Tag Archives: Wizard

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Skin Game

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Skin Game by Jim Butcher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is Dresden and I have loved him since the first time I opened a book and found this wizard who is flawed but tries to do the right thing no matter the consequences. I expect a great story with characters that are believable and more than meets the eye, and that is just what I got. The story is pure Dresden and true to who the characters have come to be as this tale has continued. The few new characters who were introduced fit very well with those we know so well. Everyone is evolving and becoming more than they originally were whether for better or worse, and everyone is surprising in how they react to Dresden.

When Harry became the Winter Knight he thought he would be able to deal with it and maybe find his way out as he has so many times in the past. What he didn’t expect were all the complications that kept him working for Mab even though he wishes he had made better choices. Because of the parasite growing in his head, he has been living Mab has kept him isolated and is wearing down his humanity.

Nicodemus Archleone, a Knight of the Blackened Denarius, is back and Mab has a debt to pay off to him. That is where Dresden comes in, Mab is loaning Harry to a man he hates and has defeated in the past, to help. Lucky for Harry he is given some say in how things will work and enlists the help of Karrin Murphy, ex-cop and good friend, to go on this particular adventure with him. The goal, to stay alive and thwart Nicodemus at all costs.

It may be just me but I have not found a Dresden novel that did not make me very happy to have read. As that is the case I will recommend this to any fans of Harry Dresden who have not already read it. If you want to start a really good series, then start with Storm Front and work your way up, they do need to be read in order as reference is made to early incidents.

** I listened to it for my second time around because I have fallen under the spell of James Marsters who I could listen to all day and be very happy. He is Harry and don’t let anyone tell you any different. I hope he will narrate all the books as they come out because I would not do audio without him. Enjoy this book both ways!

There’s power in the touch of another person’s hand. We acknowledge it in little ways, all the time. There’s a reason human beings shake hands, hold hands, slap hands, bump hands.





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Dresden: Dog Men

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My rating: 🌠🌠🌠

The start of this story stopped me in my tracks for a minute before I realized what was going on. Probably at the same time Dresden figured it out. This is a tale fit for Dresden but set outside his hometown which always makes things tenser since he is working with people who may not believe in the paranormal. You get to see a character who has not made an appearance since around the fifth novel or so though he has been mentioned in passing.

Harry is feeling angry and anxious after his battle with Puck which makes him fear for his friends. But just as he is about to sink into it he gets a visit from someone totally unexpected. Harry is asked to help a family that has lost four members to something which may turn out to be supernatural. So he takes off for Mississippi and another chance to protect innocents, which he does best.

Slow start but it’s a Dresden story so things will likely pick up quickly. This is for the fans who always need more of Harry. But should be tried by anyone who likes urban fantasy or comics.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

No need for an in-depth breakdown of things. This is Harry Dresden and I love Harry Dresden. If he were to step off the pages he would be mine even if he protested. Things are gearing up to get a bit complicated for him, Listens, and Mouse as they try to keep people from dying.

Of course, I recommend this.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

Harry is fighting more than one enemy this time around. He must figure out how to destroy the bad guys without taking himself as well as innocents out too.

This is classic Dresden and it just keeps getting better.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠

I really enjoy these mini-stories that give us a look at cases Harry is working on before we get back to the main event. The action has ramped up and there will be a great payoff in the end. Though it is not a novel, it is a way to be able to keep his legacy alive. Even if it is totally detached from the world as it is in the novels.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

This was a decent end to the story but I would have been happy with a little more action. Still, Dresden, so I will be happy with at least getting something.

Still well worth the price of admission.

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Cold Days

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Cold Days
(The Dresden Files #14)
by Jim Butcher ,
James Marsters (Narrator)

In this 14th book about the Wizard Dresden you get some things you expect and some things you might not see coming. I love these stories because I get to check out of reality and step into another world when I start to read/listen to this series. The characters are fun and continue to grow and change as the series does. This parallel universe is peopled by some of the most fantastic creatures and a lot of them are seriously deadly.

Harry comes back to himself after being dead (see Ghost Story) at the mercy of Mab in her court. He has a nurse who helps bring him back from the brink and when she does Mab starts his true training. Harry now carries the mantle of the Winter Knight and he is going to have to fight every day to keep it from taking his humanity. That is going to hard going with less than scrupulous beings surrounding him day in and day out.

His first assignment as the Winter Knight is not something you would ordinarily have right out of rehab, but it is par for the course. Mab tells Harry that he must kill a member of the Winter court and do so swiftly. There is only one problem with the order and that is Harry needs to figure out how to kill an immortal being. In the midst of that dilemma Harry also finds that he must defend his Island and all of Chicago from annihilation.

Once again James Marsters brings Harry and Company to vivid life. I could listen to him all day and never get tired of his voice. I see Harry and everything that happens as I follow the narrative. Ready for the next book and hoping that James Marsters will be continuing to bring me enjoyment of my favorite wizard/knight.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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Ghost Story

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Ghost Story
(The Dresden Files #13)
by Jim Butcher,
James Marsters (Narrator)

I have been reading the Dresden files for years and still cannot get enough. This is my second time around with this particular title having read it for the first time in 2012. I even watched the short lived television series, which may not have been perfect but was nice for those who wanted to see Harry brought to life. He truly lives in these books however with James Marsters as his voice.

While this may not be the best of the series it still gives us the true feeling of who Harry and his friends are. We have a lot of growth from characters that we have seen in the past for a short time. A lot of the usual characters are only seen sporadically in a limited capacity. I would have liked to get more from Murphy and the Alphas as well as Thomas, though it was nice to have Butters in a more active role. This picks up from the end of book 12 with Harry realizing what has happened.

Harry Dresden once a Warden of the White Council and the only practicing wizard in Chicago finds himself on the other side of the veil. There he is met by several people who he knew in life who inform him that he has to go back and identify his killer or some of his friends will die. In order to communicate he has to go find Mortimer Lindquist who is an ectomancer (?), he can see and speak to ghosts. What Harry does not know is that with his death all the power hungry supernaturals have converged on Chicago and his friends are the only thing standing between them and a nightmare.

Yeah, like I said it may not be the best but a true Harry Dresden fan will still have to read/listen to it. If you have not tried the audible book version I would suggest you do just that, the narration is well worth doing this again.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Turn Coat

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turn coat

Turn Coat (The Dresden Files #11)

by Jim Butcher (Author) James Marsters (Narrator)
  I have been enjoying listening to the books after reading them a few years ago. James Marsters has brought so much life to the characters that I cannot imagine any other voice as that of Dresden. He gives a true vibrancy and personality to each of the characters which distinguishes them from one another. The stories have continued to evolve from that first introduction to the wizard and his world. Things can sometimes drag a little, but it is never for long and always picks up.

Morgan has been the bane of Harry Dresden’s life since he was a 16 year old kid hauled before the White Council for the crime of killing with magic. When Morgan finds himself on the other side of the good graces of the Council he goes to the one person who you would expect to laugh in his face and send him to his fate. But that is not how Harry operates, he believes Morgan when he says he is innocent, and at the risk of his own life sets out to prove that innocence.

A well written ride through the world of Harry and all those creatures, friend and foe,  who inhabit it. This is a good one!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“You’re in America now,” I said. “Our idea of diplomacy is showing up with a gun in one hand and a sandwich in the other and asking which you’d prefer.”
― Jim Butcher, Turn Coat
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Small Favor

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small favor

Small Favor (The Dresden Files #10)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)
Another good book, though I may be a bit prejudiced when it comes to them. I think the characters are brilliantly drawn and very well fleshed out. The mythical creatures come off as being natural to their environment whether in Chicago or elsewhere. The magical workings make sense and appear that they would work because it is energy essentially.

Harry gets attacked by the Three Billy Goats Gruff while practicing defensive magic with Molly at her parents home. He is not sure however whether they were after him or the Carpenter family. He is then called to the sight of a major magic working by Karrin Murphy and finds that Marcone has been kidnapped. There is a lot going on in and around Chicago to be worried about. There seems to be a hit out on him, Mab is calling in one of her favors, and the Denarians are back with another plot. Something major is about to happen and Harry has to figure it out before things really get hairy.

Enjoy!

*James Marsters does a wonderful job once again of bringing the story to life. I cannot imagine listening to anyone read these books because James is it! Love this guy!!
“Nay, but prithee, with sprinkles ‘pon it instead,” I said solemnly, “and frosting of white.”
― Jim Butcher, Small Favor
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Proven Guilty

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Proven Guilty

Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files #8)

by Jim Butcher, James Marsters (Narrator)

Another good Dresden book with characters we have not seen for a while as he avoided them. The story continues to evolve and his relationships continue to deepen and shift as he learns to deal with family. The characters themselves continue to grow and add new facets to their personalities.

Harry is tasked with contacting the Sidhe to find out why they are not helping with the fight against the Reds when they have violated their land. He is further given information that someone is using black magic in his town and that he needs to handle it. What he finds out about both situations brings him into contact with both the Summer Lady, Winter Lady, and Molly Carpenter. Molly is the wrench in the ointment because he has been trying to avoid her father and now he has no more excuses. As usual he is going to have to fight to save not only himself but his friends.

James Marsters continues to give life and breath to these characters, especially Harry Dresden, he has made him very real. Love it!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
“I don’t care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching–they are your family.”
― Jim Butcher, Proven Guilty

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Dead Beat

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Dead Beat (The Dresden Files #7)

This one is a little more fun than some of the other books though you get laughs with them all in one way or another. The wit and sarcasm really flow. As has been the case James Marsters does a fantastic job of bringing our hero and his friends to life. The story continues to evolve along with the characters.

The war with the Red Court Vampires continues to rage and take casualties. Necromancers have come to town looking for The Word of Kemmler, a book, that will elevate them to the role of a god. Halloween is going to be less than stellar once again for the people of Chicago if Harry cannot stop the latest threat.

We get a lot more of Waldo Butters in this one as he is kind of featured. I had some laugh out loud moments because Harry has some of the wildest lines. James Marsters as usual brings it home in a big way as he continues to bring life to Harry and his merry band of friends and enemies.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“In the action business, when you don’t want to say you ran like a mouse, you call it ‘taking cover.’ It’s more heroic.”
― Jim Butcher, Dead Beat
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Blood Rites

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Blood Rites

Blood Rites (The Dresden Files #6)

by Jim Butcher (Author), James Marsters (Narrator)
I am listening to the Dresden Files because I have read all of the books over the past several years and it became one of my favorite series and Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden became one of my favorite characters. I am gearing up for the next entry in the series, which I hope will arrive soon after I finish the last book. The series is total urban fantasy without the major romance you find in some, and that is appropriate for the main character. The characters have a rich life that you get to share in as they evolve more and more before your eyes. The stories always have an element of mystery and a noir feel that you expect within this world.

Thomas Raith hires Harry to help a friend who seems to be under some type of curse which is causing problems for those around him. The Black Court, Mavra in particular has taken over a downtown location and is causing problems. There is only one of him and yet he is trying to make sure that everyone comes out alive. To top things off Karrin Murphy is having family issues and Harry must be there for her. Murphy returns the favor and is there for him when he needs her the most.

Some surprises are popped, some alliances are forged, some new characters are introduced. This is a wonderful piece of work. Cannot recommend it more highly.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
“Jobs are a part of life. Maybe you’ve heard of the concept. It’s called work? See, what happens is that you suffer through doing annoying and humiliating things until you get paid not enough money. Like those Japanese game shows, only without all the glory.”
― Jim Butcher, Blood Rites
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Summer Knight

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Summer Knight

Summer Knight (The Dresden Files #4)

by Jim Butcher ( Author), James Marsters (Narrator)

Once again Jim Butcher gives me another great adventure with my favorite wizard. The Dresden series just continues to exceed my expectations at every turn. Having read the book quite a while ago it is something to listen to it and find all the nuances that you may have missed the first time jump out at you. The world continues to evolve and become richer as more about the wizard council and the fairies as well as the vampires is learned.

Harry cannot seem to catch a break. He gets a call from Billy which takes him to a park where frogs seem to be raining down, he is then informed by Billy that he has set up a meeting with a potential client, he is then summoned to a meeting of the White Council, and the Reds are still out for his blood. His year could not possibly get any worse. Or could it?

James Marsters continues to bring life to Harry and his merry band of friends of foes. His narration is the major reason to listen to these books, besides the fact that the stories are amazing. Continue the story and enjoy!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars