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October Daye Chronological Order #7.1
Full of Briars
Meet Quentin Sollys. Squire. Hockey fan. Canadian. And Crown Prince to the entire continent of North America, known as “the Westlands” to the fae, currently ruled by his parents, High King Aethlin and High Queen Maida. Not that most people know that, since he’s a blind foster squired to a changeling—not exactly something that screams “hidden royalty.”
But with a new Queen on the throne in the Mists, his parents have finally come to town to see how he’s doing…and to take him home with them. That’s going to be a problem, since Quentin doesn’t particularly want to leave, and his knight, Sir October Daye, doesn’t particularly want to let him go.
Set after Chimes at Midnight and before The Winter Long, it’s finally time to meet the parents in our first-ever story narrated by Quentin himself.
But with a new Queen on the throne in the Mists, his parents have finally come to town to see how he’s doing…and to take him home with them. That’s going to be a problem, since Quentin doesn’t particularly want to leave, and his knight, Sir October Daye, doesn’t particularly want to let him go.
Set after Chimes at Midnight and before The Winter Long, it’s finally time to meet the parents in our first-ever story narrated by Quentin himself.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2016
About the author
Seanan McGuire
474 books16.1k followersHi! I'm Seanan McGuire, author of the Toby Daye series (Rosemary and Rue, A Local Habitation, An Artificial Night, Late Eclipses), as well as a lot of other things. I'm also Mira Grant (www.miragrant.com), author of Feed and Deadline.
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).
I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).
I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 294 reviews
May 22, 2019
Normally I don't write reviews for short stories, but a lot happened although most of it isn’t essential to the overarching plot in the series. Finally I got to read about when Toby met the high king and queen! I felt short changed when it didn’t happen at the end of Chimes at Midnight. Anyway better late than never.
This was the first and hopefully the last story from Quentin’s POV. The glimpse inside his head made me like him slightly less. Toby clearly has had a positive influence on him over the years, but it isn’t enough to erase all of his elitist views. Maybe it’s just because I love Tybalt so much, but how dare he look down on him! Tybalt is twice the man he’ll ever be.
The romantic angle introduced at the end came completely out of left field. Was there any indication of them having feelings for each other or even spending time together throughout the series? If so I missed it, which is unlikely since I’ve read all of the books except for the newest one more than once. Then again Quentin’s romantic entanglements have never been of much interest to me.
Onto the good stuff: I loved Tybalt! That man can do no wrong. It was interesting to read about Toby from someone else’s POV. Sometimes that can be awkward but it worked here. The High King and Queen were different than I expected in a good way. It was interesting to see how Quentin felt and has dealt with being a blind foster. One important question was raised that could be important later on in the series, but if you want to know what that question is read it and find out.
This was the first and hopefully the last story from Quentin’s POV. The glimpse inside his head made me like him slightly less. Toby clearly has had a positive influence on him over the years, but it isn’t enough to erase all of his elitist views. Maybe it’s just because I love Tybalt so much, but how dare he look down on him! Tybalt is twice the man he’ll ever be.
The romantic angle introduced at the end came completely out of left field. Was there any indication of them having feelings for each other or even spending time together throughout the series? If so I missed it, which is unlikely since I’ve read all of the books except for the newest one more than once. Then again Quentin’s romantic entanglements have never been of much interest to me.
Onto the good stuff: I loved Tybalt! That man can do no wrong. It was interesting to read about Toby from someone else’s POV. Sometimes that can be awkward but it worked here. The High King and Queen were different than I expected in a good way. It was interesting to see how Quentin felt and has dealt with being a blind foster. One important question was raised that could be important later on in the series, but if you want to know what that question is read it and find out.
August 21, 2016
3.5 stars
Note to self: Please re-read the whole series
What can I say?
My memory kind of sucks, so I really should have re-read the previous book before going into this new short story.
But even so, it isn't as if I don't "know" the characters and their peculiar "traits".
As such it was funny ( I must share Mae's sense of humour) to see Quentin's fretting about Toby meeting his parents. As always, Tybalt's nonchalance to everything "no cat... and Toby" related was a pleasure to read.
As for Tybalt's nephew, that "kitty cat" needs some boundaries. Crazy cat!
As for the ending, it took me a little by surprise. Did I forgot about it in the previous books?
Had there been signs of that relationship? Because I don't remember anything, but sometimes I feel as if I am going senile, so...
September 27, 2016
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9/27/16: Review to come. Still thinking it over.
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5/2/16: *comes out of hiding*
QUENTIN SOLLYS HAS A COVER AND IT IS PERFECT YES! This is going to be such an awkward story.
*goes back into hiding*
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12/30/15: Look what I found today :)
9/27/16: Review to come. Still thinking it over.
******************************
5/2/16: *comes out of hiding*
QUENTIN SOLLYS HAS A COVER AND IT IS PERFECT YES! This is going to be such an awkward story.
*goes back into hiding*
******************************
12/30/15: Look what I found today :)
August 10, 2016
I've been waiting for this moment ever since my friends and I figured out who Quentin really is! And it was just as hilarious as I expected! Though I always thought that it'll be Toby that goes on the offensive if Quentin's parents decide to try and take him away. Instead we got to see one possessive cat :D And we all know that what a cat want it gets! All my favourite side characters aside from the Luidaeg showed up and it was so damn good to be back in their company. I missed them so much! I can't wait for the next full length novel because this only made the Toby-withdraw symptoms worse!
Want to read
June 4, 2016Not on Amazon UK? Oh, Amazon. Why must you taunt me so?!
August 2, 2016
Fluff-piece from Quentin's POV, exactly as magnificently fluffy as I hoped it'd be.
August 10, 2016
Oh how I have missed this fantastic world. Reading this amazing novella has reminded me why this series is one of my favorite UF series’. The characters are as amazing as always, and I loved that we got to see things from Quentin’s POV.
“Toby is good at complicating things. That’s why she’s been such a good teacher for me. By the time I’m High King, I’m going to be completely unflappable.”
Toby’s squire has grown so much since their paths have crossed, and seeing how much better both of them are because of their connection, especially Quentin, makes me fall in love with this series all over again.
What he didn’t understand was that these people, with the exception of Arden, were my family. Even Tybalt. Even if he did watch Toby’s ass when he thought I wasn’t looking.
I love spending time with Toby, sexy purring Tybalt, May my favorite death omen, the adorable teenagers Quentin and Raj. I did miss the Luidaeg, but hopefully we will see her again in the next book. And the surprise romance at the end was just adorable. Honestly I wanted Quentin and Raj to be together, but I’m pretty happy with how things turned out for Quentin.
No one writes as beautiful and emotional stories as Seanan McGuire. The world-building in this series is mind-blowing with so much sadness, harshness and beauty, and her words can break your heart and make it soar.
A definite must read for all fans of this series, and if you haven’t read this series yet, what are you waiting for??? A magnificent world with characters you will adore and superb writing. A must read.
August 14, 2016
This was a really cute snapshot of Quentin's perspective as he struggles to remain in service to Toby as her squire.
(You know when you ship something and then the author writes something that sinks your ship in a way that your brain can't find any good way around, and then to make matters worse you also like the other ship too because you're a multishipper and it's ADORABLE, so then you feel BAD for being super bummed out? And to double down on that there's a great scene with the characters you DO ship? So you're like torn in multiple directions!!!! Yeah.
CLEARLY THE ANSWER IS: OT3 TIME.)
(You know when you ship something and then the author writes something that sinks your ship in a way that your brain can't find any good way around, and then to make matters worse you also like the other ship too because you're a multishipper and it's ADORABLE, so then you feel BAD for being super bummed out? And to double down on that there's a great scene with the characters you DO ship? So you're like torn in multiple directions!!!! Yeah.
CLEARLY THE ANSWER IS: OT3 TIME.)
July 23, 2017
Nice little short story/ novella from Quentin's perspective. We get to meet his parents and see how he interacts with them, see his perspective of Tybalt and Toby and their relationship, and we get an opportunity to learn a bit more about Quentin as an individual - where he's been, how much he's grown since he's been with Toby, and a very good indication of the man he is becoming.
October 15, 2017
I didn't like this quite as much as I expected. The later books pretty much cover everything that happened here, plus GoodReads calls it 9.3, but really it takes place after book 7, so I was confused about what had and hadn't happened.
BUT I was really glad
BUT I was really glad
April 12, 2022
I adore Quentin and it was really fun to get his POV and to see how much he's grown up over the past few years. I loved his relationship with Raj and what fun the last scene with Dean was. I hope we get more of Quentin and his brotherly relationship with Raj and potential romance with Dean. For such a short story it packed a punch. I want more Quentin!
May 1, 2020
Had this been more of the last chapter and less of literally every other part of it, I would've given it, like, four stars. Because cute. But sadly it was three pages of cute and forty pages of annoying and pointless.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
August 3, 2016
Quentin is adorable. He's well adjusted, an excellent squire, and such a teenager. This is a wonderfully sweet story and it's nice to take a break from this usually blood soaked series for a few high stakes conversations. I definitely recommend this short story for fans of the series, though people unfamiliar with the characters probably wouldn't get much out of it. To you, I recommend the series as a whole.
August 3, 2016
And then.... there was squee!!! It was great reading from Quentin's point of view, there were alternating/overlapping moments of poignancy and humor and then.... there was squee.
That is all.
That is all.
October 11, 2016
QUENTIN MY HEART FOREVER
!!!! I thought I caught that subtext in the previous book, but I went NAH, that's wrong. I never pick up subtext. That's my mistake.
I WAS RIGHT.
!!!! I thought I caught that subtext in the previous book, but I went NAH, that's wrong. I never pick up subtext. That's my mistake.
I WAS RIGHT.
October 7, 2017
This short story fits into the series timeline between Chimes at Midnight and The Winter Long so please don't read it before that point or you'll end up with spoilers! It's the first (but hopefully not the last!) Quentin POV story though and it's definitely well worth reading.
If you were disappointed that you didn't get to see Toby meeting Quentin's parents at the end of Chimes of Midnight then this story is for you. I really enjoyed getting the chance to see the High King and Queen, especially because Toby is always so awkward on major social occasions, but what I liked most was seeing characters like Toby, Tybalt and May through Quentin's eyes. Quentin has come a long way since he started training as Toby's squire and while I'm really pleased with the way he now thinks about changelings I was a bit irritated that he still doesn't seem to have a very high opinion of Tybalt. I took it that he's acting like a protective brother who doesn't think anyone could be good enough for Toby but I love Tybalt so I was a bit disappointed Quentin doesn't approve of their relationship. I did like enjoy the little hints at the direction Quentin's love life is taking though and am definitely looking forward to seeing more of that romance in the rest of the series.
If you were disappointed that you didn't get to see Toby meeting Quentin's parents at the end of Chimes of Midnight then this story is for you. I really enjoyed getting the chance to see the High King and Queen, especially because Toby is always so awkward on major social occasions, but what I liked most was seeing characters like Toby, Tybalt and May through Quentin's eyes. Quentin has come a long way since he started training as Toby's squire and while I'm really pleased with the way he now thinks about changelings I was a bit irritated that he still doesn't seem to have a very high opinion of Tybalt. I took it that he's acting like a protective brother who doesn't think anyone could be good enough for Toby but I love Tybalt so I was a bit disappointed Quentin doesn't approve of their relationship. I did like enjoy the little hints at the direction Quentin's love life is taking though and am definitely looking forward to seeing more of that romance in the rest of the series.
February 20, 2017
I have very mixed feelings about this short story. There were things I hated and there were things I loved. Unfortunately, there was more of the first ones.
I was looking forward to meeting Quentin's parents and I expected them to be either awesome or terrible. They were neither. At times, they were nice, at times, I wanted them to go away, but they didn't leave lasting impression on me.
Although it was interesting to see other characters from Quentin's POV, I mostly disliked how everyone acted. The only ones who were acting according to their characters were May and Tybalt and they were amazing. Toby was mostly quiet and Raj was acting all weird.
Which brings me to the thing I disliked the most - romance in this short story was SO forced. It came out of nowhere and I think it would be better if it didn't happen at all. Now it feels like there's potential love triangle and that's the one thing I don't like. Can't anyone stay just friends?
I was looking forward to meeting Quentin's parents and I expected them to be either awesome or terrible. They were neither. At times, they were nice, at times, I wanted them to go away, but they didn't leave lasting impression on me.
Although it was interesting to see other characters from Quentin's POV, I mostly disliked how everyone acted. The only ones who were acting according to their characters were May and Tybalt and they were amazing. Toby was mostly quiet and Raj was acting all weird.
Which brings me to the thing I disliked the most - romance in this short story was SO forced. It came out of nowhere and I think it would be better if it didn't happen at all. Now it feels like there's potential love triangle and that's the one thing I don't like. Can't anyone stay just friends?
August 25, 2016
Please don't let Quentin narrate anymore. I don't like the inside of his head either (see other reviews). Also, the constant all the way through the story, is annoying and distracting. We know. move on already.
The whole thing just felt like it was rushed to print. There is a lot of duplication everywhere.
This is analogous to a deleted scene that was deleted for a good reason. It doesn't advance the story, and the events in it can easily occur off-screen and just be mentioned in passing.
The whole thing just felt like it was rushed to print. There is a lot of duplication everywhere.
This is analogous to a deleted scene that was deleted for a good reason. It doesn't advance the story, and the events in it can easily occur off-screen and just be mentioned in passing.
July 26, 2022
Not really sure if I needed to read this book. The only thing I really learned was about Quentin’s relationship preferences, which was great to learn about. However, I don’t think I needed a short story to learn about, especially since it was only mentioned toward the end of the story.
In general, the story lacked the excitement that the original series has. The reader doesn’t learn much about the characters and the plot, though short, dragged for me.
In general, the story lacked the excitement that the original series has. The reader doesn’t learn much about the characters and the plot, though short, dragged for me.
February 5, 2017
Ivy's Review of Full of Briars
5 stars
Nice to have a story from Quentin's POV. Also nice to see him interact with his parents. Glad to see Toby, Tybalt, and the others again as well.
Would recommend to fans of October Daye series. Also to fans of fae and shapeshifters.
Can't wait to read more October Daye books!!!!
5 stars
Nice to have a story from Quentin's POV. Also nice to see him interact with his parents. Glad to see Toby, Tybalt, and the others again as well.
Would recommend to fans of October Daye series. Also to fans of fae and shapeshifters.
Can't wait to read more October Daye books!!!!
April 26, 2019
It was cool to learn a bit more about Squire Quentin.
Read
January 13, 2023Apparently I forgot to mark that I finished this (the same day I started it). I love Quentin and was glad to get more about him being able to stay with Toby.
June 29, 2019
Quentin's parents come to visit. 4 stars
February 8, 2017
Full of Briars isn’t the strongest novella, which is a bit unfortunate given how it’s the only one that DAW actually sold. It’s good, and you definitely shouldn’t skip it if you’re reading this series, but it’s not the best of the October Daye novellas, that’s for sure. Also, FYI, the GR numbering is publication order, but chronologically, this story is what happens immediately after Chimes at Midnight ends.
The problem with this one is the first person narration. Quentin’s narration is bland. If this one had been in third person, I think it might have been totally fine. So yeah, that part’s unfortunate.
However, I totally called the ship and I am so happy right now. Official confirmation that Quentin is bi AND now he has a hot boyfriend and life is good. Do not skip because ship.
Bless Seanan for more excellent LGBT rep. This series just makes me so damn happy.
The problem with this one is the first person narration. Quentin’s narration is bland. If this one had been in third person, I think it might have been totally fine. So yeah, that part’s unfortunate.
However, I totally called the ship and I am so happy right now. Official confirmation that Quentin is bi AND now he has a hot boyfriend and life is good. Do not skip because ship.
Bless Seanan for more excellent LGBT rep. This series just makes me so damn happy.
June 10, 2017
Very short. Read after book 9 which had alluded to Dean and Quentin. I'm sort of surprised since I didn't know that Quentin was I find this an interesting plot development what with him being who he is.
Anyways this book centers around Quentin's parents coming to town, but they suddenly want to take him home for some reason. I like the interactions and getting to know Quentin's way of thinking. Apparently back then he didn't really like Tybalt for Toby either. All this is great in telling us his thoughts. I love it, seeing Toby through someone else's eyes.
Anyways this book centers around Quentin's parents coming to town, but they suddenly want to take him home for some reason. I like the interactions and getting to know Quentin's way of thinking. Apparently back then he didn't really like Tybalt for Toby either. All this is great in telling us his thoughts. I love it, seeing Toby through someone else's eyes.
December 17, 2018
Definitely one of the better short stories in the series in my opinion. I guess it might mildly defeat the purpose of 'expanding the universe' since it contains most of the main series characters [Toby, Tybalt, Quentin, May, Raj, etc], but it's nice to get a look into Quentin's head and see more of his relationship with his parents [and how his interactions with them now are colored by his time with Toby lol] and also this is the short story where him and Dean confess their feelings for each other which is just adorable.
August 12, 2016
I thought this was an OK book but I much prefer reading Toby's point of view. There were times that I wanted to hit Quentin, his mom and dad. The relationship between him and Dean came out of nowhere, it would have made more sense with Raj. Those two are already close. And there was the fact I felt that novella was too short. Any ways it was still a good read for me.
August 7, 2016
One word: awwwwwwww!
August 4, 2016
4.5 Stars. I was so annoyed by Raj's petulant manner in this story. Though it was amusing to see Toby and Tybalt through Quentin's eyes! Loved the backstory on Dean and Quentin's relationship.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 294 reviews