Helpful Score: 4
Harry Dresden, Chicago wizard detective, seems to have at least one really tough day a year. If youve kept up with this series, you know that each book is about one of those days. Book 14 is no exception. Book 12, Changes, ended in a tough way for Harry. Book 13, Ghost Story, found Harry defeating that tough ending, only to jump from the fire into the frying pan. Book 14, Cold Days, we get to find out what Harry does with the frying pan. And he handles it masterfully, grabbing that frying pan with both hands and slamming it into anyone who tries to manipulate him. Once again, Jim Butcher kept me well entertained.
Even as Harry fights for the good of our world, he is tormented by a newly given power which threatens to turn him into a less honorable man. Coupled with this, a fight on the Large Universe level is revealed to him, adding urgency to his quest to fulfill his Winter Court orders and yet maintain his humanity. Each time I read one of these books, I think, thats as big as it can get; it just cant get any worse than this. Ha! Im always delightedly wrong. Because the characters continue to grow and change throughout this series, it never, ever gets old. Each book isnt a rerun of the last, nor are there simply 4-6 tropes that Butcher recycles. People change, allegiances change, the scope changes. Book 14 is not an exception.
If I have any complaints about this book, it is that some of the banter fell a little short, didnt make me chuckle as much as in previous books. In part, this may be due to conscious decision by Butcher, as things are a little strained between Harry and some of his Chicago friends, so the conversations and banter would be a little off, a little strained themselves. However, such a minor complaint did not keep me from experiencing a large sense of fulfillment at the end of the novel. Foolishly, at Page 99, I thought I had glimpsed the ending; I was wrong, because the ending was so much more than I anticipated.
Even as Harry fights for the good of our world, he is tormented by a newly given power which threatens to turn him into a less honorable man. Coupled with this, a fight on the Large Universe level is revealed to him, adding urgency to his quest to fulfill his Winter Court orders and yet maintain his humanity. Each time I read one of these books, I think, thats as big as it can get; it just cant get any worse than this. Ha! Im always delightedly wrong. Because the characters continue to grow and change throughout this series, it never, ever gets old. Each book isnt a rerun of the last, nor are there simply 4-6 tropes that Butcher recycles. People change, allegiances change, the scope changes. Book 14 is not an exception.
If I have any complaints about this book, it is that some of the banter fell a little short, didnt make me chuckle as much as in previous books. In part, this may be due to conscious decision by Butcher, as things are a little strained between Harry and some of his Chicago friends, so the conversations and banter would be a little off, a little strained themselves. However, such a minor complaint did not keep me from experiencing a large sense of fulfillment at the end of the novel. Foolishly, at Page 99, I thought I had glimpsed the ending; I was wrong, because the ending was so much more than I anticipated.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the fourteenth book in the Dresden Files series and it was an excellent read.
Harry Dresden is back from the dead but was forced to become Mabs Winter Knight as part of the deal. As he struggles to recover after his ordeal, Mab gives him a command...kill Maeve. Harry returns to Chicago in an effort to figure out why Mab wants Maeve dead, but while there he finds out that something very very wrong is going on with the island of Demonreach. Now as Harry tries to reunite with old acquaintances he is left with very little time to kill Maeve, figure out my Mab wants Maeve killed, and figure out how to save Demonreach.
This was a great read. Harry is back to his old self in this book, but with new and awesome powers of the Winter Knight at his beck and call. We meet a great new character in the sarcastic and uber powerful Cait Sith. We also reunite with a lot of old favorites; Molly, Murphy, and Thomas all play large parts in this story.
A lot of things happen in this story and a lot of truths are revealed that just absolutely blow your mind. There were two or three times where I was like Woah, no way! We learn the truth behind the purpose of the Faerie Queens and the truth behind all of the strange things that have happened throughout this entire series. This is a book that truly brings together everything that have happened previously in this series.
I really really enjoyed it. This was a long book, but a good one. There are just so many awesome things in here. As you might guess Faerie is present in a big way; but we also get to learn more about the Outsiders.
This series continues to be very well written and very engaging. I am impressed that Butcher has been able to keep up the quality storytelling and wonderful momentum throughout this series.
Highly recommended to fans of this series. Also highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy; this is the series that started it all. Its hard to believe that this series is still going strong and is still incredibly well done after 14 books! Cant wait to see what the next book holds!
Harry Dresden is back from the dead but was forced to become Mabs Winter Knight as part of the deal. As he struggles to recover after his ordeal, Mab gives him a command...kill Maeve. Harry returns to Chicago in an effort to figure out why Mab wants Maeve dead, but while there he finds out that something very very wrong is going on with the island of Demonreach. Now as Harry tries to reunite with old acquaintances he is left with very little time to kill Maeve, figure out my Mab wants Maeve killed, and figure out how to save Demonreach.
This was a great read. Harry is back to his old self in this book, but with new and awesome powers of the Winter Knight at his beck and call. We meet a great new character in the sarcastic and uber powerful Cait Sith. We also reunite with a lot of old favorites; Molly, Murphy, and Thomas all play large parts in this story.
A lot of things happen in this story and a lot of truths are revealed that just absolutely blow your mind. There were two or three times where I was like Woah, no way! We learn the truth behind the purpose of the Faerie Queens and the truth behind all of the strange things that have happened throughout this entire series. This is a book that truly brings together everything that have happened previously in this series.
I really really enjoyed it. This was a long book, but a good one. There are just so many awesome things in here. As you might guess Faerie is present in a big way; but we also get to learn more about the Outsiders.
This series continues to be very well written and very engaging. I am impressed that Butcher has been able to keep up the quality storytelling and wonderful momentum throughout this series.
Highly recommended to fans of this series. Also highly recommended to fans of urban fantasy; this is the series that started it all. Its hard to believe that this series is still going strong and is still incredibly well done after 14 books! Cant wait to see what the next book holds!
Helpful Score: 1
Wow! I'm impressed that Butcher has not lost steam with this series. As with his usual books, it is action packed with funny lines thrown in. I think my favorite is the interaction between Harry and Thomas. Don't want to ruin it for you guys but I was slightly disappointed with how things went with Karrin even though it was the mature thing to do (also because Kincaid is my favorite character). Otherwise, everything that happened totally rocked.
If you have never read anything by Butcher, this is not the book to start. His series aren't really a standalone and has to be read in order.
If you have never read anything by Butcher, this is not the book to start. His series aren't really a standalone and has to be read in order.
Helpful Score: 1
After the events of the last book in the series, Wizard Harry Dresden wakes up inside Faerie's Winter Court. He is the new Winter Knight and Queen Mab has some tasks for him...one of which is killing an immortal. Harry returns to Chicago and reunites with his friends, getting their help with the current mission. He also visits Demonreach, the island where his body resided during the last book. There he finds that things are not going well; an evil may be unleashed on Chicago unless he can stop it.
This book relies heavily on the previous books in the series, especially Summer Knight. If it has been a long time since you read that book, you may want to brush up on it. This is not a book to pick up and jump into the series. Start at the beginning. My only problem with this book was the heavy faerie storyline. I'm not a fan of faeries and my mind tends to wonder since they talk in riddles and rarely give a straight answer. Other people love the faeries, so I figure it's only me and not a problem with the book.
It's so nice to have Harry back. I wasn't a big fan of the last book, but felt this one was back up to the high standard of the series. I loved seeing Harry being reunited with his cronies. The scenes between Harry and his half-brother, Thomas, were very thought provoking. We see how things could have been different if Harry had just used his head. We also get some scenes with Bob, Butters, Mouse, Mac, and Murphy. I'm so glad everyone is back in this series. This book also has some surprise plot twists, and sets up the story for the next book in the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This book relies heavily on the previous books in the series, especially Summer Knight. If it has been a long time since you read that book, you may want to brush up on it. This is not a book to pick up and jump into the series. Start at the beginning. My only problem with this book was the heavy faerie storyline. I'm not a fan of faeries and my mind tends to wonder since they talk in riddles and rarely give a straight answer. Other people love the faeries, so I figure it's only me and not a problem with the book.
It's so nice to have Harry back. I wasn't a big fan of the last book, but felt this one was back up to the high standard of the series. I loved seeing Harry being reunited with his cronies. The scenes between Harry and his half-brother, Thomas, were very thought provoking. We see how things could have been different if Harry had just used his head. We also get some scenes with Bob, Butters, Mouse, Mac, and Murphy. I'm so glad everyone is back in this series. This book also has some surprise plot twists, and sets up the story for the next book in the series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This book is everything I expected and lots that I didn't.I find myself laughing outlout a few times and towards the end,cringing and completely dumbfounded. Overall this is the best book of the series.
Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden novels are great. A must buy whenever a new one comes out.
For me the fourteenth book in the Dresden Files series, Cold Days, only gets two (2) stars since I felt Changes (book #12) was the best and everything from here on out will be slow winding down to the end. "The end"...is actually a good place to start. For me it was definitely a let down. I thought Harry Dresden was back in Chicago for good and without giving away too many spoilers - let's just say he's not!
What exactly happens this time around? Harry returns to Chicago to get more information on the first task Mab has set him on: Kill Maeve! While in Chicago, he discovers another task that takes precedence: Don't let his island explode!
Along the way he tries his damnedest to avoid everyone he ever knew, except for Bob. Epic fail...but maybe it was a good thing since he always needs help anyway. Or perhaps, as the Knights of the Cross would say, "...mysterious ways" no coincidence here. Other things that fall into that category: Molly, Sarissa, Lilly and Harry's destiny to become "a Warden."
The last straw that made me sway into a two (2) start rating: Murphy! One step forward and two steps back. If you are curious as to what that is supposed to mean, I suggest you read the book.
What exactly happens this time around? Harry returns to Chicago to get more information on the first task Mab has set him on: Kill Maeve! While in Chicago, he discovers another task that takes precedence: Don't let his island explode!
Along the way he tries his damnedest to avoid everyone he ever knew, except for Bob. Epic fail...but maybe it was a good thing since he always needs help anyway. Or perhaps, as the Knights of the Cross would say, "...mysterious ways" no coincidence here. Other things that fall into that category: Molly, Sarissa, Lilly and Harry's destiny to become "a Warden."
The last straw that made me sway into a two (2) start rating: Murphy! One step forward and two steps back. If you are curious as to what that is supposed to mean, I suggest you read the book.
Good book. Parts did drag on while other parts nonstop action so it did balance itself out. I am however over the Molly and Harry thing, whatever that is or not is.
Dresden is back, but honey if you haven't read any of the preceding 13 stories, this book is not for you. My constant problem with Dresden stories is that there is never time to eat, sleep, or relax & visit. The go go buildup of the stories has caused me to just skip to the end of the book to see what happened. I have only done this with one other book, and it was the 13th Dresden book. Since Harry was murdered at the end of that one I never finished reading the huge part I skipped. I was hoping that with Jim Butcher's huge vacation from writing that he would take a more caring interest in his characters, but it just can't seem to happen. Honestly he took better care of the characters in his Codex Alera series which was WONDERFUL (plus it came to an end).
Another enjoyable entry in the Dresden Files. In this volume we see Harry dealing with his new status as the Winter Knight, and the aftermath of his near death for his friends, apprentice, and the balance of power in Chicago. Without his presence to discourage undesirables from the supernatural world, and the power vacuum left after the events of "Changes".
best book in the series by far, probably in the top 5 books I have ever read. The last 200 pages were jaw dropping... #amazing
