When I read the author's note at the beginning, where McGuire says this is the book she plotted first, the book she's been working up to, I was surprised. 8 books to get to the point?

After reading it, I can confidently say, yes, really, 8 books to get to the point. She needed every one, and it was well worth it. As always, the world McGuire has built is complex, and fascinating. The characters are our old favorites, at their best, kicking ass, almost dieing, and saving the world. (I don't think that's a spoiler, since every single October Daye book involves kicking ass, almost dieing and saving the world. That's not a spoiler for book 8). McGuire ups the ante, building on the things that made me love Toby from book one.