens to be hosting the event. OF COURSE. What else would you expect from the wedding of October Daye?

This installment explores pretty heavily the themes of found family and what being “family” really means. (Sometimes family is you, your cat-fae-king-husband, your former death omen, her bird shifter girlfriend, your surrogate son who is secretly a prince, a bunch of other teenagers with assorted faerie superpowers, and your aunt, the Actual Sea Witch.) I’ve always loved Quentin and Toby’s relationship, but we’ve mostly gotten Toby’s POV on it and what it means to her. Getting to know more about Quentin’s feelings and his point of view was great, and made me a little bit teary-eyed.

The later books in the October Daye series are a good example of the infodump done well. Seanan McGuire does a good job of explaining all of the complex history and setting of this fictional world that a new reader might need to know or of introducing new information without it getting too boring. It’s still unmistakably an infodump, but it’s usually pretty entertaining, thanks in part to Toby’s snarky narration. Though I will note that when it’s delivered as dialogue it sometimes feels like a tangent in conversation, one which perhaps the character delivering it wouldn’t realistically take right then, but in general, it’s really well done.

The novella at the end, “And With Reveling,” covers the wedding reception, and gets into many of the same themes as the novel it’s attached to, so much so that I’m not totally sure why it wasn’t just the end of the novel instead of its own novella. Possibly because it has nothing to do with the plot and is 99% just people talking. There are some important character and relationship moments in it, though, so be sure and check it out. (If you’re listening to the audiobook, you might need to find a paper or ebook copy to read it.)

Representation: Gay, lesbian, and bisexual/pansexual characters and relationships, trans character, polyamorous triad, POC as secondary characters

CW: Blood (though if you’re familiar with the series, you guessed that one already)

When Sorrows Come is the 15th book in the October Daye series. It is the longest series I have read and it is still so good. October "Toby" Daye is finally getting married to her fiancé, Tybalt, San Francisco's King of Cats. Of course things don't go as planned, because it never does in Toby's life. This addition to the series was in my opinion more laid-back but it still had a great amount of violence and action. The number one question is: will Toby get stabbed or will she be off the hook in this book? You'll have to read and see. I never get tired of uncovering new secrets and seeing Toby's relationship with the side characters develop further. I especially adore her relationship with her squire Quentin and the Luidaeg.

This book was another great addition to the series. I honestly hope it doesn't end any time soon, because I love Toby and all the side characters. This book was fun, action-packed, mysterious, and emotional at times. I loved seeing some of the characters show their softer sides. The novella that was included was a perfect ending to this book because it completed the story for me. The writing was amazing like always. I was hooked to the story and there wasn't a dull moment. I can't wait to see what Toby and her gang will be up against in the next books.