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Available
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Series
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Collection
Publication
Roc (2007), 576 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Mystery. HTML:Wizard for hire Harry Dresden has to track down the things that go bump in the night in this novel in Jim Butcher's #1 New York Times bestselling series. There�??s no love lost between Harry Dresden, the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, and the White Council of Wizards, who find him brash and undisciplined. But war with the vampires has thinned their ranks, so the Council has drafted Harry as a Warden and assigned him to look into rumors of black magic in the Windy City. As Harry adjusts to his new role, another problem arrives in the form of the tattooed and pierced daughter of an old friend�??all grown up and already in trouble. Her boyfriend is the only suspect in what looks like a supernatural assault straight out of a horror film. Malevolent entities that feed on fear are loose in Chicago, but it�??s all in a day�??s work for a wizard, his faithful dog, and a talking skull… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member zette
The book starts with an execution by the White Council. It's stark, harsh, and unforgiving and Dresden, as one of the Wardens, has to take part in the 'ceremony.' He's not happy, even though he fully understands the reasoning behind it.
And from there . . . well, things go badly. This isn't a shock,
It's not a good relationship -- but the two learn a great deal about each other, and from each other. And Dresden will do anything to protect his friend's family, even if, in the end, that means he has to go up against the White Council and face their justice as well.
This book was filled with the 'who is really behind it all' feeling from start to finish. It's also obvious by the end that things are out of control. There is more trouble coming.
Dresden will be there to stand the line.
Excellent book, as always. Questions of right, wrong, and the need to do things that transcend the law are interwoven into a backdrop of the usual mayhem and marvels. From a Horror Convention to the Fortress of the Winter Queen, Harry Dresden moves like an unstoppable freight train -- and nothing better get in his way.
I don't think I'll ever grow tired of these books.
And from there . . . well, things go badly. This isn't a shock,
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of course. Things always get complicated for Harry Dresden, and this case is filled with all the usual dangers -- plus something even more troubling. He has to work with Charity Carpenter, a woman who quite obviously despises and distrusts him. It's not a good relationship -- but the two learn a great deal about each other, and from each other. And Dresden will do anything to protect his friend's family, even if, in the end, that means he has to go up against the White Council and face their justice as well.
This book was filled with the 'who is really behind it all' feeling from start to finish. It's also obvious by the end that things are out of control. There is more trouble coming.
Dresden will be there to stand the line.
Excellent book, as always. Questions of right, wrong, and the need to do things that transcend the law are interwoven into a backdrop of the usual mayhem and marvels. From a Horror Convention to the Fortress of the Winter Queen, Harry Dresden moves like an unstoppable freight train -- and nothing better get in his way.
I don't think I'll ever grow tired of these books.
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LibraryThing member leahsimone
Now a Warden for the White Counsel, Harry Dresden is officially responsible for any violations of the Laws of Magic within Chicago. His mentor and friend has asked him to find out why the Fey Summer Court will not aid the Counsel in the war against the Red Court Vampires. Then he receives a message
One thing about this series that has impressed me is Butcher’s ability to continually deliver a really good story. He weaves his plot elements together skillfully with lots of action, humor and pathos. He’s made Harry Dresden one of my favorite heroes in urban fantasy. Despite being an extraordinary wizard, Harry is easy to relate to, likable and laugh out loud funny. All Butcher’s characters are interesting and constantly evolving. Every time I finish the last page of one of his books, I can’t wait to start the next one. It just keeps getting better and better. Highly recommended.
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from an enigmatic senior counsel wizard that alerts him to the practice of black magic taking place in the city. Add to this vicious attacks at a theater and a horror convention and Harry finds himself buried in responsibility that will force him into political maneuvering with some of the scariest denizens of the Nevernever.One thing about this series that has impressed me is Butcher’s ability to continually deliver a really good story. He weaves his plot elements together skillfully with lots of action, humor and pathos. He’s made Harry Dresden one of my favorite heroes in urban fantasy. Despite being an extraordinary wizard, Harry is easy to relate to, likable and laugh out loud funny. All Butcher’s characters are interesting and constantly evolving. Every time I finish the last page of one of his books, I can’t wait to start the next one. It just keeps getting better and better. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member gecizzle
Every one of these Dresden books is the same. They all blur together. I have no way to tell them apart. I've read about 6 of these books, and they really are pretty good. But, they are all in the average category. None of them stand out as really that awesome.
After reading this particular book, I
After reading this particular book, I
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was like, goddamnit! I thought for sure they were gonna throw Dresden in jail for good this time. But noooooo. Fucking bullshit. Why can't someone kill this guy already? I mean, what's the fucking problem? Just shoot the cocksucker. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Harry can never catch a break! He's avoided his good friend Michael because Harry picked up a coin possessed by a fallen angel. But Michael's daughter reaches out for help and Harry gets dragged into an investigation into black magic in his new role as a White Warden. Harry finds some relief from
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his guilt over the fallen angel issue and finds to his horror that the black magic user he is chasing down is Michael's daughter. In the end Harry gets to "pay it forward" by sticking his neck out for someone like his mentor did for him. Show Less
LibraryThing member ladycato
I am gradually reading through the Dresden Files series. The most recent books I read were back in January, and it says a lot about the readability of the books when I was able to pick up Proven Guilty and get right into the swing of things without hesitation. Butcher has an incredible knack for
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creating tight, tense urban fantasy novels that make Dresden's situations feel absolutely hopeless time and again. I am already moving on to book #9. Show Less
LibraryThing member BraveNewBks
Some extra squick factor here due to Butcher's penchant for carefully describing each female character's sexual attractiveness and the fact that this book prominently features a teenage female character, but if you can get beyond that, this was one of my favorite plots in the series.
LibraryThing member brakketh
Increasingly complex Dresden Files world. Solid brain-candy.
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Another fascinating romp through Chicargo's under and overworld. The White Council are in town again, and Harry is charged with gaining assistance from the Faere in the Council's ongoing battle with the Red Court. In addition dark magic is being practised and as a Warden Harry's job is to stamp it
Harry calls in a few favours - hard earnt during the last seven books he doesn't have many left now? - and raids the Winter Faere Wellhead. Someone must be smiling on Harry because he is the least physically damaged in this story. There is a fascinating subplot as to whether or not Harry will turn to God or fall into Lasciels clutches.... and who is the traitor on the White Council?
Although each book is well written - only one minor plot hole in this one (Molly didn't react to Harry's cold shower) the best part is the underlying back story that is perpetuated thorugh the series. Another gripping installment.
After re-read: the subtext of discussion about Faith, the power of God and whether or not Harry will fall to Lasciel really make this one of the best of the series. The downside is the mixed up plot, there are three very loosely connected plots all running sequentially. Also there is a lot of repitition of information from all the previous works, that is just redundent now.
Overall gripping part of a series, showing that these aren't just isolated facets in Harry's life but the JB has a continued plan and over-arching backstory. Still a quick enjoyable read.
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out - vigourously. However the practitioner turns out to be a young pretty girl - always Harry's weak point - and even worse the daughter of the Knight of the Cross and Harry's best friend. Harry calls in a few favours - hard earnt during the last seven books he doesn't have many left now? - and raids the Winter Faere Wellhead. Someone must be smiling on Harry because he is the least physically damaged in this story. There is a fascinating subplot as to whether or not Harry will turn to God or fall into Lasciels clutches.... and who is the traitor on the White Council?
Although each book is well written - only one minor plot hole in this one (Molly didn't react to Harry's cold shower) the best part is the underlying back story that is perpetuated thorugh the series. Another gripping installment.
After re-read: the subtext of discussion about Faith, the power of God and whether or not Harry will fall to Lasciel really make this one of the best of the series. The downside is the mixed up plot, there are three very loosely connected plots all running sequentially. Also there is a lot of repitition of information from all the previous works, that is just redundent now.
Overall gripping part of a series, showing that these aren't just isolated facets in Harry's life but the JB has a continued plan and over-arching backstory. Still a quick enjoyable read.
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LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
I enjoyed this book the first time I read it and I think that it was even better during this re-read. This is the eighth book in the Harry Dresden series which really should be read in order since each book builds on events from previous installments. It is a great series to revisit anytime I want
Once again, Harry finds himself in the middle of a mess. He receives a call from Molly Carpenter, the daughter of his good friend, looking for help and he just can't say no. Someone in town is doing black magic and there are also some grisly murders at a local horror festival that he needs to contend with. All while trying to keep the White Council happy. Things get very complicated very quickly and Harry feels like it is his responsibility to set things right. There were some pretty big developments that were revealed in this installment. I found this story to be really exciting with plenty of action. I was hooked by the mystery and couldn't wait to see if Harry would be able to make everything work while protecting those in his care.
James Marsters continues to do a phenomenal job with this series. It really is amazing how completely he is able to bring Harry and the other characters to life. I thought that he added a lot of emotion and excitement into the reading and I found it easy to listen to this book for hours at a time. I do feel that his performance added to my enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this series to others. Harry's world is an interesting one to visit and I always feel completely entertained when I dive into any of the novels in the series. I cannot wait to continue with my re-read of the series.
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to read something that I know I am going to enjoy. Once again, Harry finds himself in the middle of a mess. He receives a call from Molly Carpenter, the daughter of his good friend, looking for help and he just can't say no. Someone in town is doing black magic and there are also some grisly murders at a local horror festival that he needs to contend with. All while trying to keep the White Council happy. Things get very complicated very quickly and Harry feels like it is his responsibility to set things right. There were some pretty big developments that were revealed in this installment. I found this story to be really exciting with plenty of action. I was hooked by the mystery and couldn't wait to see if Harry would be able to make everything work while protecting those in his care.
James Marsters continues to do a phenomenal job with this series. It really is amazing how completely he is able to bring Harry and the other characters to life. I thought that he added a lot of emotion and excitement into the reading and I found it easy to listen to this book for hours at a time. I do feel that his performance added to my enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this series to others. Harry's world is an interesting one to visit and I always feel completely entertained when I dive into any of the novels in the series. I cannot wait to continue with my re-read of the series.
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LibraryThing member Aeyan
B-movie monsters (the A-listers were all booked) get fleshed, run amok, cause fear, get blasted by Harry, who, since he is now all official and Warden-cloaked, has even more impetus than his own over-large sense of nobility and do-gooderness to save the day. And at the end of this one, Harry gets a
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big ol' bonus - the kind that entails lots or responsibility and effort, not unlike a previous ending bonus, but less evil, hopefully. Show Less
LibraryThing member Springsun
This is another well-written book by Jim Butcher, about Harry Dresden, Wizard, fighting evil monsters in Chicago, IL and alternate dimensions. Harry Dresden and his friends are likable, and his fast-paced adventures keeps your interest! This is re-readable and worth your time, if you like fantasy
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fiction :) Show Less
LibraryThing member TomWheaton
Another good read from the Dresden Files stories. I really enjoy the mixture of magic, fantasy & mystery that the author mangaes to combine in all of the Dresden Files stories that I have read so far. I alos like the returning characters from book-to-book and also the introduction of new characters
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that I expect will appear in one or more of the next books. Show Less
LibraryThing member slothman
There's a convention for horror fans in town, and beings from the Nevernever that feast on fear are popping out into the physical world while wearing the shapes of movie monsters. Harry has to investigate this and the reason that the Faerie Courts aren’t pitching in on the war between the
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wizardly White Council and the vampiric Red Court, all the while keeping an eye on the rebellious daughter of his friend Michael, the paladin. Show Less
LibraryThing member Irisheyz77
This is the eighth book in Butchers series The Dresdon Files which deal with the life of Harry Dresdon who is a wizard in an alternate Chicago who solves mysteries that often involve things that go bump in the night. I have been a fan of Jim Butcher for years and this most recent novel in the
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series did not disappoint in the least. I enjoyed it so much that I managed to read it in an entire day. Harry as always takes on more then he can chew simply because he's a good hearted man who finds it hard to say no....especially when there is a damsel in distress involved. If you like mysteries...and fantasy then I would highly recommed this series to all. Each book just keeps getting better. Show Less
LibraryThing member lewispike
It's been a while since I've read the earlier books, which is a shame, because there's enough back story that I half remember to be just annoying.
That said, I think it would stand alone well, or if I remembered more clearly it would work well too.
Harry has two, not obviously linked, things going
Oh, and the war with the Red Council is still going strong, but in the background. Lots of nice little twists and turns, a few genuine shockers.
The niggles about back story will just make me read the books when the "to read" pile is under control.
That said, I think it would stand alone well, or if I remembered more clearly it would work well too.
Harry has two, not obviously linked, things going
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on. Firstly there's a vague warning about a black magician in Chicago that he looks into, secondly, a horror con gets attacked by supernatural critters. There is a link, and just for fun the link leads back to the centre of the Winter Court of Faerie.Oh, and the war with the Red Council is still going strong, but in the background. Lots of nice little twists and turns, a few genuine shockers.
The niggles about back story will just make me read the books when the "to read" pile is under control.
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LibraryThing member burningtodd
This is the eighth book of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, and it is a scorcher. Someone is performing black magic in Chicago and it is up to Harry to find out who and stop them. This magic is dangerous though, it is calling in Fetch’s from faerie and they are taking the guise of Horror movie
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villains before feeding on the fear of their victims. Harry must find out who is doing this, travel to faerie to fight the Fetches on their on turf and save the life of a dear friend. This is an exciting book with non-stop action from cover to cover. Show Less
LibraryThing member etimme
For me this was the first Dresden Files book that really made apparent the passage of time between books. For all practical purposes both Harry and his brother Thomas are immortal, and through the entirety of the series Murphy has been at the prime of her life. So, seeing a grown up Molly was a
I personally did not care for the overarching plot as much as the previous books - anything involving Summer and Winter are always layers on layers on layers. The reader has very little hope of figuring out what is going on, which is frustrating.
However, the action was interesting, Harry continues to be a fun protagonist, and Butcher does a good job of both bringing the wizard's life full circle and using the powers vested in him as a Warden for good purposes.
One thing that is really striking is Harry's attachment to the hapless teenagers who find their new gifts blossoming and being sentenced to death as a result of breaking laws they don't know exist - people like himself. The White Council is overextended and lacking allies. Their enforcement arm - the Wardens - have been reduced to almost nothing through the war with the Red Court. Yet, they continue to execute practitioners without consideration of the gravity of their crimes.
Something has to come to a head with this.
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nice thing to add.I personally did not care for the overarching plot as much as the previous books - anything involving Summer and Winter are always layers on layers on layers. The reader has very little hope of figuring out what is going on, which is frustrating.
However, the action was interesting, Harry continues to be a fun protagonist, and Butcher does a good job of both bringing the wizard's life full circle and using the powers vested in him as a Warden for good purposes.
One thing that is really striking is Harry's attachment to the hapless teenagers who find their new gifts blossoming and being sentenced to death as a result of breaking laws they don't know exist - people like himself. The White Council is overextended and lacking allies. Their enforcement arm - the Wardens - have been reduced to almost nothing through the war with the Red Court. Yet, they continue to execute practitioners without consideration of the gravity of their crimes.
Something has to come to a head with this.
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LibraryThing member hoosgracie
Excellent book in the series. Harry becomes more and more well rounded with each book. The character development and action really made this book. We also found out some answers to a few mysteries, which made it fun.
LibraryThing member Unreachableshelf
Proven Guilty outdoes all the previous editions of The Dresden Files. With the phobophage/black magic plot that forms the center of the novel, Harry also continues to fight his inner demons- literally- and we gain new insight into the Carpenter family. As if that weren't enough, we also have
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glimpses of the ongoing stories of Thomas and Murphy, and more questions raised by the end of the book ranging from the fate of the Sword to the question of whether or not there could be one entity manipulating the various supernatural attacks in the series so far. Show Less
LibraryThing member saramllr
Very exciting story, I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. I think I am going to like Molly, Harry's new apprentice. He needed a new female influence to shake up his perceptions a little bit.
LibraryThing member Darla
It's even better the second (well, 4th, sort of) time around. It's not only polished, it... hmmm. what's more than polished? Every single word's just right, and it means something, and it echoes off something else. Okay, could be I'm sappy because of Mother's Day, or because of the inscription (I
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got it signed--yay!), but damn, it's a good book. Just when you think he can't get any better. Also, Best Use of a Pitcher of Ice Water in a Work of Fiction, ever. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tanya-dogearedcopy
Proven Guilty
The Dresden Files #8
by Jim Butcher; narrated by James Marsters
(P) 2009 by Penguin Audio
16.25 hours
Harry Dresden, the only practicing wizard detective in Chicago, is called upon to investigate more suspected necromancy (see Dead Beat (The Dresden Files #7)) and, bail one of his best
James Marsters sounds exhausted: His voice register has dropped a couple of ranges and there is little to no differentiation between many of the characters at this point, making it difficult to follow who is speaking in a few of the conversations. If Marsters’ rumblings, even in this condition, are still pleasant to the ear, it must also be said that the editing is poor: there are noticeable places in the recording where there the sound levels don’t match.
OTHER: I dnloaded a digital audio edition of Proven Guilty (by Jim Butcher; narrated by James Marsters) from the now defunct digital dnload site, weread4you.com. They used to have amazing sales and I purchased a number of The Dresden Files audiobooks to fill in the gaps in my collection. To be honest, if I hadn’t bought them, I probably would have dropped the series by now; but I did and so I didn’t! I receive no monies, goods or services in exchange for reviewing the product and/or mentioning any of the persons or companies that are or may be implied in this post.
The Dresden Files #8
by Jim Butcher; narrated by James Marsters
(P) 2009 by Penguin Audio
16.25 hours
Harry Dresden, the only practicing wizard detective in Chicago, is called upon to investigate more suspected necromancy (see Dead Beat (The Dresden Files #7)) and, bail one of his best
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friend’s daughters out of trouble. Of course the plots are interconnected and are ultimately tied into another ongoing thread about the war between The Red Court of Vampires and everybody else! As I’ve mentioned before, the series is terribly uneven, but this, like Dead Beat before it, is one of the better ones. Still prone to cliched language, stereotyping and suspect choreography when it comes to the action scenes, the story is nevertheless intriguing with moments of true suspense.James Marsters sounds exhausted: His voice register has dropped a couple of ranges and there is little to no differentiation between many of the characters at this point, making it difficult to follow who is speaking in a few of the conversations. If Marsters’ rumblings, even in this condition, are still pleasant to the ear, it must also be said that the editing is poor: there are noticeable places in the recording where there the sound levels don’t match.
OTHER: I dnloaded a digital audio edition of Proven Guilty (by Jim Butcher; narrated by James Marsters) from the now defunct digital dnload site, weread4you.com. They used to have amazing sales and I purchased a number of The Dresden Files audiobooks to fill in the gaps in my collection. To be honest, if I hadn’t bought them, I probably would have dropped the series by now; but I did and so I didn’t! I receive no monies, goods or services in exchange for reviewing the product and/or mentioning any of the persons or companies that are or may be implied in this post.
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LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
When Harry is called in to help out the daughter of an old friend it leads him to a horror convention where the monsters have come to life.
This is another great read of this compulsively addictive series. Harry has certainly become one of my favorite literary heroes ever, a character even more
This is another great read of this compulsively addictive series. Harry has certainly become one of my favorite literary heroes ever, a character even more
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compelling because he's not perfect and makes mistakes. In this entry Harry discovers hidden depths in a person he formally avoided and learns that one of his companions is apparently more than he seems to be (wag, wag). As always, I'm thrilled with any story that both Murphy and Thomas participate in. I'm really looking forward to the next adventure! Show Less
LibraryThing member Wova4
Proven Guilty eschews the past tendency of the Dresden Files series to focus on single-volume storytelling. Instead, Butcher presents a transitional novel which focuses on the series-spanning story lines rather than the current whodunit. Surprisingly mirthless, considering the excellent preceding
The answers at the end of the story are few and far between, and as I near the end of the in-print run I'm afraid we'll be years from seeing them resolved. I'm also concerned that the weight of accumulated series-scale story lines will strangle plot momentum in later volumes.
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volume Dead Beat, this novel expands upon politics within the White Council, unnecessarily probes into the Mulder/Skully dynamic between Dresden and Murphy, and ends up saddling Harry with an goth-glam apprentice. Kudos to Butcher for allowing Rawlings to survive the novel--like most beat cops in Dresden's Chicago, he was marked for a nasty, gruesome end. The answers at the end of the story are few and far between, and as I near the end of the in-print run I'm afraid we'll be years from seeing them resolved. I'm also concerned that the weight of accumulated series-scale story lines will strangle plot momentum in later volumes.
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LibraryThing member tinLizzy
See review of book #1 the series - Storm Front.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006-05-02
Physical description
576 p.; 4.31 inches
ISBN
0451461037 / 9780451461032