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White Night

(The Dresden Files #9)

Jim Butcher (Goodreads Author)

4.38 · Rating details · 111,775 ratings · 2,811 reviews

Wizard Harry Dresden must investigate his own flesh and blood when a series of killings strike Chicago’s magic practitioners in this novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Someone is targeting the members of the city’s supernatural underclass—those who don’t possess enough power to become full-fledged wizards. Some have vanished. Others appear to be victims of s ...more

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Hardcover, 407 pages

Published April 3rd 2007 by Roc

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Jul 05, 2020 Petrik rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5/5 stars

I've mentioned this several times, but it's always safe to rely on The Dresden Files for a quick entertaining read.

A serial killer is on the loose, and they’re targeting practitioners of magic. And to make things worse, all the evidence seems to point towards Thomas as the perpetrator. Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, of course, won’t allow this to happen. That’s the premise of White Night, but surprisingly, there’s actually less focus on investigation now compared to the previou ...more

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Feb 28, 2020 Daniel B. rated it it was amazing

I am floored by how well Dresden progresses. Through character and world building, Dresden is slowly becoming one of my all time favorites. White Knight is the best of the series I have read yet. Reading Dresden is comfortable, thrilling, and most importantly, DAMN FUN!

Full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE2Fy... ...more

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Jun 17, 2015 Luffy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star

Hands down the most fun book I've read these past two years. White Night is also the best Dresden Files book so far. It restored my wobbling faith in the series. Jim Butcher has my respect. He can retain control over what makes Dresden special, yet dish out an entertaining, fast paced book that's unique in the series. Everything here was fun to read. Even the times where vampires' unearthly beauty was being described made me happy. I usually get bored by this lyrical waxing. But here it seemed ...more

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Sep 06, 2020 TS Chan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars.

So darn good. White Night was such an engrossing and entertaining read that I finished it in under 1.5 days. The combination of an intriguing plot and close to perfect pacing was a real page-turner. And the action sequence during the climax of this book was pretty insane.

But the highlight for me was the character development - be it for Harry, or the main supporting cast of Thomas, Murphy and Mouse (yea, he's a dog but that's all the more reason why I love him so much). I'm so investe ...more

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May 16, 2011 Duchess Nicole rated it it was ok

Shelves: e-pcs, library, z-audiobooks, genre-urban-fantasy, read-in-2013

Classic Dresden files book, so it was good. But this read just like about three or four of his other books...

**Set in Chicago...again
**White Court vamps are evil and the war is ongoing...still
**Bob the pervy skull gets a complete intro and helps out with witty candor...
**Thomas is hungry and Harry is suspicious of him
**Harry STILL doesn't get laid

I'm ready for Butcher to move on to a new subject, a new setting, and to settle the score with all of the above. How many times does Bob need an introd Classic Dresden files book, so it was good. But this read just like about three or four of his other books...

**Set in Chicago...again
**White Court vamps are evil and the war is ongoing...still
**Bob the pervy skull gets a complete intro and helps out with witty candor...
**Thomas is hungry and Harry is suspicious of him
**Harry STILL doesn't get laid

I'm ready for Butcher to move on to a new subject, a new setting, and to settle the score with all of the above. How many times does Bob need an introduction? If someone picks up book nine of a series and expects to understand everything, it's their own damn fault. I don't want to read the same thing nine times!

Same with Harry's chivalrous nature. I'm about tired of how Harry has to repeatedly tout his own heroics. Oh, the women and children...save the women and children! Must not see them suffer, even if they are cutting off my good parts and torturing my loved ones. If it's a woman, Harry will tell us, multiple times in the same book, how he can't bring himself to be less than courteous.

I think the reason this book bothered me so much was that the last book in the series had a different vibe to it, and I was so very interested the entire time I read it. That book took us to the land of fairy, gave Harry an apprentice, and I felt like it moved the series forward a few steps. So I expected this one to keep moving forward. Not so. It sort of moved backward, and it's annoying.

I listened to the audio again...James Marsters does an amazing job. You can hear how into his role he is, and it seems as if he has become more and more Harry Dresden with each installment.

I probably should give this more than two stars, but I ended up skimming through soooo much of it, and I really don't feel like I missed anything. I think I could have skipped the entire book and been just fine moving on to the next one. Maybe I need to just give the series a break for awhile so that it's all new again, because at this point, if the next book isn't vastly different, I may give up on Dresden. ...more

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Jul 26, 2019 Lyn rated it liked it

“Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.”

Jim Butcher’s ninth Harry Dresden novel, first published in 2007, is about a lot of things, as all of these entertaining books are, but the central theme seems to be picking the lesser of two evils, or working a Corleone plan by keeping your friends close but your enemies closer.

Several of the recent Dresden novels have involved Harry’s tenuous connection to the White Court of vampires and this one finds our hero drawn once more into a confron ...more

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Oct 31, 2020 Choko rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, vampires

Just getting better with every new book! Best book so far, although I missed the little Pizza eating monsters 😃! They make everything better! On to the next book 😎!

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May 04, 2015 Heather K (dentist in my spare time) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, audiobook, urban-fantasy, magic, narrator-amazing, not-a-romance-book, little-to-no-sex-content

*3.5 stars*

LOVE this series and the narrator, James Marsters, can do no wrong, but this book was freakin' confusing as hell! Time jumps, lots of random things happening... it was just more chaotic than I would have liked. Still one of my favorite series of all time and I'm still jumping right into the next book! ...more

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Feb 14, 2020 Jody rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, top-priority

"Magic is groovy, but when it comes to dealing out death, regular mortal know-how can be just as impressive."

This one hit all the right chords for me. I would rank it in my top 2 or 3 Dresden books so far. But, there is still a long way to go. That final battle was intense as hell. Definitely, one of the top action scenes in this series so far.

In this installment Harry gets pulled into a case involving a serial killer. But, not just any serial killer. This one preys on the magical c ...more

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Oct 27, 2018 Heidi The Reader rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy-and-sci-fi, fiction

Someone is killing people in Chicago and leaving clues that only a person with magical ability, like a wizard named Harry Dresden, could see. Why would they do that?

Meanwhile, most everything else in Harry's life is going spectacularly wrong. He has an unruly apprentice who had an unfortunate brush with dark magic awhile back. The White Council is still at war with the Red Vampire Court which was Harry's fault to begin with, but we don't need to go into all that.

He's still got a fallen angel's s ...more

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May 21, 2008 Michael rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Fans who've read previous Dresden Files novels

Shelves: read-in-2008, series-challenge

The ninth Harry Dresden novel is the series riches and most densely plotted to date--and the first in the series I can't recommend to someone coming to the series cold.

Not that this is a bad thing. It's a great thing for readers of the Dresden Files. While Jim Butcher does deliver payoffs and resolutions in his previous eight books, here in "White Night" he steps that up a notch, bringing back old friends and enemies to Harry Dresden's world all while building on several key plotlines from the The ninth Harry Dresden novel is the series riches and most densely plotted to date--and the first in the series I can't recommend to someone coming to the series cold.

Not that this is a bad thing. It's a great thing for readers of the Dresden Files. While Jim Butcher does deliver payoffs and resolutions in his previous eight books, here in "White Night" he steps that up a notch, bringing back old friends and enemies to Harry Dresden's world all while building on several key plotlines from the last several novels as the war between the various supernatural factions begins to reach a boiling point and Harry Dresden is, once again, at the center of it all.

If you're coming into this cold, you'll be thorougly confused. If you've read the previous eight books, you're probably going to eat this up with a spoon, eagerly turning the pages, waiting for the next development to hit.

Murphy calls Harry in on a case that may or may not have supernatural undercurrents. Harry discovers a message that only he could find and begins to look into a series of similar deaths. Finding the same message, hidden in the same way, Harry suspects a serial killer is on the loose in the supernatural community. The problem: the number one suspect is his half-brother Thomas.

Harry is convinced Thomas isn't the killer, but the evidence is pretty damning. Harry begins to pull at the threads and uncovers someone or something targeting women of a Wiccan order. They've already asked for help from Harry's first love, Elaine, who is now a private eye in Los Angeles who investigates the supernatural.

All of this we find in the first hundred or so pages and that's just when it gets interesting. Butcher weaves together a complex, fascinating story with Harry firmly at the center, trying to find the pieces of the puzzle and prove the innocence of his half-brother. In the midst of al this, we learn about the politics of the current battle between the Red Court and the White Council and how Harry fits into a plan to possibly tip the balance. Along the way, we meet old enemies and have call backs to the first novel in the series.

About the only thing I found frustrating about this novel is that in the last book, Harry determined a secret group was plotting within the power ranks of the White Council. And while this development is brought up, we never get any movement toward discovering who or what is behind this and what their agenda is. I realize that Butcher may be setting up some things for future installments, but a revelation this big seems a bit difficult to only pay lip service to in the story.

But that's the only detraction I can find in this superb entry in the Dresden series. Butcher keeps getting better and better, continuing to keep the Dresden Files as one of the must reads on my bookshelf. ...more

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Jan 19, 2015 Deborah Markus rated it it was amazing

THIS BOOK IS OVERDUE AT THE LIBRARY IT WAS DUE YESTERDAY BUT MAYBE IF I GET THERE BEFORE THEY OPEN AND THEY FIND IT IN THE "RETURN" BIN THEY'LL BE ALL "OH, SHE TOTALLY RETURNED THIS LAST NIGHT AND THAT COUNTS WE WON'T CHARGE HER ANYTHING" WHICH STILL MAKES ME A BAD PERSON BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAD IT ON HOLD THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T RENEW IT AND HAD TO SPEND ALL DAY YESTERDAY READING SO I COULD BRING IT BACK TODAY

(pant pant pant)

So. Um. Okay. This is a good book. Good wizard-is-a-private-detective-in-mo THIS BOOK IS OVERDUE AT THE LIBRARY IT WAS DUE YESTERDAY BUT MAYBE IF I GET THERE BEFORE THEY OPEN AND THEY FIND IT IN THE "RETURN" BIN THEY'LL BE ALL "OH, SHE TOTALLY RETURNED THIS LAST NIGHT AND THAT COUNTS WE WON'T CHARGE HER ANYTHING" WHICH STILL MAKES ME A BAD PERSON BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAD IT ON HOLD THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T RENEW IT AND HAD TO SPEND ALL DAY YESTERDAY READING SO I COULD BRING IT BACK TODAY

(pant pant pant)

So. Um. Okay. This is a good book. Good wizard-is-a-private-detective-in-modern-day-Chicago book. You should read it.

First, though, go read eight other books. Not eight random books. I mean, you can. If you want. I'm not the boss of you, the way my local library is the boss of me. I'm just saying, you should read this book but first you should read the eight "Dresden Files" books that come before it. Jim Butcher does a decent job of summing stuff up, but the world-building is amazingly intricate and the plot is way complicated and there are all kinds of awesome characters you'll want to follow from day one.

Seriously. You do NOT want to just jump into the middle of this party. That'd be like showing up at a New Year's Eve bash at 11:45 and then drinking really fast to try to catch up to where everybody else is, which will kill you or at least make you barf since they've all been here swigging away since five o'clock.

Okay, the analogy isn't perfect. But I don't have time to MAKE it perfect, because did I mention THIS BOOK IS DUE AT THE LIBRARY AND THE LIBRARY OPENS IN (checks watch) LESS THAN TWO HOURS AND I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE?

So read this book but first read the previous books in this series and be happy that Harry Dresden has finally stopped giving that pages-long speech he used to give once per volume like clockwork about how people don't believe in the supernatural anymore, which is TOTALLY BOGUS because have you looked around lately? People TOTALLY believe in all sorts of weird supernatural stuff.

Plus Harry's stopped being quite so much of an idiot when it comes to being all protective about women, possibly because he got his stuff stolen once too often by a female perp he let his guard down with in a way he never would have with a guy.

(checks watch again)

GOTTA GO BYE HAVE FUN READING BEST DRESDEN BOOK SO FAR BYE! ...more

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Mar 05, 2017 Carolyn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller, fantasy, 2017

Love this series! it's so addictive; as soon as I finish one book I want to read the next. Jim Butcher is slowly building up a massive plot, revealing only a few small teasers each book, developing the threads and strings that will all eventually be pulled together in a massive showdown. Little hints at Harry's background are also building up slowly, working towards a big reveal.

In this episode, Sgt Murphy calls Harry in for his unofficial opinion on a series of deaths made to look like suicide ...more

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Sep 26, 2018 Iryna *Book and Sword* rated it liked it

3.5/5 stars

How much of a good thing is too much? Five books? Nine books? How about sixteen books? White Night was a book nine and unless something ground breaking happens I don't think I will make it to book 16 (there's more coming after that too I'm sure).

This was everything that a good Dresden Files novel should be: witty, non-stop action with some sexual tension and hilarious remarks. But I still felt a little bit bored. Maybe because we already met the villain in the previous book. Maybe 3.5/5 stars

How much of a good thing is too much? Five books? Nine books? How about sixteen books? White Night was a book nine and unless something ground breaking happens I don't think I will make it to book 16 (there's more coming after that too I'm sure).

This was everything that a good Dresden Files novel should be: witty, non-stop action with some sexual tension and hilarious remarks. But I still felt a little bit bored. Maybe because we already met the villain in the previous book. Maybe because the concept seemed really cool, but then everything kind of got turned around 360 degrees and I just wasn't into it? I don't know, this wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly great either. Especially in the middle - things dragged quite a bit, despite the never ending action (I don't even know how's that possible).

But, once again the ending was amazing and I will be definitely picking up number 10, just maybe not too soon. This is definitely not a series you can binge, it does get quite repetitive. You want to stretch them out and savor every book a good time apart from one another. Don't worry about forgetting stuff - Butcher is great about catching the reader up (one of the best really).

What I love most about Dresden Files, besides the hilariousness that is Harry, is how relatable and real the books are. I think the crazy attention to details largely contributes to that. I love how Butcher never forgets that Mouse is a living, breathing, pooping dog and not just a super hero side kick. I love that Harry gets cranky and tired, and he sleeps and eats like a normal functioning human. In too many books main characters are portrayed as those "super warrior machines that only keep fighting for justice, or whatever". Harry is real and I think that's the beauty of it. Also, he can make fun of himself and it's hilarious and I just love it.

I also especially adore Harry and Thomas's relationship - those two give me life. I really need more of their interaction in every book. Even Bob the Skull is a fantastic and well rounded character.

I did think that there was going to be more of Molly in this book, but I guess after being the main distorter in previous book she kind of took a step back - which is fine, I'm not particularly fond of Molly. I liked how Elaine was brought back, but also thought that there was nearly not enough of hermit all. Also, I never really liked suzan, so can we just stop mentioning her? Plus, there hasn't been a sex scene in at least two previous books, Butcher are you okay? I'm worried over here. haha.

Despite being a tad bored with this one I still think that these series is a great fun and I love most of these characters dearly. Especially Mouse and Thomas *heart eyes* , he got me under his vampiric charm.

My WEBSITE
My INSTAGRAM ...more

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Feb 13, 2022 David rated it really liked it

This was another great installment in the Dresden series! However for whatever reason, I could not get into this one like I was able to in the prior two books.

I felt like things got a little bit muddy in regards to the different factions of the White Vampire Court and everything that was going on within them. At times it was tedious and a bit confusing.

It also feels like the series could use a little more character development aside from Harry himself. The story is always told from his perspect ...more

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May 19, 2015 Justyna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Another pretty good Dresden book. But first thing I want to mention is the amazing narrator, James Marsters. It's the first time I listened to Dresden audiobook, and I loved it. James Marsters does an awesome job and he sounds pretty much like I imagined Harry would sound. I think I am definitely going to buy an audiobook when the next Dresden book comes out.

If you read any of my reviews of Dresden Files, you know I am a huge fan. I think I even get a little bit overenthusiastic in some of my r Another pretty good Dresden book. But first thing I want to mention is the amazing narrator, James Marsters. It's the first time I listened to Dresden audiobook, and I loved it. James Marsters does an awesome job and he sounds pretty much like I imagined Harry would sound. I think I am definitely going to buy an audiobook when the next Dresden book comes out.

If you read any of my reviews of Dresden Files, you know I am a huge fan. I think I even get a little bit overenthusiastic in some of my reviews, or give the books slightly higher rating that they actually deserve. But well, can't help myself there. These books are pretty entertaining for me, they are fast-paced and full of action, magic, supernatural creatures and awesome characters. This series is like a drug, and I am addicted. And Jim Butcher is an awesome author, and it was great to see how he improved with every next book. At the beginning, when I read Storm Front, I never though I would like this series so much. It was interesting, but nothing special. But then the series slowly started to become more complex, Jim Butcher's writing better and better, and characters deeper and more complex. Now it feels like it's really big journey and it's really cool to be part of it. And Jim Butcher's has a way to make you feel like you are part of the story. If he starts a sentence like: "Have you ever been...? Have you ever thought about...? Have you ever felt...?" It automatically makes you wonder about some things that happened to you in real life, brings back some of the memories, and then it somehow makes you feel closer to characters, or makes you understand the situation better. He is pretty good in making you feel that way, and I love that when I read his books.

I will try not to get overenthusiastic in this review, I promise;) Of course, there are some things that I don't like about the series. First of all, since every book is told from Harry's POV, you need to like this character to enjoy the series. If you can't stand the guy, you obviously aren't going to last this long in the series. And while I really really like him, there are times that he annoys me greatly. He can be pretty whiny, he has a hero complex and he often forgets that he is not the only one who can deal with the problem or who notices things. Well, he usually is th most qualified I would say, but sometimes he is a big drama queen too. I am glad that one of the characters pointed it out to him in the end. I didn't like how he was withholding the information from one of his friends in the end. I think he should have learned that lesson by now.
And the other annoying thing is the fact that almost every female monster has to be pretty, sexy woman and of curse Harry can't help but notice it ever time. The amount of beautiful and sexy women in these books, who in fact are horrible monsters, makes me roll my eyes sometimes. But, we see things through Harry's eyes, and I guess he can't help it or change it. It's just who he is and how he sees some things and he is far from perfect. But I guess I wouldn't like him so much if he was perfect. And although there are some annoying things about these books, they always stay in the background, at least for me, there are just too many cool things about Dresden to make me complain about the things I don't like for too long.

White Night is another pretty good Dresden book. It follows the usual pattern, there is a crime and Harry gets to investigate. That's how it usually starts. But it was never boring. First of all, this time I kept dreading that one of the characters I really liked was involved in the crimes. Second thing, Harry was joined by someone from his past. I don't really like her that much, but it was cool to learn more about her and it was also cool to see her in action. For once, Harry wasn't the only wizard responsible for destroying some of the buildings;)
Plus compared to some previous crimes, this time it was much deeper than some kind of crazy, blood-thirsty monster murdering innocent people. I love how Jim Butcher keeps revealing just a little bit of what's really going on in each book.
And the ending was pretty cool, it was enough to give this book 5 stars. I love magical duels. I got to see one in the end, and Harry wasn't the only wizard involved. I love reading about other wizards and see how they use magic. It's usually quite different than the way Harry uses it, and that's always pretty interesting and cool to read. And the bad guys joined the good guys to kill some of even worse bad guys in the end, and I really liked it.

White Night might not be my favorite book of Dresden, but it's among the ones I like the most. And I liked how some of the issues were resolved in the end.
And I also have to mention one thing. I really appreciate the fact that Jim Butcher doesn't really kill a lot of the characters. At least so far, I am kind of dreading what happens when the final books get released, because there is no way that every character I love is going to survive. But anyway, thanks to the amount of books in this series, we really could get to know some of the characters so well, see them grow and develop. By now, they really feel like old friends.
This book is probably 4 or 4.5 read to be honest, but as usual with Dresden, I rounded it up to 5:) ...more

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Apr 15, 2020 Mike's Book Reviews rated it liked it · review of another edition

Full Video Review Here: https://youtu.be/5nbUXgOxLg8

As my run through the Nevernever with Mr. Dresden continues, I think I've hit my first case of burnout. Because this is an excellent book, as all of Mr. Butcher's works have been, but it was the first I found myself not getting completely lost in.

The case in this one consists of clearing Thomas from being the suspect of missing practitioners and once that thread is resolved, the book kind of meanders for a chunk. It's also the first time I felt ...more

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Mar 08, 2014 Em Lost In Books rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-star, 2000-09, 2014

Before starting the review of White Night, I would like to tell you how I met Harry. After devouring the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning in 2012, I wanted to read another amazing Urban Fantasy so I requested for some UF recommendations. And first time I met Harry there when I was recommended Dresden Files in response to my request. I read the blurb; saw the cover, length of the series, a male protagonist and instantly dismissed it. It was start of 2013 and had just started reading fantasy boo Before starting the review of White Night, I would like to tell you how I met Harry. After devouring the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning in 2012, I wanted to read another amazing Urban Fantasy so I requested for some UF recommendations. And first time I met Harry there when I was recommended Dresden Files in response to my request. I read the blurb; saw the cover, length of the series, a male protagonist and instantly dismissed it. It was start of 2013 and had just started reading fantasy books at that time, so I searched Google for most awaited fantasy books of 2012. I opened the very first link and checked the list. Cold Days was sitting prettily at number four with this description:

“For those who have never heard of Harry Dresden, where have you been!? Harry Dresden is a private investigator who also has the added advantages (and disadvantages at times) of being a wizard. They are written in the sarcastic first person voice of Harry who tends to get hired in order to uncover the facts behind some kind of supernatural murder or crime.

The first couple of books were okay, nothing really breathtakingly brilliant about them, but from there they picked up and have quickly become fan favorites. Each novel is relatively short, but they certainly back a lot of great content in-between those covers.”

& I finally decided to read Dresden Files but still it took me almost seven months to start this. I didn’t liked it much and my friend who’d recommended it to me in first place told me to have some patience. So I kept reading Mr Dresden’s story, and after finishing ninth book (& I’m almost 80% done with tenth right now) I’m glad I did not abandoned it after reading first book.

One of the best thing about this series is that the quality of books gets better with every new addition to the series and that says a lot as book #15 is coming out this June (& according to Wikipedia Mr Butcher is going to add another five books to this series and there will be a trilogy too after that). Mr Butcher’s writing skill has improved a lot since the first book. Maintaining this level of quality with one book per year on average is amazing. Now he don’t go in details to tell about a person from previous books. Readers have to rake their own brains for recognition.

So now back to White Night, this book starts with Harry being called by Murphy to a murder scene. Murder looked like a plain suicide, but a clue left at the crime scene told Harry that the victim was a magic practitioner. Murphy told Harry that there were more murders like this. One clue led to the other and they all points to Thomas Raith (a person very dear to Harry) and made him a prime suspect. Now it was up to Harry to clear Thomas’s name.

White Night is a fast paced story that keeps you to the edge till you finish it. You don’t know what is going to happen on the next page. Mr Butcher has blended mystery and action so well here. The climax action scene is my second favorite in this series (of course first place go to the dinosaur scene from Dead Beat).

This is a highly entertaining and excellent read. ...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Rob rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio-book, urban-fantasy, read-2013, own, dresden-files, fantasy, author-male, read-before-goodreads

Executive Summary: This is one of three books from the Dresden Files series I've given 5 stars to, and if you follow my reviews, you know that's something I try not to do lightly. I really enjoy it start to finish.

Audio book: I could just copy paste this section from book to book. James Marsters is great. If you've been reading my previous reviews or listening to this series yourself you know that. Highlights in this book include him actually yelling during one scene and this crazy french accent ...more

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May 31, 2021 Alex Nieves rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Full video review here: https://youtu.be/FFyNvySh7MQ

Another great Dresden Files book. This will probably be my #2 behind Proven Guilty. ...more

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Nov 20, 2018 Angela (Angel's Guilty Pleasures) rated it really liked it

Shelves: fav-magic-books, library-love, 4-stars, fav-urban-fantasy, favorites

White Night opens around a year after the previous book. Harry and his apprentice Molly are investigating a rash of suspicious murders. Someone of something is killing off those practitioners who barely have any power/magic.

I always feel a little lost when I first start theses books. It has to do with the time in-between when one book ends to when the next one starts. I’m reading one a month, but each book has like a year difference in them and so, I feel like I’m miss something like maybe a no White Night opens around a year after the previous book. Harry and his apprentice Molly are investigating a rash of suspicious murders. Someone of something is killing off those practitioners who barely have any power/magic.

I always feel a little lost when I first start theses books. It has to do with the time in-between when one book ends to when the next one starts. I’m reading one a month, but each book has like a year difference in them and so, I feel like I’m miss something like maybe a novella or short story that I needed to read, but once I get into the book I’m all in until the bitter end.

I really enjoy these books. Harry, I like the balance of dark and light within him. It feels real. We all have light and dark in ourselves and each day is a battle to keep them balanced. I also really enjoy the secondary characters; like Murphy, Thomas, Johnny Marcone, Ramirez, and others. They bring with them some fun, interesting, and enjoyable moments.

I was pleasantly happy to see Johnny Marcone, Chicago’s notorious underworld boss return. He’s a dark character, but he’s also a good man. We finally learn who the mystery girl is that Johnny is hiding away and taking care of. Murphy and Thomas where amazingly awesome in this installment. Murphy is one of my favorite characters and I wish Harry and Murphy would get together, but they are just friends, but I keep hoping. Thomas has some secrets in this installment and one that was a fun moment to read when Harry found out. Molly, well she got on my nerves with her complete disregard for her actions and how they impact others. I get she’s young and learning, but still. The only character I didn’t like seeing was Harry’s teenage girlfriend who comes back. I don’t know. It probably has to do with me wanting Harry and Murphy together.

The Dresden Files are always packed full of action, mystery, and suspense. The different storylines all work well together and seeing Harry constantly struggle with morals, a fallen angel, and more intrigues me.

White Night had a lot to offer and I can’t wait to discover what nonsense Harry finds himself in next.

Rated: 4 Stars

...more

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Oct 09, 2009 Mike (the Paladin) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, favorites

We're going to get to know Harry's half brother more in this one, espically since Harry has to prove he's not involved in murder. ...more

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Oct 29, 2017 Tosh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal, buddy-read, fantasy, favorites

Evil’s afoot.

Well, sure...because it refuses to learn the metric system. Otherwise it’d be up to a meter by now.

I’m not usually one to push so quickly through a series, but I’m thoroughly enjoying myself and can’t seem to pull myself away.

With every installment Harry is becoming stronger and more experienced, while implementing interesting tools and forming unlikely alliances to aid him. Meaning, the action only gets better. Next to Sue the magical mayhem and fight sequences in this ...more

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Aug 04, 2013 David Sven rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, audiobooks

Another action packed episode. Murphy asks Dresden to unofficially look into a series of staged suicides. Things go pear shaped from there.

This felt a little “episodic” to me in that there’s not a lot we haven’t seen before. Ghouls and Vampires. Lots of them. There’s plenty of action though and Harry has beefed up a lot of his magical accessories for that bit of extra punch – a regional commander of the Wardens of the White Council needs a bit of extra juice after all – especially in the middle ...more

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Apr 30, 2021 Oliver rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2021-reads, adult

“What is the point of having free will if one cannot occasionally spit in the eye of destiny?”

Even though I was not the biggest fan of this books "case" White Night retains the enjoyable characters and writing well enough for it to still be good. This seems to be a recurring theme with Dresden Files at times. I find I am not that into some of the actual cases in these middle of the ground books in the series but Jim Butcher always makes it work by being excellent in other elements. I am always e ...more

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Aug 12, 2021 Pranav Prabhu rated it really liked it · review of another edition

White Night is a consistently fantastic Dresden book, my second favourite so far behind Dead Beat. The case file in this one is about Harry tracking down a serial killer who has been murdering small-time practitioners, trying to implicate him and sow distrust. This is probably one of the more engaging cases, the mystery is well established and the revelations are well-paced and sensical. It doesn't get overly convoluted but maintains a decent level of complexity to it. The case, as usual, is a s White Night is a consistently fantastic Dresden book, my second favourite so far behind Dead Beat. The case file in this one is about Harry tracking down a serial killer who has been murdering small-time practitioners, trying to implicate him and sow distrust. This is probably one of the more engaging cases, the mystery is well established and the revelations are well-paced and sensical. It doesn't get overly convoluted but maintains a decent level of complexity to it. The case, as usual, is a stepping stone for larger events that play out, so I felt the more straightforward nature of the case was to the book's benefit.

There is more depth given to the internal politics of the White Court of vampires, which I really enjoyed since I find them one of the more interesting supernatural factions in the series, especially with characters like Thomas and Lara. The climactic action scenes and confrontations involving the vampires was a lot of fun to read, and the build-up of tension was executed very well. There are also more hints and revelations about the shadowy players who have been subtly influencing things in the background.

Harry's characterization in this book is also excellent. The subtle shifts in his emotional state over time and his contemplation of the lengths he is willing to go to protect people I felt was really well-written. There are times where he gives in to the darkness festering within him, and some of those chilling scenes, showcasing the extent of what he can do with the power he possesses, were some of my favourite parts of the book.

His interactions with other characters like Molly, Murphy, Ramirez, and Lash added another layer of perspective to Harry's character, how people view him from the outside based on his actions alone. He is a flawed, human character who tries his best to do the right thing, but the right choices are not easy to pick out, and that conflict is what makes him so compelling. It adds a layer of moral complexity to his decisions, as the consequences of those can have unexpected, rippling effects.

Overall, this is another great Dresden book with some hard-hitting emotional scenes and resolutions, an engaging plot and well-written action and politics. The series has maintained a consistent level of quality since Dead Beat, and this entry doesn't disappoint. ...more

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Jun 15, 2015 Richard rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

8/10

These are getting harder to review as the series goes on. 9 books in now and I feel confident that the reviews I write will be pretty standard throughout the series. The majority will be 4 stars as the quality of writing is good, the characters well rounded with enough development throughout the series to keep it from being stale, the plot getting more complicated with each passing novel but still easily digestible. There will be some that fail to meet that 4 star mark and some which shoot 8/10

These are getting harder to review as the series goes on. 9 books in now and I feel confident that the reviews I write will be pretty standard throughout the series. The majority will be 4 stars as the quality of writing is good, the characters well rounded with enough development throughout the series to keep it from being stale, the plot getting more complicated with each passing novel but still easily digestible. There will be some that fail to meet that 4 star mark and some which shoot over it (only with the aid of Polka though).

This one is no different. The plot is more complicated than say the earlier novels, and rely on your knowledge of previous novels to get you on board with what is going on and who all the major players are. There are handy little reminders throughout but done in a way which jogs the memory rather than gives bullet point summary of what has gone before which is a nice touch but may get tedious if reading back to back.

There are a few scenes in this one which stood out, none more so than the climatic ending. This was quite the finale and was tense in parts with a great mix of action, plot reveals and backs to wall scenarios but always knowing things would work out (the continuation of the series is a giveaway there!). For some reason the climatic ending reminded me of playing Gears of War. No idea why, but I’m going to pick that game up again now!

All in all, if you’ve read this far in the series then you’re likely to continue and you won’t be disappointed. This is another wise solid read in the series. If you’ve not started the series then I recommend giving it a whirl (at least up until book 4 to get a real feel for the series). I’d probably struggle somewhat with the series were I to read them back to back as they may become a little samey however reading them with a couple of months break in between is working out well for me. I look forward to picking the next one up in the near future.

If you enjoyed this try: “Gears of War” by Xbox ...more

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Jan 10, 2015 Eon ♒Windrunner♒ rated it it was amazing

Harry Dresden is back and just like every previous book in this series, its better than it's predecessors.

I take my hat off to you Jim Butcher. It feels like we as readers have taken this journey with you as you started out in this career and you really have gone from strength to strength. This is also very evident in the evolution of the characters on your pages. They have become such complex and well liked beings that I doubt the author could off any one of them without a huge backlash from h ...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Carole (Carole's Random Life) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, series, audio-book, own-digital-audiobook, reviewed, urban-fantasy, 2021, own-kindle-copy

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

This was another great installment in the series! I first read this book back in 2012 and I really enjoyed experiencing the audio with this re-read. Even having read this book before, there were a few times during this re-read that I had a hard time keeping up because there is just a lot going on. I think that I liked this book even more than I did the first time I read it. It was just immensely entertaining!

This is the ninth book in This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

This was another great installment in the series! I first read this book back in 2012 and I really enjoyed experiencing the audio with this re-read. Even having read this book before, there were a few times during this re-read that I had a hard time keeping up because there is just a lot going on. I think that I liked this book even more than I did the first time I read it. It was just immensely entertaining!

This is the ninth book in The Dresden Files series which is a series that really needs to be in order. Harry finds himself in the middle of another investigation in this installment. There is a killer targeting people with some magical ability and the murders often look like suicides to most investigators. As the investigation progresses, Harry finds clues leading to someone he knows cannot be responsible, his brother Thomas.

I thought that this book was really well done. I think that most readers that have it this far into the series have a bit of a soft spot for Harry. It was really great to see all of the characters that I have come to love in the series. I really liked the fact that Molly’s skills are starting to become more of a factor. Mouse was rather impressive and proved that he is definitely handy to have around. There was plenty of excitement to keep the story moving at a rather brisk pace.

James Marsters did a phenomenal job with the narration. I love the way that he is able to bring this series to life. The different voices that he uses for the various characters are very well done and consistent throughout the series. I know that his narration has added to my enjoyment of this story.

I would not hesitate to recommend this series to others. This book was jam-packed with a great mystery and wonderful characters. I cannot wait to continue with my re-read of this fabulous series!

Audiobook Re-read
The narration was excellent as always! This was a pretty complex story and there were times that I had some difficulty keeping up. I had a great time catching up with Harry and the rest of the gang.

Book source: purchased ...more

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Aug 26, 2018 Audrey rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018-books, uf-paranormal-horror, audiobooks

3.5 stars

This story is well structured. There’s a crime mystery with personal stakes involved: women are being murdered, and Thomas becomes a suspect. He’s actively avoiding Harry, so the case is personal. Then there’s the road discovery filled with clues and setbacks and then a final big, huge climax. The creatures de jour are mostly White Court vampires and ghouls. I’m not sure what ghouls look like. Something like this:

They’re definitely unpleasant.

It’s not until the end we find out exactly w ...more

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Shut Up & Read: White Night, by Jim Butcher	18	7	Feb 15, 2021 09:03PM
Urban Fantasy Afi...: UFA Series Read 2020 - White Night - Jun 25 - Jul 16	1	1	Oct 05, 2020 07:26AM
The Dresden Files...: Book 9: WHITE NIGHT (Spoilers Allowed)	23	59	Apr 26, 2020 07:40PM
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Play Book Tag: White Night (Dresden Files), by Jim Butcher--4.5 stars	1	11	Mar 25, 2017 06:23AM
Dresden Files: Thoughts on White Night 2017	3	33	Mar 04, 2017 05:52PM

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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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Quotes from White Night

“Anger is just anger. It isn't good. It isn't bad. It just is. What you do with it is what matters. It's like anything else. You can use it to build or to destroy. You just have to make the choice."

Constructive anger," the demon said, her voice dripping sarcasm.

Also known as passion," I said quietly. "Passion has overthrown tyrants and freed prisoners and slaves. Passion has brought justice where there was savagery. Passion has created freedom where there was nothing but fear. Passion has helped souls rise from the ashes of their horrible lives and build something better, stronger, more beautiful.” — 729 likes

“There is a primal reassurance in being touched, in knowing that someone else, someone close to you, wants to be touching you. There is a bone-deep security that goes with the brush of a human hand, a silent, reflex-level affirmation that someone is near, that someone cares.” — 616 likes

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