THE UNKINDEST TIDE – Seanan McGuire | Looking For a Good Book

An October Daye book? Yes, please.

History has it that there was a bargain between the Selkies and the Sea Witch. The Selkies would be allowed to live in the sea for as long as the Sea Witch allows it. At any time she can put an end to the bargain and call in their debt. But this all happened so long ago that it’s become just legend and no one expects that debt ever to be called in. But the Sea Witch is calling in that debt now, which would permanently bind their skins to their bodies.

Another debt is called in when the Luidaeg tell October ‘Toby’ Daye that she needs to be a part of the bargain and the process – a debt October can’t refuse. The meeting between the Queen and the Selkies will be at the Duchy of Ships, where October will help the Selkies decide if they will forever live in the sea or on the land in their permanent skins. But at the location, one of the Selkies is found dead and Toby goes to work to get justice for the dead. Toby’s got more than she bargained for.

I’ve really come to like the character of October Daye and all of the others that she interacts with. Author Seanan McGuire is such a wonderful author who gives us intelligent, exciting characters that are ‘real’ and whom we care about. Is there anyone writing urban fantasy better than this?

And while I think strong characters are key to driving a story, it’s still important to have a good story and McGuire excels here as well. The history of the Selkies is brought to the fore and the change in their entire way of life is what’s at stake. The higher the stakes, the stronger the dramatic climax and this is not a disappointment.

As with all the other October Daye books that I’ve read, there is a novella included. This one, “Hope is Swift,” takes place at the same time as October sets out for the Duchy of Ships and features Raj and Cait Sidhe. This was a strong work and a really good way to end.

Looking for a good book? The Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire is the 13th book in the October Daye series. It is a strong work with a great fantasy character.