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This was recommended by a friend (to a whole group of people, not to me specifically), so, after some waffling, I read it. And then I waffled about whether or not to talk about the fact that I've read it. (CW: sex, consent, references to slavery)

It's several shades more hardcore anything else I've read in the erotica genre (this isn't even a little bit "romance," let's not kid ourselves) (haha, I said "shades"), and it is also, uh, not for me. Turns out, the idea of full-time submissives is far more repellant to me than I'd realized, especially when they're referred to outright as "slaves."

Honestly? The hottest thing in the whole book is the fact that the master and mistress of the house each have their own wing. (:fans self:) And, although I'll admit that the second hottest thing was indeed a sex scene, it was the one consensual scene, between equals, in the whole book.

That all said, the psychology of it was fascinating, and that was ultimately why I kept reading. The characters changed in interesting ways, some of which I'd characterize as "growth," some of it not. I don't know that that's enough to carry me through the rest of the trilogy, when I'm disturbed by a lot of the action (:cough:), but it might be.

*Everything is technically consensual, because these folks signed themselves up to be sex slaves, knowing what they were in for, and they had lots of chances to stop and leave and not do that anymore. It turns out I'm super into in-the-moment consent, though, too.

There are some things I really, really like about A Local Habitation -- some great new side characters are introduced, and two we've already met get further development. Toby learns more about her own powers. The Luidaeg makes a brief appearance. And for audiobook fans, Mary Robinette Kowal's performance is fantastic. It's worth reading!

But, on my third read-through, I have come to the conclusion that it's probably the weakest book in the entire (currently ten book) series. There are too many things happening that the reader figures out before the protagonist does, which makes the whole thing feel a little bit slower than it should. Also, this might just be me, but I hate the Olsens and their whole plot arc (except for the bit right near the end that's all Toby and zero Olsen).

It's still worth reading, and I like some of the ideas it tries to explore. But it's possible I'll skip this one on my (inevitable) fourth read-through of the series.

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.