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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
I wanted to love this…yeah, wanted to. Don’t get me wrong. I liked it. A lot. But this is the time for half stars (which gah you can’t give on goodreads). Why the half star? Well let me just say right now there is going to be a big spoiler in this review…but you can’t do the review without it. However, it’s also the first few lines of the book so… So why would I give this three and half stars over four, let me put that at the end.
Spoiler – Susan calls Harry to tell her they have an 8 y.o. daughter and she never told him. That already knocked one star off, the return of Susan. I hate Susan. I never once believed Harry was in love with her. It just never came across in the writing IMO and even if it did, I still strongly disliked her character and now I’m looking at a book nearly 450 pages long, all about Susan. Spiffy.
The red court vampires have Maggie and they are going to kill her naturally Harry has to react to this. He could hardly stand by and let his daughter die. You know this isn’t going to be easy and it’s anything but. Susan comes to meet Harry with Martin in tow, a half-red vampire like Susan, a bitten human who hasn’t fully turned. A pair of vampire assassins are also out to make sure Harry doesn’t get his child back.
I couldn’t possibly sum up everything that happened but let’s just say once again the Council is of no help, Thomas isn’t much better and ugh the whole Let’s Get Murphy off the Police Force thing rears its ugly head. I’m sick to death of that plot. Seriously. I was sick to death of it the first time it appeared. It has not improved with age and in a story with so much going on already it felt like too much in this plot.
So…why is this getting less stars than I might have given out normally? Parts of the plot felt a little forced (mainly the one revolving around Mab). It felt…a little too crowded (points up at Murphy), almost TOO busy, too rushed. Butcher is very good at making that plot move without dragging but occasionally we go too fast. I felt out of breath and not in a good way. I found myself going back to see what I missed a couple of times. It takes half the novel almost before Thomas is even seen and while Harry surely has other things on his mind, the fact that his brother and his changed state never even come up. Worse, and I’m not sure if it was meant to illustrate how Thomas has changed but he was a whiney jackass until he vindicates himself at the end. I love Thomas but not this time.
But the real reason I’d rather give this three and a half stars instead of four in the end. I thought I’d love the ending (especially pertaining to Susan and Karrin) then the last page made me slam the book into the floor. Hard. Yes, this is a series. That said, they’re usually self contained. I hate having opening endings that force you to buy the next book. My usual reaction? I don’t buy the next book. I just drop the series. I personally find that annoying. What book are we on now in the Dresden Files? Is there a chance most of us wouldn’t have bought the next book? Well there is now. I’m that ticked off by this ending. I know many won’t agree but that’s my two cents for what it’s worth. Hey at least I finally liked Molly and that’s saying something.
Boromir!
This entry stepped up the game significantly.
This entry stepped up the game significantly.
Really great add to the Dresden series, pulls a lot of detail out of all the previous books and makes it make sense, can't wait for the next one.
Harry's adventures are always good entertainment though I got a little lost with all the different factions when listening to the audiobook.
Oooo, this one was good! This is clearly a big turning point in the series, and the action and plot and layers that unfolded were just...SO GOOD! I'm a little excited/curious/nervous for the next book in the series, as after this book, it's clear the series isn't going to be the same, it's got to evolve. Hopefully without losing the bits I love. :)
+ Loved seeing Susan again. Her whole arc was lovely and heartbreaking.
+ MAGGIE. Really curious to see how that comes up again.
+ Mouse talking! Yay!
+ Grandpa McCoy!
+ Sonya returns!
+ Wow, still not sure about Harry becoming the Winter Knight, but I figured it'd happen soon or later.
+ Killing off all the reds??! Didn't see that coming, but I thought it was super clever.
+ Donar Vadderung has to come back into play
+ That ending!! OMG!!
As usual Marsters did a fantastic job narrating, and he just gets better and better at it.
Already eagerly awaiting the next book becoming available at my library.
Spoiler
+ Murphy continues to be awesome. I adore her, and I just keep loving how she's evolved over the series. Her friendship with Harry and their tension is always fabulous.+ Loved seeing Susan again. Her whole arc was lovely and heartbreaking.
+ MAGGIE. Really curious to see how that comes up again.
+ Mouse talking! Yay!
+ Grandpa McCoy!
+ Sonya returns!
+ Wow, still not sure about Harry becoming the Winter Knight, but I figured it'd happen soon or later.
+ Killing off all the reds??! Didn't see that coming, but I thought it was super clever.
+ Donar Vadderung has to come back into play
+ That ending!! OMG!!
As usual Marsters did a fantastic job narrating, and he just gets better and better at it.
Already eagerly awaiting the next book becoming available at my library.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a wild ride. So many things happened and I am an emotional wreck. I loved every minute of it and it's my favourite installment thus far.
Yet more action, (wouldn’t be Harry without that), maybe darker than usual, and ends on a cliffhanger.
One of the things I love about this series is the give and take between great humor, and horrible tragedy. Butcher doesn't sugarcoat his magic and he's not afraid to let bad things happen or to leave questions at the end. Changes is one of the darkest additions so far to the series, and it needs to be. The bad guys have been gaining steam and it's only natural that they would eventually get the upper hand for a while.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes