Review: 116. Ghost Story by Jim Butcher...

I've been very impatiently waiting on this title to be mine (from the library)... Well, it finally was! Yay!

Title: Ghost Story (Dresden Files #13)
Author: Jim Butcher
ISBN-13: 9780451463791
Hardcover: 477 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2011
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository
Source: Waukesha Public Library

drey's thoughts: Poor poor Harry. *sigh* He does the world a good deed, and ends up in the ever-after for his efforts. Good thing he's got friends... Or does he?

In this thirteenth installment to the popular Dresden Files series, Harry is sent back to watch over his friends--and to prevent further catastrophe (of course). He's not real. He's lost his magic. And he can't figure out which friends need protecting, never mind the how.

Reading a bit like Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Harry gets to reflect on how his emotions have caused some of the ruckus now gone mad in Chicago--and all around the world--and figuring out what he needs to do to help fix things for everyone else. Murphy's stressed and mostly in shock. Molly's surviving as best she can. And Bob's split off his evil half, just in case somebody not-so-Harry gets their grubby mitts on his skull. Sigh. When did saving the world get so complicated?

I loved the growth Harry experiences in Ghost Story. I winced at the Molly we see here. And I felt really really badly for Murphy. But I thought the ending provided a twist to how the story can progress, and I can't wait to meet the Harry starring in book number fourteen.
 
drey's rating: Excellent!! Not quite my favorite Dresden Files book, but close.

Have you read Ghost Story? What did you think?

101. Changes by Jim Butcher...

Title: Changes (Dresden Files #12)
Author: Jim Butcher
ISBN-13: 9780451463173
Hardcover: 438 pages
Publisher: Penguin Group, 2010
Purchase at IndieBound, Amazon, The Book Depository

FTC Disclosure: My copy of Changes stopped by for quite a while, on loan from my local library. I finally read it, and returned it at the eleventh hour. I am an affiliate at IndieBound, The Book Depository, and Amazon, and any purchases made by clicking on the cover or the links provided may result in monetary compensation.

drey's thoughts:
Well. You know how sometimes you pick up a book based on the title, and then you read it and find out that the title didn't quite fit the book? I know I have, and it's soooooo disappointing when that happens. Thought I'd mention it, because the twelfth book in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, is definitely aptly named!

Harry's past comes back to haunt him, and he finds a major surprise behind door #1. Behind door #2 is the Red Court going on the offensive. Door #3 opens to reveal fissures in the White Council. Unluckily for Harry, all three doors spill open at the same time. And Harry is running around trying to figure things out while trying to stay alive and stop the Red Court. You know, par for the course.

I'm really glad to see that this isn't one of those series that starts to wilt and wither once you get to book 7 or 8... As it is, I'm now totally looking forward to #13, and I'm off to stalk Mr. Butcher!

drey's rating: 4/5 Excellent

Challenges: 100+, Pub, Support Your Local Library

122. Turn Coat by Jim Butcher...

About the book:

When it comes to the magical ruling body known as the White Council, Harry keeps his nose clean and his head down. For years, the Council has held a death mark over Harry's head. He's still thought of as a black sheep by some--and as a sacrificial lamb by others. But none regard him with more suspicion and disdain than Morgan, a veteran Warden with a drudge against anyone who bends the rules.

Like Harry.

So when Morgan turns up asking for help, Harry isn't exactly eager to leap into action. Morgan has been accused of treason against the White Council--and there's only one final punishment for that crime. He's on the run, he wants his name cleared, and he needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog.

Like Harry.

Now Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less than agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head.

Like Harry...

drey's thoughts:
I've been kind of wavering between continuing along with Harry on his journey, or stepping off the boat. Lately anything that runs more than 6 books in a series, seems to lose my interest--who are these people? What did they do 3 books ago, again? Um, I forget... Y'know, that kinda thing.

Turn Coat, the latest installment in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, made me glad I picked it up. I mean, Morgan shows up, battered, asking for help. This is the dude who's like a hangnail you can't quite get rid of, sticking around closely because he's so sure Harry's rotten. Makes for an interesting adventure, then, doesn't it?

Especially considering the chaos left in the wake of an uneasy truce between the White Court and the Council, the fae popping up, and the specter of a traitor. So what does Harry do? Well, you know he can't turn a hurtin' man down. Even if it's Morgan. So Harry goes to see what scary bogeymen are hiding between doors #1, #2, and #3.

You're picking this one up if you're a fan of Harry Dresden. You'll pick it up if you've never heard of Harry Dresden, but like a good old-fashioned mystery wrapped up in creatures, curses, and corny humor--never mind that this is fantasy. I don't think reading the first ten are necessary to enjoy Turn Coat, but you might miss some of the subtle nuances. Not bad for book #11...

Title: Turn Coat
Author: Jim Butcher
ISBN-10: 0451462564
ISBN-13: 9780451462565
Hardcover: 418 pages
Publisher: NAL, 2009