Rosemary and Rue

October Daye is a private investigator and changeling who straddles the worlds of Faerie and modern-day San Francisco. After a long absence from the fae community, she receives a binding curse that forces her to investigate the murder of a prominent local faerie. The investigation pulls October back into the complex political landscape of the fae nobility and their territories within the city. She must navigate both supernatural and mundane dangers while dealing with old relationships, both allies and enemies, that she left behind years ago. The story introduces a noir-influenced urban fantasy setting where the fae live secretly alongside humans in the Bay Area. Magic, ancient customs, and immortal beings exist parallel to coffee shops, downtown streets, and the standard routines of city life. The novel explores themes of duty versus choice, and how the past shapes identity even when we try to escape it. It raises questions about belonging and obligation in a world where blood ties and magical bonds can be both protective and constraining.

Readers call this an urban fantasy that stands out for its darker take on faeries and deep Celtic mythology integration. Many praise McGuire's world-building and the complex political dynamics between fae courts. Readers liked: - Authentic San Francisco setting details - Fresh spin on faerie mythology - Complex female protagonist who makes mistakes - Side characters, especially the cat King of Cats Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Too much time spent on descriptions - Main character can be frustrating/self-destructive - Romance elements feel underdeveloped Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (38,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (850+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (300+ ratings) Review quotes: "Gritty and unsentimental take on faeries" - Goodreads reviewer "October is refreshingly flawed" - Amazon reviewer "World-building strong but plot meanders" - LibraryThing review

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🌿 Seanan McGuire was the first person to appear five times on the same Hugo Award ballot in 2013, including nominations for Rosemary and Rue. 🌸 The series title "October Daye" comes from the main character's first name, which was chosen by her mother because she was born on Samhain (October 31st). 🍀 Many elements in the book draw from Celtic folklore, particularly the Daoine Sidhe and the Wild Hunt, presenting them in a modern urban setting. 🌹 The author is also a folk singer and has released several albums featuring songs related to her books, including ones about October Daye's world. 🗝️ The book's title "Rosemary and Rue" references Ophelia's famous speech in Shakespeare's Hamlet, where these herbs symbolize remembrance and regret.