A Local Habitation

Pros: Lush, complex magical and societal systems and characters that I fell in love with.

Cons: Some of the magical elements meant to be mysterious were fairly easy to figure out.

Review book courtesy of Penguin Group

October Daye is a changeling, half fae and half human, and she's also a knight in the service of Sylvester, the Duke of Shadowed Hills. When he asks her to check up on his daughter in the County of Tamed Lightning (otherwise known as Fremont) she figures that it will be a pretty straightforward assignment. But all is not what it seems. Although Sylvester's daughter January runs a fantasy game company, her county is a precariously-perched buffer between Sylvester and his rival. To top it all off, there's a murder while October show more is there, and that's the third one on several weeks. Suddenly things get complicated quickly, and Toby's going to have to think fast if she wants to protect January - and herself...

I have to admit, when I saw one of the cover blurbs comparing this series to that of Jim Butcher's Dresden I was a little nervous about reading it. (Admittedly, I only read the first two Dresden books, but the storyline felt formulaic and Dresden seemed at times to be enjoying his isolation a bit much. I can see how others would enjoy the series, but it wasn't my cup of tea.) Having gotten my feet wet, however, I absolutely loved this book.

The characters are unique, but at the same time I found myself getting so emotionally involved with some of them that I actually cried at a couple of points during the book. ( I can't tell you when, or for whom, because that would spoil it for you!) Toby fits the wounded urban fantasy hero/heroine well, but at the same time she doesn't let that keep her from engaging with others or coming to care for them. I also appreciated the way that Toby's past mistakes haunt her without the reader being exposed to a lot of angst about something that didn't happen in this book.

The supporting characters are fascinating to watch; January's employees feel like what would actually happen if fae really did become computer programmers. The character concept that really blew my mind was the dryad whose tree became incorporated into a computer tree. In doing so, she's become a lot closer to an AI construct than a living caring being. At the same time, though, it makes such perfect sense. The whole book is wrapped in such an air of believability that I found myself falling into it, eager to explore its secrets.

A word of warning is in order, however. Some of the secrets, at least for me, were easy to figure out as soon as the first clue or two appeared in the book. I initially thought that because I had put the clues together to solve the mysterious magical elements that I could also solve the other mysteries as well, but I was pleased to see that my thoughts in that regard were not correct. (For me it's more rewarding as a reader to be partially wrong because I like to keep challenging and second-guessing myself as I read.) That being said, if the reader (such as myself) isn't all that strong on Sidhe mythology it might be worth looking up the basics of it, because even though the book isn't too hard to follow if the reader is unfamiliar, explanations aren't always immediately forthcoming. Of course, I haven't read "Rosemary and Rue", the first book in the series, and it may also be addressed there.

The thing that fascinated me the most, however, was the fusion between the mythology of the fae and the hard logistics of computer programming. As an abstract concept, it seemed like something that might not necessarily work, but Ms. McGuire knows both her mythology and programming because the worlds felt as if they merged seamlessly. Not only that, but at the end of the book I couldn't help but wonder what other areas of the modern-day world the fae have entrenched themselves in. And, truth be told, I can't wait to find out! Especially since it's not just what we typically think of fae. There are the Kings and Queens of cats, dryads, and the Luidaeg, all with their own roles to play in both traditional fae and modern human society. It's one of the most addicting mashups of worlds that I've seen in a long time.

The action of the story also kept me on the edge of my seat, because there is so much more going on than immediately meets the eye. There are political and personal undercurrents underscoring the tension as Toby struggles to get her feet under her and make significant progress in figuring out how to stop the murders. As I read I had the feeling that at any moment Toby's fragile grasp on the situation could slip, with catastrophic results. This is definitely a book that does a great job of keeping the reader in suspense.

This book has so many well-constructed layers that I got completely sucked in. I was on tenterhooks worrying about characters that I genuinely cared for, while having a blast learning about and trying to figure out a wonderfully complex set if interactions between the fae and the modern world. And while Toby is definitely an urban fantasy heroine, she manages to do it without a lot of the self-indulgent self-pity that I've seen in other urban fantasy series. This book made me care, laugh, and cry, and I can't wait to see what Toby does next. show less

It’s hard to resist a book that begins with the narrator getting turned into a carp in the Japanese Tea Gardens at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

October Daye is a private investigator who happens to be a changeling as well. A “changeling,” as the term is used in Seanan McGuire’s urban fantasy series, is a child of mixed fairy and human blood. Toby Daye is the child of one of the Daoine Shidhe (according to the helpful pronunciation guide at the front of the book, that’s pronounced “doon-ya shee”) and a human, one of those second-class citizens of Faerie who chose to follow her fairy heritage as soon as she knew there was a difference. Not that she doesn’t live in the “real” world; she does, in San Francisco, to show more be precise. But San Francisco is also the location of Shadowed Hills, the court of Sylvester Torquill, the fairy lord to whom Toby owes her allegiance. In fact, Toby is a knight of that court, and was working to rescue her liege’s wife and child from a kidnapper when she was turned into a fish – in which state she remained for 14 years.

Rosemary and Rue isn’t about that kidnapping case, though. It is about Toby’s return to active duty some time after she regains her half fairy, half human shape. After 14 years as a fish, she’s quite sure she no longer has any interest in Faerie or in being a PI. She’s getting along – not happy, not even content, but getting along – as a night cashier at a Safeway grocery store. After her return, her husband and child spurned her, refusing to accept any explanations (and she was not allowed by the rules of Faerie to tell them what really happened, so any explanation she offered was a lie anyway). It’s not a good life; in fact, it’s hardly living at all. But Toby doesn’t have the psychological resources to do anything else, at least right now.

Evening, the Duchess of Dreamer’s Glass, gives her no choice, however. Evening curses Toby, almost with her dying breath, to find out who murdered her. Sure enough, Toby finds Evening dead, killed in the most breathtakingly evil way: with iron. Blood magic gives Toby a literal taste of what that death tasted like. Quickly – before the curse can kill her – Toby gets to work.

This story, combining noir mystery and fantasy, is gorgeously written and entertaining. We learn much about Faerie and its place in the modern world, enough so that we can mourn that it seems to be dying. We learn of the strict rules and caste system of Faerie, an ancient system of nobility overlaid with the technology of 21st century America. San Francisco comes alive in McGuire’s pages, its cold fog and its beauty equally alluring and appalling. The weaving of the old and the new, of Faerie and San Francisco, works very well indeed.

That’s why I grabbed the next Toby Daye novel shortly after finishing the first. A Local Habitation is, if anything, even better than Rosemary and Rue. In this novel, Sylvester sends Toby to the County of Tamed Lightning – known better to denizens of California as Fremont – to make sure that the Countess January O’Leary is doing well, as she won’t return his telephone calls. In fact, though, things are anything but normal at the offices of ALH Computing, where Faerie personnel are working on new software applications in a building that magically seems to change shape and size. Employees are dying right and left, a very grave issue in Faerie, as pure-blooded Faeries are immortal unless killed by violence or accident. As Faerie seems to be dying out, the problem is doubled; and since January is Sylvester’s niece, the problem is tripled. It soon becomes obvious that something is keeping January’s calls – and now Toby’s – from getting through to Sylvester, and the bodies are piling up.

These lively mixtures of fantasy and mystery are great fun to read. I’m still looking forward to finding out the whole story behind the case that got Toby turned into a fish, but it looks like that tale will be a while in coming yet. In the meantime, I’m happy to read whatever Seanan McGuire serves up.

The new Toby Daye Novel, An Artificial Night, is coming out in September from DAW in mass market paperback. Lucky me – I have an advance copy sitting right here, waiting for my perusal. Lucky you, faithful readers – my enjoyment of her novels led me to ask Seanan McGuire for an interview, and she has agreed. Come to http://www.readingtheleaves.com to read it in a few weeks. show less

I loved the first in the series, ROSEMARY AND RUE, but this one made me holler! It was like reading an Agatha Christie, like 10 LITTLE INDIANS, but on hellah steroids. The suspense was killer, the murders were intense, and October on the job was classic.
Toby keeps it together somehow. I really don't know how she does it. She's had to deal with being a changeling and she could easily have a big ol' chip on her shoulder. She doesn't let it all get to her though. Or that's the appearance anyway.
All I know, Toby kicks ass, takes care of her peeps and makes sure no one gets left behind if she can help it.
Five intense beans....

A Local Habitation
3.5 Stars

Half-fae private investigator, October “Toby” Daye, is sent by her liege lord, Sylvester Duke of Shadowed Hills, to look into why his niece, January O’Leary, the countess of Tamed Lightening, has suddenly stopped communicating with him. Upon her arrival, Toby learns that several of January’s subjects have been murdered and all evidence points to someone on the inside. Can Toby uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim?

Intriguing world building, an appealing heroine and a compelling mystery that kept me guessing right up until the end.

McGuire has woven an elaborate world in which the fae live alongside humans whether as changelings (half-human, half fae offspring) or full-bloods within their show more own parallel realms. The various fae races all possess their own unique origins, traits and skills. Moreover, the different agendas and tensions between the different groups add extra nuance to the storyline.

The mystery is a variant on Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None with characters being picked off one by one in an isolated warehouse facility. With the increase in body count, one would think that the smaller suspect pool would make it easier to identify the culprit, but McGuire skillfully forestalls the ultimate revelation with red herrings and misdirection.

While October’s detecting skills leave much to be desired, she is, nevertheless, an endearing mix of tough street smarts, stubborn tenacity and charming vulnerability. My one small nitpick concerns her taste in men. Connor is, unfortunately, far too Beta for my tastes and the fact that he is married, albeit to an insane princess, detracts from hims appeal. Tybalt is far more interesting both as a character and as a love interest for Toby, and their banter makes for some very entertaining scenes.

In terms of the audiobook, Mary Robinette Kowal's narration is immersive and she has a wonderful lilting accent for the Irish characters.

All in all, a solid sequel and I look forward to reading more of Toby’s adventures. show less

Gah, this series!! I can't stop reading it, and I love the world, but Toby, dude, your PI skills are prolly the reason you live in such a bad apartment. There were several times I just wanted to bash her over the head with the nearest blunt object, she was being so dense. I blame her for at least three of the deaths just for her pure inability to wise up and ask freaking questions instead of shoving curiosity aside for another day. Ugh.

But, I love the world. I mean, any book with Selkies as a side race is going to have my seal of approval anyway, but I love the history and quirks of Faerie and her races that we are shown. The characters are so fun to read about. I think I fell a little for poor Quentin in this one, so glad we got to see show more him again. Was highly upset when I thought he might die. Not enough Tybalt time, but I do understand that's coming. Also feel sorry for Sylvester because every time something goes wrong Toby pushes them away and avoids Shadowed Hills.

It's just so frustrating because while I love the writing and the world, I feel like Toby is just blindly bumbling along most of the time with no clue what she should be doing. Not a confidence inspiring Heroine, but maybe that's the point?? No idea, but still going to read the next book in this series.

TLDR: World and characters are cracktastic, but Toby needs some direction. show less

The second installment of the urban fantasy October Daye series, A Local Habitation was initially an improvement on Rosemary and Rue, especially due to the integration of unusual beings from folklore–the Bannick cleaning scene was a fun interpretation of cleaning fairies, and the hippocampi fish tank was clever. (Aside-I would dearly love a little Spike of my own). The opening scene with an inebriated October escorting her almost equally inebriated friends to the train was fun, and dialogue with Tybalt well-written–a little bit flirty, but without all those smoldering glances and peering through eyelashes that show up in less well-written UF. I liked the Luidaeg, even if her and October’s dialogue did start to remind me of Wesley show more and the Dread Pirate Roberts. The demonstration of October’s skills and the nighthaunt background was very interesting, and well done, with that eerie touch of folklore menace (fae are not nice, after all). Certainly, McGuire has a gift for character creation and dialogue.

October spends a lot of time running around a maze-like converted warehouse with people dying around her–after awhile, I started to wonder if I was reading a Scream script, since it lacked the horror of a truly suspenseful setting. There’s a brief acknowledgement of this when she orders everyone to stay in groups of two for “safety,” but then promptly lets some of them run off or go do some crucial job by themselves. [ Needless to say, they died, except for the killer. (hide spoiler)] The teen mock-horror flick connection comes particularly clear when the entrance gates fall on her car as they are returning, presumably preventing her from ever leaving the estate again.

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Full review posted at:

https://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/a-local-habitation-by-seanan-mcguire/ show less

Not quite as good as Rosemary and Rue but still a good story. October Daye is sent by Sylvester, duke of the Shadowed Hills, to see what's happened to his niece January O'Leary, who he can't get into contact with for a while. This should be a routine assignment, but it turns into a locked in mystery with magic.

I like the character and world and must read more!

I liked it better the second time around and could barely put it down.