Rosemary and Rue (October Daye, #1)

I powered through all eight books (at the time) in the series in less than a month, which gives you some idea of how much I liked it (and how much work-while-audiobooking I had to do). I started it in audiobook form, but have read parts of several of the books in ebook form, as well. This is the first series I've really been able to do that with.

I usually prefer series over standalone books/stories, because I like seeing characters grow over time. Toby definitely grows, a LOT, so that's been a draw, for me. I also often enjoy side characters more than the protagonist; it would be a spoiler to say who my favorite characters in this series are while reviewing the first book, but I'll just say there are several really great ones.

This series is particularly fun, because the setting is well crafted, and the upcoming plot points tend to be foreshadowed nicely. I guessed at some of them (and then got to feel smart!), but failed to notice others (and then thought the author was smart!).

It also always makes me happy to see LGBT (and, no, the "T" isn't silent) characters whose orientation and gender aren't a main focus of the story--they get to be just as real and just as complex as straight & cis characters. McGuire does that well, in everything of hers that I've read.

Overall, A++, great read, will read again when more of them are released. :)

Update, a year later: still my favorite series.