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Cold Days

(The Dresden Files #14)

Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)

4.47 · Rating details · 86,213 ratings · 4,696 reviews

You can't keep a good wizard down - even when he wants to stay that way.

For years, Harry Dresden has been Chicago's only professional wizard, but a bargain made in desperation with the Queen of Air and Darkness has forced him into a new job: professional killer.

Mab, the mother of wicked faeries, has restored the mostly-dead wizard to health, and dispatches him upon his fir ...more

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Hardcover, 1st Edition, 515 pages

Published November 27th 2012 by Penguin Group (USA)

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Oct 18, 2012 Patrick rated it it was amazing

Did I mention that I got to read an early version of this a couple months ago?

I did. I *so* did.

Even in its rough form, it was awesome. Jim never ceases to amaze me.

In closing, I know things that you do not. Wonderful things. Terrible things.

For the rest of you, the book will be out in late November.

pat

P.S. Muahahahahaha!

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Sep 24, 2020 Petrik rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRjh...

4.5/5 stars

Cold Days once again established The Dresden Files as one of the most consistently good series out there.

“I know it's not thematically in tune with my new job and all, but I find it effective. Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day," I say. "But set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life. Tao of Pratchett. I live by it.”

By this point in the series, you should know the ...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Nataliya rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2012-reads, dresden-files

Fourteen books in - and with the slight nostalgic sigh I realize how much the stakes have been raised as this series flew ahead, never losing its way. We are playing with the big kids now, aren't we? And things get real.

"Power corrupts - and the people being corrupted never seem to be aware that it's happening."

And things stopped being simple somewhere along the way, and have begun to weave themselves into a complex tapestry, tucking in the loose ends throughout the series, and the storyline has Fourteen books in - and with the slight nostalgic sigh I realize how much the stakes have been raised as this series flew ahead, never losing its way. We are playing with the big kids now, aren't we? And things get real.

"Power corrupts - and the people being corrupted never seem to be aware that it's happening."

And things stopped being simple somewhere along the way, and have begun to weave themselves into a complex tapestry, tucking in the loose ends throughout the series, and the storyline has really shifted from the adventures of a smartass wisecracking Chicago PI who also happens to be a wizard, a small fish in a big pond, a guy who, often on pure nerve and defiance and a fair share of dumb luck, and not to forget a little help from his friends, managed to take on things and powers that were lightyears out of his league, while emerging seemingly unscathed. Remember those times?

No, now that is in the past. Harry, no longer just a wiseass small fish in a big pond, has become a power to be truly reckoned with, playing on almost equal footing with the biggest supernatural powers of Butcher's world (but still, true to his nature, remains a wiseass).

"I was Harry Dresden, Wizard of the White Council, Knight of Winter. I had faced demons and monsters, fought off fallen angels and werewolves, slugged it out with sorcerers and cults and freakish things that had no names. I had fought upon land and sea, in the skies above my city, in ancient ruins and in realms of the spirit most of humanity did not know existed. I bore scars that I'd earned in dozens of battles, made enemies out of nightmares, and laid low a dark empire for the sake of one little girl."

Fourteen books into this series - and I love Harry Dresden more than ever. Why? Because he, regardless of his ever-growing power and status, regardless of more than difficult and questionable choices that he has been making - the choices that have led to some unforeseen and often tragic consequences - firmly refuses to succumb to the temptations of power, firmly refuses to lose himself to it. And that is what this book, quite unsubtly but very satisfyingly, hammers into place.

"But you can't go around changing your definition of right and wrong (or smart and stupid) just because doing the wrong thing happens to be really convenient. Sometimes it isn't easy to be sane, smart, and responsible. Sometimes it sucks[...] But that doesn't turn wrong into right or stupid into smart."
Harry has always been a romantic, believing in justice and honor and free will. And, hells bells, he is not just going to give up his beliefs now, even though he has roped himself into the role of a hired gun to Queen Mab, the enigmatic Baddie force of nature we have met before, in the quite chilly and scary circumstances. He made a deal, and he needs to live with the consequences of it. The Mantle of Winter Knight, while giving more power than one'd think possible, comes with repercussions - it seems to draw out the worst in Harry, that has always been there but until now remained mostly under control. And Harry deals with it - at the same time as he's trying to save his hide and save the world, while he's at it. (view spoiler)

"See, that’s the tragedy of the human condition. No one wants to be corrupted by power when they set out to get it. They have good, even noble reasons for doing whatever it is they do. They don’t want to misuse it, they don’t want to abuse it, and they don’t want to become vicious monsters. Good people, decent people, set out to take the high road, to pick up power without letting it change them or push them away from their ideals.

But it keeps happening anyway.

History is full of it. As a rule, people aren’t good at handling power. And the second you start to think you’re better at controlling your power than anyone else, you’ve already taken the first step."

Power and desire to use it is what tries to take over Harry now - in a manner of true White Knight, I guess. I expected that to happen given the ending of the previous book - but I also expected this book to be about Harry figuring out a way to get out of his debt and obligation to the forces of questionable morality and principles. Well, that did not quite go just as I thought it would. Harry may wear the Mantle for a bit longer - but now I wonder if that is such a bad thing after all.

"I fell back on what I'd learned then. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, reminding myself that the anger was just anger, that it was a sensation, like feeling hot or cold. It didn't mean anything by itself. It wasn't a reason to act. That's what thinking was for."

Yes, there is price that comes with power - but more than ever I trust Harry's ability to retain just enough of his old self to be, well, himself. And he will need it, given how the unexpected ending (well, I expected some of it - but the implications of it were as unexpected as they could be! (view spoiler)) sets things up to continue on a much grander scale than we have been accustomed to so far. Butcher once again shuffles the chess pieces on the chess board of his Dresden universe, and few pawns are left standing - it's the game for the big players now, as he shuffles the main conflicts into the realm of the Faerie, or so it seems.

""Bad things kept happening to me. It was high fucking time *I* started happening to *them*."

And yet despite the elevation in ranks, Harry remains the same annoyingly but endearingly wisecracking guy, thriving on the nerdy references ("I sagged in sudden, exhausted relief. The bad guys hardly ever quote 'Star Wars.'") and mouthing off to everyone, no matter how much ancient power they may possess, no matter how much they outclass him. And I love it, okay? Especially when Butcher goes ahead and references Terry Pratchett, thus making my happiness truly complete:

-----
All in all, an excellent entry into the Dresden books series, living up to all the expectations the previous books have set - and yet remembering the roots of this series, and throwing its fans a bone here and there. It finally makes the mostly stand-alone books feel a part of an overarching story - the one about power and love and choices and consequences (and, of course, the Fae and the monsters and magic and crazy amounts of lovely dorkiness!) I love it, and I'm holding my breath for the next installment in the series. 5 ice-cold Winter stars.
-------------

"It's better to know than not know," I said quietly.
"Why?" Mother Summer challenged.
"Because you can't truly make a choice without knowledge, ma'am."
"Even if it may haunt you? Harm you? Isolate you?"
I thought about it some more and then said, "Especially then. Show me."

...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Mike (the Paladin) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: action, urban-fantasy, fantasy, favorites

Okay...takes deep breath...I'm feeling alright at this time so I better get this reviewed before the cravings and shakes start again. I got the latest volume in Jim Butcher's Dresden series, and finished it. Now the waiting begins, the continual search for some book that's remotely like the Dresden books, nearly as involving "brain candy" as Dresden, something to stave off withdrawal. Many of us who follow these books live in great fear for Mr. Butcher. Will he be safe? How's his health? Maybe h ...more

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Jul 27, 2014 Em Lost In Books rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, 5-star, 2019, 2010-19

Still freaking fantastic!!

I was not expecting much from this book as the previous book was a huge disappointment for me. In fact I was scared that what if this proved to be worse than Ghost Story. But once I started reading this book I knew that I won't be disappointed this time and the series is back on track.

Like in previous books, in this book too Harry has to complete a mission which is to kill an immortal. And if Harry is careless this time he would send the balance of world in a turmoil.

H ...more

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Nov 07, 2012 carol. rated it it was ok

Recommends it for: Dresden fans

Shelves: urban-fantasy, male-lead, supernatural-mystery

I dream of an urban fantasy novel that celebrates humanity in its many shapes and backgrounds.
I dream of an urban fantasy that integrates folklore, the myths of world cultures, the tricksters and thieves and intelligent life in many forms.
I dream of kindness paying unexpected dividends.
I dream of an urban fantasy that moves me, pushes my boundaries, questions my institutional beliefs as much as The Sparrow did, a book that left me an emotional wreck.
I dream of an urban fantasy that doesn't make ...more

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Nov 13, 2011 Alex rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Updated 12/1/2012
This is not really a proper review, but expanding on why I gave it 3 stars. It has spoilers, so don't bother reading if you haven't read the book.

Honestly, I enjoyed the book because I am a huge fan of The Dresden Files, but that doesn't mean I am going to be biased and just rate everything 5 stars.

I don't know if it's due to the different type of series I have been reading lately or not, but seeing Harry as the underdog yet again didn't sit well with me.

I felt like he had to re ...more

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Dec 03, 2012 Eric rated it it was ok

Shelves: ebooks, fantasy, contemporary

This was certainly a Dresden novel. It was entertaining, up to a point.

I feel like Butcher has lost control of the Dresden Files. This latest novel was overburdened with self-reference and pop-culture references. It creaks under the weight of established continuity.

It's been clear for a few books that Butcher is attempting a sort of sleight-of-hand stasis for Harry, and with this book it goes into the deep end. Harry is no longer the plucky underdog fighting the good fight. He's now one of the m ...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Leon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

By Far the best Dresden Files book since Summer Knight. A great recovery over the disappointing Ghost Story. Lots of new revelations. Can't wait for book 15 tho as Nicodemus is expected to be back

Read my full review Cold Days Review ...more

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Sep 15, 2012 forestsprite rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, urban-fantasy

First off, since when did "training bra" become one of Molly's tags? Because eww, gross, stop it. I get that this is supposed to convey how Harry still sees Molly as the child he first knew her as, but could we vary how he expresses this sentiment a little, please? And maybe stop dragging Molly through the mud while we're at it.

This novel was okay. I wouldn't say this series jumped the shark yet, but it's veering precipitously on the edge. Here is everything I found wrong with this book. Spoiler First off, since when did "training bra" become one of Molly's tags? Because eww, gross, stop it. I get that this is supposed to convey how Harry still sees Molly as the child he first knew her as, but could we vary how he expresses this sentiment a little, please? And maybe stop dragging Molly through the mud while we're at it.

This novel was okay. I wouldn't say this series jumped the shark yet, but it's veering precipitously on the edge. Here is everything I found wrong with this book. Spoilers galore. And this review ended up being kind of long. I have a lot of feelings, okay?

(view spoiler)[Actually, maybe my first thought kind of sums a lot of it up. This novel got a lot more sleazy, with a lot of "women as objects" narrative throughout the book. I get that Harry is well into his own personal downward spiral and parts of this books were trying to show that, but it just didn't work for me.

Twice we have women pretty well throwing themselves at Harry, and neither in a flattering way. Harry is alone with them, he starts thinking rape-y thoughts at them (which is a whole 'nother thing I'll get to in a sec), and instead of being alarmed or afraid or assuming some kind of defense or calling him out on it, we have both Sarissa and Molly, in pretty much the same manner, being okay with it. Sarissa doesn't necessarily want it, but she's passively accepted that it's her lot to get raped on occasion. Molly, on the other hand, basically tells him that hey, it's okay, it's not rape if I want you to. She actually says that he can think of it as a gift she's offering him. HE WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT RAPING HER. Without consent or logic, or any kind of concern for her safety or volition, let alone her pleasure. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.

Many, many times throughout the book Harry has a thought process that goes something like: "if I wanted to, I could totally rape Sarissa/Andi/Lily/Molly/random Sidhe right now and NOTHING THEY COULD DO WOULD STOP ME." With Karrin it's violence, and he rather casually considers how easy it'd be to kill her after slamming his hand into the door six inches from her face (she doesn't flinch at all, and is totally cool knowing that Dresden is thinking violent thoughts toward her and loves him anyway). When he doesn't start raping and killing women, we're supposed to think what, exactly? That Harry is such a good person? What control he has? And is this supposed to apply to all men - that the only reason they don't go around raping all the women is because it's not politically correct? It's almost like Nice Guy Syndrome™ gone mad - Harry has been so good and suffered so much, surely he deserves to go raping all the women as payback for everything he's gone through, but of course he's such a good martyr he won't do it, though he'd really like to.

You could go and blame all this on the mantle of Winter, except that Harry goes to greats pains to say it's not just the mantle of Winter: that every person has both good and bad in their hearts, and what matters is how you act on those notions. I'll grant that thinking about raping someone is not the same as raping them. Thoughts are not actions, nor do they bear the same weight as actions. But it was so gratuitous throughout the book and treated in such a blasé fashion that it was really nearly a deal-breaker for me, especially given the reactions of the recipients of these sorts of thoughts.

The treatment of Molly. Good god. As if she needed another reason for Harry not to fuck her. And that's really all that comes down to. It's gotten to the point where I wonder if in the author's past there was a girl that he really wanted that he couldn't have and now he's punishing Molly for it. And I know, usually the point in the review where the reviewer starts attacking the author's character is where I stop reading, but it's become so blatant for me that it really does take me out of the book. It does seem really overly explicit by this point that the only thing Molly has going for her is her ability to be humiliated for wanting so badly to be with Harry and his refusing her, over and over, while everyone else knows it. Give the girl a break. I'm not exactly a Harry/Molly shipper either, but the book goes out of its way to show how theoretically compatible they'd be if not for Harry being such a good person or whatever (because he very clearly is attracted to her, training bra or not, and they have a ridiculous amount in common now). Making her the Winter Lady to his Winter Knight knowing he's still going to refuse her is just another slap in the face.

Issues I had with this book not relating specifically to its treatment of women:

a) Everyone glossing over not only Harry's death, but his suicide. Coming back from the dead should be a pretty big deal, but when Harry shows up and there's hardly any fall-out - the only person that has any kind of reaction is Thomas, but that only lasts a few pages and then he's pretty much over it. He's also the only one who explicitly figured out that it was suicide in the first place. Molly knows, obviously, as well as Kincaid since he was the one who shot him, but I'm not sure if everyone else has pieced that together and how that would affect their relationship with Dresden.

And what the hell is going on with Murphy, anyway? That was totally a cop-out (har har), and none of it rang true with me at all. Her reaction on his being alive (there wasn't really one), them again not dealing with anything, and having them not hook up after all that? I've been waiting since the massive cock-block at the end of Changes, and I'm not even a huge Harry/Karrin shipper. As much as I'm against all the rape-y aspects of this book (of which there were many), I don't think sex is inherently bad or evil, and I think it could have been used as a means of healing for both these characters, something to restore them back to some semblance of normal rather than something to damage them further with (though I'd need both Karrin and Harry to acknowledge/resolve his violence issues and know that she could and would freely kick his ass if it was required).

b) Harry as an underdog. How is this still happening with all his massive powers as we sit here at book 14? He should be taking ass and kicking names by this point, but he's still made out to be this underdog at the whims of beings greater than he when in fact he really is a power player by now. And yet, he gets his ass kicked multiple times by people that he shouldn't be. Ace is a prime example. He was a bit player way back in "Summer Knight", and I'll grant that if Harry can level up over the series so can his enemies, but Ace is ultimately the same guy he was back then whose rage has just been simmering a really long time. That does not power make. Harry should have been able to take him out. Same goes for the Redcap, really. At Harry's party we got this first taste of Harry really flexing his new muscle when he obliterates an ogre and then a random Sidhe, and then we don't see that for the rest of the book.

c) Too much exposition. This has always been a problem with the Dresden books, with Harry breaking up a scene for several pages to explain the metaphysics of how magic works or how love conquers all or blah blah blah. It slows down the place like whoa and is majorly boring. These areas need more red pen. The pacing of this book was awkward in general.

d) This may be a small thing, but I hated all the swearing in this book. I always thought it was kind of cute how all the swearing in the other books was alluded to rather than explicitly stated. It was part of how Harry operated, to a point, his world-view, and now he's dropping f-bombs and waving his middle finger all over the place. I know he died and more or less sold his soul and has enough baggage to pack the Titanic, but I'm not sure that this change really makes sense to me. And I have no issue with swearing in general, but it doesn't fit the previous books or with Harry's character in general. But then, neither do all the rape thoughts. Maybe that's the point, but if you want Harry to become this horrible person so that he can redeem himself later I can't help feeling it could have been done better. (hide spoiler)]

Now, there were things I did like about this book (Toot, Lacuna, Cat Sith, Thomas in general), but I'll leave this here. Will still be reading the next one. ...more

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Jul 17, 2017 Emma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: magic, re-read, urban-fantasy

Reread 2020.
Hell, yeah!

“I don’t know how or when, exactly. But there’s a storm coming. Being near me isn’t going to be … sane.”

Normally when I read a story, they follow a sort of pattern: second half gets more action than first half; between 75 -85 %, the peak of the action and then a slow descent to the conclusion. But it appears no-one told Jim Butcher!
This book was fantastic and the action was non stop. This series seems to be getting better and better!
This story opens the world of Harry Dres ...more

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Aug 27, 2014 Ginger rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017

Another great book in the Dresden series! Harry Dresden and his gang of misfits just keep getting better with each book!
All of the plot twists with Winter and Summer made this book fantastic. The last 30% of the book was nonstop action and I just kept frantically turning the pages. There are so many unanswered questions with the way this book ends and of course I'll be reading the next one in the series. Butcher does it again!

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Jul 15, 2013 Steven rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, read-in-2020, read-in-2014, reread

WOW. WOW, BUTCHER, WOW!!!!

Just like the end of "Changes," things are upended yet again in the last 50 pages of this novel.

Just when I thought I couldn't love the Dresden Files any more than I already did, this book comes along and WOW.

Going straight into Skin Game, I think, and then the long, terrible wait for the next book.

PS-- I friggin' love Toot Toot.

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Apr 30, 2012 David Monroe rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: detective, urban-paranormal, occult-detective

::EDIT:: 12/01/12 -- NAILED IT!!! WowWowWowWow!

Yeah, yeah. I didn't like book #13 (Ghost Story), but I love this series and its characters. I'll give it a chance. I got some push-back that I just didn't like change. I like change. That's been one of the great things about this series. It plays out over time. It's been 12 years since the first book and it's been 12 years since those events have happened to Harry. He and most all of the main supporting cast have changed and grown. Not always for ...more

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Oct 02, 2011 Rimsha Salam rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kickass-heroines, kick-ass, swoon-worthy, made-me-scream, male-leads, sci-fi-urban-fantasy, amazing-villans, made-me-weep, vampires, supernatural

Check out my blogs for more reviews and book stuff: http://ramblingsofabookworm3.blogspot...
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During Reading:

How does Jim Butcher do it how HOW !!
this book is so goooooood!!

Pre-Reading:

Cover's out, cover's out, COVER'S OUT!!!
(Composing my self)
.
.
is it just me or does Harry look like Tony Stark in this?
i think Jim is trying to send us a message maybe Harry is also "IRON MAN"

but he can't be Iron Man because he can't go near machinery but maybeee... tha ...more

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Mar 20, 2012 Armenda rated it really liked it

This series is probably my most treasured set of books. I love these books, every single one of them, but my favorites were Dead Beat and Changes.

I'm not going to hope that Jim Butcher hurries. I want him to take his time and write it how he wants. But there are times I do wish I could skip ahead to when the book is released and start reading it already! :) ...more

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Dec 12, 2018 Heidi The Reader rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fantasy-and-sci-fi, fiction

I liked having Harry back on this side of the veil, but I was so-so about the rest of Cold Days, the latest entry in The Dresden Files.

Man. Being mostly dead is hard on a guy. pg 11, ebook.

Harry Dresden, wizard for hire, is now the Winter Knight after a series of misadventures and serious adventures in the past couple of books. And the position isn't very much fun.

The winter fae are hardcore. They're mean, full of tricks and generally happy to kill without consideration for any consequences. So ...more

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Feb 12, 2014 Emma rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reread

Now this is where the series gets good. Perhaps that seems less like a compliment than I mean it since this is book 14, but something changes here. Whereas previous instalments had some signs/hints/promises of the grand scale of the fight that's coming, this one kicks it up a notch. Perhaps at times it stretches the boundary beyond what's been said/done before, but Butcher has been playing fast and loose with the overarching narrative right from the beginning. To me, it's always felt like he's b ...more

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Jan 18, 2018 Lauren Stoolfire rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, mystery, vampires

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is one of my all time favorite series. I have no clue why I put off reading Cold Days for so long because it was an absolutely fantastic return to Harry's Chicago (and the Nevernever) - I actually had to give myself a bit of a refresher. Anyway, Harry and company have gone through some pretty major changes, but they're all in top form even if they've changed a bit along the way. As awesome as all the action, magic, sense of humor, and mystery are, the characters ...more

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Jul 22, 2018 HBalikov rated it liked it

Harry Dresden, formidable wizard/private investigator, is all that stands between Chicago and disaster from the “Never-Never.” It has always been thus (*since Harry came to town) and this is now novel #14.

When it comes to urban fantasy, I am all-in with Harry Dresden. I like the venue and I like the characters and I am very impressed with how Butcher has built this shadow world beyond and between the familiar aspects of that city.

Harry is again corporeal, no longer a ghost, and he is the Winter Harry Dresden, formidable wizard/private investigator, is all that stands between Chicago and disaster from the “Never-Never.” It has always been thus (*since Harry came to town) and this is now novel #14.

When it comes to urban fantasy, I am all-in with Harry Dresden. I like the venue and I like the characters and I am very impressed with how Butcher has built this shadow world beyond and between the familiar aspects of that city.

Harry is again corporeal, no longer a ghost, and he is the Winter Knight (If you don’t know what those things refer to, perhaps #14 isn’t the best place to start.). Even for a devoted reader this is a confounding and nebulous novel. We have some of the most detailed and imaginative descriptions of the “worlds of fairie” that I have ever read. Yet, the plot as it exists is so loose that it is nothing more than a vehicle for Butcher’s indulgence in shock and awe.
Something is missing at the core of this novel.

I was left feeling much as Harry expresses:

“…I could feel a horrible, hopeless weight settling across my heart. Dammit, hadn’t I been through enough? More than enough? Hadn’t my life handed me enough misery and grief and pain and loneliness already? And now, I was going to be up against something else, something new and scary, something that came galumphing at me by legion, no less. What was the point? No matter what I did, no matter how much stronger or smarter or better connected I got, the bad guys just kept getting bigger and stronger and more numerous…”

Have I made the same mistake that afflicts Harry? Have I been less perceptive, less critical than I should have been? No, though tempted, I won’t quote Macbeth Act V, Scene, V. Jim Butcher is a bit self-indulgent here, but I see enough potential that I probably won’t turn my back on #15. 2.5*

James Marsters narrates the audiobook and adds a great deal to the drama with his command of many voices.

Cold Days was both read and listen to in the same time period.
...more

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Oct 01, 2018 Wanda rated it really liked it

Shelves: vampires, public-library, halloween-bingo-2018, read-in-2018, urban-fantasy, fantasy, fae-fairy, good-dog

I read this book to fill the Supernatural square of my 2018 Halloween Bingo card.

The difficult we do right away—the impossible takes a little longer.

But only a little, because Harry Dresden’s impossible tasks always seem to come with a deadline. Truly, if he doesn’t come through, lots of people will be dead.

Harry is now Mab’s Winter Knight and he’s learning why the last guy to hold the role was the jerk that he was. But like all good urban fantasy heroes, Harry has a whole gang of good folks (wi ...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Rob rated it it was amazing

Shelves: urban-fantasy, audio-book, read-2013, own, fantasy, author-male, favorites, dresden-files, read-2012

Executive Summary: If you read The Dresden Files and haven't read/started this book, why not? If you're on earlier book..hurry up!

If you don't read the Dresden Files? Why are you reading this? Go get Storm Front right now, so you can start catching up!

Seriously, I'm just amazed at the way Mr. Butcher has evolved this series over the years, still going incredibly strong with the 14th book in the series. This has easily been my favorite series since I discovered it a few years ago.

Audio Book: I'm ...more

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Nov 19, 2015 Heather K (dentist in my spare time) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal, loved-it, favorites-2016, urban-fantasy, magic, narrator-amazing, audiobook, little-to-no-sex-content

*********Gushing review alert**********

So good, so very good. I honestly don't even have the words.

Whenever I lose my faith in books, whenever I think there are no original stories left to tell, all I have to do is look to The Dresden Files.

These books are everything.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that these audiobooks have changed my life. I dream of these characters. I hear their voices in my head. I find myself grumbling, "EMPTY NIGHT!" when I'm mad.

James Marsters has changed my life. ...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Jet Silver rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, 2012

Dresden has jumped the shark. It's fallen into the trap that so many supernatural procedurals do - progressively and exponentially overpowered characters, steadily expanding retinue into a cast of thousands, and increasingly ludicrous enemies and plots in order for the overpowered character to have a "believable" adversary.

It's no longer a loner-solves-a-case series, it's an EPIC BATTLE FOR ALL OF EXISTENCE! EVERY BOOK! series. Which is not inherently bad, but it's a very different beast and it ...more

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Feb 26, 2020 Lyn rated it liked it

Jailbreak!

On Halloween!

Since Jim Butcher leveled up his writing in Changes, the Harry Dresden files have had an added PUNCH! of action and magical gravitas.

Seems the veiled island of Demonreach in Lake Michigan is an ancient Well of Incarceration for mystical / mythical baddies of all sorts and Harry – wizard, White Counsel Warden, Winter Knight, recent pseudo-dead guy – is in the middle of the chaos.

But he’s used to being in the center of a mess.

This one harkens back to the outrageous adventure ...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Kirsty rated it it was amazing

Shelves: definite-re-read

Hanging out for this one. I don't want JB to speed up his writing and reduce the wonder that is Harry, but really, I could read a new one every week (I'd say every day but I need to work to pay for books...).

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Dec 01, 2012 Chris rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, wizardry, war

Hells Bells count: 35

Sometimes I wonder how much Jim Butcher had planned in advance. I mean, this is book number fourteen of a series that's been going for twelve years. Whether he's got a giant, intricate plot map pinned up along the walls of his writing office or he's making things up as they go along, I'm impressed. As we get further into the exciting life and times of Harry Dresden, one thing that is clear is that the series has always been moving in a very clear direction, and that the thin ...more

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Aug 14, 2019 Kathy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2019-ehrtbm, floab-2019-reading-challenge

This series gets better with each book

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Sep 29, 2019 Wee Lassie rated it it was amazing

No spoilers, but I just realised Queen Mab is my new favourite character. Long live the Queen of Winter 😁

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Nov 11, 2011 Chelsea rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, vampires, wizards-and-mages, fave-series

Just assembling some thoughts:

There was something missing from these later books that I had trouble putting my finger on until I went back and listened to some of the earlier ones. The qualities about Harry that really made me love him as a character aren't present anymore. I agree with some critics of the latest books that he's too over-powered. He almost doesn't even need to think before he destroys something. Even though he was careless, he at least had to brain himself out of more than a few Just assembling some thoughts:

There was something missing from these later books that I had trouble putting my finger on until I went back and listened to some of the earlier ones. The qualities about Harry that really made me love him as a character aren't present anymore. I agree with some critics of the latest books that he's too over-powered. He almost doesn't even need to think before he destroys something. Even though he was careless, he at least had to brain himself out of more than a few tight spots in the earlier books. The noir detective feel has evaporated as Harry's power has grown.

The pop culture references are getting too numerous. They went from being Butcher's nod to his fans, to something I feel hurts the plot and tension. Those random little comic episodes undercut the tension in a few key spots, and those scenes would have been better without them.

(view spoiler)

The pace was dizzying with its intensity. Remember, all of this happens in about twelve hours. Do any of these people sleep, pee, or go to the grocery store? Thomas' life seems the most normal compared to the rest of these people, and he's a vampire. The little side quest when (view spoiler)

Nevertheless, the world Butcher created continues to expand and complicate in new and interesting ways. I'm too invested in this series to ever stop reading the books or loving the characters. ...more

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Urban Fantasy Afi...: UFA Series Read - Cold Days - Oct 13 - Nov 3	1	2	Oct 05, 2020 07:34AM
The Dresden Files...: Book 14: COLD DAYS (Spoilers Allowed)	34	45	Jul 12, 2020 05:10AM
The Dresden Files...: Book 14: COLD DAYS (No Spoilers)	1	16	Jun 25, 2020 08:50AM
August Book Review	2	10	Jan 17, 2019 01:07AM
Challenge Corner: Cold Days (The Dresden Files #14) by Jim Butcher--Starting December 25th	2	3	Dec 27, 2018 07:56AM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Cold Days (The Dresden Files #14) by Jim Butcher--Starting December 25th 2018	3	5	Dec 27, 2018 06:47AM
UCAS English 11 R...: August Book Review	2	3	Sep 05, 2018 11:36AM

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About Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher

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Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resi ...more

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“I know it's not thematically in tune with my new job and all, but I find it effective. Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day," I say. "But set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life. Tao of Pratchett. I live by it.” — 190 likes

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