I’ve loved Seanan McGuire’s “October Daye” urban fantasy since the very first volume and looked forward to each new installment. Be the Serpent is every bit a treat for long-time fans of the series. It is not, alas, an entry point for the new reader. Long-running series are often burdened by sheer weight of backstory. McGuire is skillful enough to weave in bare-minimum necessary details, but after 15 previous volumes, that amounts to a lot. Even though I had read all the previous volumes, some more than once, I found myself wondering who is this person and when did that happen? I wished for a “refresh my memory” synopsis from time to time, especially when supporting characters had similar names (like Simon and Sylvester, although there aren’t enough letters in the alphabet to give everyone in Toby Daye’s world a name starting with a different letter). I have the greatest sympathy for the poor, unsuspecting reader who tries to jump into the middle of the story. To be fair, there are plot elements that don’t depend on an encyclopedic knowledge of What Has Come Before and are engrossing in their own right.

Be the Serpent has the same delicious blend of Faerie, magic, romance, mystery, and action, not to mention great characters, as has come before. Fans will love it, me among them. If I was disappointed by once-terror-inspiring characters descending to warm-fuzziness, the switch from BFF to arch-enemy more than balanced it out.

The story ends on a partial resolution, a false cadence as it were, promising that the story isn’t over yet. This is great news for fans, maybe not so much for someone still trying to figure out what’s going on.

I tried to read the attached novella, but I kept falling asleep.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to the free advanced digital copy of this book.

As always Seanan McGuire takes a little mythology and mixes it into this captivating modern take that you can not put down.

Be the Serpent is a thrilling installment in the Toby Daye series. This is an action-packed, blood-soaked, romp through fairyland. I love all the characters in the series, and especially loved the prominent role of Oberon in this adventure.

Book sixteen in the October Daye series - a solid urban fantasy series by one of the top writers in the genre!

October Daye is now married (to the King of Cats!) and life is supposed to become much more domestic - which might terrify October somewhat since she's never been prepared for this kind of life. After all, what need is there for domesticity when you are a Hero among the Fae? But trouble can come from family and friends. If your Toby Daye ... especially from family and friends!

While some of Toby's family have certainly been a thorn in her side, she has, at least, known where they stand and how much she can or cannot rely on them. But deception from long-time friends might blindside October.

In the opening pages of the book, author Seanan McGuire notes that the events that unfold here in book 16 are something that she's planned from the very beginning of the series. This just adds to my already high esteem for McGuire. I mean, sixteen books? That's a long game plan.

The book has most of the usual players, though not all of them have leading roles in this one (Tybalt, surprisingly, has very little to do other than be Toby's focus of relaxed attention), and we have the typical running commentary from Toby about all of those around her. There are the usual threats and Toby's cautious reflections on what's happening about her.

What is new with this book, is the lack of ending.

That's right ... although this has been an on-going series, the books I've read have still managed to be complete stories. But this book has what others generously refer to as a 'cliffhanger' - meaning, there's no real ending here, you'll have to wait for the next book to finish this story.

I like McGuire and I really like the October Daye series, and I can't imagine not reading these books, but I always take away at least one star for giving me a book to read that doesn't have an ending.

Also as usual, there is a novella at the end of the book. This one, "Such Dangerous Seas," gives us some insight on one of the characters who's always played crafty to me.

Looking for a good book? If you haven't read any of the October Daye series and you claim to like Urban Fantasy, you're missing one of the best. Be the Serpent by Seanan McGuire is the 16th book in the series, and continues the well-established tradition of fantasy storytelling. But be warned, while you should read the whole series, you can't read this book and expect a conclusion.

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

October “Toby” Daye is finally married to Tybalt, the King of Cats. She is keeping her promise to awaken a former enemy from enchanted sleep. She has made peace with her stepfather, she has begun a rapprochement with her former liege, things seem to be going well for her.

Which, if you have read anything by Seanan McGuire, is exactly when hell breaks loose.

Two sisters, both seers, begin screaming. Since the other seer present felt nothing, Toby realizes it must be something at their house, the home of her best friend, Stacy. Toby and Tybalt rush to the house to find Stacy’s two sons hiding in an outdoor playhouse. One of them has been stabbed while the other, though uninjured, is traumatized and covered in blood. Inside the house the kitchen looks like Stacy was forced to leave abruptly. The range was left on, batter was left uncovered on the counter. The worst, though, is in the living room. There, the body of Stacy’s youngest daughter, 12-year old Jessica, lies on the floor. She has been murdered.

Normally, Toby can use blood to magically see the last moments of a person’s life. Something, though, is blocking the images of Jessica’s death. It was a woman who killed her, a woman whose magic smelled to Toby like old roses. Even though Jessica was facing her killer until the very end, Toby cannot retrieve the picture. This is both highly unusual and highly disturbing.

So begins a journey that takes Toby places she never thought she would go and stirs ancient forces that no one is equipped to handle. Toby’s “found family” takes hits that she never saw coming and could not possibly protect against. And in the end a battle is fought that finds Toby and those she’s closest to on opposite sides. An enemy more powerful than any Toby has faced before has returned to reclaim what she lost centuries before, and she has no intention of letting one October Daye keep her from that goal.

I don’t know whether Seanan McGuire could ever use the line, “And they lived happily ever after.” If terrible pain and loss are McGuire’s love languages, Toby may be her favorite character. Be the Serpent constantly reminds readers that those you love best can hurt you the most. Toby may be nearly impossible to kill. That does not mean she cannot suffer.

Every October Dayne book just gets better and better. I hope there's no planned end to this series, because every one of my patrons and myself will be heartbroken!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out! Excellent read! The whole series is wonderful!

Be the Serpent, the sixteenth book in the October Daye urban fantasy series, is everything Seanan McGuire promised it would be: a major game-changer for the characters, answering at least one long-standing mystery at the heart of the franchise, and at times utterly heart-breaking. It is also, in my opinion, the best entry in the series so far. Which is saying something considering how much I love these books.

Let’s start with a content warning: one of the inciting incidents of this book involves the death of a child. The death is handled with tact and care and is not gratuitous. It is absolutely necessary for the story to progress the way it needs to. The reader experiences the death at a slight remove (via Toby’s ability to “ride the blood” and see people’s memories), which blunts the pain a little bit – but it still hits hard, as it is meant to. McGuire is known for not killing characters just for shock value; every character who dies in the October Day series does so because the plot demands it or because their story is done and so every death counts regardless of whether the dead character is someone the readers liked or hated. This death is no different, it just feels worse because the victim is a child. So there you are: fair warning.

Every fourth book in this series is a “big one,” changing things irrevocably for Toby, her friends, and sometimes the world of Faerie at large. Very often, this has meant Toby gaining new information about the way Faerie works. One of the series’ long-standing mysteries is “What really happened to the Queens of Faerie, Maeve and Titania?” This book is the beginning of the answer to that question. This is something fans of the series have been speculating on almost since book one, with deeply considered theories and very strong opinions. Of course, I’m not going to spoil the reveal. Some people will love it, some will hate it; I found it highly satisfactory and totally in-line with all the clues McGuire has dropped in the preceding 15 books. And as heart-breaking as many fans assumed it would be. The death of a child may incite the action, but the big reveal and its aftermath are just as tear-inducing.

This is not to say the book is a depressing slog. Despite, or perhaps because of, the heartbreak, the book is fast-paced and exciting. Certain characters’ actions and behavior are infuriating (long time readers can probably guess who I’m referring to) and certain other characters’ responses are heartwarming. There’s the usual amount of humor sprinkled throughout as well – it’s not a Toby book if there isn’t some snarky banter among her found family and appropriate flirtatious tension between Toby and her Tybalt. There are also a few interesting developments for members of the supporting cast starting with the opening scene.

I’m posting this review far enough after the publication date that most fans of the series already know this, but ---SPOILER ALERT--- the book ends on a cliffhanger, the only entry in the series to do so. Sub-plots have carried over across books, but this is a real “oh my god, what’s going to happen” ending. The good news is the next book comes out in under a year and the author has a strict “no more than one cliffhanger per series (if any at all)” policy. So this will wrap up in the next novel, which I believe is titled These Violent Delights.

As is also standard now for the October Daye series (as well as McGuire’s Incryptid series), this book contains a stand-alone novella expanding on the lore of the world in some way. This time, we get another glimpse into the largely tragic life of the Luidaeg, better known as the Sea Witch. I love every story Seanan has written expanding on this character’s long life, and this one is no exception. Like the novel that precedes it, this is not an easy novella to read – it centers emotional abuse levied against the main character by her own family and it lays open wounds that the Luidaeg still hasn’t healed in the present day of the series – wound that may in fact never be healed. Seeing such a formative moment in her life play out is heart-wrenching for those of us who love her despite (or again, perhaps because of) how scary she is.

I received an advance reading copy of this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This review is also very late. Be the Serpent published on August 30th, 2022.

I love this series and couldn’t wait to dive into this story.

October is finally married, but that doesn’t mean her problems will disappear. In fact, the novel opens with the trial of Raysel, Luna and Sylvester’s daughter that would determine if the girl will be allowed to be awakened or not. Unfortunately, not everything goes according to plan and when Cassandra and Karen have a vision and start screaming at the end of the session, October understands that something is wrong. She rushes to her best friend, Stacy, and discovers to her horror that the young woman has disappeared and that one of her daughters has been killed. This is the beginning of the end… We will then discover many shocking revelations that will plunge October into horror. She will have to fight to save her loved ones, and sometimes it will not be enough.

I had a great time with this novel. It’s quite touching to see our heroine manage to reconnect with the people in her life. She will also be forced to make some crucial choices, which will be far from easy.

I’m impressed: the quality of the series doesn’t diminish after so many novels and the ending makes us want to learn more and fast! I can’t wait to read the sequel!

Toby has been enjoying the down time after her wedding and maybe she's getting the hang of being married. When her best friend's children are attack, Toby must figure out what is going on and fast, because everything she cares about is in jeopardy.

Toby has come a long way over 16 books. She's brought change to the faery where ever she goes. This book is a major turning point. And it is packed. There are so many spoilers that it is hard to talk about. I really do love Tybalt's and Toby's relationship. Also I am looking forward to what is going to happen to Raysel and Simon just gets better with every book.

There is a cliff hanger at the end. It is a doozy. I am on pins and needles for the next book.

It’s no mystery why I love Seanan McGuire’s books, she grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. Even though this is book 16 in the October Daye series, the story sweeps you up and you find yourself completely involved in October’s life and her struggles as quickly as if you just walked away from an old friend. And just as the book has started small and built so too does the series, this book building the series to an emotional and powerful crescendo that will be impacting readers for some time. 

One of the reasons the novel is so dynamic and emotional, is that Seanan McGuire quickly drops the reader into October’s life, pulling in the reader with ease, and presenting the current situation fast enough that you can’t stop reading. This novel’s battle is a uniquely fairy kind of problem and escalates, forcing October to learn more about Fairie, the way magic works and nothing is ever quite as it seems as just when the situation appears resolved something else happens. 

In this novel, we’re beginning to see more and more of the shape of the world Seanan has created, the future of the series and the kind of confrontation she is building to with the books. We also get a glimpse into why events have happened as they have. It makes for a powerful story with an emotional gut punch of an ending. I do like the way some things are resolved and other matters are left with a hook to keep readers invested in the next book. I know I certainly want to read it now. I also adore Simon Lordan, how his character has been redeemed and he is now one of my favorite secondary characters. I just want to hug him.  

Seanan has complex characters that are impossible not to love, a story that is riveting, an emotional and powerful conclusion and I can’t wait to see what she does next. If you love the rest of the books, run to the booksellers. If not, pick up the rest of the series, read them and then this one. This is a series that is building to something incredible and while each novel is amazing, I love seeing more of the arch of the overall series.  I do warn you, be prepared for the emotional gut punch of an ending.

I can't believe it – we're already at the sixteenth (sixteenth!) novel in the October Daye series. And that's not even counting all the short stories set in this world (if you haven't read those, then you're missing out!). Be the Serpent is the latest installment of this series, and it promises to be yet another groundbreaking novel. As with the last several installments of October Daye, Be the Serpent comes with a new novella – Such Dangerous Seas.

Last we saw, October Daye, aka Toby, had only just survived her wedding day. You'd think that would have earned her a bit of a respite, but you'd be wrong. This is Toby we're talking about – she's practically magnetized to trouble.

As a hero, it is Toby's obligation to respond when one calls for help. Though in this instance, she didn't need the title of hero to force her into action. Her love for those involved would have been more than enough.

“Faerie readied us for war, because the war was already happening”

Wow. And ow. Seanan McGuire has a talent for getting me invested in a series and then ripping my heart out. Not because she goes with a rocks fall approach, but because she's SO talented at writing relatable characters. And then putting them through hell, naturally.

I was looking forward to Be the Serpent. This is the first novel following Toby's marriage, and I was curious to see how (if at all) this changed her life. None of us expected Toby to stop being a night. Even if it was asked of her, and she somehow agreed, life would still get in the way of that promise.

Be the Serpent wasted no time throwing readers into the thick of it. We're instantly dealing with a political situation that is also deeply personal, and from there, it only gets more intense as other events rise to the surface.

Those other events are fairly gut-wrenching, so prepare for that. Consider the horrors that faerie can introduce into the world, and you'll possibly be ready for the emotional roller coaster you're signing up for.

As always, Be the Serpent was a beautifully written book. The pacing is fast enough to keep readers invested but not afraid to slow down, giving us time to digest the importance of any given situation.

I love Toby all the more in this novel, mostly because she's still unafraid to speak her mind – even given the potential risk. It's such a Toby move. This book also offers plenty of theory crafting, so have fun!

It should probably be mentioned that Be the Serpent does end on a cliffhanger. Though perhaps that isn't the right term. Something terrible happens, as seems to always be the case in this world, and by reading it, you will join the legion of fans suffering and waiting for the conclusion of that arc. But I do not doubt that it will be worth it.

Such Dangerous Seas

Such Dangerous Seas is the novella included at the end of Be the Serpent, the sixteenth novel in the October Daye series. Given that this is a prequel story involving the Luidaeg, you probably don't need to worry overly much about spoilers.

The Luidaeg wasn't always the Sea Witch that we know and love. She wasn't always bound by such strong (and horrific) gaes. That was forced upon her. This is the story of how the Luidaeg came to be bound.

It should probably go without saying, but Such Dangerous Seas is a pretty heartbreaking novella. Given the events that transpire here, I'm sure most readers could have figured that out on their own. Still, it hits all the harder following the events of Be the Serpent. So do your best to emotionally prepare for this one.

If you've ever had any questions about the gaes placed upon the Sea Witch, make a point of reading Such Dangerous Seas. This novella will explain everything, from why she cannot lie to how she sets terms and prices for her bargains. And yes, that will make her story hurt all the more.

Toby is married, but of course life hands her a curveball...that ends up being a grenade...a live one. There are losses and deaths here that are very hard to read, but the plot goes at a breakneck pace after the first chapter or two. I started reading this book 2 times. On the 3rd try, I read it in 2 sittings and couldn't read it fast enough. This is amazing, with some twists I definitely never saw coming. That cliffhanger is making me impatient for next year! Highly recommend, but not as the first read of the series.

I am usually a big fan of Seanan Mcguire's work. She is great at world building, her characters are complex, the stories are interesting. But I felt that in this particular book there was an overwhelming amount of historical detail, too many explanatory sections, and felt distracted and confused by the asides and character twists.

The October Daye series perhaps would bear a re=read from the beginning to properly appreciate this latest chapter.

Toby and Tybalt are beginning their life together - building a home with their found family when the unthinkable happens. The Brown children - Toby's honorary nieces and nephews - have a collective vision, one that will shatter their hearts, fragment their family, leaving one dead and the rest in danger from an enemy bound by geas to destroy them all. Titania has been asleep inside one of Toby's friends, Toby will have to use her wits and lean into her alliances to stop Titania from destroying them all.

I can't get enough of this series. Toby's story keeps getting more complex and threads from earlier stories are finally coming to fruition. I will warn you, there is a giant cliffhanger at the end of this book. It's time for a re-read of the series until the next installment.

"Be the Serpent" by Seanan McGuire
Book #16 of the October Daye series
Toby and Tybalt are settling into married life, but the calm only lasts a short while. So many things happen in this book that have been built up in previous books. I'm happy for Toby, but mostly sad. I worry she'll never have a happily ever after. The story kept me entranced and left us wondering and waiting for the next one! Must read! But start with the first book!

I had begun to think that the October Daye series was starting to get a little stale. But than I read Be the Serpent. It reminded me why I love this series. Toby is at her best solving mysteries that no one else will handle and there are plot twists that I did not see coming. I loved the how Toby handles all the challenges presented to her and how she finds that she can rely on her friends and found family, even when she has to be a Hero. I am again desperately awaiting the next book and I don’t know if I can wait an entire year

Toby has not had an easy time of it. She missed her daughter's childhood when her stepfather turned her into a fish and left her in a pond. Her liege's wife hates her and Toby is not allowed into their domain. So, in the last book, when she finally, FINALLY got a bit of happiness and married Tybalt, I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Be the Serpent" is not just that shoe, it's Imelda Marcos's entire collection of shoes dropping.

Toby's best friend's children are in danger, and Toby finds she may not know Stacy as well as she thinks she does. Toby's powers have grown exponentially since the first book, as she becomes more Fae, but that might not be enough to take on her latest foe.

Toby is a hero. Toby views herself less as a hero, and more as someone who just keeps getting thrown into messes and has to do her utmost to protect her friends and family. She does an amazing job, whether she thinks so or not.

Toby has forged strong bonds with those who are not related to her by blood and most of them are more loyal to her than they are to their actually lieges. The relationships with her blood relatives? Well, the less said about most of them, the better. Who would have thought, back in "Rosemary and Rue," that Toby the fish would find love with the King of Cats? She's gained a sister (her Fetch May), a squire, a husband, and a strong team that supports her, whether she lets them or not.

It's almost impossible to review this without spoiling it, so I'll tell you why you should read it (and the rest of the series, if you haven't already). The series just keeps getting stronger. Each book builds on the one before it, and this one is the culmination of so many storylines. Each character is well-drawn, and is not merely a prop for Toby. The descriptions are lush, and there's an appropriate sense of menace throughout. You know something bad has happened. You know something worse is going to happen. The one person who might be able to help Toby is apathetic, at best, and obstructive, at worst. Frankly, I was amazed the body count wasn't higher. I understand why the book ended the way it did, but it's hard to see what this cost Toby and know that you'll have to wait until at least next year for the next book. Be sure you have plenty of time set aside, because this is not a story that lends itself to stopping places.

I received an advance copy from DAW via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.25/5 stars

Seanan McGuire is a prolific and talented writer and Be the Serpent is an amazing installment in the October Day series. This is an emotional tale with shocking revelations. A fantastic read but new readers will do best to begin at the beginning. Highly recommended. 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of the novel in exchange for my honest review.