Desperate Plea from the Past

October "Toby" Daye, a changeling private investigator, is thrust into a perilous investigation when she receives a series of desperate voicemails from Evening Winterrose, a powerful fae Countess. Evening's voice, filled with terror, pleads for Toby's assistance, culminating in a binding curse that compels Toby to solve Evening's murder. The urgency and fear in Evening's messages leave Toby with no choice but to accept the dangerous task, setting the stage for a journey into the heart of fae politics and power struggles.

A Murder and a Binding

Toby arrives at the crime scene, Evening's apartment, where the use of iron—a deadly weapon to fae—has left its mark. The night-haunts have replaced Evening's body with a human replica, but the blood remains, allowing Toby to use her Daoine Sidhe abilities to taste the death. This harrowing experience reveals Evening's fear and the presence of a key, but no clear image of her killers. The scene underscores the lethal nature of the fae world and the challenges Toby faces in her quest for justice.

Shadows of the Past Resurface

With the Queen of the Mists refusing assistance, Toby turns to Devin, her former lover and leader of a changeling refuge known as Home. Despite their complicated history, Devin agrees to help, but at a cost. The visit to Home stirs memories of Toby's past and the choices that led her away from the fae world. Devin's willingness to assist is a reminder of the ties Toby thought she had severed, highlighting the complex web of relationships that define her life.

A Dangerous Alliance

Toby discovers a hope chest, a legendary fae artifact, hidden in Evening's office. Realizing its power and the danger it poses, she seeks out Tybalt, the King of Cats, to safeguard it. Despite their mutual dislike, Toby trusts Tybalt's honor to keep the chest safe. Tybalt's promise binds him to protect the chest, adding another layer of complexity to Toby's quest and illustrating the intricate alliances within the fae world.

Secrets Hidden in Shadows

Toby visits Sylvester Torquill, her liege, to inform him of Evening's death. The reunion is bittersweet, with Sylvester expressing relief at Toby's return but sorrow over Evening's murder. Rayseline, Sylvester's daughter, reacts with unsettling laughter, hinting at deeper issues. The visit underscores the political and personal tensions within the fae community, complicating Toby's investigation and revealing the fragile balance of power.

The Key to Goldengreen

The key Toby found with the rose goblin is linked to Goldengreen, Evening's knowe. The key's significance becomes clear as Toby realizes it may unlock secrets crucial to solving the murder. The journey to Goldengreen is fraught with danger, as Toby must navigate the treacherous politics of the fae world while under the pressure of Evening's binding curse, highlighting the stakes involved in her quest.

A Hope Chest's Temptation

The hope chest's legendary power to alter a changeling's nature tempts Toby, but she resists opening it. The chest's presence is a constant reminder of the stakes involved and the lengths someone went to obtain it. Toby's resolve to find Evening's killers is strengthened, knowing the hope chest's secrets could change the balance of power in the fae world, emphasizing the theme of temptation and restraint.

Sylvester's Urgent Summons

Sylvester Torquill, Duke of Shadowed Hills, summons Toby to his court, worried about his niece, January, who has not been in contact for weeks. Sylvester tasks Toby with traveling to Fremont to check on January, the Countess of Tamed Lightning. The political tension between neighboring Duchies makes this a delicate mission. Toby, still recovering from recent events, reluctantly agrees, knowing the importance of family ties and the potential danger lurking in the shadows.

A Deadly Encounter on the Bridge

On her way to Fremont, Toby is ambushed on the Bay Bridge by a mysterious figure hiding in her backseat. The intruder's intentions are deadly, and a high-speed chase ensues. Toby's quick thinking and reckless driving manage to shake off the attacker, but not without sustaining injuries. The encounter leaves her shaken and more determined to uncover the truth behind the threats against her life, illustrating the constant danger she faces.

The Luidaeg's Cryptic Guidance

Seeking answers, Toby visits the Luidaeg, a powerful and ancient fae known for her cryptic wisdom. The Luidaeg reveals that Toby's blood curse is intricately tied to the events surrounding Evening's death. She hints at a deeper conspiracy and advises Toby to seek the truth in the blood of those involved. The Luidaeg's guidance is both a blessing and a curse, as it forces Toby to confront the dangerous path ahead, emphasizing the theme of knowledge and its burdens.

Betrayal Unveiled at Home

Toby returns to Home, the refuge for changelings, only to discover that Devin, her former lover and mentor, is behind the attempts on her life. Devin's ambition to obtain the powerful hope chest led him to betray Toby and orchestrate Evening's murder. The revelation is a devastating blow, shattering Toby's trust and forcing her to confront the man she once loved, highlighting the themes of betrayal and loss.

A Final Confrontation

Armed with the knowledge of Devin's betrayal, Toby confronts him at Home. The confrontation turns violent, with Devin attempting to manipulate and kill Toby. In a desperate struggle, Toby is forced to defend herself, ultimately leading to Devin's death. The victory is bittersweet, as Toby grapples with the loss of her former life and the realization that the fae world is more treacherous than she ever imagined, underscoring the harsh realities of her existence.

Characters

October "Toby" Daye

Toby is a changeling private investigator caught between the mortal and fae worlds. Her past failures haunt her, but Evening's binding curse forces her to confront her fears and seek justice. Her complex relationships with figures like Devin and Tybalt highlight her struggle to navigate the dangerous politics of the fae, illustrating her resilience and determination.

Evening Winterrose

Evening is a powerful Daoine Sidhe whose murder sets the story in motion. Her desperate plea to Toby and the binding curse she leaves behind reveal her fear and the importance of the secrets she guarded. Her death exposes the fragile balance of power within the fae community, serving as a catalyst for the unfolding events.

Sylvester Torquill

Sylvester is the Duke of Shadowed Hills and Toby's liege. His relief at Toby's return is tempered by the sorrow of Evening's death. His court is a place of refuge and political intrigue, reflecting the complexities of fae society and the intricate web of alliances and loyalties that define it.

Luna Torquill

Luna, Sylvester's wife, is a Kitsune with a deep bond to her gardens. Her calm demeanor masks the trauma of her past, and her support for Toby underscores the importance of loyalty and friendship in the fae world, highlighting the theme of resilience in the face of adversity.

Rayseline Torquill

Rayseline, Sylvester and Luna's daughter, is marked by her time away from the fae world. Her unsettling reaction to Evening's death hints at deeper issues, adding tension to the court's dynamics and complicating Toby's investigation, illustrating the theme of hidden darkness within the fae.

Tybalt

Tybalt is the King of Cats, a powerful and enigmatic figure. Despite his disdain for Toby, he agrees to guard the hope chest, bound by his promise. His involvement adds a layer of complexity to Toby's quest, as their mutual distrust is tempered by necessity, highlighting the theme of unlikely alliances.

Devin

Devin is the leader of Home and Toby's former lover. His ambition and desire for power lead him to betray Toby, orchestrating a series of events that put her life in danger. Devin's treachery is a pivotal turning point, forcing Toby to confront the darker aspects of the fae world and the theme of betrayal.

Connor O'Dell

Connor is an Undersea emissary and Rayseline's husband. His past with Toby adds emotional complexity to their interactions, as he navigates his duties and personal feelings. His presence in the court highlights the interconnectedness of the fae world and the theme of divided loyalties.

Quentin

Quentin is a Daoine Sidhe page serving at Shadowed Hills. His interactions with Toby reveal his naivety and the rigid expectations placed on young fae. His character represents the potential for change within the fae hierarchy, illustrating the theme of growth and transformation.

The Luidaeg

The Luidaeg is a powerful and enigmatic figure, offering Toby guidance in her quest for answers. Her knowledge of blood magic and the fae's ancient history makes her a valuable ally, though her motives remain shrouded in mystery, highlighting the theme of knowledge and its burdens.

Manuel and Dare

Manuel and Dare are changelings under Devin's care, loyal to Toby despite the danger. Their involvement highlights the vulnerability of changelings in the fae world and the difficult choices they must make to survive, illustrating the theme of loyalty and survival.

Plot Devices

Binding Curse

Evening's binding curse forces Toby to investigate her murder, regardless of the danger. The curse is a powerful motivator, driving the narrative and highlighting the inescapable nature of fae promises. It underscores the theme of duty and the consequences of broken oaths, serving as a catalyst for the story's events.

Hope Chest

The hope chest is a mythical object capable of altering a changeling's nature. Its existence challenges the boundaries between myth and reality, serving as a catalyst for the story's events. The chest's power and the temptation it represents are central to the narrative's tension, illustrating the theme of temptation and restraint.

Key to Goldengreen

The key Toby finds is linked to Goldengreen, Evening's knowe. It symbolizes the hidden truths and the complexity of the fae world, guiding Toby's investigation. The key's significance is tied to the hope chest and the broader mystery of Evening's death, highlighting the theme of discovery and revelation.

Blood Magic

Blood magic is central to the story, with Toby's curse and the events surrounding Evening's death intricately tied to it. The use of blood as a plot device underscores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the inescapable ties that bind the fae, illustrating the power and danger of ancient magic.

Analysis

"Rosemary and Rue" by Seanan McGuire delves into the intricate world of fae politics, exploring themes of loyalty, power, and identity. Through Toby's journey, the narrative examines the complexities of duty and the consequences of broken promises. The binding curse and the hope chest serve as powerful symbols of the inescapable nature of fae obligations and the temptation of power. The story highlights the fragile balance of power within the fae community and the personal struggles of its characters, offering a modern take on the classic themes of betrayal and redemption. McGuire's work invites readers to reflect on the nature of identity and the choices that define us, set against the backdrop of a richly imagined fae world.

Last updated: February 24, 2025