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nerdyreferencelibrarian89 's review for:
Battle Ground
by Jim Butcher
Battle Ground, another addition to the Dresden Files. It's book 17 a lot of the usual Dresden content is here. However, there are a few things I want to note.
First, this and Peace Talks are essentially one book, split into two. This meant Peace Talk ended without any real conclusions, and Battle Grounds jumps right into a bunch of action, but lacks any of the build up of the previous book. I don't really feel this split was necessary, it would have made for a longer book, but a better reading experience.
With several months between when I read Peace Talks and Battle Ground, I found the big twist at the end lacked any real impact. Several of the beings I had to remind myself who they were, and it created just a disjointed reading experience.
Battle Ground is at its best showcasing Dresden's supporting cast. During a LOT of the book, Dresden feels more like a supporting observer, watching his bad ass friends and allies get thumped and fight back. This isn't necessarily bad, but every other Dresden book Dresden felt at the core of the progression and choices, this one he felt more along for the ride.
That said, there are some amazing moments in this book, and some deep emotional blows, that make the reading experience enjoyable.
Perhaps what this book does best is deliver some hard emotional hits to Dresden, but then highlight the ways he has grown as a person and in emotional maturity, in his reactions to said moments. Particularly when compared to similar events from earlier in the series.(Hopefully that makes sense, trying to avoid spoilers)
I do think Dresden files is suffering a little from power creep and too many villain groups. Battle Ground has a literal ancient Titan, as well as demi-gods and other divine beings duking it out. Dresden is severely out classed. I often find myself missing those quiet moments of PI investigations at a horror convention which will never return .
Overall, it was a fun read, but I don't think anywhere near the best the series has to offer.
First, this and Peace Talks are essentially one book, split into two. This meant Peace Talk ended without any real conclusions, and Battle Grounds jumps right into a bunch of action, but lacks any of the build up of the previous book. I don't really feel this split was necessary, it would have made for a longer book, but a better reading experience.
With several months between when I read Peace Talks and Battle Ground, I found the big twist at the end lacked any real impact. Several of the beings I had to remind myself who they were, and it created just a disjointed reading experience.
Battle Ground is at its best showcasing Dresden's supporting cast. During a LOT of the book, Dresden feels more like a supporting observer, watching his bad ass friends and allies get thumped and fight back. This isn't necessarily bad, but every other Dresden book Dresden felt at the core of the progression and choices, this one he felt more along for the ride.
That said, there are some amazing moments in this book, and some deep emotional blows, that make the reading experience enjoyable.
Perhaps what this book does best is deliver some hard emotional hits to Dresden, but then highlight the ways he has grown as a person and in emotional maturity, in his reactions to said moments. Particularly when compared to similar events from earlier in the series.(Hopefully that makes sense, trying to avoid spoilers)
I do think Dresden files is suffering a little from power creep and too many villain groups. Battle Ground has a literal ancient Titan, as well as demi-gods and other divine beings duking it out. Dresden is severely out classed. I often find myself missing those quiet moments of PI investigations at a horror convention which will never return .
Overall, it was a fun read, but I don't think anywhere near the best the series has to offer.