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White Night (The Dresden Files, #9)

Jim Butcher

Start date: September 1, 2018

Finish date: September 30, 2018

Discussion: Challenges: What's the Rush

Why we're reading this: Part of our group series (re)read: Dresden Files …more
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Challenges: What's the Rush

* 2025 Series Read: K.N. Banet's "Jacky Leon"
By Steph , Serious series addict · 103 posts · 33 views

last updated Sep 26, 2025 08:29PM

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* YEAR-LONG CHALLENGES
By Steph , Serious series addict · 1 post · 389 views

last updated Aug 17, 2010 11:14PM

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What Members Thought

Apr 04, 2012 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: why-favorite, what-modern-fantasy, what-male-protagonist, what-vampires, why-favorite-author, why-favorite-series, what-cover-me-tickled, what-fae

I don't know why I bother reviewing these anymore. They are almost always 5 stars for me. When I read one, I can't put it down. The plots are great, I love the characters, the action is exciting. The books always culminate in an amazing showdown that is seat-of-your-pants gripping. (I don't even know if that last clause works but I like it so I'm keeping it.)

I love Harry. I know a lot of you don't (though really, don't listen to the audiobooks, I hear the narrator is annoying) but I do. I actua I don't know why I bother reviewing these anymore. They are almost always 5 stars for me. When I read one, I can't put it down. The plots are great, I love the characters, the action is exciting. The books always culminate in an amazing showdown that is seat-of-your-pants gripping. (I don't even know if that last clause works but I like it so I'm keeping it.)

I love Harry. I know a lot of you don't (though really, don't listen to the audiobooks, I hear the narrator is annoying) but I do. I actually like that he's kind of chivalrous (NOT a chauvinistic) which is usually sexist but it's cute in him. His chivalry isn't about opening doors or covering mud puddles with his coat; it's that he is always trying to protect women even though he absolutely acknowledges and is impressed by the power of women. It tears him up when he thinks of women getting hurt and it moves him to violence against the perpetrators, which is funny because most of the women are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. He even acknowledges this about himself in a self-deprecating way. Murphy is always calling him on his crap and is always in the thick of things with him, equally powerful in her own human way. The supernatural people, both good and bad, are both male and female and are equally powerful. Leadership positions are help by both men and women, including the current leader of the wizard guard who is female.

I get the impression that Butcher isn't sexist but he likes this gallant side of Harry. There isn't any "she was in power even though she was a woman" or even acknowledging that someone might find it odd to find a woman doing that particular job. (Well, I can't remember the beginning books that well and he might have mentioned that it was hard for Murphy as a female cop. But when he met her she was already head of her division.) The de facto leader of the White House, who is the best White House vampire leader he's seen, is a woman who is very attractive and very dangerous to him.

I'm always annoyed that Butcher says people speak "quietly" way too often. I always love Bob the skull and wish he were in it more. I always wish he and Murphy would just do the nasty and get it over with. I'm really glad he's gotten rid of weak love interests. Thomas is so sexy and I love that he doesn't care about a person's gender in his sexual conquests. Ramirez is very hot, too. But Mouse is my favorite character.

Okay, specifics about this book. I liked how adamant/rigid/angry Harry was with his apprentice when she broke the rules and I like how the situation was resolved. I love the boat action sequence. Finally, a little more about Mouse is revealed. I even like the cat and was only mildly annoyed when someone referred to him as the master of the house.

Very mild spoiler (one tiny part of the book) that won't ruin the book at all:
(view spoiler)

The mini-city is ridiculous as it would be impossible to have created let alone maintain. The scale alone meant that it wouldn't have fit in his subbasement. It's an easy gimmick that I don't like. I'm mad at Murphy for being a commitment-phobe and love that Harry doesn't want short-term relationships (revealed in last book). They are meant to be together God damn it! One of the mini-plots was awkward and there were so many characters in the book, some with similar names (Anne and Anye in similar roles) that it was hard to keep them straight.

I love the ex love interest who comes back from his past and if Harry can't have Murphy, a woman like that is perfect for him: she's smart, sexy, sarcastic, imperfect and extremely powerful, much like he is. My favorite part of the book was the last three pages and I'll leave it at that.

What I love best of all though is that morality isn't always black and white and choosing the right path isn't always easy for Harry. He's still struggling with the demon in his head. (He mentions that it's been three years! I don't feel like it's been that long. Does anyone know what book she first appeared in?)

As I've come to expect from Butcher, this was another tight, focused novel with tons of action and drama and the usual snarky humor that I love, even when Harry is being an idiot. (The scenes between him and Ramirez are classic Butcher.) If you like this series, don't miss this one.
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Mar 10, 2017 Kati rated it really liked it

Shelves: in-english, audiobooks, urban-fantasy, 2017

I loved the part about Thomas. Murphy rocked, as always. Marcone became more interesting than ever before. I'm actually curious about Elaine. Waldo was his usual hilarious self. Just like Bob. The battle at the end was epic. And there was no Charity and that's always a plus. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 26, 2010 The Flooze rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: vanquished_2012, urban-fantasy-paranormal, owned

As with most Dresden novels, this is an action-packed, hectic story with plot threads galore.

I must admit it's been a long time since Harry and I had a sit-down. I was in desperate need of a refresher before this one, since I suspected many cameos from older characters. I wasn't wrong.

White Night builds on the previous novels, reintroducing enemies and allies both. So many reappearances make sense in light of the closed supernatural community, as well as the growing notion of conspiracies withi As with most Dresden novels, this is an action-packed, hectic story with plot threads galore.

I must admit it's been a long time since Harry and I had a sit-down. I was in desperate need of a refresher before this one, since I suspected many cameos from older characters. I wasn't wrong.

White Night builds on the previous novels, reintroducing enemies and allies both. So many reappearances make sense in light of the closed supernatural community, as well as the growing notion of conspiracies within the organizations Harry knows best.

Ah, conspiracies. This is where it all gets tricky, and the importance of keeping my facts straight becomes paramount. (Because I'm the type of reader who wants to figure things out before the protagonist does.) The twists and turns, betrayals and coincidences are prolific in the series, and yet I don't have a very good theory built up quite yet as to who's behind it all. Or where the hell the plot is really going.

But Butcher does offer us some great tidbits in this one, both in terms of clues and plot developments. White Night peers into the Raith's position of power within the White Court, while at the same time deeply examining fallen angel Lasciel's influence over Harry. Both bring the subject of willpower and choice to the fore, further enhanced by Harry's discussions with his apprentice.

Molly. Oh, Molly. I find you a hindrance and a distraction right now, unnecessary to the plot and destined to become collateral damage. I understand you're there to remind Harry to keep his own dark impulses in check as he schools you on your own. But I just don't care about you yet. Maybe I will in the next book.

I digress. We see Harry get dark in this one. Granted, he's had his scary-ass moments before. But there's a scene in this one that is so cold, yet so understandable, that it resonates in a different way. I, for one, love moments like these. It's impossible and unrealistic to portray a man of such power without including such lapses in...mercy, restraint. And I do prefer my leads cloaked in at least a bit of grey.

White Night kept me excited and tense, invested and interested. I'm on to the next book, desperately hoping to puzzle my way through all the secrets surrounding my favourite wizard. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 29, 2012 Christal rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: shady-government-agency, war, favorites, demons, fae, magic, male-lead, vampires, witches-warlocks-and-mages, urban-fantasy

This was the first Dresden novel that I listened to and James Marsters did a great job as narrator. I loved this entry into the series. My husband listened to this with me as well and, even though he hadn't read any of the other books in the series, he loved it too!

This book starts with one plot (murder mystery intrigue) but by the end, it's moved into something completely new (White Court political showdown)! Mr. Butcher skillfully weaves all the plot threads together so you never feel lost or ...more

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