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Fantasy. Fiction. Mystery. HTML:In this novel in Jim Butcherâ??s #1 New York Times bestselling series, an old debt puts Chicago wizard Harry Dresden in harms way... Harryâ??s life finally seems to be calming down. The White Councilâ??s war with the vampiric Red Court is easing up, no oneâ??s tried to kill him lately, and his eager apprentice is starting to learn real magic. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow. Mab, monarch of the Sidhe Winter Court, calls in an old favor from Harry. Just one small favor he canâ??t refuse...one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skillsâ??and loyaltiesâ??to their very limits. And everything was going so… (more)
User reviews
It's complicated. And delicious. And really, really clever.
The series gets darker and darker, yet loses none of its smart-ass snarkiness along the way. The usual suspects--apprentice Molly, Knights of the Cross Michael and Sanya, cop Karrin Murphy, et al--are along to help. The action is close to non-stop, and the ending is a doozy: several lives are irrevocably changed and you won't be able to wait to pick up the book eleven to find out what happens next.
I've always loved the drama in Harry's life, but this is the first time I've felt bogged down by it. The entire story was a rather confusing affair. Even as urban fantasy mysteries go, Dresden books are usually characterized by a string of events that follow logically from one to the next. He might not be doing much detective work anymore, but things generally unfold in a way to bring all the pieces together in a way that makes sense. I didn't get that so much from this book. Several loose ends were explained away in a convoluted manner or simply not touched upon at all.
All in all, I liked Small Favor, but remembering how good some of the previous installments of this series had been, I just can't give it the same high rating.
Butcher seems to be taking more time on the character development aspect of his writing. Small Favor is still a fun, exciting page turner, but there’s a lot of psychology going on here. Imagine actually feeling sorry, if only briefly, for The Fallen Nicodemus. The cast of characters are being developed so that we have a better better understanding their motivations. Small Favor was great in this regard because all of your favorites return. While the “Fists of God” and Denarians play the greatest roles (maybe even more so than Harry himself) you get a great refresher of all of the major players. The only obvious omission is the Red Court. Even though the war continues, they have no part in this particular installment.
I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone, but here are a few teasers in case you’re wavering; Harry develops a new love interest (you may or may not have seen this coming but it’s not the obvious choice), we ALMOST get a new Knight of the Cross (small and feisty) and you won’t believe what the Archive does to the Denarians in the aquarium sequence.
All of the Dresden Files novels have been entertaining and I think each has been better than the last. Keep in mind that each novel builds on previous books in the series so if you’re interested in Small Favor, take the time to first read its predecessors.
I agree completely with the reviewer who said, "the action is relentless to the point that it sometimes seems like movement for its own sake and simply to grind Harry down." I'm all for a nemesis, or powerful villain that recurs to tempt or taunt the hero. However, the endless parade of uber-powerful foes has become too much. I find myself thinking, "put the poor bugger out of his misery" instead of "go Harry!" He (still) owes a favor to Mab. Summer wants him dead. Then we have The Fallen, The Red Court, and The Black Council. Not to mention all the individual evils that pop up. And the White Council which still doesn't trust him. And to top it all off, his friends are doubting him and he keeps getting beaten up - literally! When I reached the end of the novel, it didn't feel like Harry saved the day. The little progress that was made was taken back and then some, and the Fallen are just regrouping over a minor setback. The plot, such as it was, didn't seem to serve any purpose. You'd think Summer would be just as concerned over a breach of the Accords as Winter, yet they're too intent on killing Harry? All this manipulation by Nicodemus on the chance the Archive would arbitrate? It just didn't mesh. I miss the Harry Dresden who investigated, prepared careful spells in advance (with Bob's running commentary), and came out ahead because of wits and bravery. I miss when the Voltswagon Beetle took the brunt of the damage instead of Harry. I was surprised to find myself happy at the potential romance between Harry and Luccio. I think because I just wanted something good to happen to our hero. But a kiss on the last page isn't enough to make up for how depressing the rest of his life, and this book, is.
Overall, I can't deny this was a page turner. Fans of the series will want to know what happens, and I did enjoy some of it. There is a lot of action and Harry is still a great, chivalrous hero. Butcher's trademark humor is here and a lot of good one liners. I've already pre-ordered the next book, but can't help but hope it gives us a real victory for the good guys. Harry deserves it.
At least Harry has his trusty Mouse, a pair of holy sword-bearing Knights of the Cross, an apprentice and cop friend with attitudes, and a super-hot vampire brother to keep his butt from being roasted by the arrayed forces of antagonists - including some very irate Billy Goats Gruff.
One thing you must love, to love Harry Dresden, is his wiseass, wise-cracking attitude. When he came face to face with Mab, Queen of the winter half of Faerie, he was so scared, "I couldn't summon up a single wiseass comment, and that just doesn't happen to me." He's reassured that if he can still crack some snark, he's doing okay. It's part of him. While in some other character it would feel forced and out of sync, it's what you expect from Harry Dresden. He proved it in the short story "Heorot," when, after not making any snarky comments to that Black Court vampire, he spit a mouthful of garlic powder onto her with the warning that if he's not mouthing off, something's wrong.
The plot in Small Favor is a bit more complicated, a bit harder to keep track of. I wasn't always quite sure of the relationship among all the players, but once I thought it through I was a bit clearer. On my second reading, I didn't have that problem, but knowing the general story probably helps that. [SPOILERS AHEAD!] I did notice a bit of foreshadowing this time: when Harry said if Titania wanted to stop him, all she'd have to do is break his back and land him in the hospital. Poor choice of words, Harry...
I was hoping to see more of Bob in this one, after he made such an early appearance, but that turned out to be not so much. In fact, we saw less of a few of the usual characters, including Murphy and Thomas, though they made their usual spectacular entrances at the end. Michael was the prominent secondary character, and he came through for Harry in ways Harry wouldn't have expected.
Ok, I knew Murphy had cajones, but standing up to that gruff who wouldn't notice if he sat on her, she proved they're big brass cajones. But one thing I saw coming -- I always knew that sword was meant for her! Go Murphy! She'll take it up sometime. She has to. And on my second reading, I noticed that Mab refers to Murphy as the "Lady Knight." If Mab thinks of her that way, come on...
And Michael - ack! I hope the price he's paid turns out to be worth it. I also noticed something on my rereading. Everyone referred to Harry as "bound to Winter" or otherwise beholden or owned by Winter. As if it was a done deal. Perhaps it was...
While Harry deserved the ending, it did NOT make me happy. Still waiting for the ending I'm hoping for!
The Take Away: I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to learn that total of 20 books are planned. Thrilled beyond
I love how nonchalant Harry is about the bad guys chasing him, again. I like Molly as a foil to his wizarding strength and Charity as a moral compass. Butcher really handles the massive quantity of secondary characters better tan most authors I read. I don't forget who they are and they continue to have important - not gratuitous - roles.
Considering that this book really is the midpoint of the series, Harry has a lot of adventure ahead of him. Enough, I believe, that he just might take up that sword.
It is really hard to summarize one of these books.
The hardest part of the series to believe is that Harry is always called upon to save the world against almost impossible odds. He always comes through with the help of preparation, thinking ahead, imagination, courage, and the help of other people with the same qualities.
In this case the fallen have conspired to kidnap the Archive, a young girl who holds humanity's collective memory and is immensely powerful. If they can break her, well, the world is in danger AGAIN.
Overall, a really good series, and a really good entry in the series. And, oh, by the way, a whole field of raspberries to the SciFi Channel for canceling the TV series based on the books. That was a Bad Decision.
I liked seeing more of Michael and family, would have liked to see more Thomas as he's one of the most interesting characters, am finding Murphy a little stagnant—but, all-in-all, this is still a solid addition to a good series.
The Billy Goats Gruff was wonderful!
I enjoy all of the Dresden books at about the same level, and devour them like a pint of yummy (in my case, soy) ice cream, all in one sitting. Probably because I've read all of them
If you like the Dresden books, you won't be disappointed, but regardless of all the 'splaining, I wouldn't drop into this series midway through.
I dont know how Jim Butcher does it after ten books but he managed to write another roller coaster of a book which had me turning the page at blistering speed to find out what happens next.
The reader gets to see a lot of character and story development in this book and a lot more "hints" about Harry and his past/future were dropped.
A highly recommended book but start at the beginning if you are new to the series.
After teasing us for several book, Butcher finally starts to explore the question of to whom the third sword of the Knights-of-the-Cross should be given. Also after a long wait, there might, just might be some romance returning to a young wizards life.
This is a fast moving novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat with anticipation and expectation until the end. There are even a few ticklers for future stories that leave you wondering when you can read the next exciting adventure of the Dresden Files.