Downloaded for Hugo Awards voting. Will not be reviewing on NetGalley. Thank you to DAW Books for the review copy.

While I have ultimately decided this series isn't for me, this book was a big improvement from the previous one. I really enjoy the way the books build on each other and how Seanan McGuire keeps adding new characters while continuing to involve and deepen the ones from previous books! I just don't like this kind of fantasy.

I love Seanen and everything she writes. I will forever love Toby, also love the narrator on the audio of this series.

Please note: I have been given access to the books in this brilliant series in order to judge the for the Hugo Award for Best Series. I would certainly appreciate it if my feedback or lack of it does not count against my ratio if I don’t finish all sixteen.
Thank you for understanding!

Okay, so in this one, Toby is finally becoming aware of her own motivations and how truly traumatized she is, which I appreciate. I also do like the Luidaeg quite a bit as a character so I was happy to see more of her, and of course, Tybalt. The thing is, at around 55%, there was an ending.... and yet the book did not end, and we sort of started things up all over again. That REALLY felt like it dragged, even though I understand narratively why that was necessary. I continue to be frustrated at how much happens TO Toby as opposed to Toby DOING things, and I feel like if she doesn't start having some agency by the next book, I may give up on the series. I actually do like Toby as a character and so I am probably giving it quite a bit more of a shot than I usually would.

Thanks to Seanan McGuire, DAW, and Netgalley for access to the advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Hugo nominated October Daye series and can be read independently of the others, although starting at the beginning of the series is recommended for the world building and character background.

This is a fast paced, action-packed novel that continues the story of our hero / not-hero October Daye. Seanan McGuire has created a very unique world with interesting characters. We learn more about many of the characters and Toby (October) is presented with new and interesting challenges. Recommended series and recommended book in the series, especially for fantasy fans.

Posted manually to Goodreads due to link problems:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6264604905