Publishers Weekly
In the seventh installment of McGuire’s increasingly entertaining urban fantasy series (after Ashes of Honor), half-Fae private detective October “Toby” Daye is up against her old nemesis, the Queen of the Mists. The queen gives Toby three days to pack up and leave San Francisco forever after Toby uncovers the queen’s involvement in a drug-pushing operation targeting changelings. Toby’s one hope comes when she discovers that Her Majesty’s claim to the throne may not be entirely legitimate. Now Toby and her allies must track down the true heir and overthrow the powerful monarch before Toby’s exile deadline. The urgency of the ticking clock works well with the political intrigue, Toby’s newfound vulnerability (following a truly diabolical ambush), and the setting’s ever-expanding mythology. Certain plot payoffs and emotional beats further reward longtime readers, making this a truly satisfying entry. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Praise for the October Daye series:
"This installment bumped this series up to the top of my urban-paranormal series list! … Highly recommend it, can't wait for the next! Of all the 'Faerie' urban fantasy series out there, I enjoy this one the most. If you like the Dark Fever series or Kate Daniels series, you'll def like this one." —Felicia Day
"McGuire applies a hard-boiled mentality and a keen appreciation for mythology to a blend of politics, magic, and romance to make this the most entertaining series installment to date." —Publisher's Weekly
"Fast-paced, without ever being frantic, with excellent characterization.... McGuire is a dab hand at dialogue, and the bantering between Toby and everyone—especially Tybalt—is one of the highlights of the book." —RT Book Reviews
"The October Daye series is one of those delicious worlds that becomes more and more beloved with each visit, and Ashes of Honor is my favorite of this series to date." —All Things Urban Fantasy
“Lots of portal hopping, visits to some of Toby’s old friends, and some deadly encounters keep things lively as the tension builds to a dramatic conclusion.” —Locus
"[McGuire] tells her story with energy and charm.... It’s all so much fun." —SF Signal
"Strong and evocative.... It has everything you could want: strong characters, detailed settings, and an engrossing plot." —Owlcat Mountain
"I love that Toby is a strong, independent—yet still vulnerable—heroine. I love that this is a world where people die, where consequences matter. I love the complex world-building and mythology. I love the almost film noir tone of the series. I love that each book leaves me wanting more. If you dig urban fantasy, this is one of the best out there." —CC2K
"With Ashes of Honor, McGuire has crafted a deeply personal and intense story that will keep you on the edge, hoping to be pushed over. In my opinion, it is, hands down, the best Toby to date." —The Ranting Dragon
The Ranting Dragon
"With Ashes of Honor, McGuire has crafted a deeply personal and intense story that will keep you on the edge, hoping to be pushed over. In my opinion, it is, hands down, the best Toby to date."
CC2K
"I love that Toby is a strong, independent—yet still vulnerable—heroine. I love that this is a world where people die, where consequences matter. I love the complex world-building and mythology. I love the almost film noir tone of the series. I love that each book leaves me wanting more. If you dig urban fantasy, this is one of the best out there."
Owlcat Mountain
"Strong and evocative.... It has everything you could want: strong characters, detailed settings, and an engrossing plot."
SF Signal
"[McGuire] tells her story with energy and charm.... It’s all so much fun."
Locus
Lots of portal hopping, visits to some of Toby’s old friends, and some deadly encounters keep things lively as the tension builds to a dramatic conclusion.
All Things Urban Fantasy
"The October Daye series is one of those delicious worlds that becomes more and more beloved with each visit, and Ashes of Honor is my favorite of this series to date."
RT Book Reviews
"Fast-paced, without ever being frantic, with excellent characterization.... McGuire is a dab hand at dialogue, and the bantering between Toby and everyone—especially Tybalt—is one of the highlights of the book."
Felicia Day
"This installment bumped this series up to the top of my urban-paranormal series list! … Highly recommend it, can't wait for the next! Of all the "Faerie" urban fantasy series out there, I enjoy this one the most. If you like the Dark Fever series or Kate Daniels series, you'll def like this one."
