A Red-Rose Chain

Following 2014's The Winter Long, this ninth installment in the October Daye urban fantasy series sees its heroine once again caught up in Fae politics. The illegitimate Queen of the Mists has been deposed. When the neighboring Kingdom of Silences declares war on Toby's home, Toby is dispatched to try and find a peaceful resolution. She and her companions%E2%80%94including her fianc%C3%A9, Tybalt, King of Cats%E2%80%94travel to Portland, Ore., and discover a hostile court and a lot of trouble. Toby, never known for her diplomacy, is out of her depth as she faces foes she can't fight head-on, with treachery masquerading as tradition and courtly manners. McGuire has quite thoroughly established the ever-fascinating world in which Toby moves; this adventure expands its boundaries and gives readers another glimpse of the larger picture, all while slowly pushing her heroine's emotional journey forward. In some ways, this feels like an intermediary episode dealing with the aftermath of previous entries, but it's an entertaining, satisfying chapter in the larger story, hinting at grander things yet to come. Agent: Diana Fox, Fox Literary. (Sept.)