2,493 books
—
15,564 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14)” as Want to Read:
Cold Days
(The Dresden Files #14)
by
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
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
Get A Copy
Hardcover, 1st Edition, 515 pages
Published
November 27th 2012
by Penguin Group (USA)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Cold Days,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
Μιχάλης
Actually that's what I like in Dresden Files, the sense of growth and progression to the character and plot. Plus the way it was set up all the way to here
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Cold Days (The Dresden Files, #14)

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!
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!

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

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.
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 ...more
"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 ...more

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

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
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

Nov 07, 2012
carol.
rated it
it was ok
Recommends it for:
Dresden fans
Shelves:
supernatural-mystery,
urban-fantasy
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
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

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

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
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

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
Read my full review Cold Days Review ...more

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 ...more
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 ...more

Harry Dresden is back from near death after being saved by Mab the Winter Queen after he agreed to take on the mantle of her Winter Knight. He is trying hard to not let the power that goes with that role corrupt him but it's very addictive and hard to resist. Now more than ever he has to step up to save the world from a hideous plot involving the magical island Demonreach and the secrets held there.
If you thought Harry was tough and powerful before as a young wizard, he has grown even stronger a ...more
If you thought Harry was tough and powerful before as a young wizard, he has grown even stronger a ...more

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
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

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! ...more
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! ...more

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. ...more
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. ...more

::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
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

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
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

Check out my blogs for more reviews and book stuff: http://ramblingsofabookworm3.blogspot...
http://ramblings-of-a-bookworm.tumblr...
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
http://ramblings-of-a-bookworm.tumblr...
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

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

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
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

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 ...more
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 ...more

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
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

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

Oct 01, 2018
Wanda Pedersen
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
fantasy,
fae-fairy,
halloween-bingo-2018,
read-in-2018,
urban-fantasy,
good-dog,
vampires,
public-library
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
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


*********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

What a great way to kick off Fathers Day! Working in our flower garden under a warm sun and perfectly blue skies while listening to the last few fantastic hours of Cold Days! Priceless. ☀️
Butcher returns to the brilliant form I have grown to love in this installment! Unfortunately I snoozed through most of Ghost Story (book 13). Yeah, I get that one is beloved by many, but not THIS guy 🙋🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️. Luckily for me, my Dresden senses were once again awakened while experiencing Cold Days.
I feel li ...more
Butcher returns to the brilliant form I have grown to love in this installment! Unfortunately I snoozed through most of Ghost Story (book 13). Yeah, I get that one is beloved by many, but not THIS guy 🙋🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️. Luckily for me, my Dresden senses were once again awakened while experiencing Cold Days.
I feel li ...more

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
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

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
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

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...).
...more

Wow - I'm gobsmacked!
I think this has got to be my favourite Dresden book to date. After the slightly odd turn in Ghost Story, the series has pivoted again to even more incredible character development in Harry and his friends. This book focused a lot on the world and intrigue of the Faerie, and it was absolutely riveting and fascinating. For a series to last this long and still keep me so captivated - no, scratch that - even more captivated is truly astounding. Dresden's story is becoming more ...more
I think this has got to be my favourite Dresden book to date. After the slightly odd turn in Ghost Story, the series has pivoted again to even more incredible character development in Harry and his friends. This book focused a lot on the world and intrigue of the Faerie, and it was absolutely riveting and fascinating. For a series to last this long and still keep me so captivated - no, scratch that - even more captivated is truly astounding. Dresden's story is becoming more ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shut Up & Read: Cold Days, by Jim Butcher | 19 | 10 | May 21, 2021 09:40AM | |
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 | 48 | Jul 12, 2020 05:10AM | |
The Dresden Files...: Book 14: COLD DAYS (No Spoilers) | 1 | 18 | 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 |
3,301 users
2,625 users
658 users
474 users
379 users
231 users
200 users
142 users
131 users
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
Other books in the series
The Dresden Files
(1 - 10 of 21 books)
Related Articles
The genre known as urban fantasy can get pretty blurry. And that’s a good thing. Generally speaking, the designation refers to fantasy books...
74 likes · 9 comments
4 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“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.”
—
198 likes
“Everything was perfectly healthy and normal here in Denial Land.”
—
145 likes
More quotes…