cgsunit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
flammewar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
catsandteabooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
carrkicksdoor's review against another edition
1.0
I would give this book zero stars if I could. I am so sick and tired of men killing off female characters so the male antagonist can have their man pain. This is the very last Dresden book I ever read.
raemazing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chanman's review against another edition
4.0
Of the many fantasy series I have tried to read, none has struck me the way the Dresden Files have. It is witty, expansive in its universe, and dark with its villains. I also liked seeing the change in the main character, Harry Dresden as the series continued. I just recently began reading the first book and found Harry in the first novel markedly different between both these installments, and not always for the better in terms of his outlook on the world.
It was with this in mind that I went into Battle Ground, the 17th, and so far final, book in the Dresden files series. And while I liked this book overall, I will say that there were some issues with this text which made me feel worried for the series as a whole.
But let's begin with the good stuff. This book is an excellent battle for a major city. It reminds me a bit of The Last Olympian, the final book in a series by Rick Riordan. There, the main character and his friends battle the titan Kronos in New York City. The book feels expansive and exhausting as we see our character, barely more than teenagers, try and hold off an army nearly three times its size. Battle Ground is much the same as it is action-packed from nearly the first page to the last. This can make for an excellent journey seeing how Harry deals with the many different threats in his universe. He doesn't come out of this battle unscathed either, as we see friend and foe alike die at the hands of an all-powerful Titan. This lends the battle a gravity as we understand how actions have consequences.
Yet, this book may not be for everyone. There are going to be people who want more character-driven books in the series, and they may not appreciate this all-out action installment.
Also, there are some issues that I have with this series as a whole. Especially after reading the first book, I missed the mysteries that now seem to take a backseat to the world of the Faye that Dresden finds himself working in. As for the general complaints of this book, I would say that the power level of Dresden seems to be gaining to the point where I feel more fear for the people who aren't him getting hurt than Harry himself. He just seems so powerful at times, it can almost be to much to be believed.
But, overall, I am excited about the next book, as we see several plot threads are left hanging, as usual. I think that you should not do as I did, and make sure to read this right after you read Peace Talks, the previous installment. I left about a year gap between this book and Peace Talks, so I think that this bothered me in terms of how much I enjoyed this book, which is essentially two books in one: peace talks and the battle to come. Overall, I give this book a four out of five, It is very well done and works well within the canon of the Dresden Files. I cannot wait to read more.
It was with this in mind that I went into Battle Ground, the 17th, and so far final, book in the Dresden files series. And while I liked this book overall, I will say that there were some issues with this text which made me feel worried for the series as a whole.
But let's begin with the good stuff. This book is an excellent battle for a major city. It reminds me a bit of The Last Olympian, the final book in a series by Rick Riordan. There, the main character and his friends battle the titan Kronos in New York City. The book feels expansive and exhausting as we see our character, barely more than teenagers, try and hold off an army nearly three times its size. Battle Ground is much the same as it is action-packed from nearly the first page to the last. This can make for an excellent journey seeing how Harry deals with the many different threats in his universe. He doesn't come out of this battle unscathed either, as we see friend and foe alike die at the hands of an all-powerful Titan. This lends the battle a gravity as we understand how actions have consequences.
Yet, this book may not be for everyone. There are going to be people who want more character-driven books in the series, and they may not appreciate this all-out action installment.
Also, there are some issues that I have with this series as a whole. Especially after reading the first book, I missed the mysteries that now seem to take a backseat to the world of the Faye that Dresden finds himself working in. As for the general complaints of this book, I would say that the power level of Dresden seems to be gaining to the point where I feel more fear for the people who aren't him getting hurt than Harry himself. He just seems so powerful at times, it can almost be to much to be believed.
But, overall, I am excited about the next book, as we see several plot threads are left hanging, as usual. I think that you should not do as I did, and make sure to read this right after you read Peace Talks, the previous installment. I left about a year gap between this book and Peace Talks, so I think that this bothered me in terms of how much I enjoyed this book, which is essentially two books in one: peace talks and the battle to come. Overall, I give this book a four out of five, It is very well done and works well within the canon of the Dresden Files. I cannot wait to read more.
davehershey's review against another edition
4.0
This book is essentially part two of Peace Talks. In general, Dresden books don’t cover a lot of time, usually a few days to a few weeks. This one tells the story of one night. Which again, shows why it is essentially the conclusion to Peace Talks. I get why Butcher (or the publisher) broke them up as one 800 page book would have been twice the length of a usual book in the series.
My reaction to Peace Talks was 3 stars, as it felt like half a book. This one is a thrill ride from beginning to end, reading as almost one long battle scene. Yet, it was the last 80 pages or so, after the battle ended, that were really my favorite. The battle was just too long to keep my suspense engaged for that long. I mean, (semi-spoiler alert) when one character we’ve known for a while dies halfway through I didn’t take it seriously. It seemed too soon, or too anti-climatic, for such a death.
For as big as Peace Talks-Battle Ground are in introducing the biggest most powerful enemy we’ve seen, I walked away feeling like the whole thing was better as a set up for the next book. There are enough clues and foreshadowing to make me want to know what happens next.
That said, don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Seeing the various characters who are normally not friends come together, especially as we’ve met most of these folks throughout the series, was excellent. That is my favorite part of the series by now, after 17 or so books, Butcher has built a world filled with well-developed characters. I also find it interesting that the so-called “bad guys” who Harry often works with (Marcone, Queen Mab) seem more honorable and decent than the so-called “good guys” (the White Council).
Marcone is one of those characters who really intrigues me. Harry says how horrible he is, but he is often helping Harry and working with him. I suspect a reread would remind me how dark Marcone is. At this point, I am wondering if Harry is wrong or if I’m missing/forgetting something?
Overall, I think on a reread Peace Talks-Battle Ground would be high only my list. Maybe not as high as the few before it, where I think the series really hit its height. But definitely great and setting up what I hope is more great storytelling to come.
My reaction to Peace Talks was 3 stars, as it felt like half a book. This one is a thrill ride from beginning to end, reading as almost one long battle scene. Yet, it was the last 80 pages or so, after the battle ended, that were really my favorite. The battle was just too long to keep my suspense engaged for that long. I mean, (semi-spoiler alert) when one character we’ve known for a while dies halfway through I didn’t take it seriously. It seemed too soon, or too anti-climatic, for such a death.
For as big as Peace Talks-Battle Ground are in introducing the biggest most powerful enemy we’ve seen, I walked away feeling like the whole thing was better as a set up for the next book. There are enough clues and foreshadowing to make me want to know what happens next.
That said, don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Seeing the various characters who are normally not friends come together, especially as we’ve met most of these folks throughout the series, was excellent. That is my favorite part of the series by now, after 17 or so books, Butcher has built a world filled with well-developed characters. I also find it interesting that the so-called “bad guys” who Harry often works with (Marcone, Queen Mab) seem more honorable and decent than the so-called “good guys” (the White Council).
Marcone is one of those characters who really intrigues me. Harry says how horrible he is, but he is often helping Harry and working with him. I suspect a reread would remind me how dark Marcone is. At this point, I am wondering if Harry is wrong or if I’m missing/forgetting something?
Overall, I think on a reread Peace Talks-Battle Ground would be high only my list. Maybe not as high as the few before it, where I think the series really hit its height. But definitely great and setting up what I hope is more great storytelling to come.
peter_xxx's review against another edition
3.0
In peace talks Jim Butcher worked up towards a big battle. In this book it is all about that battle. This book is one long battle. In between the fighting some important and meaningful deaths happen and there are some revelations that setup future storylines. The big drawback of this book though is that it is one big fight. Normally a Dresden files book has a slower pace and contains a bit more detective work. This time the scope was a bit too epic.