Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Roc (New York, 2014). 1st edition, 1st printing. 464 pages. $27.95.
Description
Chicago wizard Harry Dresden must help a hated enemy, Nicodemus Archleone, break into a high security vault to steal something belonging to the Lord of the Underworld.
User reviews
LibraryThing member cmlloyd67
Butcher's latest entry in the Dresden Files revisits the ill-conceived Knights of the Black Denarius and Knights of the Holy Cross, with a bit of George Lucas' tired Star Wars mythology thrown in for good sport, because really? Why not?
Once again, we visit the holy Carpenter family, who is being
And the wicked Nicodemus who houses the fallen archeangle Anduriel and rules the brothers of the Black Deniaurus. There's a few plot twists, which sort of fall in out of the sky and are hard to care too much about. Neither are built well. And yes, like all the novels that feature the Knights, this one smacks of sexism. The loyal Murphy makes an appearance but is taken out early in the proceedings and replaced by the far more capable Michael Carpenter, and eventually, forensic specialist, Walter Butters - who bumbles his way into becoming what amounts to another Knight. As the guys fist bump each other in brotherly bonding. There's romance, but it's really not the focus, and Butcher clearly is uncomfortable with sex scenes even if they take place in dreams. He'd much rather write fight scenes - and lots of them.
As a result, Harry gets beaten up a lot - and I do mean a lot. Throughout the book - he's on the verge of keeling over at any moment - yet he manages to hold his own against assorted and sundry villainy. It's sort of like watching a battered Energizer Bunny on Steroids.
While enjoyable in places, it drug in others and took far too long to get to the point. The writer had the character keep too many secrets - from his readers. Which works well in third person pov but not so much in first. Also, one too many fight scenes, and most did little to move either the character or action forward - feeling more like pointless filler.
There is a bit of set-up here for the next novel. While I'll most likely check out the next one, I'm beginning to think this series has been stretched a bit too thin and should be nearing the wrap up stage by now.
Once again, we visit the holy Carpenter family, who is being
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protected by a circle of heavenly host. Although apparently only from supernatural threats, so towards the end of the book - the fairies put their on detail to the task. That's not really a spoiler.And the wicked Nicodemus who houses the fallen archeangle Anduriel and rules the brothers of the Black Deniaurus. There's a few plot twists, which sort of fall in out of the sky and are hard to care too much about. Neither are built well. And yes, like all the novels that feature the Knights, this one smacks of sexism. The loyal Murphy makes an appearance but is taken out early in the proceedings and replaced by the far more capable Michael Carpenter, and eventually, forensic specialist, Walter Butters - who bumbles his way into becoming what amounts to another Knight. As the guys fist bump each other in brotherly bonding. There's romance, but it's really not the focus, and Butcher clearly is uncomfortable with sex scenes even if they take place in dreams. He'd much rather write fight scenes - and lots of them.
As a result, Harry gets beaten up a lot - and I do mean a lot. Throughout the book - he's on the verge of keeling over at any moment - yet he manages to hold his own against assorted and sundry villainy. It's sort of like watching a battered Energizer Bunny on Steroids.
While enjoyable in places, it drug in others and took far too long to get to the point. The writer had the character keep too many secrets - from his readers. Which works well in third person pov but not so much in first. Also, one too many fight scenes, and most did little to move either the character or action forward - feeling more like pointless filler.
There is a bit of set-up here for the next novel. While I'll most likely check out the next one, I'm beginning to think this series has been stretched a bit too thin and should be nearing the wrap up stage by now.
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LibraryThing member AHS-Wolfy
This review will contain at least minor spoilers for the preceding books of the series.
Harry Dresden meets Ocean's Eleven - kind of! Queen Mab is in debt and the one she owes thinks it's time to collect and wants to use the Winter Knight on a heist as his skills are required in order for the job to
This is another action-oriented instalment (the 15th) of this wonderful series and the quality is once again top-notch and although we've visited this villain before the intensity is ratcheted up even more this time around. It's great to see some of the old familiar faces with Murphy, the Carpenters, Butters, Bob, Molly, Maggie and Mouse all making appearances. There's a myriad of plot-twists along the way and some great pop-culture references to try and spot in amongst the wisecracks. There's also a sneaky author trick towards the end that almost makes you want to read certain passages again but I can forgive Mr Butcher because of how everything turns out and it's not like there weren't little pointers along the way. A good ending but one which also has me longing to find out what happens next.
Harry Dresden meets Ocean's Eleven - kind of! Queen Mab is in debt and the one she owes thinks it's time to collect and wants to use the Winter Knight on a heist as his skills are required in order for the job to
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succeed. Big problem for Harry as the role of Danny Ocean is being played by Nicodemus Archleone, Knight of the Blackened Danarius and back-stabber extraordinaire. Harry's been left no choice but to play along as Mab lays out the consequences if he refuses. Not only will his fate at least match that of his predecessor as Winter Knight but all his friends and family will be at risk also. So what's the job? Nothing too complex. The team that's assembled just need to rob a vault. One that happens to belong to Hades, Lord of the Underworld.This is another action-oriented instalment (the 15th) of this wonderful series and the quality is once again top-notch and although we've visited this villain before the intensity is ratcheted up even more this time around. It's great to see some of the old familiar faces with Murphy, the Carpenters, Butters, Bob, Molly, Maggie and Mouse all making appearances. There's a myriad of plot-twists along the way and some great pop-culture references to try and spot in amongst the wisecracks. There's also a sneaky author trick towards the end that almost makes you want to read certain passages again but I can forgive Mr Butcher because of how everything turns out and it's not like there weren't little pointers along the way. A good ending but one which also has me longing to find out what happens next.
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LibraryThing member Awfki
2015-05-04/0%: I'm not starting this yet, just dropping a comment noting that while I loved the first few books in this series I really got bored with the "get your ass kicked and just barely manage to save the world" motif that was repeated in EVERY FUCKING BOOK. Doesn't Dresden ever work smaller
Actually, that reminds me of Side Jobs. I was really interested in Dresden short stories since they might be toned down a little. You know, set the crisis novel down to 3 or 4 instead of 11. Sadly, I blinked and forgot about it and it'll have to wait till after Hugo reading is finished.
2015-05-06/8%: I worried about jumping back into Dresden at book 15 when I left the series at book 5. There was no need to be worried. It's still Dresden and Jim Butcher hasn’t forgotten how to write so this is gonna be a fun ride despite my complaint about the series. The contrast with Kevin J Anderson is night and day. I couldn't read a page in The Dark Between the Stars without rolling my eyes or sighing in frustrated annoyance. From page one of Skin Game I just sank into the smooth flow of words.
2015-05-07/56%: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOOOOLYYYYYY SHIT! I did not realize how much I missed Harry Dresden. It still has the usual annoyances as he's constantly outgunned and constantly getting his ass kicked but pulling through in the end. I really hate that. But GODDAMN IT Jim Butcher can write! I would like, at least once, for Harry to actually have his shit together and get the win without having to pull it out of his ass at the last second. I mean really, after all this time you'd think he'd stop feeling sorry for himself and start doing some planning instead of moping.
2015-05-09/91%: I was so enthused the other day and then yesterday... I just didn't want to read. I did a little bit but I think I was avoiding the part where Harry gets his ass kicked. Actually he handled himself fairly well in the vault. Almost looked like a competent hero. I love the "Parkour!" thing. Hilarious.
2015-05-09/100%: Woohoo! It was a fun ride. Harry didn't get ass kicked as bad as he usually does. Interesting stuff happened and... it was a Dresden Files book. Parkour!
Hugo Summary/3: A really fun ride but the best best novel should do more than just entertain. Also, Butcher's written a very similar book fourteen times before so I don't see why this one should be a best novel. It didn't stand up over the five Dresden books I read before this one, they were all good, really fun, but also repetitive.
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cases? Or just take a day off? Butcher's a good writer and I wish he kick the "save the world" crutch and figure out that he's got interesting characters that we love and he just just tell us about them without everything always being a huge crisis. That's just lazy.Actually, that reminds me of Side Jobs. I was really interested in Dresden short stories since they might be toned down a little. You know, set the crisis novel down to 3 or 4 instead of 11. Sadly, I blinked and forgot about it and it'll have to wait till after Hugo reading is finished.
2015-05-06/8%: I worried about jumping back into Dresden at book 15 when I left the series at book 5. There was no need to be worried. It's still Dresden and Jim Butcher hasn’t forgotten how to write so this is gonna be a fun ride despite my complaint about the series. The contrast with Kevin J Anderson is night and day. I couldn't read a page in The Dark Between the Stars without rolling my eyes or sighing in frustrated annoyance. From page one of Skin Game I just sank into the smooth flow of words.
2015-05-07/56%: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOOOOLYYYYYY SHIT! I did not realize how much I missed Harry Dresden. It still has the usual annoyances as he's constantly outgunned and constantly getting his ass kicked but pulling through in the end. I really hate that. But GODDAMN IT Jim Butcher can write! I would like, at least once, for Harry to actually have his shit together and get the win without having to pull it out of his ass at the last second. I mean really, after all this time you'd think he'd stop feeling sorry for himself and start doing some planning instead of moping.
2015-05-09/91%: I was so enthused the other day and then yesterday... I just didn't want to read. I did a little bit but I think I was avoiding the part where Harry gets his ass kicked. Actually he handled himself fairly well in the vault. Almost looked like a competent hero. I love the "Parkour!" thing. Hilarious.
2015-05-09/100%: Woohoo! It was a fun ride. Harry didn't get ass kicked as bad as he usually does. Interesting stuff happened and... it was a Dresden Files book. Parkour!
Hugo Summary/3: A really fun ride but the best best novel should do more than just entertain. Also, Butcher's written a very similar book fourteen times before so I don't see why this one should be a best novel. It didn't stand up over the five Dresden books I read before this one, they were all good, really fun, but also repetitive.
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LibraryThing member monica67
I reread the entire series to prepare to read Skin Game. And it did not disappoint. There is so much backstory now, it's probably impossible to really properly enjoy this story coming in anywhere but the beginning. But what that creates is a layered, fully formed universe for Harry Dresden. Every
AHEAD BE SPOILERS!
Mainly, this is the story of Dresden fulfilling his debt to Mab as her Winter Knight. But, as usual, there's so much more to the story, and even Harry doesn't find out the whole purpose of what he's doing until he's in the thick of things. Regardless of her intentions, Mab is true to herself. She found a way to use Harry's earlier refusal to be compelled to do things against him by making sure the circumstances don't allow him any other choice.
It was disconcerting to see how much further -- even more so than when he'd been dead -- his friends have moved away from him. They've stopped relying on him to be there to save the day. That says more than anything about how far removed from their lives he's become. Of course, Mab had a role in that too. Even in keeping Molly away. Their first conversation went far better than I expected it would.
Harry's arrival on Michael's doorstep was heartbreaking, but inevitable. During their conversation, Michael, ever the good man, said what Harry needed to hear. But Harry's Id said what needed to be said. Ouch.
The truth about the parasite - well, Murphy's reaction was priceless! And it raises a lot of interesting questions. Questions we'll now have to wait to have answered...
The heist was nerve wracking in that I kept waiting for it to get worse, for someone to turn on Harry, for something to attack them. Which all happened! Repeatedly! But as a consolation -- Harry made Nick cry... *cackle*
Hades was a great character. And he apparently sees a lot of himself in Harry. Is that a good or a bad thing? Goodman Grey was intriguing. What we find out about him in the end made him more so. I was particularly intrigued that he knew Harry's mother. Are we to take that as coincidence? And he basically compared her to a naagloshii. I can't wait to find out more about this "piece of work." She must have been something.
Butcher gave us a bit more closure than usual in this book. It was satisfying, knowing how long it'll be before we get another book. At least I can say FINALLY for Harry and Karrin. It may be just a kiss, but I'll take it!
Lastly, I must say, WAY TO GO, BUTTERS! There was so much awesome in those scenes, there's really not much I can say briefly. Only this:
"Mister, where I come from, there is no try."
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action has always had consequences in the Dresden universe. And some of those consequences play out in Skin Game.AHEAD BE SPOILERS!
Mainly, this is the story of Dresden fulfilling his debt to Mab as her Winter Knight. But, as usual, there's so much more to the story, and even Harry doesn't find out the whole purpose of what he's doing until he's in the thick of things. Regardless of her intentions, Mab is true to herself. She found a way to use Harry's earlier refusal to be compelled to do things against him by making sure the circumstances don't allow him any other choice.
It was disconcerting to see how much further -- even more so than when he'd been dead -- his friends have moved away from him. They've stopped relying on him to be there to save the day. That says more than anything about how far removed from their lives he's become. Of course, Mab had a role in that too. Even in keeping Molly away. Their first conversation went far better than I expected it would.
Harry's arrival on Michael's doorstep was heartbreaking, but inevitable. During their conversation, Michael, ever the good man, said what Harry needed to hear. But Harry's Id said what needed to be said. Ouch.
The truth about the parasite - well, Murphy's reaction was priceless! And it raises a lot of interesting questions. Questions we'll now have to wait to have answered...
The heist was nerve wracking in that I kept waiting for it to get worse, for someone to turn on Harry, for something to attack them. Which all happened! Repeatedly! But as a consolation -- Harry made Nick cry... *cackle*
Hades was a great character. And he apparently sees a lot of himself in Harry. Is that a good or a bad thing? Goodman Grey was intriguing. What we find out about him in the end made him more so. I was particularly intrigued that he knew Harry's mother. Are we to take that as coincidence? And he basically compared her to a naagloshii. I can't wait to find out more about this "piece of work." She must have been something.
Butcher gave us a bit more closure than usual in this book. It was satisfying, knowing how long it'll be before we get another book. At least I can say FINALLY for Harry and Karrin. It may be just a kiss, but I'll take it!
Lastly, I must say, WAY TO GO, BUTTERS! There was so much awesome in those scenes, there's really not much I can say briefly. Only this:
"Mister, where I come from, there is no try."
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LibraryThing member raselyem7
It is nice to see Harry growing out of his misplaced misogyny and into a character that works with the women in his life rather than smothering them out of a misplaced sense of chivalry. There is a real gem of a moment when Harry notes that sometimes the sexiest thing a woman can do is give
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consent. Let's hear it for yes means yes rather than no means no. Show Less
LibraryThing member EowynA
The next Dresden Files book. This episode is a heist caper. We've got Dresden, Murphy, and a whole group of assorted untrustworthy associates trying to steal something from Hell. Enjoyable hijinks ensue.
LibraryThing member btburt
The Dresden Files is one of my favorite speculative fiction series of all time. Whenever a new installment is released, my wife and oldest son and I fight over who gets to read it first! This is yet another extraordinary story: great characters, relentless action, brilliant plot twists. This series
Jim Butcher is the REAL wizard in this mesmerizing fictional universe. Please keep them coming, sir!
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is more addictive than any drug (or potion, for that matter). Every novel in the series raises the bar... which is an amazing achievement, considering how high the bar was set in the beginning.Jim Butcher is the REAL wizard in this mesmerizing fictional universe. Please keep them coming, sir!
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
This fifteenth book in the Dresden Files series was an exciting thrill ride as Harry has to out-think and be twistier than some very twisty characters. It is a chance for him to reconnect with old friends and see how their lives have changed while he was spending time on Demonreach.
Mab has lent
Along with the action and adventure, we see Harry learning more about his relationship with his daughter Maggie and learning more about what it means to be a parent.
This isn't a book for newcomers to the series because many characters from earlier books - both friends and enemies - have roles in this story. The back stories are essential to understanding what is happening. For those of us who are already fans, the story was a great chance to catch up with Harry.
Mab has lent
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Harry out to an old enemy of his. Together with other assorted untrustworthy characters, they are going to attempt to enter one of Hades' vaults in the Underworld and steal the Holy Grail from him. Harry demands backup that he can trust and first has Karrin Murphy which gives us a chance to look at the state of their relationship. After Karrin is hurt, Harry calls Michael Carpenter out of retirement to be his backup. Along with the action and adventure, we see Harry learning more about his relationship with his daughter Maggie and learning more about what it means to be a parent.
This isn't a book for newcomers to the series because many characters from earlier books - both friends and enemies - have roles in this story. The back stories are essential to understanding what is happening. For those of us who are already fans, the story was a great chance to catch up with Harry.
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LibraryThing member bragan
In this latest installment of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, wizard Harry Dresden finds himself committed to pulling off an ambitious supernatural heist plan with a group of bad guys who will very likely try to kill him as soon as they no longer need him (or maybe before that, if they lose
Skin Game delivers, once again, pretty much everything I expect from a Harry Dresden novel: Some decent character stuff (including one minor character getting to have a truly impressive Moment of Awesome). Some irreverent humor from the still-irrepressible Harry. And a plot that starts slow and builds up page-turning momentum by the end, with lots of action and lots of fun twists and turns.
Plot-wise this one might be a little more self-contained than most of this series has been recently, although it's still extremely continuity-heavy and definitely not a place to jump in on the series. It also sets up a couple of interesting things that I'll be looking forward to seeing play out in future volumes.
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their tempers). Meanwhile, he worries a bit about the extent to which he himself qualifies as a good guy these days and just how long he can continue to do so.Skin Game delivers, once again, pretty much everything I expect from a Harry Dresden novel: Some decent character stuff (including one minor character getting to have a truly impressive Moment of Awesome). Some irreverent humor from the still-irrepressible Harry. And a plot that starts slow and builds up page-turning momentum by the end, with lots of action and lots of fun twists and turns.
Plot-wise this one might be a little more self-contained than most of this series has been recently, although it's still extremely continuity-heavy and definitely not a place to jump in on the series. It also sets up a couple of interesting things that I'll be looking forward to seeing play out in future volumes.
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LibraryThing member dearheart
Harry Dresden, originally known as being the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, is now the Winter Knight and had been stuck by himself on an island in Lake Michigan with no way off and unable to reach his brother or friends. He’s on the island because of a parasite in his head that’s
Cross and double cross, plans within plans, you just never know exactly how Harry will keep pulling himself out of impossible situations—or what he’ll learn. Expect a number of surprises.
The action or at least the tension is practically non-stop once things get moving and one of the things the author does really well is manage to add just enough humor to keep the high tension from feeling overwhelming.
With left with little ability to help in a fight when he was more or less a ghost a couple of books back, Harry spent more time observing and seeing others and their actions in a different light. He’s become more introspective and what’s most important in his life his definitely shifted compared to the beginning of the series. A number of things that take place in this book fall along those lines and will have an impact on future stories. We’re provided plenty of threads for the future.
This story pulls heavily on past characters and story arcs, and that’s where I had some problems with the first half of the book. I don’t remember a great deal about a number of things brought up. These books are pretty involved and with Harry always hurt and constantly facing one thing after another, rereading the series one book after another is just too stressful for me. However, we’re given enough back story in small amounts throughout the book to get you through it and you aren’t going to feel overwhelmed with history in any one place.
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causing incapacitating pain and the energy on the island is able to contain it somewhat. Mab shows up telling him he’s got to fulfill a commitment for her with his old enemy, Nicodemus, helping him break into Hades’ vault to steal something valuable. Cross and double cross, plans within plans, you just never know exactly how Harry will keep pulling himself out of impossible situations—or what he’ll learn. Expect a number of surprises.
The action or at least the tension is practically non-stop once things get moving and one of the things the author does really well is manage to add just enough humor to keep the high tension from feeling overwhelming.
With left with little ability to help in a fight when he was more or less a ghost a couple of books back, Harry spent more time observing and seeing others and their actions in a different light. He’s become more introspective and what’s most important in his life his definitely shifted compared to the beginning of the series. A number of things that take place in this book fall along those lines and will have an impact on future stories. We’re provided plenty of threads for the future.
This story pulls heavily on past characters and story arcs, and that’s where I had some problems with the first half of the book. I don’t remember a great deal about a number of things brought up. These books are pretty involved and with Harry always hurt and constantly facing one thing after another, rereading the series one book after another is just too stressful for me. However, we’re given enough back story in small amounts throughout the book to get you through it and you aren’t going to feel overwhelmed with history in any one place.
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LibraryThing member capiam1234
How is it that fifteen books have passed and this series just keeps getting better and better? I mean seriously is there some pact that Jim Butcher signed with supernatural forces that has given him crazy god like writing powers?
LibraryThing member utbw42
Butcher writes the character of Harry Dresden so well he could have him on a shopping trip to the local grocery store and it would be entertaining reading. What makes volume after volume of The Dresden Files so impressive is he places Harry in a fantastic world of reality meets supernatural, with
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engrossingly enjoyable reading results. This one is no exception, with Harry caught between two very powerful spiritual figures (Mab and Nicodemus) in a high stakes game of theft and betrayal in the Underworld (think Hades). Harry has to rely on old friends and new suspicious allies to survive and make the ultimate decision about his and his family's future against some extremely dangerous and powerful forces. I keep saying this would make an outstanding series (hello, HBO?) if correctly written and produced. As a novel series it remains at or near the top of continuing series I have read, ANY genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member medievalmama
WOW!! I think Laurell Hamilton with her Anita Blake books is having a contest with Jim Butcher on who can come up with the most believable oh-my-God twists and turns in their series. I think Butcher is winning, but only because I cannot imagine where he can go next. Hamilton left various clues in
PS -- a colleague suggested that Butcher is using the tarot as a base and that is why he has 22 books planned. Any thoughts on that? I'm thinking if 'tis so, is VERY loosely based. Perhaps some Kabbalistic Tree of Life bits thrown in -- as he ascends the Qilophic forces keep trying to pull him down into the mirrored version????? With Michael and the Knights of the Sword vs the Denarians, he definitely has the angels and the fallen.
Actually, in contrast with MOST (all but one) of the other reviews, I think this is a great place for a new reader to come in and realize that they have 14 more awesome or near awesome books to read. I started with book one and stopped there until a friend talked me into book two. Since then, I'm hooked and working my way back up from book one to the middle of book 9 right now. (for the third time).
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her last one. Do I really have to wait a year to find out?? Is there such a thing as a 10 rating on the 1-5 scale? No spoilers, but this was one I started reluctantly and then read all night to finish it in one reading. No restraint for me!PS -- a colleague suggested that Butcher is using the tarot as a base and that is why he has 22 books planned. Any thoughts on that? I'm thinking if 'tis so, is VERY loosely based. Perhaps some Kabbalistic Tree of Life bits thrown in -- as he ascends the Qilophic forces keep trying to pull him down into the mirrored version????? With Michael and the Knights of the Sword vs the Denarians, he definitely has the angels and the fallen.
Actually, in contrast with MOST (all but one) of the other reviews, I think this is a great place for a new reader to come in and realize that they have 14 more awesome or near awesome books to read. I started with book one and stopped there until a friend talked me into book two. Since then, I'm hooked and working my way back up from book one to the middle of book 9 right now. (for the third time).
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LibraryThing member dswaddell
The dynarians are back and Mab has traded Harry's services to them to steal the Holy Grail from the vaults of Hades himself. A really good read and fun book in the series.
LibraryThing member MrsLee
Harry is back, this time taking on the Lord of the Underworld, Hades. Caught up with lots of baddies, Dresden is beginning to worry about his path, and whether he is still on the right one. This is a soul searching book, and appropriately has several of Harry's best standbys in it. I was especially
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thrilled to see Michael for much of the journey. Butcher writes the only books which can keep me up until the wee hours of the morning on a day when I have to go to work. This book, I almost had to read twice right away because of what the author did at the end. He is such a jerk. ;) Show Less
LibraryThing member JenLamoureux
My favorite installment so far. Butcher starts of at a fast pace from the very beginning and never lets up. I really love how the series manages to intertwine strands from different mythologies to create a truly boundless world with limitless possibilities. I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book.
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Until then, Parkour! Show Less
LibraryThing member bonnieclyde
a wonderful addition to the series- if you have read them you know what to expect and if you haven't you need to start at the beginning
LibraryThing member hoosgracie
Harry has been stuck on his island for a year and his hear hurts. Then Mab arrives and tells him he has to help his enemy Nicodemus in service to her. This was a fun adventure, especially since Michael again played a big role. Still love Harry.
LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
Kind of like a filler story, but still a very interesting adventure and I enjoyed it very much. I liked the Greek God addition and seeing many of Harry's friends return to the story. Still missing Thomas though! Looking forward to what's coming next!!
LibraryThing member evilmoose
Ahh, and so we come to another session of rage-reading Harry Dresden. Last year I ploughed through the entire series to date. I was told things would get better after the first few books. Things certainly got shinier, and the tropes of the Harry world for firmly established, but 'better' is a bit
And why do I keep listening to these books when it annoys me so much? Because I love James Marsters reading them. And I've come to enjoy the Harry rage.
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of a stretch of the imagination. If you haven't met him, Harry Dresden is a wizard. He lives in Chicago. He's homophobic (haha, wackily hilarious), misogynistic and quite rude about short people. Terrible things happen, he gets really badly injured, then wins against all the odds, all while angsting about everything, lusting after every second female who walks onto the book, and moaning about how much he misses the blue VW beetle he used to drive.And why do I keep listening to these books when it annoys me so much? Because I love James Marsters reading them. And I've come to enjoy the Harry rage.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Jim Butcher has done it again. After fourteen books in the Harry Dresden series plus numerous novellas, his fifteenth novel is every bit as exciting and surprising as the first one. He continues to up the ante on the depths of Harry’s powers, his involvement in the supernatural, and his
One of the things to love about the Dresden series is the fact that Harry is willing to share the limelight. It may be the Harry Dresden series but every one of his friends gets the chance to shine (or fail). They rely on each other in ways only true friends can, and the results are pretty spectacular. That they are all subject to danger and Mr. Butcher’s ruthless pen enhances their interactions because one never knows when it will be their last.
James Marsters = Harry Dresden perfection. Anyone who has not had the chance to hear him become Harry needs to do so immediately. He embodies Harry’s frustrations, his ironic wit, his fear, and his loneliness. He also manages to use the same voices for the many characters of Harry’s world book after book after book. Long-time fans and listeners will know exactly which character is speaking just by the voice Mr. Marsters uses. It is like visiting great friends after a long absence, comforting and comfortable without any awkwardness or confusion. After all this time, the partnership of Marsters and Butcher continues to be one for the ages.
There is an end game to this series, but fans will be hard-pressed to figure it out at this stage in the story. Harry’s involvement in Nicodemus’ business affairs changes the trajectory of the story, and how this will impact Harry’s future remains to be seen. That Mab is a key player in the end game is not a true secret but any details are still cloudy. The entire series is one big chess game, and readers are still a few moves behind Mr. Butcher to be able to see how it will end. With every book, he increases the tension, adds a few more clues, and throws in enough twists to maintain that fuzzy future. If anything, it makes the rest of the series that much more enticing.
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relationships. As fans have come to learn, no one is safe from harm and no one is truly good or evil. It makes for the most fascinating stories. Skin Game is no different.One of the things to love about the Dresden series is the fact that Harry is willing to share the limelight. It may be the Harry Dresden series but every one of his friends gets the chance to shine (or fail). They rely on each other in ways only true friends can, and the results are pretty spectacular. That they are all subject to danger and Mr. Butcher’s ruthless pen enhances their interactions because one never knows when it will be their last.
James Marsters = Harry Dresden perfection. Anyone who has not had the chance to hear him become Harry needs to do so immediately. He embodies Harry’s frustrations, his ironic wit, his fear, and his loneliness. He also manages to use the same voices for the many characters of Harry’s world book after book after book. Long-time fans and listeners will know exactly which character is speaking just by the voice Mr. Marsters uses. It is like visiting great friends after a long absence, comforting and comfortable without any awkwardness or confusion. After all this time, the partnership of Marsters and Butcher continues to be one for the ages.
There is an end game to this series, but fans will be hard-pressed to figure it out at this stage in the story. Harry’s involvement in Nicodemus’ business affairs changes the trajectory of the story, and how this will impact Harry’s future remains to be seen. That Mab is a key player in the end game is not a true secret but any details are still cloudy. The entire series is one big chess game, and readers are still a few moves behind Mr. Butcher to be able to see how it will end. With every book, he increases the tension, adds a few more clues, and throws in enough twists to maintain that fuzzy future. If anything, it makes the rest of the series that much more enticing.
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LibraryThing member les121
Yet another fantastic installment in the Dresden Files series! Some of my all-time favorite characters (Karrin, Michael, and Butters, in particular) return in a major way, and we also get introduced to a few new characters I can’t wait to read more about. It was so emotional that I cried about 20
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times, but I also laughed my butt off thanks to Harry’s one-liners. There's so much going on in this story, so many little clues. Things are getting even more dangerous and intense in Harry’s world, if that’s even possible, but it feels like he's finally getting his life back on track (sorta). In any case, I’m excited to see how it all plays out. Is it too early to mark my calendar for book 16? Show Less
LibraryThing member librarycatnip
It is nice to see Harry growing out of his misplaced misogyny and into a character that works with the women in his life rather than smothering them out of a misplaced sense of chivalry. There is a real gem of a moment when Harry notes that sometimes the sexiest thing a woman can do is give
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consent. Let's hear it for yes means yes rather than no means no. Show Less
LibraryThing member themythicalcodfish
The latest installment in the Dresden Files is a very neatly written murder mystery, as well as the answer to a very large number of questions within the series. I kind of wish that Butcher was picking up the pace with some of the reveals and character development, as well as Harry getting hit over
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the head with a clue bat as to how he's actually not as much of a monster as he likes to think he is, but I still enjoyed the heck out of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member nnschiller
Another worthy entry in the Dresden Files. Some things annoyed me about this book, but by and large it was very enjoyable and most of the annoying things were intended, not mistakes.
Really, I am a big Butcher fan, I just think I want to read him write characters that aren't Harry Dresden. We know
I just wish I didn't have to read about his noble repressions about sex. We get it already. We don't need any more set up.
Really, I am a big Butcher fan, I just think I want to read him write characters that aren't Harry Dresden. We know
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Harry well, and he's just less interesting than he was 10 years ago. Of course, authors have to pay the rent and readers like familiar characters, so I'll keep reading.I just wish I didn't have to read about his noble repressions about sex. We get it already. We don't need any more set up.
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Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 2015)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Adults (Selection — Fiction — 2014)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2014-05-27
Physical description
464 p.; 6.3 inches
ISBN
9780451464392
Local notes
Inscribed (Phoenix, June 2014).