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eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
The casual misogyny is a lot less egregious now. Ironic how it's least prevalent in a book that features porn so heavily. Now, if Dresden could just stop being chivalrous...
That aside, I enjoyed the book. I thought the investigation Dresden was involved in this time was interesting, I quite liked Murphy in this book, and the expansion of the world is always great to read. Overall, this might be my favourite in the series thus far.
That aside, I enjoyed the book. I thought the investigation Dresden was involved in this time was interesting, I quite liked Murphy in this book, and the expansion of the world is always great to read. Overall, this might be my favourite in the series thus far.
teeigs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kathydavie's review against another edition
5.0
Sixth in the Dresden Files urban fantasy series about a wizard who also works as a private investigator in Chicago.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of The Dresden Files books on my website.
My Take
Harry does crack me up! Between flaming monkey poo and claiming to be a stunt double on the porn film set… And I agree with him about bean curd pizza. No sausage? It just ain’t pizza!
Aww, that’s sweet. A porn producer who wants to make tasteful films.
Whoa…all sorts of revelations in this one! Harry’s mom. Ebenezar and Kincaid’s feud. The truth is a hard line for Harry. One that has him repudiating the man whom he’s always seen as his second father. That past of Ebenezar’s? I’m not sure if it actually is his past, as it sounds like it’s a current occupation still. That ain’t the only hard truth in this. Well, besides the truth about Harry’s mum. Oh. Boy. There’s also that shadowy figure that crops up around Kincaid. Eeek.
It’s the usual, for Harry anyway. Rescues; physical, verbal, and emotional ambushes; demons; vampires; and, Harry diving in to the rescue of everyone.
At first glance, Lara’s excuse as to why Thomas is cut off makes sense. Until you think about it. Raith has hated Thomas forever and still gave him money. What’s changed? Strangely enough, Lara does promise to keep Thomas' greatest treasure safe.
Oh, crack me up! I love that last line: “Why did you get large breed Puppy Chow?”
The Story
It’s not enough to battle flying monkey demons and rescue puppies, now Thomas needs help on a porn film set.
And Lasciel’s sigil is the only cool spot on Harry’s hand. Seems the influence of that denarius isn’t being stopped.
The Characters
Harry “Hoss” Dresden is a wizard usually on the outs with the White Council. He toes the line at all times and has a dreadful need to save the world. Mister is his huge cat. Mouse becomes his puppy in this one. The Blue Beetle is Harry’s hard-done-by Volkswagen, the only vehicle that seems to survive his wizardry; Mike is the automotive repair equivalent of Jesus Christ. Bob the Skull is an air spirit with centuries of knowledge and experience who used to belong to Justin DuMorne, Harry’s mentor. DuMorne picked Harry up from an orphanage. Margaret Gwendolyn LeFay was Harry’s mother. Ebenezar “Blackstaff” McCoy is a member of the White Council and was Harry’s teacher after DuMorne’s death.
Thomas Raith is a vampire of the White Court, Lord Raith’s bastard son. Justine is the human Thomas loves. White Court vampires can walk in the sun and can abide holy articles and such, and they feed on emotions. Except for true love. True love, selfless love, when touched, will burn a White Vampire. The dictatorial Lord Raith hasn’t been right for years for all the power he wields over Lara and the rest. Harry has named Raith’s bodyguards, Ken and Barbies. Yup, plural. Bruce is the house doctor. Madrigal is a nasty cousin.
Lieutenant Karrin Murphy offended someone and ended up leading Special Investigations. She’s also a black belt in aikido --- a fact the newbies, like O’Toole (Mickey Malone’s nephew), don’t pay attention to, lol. The men under her include Sergeant Stallings. One of the very few things in life which scare Murphy is her family reunion: her mom, Marion, wants to know when she’ll be seeing grandchildren and Lisa is her little sister, engaged to Murphy’s ex-husband!, Rich, who is also a cop.
Arturo Genosa is a motion-picture producer of porn. Madge Shelly is the first ex-wife; blow-gun Lucille was the second. Stacy Willis was his chauffeur until she encountered those bees. Sheila Barks was a personal assistant. The sweet Jake Guffie, the twitchy Bobby, Giselle, and Emma are some of the actors. Joan Dallas is the actual producer. Silverlight is the studio from which Arturo broke away. Inari is the associate production assistant --- and a Raith, but not yet a vampire. Tricia Scrump, now Trixie Vixen (she got her name changed, *eyeroll*), is the drugged-up twink of a star who thinks she’s all that. The beyond gorgeous and incredibly sexy Lara Romany is an old friend who steps in to help out.
Kincaid guards the Archive, and he’s available for mercenary duties. As long as you pay him. He’s a changeling and has been Vlad Drakul’s right hand for centuries. He was known as the Hound of Hell, or the Hellhound.
Brother Wang from Tibet has hired Harry to recover stolen guardian foo puppies.
Mavra heads up the Black Court, and she’s after Harry. Kong is a monkey demon(s), to be more accurate, a shen, a Chinese demon shapeshifter that can split into more or morph back into one. The Walker is a very powerful demon Harry has encountered before.
The Cover
The cover is DARK with Harry in profile wearing his signature hat and trenchcoat, staff in hand, and wearing his mother’s pentacle. He’s standing in the mist between what looks like two demon dog statues.
The title is how entropy curses are fueled, with Blood Rites.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of The Dresden Files books on my website.
My Take
Harry does crack me up! Between flaming monkey poo and claiming to be a stunt double on the porn film set… And I agree with him about bean curd pizza. No sausage? It just ain’t pizza!
Aww, that’s sweet. A porn producer who wants to make tasteful films.
Whoa…all sorts of revelations in this one! Harry’s mom. Ebenezar and Kincaid’s feud. The truth is a hard line for Harry. One that has him repudiating the man whom he’s always seen as his second father. That past of Ebenezar’s? I’m not sure if it actually is his past, as it sounds like it’s a current occupation still. That ain’t the only hard truth in this. Well, besides the truth about Harry’s mum. Oh. Boy. There’s also that shadowy figure that crops up around Kincaid. Eeek.
It’s the usual, for Harry anyway. Rescues; physical, verbal, and emotional ambushes; demons; vampires; and, Harry diving in to the rescue of everyone.
At first glance, Lara’s excuse as to why Thomas is cut off makes sense. Until you think about it. Raith has hated Thomas forever and still gave him money. What’s changed? Strangely enough, Lara does promise to keep Thomas' greatest treasure safe.
Oh, crack me up! I love that last line: “Why did you get large breed Puppy Chow?”
The Story
It’s not enough to battle flying monkey demons and rescue puppies, now Thomas needs help on a porn film set.
And Lasciel’s sigil is the only cool spot on Harry’s hand. Seems the influence of that denarius isn’t being stopped.
The Characters
Harry “Hoss” Dresden is a wizard usually on the outs with the White Council. He toes the line at all times and has a dreadful need to save the world. Mister is his huge cat. Mouse becomes his puppy in this one. The Blue Beetle is Harry’s hard-done-by Volkswagen, the only vehicle that seems to survive his wizardry; Mike is the automotive repair equivalent of Jesus Christ. Bob the Skull is an air spirit with centuries of knowledge and experience who used to belong to Justin DuMorne, Harry’s mentor. DuMorne picked Harry up from an orphanage. Margaret Gwendolyn LeFay was Harry’s mother. Ebenezar “Blackstaff” McCoy is a member of the White Council and was Harry’s teacher after DuMorne’s death.
Thomas Raith is a vampire of the White Court, Lord Raith’s bastard son. Justine is the human Thomas loves. White Court vampires can walk in the sun and can abide holy articles and such, and they feed on emotions. Except for true love. True love, selfless love, when touched, will burn a White Vampire. The dictatorial Lord Raith hasn’t been right for years for all the power he wields over Lara and the rest. Harry has named Raith’s bodyguards, Ken and Barbies. Yup, plural. Bruce is the house doctor. Madrigal is a nasty cousin.
Lieutenant Karrin Murphy offended someone and ended up leading Special Investigations. She’s also a black belt in aikido --- a fact the newbies, like O’Toole (Mickey Malone’s nephew), don’t pay attention to, lol. The men under her include Sergeant Stallings. One of the very few things in life which scare Murphy is her family reunion: her mom, Marion, wants to know when she’ll be seeing grandchildren and Lisa is her little sister, engaged to Murphy’s ex-husband!, Rich, who is also a cop.
Arturo Genosa is a motion-picture producer of porn. Madge Shelly is the first ex-wife; blow-gun Lucille was the second. Stacy Willis was his chauffeur until she encountered those bees. Sheila Barks was a personal assistant. The sweet Jake Guffie, the twitchy Bobby, Giselle, and Emma are some of the actors. Joan Dallas is the actual producer. Silverlight is the studio from which Arturo broke away. Inari is the associate production assistant --- and a Raith, but not yet a vampire. Tricia Scrump, now Trixie Vixen (she got her name changed, *eyeroll*), is the drugged-up twink of a star who thinks she’s all that. The beyond gorgeous and incredibly sexy Lara Romany is an old friend who steps in to help out.
Kincaid guards the Archive, and he’s available for mercenary duties. As long as you pay him. He’s a changeling and has been Vlad Drakul’s right hand for centuries. He was known as the Hound of Hell, or the Hellhound.
Brother Wang from Tibet has hired Harry to recover stolen guardian foo puppies.
Mavra heads up the Black Court, and she’s after Harry. Kong is a monkey demon(s), to be more accurate, a shen, a Chinese demon shapeshifter that can split into more or morph back into one. The Walker is a very powerful demon Harry has encountered before.
The Cover
The cover is DARK with Harry in profile wearing his signature hat and trenchcoat, staff in hand, and wearing his mother’s pentacle. He’s standing in the mist between what looks like two demon dog statues.
The title is how entropy curses are fueled, with Blood Rites.
yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
Harry just keeps getting into more dangerous and exciting adventures with every new story. Here he is hired to try to save a film production's female crew from a curse, an it is quite a wild crew. Giving us the readers some hilarious moments of dialog. I loved the "Schlong Jockey" comment.
He unites with Thomas, Ebenezer and Murphy to rid the city of certain nasties and a there is damage to one of them. Mister is miffed when meets a visiter Harry brings home, not his cup of tea.
Harry has a few revelations to deal with, some difficult some happy. He gets to meet one person from his past that brings him to tears. This chapter in Harry's life will change him forever, giving him ties he never felt before.
LOVED IT
He unites with Thomas, Ebenezer and Murphy to rid the city of certain nasties and a there is damage to one of them. Mister is miffed when meets a visiter Harry brings home, not his cup of tea.
Harry has a few revelations to deal with, some difficult some happy. He gets to meet one person from his past that brings him to tears. This chapter in Harry's life will change him forever, giving him ties he never felt before.
LOVED IT
novelette's review against another edition
3.0
I actually liked the humor aspects in this book a little more. And, there is Mouse.
jog2020's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
loganvw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
[audiobook] still a fun series.
gazook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aceinit's review against another edition
2.0
I want to like these books. I just...
I can’t.
And most of that is due to spending too much time wanting to throttle the novel’s narrator/protaganist, Harry Dresden.
I have friends who love these books. Who swear by them. Who wait months and months with baited breath for each volume and who won’t shut up about how awesome they are and how, if I like urban fantasy, I HAVE to read Dresden because it’s one of the pioneers of the genre and Harry is so amazing and...
You get the point. We all have books like that. The Dresden Files, however, just isn't one of them for me.
I tried the series once before and gave up after reading two volumes. They were cute, but nothing that held my interest or that was particularly worthy of investing my time in. Mostly because the title character, Harry Dresden, struck me as more annoying than endearing, though I could never put my finger on why.
I am trying them again, a few years later, because I discovered the audio books, read by James Marsters. And, well, James Marsters. I could listen to Marsters read the phone book. And, at this point, Marsters is really the only thing keeping me going in this series. Because I need something to listen to during the first couple of hours at work when I have the office to myself.
My main problem with Dresden is that he’s an idiot when it comes to women. And let me just note here that I never thought I would go off on a book to this extent about its treatment of women, but brace yourselves, because here we go:
Dresden is a wannabe paragon of chivalry who more often comes off as an overprotective macho man who keeps making moronic mistakes because he can’t seem to get it through his head that women are Capable Creatures Who Can Handle Themselves and Be Just as Big of Bastards as the Menfolk.
In the last installment, or whatever installment it was that dealt with the Shroud of Turin, Harry kept getting set up and betrayed by a female agent because he could not stop thinking of her as a poor, helpless victim who needed his protection. Even after the second or third time she betrayed him, he just couldn’t shake the mindset.
This time, Dresden’s called to work in the porn industry, sort of, and as soon as that little tidbit came to light, I groaned inwardly.
Dresden is, go figure, a guy who’s not into porn. Apparently it exploits women. He’s never heard of the porn starlets who he encounters on the set. So of course, its female stars are not given serious consideration as suspects in the novel’s actual plot until it’s way too late.
Then there’s Lara Raith, who betrays both Harry and Thomas, tries to get them both killed, and who teams up with Harry solely for the purpose of saving her own ass when a bigger, badder enemy intervenes before she can finish offing Harry and Thomas. Harry seems to think this makes them allies, as he later helps Lara advance considerably in the vampiric hierarchy of her house. Apparently she’s the lesser of two evils. And he can trust her. Because she’s a woman. And women never screw anyone over ever. Nevermind that Harry learns Lara’s father is considerably weakened. Never mind that Lara’s already tried to kill him.
Then there is the literal growling with jealous rage when Kincaid helps Murphy slide her jeans off to perform a maneuver reminiscent of Catherine Zeta-Jones dancing around laser beams in "Entrapment". Nevermind that Murphy has to perform a maneuver reminiscent of Catherine Zeta-Jones dancing around laser beams in "Entrapment," except without pants, and then gets to fight crime and vampires in her little pink undies.
And don't even get me started on Harry’s reaction to the morning after the whole Justine debacle. Seriously, don't. Suffice to say that particular moment of “poor helpless little woman” narcissism turned me off of Dresden’s character completely. It's been a very, very long time since I wanted to punch a fictional character in the face quite that badly.
The macho, protective part of him just asserts itself too damn many times. And, at too damn many times, interrupts the flow of the narrative completely. I’ve managed to roll my eyes at it and move on, much like I do with the continued overuse of “Hell’s Bells” and the fact that Butcher just downright repeats himself in paragraphs, but this book was something of a snapping point for me. The fact that the climactic showdown was actually interrupted for Dresden to devote an entire chapter to Murphy being a Girl In Danger that He Couldn’t Protect killed any redeeming potential. Never mind that Harry was the one who asked Murphy to tag along with him. Never mind that Murphy knew the risks and is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. No, we have to stop the showdown so Dresden can spend a few pages feeling guilty.
Yes, I’m going to keep moving on with this series. Because of Marsters reading it. Because of characters like Karrin Murphy, Thomas Raith, Michael Carpenter, Kincaid, Ivy, and Bob the Skull, who I do care about and want to follow into future installments.
But not because of Harry Dresden. To be completely honest, the series would be much improved if he wasn’t in it.
I can’t.
And most of that is due to spending too much time wanting to throttle the novel’s narrator/protaganist, Harry Dresden.
I have friends who love these books. Who swear by them. Who wait months and months with baited breath for each volume and who won’t shut up about how awesome they are and how, if I like urban fantasy, I HAVE to read Dresden because it’s one of the pioneers of the genre and Harry is so amazing and...
You get the point. We all have books like that. The Dresden Files, however, just isn't one of them for me.
I tried the series once before and gave up after reading two volumes. They were cute, but nothing that held my interest or that was particularly worthy of investing my time in. Mostly because the title character, Harry Dresden, struck me as more annoying than endearing, though I could never put my finger on why.
I am trying them again, a few years later, because I discovered the audio books, read by James Marsters. And, well, James Marsters. I could listen to Marsters read the phone book. And, at this point, Marsters is really the only thing keeping me going in this series. Because I need something to listen to during the first couple of hours at work when I have the office to myself.
My main problem with Dresden is that he’s an idiot when it comes to women. And let me just note here that I never thought I would go off on a book to this extent about its treatment of women, but brace yourselves, because here we go:
Dresden is a wannabe paragon of chivalry who more often comes off as an overprotective macho man who keeps making moronic mistakes because he can’t seem to get it through his head that women are Capable Creatures Who Can Handle Themselves and Be Just as Big of Bastards as the Menfolk.
In the last installment, or whatever installment it was that dealt with the Shroud of Turin, Harry kept getting set up and betrayed by a female agent because he could not stop thinking of her as a poor, helpless victim who needed his protection. Even after the second or third time she betrayed him, he just couldn’t shake the mindset.
This time, Dresden’s called to work in the porn industry, sort of, and as soon as that little tidbit came to light, I groaned inwardly.
Dresden is, go figure, a guy who’s not into porn. Apparently it exploits women. He’s never heard of the porn starlets who he encounters on the set. So of course, its female stars are not given serious consideration as suspects in the novel’s actual plot until it’s way too late.
Then there’s Lara Raith, who betrays both Harry and Thomas, tries to get them both killed, and who teams up with Harry solely for the purpose of saving her own ass when a bigger, badder enemy intervenes before she can finish offing Harry and Thomas. Harry seems to think this makes them allies, as he later helps Lara advance considerably in the vampiric hierarchy of her house. Apparently she’s the lesser of two evils. And he can trust her. Because she’s a woman. And women never screw anyone over ever. Nevermind that Harry learns Lara’s father is considerably weakened. Never mind that Lara’s already tried to kill him.
Then there is the literal growling with jealous rage when Kincaid helps Murphy slide her jeans off to perform a maneuver reminiscent of Catherine Zeta-Jones dancing around laser beams in "Entrapment". Nevermind that Murphy has to perform a maneuver reminiscent of Catherine Zeta-Jones dancing around laser beams in "Entrapment," except without pants, and then gets to fight crime and vampires in her little pink undies.
And don't even get me started on Harry’s reaction to the morning after the whole Justine debacle. Seriously, don't. Suffice to say that particular moment of “poor helpless little woman” narcissism turned me off of Dresden’s character completely. It's been a very, very long time since I wanted to punch a fictional character in the face quite that badly.
The macho, protective part of him just asserts itself too damn many times. And, at too damn many times, interrupts the flow of the narrative completely. I’ve managed to roll my eyes at it and move on, much like I do with the continued overuse of “Hell’s Bells” and the fact that Butcher just downright repeats himself in paragraphs, but this book was something of a snapping point for me. The fact that the climactic showdown was actually interrupted for Dresden to devote an entire chapter to Murphy being a Girl In Danger that He Couldn’t Protect killed any redeeming potential. Never mind that Harry was the one who asked Murphy to tag along with him. Never mind that Murphy knew the risks and is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. No, we have to stop the showdown so Dresden can spend a few pages feeling guilty.
Yes, I’m going to keep moving on with this series. Because of Marsters reading it. Because of characters like Karrin Murphy, Thomas Raith, Michael Carpenter, Kincaid, Ivy, and Bob the Skull, who I do care about and want to follow into future installments.
But not because of Harry Dresden. To be completely honest, the series would be much improved if he wasn’t in it.