Late Eclipses (October Daye, #4)

by Seanan McGuire

[Quirky Cat]

Late Eclipses is the fourth novel in the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. And have I mentioned how sad I am that I’m only really digging into the series now? Oh well, better late than never, right?
October Daye is a fantastic fae series, showing both the fae and changelings in a way I adore. I honestly can’t get enough of this series. Luckily for me, there are still quite a few books for me to get to. And then some! Since the series is still actively being worked on by Seanan McGuire.
Toby hasn’t exactly had it easy the last few novels. The very start of her tale was a rough one for her, and it would seem that the universe isn’t inclined to be giving her a break anytime soon. In Late Eclipses Toby is forced to go up against an old enemy. One who will not pull punches.
Honestly, this is one of those times were the description of a book really nails it. ‘The trials ahead will be some of the worst faced by Toby and her strange band of allies’ is painfully accurate. This novel is possibly the most intense of the series (so far) and with good reason.


Warnings: If you’ve read the October Daye series up until this point, then you already have a good idea of the basic content within. I will mention that there are references to animal/character deaths in this one. This is the fae we’re talking about, so that dual description applies. There’s one moment in particular that’s really rough, but I can’t describe it too much without removing the impact of the moment. I can promise you that: Toby’s cats and rose goblin are fine.
Late Eclipses was a brilliant and dark read, easily becoming my favorite of the series. So far, at least. It’s intense and so emotional and everything I had hoped to see out of it. And probably much more, if I’m being honest here.
Being the fourth novel in the series, it was time to up the ante in Toby’s tale. And boy, did Seanan McGuire do exactly that. She threw in some changes that I was truly not expecting. Though perhaps I should have, given how the series started out. Still, it’s nice to be surprised (even if I’m heartbroken by the surprises).
This plot was intense, sure. But it also gave a sense of resolution to one of the undercurrents in the series thus far. And if that wasn’t enough, it built up others points as well (while stubbornly not telling us too much). It was delightful to see so much woven through the main plot. It’s no wonder this series has been running as long as it has.
Not ashamed to admit I fangirled over one or two of the Tybalt scenes. And I might have even cried at other points. If you’ve read this book, you know exactly what scenes I’m talking about here. Late Eclipses really did an excellent job of pulling a ton of different emotions out of me.
I still absolutely adore the fae politics being shown in this series. It’s beautifully intricate; though I’m sure I’d find the whole ordeal maddening were I actually dealing with it instead of simply reading it. But that sounds like a problem for Toby.
I can’t wait to see what will be next for Toby and her odd group of friends. I have so many questions about both her and them – and while I’m sure they’ll all get answered in time, I’m still anxious to find out more.


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