Book Review: An Artificial Night

By Sandy Amazeen Aug 24, 2010, 17:40 GMT

Experience the thrill of the hunt in the third October Daye urban fantasy novel. October "Toby" Daye is a changeling-half human and half fae-and the only one who has earned knighthood. Now she must take on a nightmarish new challenge. Someone is stealing the children of the fae as well as mortal children, and all signs point to Blind Michael. Toby has no choice but to track the ...more

As a changeling knight of the Duke of Shadowed Hills, October Daye better known as Toby by her friends, moves between the human and fae world doing the bidding of her Lord. Her life is fraught with dangers yet little could have prepared Toby for the heartache of seeing loved ones attempt to cope with a missing child. Fae children aren’t the only ones missing, human youngsters are disappearing as well. After consulting with the enigmatic Lilly and Luna, Toby realizes the Lord of the Wild Hunt, Blind Michael is responsible for the missing children as he seeks to refresh his stock of riders and mounts.

A terrifying figure, Blind Michael is beyond any foe Toby has ever had to face and with the appearance of her Fetch, she recognizes this is one battle she won’t be coming home from. As a Fetch, May Daye is Toby’s double charged with escorting her to the home of the dead, only this gal has more on the ball then being a simple guide. As Toby prepares to fight for the missing children she must join forces with a former enemy and discovers friends where she least expects them.

Book three of the October Daye series is the strongest to date as McGuire picks up the action and rolls an assortment of nursery rhymes, fairy tales and folklore into a taut urban fantasy that holds your interest to the last. The little stone gargoyle Spike adds a charming touch as does Toby’s feelings for friends and family. While it is possible to enjoy this without reading the previous two titles, you will miss out on much of the world building that makes this series work.