Much stronger than the earlier Toby books, this was a good, tense read - we had drama, we had threats, and while it was fairly quickly clear who was involved-- it still read well. I think this is a drastic improvement over the first three books, as both Toby improves in her role and McGuire improves in her craft. It's a far shot from the troubles I've had with some of her other works.

I'm not going to lie, though; while the major death in the book - Connor - was tearjerking and lead to some weeping on my part... I'm glad he died. The "two men" angle is played out already, Tybalt is a more interesting character, doesn't have the sins of past break ups (which was neatly pointed out by another character!) looming over him, and isn't a wishy-washy flop. I cried for him. I cried for October. But I'm not going to miss the guy.

I'm also pleased to see the resolution of Gillian and the question of her blood - it's a little fast, I think, and could have really been dragged out - but over all, it was well handled, and I think that closes the book on Toby's human life from this point on, which I'm glad for. It's never really gond anywhere in the previous novels, and to simply snip off those ends now is good enough for me.

About the only thing I could ask for is that the Queen of the Mists gets punched in the tit, because damn, I am tired of bitchy, inept rulers who manage to get by on Divine Right for way too long. Seriously. ( )

I will continue to buy anything and everything this woman writes. She makes me proud to be a human. ( )

Excellent book. Every one of these just gets better. Can’t wait for the next one. ( )

This 5th book in the October Daye urban fantasy series is my favourite so far. In this one, Toby must navigate both the physical and political perils of the Undersea. McGuire (also writing as Mira Grant) is an incredibly prolific writer. Her stories are often hit-or-miss with me, but I am gaining a better appreciation of this series with each subsequent book. ( )

Good outing. Toby's undersea adventure was weirdly less upsetting than it was set up to be (I was expecting more goldfish flashbacks). Danny's conversation with the rocks was a lovely little moment. I get the feeling that the Bay Area setting's traffic/navigation obstacles are oh so convenient. I wish she'd pull in some more of the mortal day-to-day feeling of the city and environs. But mostly it's just used as (lovely) backdrop. ( )