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The Dresden Files #14
Cold Days
Goodreads Choice Award
Winner for Best Paranormal Fantasy (2013)You can't keep a good wizard down - even when he wants to stay that way.
For years, Harry Dresden has been Chicago's only professional wizard, but a bargain made in desperation with the Queen of Air and Darkness has forced him into a new job: professional killer.
Mab, the mother of wicked faeries, has restored the mostly-dead wizard to health, and dispatches him upon his first mission - to bring death to an immortal. Even as he grapples with the impossible task, Dresden learns of a looming danger to Demonreach, the living island hidden upon Lake Michigan, a place whose true purpose and dark potential have the potential to destroy billions and to land Dresden in the deepest trouble he has ever known - even deeper than being dead. How messed up is that?
Beset by his new enemies and hounded by the old, Dresden has only twenty four hours to reconnect with his old allies, prevent a cataclysm and do the impossible - all while the power he bargained to get - but never meant to keep - lays siege to his very soul.
Magic. It can get a guy killed.
For years, Harry Dresden has been Chicago's only professional wizard, but a bargain made in desperation with the Queen of Air and Darkness has forced him into a new job: professional killer.
Mab, the mother of wicked faeries, has restored the mostly-dead wizard to health, and dispatches him upon his first mission - to bring death to an immortal. Even as he grapples with the impossible task, Dresden learns of a looming danger to Demonreach, the living island hidden upon Lake Michigan, a place whose true purpose and dark potential have the potential to destroy billions and to land Dresden in the deepest trouble he has ever known - even deeper than being dead. How messed up is that?
Beset by his new enemies and hounded by the old, Dresden has only twenty four hours to reconnect with his old allies, prevent a cataclysm and do the impossible - all while the power he bargained to get - but never meant to keep - lays siege to his very soul.
Magic. It can get a guy killed.
515 pages, Hardcover
First published November 27, 2012
About the author
Jim Butcher
252 books49.3k followersJim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,350 reviews
December 4, 2013
Did I mention that I got to read an early version of this a couple months ago?
I did. I *so* did.
Even in its rough form, it was awesome. Jim never ceases to amaze me.
In closing, I know things that you do not. Wonderful things. Terrible things.
For the rest of you, the book will be out in late November.
pat
P.S. Muahahahahaha!
I did. I *so* did.
Even in its rough form, it was awesome. Jim never ceases to amaze me.
In closing, I know things that you do not. Wonderful things. Terrible things.
For the rest of you, the book will be out in late November.
pat
P.S. Muahahahahaha!
April 26, 2023
Fourteen books in - and with the slight nostalgic sigh I realize how much the stakes have been raised as this series flew ahead, never losing its way. We are playing with the big kids now, aren't we? And things get real.
And things stopped being simple somewhere along the way, and have begun to weave themselves into a complex tapestry, tucking in the loose ends throughout the series, and the storyline has really shifted from the adventures of a smartass wisecracking Chicago PI who also happens to be a wizard, a small fish in a big pond, a guy who, often on pure nerve and defiance and a fair share of dumb luck, and not to forget a little help from his friends, managed to take on things and powers that were lightyears out of his league, while emerging seemingly unscathed. Remember those times?
No, now that is in the past. Harry, no longer just a wiseass small fish in a big pond, has become a power to be truly reckoned with, playing on almost equal footing with the biggest supernatural powers of Butcher's world (but still, true to his nature, remains a wiseass).
-----
All in all, an excellent entry into the Dresden books series, living up to all the expectations the previous books have set - and yet remembering the roots of this series, and throwing its fans a bone here and there. It finally makes the mostly stand-alone books feel a part of an overarching story - the one about power and love and choices and consequences (and, of course, the Fae and the monsters and magic and crazy amounts of lovely dorkiness!) I love it, and I'm holding my breath for the next installment in the series. 5 ice-cold Winter stars.
-------------
"Power corrupts - and the people being corrupted never seem to be aware that it's happening."
And things stopped being simple somewhere along the way, and have begun to weave themselves into a complex tapestry, tucking in the loose ends throughout the series, and the storyline has really shifted from the adventures of a smartass wisecracking Chicago PI who also happens to be a wizard, a small fish in a big pond, a guy who, often on pure nerve and defiance and a fair share of dumb luck, and not to forget a little help from his friends, managed to take on things and powers that were lightyears out of his league, while emerging seemingly unscathed. Remember those times?
No, now that is in the past. Harry, no longer just a wiseass small fish in a big pond, has become a power to be truly reckoned with, playing on almost equal footing with the biggest supernatural powers of Butcher's world (but still, true to his nature, remains a wiseass).
"I was Harry Dresden, Wizard of the White Council, Knight of Winter. I had faced demons and monsters, fought off fallen angels and werewolves, slugged it out with sorcerers and cults and freakish things that had no names. I had fought upon land and sea, in the skies above my city, in ancient ruins and in realms of the spirit most of humanity did not know existed. I bore scars that I'd earned in dozens of battles, made enemies out of nightmares, and laid low a dark empire for the sake of one little girl."Fourteen books into this series - and I love Harry Dresden more than ever. Why? Because he, regardless of his ever-growing power and status, regardless of more than difficult and questionable choices that he has been making - the choices that have led to some unforeseen and often tragic consequences - firmly refuses to succumb to the temptations of power, firmly refuses to lose himself to it. And that is what this book, quite unsubtly but very satisfyingly, hammers into place.
"But you can't go around changing your definition of right and wrong (or smart and stupid) just because doing the wrong thing happens to be really convenient. Sometimes it isn't easy to be sane, smart, and responsible. Sometimes it sucks[...] But that doesn't turn wrong into right or stupid into smart."Harry has always been a romantic, believing in justice and honor and free will. And, hells bells, he is not just going to give up his beliefs now, even though he has roped himself into the role of a hired gun to Queen Mab, the enigmatic Baddie force of nature we have met before, in the quite chilly and scary circumstances. He made a deal, and he needs to live with the consequences of it. The Mantle of Winter Knight, while giving more power than one'd think possible, comes with repercussions - it seems to draw out the worst in Harry, that has always been there but until now remained mostly under control. And Harry deals with it - at the same time as he's trying to save his hide and save the world, while he's at it.
"See, that’s the tragedy of the human condition. No one wants to be corrupted by power when they set out to get it. They have good, even noble reasons for doing whatever it is they do. They don’t want to misuse it, they don’t want to abuse it, and they don’t want to become vicious monsters. Good people, decent people, set out to take the high road, to pick up power without letting it change them or push them away from their ideals.Power and desire to use it is what tries to take over Harry now - in a manner of true White Knight, I guess. I expected that to happen given the ending of the previous book - but I also expected this book to be about Harry figuring out a way to get out of his debt and obligation to the forces of questionable morality and principles. Well, that did not quite go just as I thought it would. Harry may wear the Mantle for a bit longer - but now I wonder if that is such a bad thing after all.
But it keeps happening anyway.
History is full of it. As a rule, people aren’t good at handling power. And the second you start to think you’re better at controlling your power than anyone else, you’ve already taken the first step."
"I fell back on what I'd learned then. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, reminding myself that the anger was just anger, that it was a sensation, like feeling hot or cold. It didn't mean anything by itself. It wasn't a reason to act. That's what thinking was for."Yes, there is price that comes with power - but more than ever I trust Harry's ability to retain just enough of his old self to be, well, himself. And he will need it, given how the unexpected ending (well, I expected some of it - but the implications of it were as unexpected as they could be! ) sets things up to continue on a much grander scale than we have been accustomed to so far. Butcher once again shuffles the chess pieces on the chess board of his Dresden universe, and few pawns are left standing - it's the game for the big players now, as he shuffles the main conflicts into the realm of the Faerie, or so it seems.
""Bad things kept happening to me. It was high fucking time *I* started happening to *them*."And yet despite the elevation in ranks, Harry remains the same annoyingly but endearingly wisecracking guy, thriving on the nerdy references ("I sagged in sudden, exhausted relief. The bad guys hardly ever quote 'Star Wars.'") and mouthing off to everyone, no matter how much ancient power they may possess, no matter how much they outclass him. And I love it, okay? Especially when Butcher goes ahead and references Terry Pratchett, thus making my happiness truly complete:
-----
All in all, an excellent entry into the Dresden books series, living up to all the expectations the previous books have set - and yet remembering the roots of this series, and throwing its fans a bone here and there. It finally makes the mostly stand-alone books feel a part of an overarching story - the one about power and love and choices and consequences (and, of course, the Fae and the monsters and magic and crazy amounts of lovely dorkiness!) I love it, and I'm holding my breath for the next installment in the series. 5 ice-cold Winter stars.
-------------
"It's better to know than not know," I said quietly.
"Why?" Mother Summer challenged.
"Because you can't truly make a choice without knowledge, ma'am."
"Even if it may haunt you? Harm you? Isolate you?"
I thought about it some more and then said, "Especially then. Show me."
September 25, 2020
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4.5/5 stars
Cold Days once again established The Dresden Files as one of the most consistently good series out there.
By this point in the series, you should know the drill already. If Harry Dresden received a mission from Mab, you know things are about to go incredibly bad for him and everyone involved. But here we are. Cold Days is the fourteenth book in The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, and I must say that I’m seriously enjoying the darker turn that the story takes. I’ve seen several readers voiced their complaints about the darker tone, but I have to say that I disagree; I’m enjoying it so much, and I think the series is all the better for it.
There’s a lot of things I cannot talk about anymore on my review due to spoilers, and the things I can talk about will sound repetitive. I can’t avoid this, this is the fourteenth book in the series, after all. What I loved about Cold Days is Butcher explored the price of having too much power. This isn’t actually a new theme; it’s a recurring theme in the series, and as the stakes and danger that Harry and crew faced keep on escalating, it is not a surprise that Harry and his friends have to attain—and use—a much bigger power and magic than before. We know that Harry, at the core of his heart, is a good guy, and the same thing can be said for the rest of his friends. But more often than not, too much power changes characters. This is a theme that’s thoroughly pursued by Butcher in this book, and the moral struggle that Harry encountered felt real.
The biggest surprise for me in this installment is how much I enjoyed the action scenes. I think the only books in the series so far where I thoroughly enjoyed the actions were Dead Beat and Changes. The pacing is well-executed, the scale of the battles has exponentially increased, and the entire section in Demonreach and Lake Michigan was awesome. This is, once again, the fourteenth book of the series already, there’s no more time for repetitive mission-based detective solving and all that. Ever since Changes, I loved that I couldn’t predict the story too much anymore. Butcher’s writing still flows well, maybe even better than before, and the ending signified a bigger threat to come in the next installment. The only minor issue that didn’t really work for me is that the plot in Cold Days revolves heavily around the faeries of the series, and I’m not too much of a fan of faeries in my fantasy reads.
Not much else to say, Cold Days is spectacular. I can’t believe that I’ve read fourteen books in the series; this is by far the biggest urban fantasy series I’ve read so far, and it’s astounding that I still find myself so engrossed by each installment. Harry Dresden has said it, a storm is coming in Skin Game, Harry’s life has drastically changed since the first installment, and I’m so pumped to find out what’s coming next.
You can order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping) | Bookshop (Support Local Bookstores!)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Devin, Diana, Hamad, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Michelle, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Zoe.
4.5/5 stars
Cold Days once again established The Dresden Files as one of the most consistently good series out there.
“I know it's not thematically in tune with my new job and all, but I find it effective. Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day," I say. "But set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life. Tao of Pratchett. I live by it.”
By this point in the series, you should know the drill already. If Harry Dresden received a mission from Mab, you know things are about to go incredibly bad for him and everyone involved. But here we are. Cold Days is the fourteenth book in The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher, and I must say that I’m seriously enjoying the darker turn that the story takes. I’ve seen several readers voiced their complaints about the darker tone, but I have to say that I disagree; I’m enjoying it so much, and I think the series is all the better for it.
‘“Bad things are inside everyone,” I said. “I don’t care how gentle or holy or sincere or dedicated you are. There are bad things in there. Lust. Greed. Violence. You don’t need a wicked queen to make that happen. That’s a part of everyone. Some more, some less, but it’s always there.”
“You say that you were this wicked from the beginning?” Lily asked.
“I’m saying I could have been,” I said. “I chose something else. And I’m going to continue choosing something else.”’
There’s a lot of things I cannot talk about anymore on my review due to spoilers, and the things I can talk about will sound repetitive. I can’t avoid this, this is the fourteenth book in the series, after all. What I loved about Cold Days is Butcher explored the price of having too much power. This isn’t actually a new theme; it’s a recurring theme in the series, and as the stakes and danger that Harry and crew faced keep on escalating, it is not a surprise that Harry and his friends have to attain—and use—a much bigger power and magic than before. We know that Harry, at the core of his heart, is a good guy, and the same thing can be said for the rest of his friends. But more often than not, too much power changes characters. This is a theme that’s thoroughly pursued by Butcher in this book, and the moral struggle that Harry encountered felt real.
“See, that’s the tragedy of the human condition. No one wants to be corrupted by power when they set out to get it. They have good, even noble reasons for doing whatever it is they do. They don’t want to misuse it, they don’t want to abuse it, and they don’t want to become vicious monsters. Good people, decent people, set out to take the high road, to pick up power without letting it change them or push them away from their ideals.
But it keeps happening anyway.
History is full of it. As a rule, people aren’t good at handling power. And the second you start to think you’re better at controlling your power than anyone else, you’ve already taken the first step.”
The biggest surprise for me in this installment is how much I enjoyed the action scenes. I think the only books in the series so far where I thoroughly enjoyed the actions were Dead Beat and Changes. The pacing is well-executed, the scale of the battles has exponentially increased, and the entire section in Demonreach and Lake Michigan was awesome. This is, once again, the fourteenth book of the series already, there’s no more time for repetitive mission-based detective solving and all that. Ever since Changes, I loved that I couldn’t predict the story too much anymore. Butcher’s writing still flows well, maybe even better than before, and the ending signified a bigger threat to come in the next installment. The only minor issue that didn’t really work for me is that the plot in Cold Days revolves heavily around the faeries of the series, and I’m not too much of a fan of faeries in my fantasy reads.
“Because even if they are doing something immoral, I'd be an idiot to start criticizing them for it if I wasn't perfect myself. Smoking is self-destructive. Drinking is self-destructive. Losing your temper and yelling at people is wrong. Lying is wrong. Cheating is wrong. Stealing is wrong. But people do that stuff all the time. Soon as I figure out how to be a perfect human being, then I'm qualified to go lecture other people about how they live their lives.”
Not much else to say, Cold Days is spectacular. I can’t believe that I’ve read fourteen books in the series; this is by far the biggest urban fantasy series I’ve read so far, and it’s astounding that I still find myself so engrossed by each installment. Harry Dresden has said it, a storm is coming in Skin Game, Harry’s life has drastically changed since the first installment, and I’m so pumped to find out what’s coming next.
“Wizarding just isn’t what it used to be. Not so many years ago, I’d think it was a busy week if someone asked me to locate a lost dog or a wedding ring. It had been horribly boring. I’d had lots and lots of free time. I hadn’t been rich, but I’d gotten to buy plenty of books to read, and I’d never gone hungry. And no one had tried to kill me, or asked me to make a horrible choice. Not once.
You never know what you have until it’s gone.
Peace and quiet and people I love. Isn’t that what everyone wants?”
You can order the book from: Book Depository (Free shipping) | Bookshop (Support Local Bookstores!)
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Alya, Annabeth, Devin, Diana, Hamad, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Michelle, Mike, Miracle, Nicholas, Zoe.
January 27, 2015
Okay...takes deep breath...I'm feeling alright at this time so I better get this reviewed before the cravings and shakes start again. I got the latest volume in Jim Butcher's Dresden series, and finished it. Now the waiting begins, the continual search for some book that's remotely like the Dresden books, nearly as involving "brain candy" as Dresden, something to stave off withdrawal. Many of us who follow these books live in great fear for Mr. Butcher. Will he be safe? How's his health? Maybe he should be kept in isolation, locked away in protective custody. No more risky activities such as camping in the woods or...horrors "LARPING".
Oh I know he's free, this is to him a livelihood (or should that be "lively hood"), a way to make a living an irk...job. At most, it's art. But YOU Mr. Butcher are the one who came up withsmart ass err smart-alack wisecracking Harry Dresden. You wrote books that are so enthralling and well constructed, came up with the subtle hanging plot points, the other characters we care about, you're the one that has brought this about! Think of the plight of millions of readers who simply wait a year or a year and a half for the next book.
Mr. Butcher....Jim....you're a junky dealer!!!!!!!
Alright sigh you, my fellow Goodread's member came here for a review of the book. I will attempt it, though that gnawing hunger in my gut, the one we all know so well has started already.
This is a fantastic read. I will recommend without reservation that you read this novel. Yes even if you pick it up with no background in Harry at all I think most will enjoy it...but oh my would you be short changing yourself. I've loved the entire series, though as individual books there are some I'd rate a little better than others (though I leave them all at a 5 star rating). This one however may just have nudged it's way to the top...or at least to the top 2 or 3 of the series.
Harry's life, already complicated seems to find ways to just continue spiraling away and Harry continues to try and bring order out of the swirling chaos that surrounds him. This time the maelstrom is no easier to navigate through...or survive . I won't give spoilers here (unmarked that is) and I'm even being careful to dance far back from the edge in case readers look at this who haven't read this far in the series or for that matter, even started it. I will say that a few more running questions get answered here and a couple get answered in ways that simply open new questions. Some of us spotted things early on and saw some of these coming (and we feel so smug when JB's ideas are the ones we figured out) others probably surprise us (those we smile at, enjoy and so on, but don't talk about as much. Embarrassment.) All these things, the cast of characters and of course Harry himself keep us reading.
I do want to say this. If you haven't read this series...stop whatever you're doing right now, even reading this amazing, enthralling, insightful review, and GET Storm Front. Drive to you're nearest book store...get the E book...download it from Audible, whatever you need to do. If you are a fan of fantasy, urban fantasy, action or even horror or noir/hard boiled detective fiction try these. The Dresden books or Dresden files books are almost unique in several ways. For one thing they can each be read as stand alone novels (the earlier ones more so than the last 2 or 3) yet in the "background" another story is building. The clues come a little at a time the pressure builds like a steam kettle on a stove with the heat set on low. It takes a while but it's going to happen. That's why even though each book can be enjoyed individually I strongly recommend, I beg you to start at the first novel and read them. Meet the people in and other characters in Harry's life. Follow the changing relationships enjoy thewiseass errr... wiseacre comments and humor. It's true that "I think"...that is it's my opinion...that the books really begin to hit their stride in book 3 or 4. BUT that could mislead. I still rate book "one" a 5 star read. I mean it's like excellent and getting better. I love these books. (By the way Mr. Butcher, Jim I'm 60 years old so don't take too long, okay?)
Really, don't miss these. I give this book...I give these books my strongest, highest recommendation.
UPDATE Jan. 27, 2015 This was written the night after the book came out...but an update is called for!
Mr. Butcher...Jim....another book series?!?!?!?!?! Didn't I make myself clear??? I'm getting up there Jim, I'm 62! How much longer can I have? Jim, please....consider us, your older readers. What if we shuffle off, take the big sleep, move on...pass away before you finish the series?
Think of all those ticked off ghosts haunting you.
Oh I know he's free, this is to him a livelihood (or should that be "lively hood"), a way to make a living an irk...job. At most, it's art. But YOU Mr. Butcher are the one who came up with
Mr. Butcher....Jim....you're a junky dealer!!!!!!!
Alright sigh you, my fellow Goodread's member came here for a review of the book. I will attempt it, though that gnawing hunger in my gut, the one we all know so well has started already.
This is a fantastic read. I will recommend without reservation that you read this novel. Yes even if you pick it up with no background in Harry at all I think most will enjoy it...but oh my would you be short changing yourself. I've loved the entire series, though as individual books there are some I'd rate a little better than others (though I leave them all at a 5 star rating). This one however may just have nudged it's way to the top...or at least to the top 2 or 3 of the series.
Harry's life, already complicated seems to find ways to just continue spiraling away and Harry continues to try and bring order out of the swirling chaos that surrounds him. This time the maelstrom is no easier to navigate through...or survive . I won't give spoilers here (unmarked that is) and I'm even being careful to dance far back from the edge in case readers look at this who haven't read this far in the series or for that matter, even started it. I will say that a few more running questions get answered here and a couple get answered in ways that simply open new questions. Some of us spotted things early on and saw some of these coming (and we feel so smug when JB's ideas are the ones we figured out) others probably surprise us (those we smile at, enjoy and so on, but don't talk about as much. Embarrassment.) All these things, the cast of characters and of course Harry himself keep us reading.
I do want to say this. If you haven't read this series...stop whatever you're doing right now, even reading this amazing, enthralling, insightful review, and GET Storm Front. Drive to you're nearest book store...get the E book...download it from Audible, whatever you need to do. If you are a fan of fantasy, urban fantasy, action or even horror or noir/hard boiled detective fiction try these. The Dresden books or Dresden files books are almost unique in several ways. For one thing they can each be read as stand alone novels (the earlier ones more so than the last 2 or 3) yet in the "background" another story is building. The clues come a little at a time the pressure builds like a steam kettle on a stove with the heat set on low. It takes a while but it's going to happen. That's why even though each book can be enjoyed individually I strongly recommend, I beg you to start at the first novel and read them. Meet the people in and other characters in Harry's life. Follow the changing relationships enjoy the
Really, don't miss these. I give this book...I give these books my strongest, highest recommendation.
UPDATE Jan. 27, 2015 This was written the night after the book came out...but an update is called for!
Mr. Butcher...Jim....another book series?!?!?!?!?! Didn't I make myself clear??? I'm getting up there Jim, I'm 62! How much longer can I have? Jim, please....consider us, your older readers. What if we shuffle off, take the big sleep, move on...pass away before you finish the series?
Think of all those ticked off ghosts haunting you.
March 14, 2019
Still freaking fantastic!!
I was not expecting much from this book as the previous book was a huge disappointment for me. In fact I was scared that what if this proved to be worse than Ghost Story. But once I started reading this book I knew that I won't be disappointed this time and the series is back on track.
Like in previous books, in this book too Harry has to complete a mission which is to kill an immortal. And if Harry is careless this time he would send the balance of world in a turmoil.
Harry is always been strong mentally but his mental strength is truly tested in this book. He came so close to give in to evil but some how managed to survive. I have always liked this tug of war between Harry and Evil with bad people proposing lucrative offers to Harry to make him join them.
Harry’s usual gang is back with him now helping him to fight the enemy and save the world. Thomas, Murphy, Molly and Toot-toot all playing crucial parts in this. throughout this book was a four star for me but last 6 chapters just snatch that precious last star from me and I had to give this book 5 stars. it was just so good.
Once again hats off to Mr. Butcher for maintaining the story this interesting and full of surprises. With every book I think nothing can surpass this and the next book is just better than the previous (Ghost Story was an exception though!).
this book has an amazing ending and I am going to pick the next book sooner than later.
I was not expecting much from this book as the previous book was a huge disappointment for me. In fact I was scared that what if this proved to be worse than Ghost Story. But once I started reading this book I knew that I won't be disappointed this time and the series is back on track.
Like in previous books, in this book too Harry has to complete a mission which is to kill an immortal. And if Harry is careless this time he would send the balance of world in a turmoil.
Harry is always been strong mentally but his mental strength is truly tested in this book. He came so close to give in to evil but some how managed to survive. I have always liked this tug of war between Harry and Evil with bad people proposing lucrative offers to Harry to make him join them.
Harry’s usual gang is back with him now helping him to fight the enemy and save the world. Thomas, Murphy, Molly and Toot-toot all playing crucial parts in this. throughout this book was a four star for me but last 6 chapters just snatch that precious last star from me and I had to give this book 5 stars. it was just so good.
Once again hats off to Mr. Butcher for maintaining the story this interesting and full of surprises. With every book I think nothing can surpass this and the next book is just better than the previous (Ghost Story was an exception though!).
this book has an amazing ending and I am going to pick the next book sooner than later.
August 30, 2013
I dream of an urban fantasy novel that celebrates humanity in its many shapes and backgrounds.
I dream of an urban fantasy that integrates folklore, the myths of world cultures, the tricksters and thieves and intelligent life in many forms.
I dream of kindness paying unexpected dividends.
I dream of an urban fantasy that moves me, pushes my boundaries, questions my institutional beliefs as much as The Sparrow did, a book that left me an emotional wreck.
I dream of an urban fantasy that doesn't make women out to be a collection of parts that inspire lasciviousness.
I dream of an urban fantasy that passes the Bechdel test.
In short, I dream of something besides the first eight chapters of Cold Days. Butcher isn't the only one, mind you. He's just the one that makes bestseller lists every time Dresden hiccups.
*****
Review thoughts
Ordinarily, I'm not one that usually pays much attention to the "show don't tell" school of writing advice, but I immediately noticed how much of the book consists of Butcher/Dresden telling the reader about everything. Dude--you know it is book fourteen in a series, right? You don't need to describe the Chicago skyline. (Or maybe you do--this could by Anycity, U.S.A.). You also don't need to tell us what your apartment looked like, about Bob the skull, Butters' job at the morgue, your creepy past feelings about Molly, your VW bug, how perfect Thomas' body is, your preference for fire magic, leather dusters and charm bracelets or your soulfire--give us the action, how it feels and we'll figure it out.
I confess I've read the series with lackluster enthusiasm since book 8 or so, but never before have I been so convinced Dresden is an asshat. I wouldn't even friend him on Facebook, that's how much of an Equus posterior he is. Sure, some of that might be the Winter Knight persona showing through. But most of it is the same ol' that's troubled him since book one. Like Rachel Morgan in Kim Harrison's witch series, character growth is glacial. In his continued ode to chauvinism, he admits he can't hit a woman, even if she's a psychopathic, possessed female who wants to start Armageddon.
Correlated to the character issues is the development of Dresden assuming mantle of the Winter Knight, one of the crucial points of this book. The power of the mantle causes intense feelings of rage and lust--at least, Dresden frequently attributes it to the 'mantle.' However, Butcher tells us a great deal about how 'calculating' Winter is, how the chief aspect is a focus on logic, reasoning, and elaborate plotting based on calculating the odds, even gauging for emotional response. So why is Dresden's Winter aspect so prone to irrational rage and sexual rapaciousness? It felt inconsistent, and since significant plot points have to do with characteristics of the avatars of Summer and Winter fae courts, it was bothersome.
As usual, I most appreciated the supporting mythical characters. I enjoyed Demonreach, the island's personification, and discovering the innermost workings of the island. Loved Odin. I rather liked the vicious Cat Sith. Butcher does a nice job of remaining true to the early folklore spirit of fae, their tricksy motives and inhuman ethics (although not pronunciation, natch). I liked Thomas' brother relationship and calling Dresden out, although again, I felt like I had read that before. While I liked Molly's character change and confident maturity, it seemed a little sudden from the Molly I remembered. Granted Dresden's been gone at least 3 months during rehabilitation and somewhat longer during Ghost Story. But she seems like an entirely different person. I suspect her story is even more interesting... wish he could find someone to tell it.
That said, I did find the storyline rather engaging, particularly in the last half of the book, when the expositionary hiccups were ironed out and it finally progressed into steady action. I will note that a couple of plot points annoyed me. One, and this is small but telling, Dresden spent an hour telling his friends about the varied ways blood can be used for tracking (because it's not like he hadn't already used it as a technique in other books--eyeroll). Conveniently, he still forgets this a few hours later. Two, the overall plot continues to be Three, Dresden's internal conflict is pretty much a repetition of a number of other books in the series as well, especially in Death Masks, when he picks up the silver coin and is fighting to identify self versus non-self urges and thoughts.
Writing remains uneven. Butcher continues his self-conscious writing, full of nudge-wink moments to the reader. There's a very out front moment where Harry admits he "jokes under pressure" that sounds a great deal like Butcher trying to answer critics' irritation with wise-cracking heroes in their moment of confrontation. Dresden misses a Firefly reference from Bob. Presumably the humor comes from the reader being in on the joke, but it did throw me out of the story long enough to consider why Dresden persistently quotes Star Wars and Princess Bride and yet remains challenged by more recent geek-culture phenomenona. There's also an extremely awkwardly inserted "Not That There's Anything Wrong With It" conversation on some (male) gay sexuality that occurs in the Magic Hedge (!!!). It's very strange, non-sequitur and generally smacks of half-assed defensiveness. More than anything else, that threw me out of the story (and necessitated a quick trip to the opthamologist for an eye repair).
One last note: there's a scene with Molly that is seriously disturbing, and not in a good way. I think authorial intentions--whatever they were--were a giant fail! If you read it, you know which one I mean. Her response it was so entirely inappropriate that it was clear the scene was... actually, I don't know what was clear about it. Was Butcher trying to show how evil the mantle is making Harry? How absolutely psychologically screwed up Molly is? Giving in to sheer authorial lecherousness? Please, any fans--explain it to me. There's no excuse in this series for a violent rape fantasy and the female being okay with it, unless it's a Mab ploy for some sort of bizarre "turn-me-into-what-I hate," which honestly doesn't apply. That plus the "Not That There's Anything Wrong With It" homosexuality conversation make it a modern UF fail.
Had Dresden not been so focused on his male organs, I might have considered 4 stars. However, his general obsession with "possessing" every female in sight (Mab, his physical therapist, Maeve, fae women, Molly, Murphy, Lily, etc), coupled with Butcher's general insistence of describing all females in the book in terms of sexual appeal (the two that weren't were clearly defined by their lack of appeal) makes this a library-only recommendation, and that mostly for Dresden fans.
Twoschwing! stars
Star level decreased after re-evaluating the Molly scene I had tried to forget.
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0... with even more links!
I dream of an urban fantasy that integrates folklore, the myths of world cultures, the tricksters and thieves and intelligent life in many forms.
I dream of kindness paying unexpected dividends.
I dream of an urban fantasy that moves me, pushes my boundaries, questions my institutional beliefs as much as The Sparrow did, a book that left me an emotional wreck.
I dream of an urban fantasy that doesn't make women out to be a collection of parts that inspire lasciviousness.
I dream of an urban fantasy that passes the Bechdel test.
In short, I dream of something besides the first eight chapters of Cold Days. Butcher isn't the only one, mind you. He's just the one that makes bestseller lists every time Dresden hiccups.
*****
Review thoughts
Ordinarily, I'm not one that usually pays much attention to the "show don't tell" school of writing advice, but I immediately noticed how much of the book consists of Butcher/Dresden telling the reader about everything. Dude--you know it is book fourteen in a series, right? You don't need to describe the Chicago skyline. (Or maybe you do--this could by Anycity, U.S.A.). You also don't need to tell us what your apartment looked like, about Bob the skull, Butters' job at the morgue, your creepy past feelings about Molly, your VW bug, how perfect Thomas' body is, your preference for fire magic, leather dusters and charm bracelets or your soulfire--give us the action, how it feels and we'll figure it out.
I confess I've read the series with lackluster enthusiasm since book 8 or so, but never before have I been so convinced Dresden is an asshat. I wouldn't even friend him on Facebook, that's how much of an Equus posterior he is. Sure, some of that might be the Winter Knight persona showing through. But most of it is the same ol' that's troubled him since book one. Like Rachel Morgan in Kim Harrison's witch series, character growth is glacial. In his continued ode to chauvinism, he admits he can't hit a woman, even if she's a psychopathic, possessed female who wants to start Armageddon.
Correlated to the character issues is the development of Dresden assuming mantle of the Winter Knight, one of the crucial points of this book. The power of the mantle causes intense feelings of rage and lust--at least, Dresden frequently attributes it to the 'mantle.' However, Butcher tells us a great deal about how 'calculating' Winter is, how the chief aspect is a focus on logic, reasoning, and elaborate plotting based on calculating the odds, even gauging for emotional response. So why is Dresden's Winter aspect so prone to irrational rage and sexual rapaciousness? It felt inconsistent, and since significant plot points have to do with characteristics of the avatars of Summer and Winter fae courts, it was bothersome.
As usual, I most appreciated the supporting mythical characters. I enjoyed Demonreach, the island's personification, and discovering the innermost workings of the island. Loved Odin. I rather liked the vicious Cat Sith. Butcher does a nice job of remaining true to the early folklore spirit of fae, their tricksy motives and inhuman ethics (although not pronunciation, natch). I liked Thomas' brother relationship and calling Dresden out, although again, I felt like I had read that before. While I liked Molly's character change and confident maturity, it seemed a little sudden from the Molly I remembered. Granted Dresden's been gone at least 3 months during rehabilitation and somewhat longer during Ghost Story. But she seems like an entirely different person. I suspect her story is even more interesting... wish he could find someone to tell it.
That said, I did find the storyline rather engaging, particularly in the last half of the book, when the expositionary hiccups were ironed out and it finally progressed into steady action. I will note that a couple of plot points annoyed me. One, and this is small but telling, Dresden spent an hour telling his friends about the varied ways blood can be used for tracking (because it's not like he hadn't already used it as a technique in other books--eyeroll). Conveniently, he still forgets this a few hours later. Two, the overall plot continues to be Three, Dresden's internal conflict is pretty much a repetition of a number of other books in the series as well, especially in Death Masks, when he picks up the silver coin and is fighting to identify self versus non-self urges and thoughts.
Writing remains uneven. Butcher continues his self-conscious writing, full of nudge-wink moments to the reader. There's a very out front moment where Harry admits he "jokes under pressure" that sounds a great deal like Butcher trying to answer critics' irritation with wise-cracking heroes in their moment of confrontation. Dresden misses a Firefly reference from Bob. Presumably the humor comes from the reader being in on the joke, but it did throw me out of the story long enough to consider why Dresden persistently quotes Star Wars and Princess Bride and yet remains challenged by more recent geek-culture phenomenona. There's also an extremely awkwardly inserted "Not That There's Anything Wrong With It" conversation on some (male) gay sexuality that occurs in the Magic Hedge (!!!). It's very strange, non-sequitur and generally smacks of half-assed defensiveness. More than anything else, that threw me out of the story (and necessitated a quick trip to the opthamologist for an eye repair).
One last note: there's a scene with Molly that is seriously disturbing, and not in a good way. I think authorial intentions--whatever they were--were a giant fail! If you read it, you know which one I mean. Her response it was so entirely inappropriate that it was clear the scene was... actually, I don't know what was clear about it. Was Butcher trying to show how evil the mantle is making Harry? How absolutely psychologically screwed up Molly is? Giving in to sheer authorial lecherousness? Please, any fans--explain it to me. There's no excuse in this series for a violent rape fantasy and the female being okay with it, unless it's a Mab ploy for some sort of bizarre "turn-me-into-what-I hate," which honestly doesn't apply. That plus the "Not That There's Anything Wrong With It" homosexuality conversation make it a modern UF fail.
Had Dresden not been so focused on his male organs, I might have considered 4 stars. However, his general obsession with "possessing" every female in sight (Mab, his physical therapist, Maeve, fae women, Molly, Murphy, Lily, etc), coupled with Butcher's general insistence of describing all females in the book in terms of sexual appeal (the two that weren't were clearly defined by their lack of appeal) makes this a library-only recommendation, and that mostly for Dresden fans.
Two
Star level decreased after re-evaluating the Molly scene I had tried to forget.
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0... with even more links!
December 2, 2012
Updated 12/1/2012
This is not really a proper review, but expanding on why I gave it 3 stars. It has spoilers, so don't bother reading if you haven't read the book.
Honestly, I enjoyed the book because I am a huge fan of The Dresden Files, but that doesn't mean I am going to be biased and just rate everything 5 stars.
I don't know if it's due to the different type of series I have been reading lately or not, but seeing Harry as the underdog yet again didn't sit well with me.
I felt like he had to rely on his friends too often to save his butt in this book. There's nothing wrong with that, but Harry was already a very powerful wizard. By adding even more power with the winter mantle, I thought he was going to be a force to be reckon with.
What happened was he ended up getting his butt kicked multiple times by individuals who should have been no match for him.
The Little Folk? Ace the Changeling? Redcap? Being as strong as he should have been, I didn't expect these people to be obstacles in his way.
Hell, the way he froze those fae at the beginning of the book only to shatter them into a million pieces was awesome. I had high hopes at that part.
Another personal disappointment for me was the way he was reunited with everyone.
The only reunion I really liked was with his brother, because it felt the most genuine to me. Thomas couldn't/wouldn't believe that his brother could still be alive. When he finally came to believe it was really him, it made me smile.
We find out Molly already knew Harry was alive weeks ago, so their reunion felt really lackluster to me.
Again the same thing happens with Murphy. Another lackluster reunion. This was the one I was really interested in too. She was grieving hard in Ghost Story and couldn't believe that the ghost was actually Harry. It wasn't until the end that she finally really accepted it was him, only to realize his ghost is now gone.
In Cold Days, Harry is getting his butt kicked and Murphy pops out of no where to help him. After he's safe, they are chatting like him being alive is no big deal. "Oh I followed the explosions I heard about on the police scanner, I figured they had to be you."(paraphrasing). Really?
I was really expecting much more than this. There was no shock on her part at all that he was alive.
There were probably a few other parts of the book that bugged me, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars, but those ones stuck out for me.
I really did enjoy it overall, but maybe I was just expecting the things above to happen exactly as I imagined they would.
Learning about why the Gatekeeper is called the Gatekeeper was interesting. I completely forgot that there must be a reason for his name.
There was more Toot in this book which I loved. His adoration for Lacuna(after realizing Hook was a female) was adorable. I believe he even gets her a jolly rancher, only to be sucker punched in the face. "Wow!"
We learnt more about Mac in this book, even if it wasn't much. We know he's not just some bartender now. I guess he will play a much larger role in a future book.
Everything to do with Demonreach I loved reading about. The spirit of the island, the Well that Harry is now Warden of, the monsters that are imprisoned there. I thought Jim Butcher did a great job with the imagery.
Anyways there's probably more I could say, but I'm going to go read.
-----------------------
Wow, I am really looking forward to this book. The wait is dreadful. The last book 'Ghost Story' was one of my favs of the entire series.
I can't wait to see Harry in his new role as the WK. I especially can't wait for when Molly, Murphy and the rest of his friends realize he is alive.
I teared up a lot during the last book (not afraid to admit it,a lot of it was sad), so I am really, really looking forward to Harry reuniting with everyone (even if his new role will probably make him feel like he has to stay away).
In every book so far (that I can remember), it starts months and months after the last one has finished. Granted, Ghost Story did sort of start off immediately where Changes left off, but that was only from Harry's point of view, in reality 6 months had past.
I REALLY hope Cold Days starts off IMMEDIATELY where Ghost Story ended. With Harry now the new Winter Knight, and Mab taking him to Faerie to introduce him as such to the Unseelie Court. I think that would make for a really good read.
I will be disappointed if the book starts off 6 months later and all Harry's friends already know he's alive and working with the Sidhe. I want to "be there" for when they actually find out that he's not dead, not read about how they found out months ago.
Crossing my fingers Jim Butcher doesn't disappoint!
This is not really a proper review, but expanding on why I gave it 3 stars. It has spoilers, so don't bother reading if you haven't read the book.
Honestly, I enjoyed the book because I am a huge fan of The Dresden Files, but that doesn't mean I am going to be biased and just rate everything 5 stars.
I don't know if it's due to the different type of series I have been reading lately or not, but seeing Harry as the underdog yet again didn't sit well with me.
I felt like he had to rely on his friends too often to save his butt in this book. There's nothing wrong with that, but Harry was already a very powerful wizard. By adding even more power with the winter mantle, I thought he was going to be a force to be reckon with.
What happened was he ended up getting his butt kicked multiple times by individuals who should have been no match for him.
The Little Folk? Ace the Changeling? Redcap? Being as strong as he should have been, I didn't expect these people to be obstacles in his way.
Hell, the way he froze those fae at the beginning of the book only to shatter them into a million pieces was awesome. I had high hopes at that part.
Another personal disappointment for me was the way he was reunited with everyone.
The only reunion I really liked was with his brother, because it felt the most genuine to me. Thomas couldn't/wouldn't believe that his brother could still be alive. When he finally came to believe it was really him, it made me smile.
We find out Molly already knew Harry was alive weeks ago, so their reunion felt really lackluster to me.
Again the same thing happens with Murphy. Another lackluster reunion. This was the one I was really interested in too. She was grieving hard in Ghost Story and couldn't believe that the ghost was actually Harry. It wasn't until the end that she finally really accepted it was him, only to realize his ghost is now gone.
In Cold Days, Harry is getting his butt kicked and Murphy pops out of no where to help him. After he's safe, they are chatting like him being alive is no big deal. "Oh I followed the explosions I heard about on the police scanner, I figured they had to be you."(paraphrasing). Really?
I was really expecting much more than this. There was no shock on her part at all that he was alive.
There were probably a few other parts of the book that bugged me, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars, but those ones stuck out for me.
I really did enjoy it overall, but maybe I was just expecting the things above to happen exactly as I imagined they would.
Learning about why the Gatekeeper is called the Gatekeeper was interesting. I completely forgot that there must be a reason for his name.
There was more Toot in this book which I loved. His adoration for Lacuna(after realizing Hook was a female) was adorable. I believe he even gets her a jolly rancher, only to be sucker punched in the face. "Wow!"
We learnt more about Mac in this book, even if it wasn't much. We know he's not just some bartender now. I guess he will play a much larger role in a future book.
Everything to do with Demonreach I loved reading about. The spirit of the island, the Well that Harry is now Warden of, the monsters that are imprisoned there. I thought Jim Butcher did a great job with the imagery.
Anyways there's probably more I could say, but I'm going to go read.
-----------------------
Wow, I am really looking forward to this book. The wait is dreadful. The last book 'Ghost Story' was one of my favs of the entire series.
I can't wait to see Harry in his new role as the WK. I especially can't wait for when Molly, Murphy and the rest of his friends realize he is alive.
I teared up a lot during the last book (not afraid to admit it,a lot of it was sad), so I am really, really looking forward to Harry reuniting with everyone (even if his new role will probably make him feel like he has to stay away).
In every book so far (that I can remember), it starts months and months after the last one has finished. Granted, Ghost Story did sort of start off immediately where Changes left off, but that was only from Harry's point of view, in reality 6 months had past.
I REALLY hope Cold Days starts off IMMEDIATELY where Ghost Story ended. With Harry now the new Winter Knight, and Mab taking him to Faerie to introduce him as such to the Unseelie Court. I think that would make for a really good read.
I will be disappointed if the book starts off 6 months later and all Harry's friends already know he's alive and working with the Sidhe. I want to "be there" for when they actually find out that he's not dead, not read about how they found out months ago.
Crossing my fingers Jim Butcher doesn't disappoint!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2012
This was certainly a Dresden novel. It was entertaining, up to a point.
I feel like Butcher has lost control of the Dresden Files. This latest novel was overburdened with self-reference and pop-culture references. It creaks under the weight of established continuity.
It's been clear for a few books that Butcher is attempting a sort of sleight-of-hand stasis for Harry, and with this book it goes into the deep end. Harry is no longer the plucky underdog fighting the good fight. He's now one of the movers and shakers of the magical world. Rather than deal with this and have it result in actual character growth, the magnitude of the opposition has continued to increase. That way Harry gets to be more badass while still basically behaving the same way as he always has.
There was a sweet spot of 2 or 3 books where it looked like there was going to be more to Dresden than that, but it passed. I kept with it afterward because, like a brainless popcorn movie, it was fun. It's not much fun anymore.
I feel like Butcher has lost control of the Dresden Files. This latest novel was overburdened with self-reference and pop-culture references. It creaks under the weight of established continuity.
It's been clear for a few books that Butcher is attempting a sort of sleight-of-hand stasis for Harry, and with this book it goes into the deep end. Harry is no longer the plucky underdog fighting the good fight. He's now one of the movers and shakers of the magical world. Rather than deal with this and have it result in actual character growth, the magnitude of the opposition has continued to increase. That way Harry gets to be more badass while still basically behaving the same way as he always has.
There was a sweet spot of 2 or 3 books where it looked like there was going to be more to Dresden than that, but it passed. I kept with it afterward because, like a brainless popcorn movie, it was fun. It's not much fun anymore.
December 2, 2012
By Far the best Dresden Files book since Summer Knight. A great recovery over the disappointing Ghost Story. Lots of new revelations. Can't wait for book 15 tho as Nicodemus is expected to be back
Read my full review Cold Days Review
Read my full review Cold Days Review
August 25, 2016
First off, since when did "training bra" become one of Molly's tags? Because eww, gross, stop it. I get that this is supposed to convey how Harry still sees Molly as the child he first knew her as, but could we vary how he expresses this sentiment a little, please? And maybe stop dragging Molly through the mud while we're at it.
This novel was okay. I wouldn't say this series jumped the shark yet, but it's veering precipitously on the edge. Here is everything I found wrong with this book. Spoilers galore. And this review ended up being kind of long. I have a lot of feelings, okay?
Now, there were things I did like about this book (Toot, Lacuna, Cat Sith, Thomas in general), but I'll leave this here. Will still be reading the next one.
This novel was okay. I wouldn't say this series jumped the shark yet, but it's veering precipitously on the edge. Here is everything I found wrong with this book. Spoilers galore. And this review ended up being kind of long. I have a lot of feelings, okay?
Now, there were things I did like about this book (Toot, Lacuna, Cat Sith, Thomas in general), but I'll leave this here. Will still be reading the next one.
February 15, 2023
Rerererererererereread update
no change in rating, damn fantastic book. Late Dresden just kinda does everything well. This book is probably the second or third most bonkers novel in the series.
9.3/10
You don't become my most reread series by collecting bottle caps
no change in rating, damn fantastic book. Late Dresden just kinda does everything well. This book is probably the second or third most bonkers novel in the series.
9.3/10
You don't become my most reread series by collecting bottle caps
July 3, 2020
Reread 2020.
Hell, yeah!
“I don’t know how or when, exactly. But there’s a storm coming. Being near me isn’t going to be … sane.”
Normally when I read a story, they follow a sort of pattern: second half gets more action than first half; between 75 -85 %, the peak of the action and then a slow descent to the conclusion. But it appears no-one told Jim Butcher!
This book was fantastic and the action was non stop. This series seems to be getting better and better!
This story opens the world of Harry Dresden even wider and he, again as the under dog, back again with his friends around him, struggle to complete a seemingly impossible task.
Interestingly too, we see the further struggle for Harry between what it means to be good or evil when you have so much power.
Recommended as a superlative urban fantasy. But start at the beginning!
Hell, yeah!
“I don’t know how or when, exactly. But there’s a storm coming. Being near me isn’t going to be … sane.”
Normally when I read a story, they follow a sort of pattern: second half gets more action than first half; between 75 -85 %, the peak of the action and then a slow descent to the conclusion. But it appears no-one told Jim Butcher!
This book was fantastic and the action was non stop. This series seems to be getting better and better!
This story opens the world of Harry Dresden even wider and he, again as the under dog, back again with his friends around him, struggle to complete a seemingly impossible task.
Interestingly too, we see the further struggle for Harry between what it means to be good or evil when you have so much power.
Recommended as a superlative urban fantasy. But start at the beginning!
November 19, 2020
Harry Dresden is back from near death after being saved by Mab the Winter Queen after he agreed to take on the mantle of her Winter Knight. He is trying hard to not let the power that goes with that role corrupt him but it's very addictive and hard to resist. Now more than ever he has to step up to save the world from a hideous plot involving the magical island Demonreach and the secrets held there.
If you thought Harry was tough and powerful before as a young wizard, he has grown even stronger and tougher. Which he'll need to be to defeat the plan wrought by the beings called the Outsiders that has been planted in the very heart of Faerie and will destroy Chicago and unleash untold evil into the world. There are some very creative scenes such as when Harry is attacked by a band of miniature fae and a great scene where Harry becomes part of the Wild Hunt. Harry has rounded up all his old friends to help including Molly, Thomas, Murphy, Toot-Toot and his pizza loving troupe and Mouse the temple dog and it is good to see they are still loyal to him despite what he has become. This is a complex plot with an ending signalling even more changes in the future and a major battle still to come. It ties together some of the past events and it's hard to imagine how the evil and magic could ramp up any further in the future but it will be exciting to see where the series goes.
If you thought Harry was tough and powerful before as a young wizard, he has grown even stronger and tougher. Which he'll need to be to defeat the plan wrought by the beings called the Outsiders that has been planted in the very heart of Faerie and will destroy Chicago and unleash untold evil into the world. There are some very creative scenes such as when Harry is attacked by a band of miniature fae and a great scene where Harry becomes part of the Wild Hunt. Harry has rounded up all his old friends to help including Molly, Thomas, Murphy, Toot-Toot and his pizza loving troupe and Mouse the temple dog and it is good to see they are still loyal to him despite what he has become. This is a complex plot with an ending signalling even more changes in the future and a major battle still to come. It ties together some of the past events and it's hard to imagine how the evil and magic could ramp up any further in the future but it will be exciting to see where the series goes.
June 21, 2020
WOW. WOW, BUTCHER, WOW!!!!
Just like the end of "Changes," things are upended yet again in the last 50 pages of this novel.
Just when I thought I couldn't love the Dresden Files any more than I already did, this book comes along and WOW.
Going straight into Skin Game, I think, and then the long, terrible wait for the next book.
PS-- I friggin' love Toot Toot.
Just like the end of "Changes," things are upended yet again in the last 50 pages of this novel.
Just when I thought I couldn't love the Dresden Files any more than I already did, this book comes along and WOW.
Going straight into Skin Game, I think, and then the long, terrible wait for the next book.
PS-- I friggin' love Toot Toot.
June 6, 2017
Another great book in the Dresden series! Harry Dresden and his gang of misfits just keep getting better with each book!
All of the plot twists with Winter and Summer made this book fantastic. The last 30% of the book was nonstop action and I just kept frantically turning the pages. There are so many unanswered questions with the way this book ends and of course I'll be reading the next one in the series. Butcher does it again!
All of the plot twists with Winter and Summer made this book fantastic. The last 30% of the book was nonstop action and I just kept frantically turning the pages. There are so many unanswered questions with the way this book ends and of course I'll be reading the next one in the series. Butcher does it again!
December 2, 2012
::EDIT:: 12/01/12 -- NAILED IT!!! WowWowWowWow!
Yeah, yeah. I didn't like book #13 (Ghost Story), but I love this series and its characters. I'll give it a chance. I got some push-back that I just didn't like change. I like change. That's been one of the great things about this series. It plays out over time. It's been 12 years since the first book and it's been 12 years since those events have happened to Harry. He and most all of the main supporting cast have changed and grown. Not always for the best, but they have changed. I just felt that it was kind of a cheap trick and cheap way to shake up the series and boost its sales. I thought it insulted me as a fan and Butcher's characters. I don't mind big events happening, I don't even mind when a book mind-f@@ks me, as long as it serves a logical and greater purpose. As long as it makes sense. I can still like the series and still enjoy the books after it. I just didn't like what the author did with that installment. I don't think it caused Mr. Butcher any sleepless nights. ;)
Yeah, yeah. I didn't like book #13 (Ghost Story), but I love this series and its characters. I'll give it a chance. I got some push-back that I just didn't like change. I like change. That's been one of the great things about this series. It plays out over time. It's been 12 years since the first book and it's been 12 years since those events have happened to Harry. He and most all of the main supporting cast have changed and grown. Not always for the best, but they have changed. I just felt that it was kind of a cheap trick and cheap way to shake up the series and boost its sales. I thought it insulted me as a fan and Butcher's characters. I don't mind big events happening, I don't even mind when a book mind-f@@ks me, as long as it serves a logical and greater purpose. As long as it makes sense. I can still like the series and still enjoy the books after it. I just didn't like what the author did with that installment. I don't think it caused Mr. Butcher any sleepless nights. ;)
December 21, 2018
I liked having Harry back on this side of the veil, but I was so-so about the rest of Cold Days, the latest entry in The Dresden Files.
Man. Being mostly dead is hard on a guy. pg 11, ebook.
Harry Dresden, wizard for hire, is now the Winter Knight after a series of misadventures and serious adventures in the past couple of books. And the position isn't very much fun.
The winter fae are hardcore. They're mean, full of tricks and generally happy to kill without consideration for any consequences. So you can see how poorly Harry is going to fit in.
Queen Mab, his new boss, is smart and dangerous. She also has a lot of pans in the fire that the reader isn't necessarily aware of until later in the book. But, being that it's the freaking Queen of the Winter Fae, maybe I should have expected more backstabby things.
"Oh, the Sidhe's influence had been waning as the Industrial Age gathered steam," I said. "By making sure the tales kept being told to mortal children, she made sure that she and her folk were never forgotten." pg 28
I didn't like Harry's character development as much in this book. It seems like much of his choice and free will was taken away when he took up the "mantle" of the Winter Knight. I'm not sure that my feeling is fair though. How much choice did he have when he was under the thumb of the White Council? Or being manipulated by the Red Court, etc.
See, that's the tragedy of the human condition. No one wants to be corrupted by power when they set out to get it. They have good, even noble reasons for doing whatever it is they do. They don't want to misuse it, they don't want to abuse it, and they don't want to become vicious monsters. Good people, decent people, set out to take the high road, to pick up power without letting it change them or push them away from their ideals. pg 30
Harry continues to use "blast first, ask questions later" but now he's got ammunition made out of ice in addition to fire and he isn't afraid to use it. His new job (and prior ghost experience) have driven some major wedges between Harry and his friends. I didn't like that we saw less of the minor characters, some of whom I've grown quite fond of. Bob the Skull is the one that comes to mind first, but there were others.
I'm not entirely sure his relationship with Molly is ever going to be the same. The patchwork relationship fixes Harry makes with Karrin Murphy, Butters and Thomas are questionable. Overall, I just felt sad. Sometimes, we out grow our friends or they out grow us. I wanted Harry to be best of pals with those folks forever.
Butters tore off a final piece of medical tape, stuck the end of the bandage down with it, and sighed. "Yeah. Just try not to... well, move, or jump around, or do anything active, or touch anything dirty, or otherwise do anything else that I know you're going to do anyway in the next twenty-four hours." pg 287
That's not to say there aren't moments to enjoy in this book. There's still magic, danger and adventure. But I feel like things have certainly changed since a few books ago, and Jim Butcher hasn't necessarily recaptured the magic he conjured when his characters were racing to prevent the death of a little girl at the hands of Red Court vampires.
Wizarding just isn't what it used to be. Not so many years ago, I'd think it was a busy week if someone asked me to locate a lost dog or a wedding ring. It had been horribly boring. I'd had lots and lots of free time. I hadn't been rich, but I'd gotten to buy plenty of books to read, and I'd never gone hungry. And no one had tried to kill me, or asked me to make a horrible choice. Not once. pg 457
I'm dragging my feet on picking up the next entry, Skin Game, because I read that it was the last that Butcher has finished, for now. There are plans in the works for another book, Peace Talks but it isn't finished yet. I've been burned by too many science fiction/fantasy writers like George R.R. Martin or Scott Lynch to expect that the next book will be finished any time in the near future.
Butcher writes on his professional website that he's lost his dog, gotten a divorce, moved, been delayed in the construction of his new house and gotten engaged since the publication of the last book in the Dresden Files. That's a lot of change. I wonder if it will come through in his writing...
Maybe I'm mourning the loss of Harry Dresden before the series even ends? The ending seems to be there or at least coming towards us, on the horizon. In addition to the approaching end, I feel like the quality of writing in the books isn't as good as it was, even a few books ago, when Butcher almost blew up the world he had created with the awfulness that went on between Harry and Molly.
Anyway, of course I will read the next book. Maybe over the holidays, which are swiftly approaching.
In conclusion, I wish Cold Days was more whimsical like the first books in the series or action-packed like some of the last. Because it seems to exist in this middling reality where Harry can't do anything right and seems to be losing friends faster than he's making them, all the while spinning his wheels on ice and being manipulated by others who are far more powerful and inventive than he will ever be.
Man. Being mostly dead is hard on a guy. pg 11, ebook.
Harry Dresden, wizard for hire, is now the Winter Knight after a series of misadventures and serious adventures in the past couple of books. And the position isn't very much fun.
The winter fae are hardcore. They're mean, full of tricks and generally happy to kill without consideration for any consequences. So you can see how poorly Harry is going to fit in.
Queen Mab, his new boss, is smart and dangerous. She also has a lot of pans in the fire that the reader isn't necessarily aware of until later in the book. But, being that it's the freaking Queen of the Winter Fae, maybe I should have expected more backstabby things.
"Oh, the Sidhe's influence had been waning as the Industrial Age gathered steam," I said. "By making sure the tales kept being told to mortal children, she made sure that she and her folk were never forgotten." pg 28
I didn't like Harry's character development as much in this book. It seems like much of his choice and free will was taken away when he took up the "mantle" of the Winter Knight. I'm not sure that my feeling is fair though. How much choice did he have when he was under the thumb of the White Council? Or being manipulated by the Red Court, etc.
See, that's the tragedy of the human condition. No one wants to be corrupted by power when they set out to get it. They have good, even noble reasons for doing whatever it is they do. They don't want to misuse it, they don't want to abuse it, and they don't want to become vicious monsters. Good people, decent people, set out to take the high road, to pick up power without letting it change them or push them away from their ideals. pg 30
Harry continues to use "blast first, ask questions later" but now he's got ammunition made out of ice in addition to fire and he isn't afraid to use it. His new job (and prior ghost experience) have driven some major wedges between Harry and his friends. I didn't like that we saw less of the minor characters, some of whom I've grown quite fond of. Bob the Skull is the one that comes to mind first, but there were others.
I'm not entirely sure his relationship with Molly is ever going to be the same. The patchwork relationship fixes Harry makes with Karrin Murphy, Butters and Thomas are questionable. Overall, I just felt sad. Sometimes, we out grow our friends or they out grow us. I wanted Harry to be best of pals with those folks forever.
Butters tore off a final piece of medical tape, stuck the end of the bandage down with it, and sighed. "Yeah. Just try not to... well, move, or jump around, or do anything active, or touch anything dirty, or otherwise do anything else that I know you're going to do anyway in the next twenty-four hours." pg 287
That's not to say there aren't moments to enjoy in this book. There's still magic, danger and adventure. But I feel like things have certainly changed since a few books ago, and Jim Butcher hasn't necessarily recaptured the magic he conjured when his characters were racing to prevent the death of a little girl at the hands of Red Court vampires.
Wizarding just isn't what it used to be. Not so many years ago, I'd think it was a busy week if someone asked me to locate a lost dog or a wedding ring. It had been horribly boring. I'd had lots and lots of free time. I hadn't been rich, but I'd gotten to buy plenty of books to read, and I'd never gone hungry. And no one had tried to kill me, or asked me to make a horrible choice. Not once. pg 457
I'm dragging my feet on picking up the next entry, Skin Game, because I read that it was the last that Butcher has finished, for now. There are plans in the works for another book, Peace Talks but it isn't finished yet. I've been burned by too many science fiction/fantasy writers like George R.R. Martin or Scott Lynch to expect that the next book will be finished any time in the near future.
Butcher writes on his professional website that he's lost his dog, gotten a divorce, moved, been delayed in the construction of his new house and gotten engaged since the publication of the last book in the Dresden Files. That's a lot of change. I wonder if it will come through in his writing...
Maybe I'm mourning the loss of Harry Dresden before the series even ends? The ending seems to be there or at least coming towards us, on the horizon. In addition to the approaching end, I feel like the quality of writing in the books isn't as good as it was, even a few books ago, when Butcher almost blew up the world he had created with the awfulness that went on between Harry and Molly.
Anyway, of course I will read the next book. Maybe over the holidays, which are swiftly approaching.
In conclusion, I wish Cold Days was more whimsical like the first books in the series or action-packed like some of the last. Because it seems to exist in this middling reality where Harry can't do anything right and seems to be losing friends faster than he's making them, all the while spinning his wheels on ice and being manipulated by others who are far more powerful and inventive than he will ever be.
August 21, 2023
Now I can see why everyone is saying that after 12, the stakes are so much higher. While 13 felt more of a filler book than anything else, the rest of the series will feel definitely as a whole story instead of different gigs for Harry.
September 2, 2016
Check out my blogs for more reviews and book stuff: http://ramblingsofabookworm3.blogspot...
http://ramblings-of-a-bookworm.tumblr...
During Reading:
How does Jim Butcher do it how HOW !!
this book is so goooooood!!
Pre-Reading:
Cover's out, cover's out, COVER'S OUT!!!
(Composing my self)
.
.
is it just me or does Harry look like Tony Stark in this?
i think Jim is trying to send us a message maybe Harry is also "IRON MAN"
but he can't be Iron Man because he can't go near machinery but maybeee... that's what he want's us to think ..
Don't mind me i am just rambling here..
Edit:
Sample chapters of coldays 1 and 2 are out!
http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dres...
3 is out too
http://ramblings-of-a-bookworm.tumblr...
During Reading:
How does Jim Butcher do it how HOW !!
this book is so goooooood!!
Pre-Reading:
Cover's out, cover's out, COVER'S OUT!!!
(Composing my self)
.
.
is it just me or does Harry look like Tony Stark in this?
i think Jim is trying to send us a message maybe Harry is also "IRON MAN"
but he can't be Iron Man because he can't go near machinery but maybeee... that's what he want's us to think ..
Don't mind me i am just rambling here..
Edit:
Sample chapters of coldays 1 and 2 are out!
http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dres...
3 is out too
September 25, 2019
Now this is where the series gets good. Perhaps that seems less like a compliment than I mean it since this is book 14, but something changes here. Whereas previous instalments had some signs/hints/promises of the grand scale of the fight that's coming, this one kicks it up a notch. Perhaps at times it stretches the boundary beyond what's been said/done before, but Butcher has been playing fast and loose with the overarching narrative right from the beginning. To me, it's always felt like he's been winging it and only now has decided on what's actually going to take this sucker right to the finale. It makes for a more explosive read, with more action, more emotion, more more more. Harry's even grown up a bit, a little extra self-reflection, a lot less doing stupid shit--perhaps a genuinely world ending plot line will do that to you.
HOWEVER:
1) Where the fuck is Mister?
2) Cat Sith. Why.
HOWEVER:
1) Where the fuck is Mister?
2) Cat Sith. Why.
December 2, 2012
This series is probably my most treasured set of books. I love these books, every single one of them, but my favorites were Dead Beat and Changes.
I'm not going to hope that Jim Butcher hurries. I want him to take his time and write it how he wants. But there are times I do wish I could skip ahead to when the book is released and start reading it already! :)
I'm not going to hope that Jim Butcher hurries. I want him to take his time and write it how he wants. But there are times I do wish I could skip ahead to when the book is released and start reading it already! :)
July 22, 2018
Harry Dresden, formidable wizard/private investigator, is all that stands between Chicago and disaster from the “Never-Never.” It has always been thus (*since Harry came to town) and this is now novel #14.
When it comes to urban fantasy, I am all-in with Harry Dresden. I like the venue and I like the characters and I am very impressed with how Butcher has built this shadow world beyond and between the familiar aspects of that city.
Harry is again corporeal, no longer a ghost, and he is the Winter Knight (If you don’t know what those things refer to, perhaps #14 isn’t the best place to start.). Even for a devoted reader this is a confounding and nebulous novel. We have some of the most detailed and imaginative descriptions of the “worlds of fairie” that I have ever read. Yet, the plot as it exists is so loose that it is nothing more than a vehicle for Butcher’s indulgence in shock and awe.
Something is missing at the core of this novel.
I was left feeling much as Harry expresses:
“…I could feel a horrible, hopeless weight settling across my heart. Dammit, hadn’t I been through enough? More than enough? Hadn’t my life handed me enough misery and grief and pain and loneliness already? And now, I was going to be up against something else, something new and scary, something that came galumphing at me by legion, no less. What was the point? No matter what I did, no matter how much stronger or smarter or better connected I got, the bad guys just kept getting bigger and stronger and more numerous…”
Have I made the same mistake that afflicts Harry? Have I been less perceptive, less critical than I should have been? No, though tempted, I won’t quote Macbeth Act V, Scene, V. Jim Butcher is a bit self-indulgent here, but I see enough potential that I probably won’t turn my back on #15. 2.5*
James Marsters narrates the audiobook and adds a great deal to the drama with his command of many voices.
Cold Days was both read and listen to in the same time period.
When it comes to urban fantasy, I am all-in with Harry Dresden. I like the venue and I like the characters and I am very impressed with how Butcher has built this shadow world beyond and between the familiar aspects of that city.
Harry is again corporeal, no longer a ghost, and he is the Winter Knight (If you don’t know what those things refer to, perhaps #14 isn’t the best place to start.). Even for a devoted reader this is a confounding and nebulous novel. We have some of the most detailed and imaginative descriptions of the “worlds of fairie” that I have ever read. Yet, the plot as it exists is so loose that it is nothing more than a vehicle for Butcher’s indulgence in shock and awe.
Something is missing at the core of this novel.
I was left feeling much as Harry expresses:
“…I could feel a horrible, hopeless weight settling across my heart. Dammit, hadn’t I been through enough? More than enough? Hadn’t my life handed me enough misery and grief and pain and loneliness already? And now, I was going to be up against something else, something new and scary, something that came galumphing at me by legion, no less. What was the point? No matter what I did, no matter how much stronger or smarter or better connected I got, the bad guys just kept getting bigger and stronger and more numerous…”
Have I made the same mistake that afflicts Harry? Have I been less perceptive, less critical than I should have been? No, though tempted, I won’t quote Macbeth Act V, Scene, V. Jim Butcher is a bit self-indulgent here, but I see enough potential that I probably won’t turn my back on #15. 2.5*
James Marsters narrates the audiobook and adds a great deal to the drama with his command of many voices.
Cold Days was both read and listen to in the same time period.
August 21, 2023
8.75/10
De todos los libros que me he leído en inglés, este es el que más he disfrutado y con diferencia, no quiero ni imaginar en castellano si alguna vez lo traducen.
A pesar de ser extenso, el ritmo narrativo es alto y engancha una barbaridad, no podía dejar de leer y leer. A su favor tiene que es Dresden en su máxima esplendor, es decir, todas sus virtudes potenciadas, por lo que si te gustan sus lecturas, esta debería de encantarte. Además, el final da mucho juego de cara al futuro y lo cierto es que me sorprendió bastante.
Por ponerle algún pero, me da que a Butcher se le está yendo un poco de las manos el worldbuilding, pero tampoco voy a culparle por ser demasiado fantástico, que para algo el protagonista y la historia son las que son.
¿Recomendable? Sin duda, si te quedaste en el anterior, deberías leer este, que es muchísimo mejor, pero mucho, y además se lee muy muy bien.
No descarto pronto ponerme con el siguiente.
De todos los libros que me he leído en inglés, este es el que más he disfrutado y con diferencia, no quiero ni imaginar en castellano si alguna vez lo traducen.
A pesar de ser extenso, el ritmo narrativo es alto y engancha una barbaridad, no podía dejar de leer y leer. A su favor tiene que es Dresden en su máxima esplendor, es decir, todas sus virtudes potenciadas, por lo que si te gustan sus lecturas, esta debería de encantarte. Además, el final da mucho juego de cara al futuro y lo cierto es que me sorprendió bastante.
Por ponerle algún pero, me da que a Butcher se le está yendo un poco de las manos el worldbuilding, pero tampoco voy a culparle por ser demasiado fantástico, que para algo el protagonista y la historia son las que son.
¿Recomendable? Sin duda, si te quedaste en el anterior, deberías leer este, que es muchísimo mejor, pero mucho, y además se lee muy muy bien.
No descarto pronto ponerme con el siguiente.
July 23, 2023
I'm so flabberghasted, I barely know what to write in this review.
Good things first: Harry has come back from being dead / almost dead / in a weird magical kind of coma, whatever.
Now for the bad stuff: Harry is Mab's new Winter Knight. And while that position comes with a serious power boost, it also means that there are even more people and creatures wanting him dead now. Plus, some old allies now distrust him.
Enter Mab, Queen of Winter. The fae that supposedly went a bit mad recently and who now wants Harry to kill her daughter. Is she mad still? Or again?
But there is so much more going on here. From us finding out what Harry's island actually is (hint: THE Merlin himself "built" it, for bloody good reason, and with one hell of a spell) to the reason for Winter always having appeared (and indeed being) stronger than Summer despite them supposedly being equal ().
I like that there wasn't too much time "wasted" on emotional drama after Harry's return. Logical problems / fears were addressed but also dealt with. Not sure I was too smitten with on account of me being a fan of but alas.
Other than that, it was just heartwarming to see characters like Mouse being overjoyed about having Harry back. Though I think I liked Thomas best in that context.
Naturally, it was about more than Harry's return, like I said. Just seeing him in Arctis Tor and how Mab "made him be better". *shudders* However, hands down the best thing in this novel regarding Harry and the Fae was even if it turned out to have been sort of a ploy. Now that I think about it, it might be a stale-mate between that and . Bwahahahahahahaha.
So far, I'm not sure what exactly to think of . While I had expected things to change simply because they needed to after what had happened since Harry's "death", I didn't expect THAT right up until it happened. Nicely done by the author! We'll see if it turns out to be a good story thread or a dud, I guess. Personally, I can't wait to find out what happens when . You know, on account of how that usually went in the past. It will be curious to see if the shift in power could turn it around. Now wouldn't THAT be hilarious.
In short: riveting, fun and funny, action-laden, full of delicious otherworldly magic and promising sooo much more goodness!
Good things first: Harry has come back from being dead / almost dead / in a weird magical kind of coma, whatever.
Now for the bad stuff: Harry is Mab's new Winter Knight. And while that position comes with a serious power boost, it also means that there are even more people and creatures wanting him dead now. Plus, some old allies now distrust him.
Enter Mab, Queen of Winter. The fae that supposedly went a bit mad recently and who now wants Harry to kill her daughter. Is she mad still? Or again?
But there is so much more going on here. From us finding out what Harry's island actually is (hint: THE Merlin himself "built" it, for bloody good reason, and with one hell of a spell) to the reason for Winter always having appeared (and indeed being) stronger than Summer despite them supposedly being equal ().
I like that there wasn't too much time "wasted" on emotional drama after Harry's return. Logical problems / fears were addressed but also dealt with. Not sure I was too smitten with on account of me being a fan of but alas.
Other than that, it was just heartwarming to see characters like Mouse being overjoyed about having Harry back. Though I think I liked Thomas best in that context.
Naturally, it was about more than Harry's return, like I said. Just seeing him in Arctis Tor and how Mab "made him be better". *shudders* However, hands down the best thing in this novel regarding Harry and the Fae was even if it turned out to have been sort of a ploy. Now that I think about it, it might be a stale-mate between that and . Bwahahahahahahaha.
So far, I'm not sure what exactly to think of . While I had expected things to change simply because they needed to after what had happened since Harry's "death", I didn't expect THAT right up until it happened. Nicely done by the author! We'll see if it turns out to be a good story thread or a dud, I guess. Personally, I can't wait to find out what happens when . You know, on account of how that usually went in the past. It will be curious to see if the shift in power could turn it around. Now wouldn't THAT be hilarious.
In short: riveting, fun and funny, action-laden, full of delicious otherworldly magic and promising sooo much more goodness!
August 17, 2023
Wow this series has gotten so good. Top notch character work and emotional heavy-hitting moments combined with an exciting and well-paced plot made this such an enjoyable installment. I'm going to take a minute to process what just happened and then it's time for Skin Game.
August 1, 2016
Executive Summary: If you read The Dresden Files and haven't read/started this book, why not? If you're on earlier book..hurry up!
If you don't read the Dresden Files? Why are you reading this? Go get Storm Front right now, so you can start catching up!
Seriously, I'm just amazed at the way Mr. Butcher has evolved this series over the years, still going incredibly strong with the 14th book in the series. This has easily been my favorite series since I discovered it a few years ago.
Audio Book: I'm so glad to have James Marsters back for this book. He puts so much emotion into his reading. When Harry casts a fire spell Mr. Marsters snarls Fuego rather than just reading it. I also really enjoyed his voices for the new characters as well.
Full Review
I've eagerly been awaiting this book since finishing Ghost Story last summer. I found that book to be a little bit of a fall of from Changes, but I just credited that to just how great Changes. I really thought it was going to be hard for Mr. Butcher to top it, but somehow he did.
I found myself deep into the book wondering how Harry/Mr. Butcher was going to work things out. Of the course of the 14 books thing have evolved in a way I never expected.
This books answers many questions I had, including things I had hoped would have been in Ghost Story but weren't.
I don't like to include spoilers in my reviews but there are a few minor things I'll hit on (while leaving all the really HUGE developments unsaid).
I really loved some of the new characters introduced in this novel in particular Kringle and Lacuna. I hope to see them return in the next novel. And without giving any details, it was awesome to learn more about Demonreach.
I'm torn on the idea of Mr. Butcher taking time away from Harry to write a new Steampunk series. On the one hand I'm not really excited by the idea of steampunk as others seem to be.
On the other hand, I've been hoping for another series ever since he put out First Lord's Fury finishing up Codex Alera. Not to mention as I joked with my friends, I'd read Twilight Fan Fiction if Jim Butcher was writing it.
Either way I hope Mr. Butcher doesn't make us wait too long for book 15, as each of the last few books has taken longer than the year between the year or less timeframe he spoiled us all with for awhile.
If you don't read the Dresden Files? Why are you reading this? Go get Storm Front right now, so you can start catching up!
Seriously, I'm just amazed at the way Mr. Butcher has evolved this series over the years, still going incredibly strong with the 14th book in the series. This has easily been my favorite series since I discovered it a few years ago.
Audio Book: I'm so glad to have James Marsters back for this book. He puts so much emotion into his reading. When Harry casts a fire spell Mr. Marsters snarls Fuego rather than just reading it. I also really enjoyed his voices for the new characters as well.
Full Review
I've eagerly been awaiting this book since finishing Ghost Story last summer. I found that book to be a little bit of a fall of from Changes, but I just credited that to just how great Changes. I really thought it was going to be hard for Mr. Butcher to top it, but somehow he did.
I found myself deep into the book wondering how Harry/Mr. Butcher was going to work things out. Of the course of the 14 books thing have evolved in a way I never expected.
This books answers many questions I had, including things I had hoped would have been in Ghost Story but weren't.
I don't like to include spoilers in my reviews but there are a few minor things I'll hit on (while leaving all the really HUGE developments unsaid).
I really loved some of the new characters introduced in this novel in particular Kringle and Lacuna. I hope to see them return in the next novel. And without giving any details, it was awesome to learn more about Demonreach.
I'm torn on the idea of Mr. Butcher taking time away from Harry to write a new Steampunk series. On the one hand I'm not really excited by the idea of steampunk as others seem to be.
On the other hand, I've been hoping for another series ever since he put out First Lord's Fury finishing up Codex Alera. Not to mention as I joked with my friends, I'd read Twilight Fan Fiction if Jim Butcher was writing it.
Either way I hope Mr. Butcher doesn't make us wait too long for book 15, as each of the last few books has taken longer than the year between the year or less timeframe he spoiled us all with for awhile.
January 19, 2018
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is one of my all time favorite series. I have no clue why I put off reading Cold Days for so long because it was an absolutely fantastic return to Harry's Chicago (and the Nevernever) - I actually had to give myself a bit of a refresher. Anyway, Harry and company have gone through some pretty major changes, but they're all in top form even if they've changed a bit along the way. As awesome as all the action, magic, sense of humor, and mystery are, the characters are totally what make this series and that's no different here - it's a pleasure to see how much everyone, especially Harry, has grown over the course of the series. In this case, Harry's taken on the mantle of the Winter Knight and the stakes have never been higher. After that gut-punch of an ending, it's time to jump into Skin Game! Here's to hoping Michael Carpenter will be back for the next round, and we'll get to see Maggie.
October 1, 2018
I read this book to fill the Supernatural square of my 2018 Halloween Bingo card.
The difficult we do right away—the impossible takes a little longer.
But only a little, because Harry Dresden’s impossible tasks always seem to come with a deadline. Truly, if he doesn’t come through, lots of people will be dead.
Harry is now Mab’s Winter Knight and he’s learning why the last guy to hold the role was the jerk that he was. But like all good urban fantasy heroes, Harry has a whole gang of good folks (with various abilities and powers) who will walk into hell with him and he’s also pretty good at forging alliances across the aisle with some on the opposing side (or do they just think they’re on the opposing side?)
How appropriate to be reading a book called Cold Days when the sky was trying it’s best to snow on us! Cuddling up in a fuzzy blanket and reading the further adventures of Harry Dresden just seemed like the best thing to do!
The difficult we do right away—the impossible takes a little longer.
But only a little, because Harry Dresden’s impossible tasks always seem to come with a deadline. Truly, if he doesn’t come through, lots of people will be dead.
Harry is now Mab’s Winter Knight and he’s learning why the last guy to hold the role was the jerk that he was. But like all good urban fantasy heroes, Harry has a whole gang of good folks (with various abilities and powers) who will walk into hell with him and he’s also pretty good at forging alliances across the aisle with some on the opposing side (or do they just think they’re on the opposing side?)
How appropriate to be reading a book called Cold Days when the sky was trying it’s best to snow on us! Cuddling up in a fuzzy blanket and reading the further adventures of Harry Dresden just seemed like the best thing to do!
November 21, 2023
4.5 stars It took this series a lot to move from status quo but when it did 3 books ago it there are no breaks anymore. There are still some problems mostly Harry being Harry but I come to terms that he will always have half a century outdated opinions when it comes to both men and uses word "alpha" unironically, but he grows on you. We all have that friend who is good guy/girl despite being bit of an idiot (I'm occasionally that friend). And that friend in this case is powerful wizard and protagonist of a book series.
September 1, 2016
*********Gushing review alert**********
So good, so very good. I honestly don't even have the words.
Whenever I lose my faith in books, whenever I think there are no original stories left to tell, all I have to do is look to The Dresden Files.
These books are everything.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that these audiobooks have changed my life. I dream of these characters. I hear their voices in my head. I find myself grumbling, "EMPTY NIGHT!" when I'm mad.
James Marsters has changed my life. Jim Butcher has changed me.
There is no point discussing plot or pros and cons this far into the series. Either you are in it or your not. The plot is way too complex to describe now. Let's just say a lot of people die, a lot of people get hurt, and all hell breaks loose. I always think that there is NO WAY that Harry can save the day, and Jim Butcher figures out a way to make it all come together in a manner that makes sense.
Jim Butcher is simply brilliant.
I will continue to shell out the big bucks for this series because it is worth every stinking penny.
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