Review: One Salt Sea by Seannan McGuire

I saw One Salt Sea had come out yesterday. I've been kind of waiting for this book because I have enjoyed the earlier books in the series. I like this world, and I enjoy the way new aspects of it are fleshed out with each succeeding book, and I have gotten fond of some of the recurring characters (well, a lot of the recurring characters, actually.)

So as it turned out that pretty much put paid to the rest of the day. Fortunately I didn't have anything that had to be done *yesterday* (though I have some catching up to do.) Because then this began and I had to finish the book to finish it:

One Salt Sea
lyrics and melody by Catherine Faber
(capo 3)  mp3 here
_a cappella_ mp3 here

     Dm                             Gm
The Hollow Hill's a stew it seems; cats have manned the walls;
 C                              Dm     C        Dm
Bogies cling to ceiling beams; pixies roam the halls
 Dm                           Gm                 C
Quarter-bloods don't shiver; Changelings mingle free
   C                            F   Am   Dm
As every rushing river runs to one salt sea

    Dm                         Gm             Dm
   Blood to blood is calling, salt and water flow
    Dm    C       Dm      C       Gm             Am
   Closer to the sea, as farther back in time we go.
    Dm                          Gm                 Dm
   Blood for blood is calling; tears more tears decree,
      C                            F   Am  Dm
   As every rushing river runs to one salt sea.


The past in all its starkness―the traces lay it plain:
Children trapped in darkness, boxes full of pain,
A single silver sliver; they paint the scene for me--
As every rushing river runs to one salt sea

The kingdoms gird for slaughter; this won't be done in play.
Lives are spilled like water in war among the fae.
All eagerness, they quiver, deaf to wisdom's plea,
As every rushing river runs to one salt sea

Two, the ocean races, that of one blood remain;
A single skin encases the slayer and the slain.
But blood will blood deliver, though later comes the fee,
As every rushing river runs to one salt sea

So that's my review of One Salt Sea, October Daye's latest adventure.  One Salt Sea is available from Amazon or in your friendly local bookstore!