This was a tough book for me because I kept falling asleep every time I tried to read it. I swear, it was like a giant Xanax.30 minutes of the endless descriptions and the politics of every single fae creature will do that too.Plus, on top of the endless descriptions and explanations, October/Toby was weak as hell. She was injured the entire book. By the end of it, she is dragging her half-dead, bleeding corpse around to fight monsters way bigger than her, but she still refuses to shoot first. Seriously, there was one scene when she just needed to shoot the freaking gun that was in her hand to stop everything, but she hesitates and ends up getting someone else killed and herself even more injured- if that were possible. She just stands there, talking to the bad guy who says he is going to kill her. Bitch, shoot him!!It was frustrating!Look, I live in Texas. We shoot first and ask questions later. This woman got on my last nerve.On the good side - the world was interesting. There were a hella lotta fae running around. Plus, there were even two cats I liked - the thornbush cat, and the king of the cats dude. He was interesting and hot, but there wasn't enough of him to keep me awake.All in all - good book if you have insomnia.

"It can't all be dreams because a broken dream will kill you as surely as a nightmare will, and with a lot less mercy. At least the nightmares don't smile while they take you down."This unusual Urban Fantasy series focuses on a changeling (half human, half fae) stuck between the politics of different fae branches while fitting in with the human world. Kind of. Toby used to be a private investigator for her leige, but she was almost killed and punished a severe way. When she recovered from this (I'm careful with spoilers about this shocker), she was left with a lot less ties to the human world, to say the least.This book's pretty grim - a lot of bad things happen and good people die. There's depressing events and turns in the protagonist's life, as well as some glimpses of goodness and family warmth coming forth from unexpected sources. It's not written in the typical Urban Fantasy or fantasy tone, but more similar to a noirish/hard case mystery crime style.Despite the writing style being workable and the worldbuilding unique, Toby makes a great main character: she's smart but not unreasonably so; she's kind but not mushy and unrealistic; she's tough but average-tough, not that unrealistic stuff that's growing old in UF trends. The other characters...it's confusing on what to think of them. They're multi-dimensional.Why an average rating? Despite the promise of a mystery and the alluring world, little really happens. She investigates, but nothing grabs my attention. Honestly I kept getting a little bored. I should have felt more emotional oomph with the bad stuff after she recovered at the beginning, I should have been more invested in the story, but for some reason I just wasn't. The structure was sound and the foundation firm, but inside it was a little plain and under-furnished.Really the mystery wasn't strong because the character would try a different person to talk to, literally going through a mental list of who to go to next, till the answer was revealed by a last person she tried talking to. It became annoying how Toby almost died between questioning scenes, that grew old fast, and instead of helping the pace it started hurting it. Usually a character attacked and near death keeps things exciting and thrillingly tense, but it became so expected and routine that I started skimming it for the next recovery.Finally, while the world building is complex, the author opened the book where everything's already established in the character's mind and relationships, leaving the reader attempted to catch up. I couldn't get these weird relationships she had with these unusual characters, I really couldn't understand the connections and motivations there. I will try the next book in the series - it's a long running series and has a fan base, so I'm assuming there must be something there, hopefully easier to attach to when I'm finally able to understand and appreciate the relationship connections.

09/03/2016 Buddy read with Jessica, Robin, Choko, and Maria over at BB&B b/c we are craving UF, also Jessica loves this series and seeing that she is never wrong.... :-) By my word and at my command, you will investigate a murder, and you will force justice back into this kingdom. You will do this thing. There was a long pause. I was starting to think the message had ended when she continued, softly, Find out who did it, Toby, please. Make sure they dont win. If you were ever my friend, Toby, please. . . This books starts off with a bang, and captivates you so completely that it was difficult to remember to breathe. I just wanted to devour this book, with its magical world of Fae, and changelings, and Cait Sidhes and rose goblins and Selkies and so many more fantastical creatures. The thing with UF is, if its done right, it will blow your mind and take you on a journey you wont want to end. October Toby Daye is a changeling, half human, half fae. Shes engaged to a human, Cliff, who doesnt know that shes not fully human, and they have a daughter whom they both love very much. Shes a P.I. and a knight errant, and currently on the trail of a possible kidnapper, trying to find the missing wife and daughter of her liege lord, the Duke Sylvester Torquill. But then things go horribly wrong, and her whole life is upended by evil Fae, and for fourteen years she is lost to the world. Everyone made to believe she was dead. After returning to herself, she is shunned by those whom she loves most, and she turns her back on the Fae world. Trying to get through every day by denying who she is. But the Fae world refuses to let her go, and the murder of pureblood Fae, Countess Evening Winterrose, demands Tobys return to her world. We hated each other so well and loved each other so badly . . . and I had no idea what I was going to do without her. See how beautiful this author writes..I just love it. Evening placed a dying curse on Toby, forcing her to find her killer/s, or she would forfeit her own life. And so Toby begins her journey back into the world she tried to ignore, connecting with old acquaintances, not sure who is evil and who is good. Toby is a fantastic heroine. I love how pragmatic she views and approaches everything. She has been dealt a really rough hand in life, and because she is a half-blood she is not very powerful, shes not perfect and she makes many mistakes. BUT but she owns her mistakes, and she is determined to keep her promises even when they are wrong. She has a lot of heart and I liked that she wasn't all powerful and perfect in everything she does, and I cannot wait to see how she grows more as a person as the series continues. I must admit the first 30% she was quite negative in her view of things, which is understandable after what happened, but after that point she was just awesome. Rose goblins are built like porcupinesif you rub them the right way, you dont have to worry about the spines. Theyre sort of like people in that regard, too. This world is absolutely fantastic, and I just love the way the author writes. The rose goblin is one of my favorite new characters, and I WANT ONE. The plot of the story was strong and very interesting, and amazingly done. I loved learning more of this world as the story progressed, and going along with Toby on her journey of finding clues and solving them. Also many questions were raised and not answered, like the reaction of the Queen when she was told of Evenings death; what happened to Luna and Rayseline while they were held captive, and why Rayseline changed so much. I cannot wait to find out the answers to these questions. Whats my prize? And why, my dear October, are you gowned so fetchingly? You dont need to make yourself beautiful for me, you know; youll never win my heart. Although youre welcome to keep trying, if you insist. Next time? Try wearing a corset. Luckily for me some sexiness was added to the story by Tybalt, the king of the Cait Sidhe. And what a deliciously sexy kitty he is ;-) Im not sure yet whether hes a friend or foe of Toby, but my romantic heart is hoping friend and possible love interest. What can I say, romance hope springs eternal ;-) Once again Jessica has proven why shes a Goddess book-pimp. This book was so very good. I loved it and I cannot wait to continue with this series. A must read for all who loves UF with an amazing and captivating world and characters. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.