Skin Game by Jim Butcher

Title: Skin Game 

Series: The Dresden Files #15

Author:  Jim Butcher 

Release Date: May 27, 2014 

Publisher: Roc

Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, is about to have a very bad day….

Because as Winter Knight to the Queen of Air and Darkness, Harry never knows what scheming Mab might want him to do. Usually, it’s something awful.

He doesn’t know the half of it….

Mab has just traded Harry’s skills to pay off one of her debts. And now he must help a group of supernatural villains—led by one of Harry’s most dreaded and despised enemies, Nicodemus Archleone—to break into the highest-security vault in town so that they can then access the highest-security vault in the Nevernever.

It’s a smash-and-grab job to recover the literal Holy Grail from the vaults of the greatest treasure hoard in the supernatural world—which belongs to the one and only Hades, Lord of the freaking Underworld and generally unpleasant character. Worse, Dresden suspects that there is another game afoot that no one is talking about. And he’s dead certain that Nicodemus has no intention of allowing any of his crew to survive the experience. Especially Harry.

Dresden’s always been tricky, but he’s going to have to up his backstabbing game to survive this mess—assuming his own allies don’t end up killing him before his enemies get the chance…

Amazon

This series can't get any better!

Jim Butcher has created an epic world with unforgettable characters. I loved all of Harry's friends and allies. 

This time, Mab is making Harry join a known enemy, Nicodemus Archleone. Harry must be part of the team to go in search of the Holy Grail. This item is in Hade's vault. Yes, Hades, the Lord of the Underworld. Harry knows this is not going to be an easy feat to achieve. Harry asks Murphy to join him watching his back.  Of course, Harry knows Nicodemus will betray him once the item it's in his hands. 

Besides Harry and Murphy, Nicodemus has hired a few more baddies to help him.  Anna Valmont is back as the vault expert. Binder is part of the team despite Harry telling him never to come back to Chicago. We have 3 new characters: Hannah Ascher, the Genoskwa (nasty thing) and Goodman Grey (which I really liked). 

This book has such an awesome plot with incredible twists. I can't complain about anything except the lack of Thomas, Molly and very little Mouse.

I wish there is more of Harry and Maggie as a family with Mister and Mouse on Peace Talks. 

Also, I might be in the minority but I still want Dresden with Molly. 

Parkour!!!!

5 Fantastic Fangs

Cold Days by Jim Butcher

Title: Cold Days 

Series: The Dresden Files #14

Author:  Jim Butcher

After being murdered by a mystery assailant, navigating his way through the realm between life and death, and being brought back to the mortal world, Harry realizes that maybe death wasn’t all that bad. Because he is no longer Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard.

He is now Harry Dresden, Winter Knight to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness. After Harry had no choice but to swear his fealty, Mab wasn’t about to let something as petty as death steal away the prize she had sought for so long. And now, her word is his command, no matter what she wants him to do, no matter where she wants him to go, and no matter who she wants him to kill. 

Guess which Mab wants first?

Of course, it won’t be an ordinary, everyday assassination. Mab wants her newest minion to pull off the impossible: kill an immortal. No problem there, right? And to make matters worse, there exists a growing threat to an unfathomable source of magic that could land Harry in the sort of trouble that will make death look like a holiday. 

Beset by enemies new and old, Harry must gather his friends and allies, prevent the annihilation of countless innocents, and find a way out of his eternal subservience before his newfound powers claim the only thing he has left to call his own…

His soul.

Amazon

Amazing!!!  That's the only word to describe this book. So many plot twists that my head was spinning. Finally, we're able to get a little more information on the evil that has been ongoing since Storm Front.  Although, don't think that by any means all the questions have been answered because they haven't. 

The book begins with Harry starting physical therapy or the idea of PT by Mab. Mab wants her shiny new Winter Knight up and around and enforcing her will.  After weeks of getting stronger, Harry is introduced to the Winter Court and of course, everyone is trying to kill him. There are rules and Harry has to learn them fast or not bother planning the next day. The first job Mab gives Harry, is not an easy one. It is almost impossible. Thankfully, Bob has a vital piece of information to help him. Harry will need help from all his friends in this fight against time. 

Cold Days is an action-packed story. There is no downtime as I have come to expect from prior Dresden books.  Harry has to deal with the Winter Knight's mantle and his desires. If he lets his guard down he can be as bad as Mab. And I know Mab is supposed to be this evil queen but I like her. More so now that I know what her true job is.  By the end of the story, a couple of shocking scenes ensued. I'm not sure what the repercussions are going to be. I can only imaging.

One thing that bothers me is that Harry still hasn't had any contact with Maggie. I wish he would let go of his fears and deal with his parenthood. The girl needs a father and as much as I like the Carpenters, it is not the same. The other reason is because I love Mouse and he needs more page time. 

In regards to Harry's love life, I'm still a Molly supporter. Poor girl has loved him for years. 

“How busy are you today?"

"Oh," he [Thomas] mused. "I don't know. I mean, I've got to get a new shirt now."

"After that," I asked, "would you like to help me save the city? If you don't already have plans."

He snorted. "You mean, would I like to follow you around, wondering what the hell is going on because you won't tell me everything, then get in a fight with something that is going to leave me in intensive care?"

"Uh-huh," I said, nodding, "pretty much."

"Yeah," he said. "Okay.” 

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

Ghost Story by Jim Butcher

Title: Ghost Story 

Series: The Dresden Files #13

Author: Jim Butcher

The eagerly awaited new novel in the #1 New York Timesbestselling Dresden Files series. 

When we last left the mighty wizard detective Harry Dresden, he wasn't doing well. In fact, he had been murdered by an unknown assassin. 

But being dead doesn't stop him when his friends are in danger. Except now he has nobody, and no magic to help him. And there are also several dark spirits roaming the Chicago shadows who owe Harry some payback of their own. 

To save his friends-and his own soul-Harry will have to pull off the ultimate trick without any magic...

Amazon

I hope you are up to date on this series before you read my review....

As followers of the Dresden series, you might know how Changes ended. Shocking to say the least.  Poor Harry has lost almost everything including his life. But, he is not all gone. Six months after getting shot, he has a chance to come back to Chicago and help his friends defeat new evils while finding out who murdered him.  However, even as a ghost things are not easy for this wizard. 

I found myself getting frustrated with Ghost Story. Why? Because I wanted Harry in the middle of things, participating to the max instead of just staying on the sidelines. One of the last scenes when Molly is in danger and Harry could do nothing, upset me to no end.  Also, I felt like this one had a much slower pace than I'm used to in the Dresdenverse. 

Things that I liked: Harry's first time seeing Mister and, later on, Mouse. I liked how much Molly has evolved and matured. She is becoming one of my favorite characters in the series. Mortimer plays a huge part in this novel and I'm glad he was there to help Harry. 

As new characters go, Fitz was a plus. With his abilities, he could be a great addition to Harry's army of friends. 

“Lies. Mab cannot change who you are.” 

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

Changes by Jim Butcher

Title: Changes 

Series: The Dresden Files #12

Author: Jim Butcher

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover—until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it—against Harry. To prevail, this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.

Amazon

Changes start with a shocking truth. Harry is a father. Long ago, he and Susan Rodriguez were in love and from this love a child was born. A child Harry knew nothing about. Harry is more than angry about Susan hiding the child from him but he has no time to dwell on it since someone has kidnapped her and all the fingers point to Arianna Ortega, the Duchess of the Red Court Vampires. Arianna has not forgiven Harry for killing her husband. She wants Harry dead but she wants to make him suffer first. 

Changes is fast-paced, has crazy twists, with great evils and devastating losses. In a way, Harry loses almost everything. One thing is clear. He would do anything to keep his daughter safe. One of the things I enjoyed is how much Harry is starting to trust Molly. Yes, she has made mistakes but she has evolved. I still have hope they can become a couple sometime soon.

Changes was the perfect name for this book. Some included: Harry's daughter, home, car, Lloyd Slate, Susan, The Red Court of Vampires, his new job. It also adds more interesting characters like Donar Vadderung who is probably the god Odin. We get to see Harry interacting with past characters like Anastasia Luccio, Ebenezer, the Merlin Arthur Langtry and the Leanansidhe, who plays a major part in this book including giving Harry the Ruby of Pathfinding.  

Cliffhanger: YES

"You are far from your sources of power here, my dear demon."

"I live with a wizard. I cheat." 

5/5 Fangs

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

Title: Turn Coat 

Series: The Dresden Files #11)

Author: Jim Butcher 

When it comes to the magical ruling body known as the White Council, Harry keeps his nose clean and his head down. For years, the Council has held a death mark over Harry's head. He's still thought of as a black sheep by some and as a sacrificial lamb by others. But none regard him with more suspicion and disdain than Morgan, a veteran Warden with a grudge against anyone who bends the rules.

Like Harry.

So when Morgan turns up asking for help, Harry isn't exactly eager to leap into action. Morgan has been accused of treason against the White Council, and there's only one final punishment for that crime. He's on the run, he wants his name cleared, and he needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog.

Like Harry.

Now Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less than agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head.

Like Harry..

Amazon

Morgan is accused of murdering the White Council member LaFortier. Morgan escapes and asks Harry to help him discover the real culprit. Harry, being Harry, can't turn him away and agrees to help him. He might not like Morgan, but he knows he is not capable of harming the White Council. 

Harry is faced with a traitor in the White Council and a fight against time. He has help from his friends including Mouse, Molly, Karrin, Ebenezer, Thomas, Butters and the werewolves. He also has new and old enemies gunning for him.  Someone in the White Court of Vampires is helping the enemy. A new character Binder, an assassin, is in town to capture or kill Morgan. Harry needs to invoke a sanctum invocation and makes the spirit on the island his ally. He names the Island Demonreach. In the end, a fight ensues with the White Court Vamps, Council members, Harry's friends and the Naaglossi. The outcome of some of the characters was too painful to read.

***

This book was awesome in adding the details to the long arc. As far as the short one, it was very intriguing and fast-paced. I was devastated when Mouse got hurt and then my heart broke for Thomas. I sure hated the Naagloshii and Madeline Raith. I'm glad Lara was helping Harry on this one. I'm not sure by the end of the series if Lara will remain an ally or a foe. Time will tell.

This was the first Dresden book that made me sad after I was done reading it. It just tells you how good of a writer Jim Butcher is that he made me feel this way.

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

Small Favor by Jim Butcher

Title: Small Favor 

Series: The Dresden Files #10 

Author: Jim Butcher

Goodreads

Harry Dresden's life finally seems to be calming down -- until a shadow from the past returns. Mab, monarch of the Sidhe Winter Court, calls in an old favor from Harry -- one small favor that will trap him between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and that will strain his skills -- and loyalties -- to their very limits.

Amazon

I knew there was going to be trouble when Mab asked Harry to do her a favor and what a favor it was!

Dresden's next adventure involves Marcone. Someone has kidnapped him and Mab is requesting Harry's help to find him. This leads to so many problems for him. First, Dresden has to convince Marcone's people to help him find Johhny and later on, he finds out that the Denarians have a hand in it. Chicago is actually loaded with them.  Luckily, Harry has formed his own little army. He has help from the Knights of the Cross, Molly, the Archive, Kincaid (which now thanks to Murphy has a first name...Jared), Gard, Hendricks, Bob, Mouse and Thomas.  

This book was excellent. It had my full attention from the first chapter. 

What I like the most about this series, is that the secondary characters have all developed very well defined personalities. It's almost as if they were real and the reader is watching the action from the sidelines but with the hope to jump into battle with Harry and help him win the war. In this case, the battle is against Nicodemus but we have summer, winter and in a way the black council trying to hurt Harry.   

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

White Night by Jim Butcher

Title: White Night 

Series: The Dresden Files #9 

Author: Jim Butcher 

Goodreads

In Chicago, someone has been killing practitioners of magic, those incapable of becoming full-fledged wizards. Shockingly, all the evidence points to Harry Dresden's half-brother, Thomas, as the murderer. Determined to clear his sibling's name, Harry uncovers a conspiracy within the White Council of Wizards that threatens not only him, but his nearest and dearest, too...

Amazon

Harry is hired by Murphy to investigate a series of female "suicides". Most of the victims are magic practitioners from the local coven. To his shock, the coven has hired Elaine (Harry's first girlfriend) to find out who's the killer. Elaine has been working in California. She like Harry, is "in the book" under "wizard". Some of the women who have disappeared have been seen leaving with a tall man wearing a cloak. Thomas fits the description but so does Harry. This leaves Harry with plenty of questions. He not only has to make sure Thomas is ok, but he has to stop the murders and get involved in a dispute between White court Vampire houses. And as if this was not enough, Cowl isn't dead and he wants to hinder Harry's progress in discovering the black council.

Great book! All the plot twists were innovative. The best characters in this novel besides Harry, were Thomas, Ramirez, Bob and Mouse. 

The evil ones were all hateful. Glad some of them are finally gone for good. 

White Night made me like Murphy a little more. She only bothers me when she is full of misplaced righteous indignation against Harry. I still have hope for Molly in the romantic department with Dresden. I like her more than Murphy.

“What is the point of having free will if one cannot occasionally spit in the eye of destiny?” 

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher

Title: Proven Guilty 

Series: The Dresden Files #8)

Author: Jim Butcher 

Goodreads

There's no love lost between Harry Dresden, the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, and the White Council of Wizards, who find him brash and undisciplined. But war with the vampires has thinned their ranks, so the Council has drafted Harry as a Warden and assigned him to look into rumors of black magic in the Windy City.

As Harry adjusts to his new role, another problem arrives in the form of the tattooed and pierced daughter of an old friend, all grown-up and already in trouble. Her boyfriend is the only suspect in what looks like a supernatural assault straight out of a horror film. Malevolent entities that feed on fear are loose in Chicago, but it's all in a day's work for a wizard, his faithful dog, and a talking skull named Bob....

 Amazon

This is my favorite book of the series so far. 

As soon as I started Proven Guilty I knew it was going to be a good book. It had the perfect combination of drama, awesome fighting scenes, humor and by the end of it, a sense of understanding. 

Jim Butcher has made me love Dresden. I know he can be too sarcastic at times, but I just go with it. I was glad Michael was back in the picture. I have missed him.  

Molly was a surprise in a way. I knew she was going to play a big part in Harry's life, but I could have never had guessed how much! 

I wonder how old Harry is in this book. Is he in his early or late twenties? 

I had a mini heart attack with Mouse. I almost stopped the book.....

Poor Harry is getting into more politics with the White Council, Winter and the Summer queens, but he's also making more allies, which he's going to need if Michael is right. 

Thomas was excellent in this book. I hope he's able to be with Justina at some point. 

One thing I'm sure of, it's I know who Harry has to give the sword to. I have no doubts. 

I missed Butters... I hope he's in the next book. 

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

Dead Beat by Jim Butcher

Title: Dead Beat 

Series: The Dresden Files

Author: Jim Butcher 

Goodreads

There's an entire world that exists alongside the everyday life of mankind. There are powers, nations, monsters, wars, feuds, alliances - everything. Wizards are part of it. So are a lot of other things you've heard about in stories, and even more you've never heard of...Vampires. Werewolves. Faeries. Demons. Monsters. It's all real.

Harry Dresden knows full well that such creatures exist. Paranormal investigations are his stock-in-trade, and Chicago is his beat as he tries to bring law and order to a world that exists on the edges of imagination. Luckily Harry's not alone in this struggle. And though most inhabitants of the Windy City don't believe in magic, there's a department that's been set up within the Chicago PD to deal with "strange" cases: the Special Investigations department.

Karrin Murphy is the head of SI and a good friend of Harry's. So when a deadly vampire threatens to destroy Murphy's reputation unless Harry helps her, he has no choice. The vampire wants the Word of Kemmler and all the power that comes with it - but first Harry has to determine what the Word of Kemmler is. Now Harry is in a race against time - and six necromancers - to find the Word before Chicago experiences a Halloween night to wake the dead.

Amazon

This series is only getting better.

Mavra, the Black Court vampire, is blackmailing Harry. He must deliver the Word of Kemmler to her, or she will expose Karrin's pictures of killing the Renfields to the public. Of course, while Harry is dealing with this situation, Karrin goes on vacation with Kincaid to Hawaii.

This book has great new evil characters. A bunch of necromancers are in town and they all want to find the Word of Kemmler. If one of them gets it, he could turn himself into a god. In the meantime, the White Council is under attack and many of the Wardens are getting killed. Harry has no choice but to become one of them. 

Dead Beat is full of action, awesome fighting scenes, and great evil. Harry has some tough choices to make, but he has help from Mouse, Anastasia Luccio, Marcone, Waldo Butters, and the resident evil in his head. Butters is the medical examiner. He's brought into the supernatural world without a real choice. His character goes from coward to saving the day in sixty seconds. 

I missed many characters in this installment. I missed Michael, Murphy (since she is gone most of the book), and The Archive. Kincaid is mentioned but no true appearance. I wish Thomas had more page time. At least Mouse is here to stay.....

Cliffhanger: No

4.5/5 Fangs

Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6) by Jim Butcher

Goodreads

For Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, there have been worse assignments than going undercover on the set of an adult film. Dodging flaming monkey poo, for instance. Or going toe-to-leaf with a walking plant monster. Still, there is something more troubling than usual about his newest case. The film's producer believes he's the target of a sinister entropy curse, but it's the women around him who are dying, in increasingly spectacular ways.

Harry is doubly frustrated because he got involved with this bizarre mystery only as a favor to Thomas, his flirtatious, self-absorbed vampire acquaintance of dubious integrity. Thomas has a personal stake in the case Harry can't quite figure out, until his investigation leads him straight to Thomas' oversexed vampire family. Harry is about to discover that Thomas' family tree has been hiding a shocking secret; a revelation that will change Harry's life forever.

Amazon

The Dresden Files are getting better and better. I wasn't sure I liked Harry when I first met him but by now, I really do. Yes, the self-deprecating has bothered me before but I guess now I'm getting used to it or he has toned it down a little. I do love Thomas and I'm glad where the story was taken about his character and his family. I hate that Thomas's love for Justina at this point seems impossible and without a solution. Hopefully, when the series ends, Thomas and Justina will get their HEA. 

Harry is also just realizing that he's attracted to Murphy and him trying to avoid falling for her is kind of cute. Not sure Murphy isn't hiding feelings of her own. Although, she seems to like Kincaid who's a very intriguing character too. 

One thing I missed in this book was Michael and Marcone. 

One thing I love-----THERE IS A PUPPY!! I know silly how happy it made me to add Mouse to the ensemble of characters. And it's not your ordinary puppy, no sir. He is going to be a beast for sure! I love how Mister is so dismissived of him.

Bob always has some comedy relief which is very needed with so much tension and so many things trying to kill Harry. 

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

Death Masks (The Dresden Files #5) by Jim Butcher

Goodreads | Amazon

Slowly but surely, I'm going through these. Kudos to Jim Butcher, his world building is amazing. The character development is constant. 

Harry gets hired to recover the Shroud of Turin. He has to stop it from getting into evil hands. 

Nicodemus Archleoneis is the big baddie. He's the leader of the Order of the Blackened Denarius. He knows about Harry and he wants him out of the picture. Nicodemus won't underestimate Harry like others have. Michael and the rest of the Knights of the Cross are trying to prevent Harry from taking the case. They are not sure if they can keep him alive. 

Susan is back to settle things with Harry which I thought was necessary. Harry needs to move on.

As soon as I start one of the Dresden Files I know Harry is going to be fighting multiple characters/situations. He's going to be betrayed sometimes. He will blame himself about something or someone getting hurt. He's going to be either hot or cold and very hungry and tired. Women are going to be his downfall (in a way). And you know what? I love it. This formula works for me.

I like so many characters now. Michael and his absolute faith, Charity and her tolerance for Harry, Thomas, who's sexy and funny. I can add Kincaid and the Archive to the new characters I enjoy.  I do like Susan but I think Murphy is the one in the end for Harry. You know who surprised me? Marcone. I want more of him in the books. The wolves weren't a big part of Death Masks and I missed them. I feel like Nicodemus is going to stay for a while in many books to come. He is too evil to disappear.

Cliffhanger :No

4/5 Fangs

Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4) by Jim Butcher

Someone has killed the Summer Knight and it is up to Dresden to find the culprit. Dresden didn't want to get involved. Regrettably, he has no other choice in the matter. The Winter Queen has forced his hand and if he doesn't want the Council to serve him on a platter to the Red Court vampires he must do as asked. 

Dealing with the Fae and their power was not his priority. Dresden has been feeling guilty and responsible for Susan's change in life.  He has let himself go and has spent countless hours trying to find a cure. His house is a mess, he's broke and he has not shaved or cut his hair in a while. Nothing matters to him until Queen Mab and someone from his past visits him.

~~

These books are so good!

I love Dresden and his funny side. I like that we get to see characters from the past. Billy and the other wolves were great. 

Color me surprised but I like Murphy in this one. Don't know for how long though. She was nice to Harry and she was helpful. Nice change!

Cliffhanger: No

4/5 Fangs

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files #3) by Jim Butcher

Grave Peril begins with Michael and Harry fighting a ghost who's attacking a hospital nursery. Ghosts are behaving erratically and dangerously. Harry is sure someone is manipulating the spirit world. He needs to find the culprits before more lives are in danger.  A young woman shows at his office asking for his help. She believes someone is after her and unless he helps her she will die. By now we know Harry is incapable os saying no to a damsel in distress. 

~~

Gave Peril has a lot of action. We get more character development for Harry and his friends/enemies. I like Harry. He is one of the good guys although I still can't stand his self deprecating attitude. I feel like screaming: Not everything which goes wrong in the world is your fault Harry! 

As for other characters:

Bianca was easy to hate. She did nothing to make herself redeemable. 

Susan does care for Harry but sometimes she doesn't listen.

Murphy didn't piss me off like she did in the last book. No police brutality. 

Michael was my favorite character and I was pleased he was joining forces to help Dresden out.  Not so much for his wife. 

The best part for me was listening to James Marsters narrating the book. He does an amazing job as Harry.

Cliffhanger : No

4/5 Fangs