Helpful Score: 3
This is Book 13 of The Dresden Files.
After 12 books of not-so-slowly escalating violence, chaos, mystery, and destruction (peaking with the final battle in Changes), I was glad to see Jim Butcher finally scale things back. The increasing level of action in each successive book was becoming unsustainable and I was glad for even this small reprieve.
This book was delightfully character-driven, in that Harry was given plenty of time to think and talk and mouth off to anyone who could hear him. It was more introspective than action-packed, but it still supports a good enough mystery and a worthy villain.
As always, there are several things left completely unanswered at the end of the book, but the main questions (such as the identity of Harry's shooter) are given in time. I feel like this book served as a pivot point in the series and I look forward to seeing where this new direction will lead.
After 12 books of not-so-slowly escalating violence, chaos, mystery, and destruction (peaking with the final battle in Changes), I was glad to see Jim Butcher finally scale things back. The increasing level of action in each successive book was becoming unsustainable and I was glad for even this small reprieve.
This book was delightfully character-driven, in that Harry was given plenty of time to think and talk and mouth off to anyone who could hear him. It was more introspective than action-packed, but it still supports a good enough mystery and a worthy villain.
As always, there are several things left completely unanswered at the end of the book, but the main questions (such as the identity of Harry's shooter) are given in time. I feel like this book served as a pivot point in the series and I look forward to seeing where this new direction will lead.
Helpful Score: 3
This is the 13th book in the Dresden series. It is hard to believe that this series has been going on so long. I enjoyed this book, but it was more of a transition book and I thought it was one of the weaker books in this series. The ending was spectacular though and I am eager to see what book 14 brings. This is definitely not a book to start the series on, you will be totally lost unless you have read the previous books in this series.
At the end of the previous book Harry was shot and killed. This book starts with Harry as a ghost; he is given a choice...he can dwell in purgatory or go back and try to find his killer. When Harry is told that people he love will die if he doesn't find his killer it becomes a no-brainer for him. Harry returns to find both Chicago and his friends much changed...and not for the better. Can he save the city and solve the mystery before everything gets even worse?
This is a large and lengthy book...and it felt like it. Usually I breeze through these Dresden books and enjoy them immensley but this one was more of a chore for me to get through. It moves slower than previous books and there is a lot of reminiscing on Harry's part.
Okay let me take a step back for a second. There was a lot I really enjoyed in this book. We learn a ton about Harry's past and that was pretty cool. Harry has to figure out how to operate as a ghost and that was nifty as well. Both Murphy and Molly have become powers to be reckoned with, and while at times it was painful to read about what they've endured, it was awesome to watch their characters development into even more interesting people.
There were also things I didn't like about this book. The pacing was off. The majority of the book was kind of slow and then the ending was spectacular. Ghost's and their special powers run off of memories. So, as you might expect, Harry does a lot of reflecting on his past memories. While it was nice to learn more about Harry's past, these little flashbacks had a tendency to break up the story and make it loose its momentum. There were also large portions of the book where Harry would monologue about whether or not he approved of his past actions; I like seeing in Harry's head but these lengthy monologues happened too often and were too long.
There was also a lot absent in this book. The Vampire Courts and the White Council was conspicuously absent for the majority of the book. With all the weird supernatural stuff going down it was hard to believe that they would be absent from it all.
I did enjoy some of the plot twists at the end, there were unexpected and creative. I loved the ending and it made me excited to see what comes next.
Overall I am kind of on the fence about this book. I really enjoyed some parts of it, I thought other parts were lengthy and boring. I loved learning about Harry's background but got sick of the soul-searching monologues. It seemed like this book could have used some better editing and tightening up. All that aside it was nice to reunite with all these characters that I love so much. The ending was excellent and I do look forward to reading the next book in this series. Even though this book wasn't as spectacular as the books in this series normally are it was still a good book. I definitely recommend this whole series to fans of urban fantasy.
At the end of the previous book Harry was shot and killed. This book starts with Harry as a ghost; he is given a choice...he can dwell in purgatory or go back and try to find his killer. When Harry is told that people he love will die if he doesn't find his killer it becomes a no-brainer for him. Harry returns to find both Chicago and his friends much changed...and not for the better. Can he save the city and solve the mystery before everything gets even worse?
This is a large and lengthy book...and it felt like it. Usually I breeze through these Dresden books and enjoy them immensley but this one was more of a chore for me to get through. It moves slower than previous books and there is a lot of reminiscing on Harry's part.
Okay let me take a step back for a second. There was a lot I really enjoyed in this book. We learn a ton about Harry's past and that was pretty cool. Harry has to figure out how to operate as a ghost and that was nifty as well. Both Murphy and Molly have become powers to be reckoned with, and while at times it was painful to read about what they've endured, it was awesome to watch their characters development into even more interesting people.
There were also things I didn't like about this book. The pacing was off. The majority of the book was kind of slow and then the ending was spectacular. Ghost's and their special powers run off of memories. So, as you might expect, Harry does a lot of reflecting on his past memories. While it was nice to learn more about Harry's past, these little flashbacks had a tendency to break up the story and make it loose its momentum. There were also large portions of the book where Harry would monologue about whether or not he approved of his past actions; I like seeing in Harry's head but these lengthy monologues happened too often and were too long.
There was also a lot absent in this book. The Vampire Courts and the White Council was conspicuously absent for the majority of the book. With all the weird supernatural stuff going down it was hard to believe that they would be absent from it all.
I did enjoy some of the plot twists at the end, there were unexpected and creative. I loved the ending and it made me excited to see what comes next.
Overall I am kind of on the fence about this book. I really enjoyed some parts of it, I thought other parts were lengthy and boring. I loved learning about Harry's background but got sick of the soul-searching monologues. It seemed like this book could have used some better editing and tightening up. All that aside it was nice to reunite with all these characters that I love so much. The ending was excellent and I do look forward to reading the next book in this series. Even though this book wasn't as spectacular as the books in this series normally are it was still a good book. I definitely recommend this whole series to fans of urban fantasy.
Helpful Score: 1
Very cool,loved it. Was amazing
Wizard Harry Dresden is dead. Now he is a ghost. Only by finding the person who murdered him can Harry save three of his friends and move on. One big problem is contacting his friends. They can't see him; they can't hear him. Since the defeat of the Red Court Vampires more creatures have come forward to take their place. Harry's magic is gone. He must now find a way to defeat the dark entity controlling the malevolent ghosts or turn into one of the lost souls.
This story is certainly different from the other entries in the series. Harry no longer has his wizard magic, so we don't get as many actions scenes in this book. There are also a couple scenes in the book where I can say I was kind of bored. But there is a lot of originality in this story, and a twist I certainly didn't see coming. Many past characters are back in the story. I loved seeing Murphy, Butters, Molly and Bob. When Harry's murderer was uncovered, all I can say is I was shocked. My rating: 4 Stars.
This story is certainly different from the other entries in the series. Harry no longer has his wizard magic, so we don't get as many actions scenes in this book. There are also a couple scenes in the book where I can say I was kind of bored. But there is a lot of originality in this story, and a twist I certainly didn't see coming. Many past characters are back in the story. I loved seeing Murphy, Butters, Molly and Bob. When Harry's murderer was uncovered, all I can say is I was shocked. My rating: 4 Stars.
Another excellent entry in the Dresden Files. Picking up from the cliffhanger ending of Changes our favorite professional wizard finds himself not quite dead and has to solve his own murder or never be able to rest in peace.
Shall we just jump right into itthe one quote that sums up the whole book perhaps: You want me to go back and solve my own murder?!? (Paraphrased)
If you are new to the Dresden Universe, I recommend starting from an earlier book - if not the first (Storm Front). From Changes (book #12 in the series) and the rest going forward heavily rely upon the earlier storylines.
Sowhat happens? At the end of Changes the major change is that Harry gets shot and more or less dies. (Do I dare ask if this is another small nod to the tarot deck by Jim Butcher since the death card means change and not actual death in a tarot deck?) He lands in Chicago Between and sort of gets a choice to go back to help his friends but he must also discover who killed him.
No he doesnt get his body back; he returns as a spirit. Unfortunately, he learns time has passed since his disappearance and whether it is realized or not all of his friends have changed too. To add insult to injury, he lands in the middle of black magic mayhem by way of necromancy again. This would be a good spot to stop so that there arent any spoilers. All I can say at the end of the book is that there are no coincidences in this storymaybe the same can be said for the entire series.
If you are new to the Dresden Universe, I recommend starting from an earlier book - if not the first (Storm Front). From Changes (book #12 in the series) and the rest going forward heavily rely upon the earlier storylines.
Sowhat happens? At the end of Changes the major change is that Harry gets shot and more or less dies. (Do I dare ask if this is another small nod to the tarot deck by Jim Butcher since the death card means change and not actual death in a tarot deck?) He lands in Chicago Between and sort of gets a choice to go back to help his friends but he must also discover who killed him.
No he doesnt get his body back; he returns as a spirit. Unfortunately, he learns time has passed since his disappearance and whether it is realized or not all of his friends have changed too. To add insult to injury, he lands in the middle of black magic mayhem by way of necromancy again. This would be a good spot to stop so that there arent any spoilers. All I can say at the end of the book is that there are no coincidences in this storymaybe the same can be said for the entire series.
Oh, I just did not want to put the book down. I truly enjoyed the twist and turns in Harry's life that he is forced to look at and make in order to make things right and to protect friends and family. One of the best books in the series.
I had a harder time getting into this book than the others. It was a bit slower but it was okay. I wasn't dazzled like the last book. Nor did I feel like I would burst if I didn't read the next installment right away.
I think part of what I like about this series was the side characters like Murphy, Kincaid, Thomas, the Carpenters, etc.... This one was concentrated mostly on Harry so I was slightly disappointed. It also wasn't as humorous or as much fun as the other ones.
Overall I'm glad to have read it but it definitely was my least favorite book in the series. If this is the first time you are reading Butcher, don't start with this book. It will make no sense to you.
I think part of what I like about this series was the side characters like Murphy, Kincaid, Thomas, the Carpenters, etc.... This one was concentrated mostly on Harry so I was slightly disappointed. It also wasn't as humorous or as much fun as the other ones.
Overall I'm glad to have read it but it definitely was my least favorite book in the series. If this is the first time you are reading Butcher, don't start with this book. It will make no sense to you.
I so enjoy reading the novels about Harry Dresden, wizard from Chicago, but this one disappointed me. Yes, the author is skilled and the story is crafted well but I found the repetition of past experiences annoying. I remember those tales, battles and incidents and did not need to be reminded of them, time after time. Where were the editors? Needless to say I did not enjoy Harry as a ghost (maybe). Of course, it all sorts out in the end but it took a long time to get there. Other readers have ranked this novel much higher. We all know that it's up to each reader to rate their experience so when the next reader choose this novel they may feel differently.
