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October Daye #15.5
And With Reveling
Unknown Binding
Published September 1, 2021
About the author
Seanan McGuire
522 books17.3k 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 26, 2022
Honestly a bit confused about why this was a separate novella rather than part of When Sorrows Come, but I’m very glad it was included with the novel.
November 24, 2022
this was not that interesting
March 10, 2023
A novella, 15.5, in the October Daye urban fantasy series revolving around Sir Toby Daye. The couple focus is on Toby and Tybalt and their wedding reception. This novella can be found in the back of
When Sorrows Come
, 15.
My Take
Toby has been worrying about what being married will do to her and to Tybalt — yep, McGuire is using first person protagonist point-of-view from Toby’s perspective. And that girl just ain’t thinkin’.
Tybalt knows exactly what he’s getting into, and if being elf shot, stabbed, slashed, burnt, betrayed, near drowned, and getting blood out of clothes, multiple times, hasn’t put him off, I don’t think anything will in the future.
Ya gotta love the Luidaeg. She’s a decent woman even if she does have to seem mean. “She’s gotten very good at coming up with the selfish reason behind everything she does.”
Lucky for Toby that Bridget and Sir Etienne are fulfilling that promise of Toby’s to the boys.
Whoa Julie promises to be an auntie to any kids Toby and Tybalt have.
Oh ho, Tybalt gives it to Sylvester in spades! Sylvester is being so self-righteous, and Tybalt takes him apart. The Luidaeg and Quentin were certainly impressed!
I love this one: “Being fae doesn’t make you immune to being a massive nerd. It just gives you time to really plumb the depths of your potential nerdery.”
The Luidaeg makes an interesting point about wine . . . and humans. Pete has her own point to make about not choosing one’s First in a divorce. She also has her own blessing for their wedding. One that Toby should definitely appreciate!
Oh, oh, Tybalt is so sweet when he explains all those roses to Toby. It makes me want to cry.
McGuire provides some of Tybalt’s back history, including the bigotry of the Divided Courts towards the shifting Sidhe as well as the story of how his pleas for aid to save his Anne were rebuffed. We also learn more about his father. And of Toby’s great desire for children. Another mindblower is Gillian who is at the wedding and actually makes a concession!
Kerry has so been looking forward to making Toby’s wedding cake . . . and Kerry has taken Tybalt’s probable preferences into account. Into 15 different cake flavors!!
Hmmm, Oberon offers Toby his knife, so she can cut the cake.
It’s a fun tale with a few differences between a human wedding, a fae wedding, and one that Toby and Tyblat would enjoy. My only quibble is why it couldn’t be part of the main story When Sorrows Come . . .
The Story
There are seven formal blessings for a newly married couple. And now that Toby and Tybalt have gotten past the ambush part of the wedding, ahem, lol . . .
The blessings shower down here and there with hope within and yet there is unhappiness afoot for some.
The Characters
Sir October Daye has just married Tybalt, the King of the Court of Dreaming Cats, a.k.a. Rand. May is Toby’s Fetch; she and Jazz, a Raven-maid, live with Toby. Stacy is the best friend who did Toby’s make-up for the wedding. Kerry, a half-Hob changeling, is another old friend who baked the wedding cake. Julie, a member of the court of cats, is coming around.
Walther Davies is a chemistry professor at Berkeley, Arden’s unofficial Royal Alchemist, and in love with Cassandra Brown, Stacy and Mitch's oldest daughter who is also an aeromancer. August is Toby’s older sister. Simon, CountTorquil Lorden, is Toby’s legal father and August’s actual father. Gillian, a Roane now through the gift from the Luidaeg’s hand of her own youngest daughter’s, Firtha’s, skin, is Toby’s actual daughter. Cliff had been Toby's husband and is Gillian’s father while his second wife is Janet.
Quentin “Cillian” Sollys is Toby’s squire and the future High King of the Westlands. Dean and Peter Lorden are brothers and sons to Dianda and Patrick Lorden from the Duchy of Saltmist (Dianda and Patrick recently married Simon). Raj is Tybalt’s adopted nephew and heir. Helen is Raj’s agoraphobic girlfriend.
Duke Sylvester rules Shadowed Hills and is Toby’s liege lord, although his wife, Luna, hates and despises Toby with a passion. Rayseline is Sylvester and Luna’s elf-shot daughter. Sir Etienne, a Daoine Sidhe, is Sylvester’s seneschal. Bridget “Bess” is his human wife. Chelsea is their daughter with a gift for teleportation. Jin is Sylvester’s Ellyllon healer.
High King Aethlin Sollys is the overall king of North America; Maida is his High Queen, and both are Quentin’s parents. Galen is an Ellyllon and the High King’s healer, who appears to be smitten with Poppy. Ormond.
The recently returned Oberon is the king of Faerie. The Luidaeg, a.k.a. Atigone, is his oldest daughter and a Firstborn. Poppy, a human-sized pixie, is the Luidaeg’s apprentice. Tybalt calls Maeve and Titania the static queens. Pete is actually Amphitrite, the Firstborn of the Merrow and a rebellious child of Titania. Dobrinya. Arden Windermere is the Queen in the Mists. Elizabeth “Liz” Ryan is the leader of the former Selkies in Half Moon Bay where Gillian now lives. Diva is Liz’s daughter.
Ainmire is/was Tybalt’s father and king of the Court of Fogbound Cats in London. Tybalt’s mother had to sell him and his siblings to Ainmire as possible heirs. Well, the boys, Carr and Arlis, were potential heirs; the girls, Jill, Colleen, and Cailin, were hostages.
The Shadow Roads can’t be closed to cats, but they don’t welcome anything/one else. King Shallcross used to reign over Oak and Ash and wanted more. He had made a deal with the Doppelgangers. Amandine the Liar is no longer Toby’s mother but is a Firstborn of Oberon and Janet Carter. Devin was a Fagin type who took in street kids. Oleander de Merelands was an assassin.
The Title
The title is the wedding reception, “And with Reveling” Toby, Tybalt, their friends, family, and guests are away.
My Take
Toby has been worrying about what being married will do to her and to Tybalt — yep, McGuire is using first person protagonist point-of-view from Toby’s perspective. And that girl just ain’t thinkin’.
Tybalt knows exactly what he’s getting into, and if being elf shot, stabbed, slashed, burnt, betrayed, near drowned, and getting blood out of clothes, multiple times, hasn’t put him off, I don’t think anything will in the future.
Ya gotta love the Luidaeg. She’s a decent woman even if she does have to seem mean. “She’s gotten very good at coming up with the selfish reason behind everything she does.”
Lucky for Toby that Bridget and Sir Etienne are fulfilling that promise of Toby’s to the boys.
Whoa Julie promises to be an auntie to any kids Toby and Tybalt have.
Oh ho, Tybalt gives it to Sylvester in spades! Sylvester is being so self-righteous, and Tybalt takes him apart. The Luidaeg and Quentin were certainly impressed!
I love this one: “Being fae doesn’t make you immune to being a massive nerd. It just gives you time to really plumb the depths of your potential nerdery.”
The Luidaeg makes an interesting point about wine . . . and humans. Pete has her own point to make about not choosing one’s First in a divorce. She also has her own blessing for their wedding. One that Toby should definitely appreciate!
Oh, oh, Tybalt is so sweet when he explains all those roses to Toby. It makes me want to cry.
McGuire provides some of Tybalt’s back history, including the bigotry of the Divided Courts towards the shifting Sidhe as well as the story of how his pleas for aid to save his Anne were rebuffed. We also learn more about his father. And of Toby’s great desire for children. Another mindblower is Gillian who is at the wedding and actually makes a concession!
Kerry has so been looking forward to making Toby’s wedding cake . . . and Kerry has taken Tybalt’s probable preferences into account. Into 15 different cake flavors!!
Hmmm, Oberon offers Toby his knife, so she can cut the cake.
It’s a fun tale with a few differences between a human wedding, a fae wedding, and one that Toby and Tyblat would enjoy. My only quibble is why it couldn’t be part of the main story When Sorrows Come . . .
The Story
There are seven formal blessings for a newly married couple. And now that Toby and Tybalt have gotten past the ambush part of the wedding, ahem, lol . . .
The blessings shower down here and there with hope within and yet there is unhappiness afoot for some.
The Characters
Sir October Daye has just married Tybalt, the King of the Court of Dreaming Cats, a.k.a. Rand. May is Toby’s Fetch; she and Jazz, a Raven-maid, live with Toby. Stacy is the best friend who did Toby’s make-up for the wedding. Kerry, a half-Hob changeling, is another old friend who baked the wedding cake. Julie, a member of the court of cats, is coming around.
Walther Davies is a chemistry professor at Berkeley, Arden’s unofficial Royal Alchemist, and in love with Cassandra Brown, Stacy and Mitch's oldest daughter who is also an aeromancer. August is Toby’s older sister. Simon, Count
Quentin “Cillian” Sollys is Toby’s squire and the future High King of the Westlands. Dean and Peter Lorden are brothers and sons to Dianda and Patrick Lorden from the Duchy of Saltmist (Dianda and Patrick recently married Simon). Raj is Tybalt’s adopted nephew and heir. Helen is Raj’s agoraphobic girlfriend.
Duke Sylvester rules Shadowed Hills and is Toby’s liege lord, although his wife, Luna, hates and despises Toby with a passion. Rayseline is Sylvester and Luna’s elf-shot daughter. Sir Etienne, a Daoine Sidhe, is Sylvester’s seneschal. Bridget “Bess” is his human wife. Chelsea is their daughter with a gift for teleportation. Jin is Sylvester’s Ellyllon healer.
High King Aethlin Sollys is the overall king of North America; Maida is his High Queen, and both are Quentin’s parents. Galen is an Ellyllon and the High King’s healer, who appears to be smitten with Poppy. Ormond.
The recently returned Oberon is the king of Faerie. The Luidaeg, a.k.a. Atigone, is his oldest daughter and a Firstborn. Poppy, a human-sized pixie, is the Luidaeg’s apprentice. Tybalt calls Maeve and Titania the static queens. Pete is actually Amphitrite, the Firstborn of the Merrow and a rebellious child of Titania. Dobrinya. Arden Windermere is the Queen in the Mists. Elizabeth “Liz” Ryan is the leader of the former Selkies in Half Moon Bay where Gillian now lives. Diva is Liz’s daughter.
Ainmire is/was Tybalt’s father and king of the Court of Fogbound Cats in London. Tybalt’s mother had to sell him and his siblings to Ainmire as possible heirs. Well, the boys, Carr and Arlis, were potential heirs; the girls, Jill, Colleen, and Cailin, were hostages.
The Shadow Roads can’t be closed to cats, but they don’t welcome anything/one else. King Shallcross used to reign over Oak and Ash and wanted more. He had made a deal with the Doppelgangers. Amandine the Liar is no longer Toby’s mother but is a Firstborn of Oberon and Janet Carter. Devin was a Fagin type who took in street kids. Oleander de Merelands was an assassin.
The Title
The title is the wedding reception, “And with Reveling” Toby, Tybalt, their friends, family, and guests are away.
September 26, 2022
This was a wonderful way to show the reception and the joyous without needing any ongoing plot development. However as with all the novellas that now are bordering a definite add on, they do move the characters interactions and reveals of them before the next one. Definitely reaching a point that knowing what has happened in these novellas, deeper fills the follow on novels. In saying that, loved the idea of the seven blessings and the reveal of who were tasked with their delivery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2025
A Heartwarming and Insightful Tale
Seanan McGuire's short story, told from Toby's perspective, offers a unique glimpse into her thoughts and feelings about marriage and her relationship with Tybalt. While Toby worries about the implications of marriage, Tybalt is confident and unwavering in his commitment.
The Luidaeg's Wisdom
The Luidaeg's character shines in this story, showcasing her complexity and depth. Her observations about human nature and the fae are thought-provoking, and her blessing for Toby and Tybalt's wedding is particularly meaningful.
Tybalt's Backstory
The story provides insight into Tybalt's past, including the bigotry he faced as a shifting Sidhe and the tragic events surrounding his sister Anne's death. This backstory adds depth to his character and highlights the challenges he has overcome.
A Joyous Celebration
The wedding celebration is a joyous and lively affair, with many characters contributing to the festivities. Kerry's enthusiasm for making Toby's wedding cake is particularly delightful, with 15 different flavors to choose from.
Oberon's Gift
One of the most intriguing aspects of the story is Oberon's gift to Toby: a knife to cut the wedding cake. This gesture seems simple on the surface, but it may hold deeper significance. Is it a symbol of Oberon's approval or a hint at future events? The possibilities are endless, and I'm eager to see how this plot thread develops.
A Satisfying but Bittersweet Conclusion
The story concludes on a satisfying note, but with a hint of bittersweetness. Toby's desire for children is a poignant aspect of the narrative, and the challenges she and Tybalt may face in the future are left tantalizingly unresolved. Despite this, the story is a delightful addition to the October Daye series, offering a unique perspective on the characters and their relationships.
Seanan McGuire's short story, told from Toby's perspective, offers a unique glimpse into her thoughts and feelings about marriage and her relationship with Tybalt. While Toby worries about the implications of marriage, Tybalt is confident and unwavering in his commitment.
The Luidaeg's Wisdom
The Luidaeg's character shines in this story, showcasing her complexity and depth. Her observations about human nature and the fae are thought-provoking, and her blessing for Toby and Tybalt's wedding is particularly meaningful.
Tybalt's Backstory
The story provides insight into Tybalt's past, including the bigotry he faced as a shifting Sidhe and the tragic events surrounding his sister Anne's death. This backstory adds depth to his character and highlights the challenges he has overcome.
A Joyous Celebration
The wedding celebration is a joyous and lively affair, with many characters contributing to the festivities. Kerry's enthusiasm for making Toby's wedding cake is particularly delightful, with 15 different flavors to choose from.
Oberon's Gift
One of the most intriguing aspects of the story is Oberon's gift to Toby: a knife to cut the wedding cake. This gesture seems simple on the surface, but it may hold deeper significance. Is it a symbol of Oberon's approval or a hint at future events? The possibilities are endless, and I'm eager to see how this plot thread develops.
A Satisfying but Bittersweet Conclusion
The story concludes on a satisfying note, but with a hint of bittersweetness. Toby's desire for children is a poignant aspect of the narrative, and the challenges she and Tybalt may face in the future are left tantalizingly unresolved. Despite this, the story is a delightful addition to the October Daye series, offering a unique perspective on the characters and their relationships.
March 9, 2024
One of my fellow Buddy Readers called this the should-have-been-Epilogue to When Sorrows Come, and I very strongly agree. This is less a short story and more a cut scene from the end of the previous book, showing Toby & Tybalt's wedding reception. I'd even argue that When Sorrows Come ends a bit abruptly, and would have done better if this had been included in more than just the print versions of the story. I highly recommend tracking this story down if your book didn't include it!
The idea of random friends and family giving blessings to the newly wed couple is a really sweet idea. If I harbored any wishes of marriage, I might steal it. It was fun guessing who might hold the blessings, and sweet when they were delivered.
There are a lot of sweet scenes between characters new and old throughout the party. My favorite is Tybalt v. Sylvester, ripping Toby's Liege a new one so epically that it wins him a high-five from the Luideag. Then there's a long-waited scene between Toby and Gillian, and a heartfelt scene between Toby and Simon (that hits harder if you've been reading McGuire's Lorden stories on Patreon). But those are only three big hits of a lot of great little moments.
The idea of random friends and family giving blessings to the newly wed couple is a really sweet idea. If I harbored any wishes of marriage, I might steal it. It was fun guessing who might hold the blessings, and sweet when they were delivered.
There are a lot of sweet scenes between characters new and old throughout the party. My favorite is Tybalt v. Sylvester, ripping Toby's Liege a new one so epically that it wins him a high-five from the Luideag. Then there's a long-waited scene between Toby and Gillian, and a heartfelt scene between Toby and Simon (that hits harder if you've been reading McGuire's Lorden stories on Patreon). But those are only three big hits of a lot of great little moments.
July 26, 2023
And With Reveling is an October Daye short, originally included at the end of When Sorrows Come (October Daye #15). It feels like this short is more directly connected to the novel's main events – more so than usual.
And With Reveling is an interesting short story showcasing more of the (in)famous Toby wedding. It'll make you laugh or smile. It may also give you a few shivers, given the dangers that Toby constantly plays around with.
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And With Reveling is an interesting short story showcasing more of the (in)famous Toby wedding. It'll make you laugh or smile. It may also give you a few shivers, given the dangers that Toby constantly plays around with.
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
April 3, 2023
This is a novella which takes place immediately after the book When Sorrows Come. It would have made an excellent Epilogue to the book. I am not sure why it was made a stand alone novella but it should be read immediately after the book.
November 17, 2022
Krátká novela na konci 'when sorrows come' která je celá o svatbě. Asi není špatná ale já rozhodně nejsem cílovka.
March 8, 2023
Loved it. Especially the beginning of the resolution with Gilly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2023
I can't help but feel this is the calm before the next storm, but it's so nice to see Toby and Tybalt allowed to just be happy together.
March 27, 2024
Losing one star for not just being part of the main novel, When Sorrows Come, but still very enjoyable!
January 21, 2025
Some extra wedding reception goodness. ♥️
Read
July 10, 2025I really needed this
October 2, 2025
Awww, McGuire gave us a novella of Toby‘s wedding reception and several emotional interactions with the most important people in her life.
Want to Read
October 21, 2025I have Kindle edition, an internet search states, the text versions of When Sorrows Come has the story at the end of the book. But I did not see it on my Kindle edition
July 7, 2026
In When Sorrows Come
October 28, 2022
This was a cute little look at Toby and Tybalt's reception. I was sweet and exactly what they deserved after the chaos of the wedding.
May 23, 2023
And With Revelling really ought to have been an epilogue to the last book, rather than a novella, but hey ho. It picks up more or less immediately after the events of the last book and dives into the wedding party. It says a lot that I finished it and got very confused wondering where the novella was. It really, really feels like it should be the final chapters of the book.
Essentially, this is a tale of blessings and of cake. Lots of blessings and lots of cake. It's Toby's wedding party and with a fae wedding comes seven formal blessings offered by those closest to the bride and groom. This was mostly well done except for the one giant plot hole of lack of continuity where a certain teenager is confirmed to have a blessing and never actually makes it.
The showdown between Sylvester and Toby that has been a long, long time in coming was well done. I'm not sure I agree with all the points, but it definitely needed pointing out that Sylvester has failed her badly in the last few novels.
This is sweet and generally well done. It kept me more interested than much of the full novel in honesty. But at the same time, it really should have been part of the novel. They could have cut 80% of the first quarter of the novel and replaced it with this as the finale instead for a much better novel. It's strange as a novella because it really can't stand alone.
Essentially, this is a tale of blessings and of cake. Lots of blessings and lots of cake. It's Toby's wedding party and with a fae wedding comes seven formal blessings offered by those closest to the bride and groom. This was mostly well done except for the one giant plot hole of lack of continuity where a certain teenager is confirmed to have a blessing and never actually makes it.
The showdown between Sylvester and Toby that has been a long, long time in coming was well done. I'm not sure I agree with all the points, but it definitely needed pointing out that Sylvester has failed her badly in the last few novels.
This is sweet and generally well done. It kept me more interested than much of the full novel in honesty. But at the same time, it really should have been part of the novel. They could have cut 80% of the first quarter of the novel and replaced it with this as the finale instead for a much better novel. It's strange as a novella because it really can't stand alone.
June 21, 2023
Loved reading this story again, I actually tracked who gave the blessing and what blessing, because I kept getting confused.
*Third Read June 21st, 2023*
Loved reading this story again, and this extra time spending with their friends and family, and the blessing they received!
*Second Read June 12th, 2022*
Love this story, seeing the reception after their wedding! Such a great read!
*First Read September 14th, 2021*
This short story was just fantastic, just what I wanted after the end of When Sorrows Come! So glad that it exists!
*Third Read June 21st, 2023*
Loved reading this story again, and this extra time spending with their friends and family, and the blessing they received!
*Second Read June 12th, 2022*
Love this story, seeing the reception after their wedding! Such a great read!
*First Read September 14th, 2021*
This short story was just fantastic, just what I wanted after the end of When Sorrows Come! So glad that it exists!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews