I walked away from Rosemary and Rue with conflicting feelings. The plot had great potential, but the execution left something to be desired. October "Toby" Daye, our protagonist, is a changeling private investigator, but her detective work left much to be desired. Throughout the book, she hops from one person or location to the next, seeking clues for her investigation, but for the most part, she doesn’t uncover anything new. Instead, I felt like I was being drowned in excessive descriptions of habits, traditions, and behavioral patterns that took precedence over Toby’s story.

While I understand that this book serves as an introduction to a complex world, the delivery felt off-balance. The backstory and world-building were intriguing, and by the end, I was engaged once again—the conclusion certainly redeemed some of the slower sections. McGuire clearly put a lot of effort into crafting this fae world, so I’m hopeful that the next book in the series will have more consistent pacing and sharper execution.

One aspect I struggled with was Toby’s relationship with Devin. Toby was abused by Devin when she was younger, yet during her encounters with him, there’s a troubling tension as she experiences sexual arousal around him. I understand that Toby is tied to this halfway house and Devin for help, given her lack of other options, but her attraction to him felt uncomfortable, especially since he continues to exploit others. The idea of returning to an abuser for assistance could have been explored with depth, but the way her emotions played out left me uneasy.

By the end, I reluctantly admitted that I was more bored than engaged. The plot holes, inconsistent details, and dangling subplots pulled me out of what initially felt like an immersive experience. Despite the strong world-building, I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series, but there’s enough intrigue in the world that I might give it another chance.