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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
3.5/5
Battle Ground accomplishes what it was supposed to do - it destroys Harry physically and emotionally and changes the balance of power in Chicago. Fomor forces rise out of Lake Michigan and threaten the city. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, fights for tomorrow. Mayhem ensues. Limbs are flying, blood is spilled, monsters roam the streets. Characters' arcs come to an end.
As impressive and epic as it was, the never-ending battle tired me.
Battle Ground accomplishes what it was supposed to do - it destroys Harry physically and emotionally and changes the balance of power in Chicago. Fomor forces rise out of Lake Michigan and threaten the city. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, fights for tomorrow. Mayhem ensues. Limbs are flying, blood is spilled, monsters roam the streets. Characters' arcs come to an end.
As impressive and epic as it was, the never-ending battle tired me.
I was really put off by the previous book in The Dresden Files series, 'Peace Talks.' After years of publication delays, the book that was released was essentially the first part of a story which achieved no plot resolution and ended on a cliffhanger. The second part being released within a year made the whole thing feel like a bizarre cash grab, which didn't inspire much confidence for me picking this up.
It was better than I'd expected. The entire book is a long battle sequence, which makes for a gripping read in the moment but which feels like Jim Butcher decided to mash all of his action figures together. We watch Chicago's only professional wizard fight vampires, and fish-men, and giants, and eventually kill a baby god, and it's all very exciting and very frenetic. The last couple of chapters also resolve some of the major dangling elements of the first part, which was fine. The book suffers from some of the same problems as the series as a whole: Harry is as powerful as he needs to be to prevail in any situation, but not so powerful that he doesn't remind us how badly outclassed he is. He has to make common cause with bad guys, which confuses and antagonizes his friends, which feels like it never ultimately goes anywhere.
Not bad in sum, but the series is definitely showing its age a bit.
It was better than I'd expected. The entire book is a long battle sequence, which makes for a gripping read in the moment but which feels like Jim Butcher decided to mash all of his action figures together. We watch Chicago's only professional wizard fight vampires, and fish-men, and giants, and eventually kill a baby god, and it's all very exciting and very frenetic. The last couple of chapters also resolve some of the major dangling elements of the first part, which was fine. The book suffers from some of the same problems as the series as a whole: Harry is as powerful as he needs to be to prevail in any situation, but not so powerful that he doesn't remind us how badly outclassed he is. He has to make common cause with bad guys, which confuses and antagonizes his friends, which feels like it never ultimately goes anywhere.
Not bad in sum, but the series is definitely showing its age a bit.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Great conclusion to the previous book, this one went on longer than I expected and I was surprised a couple times when I thought it was ending
An excellent follow-up to the last book. Butcher always does a great job giving rich descriptions to fights and the book is full of them. You still get plenty of character moments and story development to keep it from getting stale.
This is a very solid 4 star read, fast paced action from beginning to end.
But the reason I can't place it in my 5 star category is because it is almost solely action. Gone are the days of subtlety and ruse, this is the "pulling no punches" book you may have been waiting for. Dresden enters war, and war is hell, blood guts and stress throughout this whole thing.
It is certainly better than the previous book and is a good setup for whatever remains. I feel it's a bit of a reset to normalcy and we'll see some detective action in the next books, but we'll see!
But the reason I can't place it in my 5 star category is because it is almost solely action. Gone are the days of subtlety and ruse, this is the "pulling no punches" book you may have been waiting for. Dresden enters war, and war is hell, blood guts and stress throughout this whole thing.
It is certainly better than the previous book and is a good setup for whatever remains. I feel it's a bit of a reset to normalcy and we'll see some detective action in the next books, but we'll see!
Wow...just wow. It's been a long time since I've stayed up past my bedtime to keep reading. There's too much to go over in a review. Katrina, Butters, Marcone! The battle scenes made my hands sweat. It's all just so good.
And I cried at when _________ huge spoiler!
And the bonus of the short story Christmas Eve!
I cried then too. I lost my own dad about a year ago and Santa's gift hit me hard.
I have no complaints about the writing at all. Now the antics of the council on the other hand...all the complaints.
Can't wait for the next book!
And I cried at when _________ huge spoiler!
And the bonus of the short story Christmas Eve!
I cried then too. I lost my own dad about a year ago and Santa's gift hit me hard.
I have no complaints about the writing at all. Now the antics of the council on the other hand...all the complaints.
Can't wait for the next book!
Very well done conclusion to a two story arc and sets up so much for more books.
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No