I have to wonder if Butcher ever pauses in the middle of writing and gleefully applauds himself. The man can write. I continually found myself pulled out of the story because the execution was so good that I had to pause to admire it. Excellent character development, superb description, well-developed and believable plot (given that you're reading about wizards practicing in Chicago, natch).

I've been reading the Dresden Files out of order because my local library doesn't have all the books and can't keep what it does have on the shelves. Although the books definitely build on each other, I haven't had any problem following along. Each one can more or less stand on it's own, if you are willing to accept that you missed some backstory. Even better, Butcher doesn't drag the story down by indulging in pages of recaps. Instead, you're clued in to significant events in a more subtle and skilled way.

Okay, here was one of my favorite scenes/lines from the book. Dresden is confessing to his good friend Michael that he killed two people the previous fall. He doesn't realize until he is speaking what anguish this has caused him. Michael responds with empathy. Butcher doesn't take the easy and expected route and attempt to drive home Dresden's gratitude. Instead, Dresden's next thought is "Stupid damn streetlights, getting all blurry like that." My English teachers always said, "Show, don't tell," which seems easy, until a writer like Butcher comes along and illustrates exactly how clumsy most attempts are.

Loved it. Can't wait to read more. AND I'm working on building my OWN collection of the Dresden series so that after I've finished the series, I can reread them all, in order.