JAX'S BLOG TOUR RE-READ OF AN ARTIFICIAL NIGHT BY SEANAN MCGUIRE & 2 GIVEAWAYS!

Series: October Daye #3
Publisher: Daw
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: September 7, 2010
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | OmniLit* | iTunes | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

October "Toby" Daye is a changeling-half human and half fae-and the only one who has earned knighthood. Now she must take on a nightmarish new challenge. Someone is stealing the children of the fae as well as mortal children, and all signs point to Blind Michael. Toby has no choice but to track the villain down-even when there are only three magical roads by which to reach Blind Michael's realm, home of the Wild Hunt-and no road may be taken more than once. If Toby cannot escape with the children, she will fall prey to the Wild Hunt and Blind Michael's inescapable power.

Jax's Thoughts:

THIS POST WILL HAVE SPOILERS, in case you haven't read the series yet.



It's rather odd to do a re-read while reading the new book, but it certainly gives an interesting perspective on characters, their growth and the development of their relationships. This book lays the groundwork for many relationship twists in the series. Sparking new connections, solidifying established bonds and fracturing the foundation of life long friendships. Facing death will do that.

Granted, Toby faces death in pretty much every book. Being a Fae Hero has that draw back. But we meet her Fetch in this book. For those who don't recognize the term, I'll share the description in the book:

"A Fetch is a duplicate of a living person created when its time for them to die. They're incredibly rare, and most people don't get one."

Her Fetch, May Daye - good gods, I love that name - is one of my favorite characters in the series. May's presence is sobering and hilarious all at once, much like her name. A pun and a call for help. She is Toby's wake up call. Her chance to say her goodbyes. And yet, she is also Toby's saving grace.

Toby goes up against a Firstborn, one of the oldest and most powerful of the Fae. It seems almost inevitable that she will not come back from this challenge. May seems to confirm that to Toby's friends, even as it spurns the best of them into helping her even more. On several occasions, Toby is told she may not ask for help, but she can accept it where ever she finds it. Those are the rules of the Roads she takes on her quest. It is offered in abundance. After years of very much being on her own, this is the beginning of Toby really seeing that she's not alone. The artificial night she's been in since the beginning of the series gives way to a new dawn.

This is a pivotal book, in my opinion. Often, these kind of books are the ones I like least in a series. They usually feel like giant info dumps - full of necessary knowledge, but a slow plot. Not this one. I think this may be one of my favorite October Daye books. Although, the new one is pretty damn good too. Look for my joint review with Bea of "Once Broken Faith" next month.

There are two giveaways today. One is just for the blog and the other is a tour-wide giveaway.

Blog Giveaway:

Thanks to the publisher, we are giving away 2 copies of "An Artificial Night"; 2 books, 2 winners, 1 book each. US/Canada only. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Read our giveaway and privacy policies. The publisher will ship directly to the winners. Giveaway ends September 9th. Leave a comment with your email address below to enter. Winner will be chosen via random.org

Tour Giveaway:

Prize Pack includes:


All 10 October Daye novels signed by Seanan McGuire
A Seanan McGuire tote bag
A map of the Kingdom of the Westlands signed by Seanan McGuire and artist Priscilla Spencer.

a Rafflecopter giveaway