Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Roc (2011), 608 pages
Description
"In his life, Harry's been shot, stabbed, sliced, beaten, burned, crushed, and tortured. And after someone puts a bullet through his chest and leaves him to die in the waters of Lake Michigan, things really start going downhill. But even trapped in the realm between life and death, Harry can't catch a break. He learns that three of his friends are destined to experience unbearable torment and agony. Only by bringing his murderer to justice can he save his friends and move on to what comes next--a feat that would be a lot easier if he had a body and access to his powers. Instead, Harry must work as a ghost, unable to interact with the physical world, invisible and inaudible to almost everyone. Unfortunately he's not the only specter roaming Chicago. There are malevolent shadows who haven't forgotten Harry's predilection for putting evil in its place while he was alive. And now that Harry's on their turf, they are looking for some serious payback. So the late Harry Dresden will have to pull off the ultimate trick without using any magic--or face an eternity as just another lost soul"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member dearheart
Six months have passed since Harry was shot and fell into Lake Michigan and much has changed in that time. The spell he'd done to kill the Red Vampire King and all the vampires with him that had kidnapped his daughter, Maggie, wiped out almost every Red Vampire in the world. Only the very young and
But Harry has had no awareness of any time passing when he finds himself in a ghostly version of Chicago and he's offered a choice of passing over or being given the chance to go back and find his killer which would also save the lives of three people close to him. Of course he chooses to help his friends, but it's rather difficult without a body, the use of magic or the ability to communicate most of the time.
This is a very different Harry Dresden story than what we are used to. The other books were loaded with action, tension, magic and Harry was always hurt. There is some action but not nearly as much. Harry eventually learns how to use magic against other ghosts, but when it comes to the fighting between those still living, Harry is just a bystander who can't do anything. A good portion of the story has Harry contemplating and reevaluating his past actions and how they affected others. And without the ability to immediately attack or defend, Harry learns to see the reason behind the actions of others and the result is a somewhat gentler man who is willing to extend a hand to help the misguided.
Harry's death--his body was never recovered--has greatly affected those closest to him. Murphy refuses to believe he's dead and doesn't want to believe it's Harry's shade that's now with them. Molly has built herself a reputation as a vigilante now dubbed as the Ragged Lady and her magic has become more powerful. Seeming to be bordering on black magic, even those she's working with have become afraid of her. Butters now has Bob and has a more confident demeanor. Butters, the wolves, Molly's brother, Daniel and Murphy are now working together with Marcone in keeping Chicago safe and out of everything that's happened, Harry has the hardest time reconciling that concept.
Two others from past books have large parts in the story. Mortimer the ectomancer and someone that Harry had already killed, The Corpsetaker who is a ghost trying to become strong enough to possess bodies again.
The humor is still there, as is Harry's explanations for all of the hows and whys as he evaluates situations and possibilities. Harry does find out who ordered the hit on him, and it's a real shocker, as is the ending. I probably felt more emotion than normal when reading this story, especially when it comes to Molly and the burden she carries as well as Harry's thoughts on how what he's done has affected her.
So why only 3 stars? Too much of the story drags. It's never taken me so long to read one of these books and I found it too easy to set aside to do other things. Even some of the fighting seems long-winded, most likely because I just wanted the book to end. But by the time we do get to the end, you realize how important this story actually is to the series as it will explain Harry's changed circumstances and most likely a more mature attitude.
Don't pick this book if you haven't read any others in the series. You are missing out on too much and this is a transition story. Start at the beginning with Storm Front to get a better appreciation for just how far Harry has come.
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very weak managed to survive and it left a huge power vacuum throughout the world. Not only is there a lot of fighting and shifting territories, but monsters have arrived from other dimensions to grab their piece as well. But Harry has had no awareness of any time passing when he finds himself in a ghostly version of Chicago and he's offered a choice of passing over or being given the chance to go back and find his killer which would also save the lives of three people close to him. Of course he chooses to help his friends, but it's rather difficult without a body, the use of magic or the ability to communicate most of the time.
This is a very different Harry Dresden story than what we are used to. The other books were loaded with action, tension, magic and Harry was always hurt. There is some action but not nearly as much. Harry eventually learns how to use magic against other ghosts, but when it comes to the fighting between those still living, Harry is just a bystander who can't do anything. A good portion of the story has Harry contemplating and reevaluating his past actions and how they affected others. And without the ability to immediately attack or defend, Harry learns to see the reason behind the actions of others and the result is a somewhat gentler man who is willing to extend a hand to help the misguided.
Harry's death--his body was never recovered--has greatly affected those closest to him. Murphy refuses to believe he's dead and doesn't want to believe it's Harry's shade that's now with them. Molly has built herself a reputation as a vigilante now dubbed as the Ragged Lady and her magic has become more powerful. Seeming to be bordering on black magic, even those she's working with have become afraid of her. Butters now has Bob and has a more confident demeanor. Butters, the wolves, Molly's brother, Daniel and Murphy are now working together with Marcone in keeping Chicago safe and out of everything that's happened, Harry has the hardest time reconciling that concept.
Two others from past books have large parts in the story. Mortimer the ectomancer and someone that Harry had already killed, The Corpsetaker who is a ghost trying to become strong enough to possess bodies again.
The humor is still there, as is Harry's explanations for all of the hows and whys as he evaluates situations and possibilities. Harry does find out who ordered the hit on him, and it's a real shocker, as is the ending. I probably felt more emotion than normal when reading this story, especially when it comes to Molly and the burden she carries as well as Harry's thoughts on how what he's done has affected her.
So why only 3 stars? Too much of the story drags. It's never taken me so long to read one of these books and I found it too easy to set aside to do other things. Even some of the fighting seems long-winded, most likely because I just wanted the book to end. But by the time we do get to the end, you realize how important this story actually is to the series as it will explain Harry's changed circumstances and most likely a more mature attitude.
Don't pick this book if you haven't read any others in the series. You are missing out on too much and this is a transition story. Start at the beginning with Storm Front to get a better appreciation for just how far Harry has come.
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LibraryThing member blatherlikeme
I think Butcher jumped the shark on this one. I liked the twist at the end, but I think it was too long with Dresden as a ghost. I disliked the post apocalyptic feel; without Harry battling away as the wizard who saves the world, it is just dreary.
I read the entire series in 8 days. When I got to
Butcher's writing style is not my favorite, but the plots, the world and the characters are more than adequate compensation. But all of the characters in this novel seem to have devolved instead evolved. Harry feels two dimensional, which is perhaps intentional - as he is a shade.
I read the entire series in 8 days. When I got to
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this one two days ago, I put it down and walked away 4 or 5 times. I didn't do that with any other book in the series. The rest were read in one sitting - or more accurately in an 8 day read-a-thon. Butcher's writing style is not my favorite, but the plots, the world and the characters are more than adequate compensation. But all of the characters in this novel seem to have devolved instead evolved. Harry feels two dimensional, which is perhaps intentional - as he is a shade.
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LibraryThing member Stewartry
Well, bless Audible's little heart. One spring morning I received this email:
"Dear Listener,
Here at Audible, we truly understand the power great performances bring to your favorite stories. And for long-running series, no matter how good a new voice may be, it can be hard to hear someone else
We're happy to report that Ghost Story has since been re-recorded with the inimitable Marsters at the helm - and, since you're a fan of this series, we want you to have it free."
"Disappointed" didn't quite cover it.
I want to create a movie–style poster for this book, with a one–word tagline: "BOO".
Ghost Story is one of those books whose end – even if you kind of pretty much know it's coming – was still enough to rock me back on my heels. And to make me want to go back and listen to the book again, to pay attention to all those things that didn't seem to need so much attention the first time around.
This interlude teaches Harry some valuable lessons – unable to act, he learns to consider more than he's ever had the chance to do before. A valuable trait, considering what is to come.
See, this is why I tend not to write reviews of these series that I love so much. For one thing, I started reading Dresden back in the Cretaceous not too long after it was published, before I was really in the habit of writing reviews at all. Fast forward fifteen years (!), and I've read the first books a few times each, and Harry's in my bloodstream. Harry and Molly and Mouse and Mister and old Uncle Tom Cobley and all are part of my life. While the books are (or at least can be) very different from each other, it's hard to keep all my reviews from coming out very much the same: "I love Harry Dresden, I adore James Marsters, I am in love with James Marsters reading Harry Dresden, these books are great", etc. I should look on it as an exercise in writing: how to write the same love song over and over, some fifteen times by now, and make it readable… but I don't.
Ghost Story, of course, is not your usual Harry Dresden insofar as there is a usual Harry Dresden, and so …
One review I saw mentions that the reviewer is tired of Harry Dresden, doesn't find him funny anymore.
I do. I'm not. Maybe it's partly James Marsters reading it; maybe it's not. I don't know. I don't care. I'm still having a great time after fifteen books (and this, #13, twice in seven months), and I would be very happy indeed to know that Harry and Jim Butcher and I will all get very very old together.
And then there was the famous flying broomstick incident of Wacker Drive…
Surprisingly, I think I laughed more listening to this audiobook than the others in the series. If there was any doubt that Harry Dresden and Jim Butcher are big ol' geek–nerds, this puts paid to that idea. Harry's new "superpowers" ("BAMF!" made me so very happy), and the quote he uses to prove he is himself, and the Gandalf internal monologue, and so on – so wonderful.
And: I mean, go figure. You prepare your home for an assault and you don't take zombies into consideration. I'd fallen victim to one of the other classic blunders, along with not getting involved in a land war in Asia and never going in against a Sicilian when death was on the line.
AND a Pink Floyd reference: "How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?" Well done, sir.
"There are two kinds of people in the world, Molly: Star Wars fans, and Star Trek fans. This is shocking." Look, Mister Wizard, you can identify who's what on the Old Trek bridge, so just you shush.
(I still wonder why Harry never saw Firefly, though. Maybe because it didn't last long enough on tv and his VCR/DVD player tends to malfunction – ?)
But there was also, kind of obviously, a lot of heart–string–yanking (nothing so gentle as tugging here). There is a really lovely story about that time Justin DuMorne gave Harry a baseball glove … and then a few minutes later he relates the fact that Justin trained him how to shield himself by throwing fastballs at him. Damn. As if I needed another reason for my heart to bleed for the very young Harry.
I should, I suppose, take a step back and acknowledge that, much as I do love Marsters, these aren't perfect narrations. Take, for example, the phrase "sleeping quarters"; emphasis on the wrong word changes the meaning rather a bit. That sort of thing happens now and then, as with most narrators. But then I need to take that step forward again and reiterate that I really don't care. It's not perfect; it is more enjoyable than I would ever dare to expect.
Harry says, Girls don't flock to the guy who drives the old car, reads a lot of books, and kicks down the doors of living nightmares.
Harry, you've been hanging out with the wrong women.
"Dear Listener,
Here at Audible, we truly understand the power great performances bring to your favorite stories. And for long-running series, no matter how good a new voice may be, it can be hard to hear someone else
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bring beloved characters to life. So when Ghost Story: A Novel of the Dresden Files, Book 13, was narrated by someone other than series regular James Marsters, some listeners were disappointed. We're happy to report that Ghost Story has since been re-recorded with the inimitable Marsters at the helm - and, since you're a fan of this series, we want you to have it free."
"Disappointed" didn't quite cover it.
I want to create a movie–style poster for this book, with a one–word tagline: "BOO".
Ghost Story is one of those books whose end – even if you kind of pretty much know it's coming – was still enough to rock me back on my heels. And to make me want to go back and listen to the book again, to pay attention to all those things that didn't seem to need so much attention the first time around.
This interlude teaches Harry some valuable lessons – unable to act, he learns to consider more than he's ever had the chance to do before. A valuable trait, considering what is to come.
See, this is why I tend not to write reviews of these series that I love so much. For one thing, I started reading Dresden back in the Cretaceous not too long after it was published, before I was really in the habit of writing reviews at all. Fast forward fifteen years (!), and I've read the first books a few times each, and Harry's in my bloodstream. Harry and Molly and Mouse and Mister and old Uncle Tom Cobley and all are part of my life. While the books are (or at least can be) very different from each other, it's hard to keep all my reviews from coming out very much the same: "I love Harry Dresden, I adore James Marsters, I am in love with James Marsters reading Harry Dresden, these books are great", etc. I should look on it as an exercise in writing: how to write the same love song over and over, some fifteen times by now, and make it readable… but I don't.
Ghost Story, of course, is not your usual Harry Dresden insofar as there is a usual Harry Dresden, and so …
One review I saw mentions that the reviewer is tired of Harry Dresden, doesn't find him funny anymore.
I do. I'm not. Maybe it's partly James Marsters reading it; maybe it's not. I don't know. I don't care. I'm still having a great time after fifteen books (and this, #13, twice in seven months), and I would be very happy indeed to know that Harry and Jim Butcher and I will all get very very old together.
And then there was the famous flying broomstick incident of Wacker Drive…
Surprisingly, I think I laughed more listening to this audiobook than the others in the series. If there was any doubt that Harry Dresden and Jim Butcher are big ol' geek–nerds, this puts paid to that idea. Harry's new "superpowers" ("BAMF!" made me so very happy), and the quote he uses to prove he is himself, and the Gandalf internal monologue, and so on – so wonderful.
And: I mean, go figure. You prepare your home for an assault and you don't take zombies into consideration. I'd fallen victim to one of the other classic blunders, along with not getting involved in a land war in Asia and never going in against a Sicilian when death was on the line.
AND a Pink Floyd reference: "How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?" Well done, sir.
"There are two kinds of people in the world, Molly: Star Wars fans, and Star Trek fans. This is shocking." Look, Mister Wizard, you can identify who's what on the Old Trek bridge, so just you shush.
(I still wonder why Harry never saw Firefly, though. Maybe because it didn't last long enough on tv and his VCR/DVD player tends to malfunction – ?)
But there was also, kind of obviously, a lot of heart–string–yanking (nothing so gentle as tugging here). There is a really lovely story about that time Justin DuMorne gave Harry a baseball glove … and then a few minutes later he relates the fact that Justin trained him how to shield himself by throwing fastballs at him. Damn. As if I needed another reason for my heart to bleed for the very young Harry.
I should, I suppose, take a step back and acknowledge that, much as I do love Marsters, these aren't perfect narrations. Take, for example, the phrase "sleeping quarters"; emphasis on the wrong word changes the meaning rather a bit. That sort of thing happens now and then, as with most narrators. But then I need to take that step forward again and reiterate that I really don't care. It's not perfect; it is more enjoyable than I would ever dare to expect.
Harry says, Girls don't flock to the guy who drives the old car, reads a lot of books, and kicks down the doors of living nightmares.
Harry, you've been hanging out with the wrong women.
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LibraryThing member MlleEhreen
Jim Butcher is one of those authors I count on. Usually his books are like the reading equivalent of a weekend at a five-star hotel with a personal chef and a cabana boy. GHOST STORY was was more like a weekend at a four-star hotel with a nice dinner out. Not bad - not even close to it - just not
In GHOST STORY, Harry is forced into a passive role. The title is literal: he's a ghost. He can't do much of anything. He has to stand by and let other people act, or, if he's lucky, persuade them to act according to his instructions. In terms of Harry's character development and moving the series forward, I think this is exactly what Harry needs. For example: there's a sideplot with a gang of kids who are ordered to do a drive by shooting on Murphy's house. Harry ends up hanging out with the top kid, learning about his situation, and then working to change it by rustling up some caretakers and competent adult supervision. He achieves a better, more humane result than he would have found if he'd been able to jump in and fight, like he usually would.
In general, Harry is forced by his circumstances to do a lot of listening, waiting, and reflecting. Harry's always been a smart, thoughtful guy but not someone who dwells unduly on the past. I think that being forced to change his tune is good for him as a person and ultimately for the series - but, just like having Harry be so passive, it's not great for the reading experience. I think half of GHOST STORY might be flashbacks. Taking a stroll down memory lane with Harry is enjoyable...but it's still a STROLL, and Harry Dresden books are usually a lot more like, I don't know, a freight train crashing down Mount Everest. GHOST STORY simply does not have the momentum and muscle of the average Dresden book.
The overall feel is uneven. The action either occurs in the material world without Harry's participation, or else in the spiritual plane without any help from the cast of supporting characters. Harry finds ways to communicate with his friends, but he can't interact with them. The sense of disconnection and compartmentalization is pervasive. A book narrated by a ghost OUGHT to feel like that, so in a way this is a compliment, but it's not as much fun as a book with a live narrator, what can I say?
Then there's the last, final, biggest problem. Harry's told that he has to go back to Chicago and find out who killed him before he can move on to the next world. And while I was VERY interested to discover the answer, it was also, weirdly, a letdown. I felt a little bit like at the end of a TV episode where you find out everything that happened was a dream - that's not what happens here, the book is not just a big dream sequence, but I had that same feeling of having been cheated.
My final judgment is an odd one. I like GHOST STORY just the way it is - I think that cutting Thomas and Murphy out of the plot was cheating, but I wouldn't change the fundamentals. I think I'll like Harry more with these new lessons under his belt; I have no trouble seeing GHOST STORY as a springboard to better things, a necessary step in the series arc. But most Dresden Files books would clear five stars easy for me, and this one is four.
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the same superlative wonderfulness that Butcher usually delivers. In GHOST STORY, Harry is forced into a passive role. The title is literal: he's a ghost. He can't do much of anything. He has to stand by and let other people act, or, if he's lucky, persuade them to act according to his instructions. In terms of Harry's character development and moving the series forward, I think this is exactly what Harry needs. For example: there's a sideplot with a gang of kids who are ordered to do a drive by shooting on Murphy's house. Harry ends up hanging out with the top kid, learning about his situation, and then working to change it by rustling up some caretakers and competent adult supervision. He achieves a better, more humane result than he would have found if he'd been able to jump in and fight, like he usually would.
In general, Harry is forced by his circumstances to do a lot of listening, waiting, and reflecting. Harry's always been a smart, thoughtful guy but not someone who dwells unduly on the past. I think that being forced to change his tune is good for him as a person and ultimately for the series - but, just like having Harry be so passive, it's not great for the reading experience. I think half of GHOST STORY might be flashbacks. Taking a stroll down memory lane with Harry is enjoyable...but it's still a STROLL, and Harry Dresden books are usually a lot more like, I don't know, a freight train crashing down Mount Everest. GHOST STORY simply does not have the momentum and muscle of the average Dresden book.
The overall feel is uneven. The action either occurs in the material world without Harry's participation, or else in the spiritual plane without any help from the cast of supporting characters. Harry finds ways to communicate with his friends, but he can't interact with them. The sense of disconnection and compartmentalization is pervasive. A book narrated by a ghost OUGHT to feel like that, so in a way this is a compliment, but it's not as much fun as a book with a live narrator, what can I say?
Then there's the last, final, biggest problem. Harry's told that he has to go back to Chicago and find out who killed him before he can move on to the next world. And while I was VERY interested to discover the answer, it was also, weirdly, a letdown. I felt a little bit like at the end of a TV episode where you find out everything that happened was a dream - that's not what happens here, the book is not just a big dream sequence, but I had that same feeling of having been cheated.
My final judgment is an odd one. I like GHOST STORY just the way it is - I think that cutting Thomas and Murphy out of the plot was cheating, but I wouldn't change the fundamentals. I think I'll like Harry more with these new lessons under his belt; I have no trouble seeing GHOST STORY as a springboard to better things, a necessary step in the series arc. But most Dresden Files books would clear five stars easy for me, and this one is four.
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LibraryThing member Meredy
Six-word review: As aftermaths go, this stands out.
Extended review:
Whew. That was something.
I can't say too much without risking spoilers. So I'll just say it was unexpected.
And it played with unintentional irony against my review of the preceding volume.
What I liked about it:
• Stretching of
• Development of Molly's character.
• Introduction of a couple of interesting and complicated new characters.
• Philosophical rumination and speculation.
• Strong, pervasive theme: free will and the power of choice.
• Fun motifs: Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, and other pop-culture allusions, especially movies--integrated into the story and not just amusing ornamentation.
What I didn't like about it:
• Chronic repetitiveness--word ruts. Many. I've commented on this before, and there's no letup in this one.
• Repetition of one dialogue tag in particular. Butcher is still having an unstoppable run on the "said quietlies." Amazon isn't letting me search inside this one, but I counted 77 of them, and that's without all the many instances of "quiet" added in. On page 458, the phrase occurs four times in eight lines.
• Unfinished business with John Marcone. This recurring character is brought in and then just fades from sight.
• Wrong word choices. This surprises me with Butcher because there are so many telltale signs of academic-level literariness that slip in. But there they are. Two out of several examples:
20, "If you lie," he said slowly, "I can see no veritable reason for doing so..."
Veritable makes no sense in this sentence. It means "being truly or very much so," as in "She's a veritable force of nature." Perhaps he meant something like "logical" or "plausible."
59, Grandma Murphy had been a notorious rose gardener.
If he really meant notorious, surely he'd have added a few words to indicate why she'd have had such a bad reputation for her rose gardening. "Notorious" means "widely and unfavorably known," like a notorious gambler or a notorious underworld figure. Grandmothers who garden are seldom seen as detriments to society.
This is also not the first time (page 163) that he's referred to a car's parking break instead of a parking brake. Somebody is not paying attention.
And...
Here's something I've never seen before, ever. They blew the last line. Author, editors, wives, friends, proofreaders--whoever read through the final proofs, they missed a gaffe in the last sentence. The last eight words. Which should be either seven or six. Here's what it says (and no, it isn't a spoiler):
"There is much work to do be done." [sic]
That is just plain sloppiness. Harry knows this: Don't quit before your spell is complete, guys, or the magic has a hole in it--not catastrophic in this case, perhaps, but it still breaks the illusion.
Perhaps the author is getting worn out with this series, although, to be fair, he does not seem to have suffered from any depletion of the imagination to this point. Much as I'd hate to see it end--and right now it appears that we're good for at least seventeen novels, four beyond this one--the author and his team have to stay on top of their game. Otherwise it'll be worse than killing off our hero. It'll be just letting him disintegrate. And that can't happen to Harry Dresden.
Extended review:
Whew. That was something.
I can't say too much without risking spoilers. So I'll just say it was unexpected.
And it played with unintentional irony against my review of the preceding volume.
What I liked about it:
• Stretching of
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boundaries. The author took us to places I wouldn't have thought he could go.• Development of Molly's character.
• Introduction of a couple of interesting and complicated new characters.
• Philosophical rumination and speculation.
• Strong, pervasive theme: free will and the power of choice.
• Fun motifs: Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, and other pop-culture allusions, especially movies--integrated into the story and not just amusing ornamentation.
What I didn't like about it:
• Chronic repetitiveness--word ruts. Many. I've commented on this before, and there's no letup in this one.
• Repetition of one dialogue tag in particular. Butcher is still having an unstoppable run on the "said quietlies." Amazon isn't letting me search inside this one, but I counted 77 of them, and that's without all the many instances of "quiet" added in. On page 458, the phrase occurs four times in eight lines.
• Unfinished business with John Marcone. This recurring character is brought in and then just fades from sight.
• Wrong word choices. This surprises me with Butcher because there are so many telltale signs of academic-level literariness that slip in. But there they are. Two out of several examples:
20, "If you lie," he said slowly, "I can see no veritable reason for doing so..."
Veritable makes no sense in this sentence. It means "being truly or very much so," as in "She's a veritable force of nature." Perhaps he meant something like "logical" or "plausible."
59, Grandma Murphy had been a notorious rose gardener.
If he really meant notorious, surely he'd have added a few words to indicate why she'd have had such a bad reputation for her rose gardening. "Notorious" means "widely and unfavorably known," like a notorious gambler or a notorious underworld figure. Grandmothers who garden are seldom seen as detriments to society.
This is also not the first time (page 163) that he's referred to a car's parking break instead of a parking brake. Somebody is not paying attention.
And...
Here's something I've never seen before, ever. They blew the last line. Author, editors, wives, friends, proofreaders--whoever read through the final proofs, they missed a gaffe in the last sentence. The last eight words. Which should be either seven or six. Here's what it says (and no, it isn't a spoiler):
"There is much work to do be done." [sic]
That is just plain sloppiness. Harry knows this: Don't quit before your spell is complete, guys, or the magic has a hole in it--not catastrophic in this case, perhaps, but it still breaks the illusion.
Perhaps the author is getting worn out with this series, although, to be fair, he does not seem to have suffered from any depletion of the imagination to this point. Much as I'd hate to see it end--and right now it appears that we're good for at least seventeen novels, four beyond this one--the author and his team have to stay on top of their game. Otherwise it'll be worse than killing off our hero. It'll be just letting him disintegrate. And that can't happen to Harry Dresden.
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LibraryThing member majkia
Harry's back. More or less. Actually for the better. Sort of. Well, at least he's actually thinking before acting now. Not that he has a choice. He's dealing with the fallout from the mess he created in [Changes] and it ain't pretty.
Jim Butcher as really altered the landscape and upped the game and
Jim Butcher as really altered the landscape and upped the game and
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it makes for surprising reading. Good job! Show Less
LibraryThing member Bodagirl
Amazing! I love the character development of Harry, who has gone through hell, died, and finally grown up enough to think about the consequences of his actions. That last part is something that a lot of fantasy author neglect to write into their stories: what actually happens after the evil empire
Don't think this book is all dark and serious though, because Harry's wildly inappropriate humor breaks the tension frequently and death has not given him anything close to a sense of decorum.
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come crashing down. I mean "happily ever after" is great but for a world as gritty and fantastically dark as the Dresden Files it wouldn't have worked.Don't think this book is all dark and serious though, because Harry's wildly inappropriate humor breaks the tension frequently and death has not given him anything close to a sense of decorum.
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LibraryThing member psychobabble4u
I love Jim Butcher and I love Harry Dresden but I did not love this book. Harry the ghost just did not pack the oomph needed to carry this story. the plot was lackluster and Harry spent way too much time in self reflection.
LibraryThing member dswaddell
Harry Dresden is dead but still has some business to attend to. An excellent book. If this is the end of the series it was a great ride.
LibraryThing member bragan
Book number 13 (or 14, if you count the short story collection) in the Dresden Files series, featuring Harry Dresden, wizard for hire. After the ending of the previous book -- which, as the author points out, wasn't technically a cliffhanger, but might as well have been -- I was incredibly eager to
It's worth pointing out, by the way, that a lot of characters and situations from the previous books play a part in this one, to the extent that I often found myself wishing that certain things were fresher in my mind. So if you're contemplating a re-read of the rest of the series before starting this one, it's probably not a bad idea.
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see what happens next. Enough so that I think my expectations led me to be mildly disappointed at first, as the story was enjoyable but not really blowing me away the way I'd hoped. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that in the beginning the main character has been, ah, out of the loop for a while and is in a situation where he can't exert too much influence on things, so it starts out a bit slow and exposition-y. It took me until maybe 2/3 of the way through before I got truly caught up in it, but once I did, wow. Suddenly everything started clicking together, and I was fully immersed in all the stuff I love about this series: exciting action, wisecracking humor (one particular chapter had me laughing out loud in public), a compelling mystery with a surprisingly twisty but very believable solution, and a few moments of real emotion. The ending, too, is satisfying and intriguing. It might have been nice if it had picked up the pace a little earlier, and I would have liked more of Murphy, but in the end I feel quite happy with it.It's worth pointing out, by the way, that a lot of characters and situations from the previous books play a part in this one, to the extent that I often found myself wishing that certain things were fresher in my mind. So if you're contemplating a re-read of the rest of the series before starting this one, it's probably not a bad idea.
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LibraryThing member kqueue
After the cliffhanger ending of Changes, I was breathlessly awaiting this book and it doesn't disappoint. It's Harry Dresden at his wisecracking best, and it ties up many loose ends while also filling in some of Harry's back story from his teenaged years. Having said this, I wouldn't recommend
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Ghost Story if you haven't read the previous Dresden Files books - there's just too much keep up with. Now I can't wait for the next installment! Show Less
LibraryThing member riverwillow
I first came to the Dresden Files through the short-lived TV series loving the mix of the Chandleresque narration and magic. Since then I've devoured the series, enjoying each book as a fast and entertaining read and how Butcher is unafraid to surprise his readers with the various twists and turns
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of the narrative. This book doesn't disappoint, carrying on nicely from the cliffhanger at the end of the last book as spirit Harry realises that he still has work to do on earth protecting his friends. What I love is that being in the spirit world hasn't changed Harry, he's still the cynical, bad joke making, wizard he's always been and passing over hasn't diminished his feelings for those he loves. Show Less
LibraryThing member les121
I’ve been looking forward to the release of the thirteenth Dresden Files book for months, and I’m happy to say that it lived up to my very high expectations! Ghost Story is undoubtedly the most different novel in the series because it’s much more introspective. Being dead gives Harry a lot of
It’s awesome to watch Harry becoming wiser, his character growing more and more with each new challenge or trauma he must face. As a ghost, Harry’s powerlessness to affect the physical world heightens the story’s suspense. You can truly feel his frustration and despair at not being able to aid his friends or prevent the chaos that threatens to engulf his city. However, Harry is still as stubborn as ever, and he refuses to give up, leading to moments of hope and triumph that had me punching the air and shouting, “Yes!”
In addition to lots of little clues about particular characters and ongoing mysteries, Ghost Story also has a major twist that I did not see coming. It makes perfect sense, yet it completely surprised me! The story ends on a high note - I actually cheered out loud - and leaves the reader desperate for more. In short, I’ve come to expect brilliance from each new installment in The Dresden Files series, and Ghost Story did not disappoint. I laughed, I cried, I was glued to the edge of my seat, and I enjoyed every moment of it. This is storytelling at its absolute finest.
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time to think, reflect on his recent choices, and remember the distant past. In some ways, Ghost Story is just as much of a transitional novel as Changes in that Harry finally has a chance to slow down, consider the events of the last book, and decide what to do next.It’s awesome to watch Harry becoming wiser, his character growing more and more with each new challenge or trauma he must face. As a ghost, Harry’s powerlessness to affect the physical world heightens the story’s suspense. You can truly feel his frustration and despair at not being able to aid his friends or prevent the chaos that threatens to engulf his city. However, Harry is still as stubborn as ever, and he refuses to give up, leading to moments of hope and triumph that had me punching the air and shouting, “Yes!”
In addition to lots of little clues about particular characters and ongoing mysteries, Ghost Story also has a major twist that I did not see coming. It makes perfect sense, yet it completely surprised me! The story ends on a high note - I actually cheered out loud - and leaves the reader desperate for more. In short, I’ve come to expect brilliance from each new installment in The Dresden Files series, and Ghost Story did not disappoint. I laughed, I cried, I was glued to the edge of my seat, and I enjoyed every moment of it. This is storytelling at its absolute finest.
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
One of the most eagerly awaited books of all time, given the horrendous nature of the ending of the previous volume changes . I've certainly never pre-ordered a book before, but the intensity of changes was such that I really really wanted to know what came next. Ghost Story does a good but not
Changes ended with Harry Dresden being assassinated by a long range sniper bullet, previously discussed in the series as one of the few effective ways of killing a wizard such as he. Ghost Story opens with Harry, well not quite flailing around in the ether, but very much a new ghost unsure of the rules, or how things work, and not really where he expected to be, which was either in Heaven or Hell. Instead he is offered a choice, a chance to save his friends from the trouble he left behind. DeadHarry hasn't changed in this respect, of course he takes it. But he finds 'life' as ghost very difficult, especially given the situation in Chicago six months after he died. It is now May, but snow still lies deep on the ground. Harry's effective defeat of one of the major supernatural world powers has left a lot of space for new powers to rise, and without Harry to scare them off,Chicago is a prime target. This has made Harry's friends' lives very hard - and his apprentice Molly, the only one with magical talent, has had it hardest.
Already in just that short summary of the opening chapter, the main themes of the book have become apparent: freedom of choice, consequences of actions - and especially the long term consequences that might not be predictable, can Harry save Molly from herself? and of course who killed Harry and why? - the Who is easy, I was right with my guess at the conclusion of Changes, the why shows just how good a storyteller Jim Butcher is! It is completely obviously the only possible explanation - but you won't guess it until it's been explained to you.
Given such praise why is this only a 4* book? The opening third is slow as Harry gets to grips with his un-existence, the middle third is almost dull as Harry discovers he has to fight one of his previous enemies again. The palpable sense of disappointment as you realise you could be reading another 6 books about Harry getting more and more powerful again, fighting the same people again in this new arena, is only offset by the relief from the final third that this will not be the case. Most but not all of the details are tidied up. The main exception is what happens to Bob?
Other than that though it is pure wisecracking Harry all the way through, with the clever use of magic, some just in time deductions and a twisty plot sure to enthral everyone who has followed the series thus far. Nowhere near as intense as some of the series, nor the most innovative, it is still a very enjoyable read.
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brilliant job of the follow-up. It is essential to have read all of the previous works in the series beforehand, there is a lot of reference to prior events. This is also not a self-contained tale, unlike nearly all of the others, this does very much leave more to be explained and a good hook for the next book.Changes ended with Harry Dresden being assassinated by a long range sniper bullet, previously discussed in the series as one of the few effective ways of killing a wizard such as he. Ghost Story opens with Harry, well not quite flailing around in the ether, but very much a new ghost unsure of the rules, or how things work, and not really where he expected to be, which was either in Heaven or Hell. Instead he is offered a choice, a chance to save his friends from the trouble he left behind. DeadHarry hasn't changed in this respect, of course he takes it. But he finds 'life' as ghost very difficult, especially given the situation in Chicago six months after he died. It is now May, but snow still lies deep on the ground. Harry's effective defeat of one of the major supernatural world powers has left a lot of space for new powers to rise, and without Harry to scare them off,Chicago is a prime target. This has made Harry's friends' lives very hard - and his apprentice Molly, the only one with magical talent, has had it hardest.
Already in just that short summary of the opening chapter, the main themes of the book have become apparent: freedom of choice, consequences of actions - and especially the long term consequences that might not be predictable, can Harry save Molly from herself? and of course who killed Harry and why? - the Who is easy, I was right with my guess at the conclusion of Changes, the why shows just how good a storyteller Jim Butcher is! It is completely obviously the only possible explanation - but you won't guess it until it's been explained to you.
Given such praise why is this only a 4* book? The opening third is slow as Harry gets to grips with his un-existence, the middle third is almost dull as Harry discovers he has to fight one of his previous enemies again. The palpable sense of disappointment as you realise you could be reading another 6 books about Harry getting more and more powerful again, fighting the same people again in this new arena, is only offset by the relief from the final third that this will not be the case. Most but not all of the details are tidied up. The main exception is what happens to Bob?
Other than that though it is pure wisecracking Harry all the way through, with the clever use of magic, some just in time deductions and a twisty plot sure to enthral everyone who has followed the series thus far. Nowhere near as intense as some of the series, nor the most innovative, it is still a very enjoyable read.
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LibraryThing member tinsleyrc
While I was dissapointed, in April when the anouncement came out, that "Ghost Story"
would be delayed thill the end of July, it was worth the wait. Butcher has done it again. The Dresder rolercoster roles on to a new peek and look as if it will keep going.
would be delayed thill the end of July, it was worth the wait. Butcher has done it again. The Dresder rolercoster roles on to a new peek and look as if it will keep going.
LibraryThing member ChristopherKellen
(Note: This review contains minor spoilers for Ghost Story and its predecessor, Changes.)
It should be noted that I’m a big fan of Jim Butcher and his work. I find that he is one of the most gifted plot artists I have ever had the good fortune to read, one of the few who can really write a
I have read all of the Dresden Files books, and the entire Codex Alera (which I’m very sad is finished, but was completely satisfied by the ending of, save for a sort of melancholy longing for it not to be over).
Ghost Story is Book 13 of the Dresden Files, following the wizard Harry Dresden through his adventures in Chicago and the spirit realm, here called the Nevernever.
Based on the above, it probably won’t come as a big surprise when I say:
I. Loved. This. Book.
Once again, Butcher has proven himself worthy of the crown I think he should have (but probably doesn’t) as the King of Male-Protagonist Urban Fantasy. It has a very different feel than Female Protagonist Urban Fantasy, and there are some fantastic writers in that field, so we can’t make Jim King Of All Urban Fantasy right off the bat.
In the last book, Changes, a lot of stuff happened. Like, a LOT of stuff. In this one, Harry is forced to deal with the aftermath of his choices from Changes with a very particular set of limitations. Namely, of course, that he’s dead.
As a spirit (or shade, as indicated in the book itself), he has to discover who his killer is in order to keep those he loves from coming to harm.
For the first time in the series, Harry is forced to take a really hard look at himself and the choices he’s made, instead of just reacting to the circumstances around him. He’s given an opportunity to really see the effect he has on people, both positive and negative, and it makes for some really compelling storytelling. Butcher is in top form with his world-building, as usual, making the spirit realm of Chicago entirely believable.
If you’re at all a fan of urban fantasy, I highly recommend reading each of the Dresden Files books from the beginning, starting with Storm Front.
If you’re already a fan of the series, you probably don’t need a review to tell you that this one isn’t to be missed. If you went looking for reviews anyway, you can rest assured that you really ought to buy this book.
Final Score: 5 out of 5 stars. Don’t miss this one.
It should be noted that I’m a big fan of Jim Butcher and his work. I find that he is one of the most gifted plot artists I have ever had the good fortune to read, one of the few who can really write a
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sprawling detective novel or a fantasy epic and make the smallest details both come alive and become vitally important to the story by the end.I have read all of the Dresden Files books, and the entire Codex Alera (which I’m very sad is finished, but was completely satisfied by the ending of, save for a sort of melancholy longing for it not to be over).
Ghost Story is Book 13 of the Dresden Files, following the wizard Harry Dresden through his adventures in Chicago and the spirit realm, here called the Nevernever.
Based on the above, it probably won’t come as a big surprise when I say:
I. Loved. This. Book.
Once again, Butcher has proven himself worthy of the crown I think he should have (but probably doesn’t) as the King of Male-Protagonist Urban Fantasy. It has a very different feel than Female Protagonist Urban Fantasy, and there are some fantastic writers in that field, so we can’t make Jim King Of All Urban Fantasy right off the bat.
In the last book, Changes, a lot of stuff happened. Like, a LOT of stuff. In this one, Harry is forced to deal with the aftermath of his choices from Changes with a very particular set of limitations. Namely, of course, that he’s dead.
As a spirit (or shade, as indicated in the book itself), he has to discover who his killer is in order to keep those he loves from coming to harm.
For the first time in the series, Harry is forced to take a really hard look at himself and the choices he’s made, instead of just reacting to the circumstances around him. He’s given an opportunity to really see the effect he has on people, both positive and negative, and it makes for some really compelling storytelling. Butcher is in top form with his world-building, as usual, making the spirit realm of Chicago entirely believable.
If you’re at all a fan of urban fantasy, I highly recommend reading each of the Dresden Files books from the beginning, starting with Storm Front.
If you’re already a fan of the series, you probably don’t need a review to tell you that this one isn’t to be missed. If you went looking for reviews anyway, you can rest assured that you really ought to buy this book.
Final Score: 5 out of 5 stars. Don’t miss this one.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
I just devoured this amazing story. I love the rich language and description in the Dresden books and this one was no exception. The descriptions of the various monsters were enough to trigger some really odd and creepy dreams last night.
This story has Harry waking up in an alternate Chicago,
Harry's complete destruction of the Red Court of Vampires to save the daughter he didn't even know he had has created a power vacuum and all sorts of evil beasties are eager to try to fill it. His colleagues -- Karrin, Molly, Butters and many others -- are trying to defeat the monsters and trying to deal with Harry's loss.
Harry needs to find someone who is able to see and hear him and so goes to an ectomancer named Mortimer Lindquist. He has known Mort for a long time but they aren't friends. Mort fancies himself a coward and in incredibly reluctant to involve himself in anything that Dresden wants. After all, he knows Dresden and he knows the sorts of problems that target him. Luckily one of Mort's guardian ghosts convinces him that he has to get involved with Dresden.
Naturally, events spiral into more and more complexity as Harry tries to save his friends and find his own murderer.
As usual it is impossible to really describe the story of the this book. There are so many wonderful characters - both old and new -- and so many incredible situations that it defies summary. Harry is on a voyage of self-discovery in this episode as he relives past memories and choices. This is an excellent adventure in the Dresden series and a must for all fans. Newcomers would be well-advised to begin at the beginning - Storm Front - and get to know Dresden and his world.
This story has Harry waking up in an alternate Chicago,
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styled Between, and choosing, or being manipulated into choosing, to go back to reality as a shade to try to help those people he loves. And to find out who murdered him.Harry's complete destruction of the Red Court of Vampires to save the daughter he didn't even know he had has created a power vacuum and all sorts of evil beasties are eager to try to fill it. His colleagues -- Karrin, Molly, Butters and many others -- are trying to defeat the monsters and trying to deal with Harry's loss.
Harry needs to find someone who is able to see and hear him and so goes to an ectomancer named Mortimer Lindquist. He has known Mort for a long time but they aren't friends. Mort fancies himself a coward and in incredibly reluctant to involve himself in anything that Dresden wants. After all, he knows Dresden and he knows the sorts of problems that target him. Luckily one of Mort's guardian ghosts convinces him that he has to get involved with Dresden.
Naturally, events spiral into more and more complexity as Harry tries to save his friends and find his own murderer.
As usual it is impossible to really describe the story of the this book. There are so many wonderful characters - both old and new -- and so many incredible situations that it defies summary. Harry is on a voyage of self-discovery in this episode as he relives past memories and choices. This is an excellent adventure in the Dresden series and a must for all fans. Newcomers would be well-advised to begin at the beginning - Storm Front - and get to know Dresden and his world.
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LibraryThing member shannonkearns
Butcher does it again! Another amazing book in the "Dresden Files". This series just keeps getting better and better. I love the complexity of the story, the way he brings back characters from throughout the series, and the questions that get raised about motivations, the nature of good and evil,
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and more. Wonderful book. Show Less
LibraryThing member yarmando
Six months after he was shot, Harry's spirit returns to Chicago to find his friends embattled. But how can he help them if he's just a ghost?
Why I picked it up: It's not great literature, but always a fun summer read.
Why I finished it: It was pretty enjoyable, watching Harry learn how to make
I'd give it to: This one isn't going to attract any new fans on its own; it's too tied in with earlier series entries.
Why I picked it up: It's not great literature, but always a fun summer read.
Why I finished it: It was pretty enjoyable, watching Harry learn how to make
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things work as a ghost. I didn't really care about learning who had Harry killed, but the payoff was decent. I'm sorry Murphy, Molly, and Thomas have wound up so broken.I'd give it to: This one isn't going to attract any new fans on its own; it's too tied in with earlier series entries.
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LibraryThing member bjanecarp
Ghost Story is the thirteenth installment of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden novels. I read somewhere that Butcher wanted to call the novel Dead but this was flatly rejected by the publishers. The title itself leaves absolutely no room for question. Implicit in the title is the spoiler: harry Dresden
I admit at the outset that I'm a fan of the series. I've read each of the first ten books two, sometimes three times. I got turned on to the existence of his work, like many people did, when the SciFi Network aired its one-season The Dresden Files program, which took considerable license, but turned me on to the hardboiled magic detective. Many people have lauded Dresden as Harry Potter, all-grown-up. I guess there's some merit to that analogy.
But in this novel, Harry is dead. It's been almost two years since the last Dresden Novel was released, so I've been anxiously awaiting Changes for several months, to find out who killed him. Somebody shot the poor guy, and he fell right into Lake Michigan and bled to death.
Part of the strength of Butcher's writing is the core magical world. The strength of the The Summer and Winter Fae courts, He Who Walks Behind (an otherworld creature, a la Chthulu), demons, angels, potions, the vampire courts--Black, Red, and White--and, of course, the White Council of wizards itself. There is a (literally) underworld Chicago where all sorts of trolls and ghosts and ghouls and other nasty beasties live.
What I wanted to know, of course, is how Harry's friends reacted. His vampire half-brother Thomas, his favorite former-Cop Karrin Murphy, his apprentice Molly, Bob the air spirit who inhabits a skull in his workroom; his pets; even his godmother Leanansidhe. We wonder who will see him, and how he will reach out to the world to the living.
Of course, there is Morty the ectomancer, who might give him a leg up on his own death; and a few allies who come from surprising places.
All that said, the book was a bit of a letdown. I was hoping for something more; and when I think back, I'm not sure what that "something" is. There was plenty of exposition: we learned a lot about ghosts and spirits, and how they navigate Dresden's world. We learn more about threshholds. But I guess my bother is the story didn't move forward much. Other than Harry uncovering his murderer, very little changed between Changes and Butcher's newest novel.
A few quick nods to character growth and change in this novel:
Murphy is more badass than ever. Don't cross this woman, ever.
Butters is becoming quite knowledgeable about magic lore
Molly is very bitter over Harry's death, and is on the cusp of losing herself to the lure dark magic.
Mister is amazing. The damn cat made me cry.
OK. An urban supernatual novel shouldn't evoke that kind of response. But Butcher knows how to write characters and create a world. He's become a role model to me, in terms of writing style and exposition. His first-person narrative voice limits us to Harry's perspective only; I would certainly like to see m0re from the perspective of Ebenezar McCoy, or Molly Carpenter, even minor characters such as Hendricks.
Sometimes Butcher tries a bit too hard at being funny or ironic in Dresden's voice. When Butcher's narrative is good, he is truly brilliant, and each novel has laugh-out-loud moments. This one was a bit pale in comparison to some of his earlier novels. It's my fear that Harry, in a few more books will become a caricature of himself.
In all, the book was good, but left me feeling a bit empty. I anxiously await book 12 which, I'd bet, is already completed, but I hope it's a slightly better showing than Ghost Story. I want Butcher's brilliant talespinning to go somewhere, and not spin its wheels for 400+ pages.
Four of Five Stars
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is, as of the twelfth novel, Changes, dead. That's right: some jerk--some lousy irredeemably stupid schmuck--killed the hero of the series. It's Harry's job to figure out whodunnit.I admit at the outset that I'm a fan of the series. I've read each of the first ten books two, sometimes three times. I got turned on to the existence of his work, like many people did, when the SciFi Network aired its one-season The Dresden Files program, which took considerable license, but turned me on to the hardboiled magic detective. Many people have lauded Dresden as Harry Potter, all-grown-up. I guess there's some merit to that analogy.
But in this novel, Harry is dead. It's been almost two years since the last Dresden Novel was released, so I've been anxiously awaiting Changes for several months, to find out who killed him. Somebody shot the poor guy, and he fell right into Lake Michigan and bled to death.
Part of the strength of Butcher's writing is the core magical world. The strength of the The Summer and Winter Fae courts, He Who Walks Behind (an otherworld creature, a la Chthulu), demons, angels, potions, the vampire courts--Black, Red, and White--and, of course, the White Council of wizards itself. There is a (literally) underworld Chicago where all sorts of trolls and ghosts and ghouls and other nasty beasties live.
What I wanted to know, of course, is how Harry's friends reacted. His vampire half-brother Thomas, his favorite former-Cop Karrin Murphy, his apprentice Molly, Bob the air spirit who inhabits a skull in his workroom; his pets; even his godmother Leanansidhe. We wonder who will see him, and how he will reach out to the world to the living.
Of course, there is Morty the ectomancer, who might give him a leg up on his own death; and a few allies who come from surprising places.
All that said, the book was a bit of a letdown. I was hoping for something more; and when I think back, I'm not sure what that "something" is. There was plenty of exposition: we learned a lot about ghosts and spirits, and how they navigate Dresden's world. We learn more about threshholds. But I guess my bother is the story didn't move forward much. Other than Harry uncovering his murderer, very little changed between Changes and Butcher's newest novel.
A few quick nods to character growth and change in this novel:
Murphy is more badass than ever. Don't cross this woman, ever.
Butters is becoming quite knowledgeable about magic lore
Molly is very bitter over Harry's death, and is on the cusp of losing herself to the lure dark magic.
Mister is amazing. The damn cat made me cry.
OK. An urban supernatual novel shouldn't evoke that kind of response. But Butcher knows how to write characters and create a world. He's become a role model to me, in terms of writing style and exposition. His first-person narrative voice limits us to Harry's perspective only; I would certainly like to see m0re from the perspective of Ebenezar McCoy, or Molly Carpenter, even minor characters such as Hendricks.
Sometimes Butcher tries a bit too hard at being funny or ironic in Dresden's voice. When Butcher's narrative is good, he is truly brilliant, and each novel has laugh-out-loud moments. This one was a bit pale in comparison to some of his earlier novels. It's my fear that Harry, in a few more books will become a caricature of himself.
In all, the book was good, but left me feeling a bit empty. I anxiously await book 12 which, I'd bet, is already completed, but I hope it's a slightly better showing than Ghost Story. I want Butcher's brilliant talespinning to go somewhere, and not spin its wheels for 400+ pages.
Four of Five Stars
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
Another enjoyable addition to the Dresden files. While not as good as the first few novels, it is one of the best books as of late in the series.
Here we have Harry Dresden at his weakest - he was shot at the end of the previous book, and in this one, comes back as a ghost. This time, we see a more
This book, with a bit of change to the end, would have make an excellent series ender. I will continue with the series, but Harry is getting a bit old.
Here we have Harry Dresden at his weakest - he was shot at the end of the previous book, and in this one, comes back as a ghost. This time, we see a more
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introspective Harry. He is contemplating his past, worried about the future. His war with the vampire red court has left holes in the power structure, leaving his friends to deal with the aftermath and the incoming evil. Everybody who Harry dragged to South America has changed, and not for the better. His apprentice might be crazy, his best friend is making decisions that go against her nature, and all the minor powers are afraid.This book, with a bit of change to the end, would have make an excellent series ender. I will continue with the series, but Harry is getting a bit old.
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LibraryThing member DonnerLibrary
Even with Harry Dresden dead, he still manages to be right in the middle of all the action. In usual Dresden style, he rushes in without thinking things all the way through and adds to the mayhem. It is really hard to see how his friends have been impacted by his death and what they have to do to
Ghost Story has some major twists that I didn't see coming and one that I sort of did. It will be interesting to see what Butcher has in store for Dresden and company in the future.
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keep Chicago safe from the monsters rushing to fill the power void.Ghost Story has some major twists that I didn't see coming and one that I sort of did. It will be interesting to see what Butcher has in store for Dresden and company in the future.
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LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
Since this is part of an ongoing series it does present reviewing problems! I will say I really enjoyed this story, particularly the last five chapters or so. Also, despite some of my favorite characters being MIA it all turned out okay and I was pretty understanding of it all at the end. One other
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thing...I really enjoyed Molly's internal psyche...'nuff said. Show Less
LibraryThing member MatNastos
I enjoyed "Ghost Story." It was a change in tone for the series and was sort of a palate-cleanser. The only thing I missed was a strong final chapter that left me dying to read whatever the next volume was going to be. I wish there was more of a cliffhanger or build-up for the next novel. Still, a
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fantastic read and a lot of fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member SandyLee
In the last installment of the Harry Dresden files, Harry had been shot and left for dead, the Red Court vampires had been destroyed, and his daughter was tucked away in a safe place. In the opening of GHOST STORY Harry is a “ghost” of sorts, it isn’t quite clear and even he doesn’t quite
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know. It has been six months since he was shot and a lot has happened. Karrin Murphy is no longer with the police department and since Harry’s demise, Chicago is in a power grab by all kinds of evildoers. His apprentice, Molly, was damaged emotionally from the battle with the Red Court and is now on a killing spree. Few can see Harry, fewer still can hear him. He doesn’t have the use of any of his wizard powers and as a ghost can’t touch anyone or anything solid. All 477 pages are full of new villains and a city and friends who still need saving. Tough job for someone who is nothing more than mist. Harry meets Murphy’s dearly departed father who imparts words of wisdom to Harry. His godmother, Lea, imparts answers as clear as mud, and exactly how a ghost is supposed to work his magic is lost on Harry. Mort, a friend and necromancer, has been kidnapped by the Corpsetaker. Too many villains and victims to keep track of. And in Ghost of Christmas Past fashion, the reader is taken on a trip down memory lane to just about every case Harry has ever worked. Everyone wants a piece of Harry. There wasn’t enough of Thomas, Harry’s brother. He was an afterthought stuck at the end as Harry, along with his “Ghost of Christmas Past,” lets him visit his daughter and brother before he sets off to his destiny, again “of sorts.” One isn’t quite clear where all this is headed. I am a big Harry fan so will cut Butcher some slack that the next installment brings some sense to Harry’s dilemma. I had hoped there was a future for Harry with Murphy but Molly seems to be aging and blossoming in front of our eyes and has always had a crush on Harry. Murphy is morphing into a female warrior with a crew cut…not quite a turn-on. One of Harry’s goals this installment was to find out who killed him. He found his answer, saved his friends, the city is still standing, but Harry just isn’t Harry without his powers and another cliffhanger is thrust upon the reader at the end. I kind of liked it when books didn’t have cliffhangers. Show Less
Language
Original publication date
2011-07-26
ISBN
9781101476178