Scan barcode
jdhacker's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Read August 20, 2011.
Thirteenth—how appropriate is that!!—in the Dresden Files, an urban fantasy set in Chicago. The focus is on Harry Dresden, professional wizard.
If you can, read Changes and then the short story, Aftermath, in Side Jobs before reading Ghost Story. The first is referred to constantly throughout Ghost Story and the second helps provides some supporting background for what Harry's friends have been suffering through. If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of The Dresden Files books on my website.
The Story
Harry's dead. Isn't he?? All the police or Murphy found are bullet holes and blood aboard Thomas' yacht where Harry was staying. But then Harry finds himself in Between with the option to return to Chicago. Find his killer. Being Harry he takes it. Even though he can only come back as a ghost without his power. Without the ability to interfere or help.
And even as a ghost, Harry finds a way to kick ass.
The Characters
Harry Dresden was a powerful wizard when he was alive, and now Chicago is discovering how great he was.
Detective Carmichael and Captain Murphy [nope, not that Murphy!] are both encountered in Chicago Between.
Mortimer Lindquist is an ectomancer and is Harry's first hope of communicating with his friends but first Harry must get past Sir Stuart, an hundreds-of-years-old ghost bent on protecting Morty.
Bob has been inherited by Butters and they seem to make a great pair in the fight to keep Chicago safe. Will (formerly known as Billy) and Georgia Borden and Marci of the Alphas along with Karrin Murphy, Father Forthill, Molly Carpenter, and her brother Daniel have formed an alliance with Marcone and his people to fill in for Harry and protect Chicago. Abby represents the Paranet. Even Felicia of the White Court seems to be providing information.
Karrin is falling apart under the stress and firmly believes that Harry is still alive (she's also taken in Mister) while Molly has become the Ragged Lady after cracking under the stress of the battle at Chichén Itzá.
The enemies are the Fomor who are thrilled that Harry Dresden is no longer protecting Chicago and they are testing its defenses…and them defenses ain't doin' too hot. There's also the Grey Ghost who controls wraiths and lemurs while treating with the Fomor.
Fitz appears to lead the gang which fired at the people meeting at Karrin's house. He doesn't seem to be particularly happy about their leader, Baldy, who is a minor league wizard.
Nick Christian is Harry's old mentor when he was first breaking into the PI biz.
Leanansidhe is Harry's godmother and has taken over Molly's training; Harry learns that being kind when he was training his apprentice was, in the end, very unkind.
Kincaid, a Hellhound who protects Ivy, the Archive, also plays a minor but important role. He's also Murphy's old boyfriend.
My Take
Oh, I just hated this one. I want Harry back!! I felt so helpless following Harry around although Harry did learn quite a bit about his value as well as his kindnesses. Not that they were always the best. He/we also learned a lot about his style of battle and he began to learn from it. It will be interesting to see how many of his lessons carry on with him into the next installment.
I did like the reference to Crombie…that Anthony sure gets around!
The Cover
The cover and title are very appropriate to the story: Harry is in his trademark hat and leather coat with his staff kneeling at his gravestone and, well, it is his Ghost Story.
Thirteenth—how appropriate is that!!—in the Dresden Files, an urban fantasy set in Chicago. The focus is on Harry Dresden, professional wizard.
If you can, read Changes and then the short story, Aftermath, in Side Jobs before reading Ghost Story. The first is referred to constantly throughout Ghost Story and the second helps provides some supporting background for what Harry's friends have been suffering through. If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of The Dresden Files books on my website.
The Story
Harry's dead. Isn't he?? All the police or Murphy found are bullet holes and blood aboard Thomas' yacht where Harry was staying. But then Harry finds himself in Between with the option to return to Chicago. Find his killer. Being Harry he takes it. Even though he can only come back as a ghost without his power. Without the ability to interfere or help.
And even as a ghost, Harry finds a way to kick ass.
The Characters
Harry Dresden was a powerful wizard when he was alive, and now Chicago is discovering how great he was.
Detective Carmichael and Captain Murphy [nope, not that Murphy!] are both encountered in Chicago Between.
Mortimer Lindquist is an ectomancer and is Harry's first hope of communicating with his friends but first Harry must get past Sir Stuart, an hundreds-of-years-old ghost bent on protecting Morty.
Bob has been inherited by Butters and they seem to make a great pair in the fight to keep Chicago safe. Will (formerly known as Billy) and Georgia Borden and Marci of the Alphas along with Karrin Murphy, Father Forthill, Molly Carpenter, and her brother Daniel have formed an alliance with Marcone and his people to fill in for Harry and protect Chicago. Abby represents the Paranet. Even Felicia of the White Court seems to be providing information.
Karrin is falling apart under the stress and firmly believes that Harry is still alive (she's also taken in Mister) while Molly has become the Ragged Lady after cracking under the stress of the battle at Chichén Itzá.
The enemies are the Fomor who are thrilled that Harry Dresden is no longer protecting Chicago and they are testing its defenses…and them defenses ain't doin' too hot. There's also the Grey Ghost who controls wraiths and lemurs while treating with the Fomor.
Fitz appears to lead the gang which fired at the people meeting at Karrin's house. He doesn't seem to be particularly happy about their leader, Baldy, who is a minor league wizard.
Nick Christian is Harry's old mentor when he was first breaking into the PI biz.
Leanansidhe is Harry's godmother and has taken over Molly's training; Harry learns that being kind when he was training his apprentice was, in the end, very unkind.
Kincaid, a Hellhound who protects Ivy, the Archive, also plays a minor but important role. He's also Murphy's old boyfriend.
My Take
Oh, I just hated this one. I want Harry back!! I felt so helpless following Harry around although Harry did learn quite a bit about his value as well as his kindnesses. Not that they were always the best. He/we also learned a lot about his style of battle and he began to learn from it. It will be interesting to see how many of his lessons carry on with him into the next installment.
I did like the reference to Crombie…that Anthony sure gets around!
The Cover
The cover and title are very appropriate to the story: Harry is in his trademark hat and leather coat with his staff kneeling at his gravestone and, well, it is his Ghost Story.
yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
Harry, is out of the loop and yet he is in the loop. It's all very hard to get used to for him. he is use to being able to do something. Watching is torture. He finds himself learning a whole new way of life. Everything has changed since the last book. Things have spun out of control. People have been altered. There is a major crossroad for him, one that will effect his very being.
There really is not much I can say without giving something away. If you are a Harry fan, you have to read it. You know you do. So what are you waiting for ? This book is pivotal ! I am so excited for the next book, stuff is in motion that is going to rock the world.
There really is not much I can say without giving something away. If you are a Harry fan, you have to read it. You know you do. So what are you waiting for ? This book is pivotal ! I am so excited for the next book, stuff is in motion that is going to rock the world.
bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
What a disappointment! I've been reading the Dresden series for years and have read every single book. I even read Side Jobs. This was the first time that I was actually bored while reading a Dresden book. It took an effort of will (Harry would appreciate that) to drag myself through it, and then I ended up skimming the last section of the book because I just couldn't take it anymore. Oh, Harry. Why did you have to jump the shark? It makes this fan a sad panda.
wouterk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
If you have not read up until this point then do not read any further...
So Harry died...and he's sent back to find his killer, because someone cheated fate to get him out of the way. Being a shade now Harry has to reinvent himself and navigate a completely different style of communicating, influencing and fighting. Confronted by a world in which he has been dad we see the aftermath of Changes both in the world and in the people closest to harry.
The book is another roller coaster like we know it and kudo's to Jim Butcher for making it quite as interesting as Changes as far as I'm concerned. Also Kudo's for the Star Trek battle (IYKYK).
I loved this book to the very last sentence and immediately started Cold Days. Enjoy your read!
So Harry died...and he's sent back to find his killer, because someone cheated fate to get him out of the way. Being a shade now Harry has to reinvent himself and navigate a completely different style of communicating, influencing and fighting. Confronted by a world in which he has been dad we see the aftermath of Changes both in the world and in the people closest to harry.
The book is another roller coaster like we know it and kudo's to Jim Butcher for making it quite as interesting as Changes as far as I'm concerned. Also Kudo's for the Star Trek battle (IYKYK).
I loved this book to the very last sentence and immediately started Cold Days. Enjoy your read!
guppyur's review against another edition
2.0
Exceptional. I had forgotten how good the Dresden Files could be, and didn't start this for a few days after its release. That was a mistake.
akira0513's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
varghoss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75