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Publication
Subterranean Press (2024). 432p. Signed, limited to 500 copies. Printed on 80# Finch Opaque, with full page interior illustrations and cover art by Vincent Chong.
Description
"HARRY DRESDEN, CHICAGO'S ONLY PROFESSIONAL WIZARD, COULD BE ITS LAST Harry has faced terrible odds before. He has a long history of fighting enemies above his weight class. The Red Court of Vampires. The fallen angels of the Order of Blackened Denarius. The Outsiders. But this time, it's different. A being more powerful and dangerous on an order of magnitude beyond what the world has seen in a millennia is coming. And she's bringing an army. The Last Titan has declared war on the city of Chicago, and has come to subjugate humanity, obliterating any who stand in her way. Harry's mission is simple but impossible: Save the city by killing a Titan. And the attempt will change Harry's life, Chicago, and the mortal world forever"--
User reviews
LibraryThing member MrsLee
The Peace Talks didn't go so well. I don't think that is a spoiler when the following book is titled Battle Ground. Chicago is threatened by the last Titan who has a deadly gaze. All the Accorded nations are working together to defeat her, as well as the humans who remain. Harry, of course, is in
Perhaps I've read too many in a row? Or perhaps I don't care for detailed battle descriptions? This book wasn't quite a slog, but I tired of it by the end. Some predictable losses occurred, some heroic actions on the part of other characters, some questionable alliances and typical misunderstandings between those who should be allies. I miss Harry Dresden, wizard and private eye. I miss the noir feel of the detective novel which drew me to this series in the first place. Will I read another? I suppose, but it is getting very close to losing me at this point. When series go full-blown world apocalypses on me and don't let up, I tire of them.
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the middle of it all.Perhaps I've read too many in a row? Or perhaps I don't care for detailed battle descriptions? This book wasn't quite a slog, but I tired of it by the end. Some predictable losses occurred, some heroic actions on the part of other characters, some questionable alliances and typical misunderstandings between those who should be allies. I miss Harry Dresden, wizard and private eye. I miss the noir feel of the detective novel which drew me to this series in the first place. Will I read another? I suppose, but it is getting very close to losing me at this point. When series go full-blown world apocalypses on me and don't let up, I tire of them.
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
Probably my least favorite of the recent Dresden Files - not because it's bad but it is literally one giant battle scene. The whole book! I get that this is a MAJOR battle the biggest ever - but I've never read such a long continuous fight scene. Plus there is ne aspect of the storyline that I
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would have liked to see resolved (Thomas), and there is very sad scene (no spoilers here). Dresden was as usual kick ass and his signature brand of dark humor shines through and makes the depressing not so bleak. Obviously I still need answers so I will continue to read any scraps Jim Butcher sends my way. I've been spoiled by two massive installments in one year and I'm scared I'll have to wait years for another! Show Less
LibraryThing member renbedell
Dresden Files continues and this is a direct sequel to Peace Talks. The story is about the major battle sequence, which takes up majority of the book. While I love Jim Butcher's writing and James Marster's narration, a giant battle sequence that lasts 100 of pages gets a bit tiring. There were many
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moments that felt unnecessary for the battle but felt put in to make it feel "cool". There were very surprising moments that were very hard hitting, but then seemed to be washed away and forgotten. There is very little story and only conflict and action. Show Less
LibraryThing member mysterymax
While the book is one long battle, a lot is happening. Especially to Harry. You really find his heart here. Great read for true Dresden fans. Can't wait for the next one.
LibraryThing member Narilka
"Speak for yourself," Murphy said. "I just gave my last grenade to a Valkyrie and ordered her to blow up a kraken. I'm having a ball."
Battle Ground is the seventeenth entry in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The title of the book is literal. If you don't enjoy action and battle scenes, you're
So much happens in this installment that I'm assuming is to set up for the remainder of the series. And I thought Changes changed everything! This is even more fundamental of a shift in the story now that humanity, at least in Chicago, knows some of the truth. The story was also was one heck of an emotional roller coaster beginning to end. I think just about every secondary character, and many of the bad guys, make an appearance in this book. I still can't believe Butcher did that to Muprhy. At least she got to have some fun first. Nor did have any clue as to Marcone and all he's been up to. And Butters being MVP in the battle. Who would've ever expected that from where Butters started? Also, Harry has had the Winter mantle long enough that he's starting to think a little like a fae.
My copy also contained a short story titled Christmas Eve about Harry and Maggie on their first Christmas together. It was heartwarming and adorable.
It feels odd to be caught up on the series after taking my time reading it. Yet now that I'm caught up, it's going to be fun to start speculating and see if I can guess anything that's heading Harry's way next correctly.
Battle Ground is the seventeenth entry in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The title of the book is literal. If you don't enjoy action and battle scenes, you're
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going to hate this book. Luckily I'm an action junkie and enjoyed every minute of it.So much happens in this installment that I'm assuming is to set up for the remainder of the series. And I thought Changes changed everything! This is even more fundamental of a shift in the story now that humanity, at least in Chicago, knows some of the truth. The story was also was one heck of an emotional roller coaster beginning to end. I think just about every secondary character, and many of the bad guys, make an appearance in this book. I still can't believe Butcher did that to Muprhy. At least she got to have some fun first. Nor did have any clue as to Marcone and all he's been up to. And Butters being MVP in the battle. Who would've ever expected that from where Butters started? Also, Harry has had the Winter mantle long enough that he's starting to think a little like a fae.
My copy also contained a short story titled Christmas Eve about Harry and Maggie on their first Christmas together. It was heartwarming and adorable.
It feels odd to be caught up on the series after taking my time reading it. Yet now that I'm caught up, it's going to be fun to start speculating and see if I can guess anything that's heading Harry's way next correctly.
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LibraryThing member bragan
This is the continuation of the story that began with Butcher's previous Harry Dresden novel, Peace Talks. I've heard that the author originally wanted them to be released as one volume, and I have to say, I think that would have been a good idea, even if it would have resulted in a much
Whereas this half of the story was a lot more interesting. It's mostly one big, long battle between powerful supernatural forces, and it's genuinely kind of epic. I often get bored of fight scenes, or find them hard to follow, but I stayed engaged and interested all the way through, even when it was mostly just one fight scene after another. The well-timed touches of Harry Dresden's usual smartass humor helped with that, too.
Mind you, it wasn't flawless. There's a plot development or two here I'm not super thrilled about, just on general principal. And emphasizing how the events happening here are going to make it harder for the world to ignore the supernatural only serves to remind me how hard I find it to swallow the "people ignore the supernatural stuff all around them because they don't want to believe in it" trope at the best of times.
Overall, though, it was enjoyable, and I remain interested in finding out where things might go next.
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longer-than-usual installment of the series. Neither book stands on its own, and releasing it separately really didn't do Peace Talks any favors, as the whole thing just felt like a lot of not terribly interesting setup followed by an out-of-nowhere cliffhanger.Whereas this half of the story was a lot more interesting. It's mostly one big, long battle between powerful supernatural forces, and it's genuinely kind of epic. I often get bored of fight scenes, or find them hard to follow, but I stayed engaged and interested all the way through, even when it was mostly just one fight scene after another. The well-timed touches of Harry Dresden's usual smartass humor helped with that, too.
Mind you, it wasn't flawless. There's a plot development or two here I'm not super thrilled about, just on general principal. And emphasizing how the events happening here are going to make it harder for the world to ignore the supernatural only serves to remind me how hard I find it to swallow the "people ignore the supernatural stuff all around them because they don't want to believe in it" trope at the best of times.
Overall, though, it was enjoyable, and I remain interested in finding out where things might go next.
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LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
Certainly not one of my favorite entries in the Dresden series since I am the type who typically skims the battle scenes in favor of actual story line. Since this story was primarily one enormous battle scene, it was a bit difficult for me to read. Also, my two favorite characters, Mister (who
I will say that Mr. Butcher did manage to set up the next story moving forward in the series in an interesting enough way so that I will most certainly stick with this despite my personal disappointments in this particular volume (damn him! LOL)
On a positive note, kudos for quoting "Ghostbusters"! I love it when I get the joke.
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wasn't even mentioned anywhere) and Thomas (who was indisposed), never made any appearances which bummed me out.I will say that Mr. Butcher did manage to set up the next story moving forward in the series in an interesting enough way so that I will most certainly stick with this despite my personal disappointments in this particular volume (damn him! LOL)
On a positive note, kudos for quoting "Ghostbusters"! I love it when I get the joke.
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LibraryThing member philantrop
Wow, this was a huge let-down for me. I’ve never been the greatest Dresden fan but with Harry being a character one can relate to, I always found something to actually really like. Not so in this book.
Basically, we’re reading about a huge battle during which everyone and (sometimes literally)
Unfortunately, as pitched as the battle must be, I never really “connected” with the story. Yes, all of Chicago and its inhabitants are at risk but I was rather indifferent about that.
I was even repelled by some aspects of the way the story is told, e. g. There are many places during which it gets overly gory for no reason at all. I actually tried to find a somewhat moderate part to quote here as an example but, alas, I failed. There is no example I could quote here with a clean conscience towards younger readers.
Fortunately, though, the good-natured trademark humour is still around, though:
»“Guys!” I said. “The pizza—all the pizza—is in danger!” That got their attention.«
So, yes, the small folks are around as well but even they - who sometimes played rather prominent roles in earlier books - feel like they only get a few “honourable mentions”. They’re not really in any way integrated into the story albeit the potential for that existed.
Yes, it’s still the Dresden Files but it feels like Butcher wrote himself into a corner from which he couldn’t really escape. The path he chose feels like that of a pubescent boy in a frenzy - because Butcher can rest assured I don’t care about Harry’s scrotum or the gore I mentioned before.
Over-the-top battles, feverishly written about and bringing in everyone doesn’t really endear the book to me either.
Nevertheless, Dresden Files - if you liked them so far, you might grind your teeth a bit while reading this book but you’ll probably still like it to some extent, like I do.
If you didn’t like Harry Dresden by now, after 16 books (“Battle Ground” being no. 17), this instalment won’t change your mind and you should probably abstain.
Let’s just hope that Jim Butcher will find his way back from epic megapolis-scale wars to what he did early on: Portraying the foremost wizard of Chicago, a deeply mixed character who tries to do “the right thing” to the best of his abilities. That’s what makes Harry relatable (despite the urban fantasy setting); that’s what makes Harry Harry.
»The real battle for your own soul isn’t about falling from a great height; it’s about descending, or not, one choice at a time.«
This holds true not “just” for souls but books as well...
Basically, we’re reading about a huge battle during which everyone and (sometimes literally)
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their dog makes an appearance - oftentimes just for the sake of appearing and showing that, yes, they still exist and Butcher hasn’t forgotten about them.Unfortunately, as pitched as the battle must be, I never really “connected” with the story. Yes, all of Chicago and its inhabitants are at risk but I was rather indifferent about that.
I was even repelled by some aspects of the way the story is told, e. g. There are many places during which it gets overly gory for no reason at all. I actually tried to find a somewhat moderate part to quote here as an example but, alas, I failed. There is no example I could quote here with a clean conscience towards younger readers.
Fortunately, though, the good-natured trademark humour is still around, though:
»“Guys!” I said. “The pizza—all the pizza—is in danger!” That got their attention.«
So, yes, the small folks are around as well but even they - who sometimes played rather prominent roles in earlier books - feel like they only get a few “honourable mentions”. They’re not really in any way integrated into the story albeit the potential for that existed.
Yes, it’s still the Dresden Files but it feels like Butcher wrote himself into a corner from which he couldn’t really escape. The path he chose feels like that of a pubescent boy in a frenzy - because Butcher can rest assured I don’t care about Harry’s scrotum or the gore I mentioned before.
Over-the-top battles, feverishly written about and bringing in everyone doesn’t really endear the book to me either.
Nevertheless, Dresden Files - if you liked them so far, you might grind your teeth a bit while reading this book but you’ll probably still like it to some extent, like I do.
If you didn’t like Harry Dresden by now, after 16 books (“Battle Ground” being no. 17), this instalment won’t change your mind and you should probably abstain.
Let’s just hope that Jim Butcher will find his way back from epic megapolis-scale wars to what he did early on: Portraying the foremost wizard of Chicago, a deeply mixed character who tries to do “the right thing” to the best of his abilities. That’s what makes Harry relatable (despite the urban fantasy setting); that’s what makes Harry Harry.
»The real battle for your own soul isn’t about falling from a great height; it’s about descending, or not, one choice at a time.«
This holds true not “just” for souls but books as well...
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
374 pages of battle. Very very little else happens apart from a major character dying and plenty of minor ones, but it's all about the fight. Chicargo defender's plan, such as it is, is to face off enough troops that the Titan has to emerge personally, and then through everything else against her
This is one of my main problems with the series, the enemies keep on getting ridiculously stronger. There was bit of a reset at Changes, but not enough. And however much fun the battles are, having them non-stop isn't the point, or the interest in the books. There did seem to be a few throw away remarks indicating we get some better story-arc revelations in the next book or two.
The death of a major supporting character is always serious, and this is well handled. Harry takes it very seriously, but doesn't lose perspective on the wider fight. The last 10 or so pages are all that are allocated to the clear up, dealing with a few loose ends and the grieving. There's a bonus short story set a couple of months later, for Christmas, it shows Jim's ability to write happier stories too.
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hoping to get some blood so that Harry can bind her using Demonreach. It's not a cunning plan, and sadly there's no particularly imaginative tactics during the battle either. 370 odd pages go past quite quickly, with Harry absorbing attacks on his shield, using the mantle of Winter to overcome his flesh wounds, and hurling grief at whoever's in the way. The only slight deviations are when Drakul and the black Court try a little intervension. Everybody else - Marcone, Winter, Summer, White Council, Ghouls! et al is on the same side pitted against the Titan, only the Coins don't show, although an explanation is given at the end. It's not quite clear where She got any allies from that weren't the formor.This is one of my main problems with the series, the enemies keep on getting ridiculously stronger. There was bit of a reset at Changes, but not enough. And however much fun the battles are, having them non-stop isn't the point, or the interest in the books. There did seem to be a few throw away remarks indicating we get some better story-arc revelations in the next book or two.
The death of a major supporting character is always serious, and this is well handled. Harry takes it very seriously, but doesn't lose perspective on the wider fight. The last 10 or so pages are all that are allocated to the clear up, dealing with a few loose ends and the grieving. There's a bonus short story set a couple of months later, for Christmas, it shows Jim's ability to write happier stories too.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Battle Ground by Jim Butcher, book seventeen in the Harry Dresden series, starts at the exact point where Peace Talks ends. In fact, my hypothesis that the two were essentially the same story split into two books ended up being correct, not only because of the lack of time separating the two
If Peace Talks is the calm before the storm, Battle Ground is most definitely the storm. In fact, I am hard-pressed to remember a single moment of calm in the entire story. After all, if you are fighting an honest-to-goodness goddess and her army that she spent centuries building, there are not going to be many moments to catch your breath.
This means we get to see Harry at his best, in action, fighting for what he deems is right. In true Harry fashion, he personalizes every loss and deflects every win, making the battle as emotionally brutal as it is physically. And it is a physical battle. Even though you could probably say this about every one of Harry’s fights, I have no idea how Harry is still alive after everything he puts his body through. Fighting a goddess is a brutal business, and Mr. Butcher makes sure that we know that.
If I were a wise person, I would have recognized that my comments about Peace Talks were nothing but a foreshadowing for what occurs in Battle Ground. After all, everyone knows that one of the most common tropes is that something horrible will happen right after the heroes get a moment of respite and happiness. I should have known Mr. Butcher was going to tear out my heart and smash it to the ground. Except I didn’t even see it coming.
One of the best things about Battle Ground is that we get to see every one of Harry’s allies and foes fight on the same field for the first time – Sidhe, giants, werewolves, svartalves, the Knights of the Cross, White Council, White Court vampires, Black Court vampires, Huntsmen, Wee Folk, Einherjaren, Odin, Baron Marcone, and everyday humans. We see how they all fight separately and together, as the battle forces alliances where none should exist. The entire book is an epic battle that outpaces and outmatches everything Mr. Butcher has put onto paper to this point.
While I could say that there are several books in the Harry Dresden series that are game-changers, in that they literally change what we know about Harry or his world, to me Battle Ground is one of the biggest of them. You can’t have that many players on the field at the same time without something major happening afterward. Plus, there are some serious reveals in both plot and character that have to have major ramifications for Harry at some point in time.
Right now though, I have no idea where Mr. Butcher is taking his overarching story, nor do I have any sense where Harry will end up at the end of it. I can say with certainty though that whatever happens, Harry will face tests unlike any previously faced, will have to exert his powers beyond his current capabilities, and will face tragic losses. I can’t wait.
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stories. Harry’s actions in Peace Talks have direct consequences for the rest of the story.If Peace Talks is the calm before the storm, Battle Ground is most definitely the storm. In fact, I am hard-pressed to remember a single moment of calm in the entire story. After all, if you are fighting an honest-to-goodness goddess and her army that she spent centuries building, there are not going to be many moments to catch your breath.
This means we get to see Harry at his best, in action, fighting for what he deems is right. In true Harry fashion, he personalizes every loss and deflects every win, making the battle as emotionally brutal as it is physically. And it is a physical battle. Even though you could probably say this about every one of Harry’s fights, I have no idea how Harry is still alive after everything he puts his body through. Fighting a goddess is a brutal business, and Mr. Butcher makes sure that we know that.
If I were a wise person, I would have recognized that my comments about Peace Talks were nothing but a foreshadowing for what occurs in Battle Ground. After all, everyone knows that one of the most common tropes is that something horrible will happen right after the heroes get a moment of respite and happiness. I should have known Mr. Butcher was going to tear out my heart and smash it to the ground. Except I didn’t even see it coming.
One of the best things about Battle Ground is that we get to see every one of Harry’s allies and foes fight on the same field for the first time – Sidhe, giants, werewolves, svartalves, the Knights of the Cross, White Council, White Court vampires, Black Court vampires, Huntsmen, Wee Folk, Einherjaren, Odin, Baron Marcone, and everyday humans. We see how they all fight separately and together, as the battle forces alliances where none should exist. The entire book is an epic battle that outpaces and outmatches everything Mr. Butcher has put onto paper to this point.
While I could say that there are several books in the Harry Dresden series that are game-changers, in that they literally change what we know about Harry or his world, to me Battle Ground is one of the biggest of them. You can’t have that many players on the field at the same time without something major happening afterward. Plus, there are some serious reveals in both plot and character that have to have major ramifications for Harry at some point in time.
Right now though, I have no idea where Mr. Butcher is taking his overarching story, nor do I have any sense where Harry will end up at the end of it. I can say with certainty though that whatever happens, Harry will face tests unlike any previously faced, will have to exert his powers beyond his current capabilities, and will face tragic losses. I can’t wait.
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LibraryThing member Kindleifier
Awesome. Heart-wrenching. Exhausting.
This was so, so good. Both the writing and the performance are outstanding.
There are so many shocks and surprises as Harry is put through the grinder again and again. I won’t say anything about the plot for fear of spoiling it for you.
Just ... have a box of
PS There is a little treat in store at the end. Chapter 39 in the recording index is a performance of the Christmas Eve short story which Butcher published on the internet a while back. Whilst it was enjoyable to read at the time it means so much more in its proper context - following the events of Battle Ground.
This was so, so good. Both the writing and the performance are outstanding.
There are so many shocks and surprises as Harry is put through the grinder again and again. I won’t say anything about the plot for fear of spoiling it for you.
Just ... have a box of
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tissues handy. And enjoy.PS There is a little treat in store at the end. Chapter 39 in the recording index is a performance of the Christmas Eve short story which Butcher published on the internet a while back. Whilst it was enjoyable to read at the time it means so much more in its proper context - following the events of Battle Ground.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Most of the book is a series of boss fights against the Titan and her allies who’ve come to destroy Chicago and then the world. I found them mostly boring because the powers keep getting ramped up and then Harry powers up to match—classic urban fantasy problem—but the hints of secrets
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surrounding Harry/a larger destiny are nonetheless tempting. There is a big loss among the good guys; Mab gets in a couple of twists to get Harry more on her side; and someone comments in text on the Harry/Marcone UST, so there’s that. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
The title is apt - this is one long battle scene. Along the way there are too many heartbreaks to name. I love Harry's wry humor and his smart mouth and the way he loves.
LibraryThing member dswaddell
Harry Dresden has had some adversaries in the past but now he is the sole chance the members of the accords have to stop the last Titan from destroying Chicago and starting a war with the mortal world. A fun, fast, interesting story that ends several chapters and starts several fresh for future
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adventures. Show Less
LibraryThing member quondame
It's pretty much all battles all the time, sort of like A Memory of Light, but only one viewpoint, with character developments stuffed into lacuna. I am not one for the battle scenes and these aren't very imaginative, just same-same, we get might whupped but enough remain. And I hate musings during
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battle scenes. So, nope, not the book tailored to suit me. Show Less
LibraryThing member EowynA
Action-packed, hard to set down. I feel like I've learned more about the geography of Chicago than I'd known before.
This starts minutes after the end of "Peace Talks" - clearly these are two halves of one very long book. Peace Talks reintroduces lots of characters, to remind us who they are, after
Battle Ground uses (and sometimes loses) the characters reintroduced earlier. The battle is Titanic (in the mythological sense, as well as others) in scope, building and building. Characters get to show how their magic works to perfection. Probably 80% of this volume is non-stop action. The remaining bits are setup for the next book as this one winds down.
I will likely stick with the series, but if it continues to be that long between books (6 years between #15 and #16-17), I may actually not live to see the end of the series (projected to be 23 books, I believe). Odds are that I won't live another 36 years; I don't expect to live past 100.
I give it 4 stars out of 5, with one star off because it is half a book
This starts minutes after the end of "Peace Talks" - clearly these are two halves of one very long book. Peace Talks reintroduces lots of characters, to remind us who they are, after
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several years of silence and sets up Dresden's allies in a coming conflict. Battle Ground uses (and sometimes loses) the characters reintroduced earlier. The battle is Titanic (in the mythological sense, as well as others) in scope, building and building. Characters get to show how their magic works to perfection. Probably 80% of this volume is non-stop action. The remaining bits are setup for the next book as this one winds down.
I will likely stick with the series, but if it continues to be that long between books (6 years between #15 and #16-17), I may actually not live to see the end of the series (projected to be 23 books, I believe). Odds are that I won't live another 36 years; I don't expect to live past 100.
I give it 4 stars out of 5, with one star off because it is half a book
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LibraryThing member tsmom1219
Holy. F*ck. He shook the bottle and exploded everything. All within the larger framework of the series.
I hope we don't have to wait six years for the next installment.
I hope we don't have to wait six years for the next installment.
LibraryThing member MrsMich02
Just. Wow. Butcher is back! I don't dare say much more as I'd hate to spoil anything for die-hard Harry fans. The long wait for new Dresden books has been worth it.
LibraryThing member TheYodamom
I am gutted, so many loses, it is a battle. Harry's world has changed again, and he will adjust. Mab has given us a shocker at the end, this will be entertaining at the least after the pain settles
LibraryThing member AMKitty
This novel follows immediately after /Peace Talks/ and covers the day of battle against Ethniu, a titan of the sidhe. Harry shares the spotlight quite significantly with Butters, the Knight of Faith. Some old friends leave, new twists are introduced, and some threads are left dangling for future
Unlike most series that continue far beyond their “sell by” novel, the Dresden tale keeps going with cunningly placed breadcrumbs, drawing us further into the wizard’s world in Chicago.
The audio version I listened to included a short story taking place on Christmas Eve and after the Battle for Chicago. It provided a heart-warming break from the high tension of the novels to help settle down to await the next Dresden file.
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tales. I will admit to being skeptical about a book this length dealing almost entirely with a single battle, but Jim Butcher pulled it off. It was so well done that I finished the audiobook in two days. Unlike most series that continue far beyond their “sell by” novel, the Dresden tale keeps going with cunningly placed breadcrumbs, drawing us further into the wizard’s world in Chicago.
The audio version I listened to included a short story taking place on Christmas Eve and after the Battle for Chicago. It provided a heart-warming break from the high tension of the novels to help settle down to await the next Dresden file.
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LibraryThing member jennybeast
Thank you for not leaving us hanging, Jim Butcher, but also AAAAAAARGH, you crush me with this book. I can't bear some of the things that happen (and am crossing my fingers that there is some hidden reversal coming). I don't know what to make of some of the developments -- where does this leave
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
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Harry? Where can it go next? But I pretty much couldn't put it down, so there's that. Don't wait so long for the next installment, we missed Harry, and even though this book lived up to it's explosive promise, I hope we hear more more soon. Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
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LibraryThing member kaida46
Battleground by Jim Butcher
This book should have been honestly named as Part II of…or the rest of Peace Talks. After reading that one I, and many other readers, felt ripped off for getting only part of the story and being left with a cliff hanger that was obviously a marketing ploy to get two
This book should have been honestly named as Part II of…or the rest of Peace Talks. After reading that one I, and many other readers, felt ripped off for getting only part of the story and being left with a cliff hanger that was obviously a marketing ploy to get two
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books worth of profits out of one actual story. (Shame on the publisher and the author, again, for abusing loyal reading fans this way.) Battleground is a sweeping novel; it conveniently starts right where Peace Talks ended. There is non-stop action in the book, and it approaches overkill because each villain was bigger and badder than the last one mentioned. Let’s face it, Harry always gets beat up in these books, so that was nothing new. After Peace Talks, I was almost expecting to be disappointed with the ending of the Dresden Files, of which I have read them all, more than once, and all the corresponding stories as well. Battleground was, nevertheless, a satisfying conclusion to the series. There are lots of gritty battle scenes and it is sometimes repetitive, but it filled the big hole I felt after being dropped like a hot rock after reading and being disappointed by Peace Talks. (No spoilers included.) (5 stars for them both being one book without the extra fluff.) Show Less
LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
My feelings about this book are rather mixed. If you have been following my reviews for any amount of time, you probably already know that I am a huge fan of The Dresden Files. Over the course of 17 books, I have fallen in love with Harry Dresden and all of the other characters that make up this
The title of this book is Battle Ground which is probably the perfect title since almost the entire book is a battle. I am all for action but as much as it pains me to say it, this book may have had too much of it. It became almost repetitive at a point and ceased to be as exciting as it might have been if the battle scenes were broken up by some more character-focused scenes. I hate to say that there were times that I was a bit bored by the story.
The biggest issue that I had with this book was how a character’s death was handled. I have been with these characters for a very long time and losing one of them at this point is hard. I did not feel that this character’s death was necessary and the way it was handled didn’t do the character justice. I know that the author probably has a master plan for the series that made this death an essential part of the puzzle but as a reader, I am more than a little upset by the whole thing.
James Marsters continues to do an excellent job with the series. I love the voices that he uses for Harry and the rest of the characters. He added just the right amount of excitement and emotion into his voice to really help to bring the story to life. I am certain that his narration added to my enjoyment of this book.
I would recommend this book to others. I am curious to see where the series will go from here. This book was filled to the brim with excitement and heartache. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.
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series. There was a lot that I liked about this book but there were things that I didn’t care for.The title of this book is Battle Ground which is probably the perfect title since almost the entire book is a battle. I am all for action but as much as it pains me to say it, this book may have had too much of it. It became almost repetitive at a point and ceased to be as exciting as it might have been if the battle scenes were broken up by some more character-focused scenes. I hate to say that there were times that I was a bit bored by the story.
The biggest issue that I had with this book was how a character’s death was handled. I have been with these characters for a very long time and losing one of them at this point is hard. I did not feel that this character’s death was necessary and the way it was handled didn’t do the character justice. I know that the author probably has a master plan for the series that made this death an essential part of the puzzle but as a reader, I am more than a little upset by the whole thing.
James Marsters continues to do an excellent job with the series. I love the voices that he uses for Harry and the rest of the characters. He added just the right amount of excitement and emotion into his voice to really help to bring the story to life. I am certain that his narration added to my enjoyment of this book.
I would recommend this book to others. I am curious to see where the series will go from here. This book was filled to the brim with excitement and heartache. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.
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LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
The direct sequel to Peace Talks so do not read this without reading it first. The action starts as Harry leaves the island to head back to city. It is constant fight from start to finish. The few people that hadn’t shown up in the previous book make an appearance here. I can’t really talk
Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
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about what happens since there are so many surprises and at the end there is an ending that certainly will have fans discussing it and how it will affect the rest of the series. There is still new stuff for Harry to figure out by the end of the book and promises of new information to be revealed in later books. Hopefully we will not have to wait a long time for a new Harry Dresden story. Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
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LibraryThing member berniean
Another Harry Dresden apocalyptical romp through Chicago and environs. One wonders, considering all the pop culture references, when Harry has time to go to the movies! He's so busy saving himself, or his friends, or his neighborhood, or, this time, the entire city. One of the best things about
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this time is all the references to Celtic mythology. Actually prompted me to do some research. Ok. It was Google and Wikipedia. (Which, according to Robert Langdon, isn't research.) Buckle up, buckaroos, it's a wild ride (if a long drawn out wild ride) with lots of surprises and some shocks. And, in true Butcher fashion, the denouement sets up the next novel in the series. What a cliffhanger! Show Less
Awards
Dragon Award (Winner — Fantasy Novel — 2021)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2020-09-29
Local notes
A being more powerful and dangerous on an order of magnitude beyond what the world has seen in a millennium is coming. And she's bringing an army. The Last Titan has declared war on the city of Chicago, and has come to subjugate humanity, obliterating any who stand in her way. Harry's mission is simple but impossible: Save the city by killing a Titan. And the attempt will change Harry's life, Chicago, and the mortal world forever.
Signed by the author, one of 500 numbered copies.
Signed by the author, one of 500 numbered copies.
Other editions
Dresden Files, Book 17: Battle Ground by Jim Butcher (Hardcover)