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Skin Game
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Skin Game (The Dresden Files #15) by Jim Butcher; Start Date May 30th
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I'm currently almost finished with the second book of the series. I read the first and I thought it was okay, but I didn't love it. The second, however, is a different story.(no pun intended) So I'm going to attempt to read more of these before this one is released. How vital is it for me to read the previous books? Could I get away with not reading them?
Lisarenee wrote: "How vital is it for me to read the previous books? Could I get away with not reading them?"With this series, I don't know if I would read out of order. The story builds, especially with a lot of the secondary characters. I think you would end up missing so much if you skipped ahead.
Lisarenee wrote: "How vital is it for me to read the previous books? Could I get away with not reading them? "Darcy is right. I wouldn't read out of order either. Each book adds recurring characters and information that is important to the ongoing storyline. There are also numerous references to events that occurred in previous books and you might be lost and confused if you missed them.
Darcy & Lauren are correct. While I try to read a series in order, I'm not a big stickler for doing so; HOWEVER, this is one series that really should be read in order. Too much is built on what you've already learn, and some of the stuff you learn is too, too delicious not to discover on your own (as opposed to someone telling you, or reading on Wiki).
So I started this one last night, finished my other audio book and listened to about a half hour, than again this morning. I'm hoping it is a boring day at work and I can listen more.********** Spoilers Chapter 1 - 8
I hate Mab, it seems like every time she shows up things get messy and she always manipulates Harry into doing things he doesn't want to, but as she threatens someone he loves he is forced into it. This time is no different, although she is basically threatening him now too with the thing in his head.
I hate that Harry is having to "play nice" with Nicodemus, but am glad that Murphy is there to watch Harry's back. And could Nicodemus be any more condescending to Murphy! You know too, that this job he wants done sounds too easy, the money is too big for it not to be a life or death situation, one where only a couple of people will come back alive.
I am so tempted to read this one without reading all the previous books. I made it to the 4th. I may just hop in. I'm an excellent series hopper.
Thoughts on Chapters 1 - 3Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
Hmm, I don't recall the parasite from the last book. I remember Erlking & the Wild Hunt accompanied by Santa Claus! fighting the eldritch abominations and the Winter Queen outfoxing the ladies of faerie along with Molly's transformation...but a parasite? I got nothing.
"Do you even know what the word stasis means? It means nothing is happening. You standing here, walking by, talking to me, for God's sake, buggers that up entirely, the way you novices always do. What was the phrase? Ah, yes. Piss off." - The prisoner cracks me up - how dare Harry ruin his zen!
I thought it was cute that the Demonreach wanted to be named. Also, Alfed is the most competent sidekick out there so he should be honored.
"My brother and I had built the Whatsup Dock..." - You know Harry was the one to name the dock. Whatsup Dock = What's up, Doc?
Harry has to work with Nicodemus to rob Hades' vault? Good luck with that, Harry - you're going to need it!
@Sara - Harry has been having headaches for several books and it turns out that he has a parasite feeding off of him. No explanation yet as to how exactly it attached itself to Harry. Harry can do anything the easy way, lol!
Lauren wrote: "@Sara - Harry has been having headaches for several books and it turns out that he has a parasite feeding off of him. No explanation yet as to how exactly it attached itself to Harry. Harry can d..."
Don't you find it really creepy! Just hearing about the parasite makes me want to take a shower.
Lisarenee wrote: "I am so tempted to read this one without reading all the previous books. I made it to the 4th. I may just hop in. I'm an excellent series hopper."I don't recommend skipping any of the books, Lisarenee. You will miss out on a HUGE amount of backstory on all of the recurring characters.
Darcy wrote: "Lauren wrote: "@Sara - Harry has been having headaches for several books and it turns out that he has a parasite feeding off of him. No explanation yet as to how exactly it attached itself to Harry..."Yes, very creepy!
******* Spoilers Chapter 9 - 17Octikong, really! I love how with these books the author gives us some great monster you would never think of. If I was confronted with a monster like this I'm not sure what I would do, probably nothing as normal as Harry did.
I also feel like Nicodemus is gathering everyone that has ever met Harry for this job. So many familiar faces.
I love that Butters showed up. For some reason I really like him with all his normal ways. And who could forget the polka dragon slaying! I found it interesting that Harry gave Butters his gift for Bob on the down low. Butters seemed almost embarrassed about Bob and their relationship. I also really liked that Butters gave Harry some hard truths about what it was like when he was gone, how he seems different, and how Chicago on a whole doesn't have a protector.
And was anyone else really pissed for the Murphy/Harry sex dream? When I realized he was dreaming I yelled out "Noooooo". I really want those two to end up together and that dream was just cruel!
I also think it is funny that Harry has to explain that killing people is bad. This should be a given. lol
******** Spoilers Chapter 18 - 28I loved the chat that Harry had with Michael. I think it gave him some great perspective that he sorely needed.
I find the in insight that Butters has on Harry and his role as the Winter Knight to be intriguing. I have a feeling that it is very true.
I know that I probably shouldn't laugh, but I did when the monster that Nicodemus was hiding bitch slapped Harry. When will Harry learn it isn't good to taunt the monsters! lol
@ Darcy**********Spoiler************
Oh, yeah, the sex dream really had me saying, "How could JB be this cruel!"
Also, I didn't think I could hate Nicodemus more than I did before, but man-on-man! I truly loathe the guy.
I'm in the middle of Chapter 38 and this book is crazy-crazy.
Lisa Kay wrote: "**********Spoiler************
Also, I didn't think I could hate Nicodemus more than I did before, but man-on-man! I truly loathe the guy."
I totally agree!
********* Spoilers Chapter 29 - 39Harry and Maggie...well I wasn't too sure when things started out, but by the time they were done, I felt like going "Ahhhh". I get that Harry is scared about his life and what kind of place Maggie would have in it, but you can tell she is yearning for a place to belong. I loved how Maggie kept saying, "Molly says". I loved that Molly told her the good side to Harry. I also found it odd that Maggie called Michael and Charity, Mr./Mrs. They are basically raising her, it seemed cold to me, and while Charity can be that way at time with Harry, Michael isn't. I also loved how Mouse was so excited to see Harry and that Mouse was a safe person for Maggie.
I found myself having to stop and re-listen to what happened with Murphy and Nicodemus outside of Micheal's house, there was no way that he shot her in the stomach, but he did. WTF! What a way to piss Harry off. I was glad that Murphy had taken precautions and what should have killed her didn't. I also think Nicodemus did this to get rid of some of Harry's allies. It worked and didn't, Murphy is gone, but now Micheal is in, in a big way.
I'm not sure what to think of what Micheal did. Part of me loves that he stood up for his friend, but he did it at a great price, or so he thought. I really liked that Uriel did what he could to protect Micheal, that their friendship made him want to save Micheal, even if his choice put Uriel in a precarious spot.
I'm stunned that Nicodemus sacrificed his daughter, even more that she let him, even seemed to ask for it. I liked that Harry realized Nicodemus's plan, even if it came too late to save Deidre. I do agree with Harry that he and Micheal could have talked her out of what she let happen. I also feel like this is a game changer within the group. The rest of them have to see how disposable they are in Nicdemus's eyes, if he will kill his own daughter, he won't hesitate to kill them if he feels like it will help him succeed.
Lisa Kay wrote: "@ Darcy**********Spoiler************
Oh, yeah, the sex dream really had me saying, "How could JB be this cruel!"
Also, I didn't think I could hate Nicodemus more than I did before, but man..."
Lisa Kay wrote: "@ Darcy
**********Spoiler************
Oh, yeah, the sex dream really had me saying, "How could JB be this cruel!"
Also, I didn't think I could hate Nicodemus more than I did before, but man..."
I just read that sex dream part, reading it I could not help but think is jim realy writing this !! Then quickly quickly my thoughts where `about time harry`. It was just so funny and totally unexpected.
About halfway through now and looking forward to the rest.
@Darcy**************Spoiler***********
I think the Carpenters have Maggie call them Mr. & Mrs. instead of "Mom" and "Dad" because they are saving that title for Harry. They don't seem the type to want a little girl call them by their first names, but I guess "uncle" and "aunt" would work.
I had to re-listen to that part out in front of the Carpenters' house, too, regardless of how painful it was.
You are so right about what happened to Deidre being a game-changer. That they are all disposable want brought home to them all.
And did you finish that chapter, Jule? How do you feel now about it?
Lisa Kay wrote: "@Darcy**************Spoiler***********
I think the Carpenters have Maggie call them Mr. & Mrs. instead of "Mom" and "Dad" because they are saving that title for Harry. They don't seem the type to want a little girl call them by their first names, but I guess "uncle" and "aunt" would work."
I agree with no Mom and Dad, but I would think first names would be fine.
********** Spoilers Chapter 40 to endI love that Nicodemus got what he deserved. I was a bit surprised that Harry thought ahead enough to plan for betrayal, but it was a good move. I was a bit stunned when after everything was said and done that Mab had been pulling strings from the start and set up all the players in hopes she would get the outcome she did.
I find myself laughing at Molly. Here she is a grown woman, yet she is hiding so much from her parents like a little girl. I do think that Micheal is starting to realize that there is a lot more to her now.
And Butters, once again saved the day. His new role in the supernatural world will be interesting.
I think it will be interesting what happens to Harry from here. He is back in the world of the living, the parasite is gone, but his still has ties to Mab, so his live can't go back to what it was.
Lisa Kay wrote: "And did you finish that chapter, Jule? How do you feel now about it?"Hi yes I finished to chapter, realy enjoying the book,jim butcher writes consistently good books. Just sad to be at the end of such a well written series.
Thoughts on Chapters 4 - 6Warning, Spoilers Ahead...
"It's obvious to me that you just don't get it. There are things you just don't do, Mab. Helping a monster like that get what he wants is one of them."
"Even if refusing costs you your life?"
"Have you been paying attention, the past couple of years? Do you have any doubt that I would rather die than become part of something like this?" - Score one for Harry in this argument.
"The Blue Beetle was not a clown car. It was a machine of justice." - Exactly!
"With you. To rob a Greek god."
"Burgle, technically. I'm pretty sure if you pull a gun on Hades, you deserve whatever happens to you." - So true.
"Other than pissing off something as big, powerful, and pathologically vengeful as a freaking Greek god. Those guys took things personally." - The most vindictive pantheon in existence.
"The things inside the Coins are what the Swords were meant to fight. The ones holding the Coins are the people the Swords were meant to save. And that's why I'm not carrying one. I don't want to save those animals, Harry." - I agree with Karrin.
I wonder if Sanya will make an appearance?
It seems that there is a bad guy convention in town with the appearances of Hannah and Binder.
Darcy wrote: "******** Spoilers Chapter 18 - 28I loved the chat that Harry had with Michael. I think it gave him some great perspective that he sorely needed.
I find the in insight that Butters has on Harr..."
I loved that Michael called Harry out on his BS. Not everything that happens in the world is Harry's fault or responsibility.
Lauren wrote: "******** Spoilers Chapter 18 - 28I loved that Michael called Harry out on his BS. Not everything that happens in the world is Harry's fault or responsibility."
That is true, but Harry doesn't get that. It seems like he thinks everything is connected to him.
This topic is open for discussion of Skin Game by Jim Butcher. Be prepared for SPOILERS.
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, is about to have a very bad day….
Because as Winter Knight to the Queen of Air and Darkness, Harry never knows what the scheming Mab might want him to do. Usually, it’s something awful.
He doesn’t know the half of it….
Mab has just traded Harry’s skills to pay off one of her debts. And now he must help a group of supernatural villains—led by one of Harry’s most dreaded and despised enemies, Nicodemus Archleone—to break into the highest-security vault in town so that they can then access the highest-security vault in the Nevernever.
It’s a smash-and-grab job to recover the literal Holy Grail from the vaults of the greatest treasure hoard in the supernatural world—which belongs to the one and only Hades, Lord of the freaking Underworld and generally unpleasant character. Worse, Dresden suspects that there is another game afoot that no one is talking about. And he’s dead certain that Nicodemus has no intention of allowing any of his crew to survive the experience. Especially Harry.
Dresden’s always been tricky, but he’s going to have to up his backstabbing game to survive this mess—assuming his own allies don’t end up killing him before his enemies get the chance…