Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 145, October 2018 by Neil Clarke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Miracle Lambs of Minane (Finbarr O’ Reilly) - The story has an indirect way about it that I usually don’t care for, but this time it works for (and is almost key to) the story. There’s always a potential conflict between what society declares is good and right and what works for any given individual. This story tells of a future just slightly past where we’re at and how folks have to deal with an age-old situation. It goes to show that SF doesn’t have to be about robots and space and The Internet.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

What I really liked about this book: At the end we got a bunch of POV chapters, not just Rierson.

What I really hated about this book: The use of the trope where if people will just take time to talk to each other instead of being cryptic (or following up if things are busy) then things would go better for the protagonists. I know sometimes we need certain tropes “so the plot can happen!” (to paraphrase Pitch Meeting YT) but this one is just SO annoying and seems the most unlike real life. If something is that important - like lives on the line important - then you keep following up.

Heaps of Pearl by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A fun short story that shows us how Patrick and Dianda met. As far as I can tell, it’s completely optional - nothing key learned - but it’s a ton of fun.

Full of Briars by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This one’s a bit longer than most of the other short stories. It’s great to get into Quentin’s head, given what we learned in recent books. It also helps explain why, after the adventure with Arden, his parents didn’t immediately recall him. It’s also fun to see how Quentin sees the others.

A Red-Rose Chain by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since the previous book ended the first cycle, this one doesn’t move to answer a few of the remaining mysteries - what will the night haunts want in return? Where is August? Where is Amy? Will October and Sylvester reconcile? But this book does tie off one loose end from the last cycle as things move to Portland, OR for this book.

No Sooner Met by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think the Tybalt-based short stories are my favorites. I love when McGuire writes from his point of view. In fact, for all the short stories, while it’s nice to get more backstory on the October Daye universe, what I love most is getting to be in the headspace of different characters.

The Fixed Stars by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This short story takes place before anything else in the timeline (at least so far). It explains a lot, but should definitely not be read until this point in the narrative (that is, don’t read it until after October Daye #8).

If it sets up any new plot points, I couldn’t see them, but it does provide backstories for a few of the histories we’ve heard until now. SO FAR, of all the short stories this one seems the most skippable. We’ll see if time proves me wrong.

The Winter Long by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Seanan McGuire mentions that this book is what all the previous books have been working towards. I believe McGuire. This book truly does feel like the end of an era for Toby. Almost every single plot from the first book to the last one is touched upon as we finally (FINALLY) start getting answers about Toby’s life and why all the fae in her life act the way they do towards her. Of course, it’s an October Daye book so triumph comes with tragedy, pain, and sadness.

The Adventure

The team arrived at Moonlight where the scrawler dropped them off in the middle of town. The old orc and Silgre both also got off the Scrawler. After a brief conversation, the adventurers decided to go to the mayor’s house first. There they were hired to rid the town of kobolds. They agreed on a payment of 25GP per person and 3 nights room and board paid at the tavern.

Dungeon Master’s Guide by Wizards of the Coast

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marketing is often lies or half-truths dressed up to try and trick our stupid animal brains - pushing past our rationality. I’m happy to report that in this case, the marketing was, in my humble opinion, not a lie. We were told that this was a new, useful Dungeon Master’s Guide - more useful than the 2014 guide. I found this to be true. I don’t think I’ve re-opened the 2014 DMG since first reading it. It was really structured as a reference book or manual. The 2024 DMG is full of very useful information.<

Never Shines The Sun by Seanan McGuire

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

We saw bits of this in the last full book and now we get to see the whole scene. This is much shorter than other short stories so far, definitely worth reading, because I think it’s probably going to be important for the setup going forward.