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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
Well.
So, yeah, I expected about 25% of the 'twists' in this book, but I'm almost certain that most of those were intended as sacrificial twists by the author to veil the bigger ones. After this book in the series, the world has irrevocably changed, both Dresden's world and the world at large.
So, yeah, I expected about 25% of the 'twists' in this book, but I'm almost certain that most of those were intended as sacrificial twists by the author to veil the bigger ones. After this book in the series, the world has irrevocably changed, both Dresden's world and the world at large.
Oh, there's the rest of Peace Talks! This book picks up immediately after the previous one ends, and honestly, it should have been one novel. Instead, this was 432 pages of epic battle, but it worked much better for me than I would have expected.
While it's true that the entire novel is essentially one big fight scene, it still managed to capture a few moments of downtime that provided some variety to the pace. It also made me laugh several times, in true Dresden fashion, and had me crying actual tears at one point.
I liked this. It's not the best book in the series, but it's still very good. It packs a surprising emotional punch for a novel that's basically all physical (and magical) punching
While it's true that the entire novel is essentially one big fight scene, it still managed to capture a few moments of downtime that provided some variety to the pace. It also made me laugh several times, in true Dresden fashion, and had me crying actual tears at one point.
I liked this. It's not the best book in the series, but it's still very good. It packs a surprising emotional punch for a novel that's basically all physical (and magical) punching
As is obvious from the 1 star rating, I did not like this book. It was boring and repetitive.
You would imagine it will be hard to be bored by a book that is non-stop wizard-on-monster battles, but the fights were were uncreative. Worse, they were inconsistent. For example, when Warden Ramirez was up against elite troops (basically, when the plot called for it), he was casually severing molecular bonds. But when he needed to lose against expendable mooks, he lost .... just because. Or when Dresden was throwing down against demi-gods, he was far stronger than usual because ... magic was more charged, which is the lamest handwavium as I've ever come across. I think the series really suffered when Harry became the Winter Knight and ceased being the scrappy private detective looking after the stuff (and people) who fell through the cracks. But this was the worst power creep in a long series of power creep.
I am abandoning the Dresden Files series after this.
This part is for future me: I know you have very fond memories of the Dresden Files series and you'll be tempted to pick up the next book, but it's best to leave it be. They suck. And it's apparent that Jim Butcher has got enough sway that there's no one to reign him in anymore (look at this mess; Peace Talks & Battle Ground was originally supposed to be a single book, and you can literally skip 70% of Battle Ground), so he won't get better. And let's be honest with ourselves, you're only going to live to be 120 (or maybe 180) years old; don't waste the time you have left with things that no longer bring you joy.
You would imagine it will be hard to be bored by a book that is non-stop wizard-on-monster battles, but the fights were were uncreative. Worse, they were inconsistent. For example, when Warden Ramirez was up against elite troops (basically, when the plot called for it), he was casually severing molecular bonds. But when he needed to lose against expendable mooks, he lost .... just because. Or when Dresden was throwing down against demi-gods, he was far stronger than usual because ... magic was more charged, which is the lamest handwavium as I've ever come across. I think the series really suffered when Harry became the Winter Knight and ceased being the scrappy private detective looking after the stuff (and people) who fell through the cracks. But this was the worst power creep in a long series of power creep.
Spoiler
Finally, there was the death of a pretty major side character and I did not think it was handled well at all. It's not that I'm upset that a character I liked was killed, but more that I found myself not caring at all, despite all the heavy-handed emotional manipulation.I am abandoning the Dresden Files series after this.
This part is for future me: I know you have very fond memories of the Dresden Files series and you'll be tempted to pick up the next book, but it's best to leave it be. They suck. And it's apparent that Jim Butcher has got enough sway that there's no one to reign him in anymore (look at this mess; Peace Talks & Battle Ground was originally supposed to be a single book, and you can literally skip 70% of Battle Ground), so he won't get better. And let's be honest with ourselves, you're only going to live to be 120 (or maybe 180) years old; don't waste the time you have left with things that no longer bring you joy.
Wow! He's done it again. Action from moment one that left my heart racing. But, as usual, it's the commentary that leaves me wanting more. It's content is timely and inspiring.
This was...a lot. I firmly believe this should have and could have just been one long book, and it would have come across much better. I did enjoy seeing some old faces return for this big ol' showdown, but ultimately I wish this had been executed differently. Also...Karrin has been done so dirty, y'all. There really wasn't anywhere else for her character to go after this, because she has been systematically broken down in order to build Harry up for *so long* that she was just written into this awful, shitty corner that had no way out. I have a lot of feelings about this but safe to say, this is where I'm leaving it for now.
I love me some Dresden Files and this one was basically one giant battle featuring all the major heavy hitters from the series including old order vampires, fairy royalty, a titan, necromancers, two-horned unicorns, and more.
It’s a good one.
It’s a good one.
My least favorite scenes in the books are battle scenes, so this wasn’t my favorite even with all the action. Tears. Anger. Also loved the short story at the end.
For the most part, this book is one long battle. I suppose the author did a good job telling the story, but it really wasn’t my jam.
The storytelling was excellent as always, but the choice of content was not the greatest. 100% of this book is the epic battle that takes place from 2 AM - dawn. The red coats Formor and the titan, Ethniu, are finally here and the gloves are off. Harry runs from skirmish to skirmish, doing his part, and only has brief interactions with most of the other characters as they coordinate battle plans. The scenes between Harry + Ebenezar, Harry + Ramirez, Harry + Mab, Harry + Sasha & Butters, Harry + Marcone are all fascinating and exactly what I love about this series, but there were so many characters that needed solo time with Harry that each of these events didn't get enough depth. It was a bit like watching Avengers Endgame where the cast was just too large for anything other than action sequences.
The whole time I was reading, I was trying to know should I be bracing myself for a Game of Thones bloodbath, or a a fairy tale everyone lives! The result (general spoiler only): More detailed spoiler for the spoiler:
Overall I was happy to read this book, but I was bored by the unrelenting action and lack of meaningful character developments. Fortunately, there was plenty of setup for a lot of that to happen in future books.
The whole time I was reading, I was trying to know should I be bracing myself for a Game of Thones bloodbath, or a a fairy tale everyone lives! The result (general spoiler only):
Spoiler
Joss Whedon. Kill one major character just so everyone knows you're serious.Spoiler
Murphy dies, okay! Brace for tears. She does get the death she deserves at least.Overall I was happy to read this book, but I was bored by the unrelenting action and lack of meaningful character developments. Fortunately, there was plenty of setup for a lot of that to happen in future books.
Dresden Files books have always been 4-5 star reads for me. They're not perfect, they have obvious flaws, but I started reading them when I was in high school and they're a constant source of entertainment with a cast of characters that are dear to my heart.
So this 2 star rating hurts me more than I'd like to admit.
So this 2 star rating hurts me more than I'd like to admit.