Seanan McGuire's Late Eclipses and Key Lime Pie

Rating -




This is my first review which is VERY exciting! For every book I read and review I will also be posting a food item and recipe.  First up is the great Seanan McGuire’s Late Eclipses and a Key Lime Pie. Are there two better things out there? Doubtable.

Seanan McGuire is responsible for my last week of sleepless nights. For my first review I actually didn’t plan on reviewing Late Eclipses. In fact, I was only trying to finish it so I could pick up the book I actually planned on reviewing, Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich. Putting it down soon became impossible. I decided to go ahead and put off the new Stephanie Plum in favor of Late Eclipses and the reason why is quite simply because it is epically awesome. Yes, I said it and I must admit I am pretty hard to impress. I picked up the first October Daye novel simply on a whim because I was in the book store and they didn’t have the Adrian Phoenix novel I wanted. I looked up from the “P” section of Sci-Fi/Fantasy, angels sang and my eyes alighted on the first October Daye novel, Rosemary and Rue.

I only bought the first one because I had never heard of the author and I wanted to make sure I enjoyed the series before I picked up more than one of her books. I was hooked by the fifth page and I have been flying through the novels attempting to catch up on the series. I am aware that this book was published previously in the year but I wanted to scream to everyone how incredibly much I enjoy this series.

Toby has finally settled into a strange sort of peace. She lives with her Fetch (for those of you unfamiliar with these books, a Fetch is also an omen of death) and finally seems to have some money for groceries.  However, if you have been following this series you should know that it won’t be normal for long. Lily, Lady of the Tea Gardens, has suddenly become ill so Toby immediately suspects something unnatural. This is due to Toby’s constant state of paranoia and the fact that Water Undines are never supposed to become ill. In this case, all odds are pointing to Oleander de Merelands, the same woman who Toby has some pretty gnarly history with back in the first book. Toby’s allies will be crucial to her in this book because she is in a race to beat time and save Lily and the other people who are being hurt by Oleander.

Tybalt and Toby’s relationship seems to deepen a little bit in this book which I loved!!  Although I hate Elton John for ruining the name Tybalt for me forever with visions of a fat gnome riding a lawnmower in the forgettable Gnomeo and Juliet, I still have to make a valiant effort to see him as he is portrayed in this series (brilliantly, by the way).  One thing I am really appreciative of with this author is that she allows the relationships to develop instead of immediately sending everyone to bed.  I cannot tell you the amount of times that I’m one chapter into a book and all of a sudden there’s sexing everywhere.

Ooh, he’s looking at me. He must like my sexy superhero powers and my wounded look. I did have a bad childhood after all...maybe I can tell him how bad while we’re rolling around my silk sheets! *Cue bad boy walking over, saying something completely asshole-ish and then falling into bed one chapter later*

So. *Ahem* Thank you for not doing that.

Without giving spoilers away, Toby’s relationships deepen with several people in this book. There is one really moving scene where we see the depth of her friendships with three people who risk their lives to save her. Bravo, Ms. McGuire. Excellent scene, full of emotional depth and realistically portrayed in a way that makes us see just how much everyone has grown up.

So, 5 spoons for this one!! Don’t walk, run to the store and start this series if you have any love for the urban fantasy genre or any sense in your head! Seanan McGuire has wormed her way into my heart alongside the likes of Jim Butcher (hallowed be thy name) and Kevin Hearne. I am currently reading One Salt Sea so I will most likely review that one as well. But…Explosive Eighteen is next.

I promise. Must. Put. Other. Book. Down.

Purchase Book Here

Recipe Link - Key Lime Pie - Notes on recipe - I think the measurement of the Key Lime Juice may have been a little much. Next time I may cut it down to about half a cup. Otherwise, pretty darn yummy!!