An Artificial Night Read-Along Week No.3

We’re journeying through the third book in the October Daye series. If you’re interested in joining this Read-Along, visit the SF/F Read-Along group for more information and to join the discussion.

“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.”

Week 1: Saturday 9th April, Chapters 1-7, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow
Week 2: Saturday 16th April, Chapters 8-17, hosted by Books By Proxy
Week 3: Saturday 23rd April, Chapters 18-24, hosted by Lynn’s Book Blog
Week 4: Saturday 30th April, Chapters 25-End, hosted by Over The Effing Rainbow

1. We’ve seen a good deal more of May and her interactions with Toby – any speculation on how this might play out yet??

I haven’t had as much time to sit and think about this book as I’ve had with the recent books because of my schedule. The only thing I can think right now is either May is going to be the one who ends up being the one who truly dies either by choice or by intervention from Toby’s friends.

2. Tybalt – what did you make of his rather cryptic comment about what he found out and particularly that he now knows that Toby didn’t lie to him?

I think I’m going to have to go back and listen to that part again because I wasn’t sure if I missed something or what was going on there. That sort of broke my listening experience because I was thinking, “WTF is he talking about?” So, I’m a little up in the air about the comment right now until I re-listen or read more of the book and just find out.

3. We finally discovered a little bit more about Luna. What are your thoughts on her now, why did she run away, thoughts about her character, why she sent Toby into Michael’s realm?

Right now, I am not feeling Luna at all. I mean, not even a little bit. While I certainly understand self-preservation, I guess it just gets on my nerves so bad because Toby is so willing. She’d do anything for these people, and they know that. She doesn’t have half their strengths or their gifts, but she always gives her maximum effort for them. It just gets a little tiresome with everyone being so secretive when you expect a changeling to put their life on the line for you or send them into certain danger. Her story certainly is a sad one, but at the same time, it’s still gross how she’s manipulated Toby at this point and how I’m sure Toby will still drool all over her shoes in acquiescence regardless of what happens. Maybe Luna will fix this. Maybe not. But right now, I’m just not feeling her or her reasoning and excuses.

4. What were your first impressions of the Court of Cats?

Oh, cats. Cats, cats, cats. I would pet you, but you might rip my arm off.

Like this, but less pet-able.

I enjoyed seeing more of the court, and they’re perhaps my favorite court in the book right now because they seem like a world apart from the other fae. Sure, they follow a basic set of rules that all fae follow, but other than that, they seem to live in their own world that is much more brutal and unforgiving than the rest of fae. And I may just think that because any time we see the Court of Cats we see much more of their rules and hierarchy at play than the other courts.

5. And, finally, back to Tybalt – what on earth just happened!!

Wh-what? What are you talking about?

Everything is beautiful and nothing hurts.

I think it’s safe to say at this point that this has been my favorite book in the series so far. It might be the darker story because I’m such a sucker for grimdark, but it seems like we’ve gotten a different feel with every story so far. It’s also nice to see the Luidaeg get more time to really shine this book. She’s probably my absolute favorite character in the series. Sorry, Tybalt!

Side Note: It has been a super busy month for me, and I’ve been terrible about getting around to people’s post to comment! I’m trying to fix that. Honest!

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (October Daye #1)
Rosemary and Rue Read-Along Week No.1
Rosemary and Rue Read-Along Week No.2
Rosemary and Rue Read-Along Week No.3
Rosemary and Rue Read-Along Week No.4

A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire (October Daye #2)
A Local Habitation Read-Along Week No.1
A Local Habitation Read-Along Week No.2
A Local Habitation Read-Along Week No.3
A Local Habitation Read-Along Week No.4

An Artificial Light By Seanan McGuire (October Daye #3)
An Artificial Night Read-Along Week No. 1
An Artificial Night Read-Along Week No. 2