Read Along: A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire – Week Two

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| Week Two |

Welcome to the Read Along of A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire, organised by Lisa at Over the Effing Rainbow.

Welcome to the second post in the A Local Habitation Read Along! Despite some minor teething issues, so far, so good! The story is really starting to kick into the action and presents a whole heap of mysterious happenings and suspicious characters to rattle your cage. This week the lovely Lynn of Lynn’s Books is hosting and has many a juicy question to explore!

If anyone would like to join in, just head on over to the Goodreads group and sign up. Here’s how the schedule looks:

Week 1 (Saturday 5th March)

Chapters 1-9 – hosted by Over the Effing Rainbow

Week 2 (Saturday 12th March)

Chapters 10-18 – hosted by Lynn’s Books

Week 3 (Saturday 19th March)

Chapters 19-25 – hosted by Books by Proxy (me!)

Week 4 (Saturday 26th March)

Chapters 26-End – hosted by The Bibliosanctum

There will be spoilers!

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| Week Two Rating |

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| The Questions |

| 1. |

ALH is a very odd place – what do you make of it so far and it’s inhabitants? It has a different feel to the last book doesn’t it?

A Local Habitation is most definitely another creature when compared to its predecessor. The combination of magic and technology, as well as a location removed from the city, give it an altogether different feel. Much like the prologue in Rosemary and Rue, there have been moments up to this point where I wasn’t feeling the storyline and Toby’s voice failed to connect with me on some levels. This is partially due to the ‘I’m Batman, I’m not a hero, this is just what I do’ vibe that she’s currently giving off – call me British but I much prefer the self-loathing.

However, not all is doom and gloom! There have been some corking moments thus far and as the drama and tension increase so too do my levels of excitement and intrigue. The line of suspicion which is carried through the narrative builds a tense atmosphere and the labyrinthine ALH makes for a very interesting location. I also love my fair share of weird and wonderful characters so the strangeness and diversity of the inhabitants makes for fascinating reading and adds yet another dimension to the populace of the Summerlands. Here’s hoping by the next section I’ll be so engrossed in the storyline that the negatives are no longer noticeable.

| 2. |

There is certainly a lot going on at ALH – different dynamics, what are your feelings on the people you’ve met. Anything at all about those remaining and those who have died.

My, my, they are a varied bunch aren’t they. First of all I’m really pleased to see Quentin have more of a role in this novel. The dynamic between him and Toby is both interesting and amusing, and having a partner in crime ( or un-crime?) gives a whole different flavour to A Local Habitation. The residents of ALH are a mixed and colourful lot, both dead and alive. Half-truths abound and the narrative practically brims with all those secrets bubbling beneath the surface. This section of the novel definitely goes some way to decrease suspicion in certain areas but – hello paranoia! – I’m not entirely convinced!

Last week I suspected that Alex and Terrie might be one and the same person but dismissed it as perhaps a silly and somewhat perverse suggestion. However this week I am utterly convinced that they are. Their never crossing paths, highly suspicious behaviour and creepy allure all combine to make a pair – or one – weird and slightly disturbing fae. However, January seems much more innocent in this section of the novel – just a girl in over her head – and April similarly seems a lot less creepy, despite her surprise appearances throughout (although she’s still on my radar!). Elliot seems to be losing control in all the chaos and Gordon has an interesting introduction. A snarky and bad tempered fae, she brings plenty of wit to the storyline and I quite enjoy her crotchety Coblynau ways.

As for the dead, Barbara’s double dealing seems a little obvious at this point so perhaps there is something more going on there. I find the thought of carrying about a Selkie skin highly disturbing (or any flayed skin to be honest), and the obvious fact that at least one of them should have been able to hold their own or fight back against whatever is hunting them makes for a confusing, exciting and tense situation.

| 3. |

The phone call with Tybalt. I was curious about his comment about Riordan and what do you think he intends to do next? We’re learning a little bit more about the Cat Sidhe – what do you think Tybalt’s next move will be?

Here kitty, kitty. Poor Tybalt and his bruised ego – Toby sure knows how to rile him up – even if his concern for her likes to sneak through even his most snarky and sarcastic comments. Clearly Toby is keeping him grounded; can’t let all that power go to his head can we now.

I love how the Cait Sidhe are portrayed and it’s always wonderful to learn more about fae politics and motivations.  It’s interesting to see how far removed they are from the other fae but it certainly begs the question as to why Barbara would work for Riordan in the first place. As for what Tybalt will do as a result of it… well something tells me that he’s unlikely to leave Toby – or his jacket –  defenceless.

| 4. |

Barbara – what do you make of the new evidence that has come to light with her dealings with the Duchess of Dreamer’s Glass? What is she up to?

As raised in the previous point, it really does seem odd for a Cait Sidhe to become involved with the political games of other fae courts so, unless she was being framed, blackmailed or manipulated, I really couldn’t say what she was up to before her untimely demise! I’m particularly intrigued by Dreamer’s Glass and the Duchess though, both of which are a complete mystery to me! 

| 5. |

It looks like Toby is going to try and summon the Night Haunts? Any thoughts on how this will go and speculation about the Night Haunts?

I’ve been wondering about the Night Haunts ever since the first novel so I can’t wait for this side of the storyline. They conjure such dark and creepy imagery – what exactly do they do with the bodies? Eat them? And how do they go about making the replacement mannequins? Magic alone? – but I almost feel that the revelation of what they actually are will come as a complete surprise. In fact I think I’d be a little disappointed if they were the obvious.

| 6. |

Any guesses so far as to what’s going on?

I’m still completely in the dark. I definitely suspect Alex and Terrie of being the same person and I’m sure we’re not getting the full story when it comes to Barbara but other than that it’s just wild stabs in the dark… exactly something which Toby should be avoiding!

Stay tuned for the next instalment of this Read Along on 19^th March