Item: The Innocent Sleep
Rating: 4.00
Author: quirkycat

by Seanan McGuire

The 18th novel of the Hugo-nominated, New York Times bestselling October Daye urban fantasy series.

For one bright, shining moment, Tybalt, King of Cats, had everything he had ever wanted. He was soon to set his crown aside; he had married the woman he loved; he was going to be a father. After centuries of searching for a family of his own, he had finally found a way to construct the life of his dreams, and was looking forward to a period of peace—or at least as much peace as is ever in the offing for the husband of a hero.

Alas for Tybalt and his domestic aspirations, fate—and Titania—had other ideas. His perfect world had been complete for only a moment when it was ripped away, to be replaced by hers. Titania, Faerie’s Summer Queen, Mother of Illusions and enemy of so many he holds dear, has seized control of the Kingdom, remaking it in her own image. An image which does not include meddlesome shapeshifters getting in her way. Tybalt quickly finds himself banished from her reality, along with the Undersea and the rest of the Court of Cats.

To protect his people and his future, Tybalt must find the woman he loves in a world designed to keep her from him, convince her that he’s not a stranger trying to ruin her life for no apparent reason, and get her to unmake the illusion she’s been firmly enmeshed in. And he’ll have to do it all while she doesn’t know him, and every unrecognizing look is a knife to his heart.

For Tybalt, King of Cats, the happily ever after was just the beginning.

Book Summary:

Tybalt is the King of Cats. He is also no stranger to pain and loss. It all fell apart when it finally seemed like everything was going his way. One moment, he was reveling in the glorious news from his new wife. The next, she was screaming, and the world faded to black.

Titania has rewritten the world to her liking. Unfortunately for her, her magic can only spread so far. Tybalt and the other royalty of his kind know the truth. So do a few others. Together, they will have to find a way to reach October, enabling her to save the day once again.

My Review:

Ow, my heart. I knew that The Innocent Sleep was going to break my heart. In truth, it's why I put off reading it for so long (read: almost two months). I was and still am thrilled that Tybalt officially has a full book from his perspective. As my favorite character, I feel like he deserves this.

Naturally, The Innocent Sleep goes hand-in-hand with Sleep No More. As such, a few of the revelations/events will feel very familiar. We're essentially seeing the same story play out but from Tybalt's POV.

Don't worry, though; Tybalt and Toby were frequently in different places, so there's still a ton of information to learn from his perspective. My favorite part was probably the insight into how the Court of Cat(s) did during this time.

I know two emotionally draining books in the same season are a lot, but trust me – they're worth it. I would make sure to read these two in order (I know the titles may make this a bit more confusing) because you don't want to ruin the revelation from Toby's side.

Highlights:
October Daye Series
Full-length novel in Tybalt's perspective
Urban Fantasy/Fae

Trigger Warnings:
Memory Loss
Starvation

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The Innocent Sleep (October Daye, #18)

by Seanan McGuire

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on Dec 7, 2023

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