Battle Ground

Probably my least favorite of the recent Dresden Files - not because it's bad but it is literally one giant battle scene. The whole book! I get that this is a MAJOR battle the biggest ever - but I've never read such a long continuous fight scene. Plus there is ne aspect of the storyline that I would have liked to see resolved (Thomas), and there is very sad scene (no spoilers here). Dresden was as usual kick ass and his signature brand of dark humor shines through and makes the depressing not so bleak. Obviously I still need answers so I will continue to read any scraps Jim Butcher sends my way. I've been spoiled by two massive installments in one year and I'm scared I'll have to wait years for another!

Peace Talks

Ahhhh!!!! You can't  end with a cliffhanger like that! I mean at least the next book is coming out next month - but still - I wasn't mentally prepared! It was great to listen to James Martsers narrate Harry again - it's been far too long and it was good to see how the ol' gang was doing. Harry has been tasked with making sure that things go smoothly at the upcoming Peace Talks but things get off to a rough start when his brother Thomas is caught after murdering an emissary. Harry knows that there is no way that Thomas could have murdered him - but he doesn't know how he got at the scene of the crime or why he would be the scapegoat. To top it off his grandfather is really pushing the anti-vampire shit and Harry just has too much on his plate to deal and it would be nice if he could ever get some sleep. So many layers of awesome and it ends at such a crucial moment! I need more already! This sated my thirst but not for long!

Side Jobs

This is really a 4.5 star book, I enjoyed the variety of  stories that Jim Butcher included and they all tie in very well with the established timeline. It was nice to see some characters get some extra TLC in this collection because it's hard to give that many the same amount of love. It was also a pleasure getting to see some more bad guys, Harry Dresden sure knows how to piss off some creepies! There were also two stories included that weren't told from Harry's perspective and that was pretty cool. James Marsters did a good job narrating them and giving them a different "feel." Overall a solid collection varying in length, theme, characters, and hilarity. Now I need another full installment of the Dresden Files. I can't wait anymore!

Cold Days

Amazing as always! I am thrilled that we're back to having James Marsters be the narrator, because he's the best and his voice is the voice that brings this series to life for me. Cold Days opens with Dresden waking up from his coma and beginning rehab. He tried getting rid of his Winter Knight mantle in the last book, but no dice, he's got obligations that he can't get out of. When he's fully recovered Queen Mab throws him a lavish birthday party and gives him her first command - to kill her daughter, Maeve. Harry has one full day to go back to the mortal world, survive Halloween night, dodge fairies that are trying to kill him, and find a way to kill an immortal. Tons of shit gets thrown at him, and Harry being his usual sarcastic, charming self, can be counted on to somehow figure it all out. Another stellar installment!

Ghost Story

It's been a minute since I caught up on the Dresden Files and I'm soo glad I checked back for this one! Damn, it was a good one! In the previous book Harry Dresden has been shot and presumably killed. This book pretty much confirms his death, as he comes back as a ghost. He is told he must track down his killer otherwise three people he loves will be harmed and possibly killed. He goes back to Chicago and has the task of trying to figure out how to get his friends to see or even hear him. He's a ghost dammit! Things quickly escalate and soon he isn't even concerned with tracking down his killer; he just wants to keep his friends safe. Fast paced from start to finish, I cannot wait to get to the next one!

Turn Coat

I keep getting more and more obsessed with this series. They just keep getting better! The plots, dialogue, characters, everything! Harry Dresden is legit my biggest fictional crush. What a gem. I accidentally read this book AFTER reading book twelve, but honestly it really didn't change a thing or mess anything up. There was a surprise character death in this one that I didn't see coming, but honestly with the way it played out, I wasn't even mad. It's nice to see Molly getting some more page time, she's becoming a pretty solid apprentice (even when she screws up!). This series does not disappoint and I can't wait to get my hand on the next one!

Changes

Wow, this book really helped tie together so much of the series. And if I'm being honest, it's one of the best ones in a while. Dresden finds out that he had a daughter with Susan and that she's been kidnapped by the red court who want to murder her to complete a blood sacrifice. So once again, stupid Susan is on my list. UGH. Obviously shit hits the fan and it takes a whole crew to help Harry out because he is in waaay too deep. It's a non-stop action ride with everyone's favorite wizard kicking ass and cracking jokes. I can't wait to read the next in the series because this one totally ended on a cliffhanger. Amazeballs!

Small Favor

Man this series doesn't stop getting good!Jim Butcher knows how to keep it engaging by mixing in new and old characters to keep readers on their toes. There is so much character development, plot, imagery, and all around badassery. I have nothing but positive things to say about the tenth installment in the Dresden Files. Mab calls in a favor that Dresden is bound to assist with and he's none to happy about it. He has to find and bail out his nemesis, the crime lord Marcone. If that weren't bad enough there are some majorly bad demons in town. Last time he barely managed against a handful, now there are more than a dozen in town. Good thing Harry Dresden is used to going up against horrible odds. I can't wait for the next one!

Down Town

Great artistry and fun new story from Jim Butcher. I liked this graphic novel much better than the first one I read, mainly because some more of my favorite characters were in this one: Molly, Mouse, Marcone, his sexy vampire brother. They were all illustrated pretty close to how I figured them in my head and they talked and acted just like they do in the novels. A fun short little story with illustrations to back it up. I need to read all the graphic novels in this series!

Welcome to the Jungle

A nice quick read to satisfy the longing I get for more Dresden Files in between books. This short story takes place as a graphic novel which is kinda cool, but I also kinda didn't love it because I picture all the characters in my head very differently (which is why I haven't checked out the TV show yet). Harry Dresden is called in to investigate a mysterious death at the zoo. It looks as if the night guard was murdered by the gorilla but hings aren't adding up. How did the gorilla get out or back in for that matter? The guard emptied his entire gun, where are the bullets? Something is fishy and Dresden the finest (and only openly practicing) wizard in Chicago is on the scene to help out his pal Lt. Murphy. A Fun, quick read.

White Knight

Another solid Dresden Files novel. Not my absolute favorite, but I loved seeing more of Ramirez and Thomas.A bunch of witches have gone missing or have mysteriously killed themselves and Dresden and Murphey decide to investigate and put an end to whatever is terrorizing part of the magic community. Of course, it ends up going way deeper and darker than they imagined and lots of old players are re-introduced. It's fun and violent, and full of laughs. I particularily dug the end of it. Now on to the next one! Slowly, but surely I'll knock this series out!

Proven Guilty

It's been a hot second since I picked up a book in this series and boy was I glad to get back in it! Harry Dresden never catches a break. Tasked with finding out about possible black magic brewing in Chicago, he gets side tracked by a bunch of movie monsters that attack a horror convention. To make matters more complicated, his good friend, Michael's, daughter is somehow involved. What's a poor wizard to do? Narrated brilliantly by James Marsters, this book kept me on the edge of my seat and I enjoyed it immensely. On to book nine in the Dresden Files series!

Dead Beat

Seven books into the series and I have no intention of stopping. The Dresden Files never ceases to amaze me with its complex and intriguing plotlines, badass characters, and truly horrifying bad guys.  It doesn't get any better than this. Harry Dresden highlights different "sidekicks" in all of his adventures, and in Dead Beat his trusty dog, Mouse, and his cowardly coroner friend, Butters, are his main pals. Although to be fair, his newly discovered brother, Thomas, helps out when he cans. Harry's old nemesis, Mauvra the evil vampiress, has tasked him with finding the Word of Kemler otherwise she will turn over his best friend, Karen Murphy, to the police with some incriminating photos. Of course, things aren't that "simple." Harry quickly learns that a bunch of necromancers are in town looking for the same item and to top it all off it's almost Halloween. Things are going to get a whole lot more worse before they get better, but good ol' Harry will muddle his way through it and use his sense of humor as his greatest weapon (not!). Always a good read and impeccably narrated by James Marsters! The best urban fantasy series in town. Not just for boys!

Blood Rites

I have yet to meet a Dresden Files novel I didn't like, "Blood Rites" was no exception. From the first word to the last, I was riveted (and not just by James Marster's voice!). This installment Harry Dresden takes on a job from his "friend," Thomas and quickly gets more challenging then either of them expected. The black court is involved and Harry has to hire the mercernary, Kincaid, and ask his friend, Karen Murphey to help out as well otherwise he is a gonner! Like I said, great book. There's also a good twist involved too! I can't wait to read the next one!

Death Masks

Not necessarily my favorite in the series so far, but still a damn good read! The cast of characters introduced in this one are amazing, we get to meet Michael's fellow Knights, a bunch of the fallen, some nasty vampires from the red court, and Susan finally shows up again (reunited? or not, duh duh duh...)! When the shroud (the blanket that cloaked Jesus on his death) is stolen from Rome, Dresden is approached by a foreign priest to help get it back. When he signs on for the job he has no idea how much danger he has put himself in, demons from hell (way cooler description in the book than I can accurately summarize here) are intent on retrieving it first. As if that's not enough to worry about, Susan is back in town (with a man!), and Dresden has been challenged to a duel by a warlord in the red court. Soo many things going on and Dresden has to somehow keep it all straight and not get killed. Wickedly funny, sexy, and adventurous, it's another great installment in the series.

Storm Front: Book One of the Dresden Files

I have put off reading Jim Butcher for ages because I wasn't a fan of the cover art (seemed more geared to guys and Dungeons and Dragon's players, not that it's a problem, but it didn't seem like my cup of tea) and I didn't really know anyone that read him. I am soo mad that I waited this long to start reading him! OMG, I fell in love with this series! Hardcore. I've always been a fan of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series (at least the first 10, after that it got a little too smutty even for me) and Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series seems like the male equivalent of that. I listened to the audio narrated by James Marsters (aka Spike from Buffy) and I became instantly hooked. I knocked out the audio in no time at all, I couldn't stop listening (due in part to Marster's excellent narration)! I became soo absorbed in Harry Dresden's world of magic, mystery, and the dark underbelly of Chicago that I sped through it. Seriously, soo damn good! I plan on listening to the rest of the series now. Possibly the best crime noir fantasy series I've ever read. Get on it!