Tag Archives: Dresden Files

Summer Reading – 2010

22 Friday Oct 2010

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It’s been a busy summer of devouring books as fast as I can; so fast that I couldn’t get a review written of each of them. So, instead, here’s a rapid fire list of what rocked and what was as dull as a rock.
Books that Rocked:

Outliers: The Story Of Success – Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell is always an interesting read. His ability to find connections in places where they aren’t expected is uncanny.  In Outliers, you will learn that where and when we are born have a large influence on our future.

 

 

 

 

Time to Hunt – Stephen Hunter
I’ve read a few of the Bob Lee Swagger novels, and this one is the best so far.  Go back in time to Bob’s harrowing escapades in Vietnam, and learn why they call him “The Hammer”.

 

 

 

 

The Dresden Files

  • Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, Book 6) – Jim Butcher
  • Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, book 7) – Jim Butcher
  • Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, Book 8 ) – Jim Butcher
  • White Night (The Dresden Files, Book 9) – Jim Butcher
  • Small Favor (The Dresden Files, Book 10) – Jim Butcher
  • Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11) – Jim Butcher

Yup, it’s been a summer of Jim Butcher. I’m not surprised. Harry Dresden is a perfect lead character. He’s filled with doubt and weaknesses, but always has enough steely resolve and powerful magic to pull himself out of the tightest places.  Each book is better than the last, and I can only hope that Butcher keeps kicking them out.

 

The Night Angel Trilogy

  • The Way of Shadows (The Night Angel Trilogy) – Brent Weeks
  • Shadow’s Edge (Night Angel Trilogy) – Brent Weeks
  • Beyond the Shadows – Brent Weeks

The Night Angel Trilogy was an interesting fantasy series. It focused on a young boy who wants to escape his danger our and hopeless life as an orphan.  He gets himself apprenticed to the greatest assassin of the land and ends up having a drastic influence on the world while defeating a great evil.  Yup, that sounds like just about every fantasy series out there.  Great characters and interesting plot twists make this a worthwhile read.

 
The First Law

  • The Blade Itself (The First Law: Book One) – Joe Abercrombie
  • Before They Are Hanged (The First Law: Book Two) – Joe Abercrombie
  • Last Argument of Kings (First Law: Book Three) – Joe Abercrombie

Other than the Butcher books, this was my favorite series of the summer.  The story was full of intrigue and plotting, but what was interesting is that for all the machinations of man, there was a handful of demi-gods running around pulling the strings that no one really believed in.  Couple that with a half dozen morally gray heroes and heroines and you’ve got a formula for a great read.  Each chapter switches to a different hero’s perspective, and Abercrombie was able to make it so you instantly know which character you are with.

 
The State of the Union – Brad Thor
An interesting thriller that explores what would happen if Russia was playing possum and only pretended to lose the Cold War.  Think Tom Clancy crossed with Dan Brown.

 

 

 

 

As interesting as rocks

Daemons are Forever (Secret Histories, Book 2) – Simon R. Green
Loved the first book for its sheer volume of fantastical creatues.  The follow up fell flat for me.

The Orc King: Transitions, Book I – R.A. Salvatore
Salvatore has dozens of great books starring the dark elf, Drizzt Do’urden.  As he has progressed, the books have taken on a morally preachy timbre. I love the action, but could do without the sermons.

Agincourt: A Novel – Bernard Cornwell
A book about my favorite historical battle?  Count me in.  I can’t remember now why this was bad or good, and I guess that’s enough to say about it. However, Cornwell typically hits the mark and I would not hesitate to recommend him.

The Red Wolf Conspiracy – Robert V. S. Redick
The whole book takes place on a boat.  There’s some interesting characters, but I didn’t really get into it.

Sharpe’s Trafalgar: Richard Sharpe & the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805 (Richard Sharpe’s Adventure Series #4) – Bernard Cornwell
I really enjoy the Sharpe series, and I’m going to keep reading them. This book wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t that great either.

Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt: A Novel of the Twentieth Legion During the Rebellion of Sacrovir and Florus – James Mace
I really wanted to like this series, but it is entirely too dry for me.  I guess I’ll find a different Roman era series to read.

That’s 21 books read since March, not too shabby. Luckily, most of them have been good, including 3 series: The Night Angel Trilogy, The First Law, and The Dresden Files. Get some!

Summer Knight by Jim Butcher

30 Wednesday Sep 2009

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After reading a biography about Stalin, I figured it was time to pick up something that I could breeze through in a few enjoyable evenings. Butcher’s Dresden Files series was an easy choice.

Summer Knight is book four of the Dresden Files. Harry Dresden is a wizard, who just happens to be listed in the Chicago phone book and helps with lost items and paranormal investigations. He also happens to get himself in situations that most normal people can’t imagine.

In this latest installment, Harry finds himself as the focus between the Red Court of the vampires, and the White Council of the wizards. Both sides want to kill Harry for starting a war between the two sides. In order to prove his trustworthiness to the wizards, Harry must somehow find a way to stop a separate war between the Summer and Winter Queen’s of Faerie.

The action is non-stop and very enjoyable as I have come to expect from the Dresden series. New magic and more dangerous situations hide around every corner. Harry Dresden manages yet again to be vulnerable and yet come through and kick some ghoul ass in the end. There are even some nice twists and turns for those who particularly enjoy the mystery portion of this series.

The only downfall is that I’m concerned the books are becoming repetitive. There are a lot more Dresden File books, and I am looking forward to reading them, but I am unsure how often Butcher can go back to the same well and bring out a fresh story. I think I’ll try and find out though.

Rating 3 out of 5.  (What’s this?)

Oh, good news. There were three new books left on my shelf, but I didn’t feel like reading any of them. So, I’ve decided it’s time to read a couple of the books that I consider classics. First up: Shogun. I’m already about 300 pages in, and I can’t put it down. And it’s my fourth time through it!

Grave Peril – Dresen Files book 3 – by Jim Butcher

30 Monday Mar 2009

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After finishing a long and not so entertaining non-fiction book, I like to read something that I know will pique my interest.  Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files comes through in spades again.  The action kicks in immediately and only slows down for one or two chapters.

This time, Harry Dresden, our erstwhile hero, has some new help in the person of Michael Carpenter.  Michael is known as the Fist of God and is a Knight with a strong Faith and a sweet sword. He watches Harry’s back and destroys evil wherever he finds it. The ghosts in Chicago are running rampant, and it’s up to them to find out who or what is causing that to happen. 

The Dresden files are starting to fit into a mold.  Something ugly goes bump in the night.  Only one person in Chicago is equipped to fight the bad guy, and it’s Harry Dresden.  He sets out to find out what’s going on, and things go from bad to worse to badder to worser in a hurry. I know, not remotely grammatically correct, but I think you get the idea.  Just when you think it is as bad as it gets, it isn’t.  This time, it gets so bad that Harry dies – for a minute.  How can he get out?

Butcher set me up again this time.  As I read through the first half of the book, I started wondering why Dresden didn’t just do some badass magic stuff and get it over with.  He always seems so weak.  Ask and you shall receive.  When things look bleakest, Harry Dresden finds a way to get through.  And he does it in spectacular fashion.

I love a book that causes me to feel some emotion.  As long as it isn’t irritation, it’s a good thing.  This book managed to make me laugh and cheer.  Although it was a familiar plot arc, I really didn’t care.  Butcher does it well and made it feel fresh. I think I’ll try and find out if he can continue to keep it going through the whole series.

Rating: 4 out of 5  (see the rating system)

Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, Book 2) by Jim Butcher

13 Tuesday Jan 2009

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I’m going to try my hand at a couple of one-liners that can be put on this book in its 8th printing. Let’s see how it goes.

“Harry Potter’s got nothing on Harry Dresden.” – Libzig.com

“This book made me pee my pants…just a little.” – Libzig.com

“Chicago’s only wizard in the yellow pages is as good at getting himself into trouble as he is at getting out of it.” – Libzig.com

Ok. That’s enough practice. I think it’s obvious that my one –liners need a little work.  I read Book 1, Storm Front,  of the series last year, and immediately put Book 2 on my Amazon.com wish list.  After reading this book in just a couple of days, I now have Books 3-10 on my wish list. I don’t think I’ll be waiting until next year to read them.

I’m not ready to put this next to Shogun, Byzantium, or Gates of Fire on my short list of books that I’m always looking to reread, but it’s not far off.  Dresden is a very believable character.  He has flaws, self-doubt, and a biting sarcasm that left my wife continuously wondering just what was so funny.  He’s committed to using his gift of magic for good, but at the same time recognizes a lurking evil within him ready to subvert his magic and fuel it with lust and greed.

The story moves along at a good clip, with Dresden sliding into deeper and deeper trouble. Each time it looks like he’s gotten clear, something goes wrong to place him in a more perilous situation than before.  Help comes to him in unlooked for, but not unbelievable places.

If you haven’t read Book 1 of the series, I suggest you do so. You’ll find Dresden to be a compelling character and you can head into Book 2 knowing the back story.  In Fool Moon, you’ll find Dresden helping the Chicago Police investigate a number of grisly murders that have been taking place around the time of the full moon.  The attacks seem to be the work of wild animals.  Wild animal attacks during the full moon?  The only wizard in the yellow pages isn’t brought in unless there is something a little more sinister to it.  But who knew there were so many types of werewolves in Chicago?

There was a few times early on where I thought Dresden was a bit “weak” for a wizard.  He didn’t pull out any sweet moves and seemed a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing.  Butcher does a good of showing Dresden’s resolve, and before the end he dropped some powerful magic.  Turns out he’s a bit of a bad ass.

The book is excellent. I’m not sure much more needs to be said. Pick it up soon. Read it quickly, and buy more of the Dresden series.  I think I’ll be trying out some of Butcher’s other series as well.

4 stars – see the book rating explanation here