This was the fifteenth book in the Dresden Files and it was absolutely wonderful. The sixteenth book in this series will be titled Peace Talks and is scheduled for a 2015 release. This is one of my long time favorite urban fantasy series and this book was just as wonderful as the rest of the series has been. You definitely dont want to start the series on this book, go back and start from the beginning.
Harry Dresden has spent a lot of time alone on the island of Demonreach. He has this parasite thing in his head and he is trying to fight it but its a losing battle. Then Mab shows up with an offer he cant refuse, she will get rid of the parasite if Harry does her a small favor. Well Mabs small favor ends up being a debt she owes to Nicodemus Archleone. Harry has to assist Nicodemus in one of his schemes and then Mab will help him. However what Harry doesnt know is that Nicodemus wants to rob one of Hades vaults and what no one realizes is that this is all part of a much bigger larger plot.
This book was just as wonderfully complex and action packed as previous books in the series. I always have a bit of trouble reviewing these books because I love them so much.
A lot of time has passed since this book and the previous book in the series. Harry has been secluded most of that time. While he was secluded the lives of those he loved continued. His friends have been fighting for Chicago and they have been changing. Molly has undergone the largest changes, but Murphy and Butters have changed a lot as well. Michael was also back in the story with some assistance from the angel Uriel.
A lot of this plot ends up being a showdown between the Denarians and the Knights of the Sword. Butters plays a strangely large role and I am eager to see what happens next with his character. Harry gets to reunite with his daughter which had me nearly in tears. It also looks like a relationship between Harry and Murphy might be just around the corner.
Okay so as you can tell from the above, there is a lot going on here. This is a complex story with a lot of wonderful characters. This was a highly entertaining book that kept me engaged. I love all the action, magic, and interesting characters we meet.
Overall an absolutely wonderful addition to the Harry Dresden series. I always forget how much I love these books until I read the next one in the series and am blown away. The plot is complex and intriguing, there are a lot of layers to the story. I love the characters and really enjoy the magic throughout. This whole series is highly recommended to urban fantasy fans.
What can I say? I am a big fan of the series and it was the perfect start to reading for fun again! It was another quick read, but another good read in my opinion since it tied up loose ends from the last book.
Again, no spoilers...but Waldo Butters said it all for me and then some. (I was actually happy Harry fulfilled his promise to Bob.) Second, I had a really good laugh on the same topic that Murphy could not stop laughing at either. Another laugh when Harry had a conversation with a certain someone, but no spoilers - can't say whom!
If you are new to the series, I recommend starting from the fourth or fifth book. However, this one could be a starting point too since it felt like an ending to the previous happenings.
As Winter Knight for Queen Mab, Harry Dresden has been given a new mission. Mab wants him to assist the leader of the Denarians, Nicodemus Archelone, in breaking into the Nevernever and stealing an item from Hades, God of the Underworld. Harry doesn't want to do it, but he can't back out of the mission or Mab will let the parasite growing in his brain kill him. Nicodemus has assembled his band of thieves, each with a specific expertise. Knowing that he can't trust anyone, Harry must carry through with Mab's request while stopping his archenemy, Nicodemus, from possessing a valuable item from Hades' vault.
Harry is worried that being the Winter Knight is changing him. He sometimes doubts himself and worries that he is being turned into one of the monsters he is fighting. Some of his friends are worried about his choices, wondering if Harry can come back from the choices he has made.
Jim Butcher is in top form in this 15th adventure of the Dresden Files. The last few books certainly weren't bad, but they were dark and the pace of the story was sometimes slow. This book had a great story with lots of action, amusing dialogue, and well-drawn characters. Karrin Murphy, Butters, and Michael Carpenter are on hand to help Harry with this adventure. There are also a few new characters introduced in this book, one of which I hope we will see in future books. My rating: 5 Stars.
