The Winter Long

October Daye, Book 8

By: Seanan McGuire

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal

Toby thought she understood her own past; she thought she knew the score. She was wrong. It's time to learn the truth.

©2014 Seanan McGuire (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Wonderful range of characters and story

If you could sum up The Winter Long in three words, what would they be?

Snarky action adventure

What other book might you compare The Winter Long to and why?

Can't think of one close, but The Grimrose Path

Have you listened to any of Mary Robinette Kowal’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and she was just as solid here

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

More aha moments and smirks

Am I dreaming?

First, let me say that I really enjoy this book series and find the narrator soothing to listen to. I have no qualms with the story and how it all played out...the narrator is brilliant with each character and there is a natural flow between each one. However, I do have to ask...Am I Dreaming? Or am I hearing it correctly? In the previous seven books the narrator pronounced the name for Kingdoms)Cities of sorts as NOWS... all of a sudden she is pronouncing it as KNOWS now (no pun intended). I’m not sure how much time passed between each recording... but I wouldn’t believe you’d forget something like that regardless of how much time went by. I’m not sure if it was decided by some top dog who wanted it pronounced differently or a change from the author herself....if not then it was one big UH OH editing didn’t catch. Regardless of the reason, it happened and I found it to irritating. It’s isn’t any different than changing the pronunciation of the lead character in a book. Say it’s Casey (KAY-SEE) in 7 books previously and then all of a sudden, without explanation, her name is now pronounced Cassie (Ka-See). This is why I gave performance a 4 and overall a 4.

Love it

What did you love best about The Winter Long?

If you are a crazy Faye October Daye is your going to hunt you down.

What did you like best about this story?

Yes master I will love you and follow all your crazy demands as soon as I put you down like the rabid beast you are... What no I love you again wait no you must die. What do I love you or do I want to kill you I don't recall.

Have you listened to any of Mary Robinette Kowal’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Full stars

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Follow and die or fight and live now.I don't know... That is all you are getting out of me I have been up all night with a story.

Any additional comments?

Would love to see more of this story and some spin offs. Like the sea witch. Get the feeling her story would make me laugh and cry.

another great story

the narrator Mary Robinette is the same for all the October daye series as far as I can tell.
For some reason, in this book, the fairy holdings are pronounced "nos" instead of "nows".
I HATE IT WHEN PRONOUNCIATIONS ARE CHANGED LIKE THAT!
Especially as this is book 8 with the same narrator.
Even worse the nos/nows are referred to more than usual in this story.
it was like a great singer Hitting a flat note.
Repeatedly.
otherwise it's a great story and I do think Mary Robinette does a great job.

Fantastic sereis I want more.

Any additional comments?

A wonderful series that brings something new to the urban fantasy genre that has been declining in good new stories. Not only is the story fresh and new, the characters interesting and flawed but the world building is what makes this book great. The plot as well has built upon itself in a wonderful way that has only gotten better from book to book. The only problem I have is that Tobi is hell bent on being a changeling. Why? We've never heard about her human friends she hung out with during book one, she doesn't interact with humans at all, she's cut herself off with her human family, all of her friends are fae, and every time you think she is going to FINALLY go full fae she gets out of making a decision. The only reason that I can see so far is to not let her become too powerful, hang the possibility over our heads to add suspense, show the fae world that changelings are important too, and let her have "humanity" whatever that means.

Love this series!

I continue to love this series. Looking forward to the next one! I have yet to read anything by this author that isn't well written.

Great series, good narration.

I really enjoy this series. October keeps growing and evolving. Her relationships with her squires and friends are well done. I love the Luidag and Tybilt. This book has secrets being revealed. Lots of action. Toby learns how to defend with her magic. Her strength of character shines through. I enjoy the supportive family relationship with her allies. I also like how characters evolve and have weaknesses and faults. Great series, not a standalone. Start with book 1.

Best one yet

Best one I've read yet. Looking forward to the next book. Four words are remaining.

Great story bad narration

If you could sum up The Winter Long in three words, what would they be?

Curve ball plot twist

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the plot twists that were unpredictable

What didn’t you like about Mary Robinette Kowal’s performance?

She didn't use the same voice for the characters that she did in all previous books and occasionally would switch the accent in the story causing confusion, the most irritating change is on how she pronounced the word Knowe in this book compared to the last seven.

Loved this book!!!

The only thing I wish was different was that the narrator changed her pronunciation of names and some words from what she had used in the past. Same narrator but this book has a different pronunciation of the term “knowe” etc.
Otherwise a fabulous read/story!