Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire
  • Mood: awake
  • Music: DJ Earworm, "United State of Pop 2008."

CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT open thread!

To celebrate the release of Chimes at Midnight, here. Have an open thread to discuss the book. Judging by the comments I'm seeing, some of you have had time, and I'd really, really rather book discussion (sometimes including spoilers) didn't crop up on other posts.

THERE WILL BE SPOILERS.

Seriously. If anyone comments here at all, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. So please don't read and then yell at me because you encountered spoilers. You were warned. (I will not reply to every comment; I call partial comment amnesty. But I may well join some of the discussion, or answer questions or whatnot.) I will be DELETING all comments containing spoilers which have been left on other posts. No one gets to spoil people here without a label.

You can also start a discussion at my website forums, with less need to be concerned that I will see everything you say! In case you wanted, you know, discussion free of authorial influence, since I always wind up getting involved in these things.

Have fun, and try not to bleed on the carpet.
Tags: chimes at midnight, open thread, toby daye
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falnfenix

September 4 2013, 22:01:08 UTC 3 years ago

eeeeeeeeeeehehehehehehehehehpuppy. we need to see more of his race.

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:03:22 UTC 3 years ago

Yes, we do.

mariadkins

September 5 2013, 00:28:38 UTC 3 years ago

did an absolute happy squealing dance when i saw mine in the mailbox this afternoon!!

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:03:30 UTC 3 years ago

Yay!

kentuckckykat

September 5 2013, 01:09:58 UTC 3 years ago

I love the relationship between Tybalt and Toby...I often end up hating the interaction between couples in books because of the subtle patriarchy, etc. I love that they interact as equals, support each other and call each other out on things. Love it!

I was so mad at Sylvester! I hope that Toby works things out with him and Luna...but I am not optimistic for Luna.

ambermoon

September 5 2013, 16:44:55 UTC 3 years ago

Tybalt is about as reasonable when it comes to Toby's health and safety as Sylvester is about Luna's. Maybe they should have just let Tybalt see her then had Jin knock him out - you know, for old times' sake.

I am also not optimistic about Toby reconciling with Luna, but it's possible. Still waiting to see if Julie comes around.

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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deor

September 5 2013, 01:25:18 UTC 3 years ago

Would love to see more of the puppy and Mags; would really like to see Toby's discussion with Quentin's parents; rather slammed out of the story (briefly) by the sealing wax bit [sealing wax's most notable feature being that it is *hard* except right after being melted, plain beeswax would have worked without my visceral "ow! wtf, she's trying to jam that into her ears?" moment]. Wondering about where the Luidaeg has gotten to, Amandine's husband and other children, how the ex-queen got away.. and still wondering after these many books if or when we'll see Simon Torquill again. Rather hoping we don't get a recurring villain out of the ex-queen though somewhat wondering if all her actions were deliberately done to weaken the kingdom for ulterior purposes. And really really wondering if anyone thought to go back and pick up all the power gems / bits of the Luidaeg's blood that Toby spilled on the treasure room floor.

silvertwi

September 6 2013, 03:37:16 UTC 3 years ago

I have to admit, I've been playing scenarios out in my head in which Toby talks to Quentin's parents. Also about Amandine showing up in the middle of it, assuming the Luidaeg tracks her down. (I know; scenes unlikely to occur together, but what can I say? I'm curious to know how everyone would react to that.)

As to the ex-queen...I'm more curious how removing one blood-line from her mix of three is going to affect who she is. I mean, would two blood-lines be more stable than having siren in the mix too? Thought brought on by the dream-sequence a few books ago between Amandine and Oleander where she asks, "How much of who you are is what you are?"

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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cypherindigo

September 5 2013, 12:43:03 UTC 3 years ago

Thank you for the wonderful Library and Librarian. As a Professional Librarian, I approve. (Not that my opinion really matters) ;-)

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:06:12 UTC 3 years ago

I'm so glad. :)

angelamaria

September 5 2013, 13:18:54 UTC 3 years ago

Okay, for some reason I'd totally missed that this was coming out! As soon as I saw this post go out, I went off and got it for my Kindle. And proceeded to read it well into the morning and just might have ended up four hours late for work, lol. Fantastic story, this is the best one yet!

I dreadfully need to reread the first few books though. I'm really really itching to know what exactly the Dochas Sidhe purpose is. And how it's supposed to be at cross purposes (or something) with the Daoine Sidhe (or their First anyway). And find out who Amandine's (first?) husband is, where in the world the other Dochas Sidhe is, etc. The next book can't come fast enough.

And oh Tybalt ♥

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:06:24 UTC 3 years ago

Awesome!

baconreallygood

September 5 2013, 15:07:41 UTC 3 years ago

I feel foolish asking this, but is Toby no longer addicted to goblin fruit even though she is still a changeling? She didn't turn herself totally fae with the hope chest right?

I love this series. ^_^

silvertwi

September 6 2013, 03:38:48 UTC 3 years ago

It seemed to me that yes, she's still a changeling, and no, she's no longer addicted to goblin fruit. I suspect whatever part of the process of changing her blood saved her from elf-shot also saved her from the goblin fruit.

ceteramisto

3 years ago

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angelamaria

3 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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thedragonweaver

3 years ago

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axsister

September 5 2013, 16:11:09 UTC 3 years ago

Toby is my ... well, this universe is one of my favorites. I want more all the time.

One comment - the first part of the book I was actually getting annoyed at the "coffee coffee coffee" ugh, I thought, has it come to this? are we really distilling characters down to some few traits and letting go?
I should have had more faith.
There was so much speaking of coffee, that I was surprised that I didn't notice it was gone. I was just happy, relieved it was gone. I could breathe again and move onto the more pressing issues. But then when it was brought up, because her addiction had replaced everything else ... I could immediately recognize the vacuum that had been created. I was probably put into a (much weaker, fainter version) similar mindset of the surprise that Toby had in realizing that she hadn't even thought about coffee since the pie.
Possibly still a little clumsily done, I would have preferred never to have been annoyed, but still masterfully woven.

I have lots of other things to say about the novel itself, but that small piece really made me think.

jenfullmoon

September 9 2013, 23:19:29 UTC 3 years ago

Heh. As a person who cannot stand the taste of coffee (I'm joining George from Newsflesh in the "give me a Coke" group), I was getting kind of annoyed because all I ever hear about IRL is the everloving heavenly yum yum goodness of coffee coffee coffee (which really sucks when you think it tastes like burnt everything combined with dirty socks) and this was even worse....

And then: "No, I'm good."

Bwahahahahahahahahahah!

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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herefox

September 5 2013, 17:05:22 UTC 3 years ago

Can I have a Cu Sidhe of my very own? Madden was adorable.

This one did not go at all as I expected...I think I actually squeed when they decided to overthrow the queen. Didn't see that coming at all though it totally makes sense that it needed to happen.Definitely a lot more information about the first born in this one...definitely made me want more.

One thing that I wanted Toby to remember was the mention in the previous book that there had been a mention of the Dorchas Sidhe in the library though she had more immediate things on her mind, obviously. Evil pie surprised me and made me laugh every time Toby told the story...I was all ready for Toby to be stabbed with iron or something when she turned around.

Things I noticed:
It was implied that the firstborn have at least some idea of what happened with Titania, Oberon and Maeve (is it bad I like her best? She gave us the Luideag!)
Amadine was apparently married. That's interesting. Would her children from another marriage have been Dorchas Sidhe though? I was under the impression that Seanan had said that each individual mating from a firstborn created a new race..? Or am I misremembering?
A scary number of people seem to be piling up favors to redeem from Toby at a later date.

Quentin's reveal was no surprise though I dearly would have loved to see Toby meet his parents.

jenfullmoon

September 9 2013, 23:20:35 UTC 3 years ago

If I were Toby, I'd be looking up Amandine, Dochas Sidhe, and the Luidaeg when I had free time. Not that Toby has free time, though.

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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silvertwi

3 years ago

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acelightning

September 5 2013, 19:36:33 UTC 3 years ago

The book arrived in the mail on Wednesday afternoon. Normally I would have devoured it in a single sitting... but I had eye surgery last week, and I can only read (or use a computer) for a short while before my eye starts to hurt :-(

So I read the first three chapters (one by one) last night, and so far today today I 've read Chapter 4... and skipped randomly ahead for twenty minutes. It didn't reduce the anticipation and suspense to do that - in fact, it made them more intense. I'm probably going to overdo reading again today, of course...

And I still wish I could cosplay the Luidaeg.

acelightning

September 10 2013, 10:10:07 UTC 3 years ago Edited:  September 11 2013, 06:32:07 UTC

The more my eye heals, the more I read. (Although I wish I could heal the way Toby did in Ashes Of Honor: "Disemboweled? No problem! A quart of coffee and a sackful of doughnuts, and I'm ready to rumble again!" Except I hate coffee.)

So many questions... Why is/was Amandine such an asshole? Who the fuck is Marcia, really? Will future generations of Dochas Sidhe be inclined to meow? :-)

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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acelightning

3 years ago

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phoenix_singing

September 5 2013, 20:23:24 UTC 3 years ago

I was like, "What the hell? They could've probably killed her, and they hit her with a pie?!" Then I read on and was like, "...oh. :(" And now I will never view pie the same way again.

Evil pie. Evil, addictive, scary pie. :(

Also, it seems like Toby's circumstances are causing her to slowly turn more and more fae, which is actually a terrifying thought, considering what she can already do with her blood magic as a changeling.

And Quentin's reveal, and now we know the Luidaeg's name, and wonderful new characters in Mags and Madden, and Toby and Tybalt amazingness, and and and...!

This was a delicious addition to the series, yes yes. I only regret that I have to wait another year for the next! :)

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:09:09 UTC 3 years ago

CORNKITTY APPROVED.

FLAWLESS VICTORY.

phoenix_singing

3 years ago

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arcaneblades

September 5 2013, 23:02:57 UTC 3 years ago

It's taken me much longer to get to commenting than it took me to read. I was still finishing up my re-read of the rest of the series when my copy was delivered to me at work. Yes, delivered, because of my sleep schedule, and the distance between me and a store that was going to have a copy. I'd bribed a friend on Sunday night to go picky me up a copy when she bought hers, and bring it to me. It was probably 3 in the morning or so when I got to the point I could read it, and I stayed up past 9am devouring the story whole.

As usual, I had an immediate desire for *MORE*. I do have to say I was fascinated by the Library, and will enjoy getting to see more of it whenever that happens. Also, lots of love for The Luideag, and her willingness to reveal even just slightly more about herself, and her feelings for Toby. Also, I adore how you handled the reveal on Quentin's parents, but yes, I will ad my voice to the throngs of those who wanted to see them meet Toby.

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:09:29 UTC 3 years ago

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :)

ibmiller

September 6 2013, 03:38:32 UTC 3 years ago

My audiobook arrived today! Loaded her up on my mp3 player, and will be listening this weekend! Hooray!

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:09:40 UTC 3 years ago

Yay!

ibmiller

3 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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ceteramisto

September 6 2013, 04:24:08 UTC 3 years ago

I have read it twice since I got the book on Tuesday. Loved it. Love the characters both new and old. Love the relationships, especially Toby and Tybalt who actually discussed their issues like adults. Have new questions and new theories about the series. I am particularly interested in the Daoine Sidhe firstborn Eira. I think she was the one who betrayed the Roane. I think Toby now has four enemies to worry about and she only knows about three of them: the ex-queen, Treasa if she ever gets out of Annwn, and Simon (who I think is Amandine's husband). She has no clue about Eira. I can hardly wait for more books, I need to know about the Selkies, Simon, Eira, the deeper realms, and the missing Oberon, Titania, and Maeve (who I agree with a previous person is my favorite).

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:10:00 UTC 3 years ago

Maeve is my favorite, too.

aiela

September 6 2013, 20:03:56 UTC 3 years ago

When Tybalt collapsed, I turned off my ereader, set it down, and just stared into space for a while. I was all "Seanan you CANNOT DO THAT TO HER" But I wasn't convinced you wouldn't. ;)

I also think I need to reread the entire series. Like others have mentioned before, it's getting complicated enough that it's hard to remember everything. (And that's not a BAD thing, of course!)

wendyzski

September 9 2013, 15:53:29 UTC 3 years ago

We learned in the Newsflesh books that no character is safe - not even the narrator

aiela

3 years ago

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phoenix_singing

3 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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listicath

September 7 2013, 12:13:30 UTC 3 years ago

Well, it does mean I get the extra short story, which is a bonus!

And I've already got the rest of the Toby and Incryptid novels as dead trees, so I'll probably continue that way.

Whereas I have all your Mira Grant books in ebook format. Somehow that feels right. :)

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:10:33 UTC 3 years ago

Yay!

trixiaw

September 7 2013, 16:53:59 UTC 3 years ago

I really loved the first third, especially the parts where Tybalt and Toby got to spend moments of privacy before all the crazyness started and how sweetly supportive Tybalt is when the crazy does begin.

Sadly the whole pie issues spoiled it for me. As soon as it hit her I didn't care about the Queen or Princess plot or anything, let those ingrates hang the only thing that matters is making Toby strong again.

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:10:51 UTC 3 years ago

I can appreciate that.

dimestore_romeo

September 7 2013, 17:15:46 UTC 3 years ago

I am still waiting for my copy to arrive! Current wait-time is 1-3 weeks. ;___; But I am enjoying being excited for it to turn up in my letterbox.

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:11:01 UTC 3 years ago

Eeep.

robomatey

September 7 2013, 19:29:04 UTC 3 years ago

Loved it. Found myself becoming unexpectedly optimistic with Toby, then the pie hit the fan and I figured everyone was going to die. So glad they didn't (er, that we know of). I really hope we get to see Toby untangling all of the loose ends in the next book, if only for the comedic potential of her meeting Quentin's parents.

I also wanted to say thank you for writing the Luidaeg - she's always been my favorite and I'm glad that we're getting to know her better. I hope her absence/increased up-to-something-ness means we'll get to see more of her in the next books. I loved In Sea Salt Tears and I'm so grateful that you have as many gay characters in your books as you do.

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:11:19 UTC 3 years ago

You are so very welcome. Thank you for reading.

kassrachel

September 7 2013, 21:42:40 UTC 3 years ago

I was saving this book for myself as a prize for surviving a big professional obligation, and I survived said obligation, and today I sat down to start reading, and, um, found myself utterly incapable of doing anything else at ALL until I had finished it. OMG, I had forgotten how much I adore them.

Toby being indebted to the night haunts can't possibly end well, but I shall handwave that.

The Quentin reveal was delightful.

The Luidaeg is still made of awesome. And curse words. And awesome curse words. :-)

And OMG, you gave us Tybalt in leather trousers. I love you FOREVER. *resting chin on hands and gazing into the distance dreamily*

Seriously -- I adore the way this book both deepened our understanding of these characters, and also broadened the universe in which they live (bringing in Quentin's folks, e.g. :-) -- and my love for Toby and Tybalt and May and Jazz and Sylvester and, just, ALL of them! cannot be textually rendered.

jenfullmoon

September 9 2013, 23:23:02 UTC 3 years ago

I keep wondering what the heck kind of assistance the nighthaunts would ever need.

But hey, she keeps bugging them for help, it seems only fair....

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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crewgrrl

September 9 2013, 01:27:01 UTC 3 years ago

We have done our duty to both the NYTimes record and our local bookstore by having them get the book in and purchasing it today before the week runs out. Now to read it!

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:11:45 UTC 3 years ago

YAY.

Thank you!

ravenclawed

September 9 2013, 14:13:55 UTC 3 years ago

Loved the book, just like I knew I would. :) Dianda's "just want something to hit" attitude in the dungeon was priceless. Loved Toby & Tybalt's relationship, Quentin's reveal, the Luidaeg (as always), and all the new characters.

jenfullmoon

September 9 2013, 23:23:20 UTC 3 years ago

Oh, Dianda, you rock. I wanna be a merrow.

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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jenfullmoon

3 years ago

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silvertwi

3 years ago

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jenfullmoon

September 9 2013, 23:25:21 UTC 3 years ago

So I am quite happy with this story. I was very, very addicted. Almost like evil pie was involved, somehow.

I also loved that the Luidaeg got a short story narration of her own. More, please. I looooooooove her, she is my girlcrush in this series for some reason. And we're finally hearing a little bit here and there about whatever evil sister is out there somewhere that Toby will probably have to go up against.... Plus we finally got an explanation for the "Annie" alias.

I did want to hear about how Toby (probably totally bungled) ah, talked with Quentin's parents, though.

seanan_mcguire

September 10 2013, 17:12:17 UTC 3 years ago

It just didn't fit in this book! I'm sorry.

jenfullmoon

3 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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silvertwi

3 years ago

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seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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notalwaysweak

3 years ago

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hevia

September 11 2013, 05:44:26 UTC 3 years ago

I got shipped off on a business trip the day the book was released. I was so mad I ordered both paperback and kindle version so I could read it while I was away. I'm almost done. Some things I love:

- Tybalt is such an affectionate kitty - I adore their kisses and hugs and hope to see more in the future.

- The scene where Toby breaks down crying and Tybalt rushes to her nearly had me in tears. You know things had to be bad for her to reach such a state. Even if the use of pie was ridiculously hilarious.

- I figured the High King and Queen were Quentin's parents and would love to see them outside of their royal function. And Quentin being so mature about the responsibilities of kingship. Tybalt too - having read Rat-Catcher.

- I'm really excited about learning more about the first born and who the black-haired man is that the sea witch was involved with. And pretty much everything else pertaining to fairy.

- I love how Toby can kick ass and get ugly with people. Sometimes when she's surrounded by nobles, I forget she kinda grew up in the streets. As sweet as Connor was, I think Tybalt is in a better position to understand that side of her. He does need to stop dying though. Lol!

- I love all the new characters introduced so far and I can't wait to see where you'll take the story. :D





hevia

September 11 2013, 05:53:56 UTC 3 years ago

I forgot about Dianda tail-slapping the stuffing outta people. You made The Little Mermaid bad ass. I salute you.

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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jenfullmoon

September 11 2013, 18:00:34 UTC 3 years ago

Hah, yeah, I realized two pages before the pie hit that ah, this is going too well...this can't last...

It is kind of amazing how Faerie in general just didn't give a shit about who showed up out of nowhere to claim the queendom. I gather folks that aren't Toby aren't as good as determining heritage...or care, either.

Well, Rayseline and Connor were allowed to get a divorce, so I think it's allowed (though in that case, it was for political reasons of "oh yeah, we married you to someone who's crazy and homicidal"). I do wonder if Amandine and her ex actually got one or just passively split up though?

seanan_mcguire

3 years ago

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