July 13, 2009
Singer-songwriter McGuire adeptly infuses her debut with hardboiled sensibilities and a wide array of mythological influences, set against a moody San Francisco backdrop. October “Toby” Daye is half-human, half-faerie, a changeling PI with a foot in both worlds. After spending 14 years as a fish following a botched assignment, she's desperate to avoid magic, but the dying curse of a murdered elven lady forces her to investigate the killing, with the price of failure being Toby's own painful death. Toby struggles with court intrigue, magical mayhem, would-be assassins and her own past, always driven by the need to succeed and survive. Well researched, sharply told, highly atmospheric and as brutal as any pulp detective tale, this promising start to a new urban fantasy series is sure to appeal to fans of Jim Butcher or Kim Harrison.
June 1, 2013
Having narrowly survived a job gone awry--one that led to a nearly 15-year stint as a pond carp in San Francisco's Japanese Tea Garden--former private investigator and changeling October "Toby" Daye wants nothing further to do with the world of Faerie. Unfortunately, passing for human isn't an option, especially after a dying woman's curse compels Toby to investigate the murder of a fae countess. VERDICT Like Dreams and Shadows, this dark, gritty, and richly detailed urban fantasy introduces characters who awkwardly straddle the boundary between the mortal and supernatural worlds, presenting an inventive contemporary take on classic fairy tale lore.
Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from August 1, 2009
October Daye is half human and half Fae and a licensed PI. It was her last case for the local duke (and her liege lord) that caused her to end up as a carp in the Japanese Tea Gardens for 14 years. Alone and still recovering (its not easy being a carp), Toby resists taking up any more PI work and avoids everything Fae. But what she cant resist is a death-fueled charm wielded by one of San Franciscos oldest faeries, which requires her to discover Countess Winterroses killer. Tobys investigation gets off to a dramatic start as she dodges hired hit men and silver bullets, continuing at a frenetic pace as it becomes clear that the supreme powers in the local faerie world are all involved in the case. The brisk pacing, the effective mixing of human and magical characters, and the PI ambience all make this an excellent choice for fans of Butchers Harry Dresden series. Toby is nearly as troubled and lonely as Harry, equally fond of her cats, and just as likely to sacrifice herself to save someone else. Tobys unusual heritage and her uneasy relationships with her mothers family will remind readers of Briggs Mercy Thompson series, and Thompson fans will appreciate Tobys tough and self-reliant character. This outstanding first novel is a must for fans of genre-bending blends of crime and fantasy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)