Series Read: The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher

[Lauren]

@Saphireblue and Sonia, was the deal breaker book for me as well because was the worst in the series for me and if I hadn't been doing a buddy read I might not have continued. SO glad that I did!

[Saphirablue]

@Lauren: Yes! For me too (so far). I had to take a break after (which lasted roughly a year) because I've been so dissapointed/dissatisfied with it.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Cin wrote: "Karen, you're in for a treat! Dead Beat is, in ny opinion, one of the best books in the series, and it has THE most awesome Dresden scene ever."

Great :) I'm up to chapter 14 and I am really enjoying it.

@Kristie - I just love Butters in this book!!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

White Night

Just finished chapter 15

I am loving this book. Best in the series for me so far. I think because we have a touch of Polka, some ex-girlfriends, further character development with Harry having an apprentice etc. But mostly I'm totally into the mystery which (for once) is not tied to Harry being put into an impossible you-will-die scenario. Of course, I'm sure Butcher will do that to him as he always does, but I'm enjoying the back-to-basics PI storyline (Dresden style).

Anyone else pick up that Harry has spoken directly to the reader so far (2 occasions in this book). I don't recall that happening in previous books

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

✓ Small FavorCompleted 17 October 2014 ★★★

I found this one too full of fighting and I'm sure that suits some people, but I was a bit disappointed as I really liked the last few books which have focussed more on character development. There were some interesting ideas introduced at the end (like a new love interest!) so I am keen to see how this translates into book 11

[Logan]

I just picked up White Night at the library. Right behind you Karen! :)

[Kelly]

Reading Proven Guilty next.

[Sonia]

Oh dear... if Steven knows about this I will NEVER hear the end of it.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Logan wrote: "I just picked up White Night at the library. Right behind you Karen! :)"

That has been one of my favourites :)

[Nicole]

Why Sonia?

[Sonia]

Because I abandoned Proven Guilty to read something else months ago and keep delaying going back to it.

[Nicole]

Hahah oh awesome. So many books, so little time.

[Steven]

I've seen the thread updates, Sonia. I've already resigned myself to the fact that you abandoned Dresden in his hour of need.

[Saphirablue]

I'm currently reading (I'm up to page 210 -> Chapter 18) and I really love (view spoiler)[ getting some science-y background on why Harry doesn't age (and that that maybe means that he will get the use of his hand back) or everything new, like computers, new cars, etc., give up the ghost almost immediately. :)

Also, Marcone is back! I've been wondering when he'll be back and, tada, here he is and almost immediately saves Harrys live. :)

I'm also very curious about the "his fate was to die in that alley and this will have consequences" mention by Miss Gard. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Oh I think that is my favourite book of the ones I've read so far. Butters is awesome! Also this book was nowhere near as exhausting as the others, and you're right, the development and understanding of Harry's character goes up a notch

[Nicole]

Oh darn, I wish I knew ahead of time that you were up to reading that, Saphirablue, that's the one I'm up to. Man, that's amazing to know it's the favourite of Karen's. Looking forward to it even more now!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Books 7 and 9 are my favourite so far. (8 is pretty good too)
I felt they were more about character development and mystery rather than the usual storyline of Harry being killed by 300 impossible-to-kill creatures (I may exaggerate, but you know what I mean!) I've always been much more interested in the characters and world-building than the fighting and I think these books do that very well (Although I've not quite finished the series that is available to date, I am up to book 11)

[Sonia]

I still need to read book 8. I prefer book #6 to #7. But is a matter of preference about the evil they're facing

[Steven]

I really enjoy the books that involve the Denarians (the multiples of five :P )

[Nicole]

Oooh I hadn't even heard of that, Steven!

[Logan]

I have waiting for me. I keep promising myself I'll read it over Thanksgiving or in December.

[Steven]

Yeah Nicole... Books five, ten, and fifteen heavily involve Denarians :)

[~Leslie~]

I'm about to start . I liked the last one a lot.

[Nicole]

Steven wrote: "Yeah Nicole... Books five, ten, and fifteen heavily involve Denarians :)"

Five? Huh, they must have been *really* memorable cause I don't even remember them. *grins*

[Steven]

The coin people? You don't remember them? Lol

[Nicole]

Oh wait, maybe a vague memory...

The main things that really struck me about that book were the vampires and Marcone.

[Steven]

Hmmm, I dunno how you've forgotten them. They're pretty creepy.

(view spoiler)[They're the nemeses of the Knights of the Cross -- Michael and his fellow sword-bearers try to stop the holders of the silver coins that Judas got for betraying Jesus? The ones that hold the spirits of the Fallen Angels and turn the holders into weird creatures and give them long lives and powers??? (hide spoiler)]

I've always felt like they're one of the most creative villains I've read about.

[Saphirablue]

I'm now up to page 286/Chapter 25 - so Spoilers ahead!

Plot: (view spoiler)[The attack of the Zombies on Harrys apartment was scary (and then the ghosts to boot). I've been wondering how they would get out of there. /o\ But, they made it! With a bit luck, good timing and some negotiation skills by Harry.

I loved Harrys reasoning why they couldn't die. XD Thomas is too pretty. Harry too stuborn. And Polka never dies. XD But, it worked. :)

And now the dream with Lasciel? *is scared for Harry* (hide spoiler)]

Thomas: (view spoiler)[I really like his character. And now even more that we know that he's Harrys big brother. I love how he teases and looks out for Harry. <3 But my heart is also breaking for him when I think about him constantly starving (and yearning for Justine). I mean, yes, he is a vampire/subcubbus, but still. /o\ (hide spoiler)]

Harry: (view spoiler)[I just love how he stands behind people he considers friends. Be it Murphy or Butters or Thomas or anyone else. <3 (hide spoiler)]

Also, may I please pet Mouse?

@Karen: Butters is very awesome. I mean, he just (view spoiler)[ went through a soulgaze with a Necromancer. *meep* And he still seems to be sane and just finished patching Harry up. (hide spoiler)]

@Nicole: Sorry! But you could still catch up? :)

[Steven]

Nicole wrote: "Oh wait, maybe a vague memory...

The main things that really struck me about that book were the vampires and Marcone."

Wait, are we talking the same thing here? I was talking about three different books in the series. Books #5, #10, and #15 -- the multiples of five -- all have the Denarians in them.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Saphirablue

I agree with all your comments. Thomas has become one of my favourite characters and I love the development of the relationship between him and Harry

And of course... Polka Never Dies ;)

[Saphirablue]

I finished this morning. I couldn't stop reading with the showdown being so close.

(view spoiler)[I love Butters. Coming back for Harry and saving him from Liverspots/Cassius was very brave. And then beating the drum and going to where the fight is going to be? Great.

Mouse is so great. Protecting Butters and bringing him to saftey. Rescueing Harry in the museum. <3 I love him.

I love Harry. Only he would come up with "reanimating" a Tyrannosaur Rex. XD I love it. And then Tyrannosaur Bob. XD <3

Harry Dresden, Warden. It could be the best thing ever for Harry or the worst. I'm very curious what it is going to be. I also really like Ramirez and that Morgan finally realized that Harry isn't a bad guy but only has very bad luck sometimes that doesn't let him shine in a good light.

I really like that we got to know a bit more about Harry, Thomas and so on and that we see how Harrys list of family, friends and pets grows. <3

I have to say, I'm not really happy that Harry decided to work with Lasciel. I've been saying "No! Harry, don't do it!" out loud the whole time while reading that part and got very sad when he gave in. :/ This is going to come back and bite him one day, isn't it? :(
(hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

I'll be reading White Night in the next 2 weeks if someone's interested in joining in.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Saphirablue

Love your comments and agree, although I've been having the opposite reaction to Lasciel...lol (view spoiler)[ I am so bad I keep wanting him to use her power to get out of those bad spots. *smacks face* (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Kelly

There are a few of us here who will chime in that have read it before. I think we are all at slightly different points in the series

[Matthew]

I am new to the series but it looks interesting, The only one I have right now is the second one Fool Moon. I started out awhile ago and seems interesting so far. I would very much like to participate in this talk (if I can keep up with the reading, haha)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Sure Matthew, just dive in!

[Saphirablue]

Karen wrote: "@Saphirablue

Love your comments and agree, although I've been having the opposite reaction to Lasciel...lol [spoilers removed]"

lol!

(view spoiler)[
I agree, it could be handy to have someone like Lasciel there to help you when you are in a very bad spot but, it's a demon. Harry can't trust her to have his best intentions and welfare in her mind. As Harry said - the more you use someone like her the more you get used to it and the lower the threshold will be to dig out the coin and use it... :(

But, I'll see how it will go and how it ends for Harry.
(hide spoiler)]

[Sophie, The other one]

I've just read Fool Moon

Matthew where have you got to with it? Would be happy to share my thoughts given that I'm at a similar stage in the series.

I listened to the 1st book over a year ago and wasn't that taken with it *ducks behind something and waits for the outrage*

This one grabbed me a bit more, but I'm still not utterly engrossed in the series.

The relationship between Dresden and Marcone entertains me! (view spoiler)[ the whole business with the contract is interesting - wonder how long that will carry on before Dresden runs out of ways to avoid signing it! (hide spoiler)]

My brain got a little scrambled trying to remember all of the love interests (I mean female characters...) (view spoiler)[ Susan, Kim and Murphy... with the addition of Tera for a chunk of this book. (hide spoiler)] Is there a female in the series that there hasn't been some sexual tension with?!?

Would love to be able to see the magic circles. I picture them something like:

[Saphirablue]

I listened to the 1st book over a year ago and wasn't that taken with it *ducks behind something and waits for the outrage*
No worries! It took me til book 4 to start liking the books and only with book 6 I started to really like them. :) (and this has been the same for a few friends who read the series long before me)

Is there a female in the series that there hasn't been some sexual tension with?!?
Nope. Not that I can tell. :/ (Mind you, I'm only up to book 7.)

Marcone is a very interesting character. :) (That's all I'm saying because of stuff happening of which I'm not sure anymore in which book it happens and before I accidently spoil you...)

[Matthew]

I really haven't gotten all that far in Fool Moon mainly cuz I've been busy reading other books and busy with the fam and stuff but I will contribute to the discussion every so often still

[Lauren]

Sophie wrote: "My brain got a little scrambled trying to remember all of the love interests (I mean female characters...)"

This was the most problematic aspect of the early books in the series for me. In fact, if I hadn't been doing a BR of the series, I might have called it quits after book #3 for precisely this reason. Nevertheless, it improves from book #4.

[Sophie, The other one]

@ Lauren I'm glad it improves! Will carry on with the series for another few books to see if I agree. Lots of people seem to think book 4 is the turning point.

[Nicole]

I am another one of those people who full heartedly believe Summer Knight is where everything changes. Can't wait to hear what you think when you get that far, Sophie.

[Kelly]

Book: White Night (#9)
Chapters 1-11

Favorite quote so far: "but corpses are inherently icky, even if they aren't animated and trying to kill you."

(view spoiler)[
Wow. Harry does manage to get himself in interesting situations.

I'm really liking how Molly is working out. I hope they bring her up to be competent in future books. Dresden needs another person on his side.

The Warden thing is interesting. It doesn't seem to have changed how he reacts to anything too much but I suppose they're not in a situation that they can do much about how he keeps order. It seems like just 2 for the whole US is a bit light but they don't have any more.

I think that Thomas wants to solve the murders himself because he looks up to Harry and that's why he has the pictures. Or maybe he heard the rumor of the grey cloak and wanted to exonerate him.

(hide spoiler)]

[Ashley Marie]

Kelly, the snappy one liners are one of my favorite things about this series! I always take care not to read them in public places so that I don't get any weird "crazy lady" looks when I start laughing out loud!

[Kelly]

Ashley Marie wrote: "Kelly, the snappy one liners are one of my favorite things about this series! I always take care not to read them in public places so that I don't get any weird "crazy lady" looks when I start lau..."

Mary Roach books are also like that. Though those tend to be even more icky.

[Steven]

Kelly I just read your spoiler. Oh, you just wait. Molly gets a GREAT storyline. The problem is, we have to wait for new books!!!

[Ashley Marie]

Steven wrote: "Kelly I just read your spoiler. Oh, you just wait. Molly gets a GREAT storyline. The problem is, we have to wait for new books!!!"

Molly ends up being one of my favorite characters. I'm so curious about what ends up happening to her...

[Steven]

Ashley Marie wrote: "Steven wrote: "Kelly I just read your spoiler. Oh, you just wait. Molly gets a GREAT storyline. The problem is, we have to wait for new books!!!"

Molly ends up being one of my favorite characte..."

The next book is supposed to be very Molly-heavy. :)

[Kelly]

Ahh good. I like Molly. She's spunky :) Gives Harry a run for his money.