Author: Jim Butcher
Publisher: Roc
Review by: Larry
Just finished Changes by Jim Butcher thirty seconds ago and I am still in shock from the ending. I literally sat here, at the computer, thinking, “Wow!” when trying to come up with a summary of the 10th book of the Dresden series.
I will try to walk the tightrope of reviewing the book without giving anything away, but I know it will be difficult, so if the review is short of details, know that it is that I would rather give you the surprise and joy of discovering the climaxes and shocks of this very well-crafted book in the natural way than ruin your reading pleasure with a poorly written review and a couple of plot spoilers.
The opening line of the book is “Hello Harry, you have a daughter and the vampires have taken her.” From there the book is non-stop action to the last page. It is a “typical” Dresden book, with Harry Dresden against the world, the “world” in this case being the White Council of Wizards, the FBI, Chicago Police, Vampires, and deaf little old ladies/landlords and a race to save his daughter before she is made a blood sacrifice by the King of the Red Vampires.
If you are familiar with the Dresden series, then you are familiar with the Butcher formula of Harry Dresden fighting impossible odds and multiple foes and never giving up. Well, in this one, Harry finally realizes that he is unable to win this fight against the Bad Guys. The author does an admirable job of conveying Dresden's feelings of frustration and helplessness without dragging the story to a halt with “Oh, woe is me!” Very well done, Mr Butcher.
I highly recommend this book, but if you have read the nine previous Dresden books then you are most likely going to read this book regardless of any review. Just know that when you start Changes, that you will get NO work done until you are finished with this book!
Now, if you haven't read the book yet, STOP READING THIS REVIEW HERE as I will be discussing plot spoilers.
1.Is this the last Dresden book? Sure looks like it, but there are unanswered questions still, namely, Who/what is the “Black Council”?
2.How would the White Council handle a powerful wizard being the Knight of Winter?
3.Now that Murphy is off the police force, what does she do? Murphy as assistant private eye with Harry (if Harry is still alive?)?
4.Who shot Harry?
5.Where was the Merlin when the wizards arrived at the climatic battle?
6.Why was Odin at the fight?
7.What additional powers/strengths would Harry receive as the Winter Knight, assuming Harry is still alive?
8.Why would Mr Butcher kill off Harry when the series is as popular as it is and there is so much “life” left in the story?
Leave a comment if you have any thoughts or insights on the above.
