Ashes of Honor

An October Daye Novel, Book 6

By: Seanan McGuire

Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal

Length: 12 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

It’s been almost a year since October "Toby" Daye averted a war, gave up a county, and suffered personal losses that have left her wishing for a good day’s sleep. She’s tried to focus on her responsibilities - training Quentin, upholding her position as Sylvester’s knight, and paying the bills - but she can’t help feeling like her world is crumbling around her, and her increasingly reckless behavior is beginning to worry even her staunchest supporters.

To make matters worse, Toby’s just been asked to find another missing child…only this time it’s the changeling daughter of her fellow knight, Etienne, who didn’t even know he was a father until the girl went missing. Her name is Chelsea. She’s a teleporter, like her father. She’s also the kind of changeling the old stories warn about, the ones with all the strength and none of the control. She’s opening doors that were never meant to be opened, releasing dangers that were sealed away centuries before - and there’s a good chance she could destroy Faerie if she isn’t stopped.

Now Toby must find Chelsea before time runs out, racing against an unknown deadline and through unknown worlds as she and her allies try to avert disaster. But danger is also stirring in the Court of Cats, and Tybalt may need Toby’s help with the biggest challenge he’s ever faced.

Toby thought the last year was bad. She has no idea...

©2012 Seanan McGuire (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Toby’s unusual heritage and her uneasy relationships with her mother’s family will remind readers of Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series, and Thompson fans will appreciate Toby’s tough and self-reliant character…a must for fans of genre-bending blends of crime and fantasy." ( Booklist)

Fantastic Series

I love Urban Fantasy and this series is one of the best I've read. The author has taken the classic races of Faerie and brought them into the 21st Century, where many choose to live partly in the modern world and partly in the Summerlands. With a name like Seanan McGuire I'm wondering if this author is recounting stories learned at her Grannie's knee :) The folklore is well researched and has such an air of authenticity that I can get totally involved in this world. Great characters!

This is the 6th book and doesn't disappoint. When this book came out I started over again at book 1 and had a total October Daye marathon. I'm so bummed to have come to the end of the available books! I'm fairly certain that there will be a book #7 although this one had a nice happy ending, there are lots of story lines left to explore. Mary Robinette Kowal is absolutely fabulous, does a great Irish accent when called for. I can tell a great narrator because after about 2 weeks of almost non-stop listening I'm not totally sick of her voice.

If you've been listening to this series don't hesitate to grab this one. If you are new to this series, stop and get book 1 (Rosemary & Rue). These books could be stand alone but much more enjoyable to listen in order.

WOW!

Where does Ashes of Honor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is by far one of the best audiobooks and part of the best series in this genre. I love the development of the story world, characters, and plot lines. Seanan is a talented story teller and writer...that truly is an understatement.

Fanastic Series!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ashes of Honor to be better than the print version?

I did not read the print

Who was your favorite character and why?

I'm in love with the King of Cats - his entire attitude is where it's at.

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

I have listened to this entire series and enjoy her readings.

I love Tybalt!

One of the best things about this series, is the narrator, Mary Robinette Kowal. She bring the whole series to life. And Senan McGuire, I love your writing. Another awesome October Day book!

On the fence

I love this series. The reviews of the first audiobook were mixed so I opted to read the series until now. I liked this book a lot. This and the last are tied for my favorite in the series. Mary Robinette Kowal as narrator takes some getting used to. I'm kind of on the fence about whether I like her or not. I'm not a fan of her male voices. I didn't like her narration at all in the beginning but I did get used to it and by the end, I even kind of liked it. I am looking forward to the next book in the series but the jury is still out as to whether it will be a hard copy or an audiobook.

My Favorite in the Series

You must read or listen to the first 5 books in this series or you will be lost. In this book Toby seems to come to terms with the losses she has had and how her actions effect those who love her. There is romance, witty banter and lots of blood and action.
My only complaint is the description of Tybalt's smell, it got a bit repetitive...perhaps because I was listening to the book it was more noticeable.
I am looking forward to the next installment in the series.

The saga continues

As the sixth book in this series I was looking forward to seeing what kind of trouble Toby would find herself. And I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoy this series and can't wait to see what happens next.

The narrator Mary Robinette Kowal is wonderful and I enjoy listening to her. I have no problem distinguishing characters (although the one southern/texas accent threw me for a while). And as a narrator really conveys the action.

I would really recommend this entire series.

Excellent Fantasy

Where does Ashes of Honor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Somewhere in the top five.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All the characters and personalities blended to make a complete story.

Which character – as performed by Mary Robinette Kowal – was your favorite?

Riordin was an excellent "bad girl". She sounded like a Texan.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to the next "October Daye" novel. Will also look for other books by this narrator.

Best of the Series So Far

What I love about this series is the same thing that makes it difficult to write a review - the writer never leaves the characters in the same place they started. The story is fast-paced and well-plotted, the characters are never one-dimensional and the villain's motive is both believable and hard to predict. Love it. And the "Labyrinth" shout-out made me smile.

Mary Robinette Kowal's performance was outstanding, as always. Her character voices are always spot-on and her pacing is perfect for the book.

Each better than the last

I absolutely LOVE the nearly-but-not-quite overwhelming levels of stress that Seanan subjects her characters to. Toby must be super-human, because no human would every have made it this far.
But hey, any book you make it to the last page of is a win, right Toby?

Fantastic!

This is a fantastic series,and Ashes of Honor keeps up the high standard of the earlier books (you do really need to start at the beginning,with Rosemary and Rue,and keep going!). Toby is one of my favorite heroes;she is growing and changing with each book as she comes to terms with the past,and with what she is and can do,and her friends are doing the same.I just love the whole universe that Seanan McGuire has created,Faerie is such a rich and interesting world and there is humour as well as tension.The only downside is that at some point the story will be done! A plus is that Mary Robinette Kowal is ,for me,the perfect narrator,there is no mismatch between the book and the voice you hear at all.