Review: The Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire (@seananmcguire, @dawbooks)

The Unkindest Tide

Author: Seanan McGuire

Release Date: September 3, 2019

Publisher: DAW Books

October Daye Book #13

ISBN:  0765328089 

ISBN13: 9780765328083

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Review Copy Source: NetGalley

Hundreds of years ago, the Selkies made a deal with the sea witch: they would have the sea for as long as she allowed it, and when the time came, she would call in all their debts at once. Many people assumed that day would never come. Those people were wrong.

When the Luidaeg—October "Toby" Daye's oldest and most dangerous ally—tells her the time has come for the Selkies to fulfill their side of the bargain, and that Toby must be a part of the process, Toby can't refuse. Literally. The Selkies aren't the only ones in debt to the Luidaeg, and Toby has to pay what she owes like anyone else. They will travel to the fabled Duchy of Ships and call a convocation of the Selkies, telling them to come and meet the Luidaeg's price...or face the consequences.

Of course, nothing is that simple. When Dianda Lorden's brother appears to arrest Dianda for treason against the Undersea, when a Selkie woman is stripped of her skin and then murdered, when everything is falling apart, that's when Toby will have to answer the real question of the hour.

Is she going to sink? Or is she going to swim?

I have been waiting for the Luidaeg to call in her debts and it's finally time.

There was a lot of drama, danger and hectic situations in THE UNKINDEST TIDE, but I think I was expecting it to be MORE dramatic, dangerous and hectic. I enjoyed visiting the Duchy of Ships. I enjoyed learning about the people that live there as well as Captain Pete. Toby's usual allies are along for the ride and as usual, they all bring something extra to the storyline.

Let's talk about Gillian because she seems to be getting a lot of page time now that she's in Toby's world. I UNDERSTAND that she's angry, I really do, but she is really ticking me off. Sometimes she seems to be trying to understand what really happened and I totally understand her need for space at some points, but she needs to grow up and start looking at the big picture. She puts both herself and others in danger every time she pushes back.

I didn't love this installment as much as previous books, but I still devoured it and I feel like it was needed for the growth of some of the other storylines. I am ready for Toby and Tybalt's wedding (and babies!! Please let them have babies). Hopefully it will happen sooner rather than later.

I gave it 4/5 stars

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.