Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire

April 27th, 2017 Kimberly Review 52 Comments

27th Apr
Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire
Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day
by Seanan McGuire
Genres: Paranormal
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

When her sister Patty died, Jenna blamed herself. When Jenna died, she blamed herself for that, too. Unfortunately Jenna died too soon. Living or dead, every soul is promised a certain amount of time, and when Jenna passed she found a heavy debt of time in her record. Unwilling to simply steal that time from the living, Jenna earns every day she leeches with volunteer work at a suicide prevention hotline.

But something has come for the ghosts of New York, something beyond reason, beyond death, beyond hope; something that can bind ghosts to mirrors and make them do its bidding. Only Jenna stands in its way.

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I enjoy the writings of Seanan McGuire and those under her pen name Mira Grant. When I saw the book, DUSK OR DARK OR DAWN OR DAY, I immediately one-clicked. McGuire offers a unique take on ghosts that took us from the cornfields of Kansas to the inner city streets of New York. A brilliant world and concept that left me hankering for more.

From its cool concept regarding ghosts and witches, I found myself wanting more of this world McGuire created.  We meet Jenna, who as a teen died after her sister Patty committed suicide. Jenna ends up living in New York. Without giving too much away, when a person passes before their “end date,” they become a ghost with a debt of time owed to this plane.  To move on, she must give time to humans. While most humans would gladly have their life extended by a week or even years, Jenna feels the time she gives must be earned. She volunteers at a suicide prevention hotline.

There are many supernatural creatures in this world who all avoid interacting with Witches. The witches can trap ghosts and are feared by them.  However, Jenna friends Delia, a corn witch who owns a local dinner. When all of the ghosts in the city suddenly go missing Jenna and Delia investigate.

McGuire’s story is rich, well written and as always fascinating. She mixed ghostly myths and beliefs while adding her own spin regarding spirits. I wish this tale were full-length, as so many scenes could have been expanded. I enjoyed DUSK OR DARK OR DAWN OR DAY but felt the ending was rushed and the climatic battle could have been so much more. The bits that were shared were brilliant, dark and had me holding my breath, but I wanted a full meal and was only treated to an appetizer. I am going to hope that this was only the beginning and that McGuire satisfies my appetite with a main course.

Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire offered an interesting twist on Ghosts that left me wanting more... Click To Tweet
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

52 Responses to “Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire”

  1. Kay

    This sounds really unique! I may have to give a try simply out of curiosity.

  2. Leona

    Ghosts have never really been my thing but I am definitely intrigued by this story. You rarely ever get just ghosts and witches usually there’s a vampire mixed in somewhere. It’s also good know that she writes under Mira Grant, I’ll be checking out her work under both names. Thanks for the review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love her Grant books Leona, and usually, her novellas are well done, I just wanted more. The concept with the witches and particularly ghosts was unique.

  3. Lark

    Oh, it’s so frustrating when a book is good but rushed or leaves you feeling like there should have been more! Good review; you captured both that feeling and the things that really worked for you. I have heard such good things about McGuire’s books but haven’t taken the plunge yet. I’ll probably start with the InCryptid series because I’ve been told it’s the lightest (and as you know, I don’t do dark very well.) But I’m also really intrigued by her Toby Daye series.

  4. Jan

    I saw this book when it came out and meant to put it on my list to get sometime, but then forgot about it. Great review! I’m sorry it left you wanting more, but good to know and hope she writes more set in this world.

  5. Cyn

    Oh that does sound like an interesting concept! That’s too bad it didn’t quite blow you away. I didn’t know that Mira Grant was her pen name! I hope that there’s more and it gets better and better for you! Lovely review, Kim!

  6. Katherine

    What a cool concept! It is too bad that the ending was rushed and left you wanting more. Hopefully there will be more from this world because it sounds amazing.

  7. Angie

    I’m glad to see you enjoyed this one, Kim, It doesn’t sound like my cup of tea, but there is another series by this author that I do want to try.

    Great review!

  8. Michele & Mckenzie

    This sounds like such a great concept! It definitely seems like our kind of read; we’ll be adding this one to the TBR. Sorry it didn’t give you everything you wanted — maybe the author will write more about this world after all. Thanks for putting this one on our radar! 🙂

  9. Sophia Rose

    I have yet to read one of her books and I’ve got all her series on the wish list for someday. This does sound like a neat take on ghosts and suspense. Bummer it needed a tad more teasing out. Maybe a series will come. 🙂

  10. Heidi

    No doubt, Mcguire is extremely talented. I haven’t seen this one, but you have me wanting it. I loved her Open Door book last year, but like this one it was far too short.

  11. Lorna

    Oh this does sound good. Is it a novella then? Or just a short book that needed so much more. It you found it wanting, than I am sure I would as well. Anyway, it does sound really different 🙂

  12. Stormi Johnson

    First, I didn’t know she was Mira Grant…lol. Even knowing that I still haven’t tried this author but really want too! Sighs. One of these days. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this one even though the ending was rushed, I hate that too.

  13. Debbie Haupt

    This one intrigues me Kim. I love it when an author goes outside the paranormal/urban fantasy box and this one looks like it did.
    Thanks

  14. Lily B

    aww it sounds super fun and unique but.. this looks like a standalone and it disappoints me to hear the ending was rushed

  15. kindlemom1

    Wait, how did I not know that was her pen name? It is so hard for me to resist ghost stories and I don’t even know why. I really think I need to grab this one. I’m kind of nervous that you wanted more from the world but maybe if I’m not expecting too much it will work for me.

  16. Nadene

    It is for reasons like these why I am not a big fan of novellas. I realise that not all authors can pull it off without compromising the ending and certain events within the story. I am glad that inspite of the issues you encountered, you were still able to enjoy the story, whcih based on your review had lots of potential.

  17. Nick

    It definitely sounds like a cool and interesting concept, Kim. I’ve been craving a book with ghosts and witches, so I might give this a try. It’s a shame about the ending though. I hate when that happens!
    Great review! 🙂

  18. Ksenia

    I don’t read a lot of paranormal titles, but for me this premise sounds unique and interesting. Though looks like it suffers a little of novella syndrome – not enough pages for a fully satisfying story. I think I’ll wait if the author decide to write a continuation, thanks for putting this story on my radar, Kim!

  19. Geybie's Book Blog

    Awesome review, Kim. Sorry this didn’t work for you but I’m glad you at least enjoyed it a little bit. Lack of details when they are necessary for us to connect to the story is frustrating sometimes. I felt it in the recent book I read.