The October Daye series is still one of my all time favorites, and this installment was one of the best yet. The plot line continues to develop and keep me guessing, all while have both funny and smart dialogue. McGuire really knows how to write complex characters, and Toby in particular seems to develop exponentially with each book. Even though the kidnapping in this book was similar to an earlier installment, Toby really handles things completely differently. This just shows the genius of McGuire's imagination.

In the aftermath of Amandine's betrayal, Toby and her fragile found family have fallen apart. She does what she does best: continues to play Faerie's knight errant and ignore the tangled knot of feelings she feels unable to unravel. That never really works for long, and this time it's because her human daughter Gillian was abducted. There are signs of Fae involvement everywhere, and so few fae actually remembered that she actually had a daughter. This means it's part of a larger conspiracy, and it's a race to find Gillian before she pays with her life.

Night and Silence is the twelfth book in the October Daye series. As always, threads the reader may not have realized were left dangling in prior books are picked up and woven into something else new and dangerous for Toby and her friends to deal with. We see more of Faerie's denizens here, and the Changeling community that was left in ruins. The breaks in Toby and the others after the fallout of the last novel are evident, especially in the beginning of the novel. She has to work through them in order to piece together the reasons for Gillian's abduction; Toby feels less like a private detective and more of a woman that stumbles across a path laid for her by those more devious and vicious than she deserves to have to deal with. Her specialty is blood magic, and poor Toby has to spill quite a bit of her own over the course of the journey she takes to find Gillian.

There's a small afterward that does deal with Gillian's point of view, which is rather important to me given that the series is told from Toby's perspective. She was something of a cipher and holy grail of sorts in earlier novels, but now Gillian is in college and trying to forge a path for herself. The events in this book, particularly those at the end, throws everything into upheaval. I'm sure that she will play an important role in future novels, so I really wanted to see her state of mind and how she would cope with everything. The Daye family seems to be cursed with dramatic events, after all, and I know Toby will soldier on. It's a new experience for Gillian.

There are even more family secrets revealed and unraveled in this novel, something I didn't think was even possible after all of the other revelations that had occurred in earlier novels in the series. This poor woman has gone through so much; some of the highlights are mentioned in this so that newer readers can dive in and keep up. A number of the shocking revelations of prior novels are dealt with as no big deal here, so going backward would lose its punch a bit. It would still be a surprise in how it's revealed, so it's still worth it to go back and re-experience the series from the start. These aren't nursery rhyme fairy tales, but stories of the bloody and terrible cost that magic can exert on those that would wield its power. Those are the best kind, in my opinion, because we can really see the reflection of our world through theirs, and how we can learn from their mistakes.

I loved this book, as I do all Seanan McGuire's books. I thought it was incredibly realistic how Seanan underscores how healing from trauma takes time -- that the events in the past echo through to the present and starting a new book doesn't wipe away what happened in the last. McGuire writes incredibly well and Toby and crew are well-rounded characters. Again, I wouldn't recommend starting the series with this one (start from the beginning), but fans are sure to appreciate this.

The latest October Daye book has Toby searching for her daughter after she disappears from Berkeley. Faerie mayhem and danger. ARC from NetGalley.

Seanan McGuire and October Daye never cease to amaze me. Just about every book in this series stirs so much emotion that I end up crying. Night and Silence is no exception to that rule.

I'm constantly amazed at the depths of detail that Seanan McGuire is still able to explore and plumb. From the other kingdoms, to the different species, to the intrigue amongst the courts. And through all of that her characters have grown and changed and learned. It's brilliant. I'm excited each chance I get to spend time with Toby and her motley friends. There's adventure, laughs, and so much heart.

"You don't get many miracles in this world. When one comes along, it's up to us to watch over them. It's up to us to watch them unfold."

So read Night and Silence and continue to watch the miraculous journey of October Daye.

NIGHT AND SILENCE is a classic October Daye adventure, in that all such adventures have consequences. Despite coming late in the series, and showing still healing and struggling after prior attacks, this book felt fresh and interesting.

NIGHT AND SILENCE is particularly well set up to be a refresher for those who may have lost the threads of this series. Even new readers might find this an easy entry point for the series, though they would not get as much emotional heft from the prior events (and would miss out on a lot of wonderful writing along the way). Much of Toby’s current relationships and accomplishments are touched upon in this book, but not in a way that detracts from the main story line.

A satisfying read for fans, NIGHT AND SILENCE contains layers within layers. According to the author, the October Daye series has been purchased by the publisher out through book 13, and though I'd love to live in this world of faerie forever, NIGHT AND SILENCE is a fantastic penultimate book.

Originally published at speculativechic.com
***

How do you review a book that you’ve been breathlessly anticipating for an entire year? It’s not entirely acceptable to just copy and paste multiple copies of Kermit the Frog flailing around everywhere, so one must attempt to gather one’s thoughts.

This was not easy.

Because, you see, this book takes a mystery that has haunted the halls of the October Daye series for a few books now, cracks it open, and then plays with the gooey insides. It also adds another mystery or two and leaves the reader breathlessly anticipating the next volume. It’s going to be a long year.

I am doing my damndest to avoid spoilers, so, much like the Luidaeg, there’s a lot that I can’t say. What I can say is this: never, ever assume anything about these books. Just when you think that you’re certain about something, McGuire gleefully turns that idea on its head. We’ve seen the impossible done within the pages of this series multiple times: doors that were supposed to stay sealed were ripped wide open, characters who were supposed to be dead have been resurrected, and events that shouldn’t have been possible went ahead and happened anyway.

Checking in on the characters…we continue to see growth from October. She has gone from the would-be lone detective of Rosemary and Rue to the head of an active, loving chosen family. The cover already tells you that this family is fraying at the edges, thanks to the events of the last book. Tybalt is, unsurprisingly, suffering from a pretty severe case of PTSD. The raw pain of his experience is heartbreakingly realistic and portrayed in all of its ugly glory. I am pleased to say that he was not 100% absent for this volume. I was also pleased to see a reunion between October and someone that she had been semi-estranged from (and I cried when it happened). My favorite side character (Dianda Lorden) makes a brief, but excellent appearance.

The mysteries continue to build, even as answers to some older questions begin to emerge. We learn a bit more about Amandine’s heritage. We discover more information about Toby’s ex, Cliff, and take a tiny peek at the way that he must have suffered and struggled after Toby disappeared years ago. Cliff doesn’t get a lot of page time in most of the previous books, which makes sense. He’s made it clear that he’s moved on, and Toby has moved on herself. It’s easy to forget that Cliff’s still there, in the background, trying to live his own life. Poor, forgotten Cliff. The events of this novel are going to drag him, kicking and screaming, from out of the background, I expect.

All that I can say about the end is that it doesn’t tie things off in a neat, tidy bow. How can it, after what our heroes have gone through? This is not to say that ending is a bad one. It’s simply painful. There’s a bit of hope there, but I was left with a feeling of uncertainty and even some slight dread for what may be to come for Toby and her family.

Bonus! As with several previous volumes of the series, there’s novella waiting for you at the end of Night and Silence. “Suffer a Sea-Change,” while lovely, doesn’t do much to help with most of the cliffhangers of the book. It does, however, give the reader a taste of what’s going on in the rest of the world and show the further fate of a particular character who undergoes a transformation during the novel. It also features of a lot of the Luidaeg, who is my favorite primary character. We take a dive into some of the painful bits that she either can’t or won’t talk about much. She’s a very layered character that we don’t get to see take the center stage too often. What we learn in “Suffer a Sea-Change” gave the character some unexpected depth and makes me shiver at what’s coming for the Selkies (and if you’re caught up on the series, you know the origin of the Selkies and what makes their relationship with the Luidaeg so complicated).

In conclusion: If you’re caught up on this series, you must not miss this volume. Please read it and then come back and talk to me about it. I’m kind of dying over here. There are so many secrets that I’ve kept for several weeks now, and I’m eager to chat!

Another fun adventure from Seanan McGuire. I have always loved the twists and turns and the characters in McGuire's book. Read this today!

Short Summary: Toby is once again faced with the kidnapping of her mortal daughter, Gillian, terrified that she’s once again responsible for her daughter being in danger. During her investigation, she manages to uncover a few jaw-dropping mysteries that will no doubt play a role in Toby’s future.

Thoughts: I swear, just when I feel like I couldn’t love this series more, McGuire manages to sneak in a new facet to the story that opens up whole new avenues and makes the anticipation for the next installment even worse. I have no idea how far she plans to take this series but even with twelve installments under her belt, this series doesn’t seem to be heading towards an end anytime soon, and I’m certainly not complaining.

Verdict: I read the first two installments in 2017 and the remaining nine this year so I could finally be caught up in time for the new release of Night and Silence. I now have to wait for the next release of this ridiculously good series like a PEASANT. BAH.

So, like, magic isn't real.

Except maybe it is?

Because when an author keeps a story so fresh and compelling this far into a series, it *seems* like magic.

This series delivers EVERY TIME.

Seanan McGuire is a fantasy writing goddess and I worship at her feet.

Night and Silence is the twelfth book in the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. You do need to read these books in order to understand the characters and world. I highly recommend the series, but you do need to start from the beginning.

In the aftermath of Amandine's latest betrayal, October "Toby" Daye's fragile self-made family is on the verge of coming apart at the seams. Jazz can't sleep, Sylvester doesn't want to see her, and worst of all, Tybalt has withdrawn from her entirely, retreating into the Court of Cats as he tries to recover from his abduction. Toby is floundering, unable to help the people she loves most heal. She needs a distraction. She needs a quest. What she doesn't need is the abduction of her estranged human daughter, Gillian. What she doesn't need is to be accused of kidnapping her own child by her ex-boyfriend and his new wife, who seems to be harboring secrets of her own. There's no question of whether she'll take the case. The only question is whether she's emotionally prepared to survive it. Signs of Faerie's involvement are everywhere, and it's going to take all Toby's nerve and all her allies to get her through this web of old secrets, older hatreds, and new deceits. If she can't find Gillian before time runs out, her own child will pay the price. One question remains: Who in Faerie remembered Gillian existed? And what do they stand to gain? No matter how this ends, Toby's life will never be the same.

Night and Silence is a book that made me wonder how we got to book 12. So often by this point in a series characters and the problems they face start getting old or predictable. Somehow McGuire keeps avoiding all of those pitfalls. Toby is facing her own crisis, dealing with the fact that she can not fix the damage her mother has cause to Tybalt and Jazz. Those are battles that she can not fight for them, and talking and facing emotions head on (not her strong suit) is all that she can do to help. The latest crisis falls in Toby's lap she discovers more secrets and complications that lead her on another crazy quest, dealing with dangers and conspiracies, to save her daughter again. I loved that October had to face her emotions and deal with facing big surprises. I loved seeing the characters from previous books make their appearances, some of which were key to the story and seeing everything come together to make things work they way she needs it to. Sometimes I worry that the story will end, and the series will stop- others I worry that not everything can come together in time- but McGuire makes it all work. I really loved the short story at the end of the story, giving readers a look at Gillian's point of view.

Night and Silence is another nail biting adventure for October, with plenty of character and emotional crisis along side the physical. Fans will need to pick it up, and will likely devour it as quickly as I did.

The October Daye series has really grown on me and gotten better book by book. The characters are well thought out and complex, the plot lines all different and the dialogue is funny and smart. If you would have asked me at Rosemary and Rue (book 1), I wouldn’t have known if I’d make it to the third book in the series, let alone the twelfth book. October Daye became one of my favorite UF series to date.
“As Sir Daye’s squire, I must apologize, again, for her having the manners of a kelpie.”
“Don’t be silly, Quentin,” said Danny. “Kelpies are politer.”
“Kelpies are aquatic murder horses that want to rip you apart and eat everything but your liver,” I protested.
Danny smirked. “As I was sayin’.”

One reason is October. She isn’t perfect and she needs the help of her friends all the time but she is a character who has grown so much from the first book of the series. In Night and Silence, we get to revisit October’s past as her child has gone missing again. You’d think that would make this plot similar to the other book where Gillian was kidnapped but you would be oh so wrong. This is different in so many ways as Toby goes in search of the daughter that decided to be all human and leave Toby’s world behind.

I loved the banter and snark this series brings. Toby is irreverent as always in the presence of both danger or anyone with a Royal pedigree. She is who she is and she is the same to everyone no matter where your nobility lies. But cross Toby and you will have to remember she has some very powerful allies in the King of Cats, the Sea Witch, a death spirit and a future king of the realm. But you should be most wary of the Sea Witch, she is scary even if you are her friend.
Arguing with the Luidaeg is like arguing with a mountain: in the end, all you wind up with is a sore throat and an implacable landmark. Only in the case of the Luidaeg, she might wind up turning you into a toad for your impertinence.

This delves even more into the fae lore and we finally get some answers into who Amadine’s mother is. I really love how SM spins this tale using folklore of the fae and twisting it into this story. Toby’s grandma was a surprise and a trip I never saw coming.
"You lost a great deal of blood.”
“I didn’t lose it,” I said. “I know exactly where it is.”

Tybalt is one of my favorite leading men in fiction. Probably because even in a modern day setting of this story he sounds like a hero out of a historical romance. I love it and eat it up. Tybalt has been hurt deeply by the events of the prior book and has something akin to PTSD. I missed him for part of this book but loved how he showed up for Toby when she really needed him even though he is broken. The other plus is that he didn’t have to be perfect for October to love him, she realizes he needs to heal and I adored how their relationship is and the tender moments the two of them share.

Overall: Some interesting movement on the greater plot arc of the series, October possibly getting a second chance at being a mother to Gillian and the relationship with Tybalt made this book for me. Still the bill to the Sea Witch is pretty high and I’d hate to be Toby when she decides to collect.

This book explores the aftermath of the drama that happened in the Brightest Fell. And October and her gang are a mess. So Toby needs a distraction, which is Gillian is kidnapped again and only Toby can find her estranged daughter. At first, I was so annoyed with this plot because Gillian is a brat and her Father and stepmother are even worst always accusing Toby of wrongdoing. But this book was so good. We learn more secrets about Toby’s heritage and it’s Mind-blowing. I didn’t see that coming. I’m so loving how all the characters in this series have grown and can’t see how the events from this will be explored in the next book. Hopefully this year will go fast.

Toby should be thinking about getting married to Tybalt with him and Jazz back home and her quest to bring her older pureblood sister back to her mother, but instead, her life is tearing apart. Tybalt avoids her due to PSTD from being trapped in cat form. Jazz can’t sleep, and Toby’s ex and his human wife have appeared at her doorstep, demanding to know if she’d kidnapped her daughter, Gillian. Which she hasn’t. Agreeing to find her. Toby begins the search at the campus of Gillian’s college, where she was last seen. The clues stink of Faerie involvement and there are secrets too, one even connected to her in a way she never saw coming.

Once again, Seanan McGuire gives another great adventure for October Daye and for the reader

This book draws upon earlier events in the series. Characters deal with the consequences of old and new traumas. Yet the happyish endings are earned without trying to tie everything up in a bow.

Seanan McGuire's latest installment in the October Daye series is a game changer. Since it's the twelfth book in the series, I was slightly nervous about whether or not the story would continue to feel as fresh and enchanting as previous installments. There was absolutely no cause for me to worry. While the plot line may sound similar to one of the past books, Night and Silence delved into entirely new territory and revealed a few more hints about McGuire's ultimate end game with the series.

I'll try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, however there will necessarily be some spoilers for previous books in the series.

First of all, I really appreciated the "this is what happened in previous books" section at the beginning of the book. Even though I've read all of the books in the last two years, it's still hard to keep everything straight in my head. The reminder really helped me get back up to speed.

The contrast with Gillian's first kidnapping made me truly realize how much Toby has grown and developed as a character. Toby's dealings with her human family as a whole also reflected this, particularly toward the end of the book. Additionally, I thought that McGuire did an incredible job in her portrayal of Tybalt's PTSD. It was wonderful to see how that was developed throughout the book, particularly because there aren't a lot of male characters in literature with mental health problems who ultimately deal with them in a healthy way. McGuire's characters have always been vibrant and realistic but Night and Silence takes them to an entirely new level.

As usual, the plot kept me glued to the pages. Just be prepared to carve out a chunk of time to read this book because you won't want to put it down, particularly once the reveals start happening. There were moments that made me gasp, moments that made me cry, and moments that made me laugh out loud. McGuire also does an excellent job of revealing some things that indicate where the current/next story arc is going to go. And I am so excited to see what's going to happen next. Night and Silence was a wonderful addition to one of my favorite series.

Also, the short story included in this one was actually one of my favorites. It was so interesting to see things from Gillian's point of view. Plus it provided a few answers to long-standing questions. But absolutely do not read it before you read the book because it contains some major plot spoilers!

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Every time I'm convinced this series can't get any better Seanan McGuire writes a book like Night and Silence and proves me wrong! I have to admit I was nervous after reading the blurb and saw that not only are Toby and Tybalt having problems but also that Gillian is abducted again, I was a little bit worried this would feel like a rinse and repeat of stories we've had in this world before but I'm such a huge fan of this author and she's never steered me wrong before so I really should have more faith in her by now.

Seeing how distant Tybalt is was pretty heartbreaking but after everything Amandine put him through his withdrawal was understandable. That doesn't make it any easier to read but there was no way he'd carry on as normal after everything he's experienced. The man always knows how to make an entrance though and there has never been a time when he has let Toby down when she really needs him so you don't need to worry that he'll be absent for the entire book.

Things with Gillian are far more complicated. When Toby offered Gillian the Changeling's choice and reluctantly turned her human it broke her heart but she honestly believed it was what Gillian wanted and needed and she's kept her distance since then trying to respect Gillian's wishes. Toby mistakenly thought that leaving her alone would keep her safe but now she's missing Toby has no idea if the fae are involved. It's always been painful to see how much Toby has suffered because of her abduction, I've hated the way Cliff treats her for a long time now and I would really love to see her build some bridges with her daughter.

The story was everything I'd hoped for and gave all the characters I love most a chance to shine, May has a bigger role than usual, the Luideag steals the show as always, Quentin never fails to make me smile and of course I still love Tybalt no matter how damaged he is right now. There is plenty of action as Toby tries to track down Gillian and encounters some interesting new fae along the way and a totally game changing revelation has given me a new character to loathe but I can't say more about that because SPOILER so you'll just have to read the book to find out more (I guarantee you'll know exactly who I'm talking about once you have!).

Events in this book are going to have a huge impact as the series continues so I'm really looking forward to seeing how Toby copes with the latest developments in When Sorrows Come! This series is definitely one of my favourites and it's still going strong 12 books in.

I never felt completely ok with the resolution of Toby’s relationship with her daughter. A few books back, Gillian made the Changeling’s Choice and she opted to become fully human. Toby honored those wishes and stepped out of her child’s life. But now, Gillie has been kidnapped again, and human or not, she will never be someone who Toby could turn her back on. So our heroine must put past hurts aside to help her ex-fiance and his current wife find the girl they’d raised as their own.

Right away, we know this kidnapping has a connection to the Fae. There are hex bags in Gillie’s room and someone is leaving clues that count on Toby’s special skills to track her through false trails and traps. The story follows her efforts to figure out who snatched her daughter and bring the girl home, all while mending the relationship with Tybalt so badly damaged by his kidnapping in the last book.

It was a pretty good story, though the “rescue Gillian” plot felt a little familiar. So did Toby’s succession of near-death experiences. The poor woman is constantly savaged from the beginning of the book to the end and I’ve grown kind of accustomed to her nearly bleeding out in every installment. All that being said, I still enjoyed the ride, because the writing is great, the world building is immersive, and these characters are ones I have grown to care about over the course of the series. I wanted Toby to get another chance with her daughter; I never tire of the Luidaig; and Tybalt is an awesome hero, one who never fails to put Toby first (something that she’s never had from anyone in her life.)

The book does manage to squeeze out a few surprises, like the hidden secrets revealed about Gillian’s stepmother… or the resolution to the Gilly storyline. But I’m not sure where we’re heading for any kind of climax in a series arc. This felt like a very insular chapter, rather than part of a bigger picture, even if some old snakes do come back to bite the good guys. I know there is another book ahead; I’m curious if it will be the last.

Overall, I think fans of the series will enjoy this, and the end will have some repercussions. It just doesn’t feel as big as some of the books that came before.

(PS – There is also a bonus novella included: “Suffer a Sea Change.” It gives us a peek behind the curtain from Gillian’s POV. I have to admit, I’m not a fan of hers. The way she has behaved toward Toby has been… less than stellar. But the novella made me hate her a little less.)

Rating: B/B+

Going back to the world of our dear Toby is always a pleasure. I have come to love this series. How can I not when Tybalt makes me want to swoon when he says things from his heart. Le Sigh....

After the events which occurred in The Brightest Fell, Toby is trying to avoid discussing what is troubling her, her relationship with Tybalt. She loves the King of Cats and she's not sure how they're going to move forward after what Amandine did to him. Her friends are worried about her and Tybalt but she rather not think about it.

Then, her ex-human boyfriend, Cliff comes knocking on her door. He's looking for their daughter, Gillian. She has gone missing (again!). Toby can't believe someone has taken her. She loved Gillian so much that when Gillian chose to be human and stay with Cliff, Toby walked away believing she would be safe in the human world. But, too many people remember that Toby had Gillian and she's sure a fae is involved in her disappearance.

With the help of her squire and her fetch Mae, she will go looking for Gillian. The search takes her to places where as you can guess, Toby has to fight for her life and she will end up being covered in her own blood. Nothing new there, right? That's mostly why she wears black anyway. There are many close calls and at the same time, I could feel that time was running out for her.

There's a huge plot changer. The reveal is a WOW moment where I wasn't sure if I read it right and I had to go back and reread it. Holy amazing Batman! I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Yet, it makes perfect sense. Not vague enough for you? I guess you're just going to need to read it.

The ending is perfect is an imperfect way. It leaves you with so many open questions and without a way to know the answers.

For all Tybalt fans, the man does make a good entrance. Perfect timing too. It broke my heart to see how hard everything is for him right now. I truly hate Amandine for what she did to him. Despite everything, every heartfelt spoken word by him is beautiful in its deliverance.

I really can't wait to see what happens next. I truly hope to see more of Gillian in the next book.

As always the Luidaeg is amazing in a terrifying way. One of my favorite characters in this series.

I can't finish my review without saying how amazing Seanan McGuire's writing is. It's almost poetic. Her characters are brought to life full of light and darkness.

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by DAW Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Toby Daye's life is unsettled as usual, but more so after the events of The Brightest Fell. Toby's lover and fiance, Tybalt, King of Cats, and roommate, Jazz, were kidnapped and tortured by Toby's mother, Amandine the Liar. Jazz sleeps most of the time, and Tybalt has almost completely withdrawn from her life. Her problems explode when her mortal daughter, Gillian, is kidnapped by someone in Fairie-again. Toby must find who, and why to save Gillian, this time without the support of some of her most important allies. Along the way, there are significant surprises for Toby, old enemies, and new beginnings.

I am continually surprised by the imagination and solid grounding in Celtic Mythology that Seanan McGuire employs in the October Daye Series, only one of the series she writes. She weaves Shakespeare references and mythology seamlessly into a fascinating whole. Toby's world is fantastic but believably built. Night and Silence is one of the better books in the series, and I am eagerly waiting for the next in the series. It is critical to begin at the beginning with October Daye and understand the changes she has gone through.

Thanks to DAW and NetGalley for an advance digital copy. The opinions are my own.