You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
OMG! This book of the Dresden Files books was just punch after punch of catharsis, reveals and developments. Many storylines converged in this plot and it almost read like a wrap up of the series until that ending. WOW!
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm rounding up to four stars; Butcher has earned that right. Also, fair warning, if you haven't seen all of Xena or Buffy (the televisions series), the end of this review will contain spoilers for both. (Don't say I didn't tell, cause I did).
Things I didn't like
1. The power boosts (but see below) and the fact that Harry is the smartest wizard. If he ran the Council, no problems! (Snort. There is no below for the second part of number 1).
2. Harry's increasing special status. Even Odin likes him! Harry was nice because he was an everyman, something that very few heroes in this genre are. He's lost that. Making him more special has made him less special and less unique in the genre.
3. Mouse talking.
4. The feeling that it was guest stars galore. It felt like everyone in the Dresden universe was showing up, like Butcher was going down a checklist. But dude, you left out the werewolves! They would have made sense (but consider number 5 in this section, maybe that's why. Georgina don't play that).
5. The fact that every woman in the story either (a) wants (b) is in love with (c) has had (d)all of the above Harry.
6. The Red Court ending. Dresden didn't have time to find another vampire instead of Susan? His godmother couldn't have pressed the hold button or something? (Additionally, I'm tired of the man having to kill his wife/true love for the greater good, was the minute they used it in the Battlestar redo series). I do give Butcher credit for ending the whole too long war and for showing the cost to Harry's pysche.
7. Maggie (but see also below). I'm sorry, as Callista has pointed out, she doesn't quite make sense because (a) how can a half vampire have a child? Quasi-immorality and long term PMS because you still have your period? If that was the case, Susan would have fully turned long ago. (b) Why would Maggie be a normal child if her mother was a half-vampire? (c) Why would Susan give up Maggie to protect her but still visit Maggie? Wouldn't that defeat the whole secret thing?
8. The whole Martin as traitor thing. First, Susan is not that dumb. Second, it was nice having a guy who Harry didn't like be a good, especailly after the death of Morgan. Having Martin as the bad guy means that if Harry doesn't like them, they're evil. It is never that simple.
9. Might be in a minority with this one but, the whole idea of Murphy and Dresden hooking up doesn't thrill me. Sorry. Butcher has covered that romantic idea too much. He should just leave them as friends.
Things I liked
1. The very end. Butcher might have powered up Dresden, but Harry got taken out in a way that made sense (see also last section)
2. Harry's Fairy Godmother saving his ass when he didn't even know it.
3. Murphy with a sword. Murphy is the best thing about this series.
4. Bob, the action skull.
5. Butters and his underwear.
6. LOTR casting
7. Susan kicking ass (with a sword!)
8. Harry as a father. Maggie might not have made sense, but Harry's reactions fit him perfectly. Butcher showed us cost in the Winter Knight among others. (and was anyone surprsied by the revelation of Harry's grandfather?)
9. Harry not being the target of the spell.
10. Harry leaving Chicago
11. Martin's comment about the Council not caring about poor kids.
12. Mister and Harry's landlady
13. Sanya (though he sounded too much Colussus from X-Men).
14. Tilly a.k.a Slim. Why would Murphy want Harry if she could have Slim? A guy who takes her word and her bond! Simply because it is hers. He's awesome. Murphy, go get Tilly.
15. Murphy with a sword and then having reservations about it!
The one thing I have reservations about
I have to give kudos to Butcher for killing Dresden, but I'm nervous about it. Is it going to be Xena or Buffy?
How many times did Xena die? I lost count. But if she could come back so many times, why couldn't her son, Gabby's husband, or Hercules' family? Even after Xena truly died in the finale, they were still talking about bringing her back yet again. It become a joke, stupid, pointless, whatever. Death should never be whatever. It's why returns from the dead usually feel like cop outs (think the sequel to Jurassic Park, the book not the movie).
Yet, Buffy pulled off. Buffy's death meant something not only in terms of the plot of the series but as well as the symbolism of the show switching networks. It didn't feel like a stunt; the plot fit it. When Willow returned Buffy to life, there was a huge cost for the first. It affected thier relationships, all of them, and the cost to both Willow and Buffy played out over the whole season, even into the next one. Buffy's death was heroic and heart-rending; her return to life and the aftermath of that was tragic and heart-rending.
If Butcher goes the Xena route, ick! If Butcher goes the Buffy route, fine. If Butcher leaves Harry dead but uses him as a ghost, great. If Butcher returns Harry with all his powers intact, I'll be screaming unfair because of what happened to Luccio. It'll just make Dresden even more special, and I'll proably stop reading. Dresden back but with less powers, I can deal with.
Regardless, Butcher has at least earned the right for me to wait and see.
Things I didn't like
1. The power boosts (but see below) and the fact that Harry is the smartest wizard. If he ran the Council, no problems! (Snort. There is no below for the second part of number 1).
2. Harry's increasing special status. Even Odin likes him! Harry was nice because he was an everyman, something that very few heroes in this genre are. He's lost that. Making him more special has made him less special and less unique in the genre.
3. Mouse talking.
4. The feeling that it was guest stars galore. It felt like everyone in the Dresden universe was showing up, like Butcher was going down a checklist. But dude, you left out the werewolves! They would have made sense (but consider number 5 in this section, maybe that's why. Georgina don't play that).
5. The fact that every woman in the story either (a) wants (b) is in love with (c) has had (d)all of the above Harry.
6. The Red Court ending. Dresden didn't have time to find another vampire instead of Susan? His godmother couldn't have pressed the hold button or something? (Additionally, I'm tired of the man having to kill his wife/true love for the greater good, was the minute they used it in the Battlestar redo series). I do give Butcher credit for ending the whole too long war and for showing the cost to Harry's pysche.
7. Maggie (but see also below). I'm sorry, as Callista has pointed out, she doesn't quite make sense because (a) how can a half vampire have a child? Quasi-immorality and long term PMS because you still have your period? If that was the case, Susan would have fully turned long ago. (b) Why would Maggie be a normal child if her mother was a half-vampire? (c) Why would Susan give up Maggie to protect her but still visit Maggie? Wouldn't that defeat the whole secret thing?
8. The whole Martin as traitor thing. First, Susan is not that dumb. Second, it was nice having a guy who Harry didn't like be a good, especailly after the death of Morgan. Having Martin as the bad guy means that if Harry doesn't like them, they're evil. It is never that simple.
9. Might be in a minority with this one but, the whole idea of Murphy and Dresden hooking up doesn't thrill me. Sorry. Butcher has covered that romantic idea too much. He should just leave them as friends.
Things I liked
1. The very end. Butcher might have powered up Dresden, but Harry got taken out in a way that made sense (see also last section)
2. Harry's Fairy Godmother saving his ass when he didn't even know it.
3. Murphy with a sword. Murphy is the best thing about this series.
4. Bob, the action skull.
5. Butters and his underwear.
6. LOTR casting
7. Susan kicking ass (with a sword!)
8. Harry as a father. Maggie might not have made sense, but Harry's reactions fit him perfectly. Butcher showed us cost in the Winter Knight among others. (and was anyone surprsied by the revelation of Harry's grandfather?)
9. Harry not being the target of the spell.
10. Harry leaving Chicago
11. Martin's comment about the Council not caring about poor kids.
12. Mister and Harry's landlady
13. Sanya (though he sounded too much Colussus from X-Men).
14. Tilly a.k.a Slim. Why would Murphy want Harry if she could have Slim? A guy who takes her word and her bond! Simply because it is hers. He's awesome. Murphy, go get Tilly.
15. Murphy with a sword and then having reservations about it!
The one thing I have reservations about
I have to give kudos to Butcher for killing Dresden, but I'm nervous about it. Is it going to be Xena or Buffy?
How many times did Xena die? I lost count. But if she could come back so many times, why couldn't her son, Gabby's husband, or Hercules' family? Even after Xena truly died in the finale, they were still talking about bringing her back yet again. It become a joke, stupid, pointless, whatever. Death should never be whatever. It's why returns from the dead usually feel like cop outs (think the sequel to Jurassic Park, the book not the movie).
Yet, Buffy pulled off. Buffy's death meant something not only in terms of the plot of the series but as well as the symbolism of the show switching networks. It didn't feel like a stunt; the plot fit it. When Willow returned Buffy to life, there was a huge cost for the first. It affected thier relationships, all of them, and the cost to both Willow and Buffy played out over the whole season, even into the next one. Buffy's death was heroic and heart-rending; her return to life and the aftermath of that was tragic and heart-rending.
If Butcher goes the Xena route, ick! If Butcher goes the Buffy route, fine. If Butcher leaves Harry dead but uses him as a ghost, great. If Butcher returns Harry with all his powers intact, I'll be screaming unfair because of what happened to Luccio. It'll just make Dresden even more special, and I'll proably stop reading. Dresden back but with less powers, I can deal with.
Regardless, Butcher has at least earned the right for me to wait and see.
Reading this through a second time, its hard not to scream at myself for seeing the very obvious set up at the end. Ah, hindsight.
For me, this is the darkest most tragic book yet. Harry risks everything to save someone dear to him; someone he never knew existed. He is willing to put everything on the line. Knowing he may not survive, he takes drastic action and makes deals that will change his life forever and possibly turn him into something he never wanted to be. New family secrets are revealed and unexpected alliances are made. In the end, not only Harry's life but all those around him will be changed forever. Will the death curse, "die alone", that was cast on him finally be realized? My heart is breaking for Harry. I hope there will be a way for him to once again be reunited with all those who have come to mean so much to him. I hope Mouse and Mister can still have a place in his life. I know Harry's story is not over, and I know he is resilient and resourceful. I'll just have to see where the next step takes him
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For me, this book is the "Empire Strikes Back" of the series. Epic things happen, but this isn't the end of the story.
The plot was interesting. I had issues with Susan popping in and out of the story. She is a major part of the book, but she keeps disappearing at moments that seem crucial. I also got a bit frustrated with Harry's persistent misuse of the word never. Aargh!!! I didn't get bored with this story. I was almost shocked when it ended.
The narration by James Marsters is still entertaining. He does have a tendency to pronounce words oddly to me, but I am from the Midwest, where we believe that our pronunciations are the only right way to speak. (Insert eye roll here.)
The book was an adventure, and I have already started on the next one.
The plot was interesting. I had issues with Susan popping in and out of the story. She is a major part of the book, but she keeps disappearing at moments that seem crucial. I also got a bit frustrated with Harry's persistent misuse of the word never. Aargh!!! I didn't get bored with this story. I was almost shocked when it ended.
The narration by James Marsters is still entertaining. He does have a tendency to pronounce words oddly to me, but I am from the Midwest, where we believe that our pronunciations are the only right way to speak. (Insert eye roll here.)
The book was an adventure, and I have already started on the next one.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
This is the book where I‘m always in tears at the end. I remember that I was shocked when I read it the first time and there hadn’t been another book released yet. After all these years it’s still fantastic, I loved the story and it’s still a favourite. 5 stars.