alexcavanaugh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
More solid Dresden Files. This book did a good job of introducing new threats while also fleshing out content from earlier novels without feeling shoehorned in. I'm not a fan of what he's doing with , but I can forgive it because she needed to be out of the way for this book.
Spoiler
Murphyblemoine93's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
pjonsson's review against another edition
4.0
Yet again Harry is called on to save a good chunk of the world from things that go bump in the night. Since a couple of books back, when Harry managed to grow himself some balls, I have taken quite a liking to this book series. Harry have become quite a badass and I like his sharp tongue and rather dry and dark comments. Unfortunately he is not not always as a sharp-witted as he his sharp-tongued and he does indeed put his foot in it and, in particular, gets sucker-punched a wee bit too often.
The book starts with Harry getting forced (suckered) into looking for the, apparently, famous Word of Kemmler. Well, famous in certain circles that is. Circles that have a rather unhealthy interest in dead things. Dead things that won’t stay nice and quiet in their coffins like well-behaved dead things should do. To everyone’s great surprise (not really) a number of other interested parties are also looking for the Word of Kemmler. Parties that believe in simple solutions when it comes to competition, like a not so healthy dose of violence followed by sudden death(s). What can be better in order to promote some violence than help an already brewing war take off in earnest. So soon Harry finds himself in the middle of another fine mess…again.
As usual the book is nicely written with plenty of action, lots of bickering between Harry and his friends and all kinds of magic and supernatural beings crawling, stomping or flying around. Although Harry gets sucker-punched a couple of times he does bounce back and this time he is doing it in style venturing into some rather black magic as well as bending the rules of the White Council in some rather innovative ways. Too bad Harry could not replace that old crappy Beetle of his with his new “ride” permanently. Yes that is very cryptic but writing anything more specific would be a mega-spoiler for what I personally think is one of the best moments of the book so you have to read it for yourself.
The one thing that I really did not like was Morgan’s behavior. Not that this was much of a surprise since he must be one of the most disagreeable and thickheaded bastards in this book series. I disliked him even more than usual in this book though when he got one of his outbursts in the middle of some critical events. Even afterwards, when he had soundly been proven wrong, he behaves like an arse.
Anyway, on the whole a very enjoyable book.
The book starts with Harry getting forced (suckered) into looking for the, apparently, famous Word of Kemmler. Well, famous in certain circles that is. Circles that have a rather unhealthy interest in dead things. Dead things that won’t stay nice and quiet in their coffins like well-behaved dead things should do. To everyone’s great surprise (not really) a number of other interested parties are also looking for the Word of Kemmler. Parties that believe in simple solutions when it comes to competition, like a not so healthy dose of violence followed by sudden death(s). What can be better in order to promote some violence than help an already brewing war take off in earnest. So soon Harry finds himself in the middle of another fine mess…again.
As usual the book is nicely written with plenty of action, lots of bickering between Harry and his friends and all kinds of magic and supernatural beings crawling, stomping or flying around. Although Harry gets sucker-punched a couple of times he does bounce back and this time he is doing it in style venturing into some rather black magic as well as bending the rules of the White Council in some rather innovative ways. Too bad Harry could not replace that old crappy Beetle of his with his new “ride” permanently. Yes that is very cryptic but writing anything more specific would be a mega-spoiler for what I personally think is one of the best moments of the book so you have to read it for yourself.
The one thing that I really did not like was Morgan’s behavior. Not that this was much of a surprise since he must be one of the most disagreeable and thickheaded bastards in this book series. I disliked him even more than usual in this book though when he got one of his outbursts in the middle of some critical events. Even afterwards, when he had soundly been proven wrong, he behaves like an arse.
Anyway, on the whole a very enjoyable book.
rowdya22's review
4.0
Jumping right in, Harry is working with Thomas solving cases and getting annoyed at their living arrangements. Movera blackmails Harry in order to find the Word of Kemler. This causes Harry to dig into Kemler's past. Necro-Bob has some nice things to day about how to get more power and was once owned by Kemler.
Harry investigates odd deaths in the area and Butters gets involved in the fight. Necromancers show up in Chicago hunting the word but Harry and Butters find the trail first. Harry actually gets a date but it's a bust. Harry uses Mortimer to help track Necromancer activity and follows the bad guys.
Calling in the White Council, Harry pulls out all the stops to find a way to stop this ritual that will turn one of the Necromancers into a mini god. When the council arrives, they have suffered a recent defeat at the hands of the red court. Five wizards show up to help Harry and he himself is drafted to be a warden.
While tracking down the word, Harry comes across Sheela who turns out to be the subconscious presence of Lashel. Realizing this, Harry sees how his actions have looked "off" to those around him as he has been interacting with someone who doesn't exist to others.
Armed with new clarity and the word, Harry uses Lashel to translate and understand the Word of Kemler. He uses Necromantic energy to animate Sue the T-Rex and take Butters to help stop the dark hallow. Bob comes to the rescue and takes control of Sue at a pivotal moment disrupting the ritual and causing it to fail. He makes it out alive even if he is a little worse for wear.
"The door is ajar"
Harry investigates odd deaths in the area and Butters gets involved in the fight. Necromancers show up in Chicago hunting the word but Harry and Butters find the trail first. Harry actually gets a date but it's a bust. Harry uses Mortimer to help track Necromancer activity and follows the bad guys.
Calling in the White Council, Harry pulls out all the stops to find a way to stop this ritual that will turn one of the Necromancers into a mini god. When the council arrives, they have suffered a recent defeat at the hands of the red court. Five wizards show up to help Harry and he himself is drafted to be a warden.
While tracking down the word, Harry comes across Sheela who turns out to be the subconscious presence of Lashel. Realizing this, Harry sees how his actions have looked "off" to those around him as he has been interacting with someone who doesn't exist to others.
Armed with new clarity and the word, Harry uses Lashel to translate and understand the Word of Kemler. He uses Necromantic energy to animate Sue the T-Rex and take Butters to help stop the dark hallow. Bob comes to the rescue and takes control of Sue at a pivotal moment disrupting the ritual and causing it to fail. He makes it out alive even if he is a little worse for wear.
"The door is ajar"
lvh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nora_sophia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
jmschomers's review
4.0
Really enjoy these books. Perfect to listen to. Although a lot of characters have appeared over the 7 (?) books I have read now, they keep the cast of characters in each individual book manageable. Warden Dresden is going to be interesting….
lannnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
carlandlouise's review
2.0
This would have been a 4-5 star read, but i feel compelled to subtract 2-3 stars from the entire rating for the continuous "die Lied der erlking" -- this is one of the most famous pieces of German poetry, and a basic google search or any translator would have told you, Mr. Butcher, that it should be "Das Lied des Erlkönigs". How hard is that, really?
defendersiris's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It sure is a Dresden book!!
Lower rating because I honestly don't find Butters as engaging of a character as some of the other minor characters. Otherwise, if you've read the others you'll know what you're getting into here.
Lower rating because I honestly don't find Butters as engaging of a character as some of the other minor characters. Otherwise, if you've read the others you'll know what you're getting into here.