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I agree with the "Alera Ate Jim's Brain" reviewer, as well as another reviewer who hoped that the characters would wake up in the next book and find that this episode had been a dream. A friend recommended the Dresden series to me as vacation reading during my christmas break. What happened to Harry's inner monologues that gave so much insight into his character and allowed us to see him as a human. I read the first book and was hooked :) That being said, this book disappointed me. The style and tone of the writing seemed vastly different (and inferior) to the previous books. What happened to the depth of the relationships between Harry and Thomas, Harry and Murphy, Harry and his apprentice Molly. The whole story just felt off.
Good job keeping the quality up in a long series. I think someone could pick this up as thier first Dresden book and it would still make sense.I like the humor and action in these novels.
The dialog was subtle and in-character. I've read many of the Dresden series and think this is one of the best.
Without being obvious, the author brought me up to date. The narrative was detailed and informative.
I felt like I hadn't taken a break from reading his books. The chracters have depth or are purposely shallow, which Harry points out is part of their nature.
I think I will look up the ones that I missed.
And this time, even God's personal hit squad may be outclassed, because evil has tapped a source of power much greater than anything Harry ever imagined.Not only is the story relentless in its epic scope and iron drive, but the writing is first rate. I was able to shave a great deal of time off reading because I didn't have to squint and reread. The war of the Unseelie Accord has just gone up a notch. After ten years, this series is nowhere near played out.It's bad enough that monsters are attacking Harry's best friend's family, and the latest crime scene he's consulting on has signs of magic much greater than his, but the Winter Queen decides to call in one of her markers. Despite the ever-expanding magnitude of this series, Jim Butcher has a large enough palette that he doesn't yet risk running short of ideas. I've grown cynical, but this is an author and a series I'm willing to stand behind. As I age and my eyesight continues to dim, the traditional size is harder to read. He really takes readers on a wild ride and returns us tired, wrung out, and ready for more.May I also digress to say, I'm glad the publisher has gone over to a slightly larger paperback format.
But Jim Butcher and Harry Dresden only get bigger and better, expanding into new and more powerful territory. In only a sentence, he can make you feel tension, exhilaration, or dread. This story name-checks most of Harry Dresden's gallery of allies and enemies in a story that gives Harry new toys to play with and promises even greater scope in the near future. That only increased my enjoyment of the pulse-pounding tension, since I could keep with it straight through.By book ten, many series feel really tired (think Robert Jordan). Jim Butcher is master of the telling detail, one or two descriptive phrases that can open up a view on so much more. And he does it all without sacrificing Harry's grim, sardonic voice. This may be the best book in the series yet, and it only promises more in the future. As a part-time writer, I only dream of being this awesome when I grow up.
As this 10th volume of the DRESDEN FILES opens an early snowfall has inspired Harry to combine a training session for his apprentice Molly with a snowball fight including her family. Due to these numerous and ongoing subplots this series needs to be read in order, beginning with STORM FRONT. Butcher has created a remarkable detailed universe for this series, one that centers on Chicago, more or less as we mortals experience it (although populated with Wizards, vampires and fairies) and stretching into the magical Nevernever.
Harry's problems with the Gruffs seem small though after Queen Mab decides to call in one of the two favors Harry owes her, a not so small matter involving Gentleman Johnny Marcone and the Summer Court. His sarcastic comments lend a comic note to his adventures which are often punctuated by fierce battles. The happy romp in the snow quickly turns terrifying when the Billy Goats Gruff appear.
Harry is the typical, smart mouthed PI, often at odds with the powers that be, both mortal and magical as he attempts to find justice for those around him. Harry knows that this small favor was going to cause him no end of trouble but it is really an offer he cannot refuse. What he did not realize was just how costly this project would be.THE DRESDEN FILES is a series of urban fantasy novels featuring Wizard/Private Investigator Harry Dresden and his ever expanding circle of friends, family and enemies.
The ongoing story arcs involving the large cast of secondary characters will keep the reader looking for the next volume in the series. Some background information is included in each novel but skipping around the series will either confuse the reader or spoil surprises.
As Always, Jim Butcher has written a book I could not put down. Curse him for my sleepy face at work all week.
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