Many, many ages ago, I read and reviewed this excellent novel. That review was lost to the sands of time. I recently reread this, however, and I never regret revisiting this world.

With The Unkindest Tide, McGuire begins cashing checks that were written closer to the beginning of this series. Promises that were made have now been kept. There’s so much more that happens, though. It’s hard to summarize everything that happens here, so I’m just going to suggest that if you’re interested in the book, just read it. Do NOT start with this book, though, if you’re not already familiar with this series. You could, theoretically, but it’s not a great jumping off point. Something big and important happens here that’s going to have very little impact if you’re not already caught up.

McGuire always shines with her characters. It is telling that, in one book, she manages to not only craft entire, layered, complicated characters but make them sympathetic and believable is a great example of how well she writes this series. She truly loves this series and it shows. The care with which she crafts her characters is by far the best part of the series. The plot elements are excellently done as well, but the characters, even the less important ones, are all beautiful, fully realized beings. Watch out for the amazing Captain Pete, who is by far my favorite.

As for the plot, in addition to the enormous, important point that has been on the back burner for several years and as many books, there’s an intricate murder plot that is masterfully crafted. Old issues are revisited and old enemies which were gone are most certainly not forgotten pop out of the woodwork. And politics! So many different kinds of politics come into play here! The political systems that McGuire’s fae societies operate under are almost characters in their own right. The Selkies are not the Merrow are not the land fae and so on. I was intrigued by the Selkie clans and their system of leadership. Which is an unfortunate interest of my own, for, uh, reasons. That I won’t get into right now.

At the end of the day, this is an absolutely amazing addition to the series. I love it. It’s not my favorite entry to the series, but it’s most certainly in my top five. The scene where October and Annie work together to bring Annie’s wishes to fruition (again, trying not to spoil) gave me chills and made me cry a little. Another scene with Annie working with her sister on another task made me tear up for a different reason (I’m getting a little teary just thinking about it). I don’t know what it is about this series, but it has its hooks very firmly in me.

Please read it. You won’t be disappointed.

Review: “The Unkindest Tide”
Hundreds of years ago, the Selkies made a deal with the sea witch: they would have the sea for as long as she allowed it, and when the time came, she would call in all their debts at once. Many people assumed that day would never come. Those people were wrong.
When the Luidaeg--October "Toby" Daye's oldest and most dangerous ally--tells her the time has come for the Selkies to fulfill their side of the bargain, and that Toby must be a part of the process, Toby can't refuse. Literally. The Selkies aren't the only ones in debt to the Luidaeg, and Toby has to pay what she owes like anyone else. They will travel to the fabled Duchy of Ships and call a convocation of the Selkies, telling them to come and meet the Luidaeg's price...or face the consequences.
Of course, nothing is that simple. When Dianda Lorden's brother appears to arrest Dianda for treason against the Undersea, when a Selkie woman is stripped of her skin and then murdered, when everything is falling apart, that's when Toby will have to answer the real question of the hour.
Is she going to sink? Or is she going to swim?
Seanan McGuire is subversive. Her work appears to be urban fantasy but behind the trappings, are universal truths and concepts that compel the reader to examine their beliefs and humanity. This is especially true in her latest novel, "The Unkindest Tide".
In the novel, which is about vows made and kept, the message slipped in between the lines is that while it is important to keep your word, it is equally as important how you keep your word and remember your humanity even in the face of loss. It is important to treat each other with kindness and respect.
The thirteenth book is better than the first, bringing together multiple complex story lines and a rich diverse world with characters that are three dimensional, heartbreaking but also heroic, not just in the big ways but also in the choices that they make, to love, to help, and to keep each other safe. The characters are why I keep reading but the world keeps me intrigued and I can’t wait to see more in the series.
If you haven’t begun reading this series, why not? I wouldn’t recommend starting at number 13 but I would recommend it, because it is the progression of Seanan McGuire’s characters, world and writing. She only gets better with each book she writes.
Rating: 5 stars.

An impossible solution for a horrific reason. The children of the Selkies are taken to a kingdom among itself to make a choice that is neither their fault nor fair. Toby is there to make that choice permanent. Murder, trickery, loss are all wrapped up in this book. My heart breaks everytime I pick up a Toby Daye story. But I will keep coming back for more.

Another fun read in this series and it was great coming back to visit these characters again. The plot moved forward quite well enough but I just wasn't as connected to it as I thought I would be. Maybe it's because so much time has passed since I read the 12th book and I had binge read the rest of the series, basically. I did enjoy it but I've definitely had other favorites in the series!

October Daye books are always a must read for me, and this one is no different. There is a lot of story development in this story (pushing the overall story arch along) and therefore alot of nail-biting action. It's an awesome book and should not be skipped in the series.

* This was a download due to the Hugo Awards download links. I am simply crossing this off my list though I haven't gotten this far into the series quite yet.

An October Daye book? Yes, please.

History has it that there was a bargain between the Selkies and the Sea Witch. The Selkies would be allowed to live in the sea for as long as the Sea Witch allows it. At any time she can put an end to the bargain and call in their debt. But this all happened so long ago that it's become just legend and no one expects that debt ever to be called in. But the Sea Witch is calling in that debt now, which would permanently bind their skins to their bodies.

Another debt is called in when the Luidaeg tell October 'Toby' Daye that she needs to be a part of the bargain and the process - a debt October can't refuse. The meeting between the Queen and the Selkies will be at the Duchy of Ships, where October will help the Selkies decide if they will forever live in the sea or on the land in their permanent skins. But at the location, one of the Selkies is found dead and Toby goes to work to get justice for the dead. Toby's got more than she bargained for.

I've really come to like the character of October Daye and all of the others that she interacts with. Author Seanan McGuire is such a wonderful author who gives us intelligent, exciting characters that are 'real' and whom we care about. Is there anyone writing urban fantasy better than this?

And while I think strong characters are key to driving a story, it's still important to have a good story and McGuire excels here as well. The history of the Selkies is brought to the fore and the change in their entire way of life is what's at stake. The higher the stakes, the stronger the dramatic climax and this is not a disappointment.

As with all the other October Daye books that I've read, there is a novella included. This one, "Hope is Swift," takes place at the same time as October sets out for the Duchy of Ships and features Raj and Cait Sidhe. This was a strong work and a really good way to end.

Looking for a good book? <em>The Unkindest Tide</em> by Seanan McGuire is the 13th book in the October Daye series. It is a strong work with a great fantasy character.

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

While the quality of writing is excellent as usual, this installment lacks the usual narrative and emotional tension, making it rather a slog. Didn't feel crucial to October's journey. That said, I'm a massive fan of this series, so I'm obviously on board for even the nonessential journeys.

For some people, the beginning of September means pumpkin spice lattes, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, and an end to summer. For me, it means a new October Daye book. I’ve been reading this series since the very first book and, finally, at lucky number 13, we get the book I’ve been waiting for – the Luidaeg and Toby settling their debts.

“It’s sort of like going on vacation, except for the part where it’s not going to be restful and we’re all going to die.”


The Luidaeg is calling in her debt, and Toby and company must travel to the Duchy of Ships and restore the Roane. Sounds like a good thing, right? But it soon becomes clear that the end of the Selkies isn’t as cut and dried as Toby thought, and there’s more political intrigue going on in the Undersea than anyone expected. Add in the presence of her daughter Gillian and, well, it’s no surprise that Toby’s having yet another bad – and bloody – day.

“No spears for you,” I snapped. “No swords or tridents or anything else, either. You don’t know how to use them responsibly.”
“Rowan and thorn, you’re such a mom,” said Quentin.


Families – the ones you’re born into and the ones you make – are a continuing theme in this series. Tybalt, Quentin, May… Toby’s surrounded herself with family and friends that she loves and is loved by, a family that spans Fae prejudices and probably common sense. October’s daughter Gillian is there as well, of course, as the only cure for her being elf-shot was to take on a Selkie skin, and her anger at being forced back into the Fae world and continuously used as a pawn against Toby is understandable. We also get more of the Lordens, as the local Undersea delegation to the Luidaeg’s shindig, both of their sons, and an exploration of what being a family is like to the Merrows.

“When the time comes, you and I will stand alone.”


But the best part of the book is the Luidaeg, the sea witch we’ve all loved and hated since she first appeared back in the first book. This book is really about her family – her Firstborn sisters, her Roane, and the other Fae, like Poppy, that she surrounds herself with. In a larger sense, the “family” theme extends to who the Fae see as their own. Selkies belong to the liminal fringes of Faerie, not quite Fae and not quite human in a way that even changelings, despised as they are, aren’t. They also don’t belong to either land or sea, leaving them stranded in between multiple worlds, but even so, they have a vibrant way of life and culture that will all be eradicated. Which leads into the next theme – the balance of justice and mercy. The Selkies are generations distant from their ancestors who slaughtered the Roane, and Toby has been drug into fixing this by virtue of being the only non-crappy Dóchas Sidhe. Why does this fall to them?

“I fell in love with a hero, October. I fell in love with you. I would never dream of asking you to change that essential part of who you are. I don’t want you to stop fighting. I just want to be fighting with you.”


The romance between Tybalt and Toby is just *chef’s kiss.* I love how understanding – if worried – he is about her propensity for ending up skewered and bleeding all the dang time. I love how Toby loves him for being, well, murderous. There’s a few particularly sweet conversations about their future that just about melted me. There’s also, of course, plenty of the usual humor involving Toby poking people with pointy things, Quentin making fun of Tobey for being a pincushion, and Poppy being, well, Poppy.

“It’s terrible to be the one who has to set things right when you didn’t play any part in breaking them.”


Overall, another great book that moves forward both the characters and the plot. This remains one of my all-time favorite series!

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I always immediately request when I see Seanan's books and am ALWAYS delighted and honored when I'm approved.

I'm a recent Seanan convert, so I'm not very far along in the October Daye series yet. (I actually think two have been released since I started reading her work?) I'm a completionist, though, and I have to read a whole series, so I have started back at Rosemary and Rue.

It's amazing to see how much the world has grown and how far Seanan's writing has come since she began. I enjoy all of Toby's world and adventures and loved seeing the selkies this time around!

This is such a great continuation of the October Daye series. As usual, I was blown away by the twists and turns this story manages to put me through. I devour every October Daye book as soon as I can get it, and this one was especially great.

This 13th book in the October Day series is a wonderful edition. It's a clever continuation of Toby's story in a novel setting. Great storytelling and some very interesting plot twists and storylines. I highly recommend this one to fans of the series.

I want to recommend this author to everyone I meet. She creates such elaborate stories, vast worlds, and great characters. This book did not disappoint. She has very lyrical and beautiful writing and she has a gift to say so much in such little space.

I thought I would enjoy this more than I did. I am sorry. I was used to the writing in the wayward children series, and this threw me off a bit.

Finally! After teasing plot threads and build up throughout many Toby adventures, we get to spend some time with the selkies! Poignant, and sharp around the edges, McGuire's Seawitch always satisfies my need for complex and interesting characters.

Love this series and anything this author writes. I can easily loose myself in October’s world. Loved leaning more about the Selkies and the Luidaeg.

Well written, great character development, but there were some plot holes and inconsistencies that just didn't jive with me and pulled me out of the story. Not as great as earlier works but still an enjoyable read.

This probably has to be one of my favorites in the series. Now, comes a hard time when old promises have to be fulfilled. Everything is going to change, even October’s daughter’s life . This kept me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait for the next one. I loved the novella at the end as well. It got me a bit emotional.

It kind of feels like this is the book that we've all been waiting for. I freaking love the Luidaeg, have from the very beginning, but here, you finally get to see her complexities. Her power, her fury, her grief, and Toby is right there in the thick of the things. The plot is just as suspenseful as ever, and the setting, like a few of her books, is new as it takes you to a new world. The things that I loved about her previous books, Toby's wit and her tendency to be drenched in blood, is just as present, and Tybalt is just as swoon-worthy as ever. There are some books in this series that have been kind of up and down for me, but this is absolutely not one of them. Can't wait for the next one!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of “The Unkindest Tide” by Seanan McGuire. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Full disclosure: I had already preordered this book. I love this series so much and was so excited to get to read it early!!

One thing I noticed was there was a lot of recap but I actually found it helpful as it had been a year since I read the last Toby book. I imagine it might be a lot more noticeable if you were binge reading the series but I appreciated the reminders. I fully forgot who Luna was for a long minute.

The Luideag is one of my favorite characters in the series (I wish I could give her a hug even though I’d probably be turned into a barnacle or something it I tried). It was great to get so much insight into her character for an entire book.

Most importantly: can we talk about THAT conversation between Toby and Tybalt??!?!!? No spoilers but oh man I cannot wait to see how that plays out in future books.

I love this series and will continue to preorder and read Toby’s story as soon as I can get my hands on the books.

4/5 stars!