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Fantasy. Fiction. Mystery. HTML:A cant-miss entry in one of the best urban-fantasy series currently being published.Booklist (starred review) As Chicagos only professional wizard, Harry Dresden has faced demons, vampires, werewolves, dark sorcerers, and hosts of horrors from beyond the mortal realm. But nothing could have prepared him for this Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry's Dresdens loveruntil she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her caught between humanity and the relentless bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. She disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it. Now, she needs Harrys help more than ever. For the vengeful Duchess of the Red Court has discovered a secret Susan has long kept from everyoneincluding Harryand she plans to use it. To prevail, Harry may have to unleash the full fury of his untapped powerand he may have no choice but to embrace the darkness within himself. Because this time, hes fighting to save his child.… (more)
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Another thing that I've always liked about these books is that the larger story lines spanned volumes, but each book was complete unto itself...the local story line reached a natural pause point while Harry and the reader contemplated the consequences of what he had just done. Book #12 followed that formula for 437 of its 438 pages. The story was over, though we see the trouble brewing on the horizon. Then, on 438, Mr. Butcher decides to gift us with his first cliff-hangerâan out-of-the-blue event that leaves us wondering if Harry is even going to survive. Though...of course...we know he will if we are to read any more books in the series.
Boo! We'd have bought them anyway; we didn't need to be aggravated for a year.
Dropped from recommended to mildly recommended for this reasonâI recommend you hold off on this one until the next book is out. You get the added bonus of buying it in paperback.
Harry gets a call from his old flame Susan, she has a surprise for Harry. Harry has a child and his
I am afraid all I can do is gush about this book, it was amazing! Harry increases in power and gets pulled through a non-stop course of events that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. There is a reason this book is called "Changes". Harry goes through a number of huge changes in becoming a father and in having to make some tough decisions about how he will bend his morals to get the power he needs to save his daughter. Murphy goes through changes when she take up one of the Three Swords. Heck even Mouse, the dog, goes through Changes.
The pace of this book was phenomenal. Harry is catapulted from one interesting and creative situation to another; all of them life-threatening. Things happen to Harry in this book that make you want to cry, yet Butcher does an excellent job at not letting things get too heavy by throwing in some of the gallows humor he excels at. The action scenes were exquisite, the character development perfect (even for side characters). I feel like no side characters were forgotten, yet the book never seemed cluttered. There is a lot going on in this book. You have the White, Grey, and Black councils involved, the vampire courts involved, fairy involved, and the Three Holy Swords thrown in there. Molly has become a steadfast character as Harry's apprentice.
Harry is beginning to really become a force to be reckoned with. He is using his power in more intelligent ways and making better decisions; the way he resolves impossible situations is interesting and engaging. Butcher's writing is very readable and engaging and in general is just a joy to read. I forget how top-notch Butcher's writing style is and then I read one of his books and am reminded again and again.
If there is one thing to complain about in this book it is the ending. The book literally ends in the middle of a very important scene for Harry and I couldn't believe it. I was looking for more story and was sad that the book was over. Now, my next question is when is the next book coming out!!??
If you have been reading this series, get this book and read it. If you haven't started this series, get the previous eleven books and then read this one. Or read a summary of the plot online and then get this book and read it. Just make sure you read this book!!
More than this I cannot tell of the plot, knowing, as I do, how most people detest spoilers and how easily I could let something slip when summarizing the plot of this action-packed book. So here's what I'll say:
First, the Dresden Files is far and away the best urban fantasy series to be found. Jim Butcher strikes a perfect balance between the voice of his smart-ass protagonist and narrator and the fantastic, horrible, and truly evil things he encounters. Next, Changes, the twelfth in the series, is the best so far (although I should add the caveat that I'm a little behind, and still haven't read installments ten and eleven). The action is nearly non-stop but even so there is deep feeling and mad character development. Harry grows--and changes--in this book (it's been noted by many other reviewers how apt the title is), and what he's willing to do to save someone he loves, the sacrifices he's willing to make, will probably shock some. Changes gives a little more insight into the character and motivation of the two "grown-up" figures in Harry's life, Lea, his, ah, fairy godmother, and Ebenezer McCoy, his mentor and savior. We get into Mouse's head in this book (yeah, he's as cool as you'd think), and we observe Harry's apprentice Molly--still hopelessly smitten with her mentor--emerge as a person and as a practitioner of the arts. And Murphy--who, several books back was offered Fidelacchius--comes this much closer to taking on the mantle of Knight of the Sword.
And then there's the ending. I will give nothing away but let me tell you, it's a doozy. A cliff-hanger as precipitous as that which ended season three of Angel. Jim Butcher, I'm sorry to say this because I know your one true love is your "swords-and-horses" fantasy, but I'd like to make a plea: put that aside and give us more Dresden. And fast!
The plot is remarkably simple. The Red Court of the vampires have stolen the daughter Harry never knew he had. Susan needs Harry's help to get her back. Harry gathers up some friends and allies to go and get her back. A big fight ensues.
However along the way we learn a lot of secrets and see some major Changes - in Harry, who he is, what he represents, and how he copes. JB must be congratulated for managing the reveals such that they don't contradict anything in the previous books. (With possibly one exception in the chronology of his daughter White Night seems less than 4 years ago). It's almost impossible to discuss them though without revealing some massive spoilers about the plot - so go and buy the book and read it yourself.
I really enjoy the overarching sense of continuity and back-story that feeds into most of the volumes in the series. This makes them much more gripping than an isolated and unchanging series of events would do. JB's also particularly good at having the minor characters age and grow up alongside Harry. However we are still continuing from the Mary Sue problem, and even worse enemy inflation. Harry's now taking on minor godlings, and even with the aid he can muster, this is getting a bit silly. JB also resurrects his other problem - continually trashing and /or killing Harry's artefacts such that they only appear in one or two stories. At least we weren't inflicted with the 'how to make potions' device, however the introduction is very much a repeat of the basics - which is odd because JB hasn't felt the need to do so in the previous volumes.
Once this style has settled down though, the pace rapidly picks up, and real humdinger of a ride begins. I may never forgive JB for the ending though.
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If you wish to comment on this review, or discuss anything related to the book there is a thread in Review Discussions
Changes come fast and furious as Harry Dresden is quickly out-classed and nonplussed by his ex-girlfriend and long-simmering enemies. Loose ends dealing with the Black Council and other long-running story lines have been mercifully abbreviated to keep the action focused. As the plot progresses, he rapidly loses home and property, only to lose things of greater import to him in the third act. I'll spare the details for the spoiler-conscious, but as Changes ends with a cliff-hanger, it's hard to imaging the familiar Dresden milieu will ever be back.
I've also got to give Butcher credit for finally killing his darlings, something I've seen him struggle with through almost every book in both the Dresden Files and Codex Alera. In addition to a major character, we see the entire extinction of one of Harry's oldest enemies.
Dresden should be given credit for a brave shakeup of the status quo, and I can't see how things land in future volumes.
Harry doesnât know what to believe when heâs first informed with the news. Eventually he decides that even if this is not his daughter there is a little girl out there who needs his help. He begins to channel through his contacts in order to gain the help he will need to rescue the girl from the Red Court. It ainât gonna be easy! Harry knows heâs gone up against many competitors that were far stronger than he is and heâs been lucky. To pull this off he will have to pull out all the stops and try and bring down the entire vampire court. Heâs gonna need lots and lots of back up. His only dread is that his back up consists of those he loves and wants to protect most in the world. So far, Harry has never compromised his integrity to win a fight. Now he must make the hardest decisions of his life if he wants to save the girl. Alliances are formed that he would rather not have had to make, but is it worth it?
Jim Butches is an exceptional writer. I love his Dresden Files series and am always scrambling on release date to pick up the latest copy. Lucky for me there are now digital ebooks and I can simply purchase, hit download, and jump into Harryâs world of mayhem and menace. I think this might be the best Harry book yet and it is the first time Jim has ever left us flittering on a cliffhanger. I didnât know if I should be shocked or appalled. ď In the end, I decided that shocked was the way to go and Iâm very saddened that I have to wait at least another year for the next installment. Woe is me; however, even through all of the woes I am anxiously awaiting what happens next.
The title, "Changes" is appropriate. What I didn't realize, was just how much of everything I knew
Of course, he does all this for a very good reason -- his daughter. Any loving parent would do the same, especially given how much family means to Harry. I just wish the author hadn't used this convenient plot device to carry out so many changes in one fell swoop. It felt a little forced. Especially since I already suspected this might happen halfway into the series, the last time Susan showed up. But I thought, nah! Little did I know...
At the same time, I think I understand where Jim Butcher is trying to go with this. Ever since the series has become less about Harry Dresden, P.I. and more about Harry Dresden, Superhero, or in other words, less about mystery and more about urban fantasy soap opera, I've been expecting something like this. I get that it has been twelve books and Harry almost needs a "reset" button. I also get how Changes is intended to be a turning point, a probable "rebirth" of sorts. While the humor is still there, old happy-go-lucky Harry is gone, replaced with emotionally and physically damaged and tortured Harry. I feel the series turning to a new direction. Not that there's anything wrong with that...I'm just not sure what to think about it yet.
I guess I'll have to read the next book to find out.
Dresden and his friends are in constant danger as someone (or something) tries to kill him with all manner of attacks. Once again, we see who will stand with Dresden even in the face of certain death and who will abandon him to save their own skin. Politically, Dresden is a step behind as usual but he generally figures it all out just in time. Of course, what he figures out this time leads to some even larger questions and the choices he makes along the way have far reaching consequences.
I love the non-stop action in the Dresden books. Although Dresden has a lot to think about and many choices to make, he rarely has the time for serious contemplation. Dresden's humor is another of my favorite things about this series. He rarely knows when to stop with the wise-cracks, even in the most serious of situations. He faces death with sarcasm and quotes from Star Wars.
I think this book may be my favorite in the series so far because we learn so much about who Harry Dresden truly is and what he stands for. Butcher ends Changes with a serious cliff-hanger and I cannot believe I have to wait until March 2011 for Ghost Story to come out!
Harry has an 8 year old daughter, taken by the Red Court. He will get her back at any cost. Truly - even making a Faustian bargain to do so. Another reader complained that Harry didn't seem to react to much during all the action. For me, it was more like he was in shock through most of the book. Not only does he reunite with a woman he loved, he learns he has a daughter she never told him about, taken by some pretty sick monsters and he takes actions that eat away at him to get her back. Yeah, shock seemed perfectly reasonable to me, and fit with the story. The book left me depressed though, because our good guys are losing their souls. I was very unhappy with what happened to Thomas, who no longer fights against his demon, Ebenezer is the Blackstaff who can kill with magic, and now Harry is suddenly an "ends justify the means" type of guy? It was disturbing, to say the least.
On the other hand, Butcher's writing is top notch. The pace is fast, but doesn't carelessly roll over details either. They plan, they prepare, they follow through. I also enjoyed that Harry gathers all his allies together for the assault, Molly and his Faery Godmother included. The final battle is exciting, surprising and there are casualties. This book went to a very dark place. I am anxious to read the next book, to see where Butcher goes with this. But, I am afraid that it could be the last Dresden File I read.
I bought it at 9 a.m. and had it finished by 10 p.m. I also had two job interviews that day and of course driving to and from the interviews. Also had to take a nap. Was too excited the night before and it was like Christmas eve for a kid. Couldn't go to sleep :)
The plot was once again masterfully constructed. Though I thought they spent too much time in Chicago for this one. A lot of old characters we've come to know and love had cameo's. Even a few that we love to hate showed up. Deals were made, promises broken, love never dies. All in all a killer read!!!
Jim Butcher writes well, and the story has plenty of action, twists, and turns to satisfy most readers, and this book stands as a good entry in the Dresden
Butcherâs cast of uber-powerful beings for Dresden to battle and/or team up with is getting a little incredulous. Gone from the series is Dresden the P.I. and the noir elements that go along with it, and Dresden is fast becoming a supernatural superhero, throwing enormous power everywhere, allying with gods and archangels, challenging dark demigods and so on and so forth until it all starts to look a bit too comic book, rather than the intriguing, somewhat more restrained stories that have been so compelling in the past.
And that damn cheesy, amateurish cliffhanger was an insulting bow to marketing.
A good, but not great, Dresden entry that is lifted by Butcherâs storytelling ability.
As my own life goes to hell around me it is kind of cathartic to read about Harry,
Overall a good book and an excellent distraction with a rather irritating ending.
I
So Harry and his friends and allies are tested as never before, and it produces a book that is very much a page-turner. I'm happy I read it on the weekend, as it was about 1 am before I finished it.
The book ends in an unexpected way that may put the future of the series in doubt. I'm anxious to see what Butcher comes up with next.
I'm not sure how I feel about the ending - There had better be another book!