Scan barcode
tmawhir's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
veraann's review against another edition
5.0
This series gets better as it goes. Dresdens humor makes me laugh. The characters are well developed at this point, Murphy is awesome. Even being familiar with the world and the characters, Butcher still throws a number of surprises and knowledge.
bkimsey44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
snoopydoo77's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what a ride…… a long, fun, shocking, entertaining but also a bit confusing ride this book was.
I love this series but this book felt huge and often a bit confusing. There are so many things happening that often it is hard to keep track of it all, not just the current book but all previous books and groups and people we’ve met so far.
I still enjoyed this book very much, we learn a lot new things, things we’ve been waiting for since book one. I love Harry and how he adepts to things so fast and how he no matter what is there for his friends and family, no matter what the cost. He made that clear all the books. He learns some rather shocking and surprising and also interesting things in this book. Some that will change his life forever. He also had some rough moments in this book, where I just wanted to hug him and tell him it will be okay…… okay maybe I just want to hug him lol.
His friendship to Murphy is still one of my favorite things in this series, right along with Bob. We also learn more about Murphy and even get to meet her family, which was hilarious and yet a bit sad at the same time, but it really helped us to understand Murphy better,
I really missed Susan this book, she is mentioned but not really there but I have hopes to see her again. I also hope to see more of Michael again, we didn’t see him much either and I really like him in the series.
We might or might not lose some people…. There are definitely moments of loss in this book, just not always death or people.
Overall, while a bit confusing and a bit all over the place, I still loved this book, it kept me on my toes and kept bringing on the surprise after surprise. We get much laughter, but also some tears and heartbreak.
I’m looking forward to the next book, because some things are definitely going to change.
I rate this book 4 ★
daumari's review against another edition
4.0
Anyway, I find I enjoy the stories that reveal backstory of a world and those that further the relationships of existing characters, both of which occur here. Also, puppy!
flintandsteel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
oshaffer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
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
- 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
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.