Series: October Daye #5
Format Read: paperback
Source: owned by the reviewer
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | OmniLit* | Barnes & Noble
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Blurb from goodreads:
October "Toby" Daye is finally doing all right—and that inevitably means it's time for things to take a turn for the worse. Someone has kidnapped the sons of the Duchess Dianda Lorden, regent of the Undersea Duchy of Saltmist. To prevent a war between land and sea, Toby must not only find the missing boys, but also prove that the Queen of the Mists was not behind their abduction. She'll need all her tricks and the help of her allies if she wants to make it through this in one piece.
Toby's search will take her from the streets of San Francisco to the lands beneath the waves. But someone is determined to stop her—and whoever it is isn't playing by Oberon's Laws. As the battle grows more and more personal, one thing is chillingly clear. When Faerie goes to war, not everyone will walk away. One Salt Sea is the fifth installment of the highly praised Toby Daye series.
Bea's Thoughts:
Wow. It's been several years since I picked up a Toby Daye book and I don't know why I waited so long. I had no trouble diving back in and I loved every minute of it. My plan this month is to catch up on the series and to read and review one book a week. That should take me up to the most recent book, Chimes at Midnight. There's another book, The Winter Long, due out later this year and I want to be ready for it.
When "One Salt Sea" starts, life is calm for Tobey and she's happy. There are some small bumps in the road, but overall her life is going well. Naturally, this state doesn't last or we wouldn't have a book. Children have gone missing, as they often do in this series, and Tobey has three days to find them before a war breaks out. Even if she finds them and brings them safely home, war could still break out as certain parties want a war and are just looking for an excuse.
McGuire introduces us to the Sea Realm and its fae denizens. Most of the beings we meet are new to me and I loved learning more about this part of faerie. She also lets her imagination run wild which only adds to the otherworldly air. I hope we'll see more of these characters and beings again. And, we learn more about The Luidaeg, who has become an infinitely more likable character over the series.
"One Salt Sea" is a near-perfect blend of action, emotion, plot, and characterization. McGuire gives us old friends and new, a recurring villain, humor, romance, mystery, and grief while exploring themes of love, loyalty, honor, family and children, and friendship. Tobey's relationships with others, both good and bad, continue to be a strength and a delight. I laughed, I cried, and I cried some more. Do all the children make it home? Does Tobey's happiness last? Have Kleenex ready and be prepared to lose a day reading this wonderful story.
I'm not a huge fantasy reader but the under the sea aspect sounds intriguing and it sounds like she has a very fleshed out world. I'll have to look for the series! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIf you like mysteries, mythology, and strong characters and writing, give the series a try,
DeleteI love fantasy, but have never delved into books about mermaids. This cover looks really intriguing though, and your comments and description really make it sound appealing!
ReplyDeleteThere is a mermaid in the story but it's not primarily about mermaids. The undersea denizens are more varied than just mermaids.
DeleteI've bought the first installment not so long ago - by mistake ! - but it looks like a really great series :)
ReplyDeleteGive it a try; it's an excellent series.
DeleteYou should. It's sooooo good.
ReplyDeleteI like the sounds of this one. There are so many books already. (: I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds pretty good! Love when you get back to an old series and can just jump right back in like that. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteYou are slowly convincing me to give this series a try. Now I need to find time to squeeze it in LOL!
ReplyDeleteMWAHAHAHAHAHA
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