Release Day Review – The Unkindest Tide (October Daye, Book 13) by Seanan McGuire (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 366 pages
Publisher: DAW
Release Date: September 3rd, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-0756415071
Stand Alone or Series: 13th book in the October Daye series
Source: eGalley from NetGalley.com
Rating: 5/5 stars
“Hundreds of years ago, the Selkies made a deal with the sea witch: they would have the sea for as long as she allowed it, and when the time came, she would call in all their debts at once. Many people assumed that day would never come. Those people were wrong.
When the Luidaeg–October “Toby” Daye’s oldest and most dangerous ally–tells her the time has come for the Selkies to fulfill their side of the bargain, and that Toby must be a part of the process, Toby can’t refuse. Literally. The Selkies aren’t the only ones in debt to the Luidaeg, and Toby has to pay what she owes like anyone else. They will travel to the fabled Duchy of Ships and call a convocation of the Selkies, telling them to come and meet the Luidaeg’s price…or face the consequences.
Of course, nothing is that simple. When Dianda Lorden’s brother appears to arrest Dianda for treason against the Undersea, when a Selkie woman is stripped of her skin and then murdered, when everything is falling apart, that’s when Toby will have to answer the real question of the hour.
Is she going to sink? Or is she going to swim?”
This is the thirteenth book in the October Daye series and was a very well done continuation of that series. I read on McGuire’s blog that this series has been extended to 17 books and I am grateful. This is my favorite urban fantasy series out there right now.
It’s time for Luidaeg to kept her promise to the Selkies and she needs October’s help to do this. They must travel to the Duchy of Ships and meet yet another Firstborn. Of course other things happen when they get there, Dianda Lorden’s brother is accusing her of treason and it’s up to Toby to save the Lorden family. In addition to this, a Selkie woman ends up dead and Toby needs to find out why.
This was an excellent continuation of the October Daye series. The Luidaeg is one of my favorite characters, I loved learning more about her background and about the Firstborn. I also loved that Tybalt was in the story the whole time this time. There is a lot of action, a lot of intrigue, and some interesting mythology. I always love how well balanced McGuire’s books are, they are just a joy to read!
This book also included a short story from Raj’s POV which details some of the time in the Court of Dreaming Cats while Raj rules in Tybalt’s place. This was a very interesting look into the Court of Cats and I enjoyed this as well.
Overall this was very well done, I continue to love this series! This whole series has been incredibly well written and is a great balance of world-building, action, adventure, mystery, and wonderful characters. I would highly recommend this series to fans of urban fantasy and/or faerie.
