The Dresden Files have always been unbeatable among the Urban Fantasy books of their contemporaries. Fool Moon was a book I read in 2014. I gave it 4 The Dresden Files have always been unbeatable among the Urban Fantasy books of their contemporaries. Fool Moon was a book I read in 2014. I gave it 4 stars back then. Now I am giving it 5 stars. What has changed? I got to appraise the book in its structure, and found it very solid. The second half seems to be full of action. But these set pieces are dotted with lulls that are crucial to the pacing of the book.
I really think that Fool Moon is a book that has made us fans respect it by the force of its imagination. Take the example of how much awareness Jim Butcher puts in his books. He constantly compares his story to 'real' life. But then, after that, Butcher goes back to his story and promptly writes stuff that is true only in fiction. An example of this type of subversion is the way dialogue is written in the book. The sentences are short. Verily so. And everyone at the beginning of the book speaks economically. This is just the author choosing a conscious decision. There is nothing wrong with it.
I was fascinated by how open the evildoers were, and how easy it is to solve the mystery of the murders by choosing your culprits early and sticking with them through thick and thin. Butcher openly reveals the conundrum. Such simplicity is wonderfully implemented. It teaches us about daring in writing books. Jim Butcher was such a phenomenal writer back then. I am grateful to have read his books at a time when he was so beast. Now his powers are waning like the proverbial moon with no cyclic turnaround of course.
I am a bit sore about the fact that books like Fool Moon are so unknown to the general public. And it need not have been so. The abortive and low budget TV adaptations of Dresden came at the wrong time, when TV was a backwater swamp and was still figuring out how to outpace cinema. Jim Butcher was a writer who seems to have more sense of humour than men (and women) who write Fantasy, and women (and men) who write romantic Fantasy, YA Fantasy and stuff like that.
Fool Moon, apart from its misdirection and humor, is also stellar because of the way tension is ramped up. Not only that, but the usual haunting past of the main character is better than the usual examples. Plus whenever Harry does magic we are eager to know what he can do. The world of Dresden here is yet to cast powerful actors like the Fae and other vituperative beings. The universe of Dresden in this book seems to be both hot and cold, humid, full of unpredictability, and with a large, bare arena primed to allow Butcher to weave his only too real magic.
This reread reminded me of the fact that Butcher is better a writer than the old guards such as Stephen King, Terry Brooks, Bernard Cornwell et cetera. Butcher is also a better writer than Brandon Sanderson - who I am beginning to think is overrated - and Robin Hobb, and the likes of N.K. Jemisin, and Patrick Rothfuss. To think that success and renown has graced lesser writers than Butcher is not quite the tragedy that it hints at, though. Butcher will neither win a Hugo or Edgar, nor will he make news on the internet. But us fans know the worth of Dresden. It is just a fact of life that this series has never penetrated popular culture.
To conclude, one crucial aspect of the series that Butcher has nailed, is its hero. J.K. Rowling wrote a serviceable hero in Harry Potter (the character). Potter is too artificial. He is too pristine. Dresden is believable in a way rarely seen in Fantasy characters. Whenever Harry Dresden talks to people other than his well wishers, we hold our collective breaths in anticipation. This is easily illustrated in the extract where Chauncy the demon is conversing with Harry and giving information for a price. Harry here has chauvinistic edges, self absorbedness, and a patchouli of doubts. Unlike many heroes from the authors mentioned in the previous paragraph, Harry can, and does, piece together the puzzle and reaches the right conclusion more often than not. This makes for interesting dynamics in the series, because Harry keeps getting pitted against supernatural beings. Him thinking on his feet, using his mortal brain to do battle with immortal and godlike beings, gives us a message about the powers of the human brain. You cannot ask more of a hero....more
Unsalvageable. I'm tempted to tell Jim Butcher to go screw himself, because he sure screwed his faithful. What's more, most of his fans are rating thiUnsalvageable. I'm tempted to tell Jim Butcher to go screw himself, because he sure screwed his faithful. What's more, most of his fans are rating this book, praising it to the heavens.
There was an overemphasis on Mouse, the dog, and mention of a threesome, twice. If that kind of events happened in the author's life, then spice it up a little before serving it.
I know Butcher is a terrific writer, and I can see myself giving 5 stars to Battle Ground, but my personal opinion on this garbage book is that hype is a real thing that can reel in the gullible, the famished, the naive, and the fanatic....more
**spoiler alert** This is the first time I've read Skin Game. I think the world of it. I think it should be taught in schools. I think it should be ad**spoiler alert** This is the first time I've read Skin Game. I think the world of it. I think it should be taught in schools. I think it should be adapted onscreen by the best of the best. It should have won a Hugo award at least. In comparison all the subsequent books I've tried to read pale in comparison.
So, Harry Dresden's latest adventure - until Peace Talks comes out on July the 14th - has more twists than a slinky. It has more drama than Hamlet, and more revelations than The Book of Three. I was voluntarily spoiled regarding the story because I thought I'll never read it. I was deterred by the first chapter(Parkour!).
The book picks up from the point where Harry has resided on Demonreach island for a long time. Mab comes roiling by and offers Harry a mission. From then on it's wall-to-wall thrills. There are a few references to movie lines (the ones onscreen not those waiting to gain entry) and the one I like the most is from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
I cried when Butters became a Knight of the Cross. I was told about the resuscitating Sword. But I still shed tears of wonder and excitement when the event occurred. And the event occurred at the right time. I feared Butters would accomplish this feat when chased by Dresden and co. But this story was tighter than super glue on a bullet wound.
I was happy that Dresden did not really tap Murphy when we thought he had. That too showed remarkable restraint by Jim Butcher. A plot device that has been on since the first book. It has been 20 years since that book got printed. 15 books in twenty years is a great feat. It shows stamina. Creativity under duress.
Frankly, I don't see any other book besting Skin Game this year. The author can write the odd putrid story, and I'm first to criticize him when I think he deserves it. But this book is the best of the series so far and from now the only way is down. Especially for us fans waiting for Peace Talks. Since the book after the latter will be called Battle Ground, it presupposes that the peace talks will have been in vain. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Toodle-oo for now....more
This duology of an omnibus struck me as user friendly, but I also realize I had little love for it. Book 1 was definitely better than book two...with This duology of an omnibus struck me as user friendly, but I also realize I had little love for it. Book 1 was definitely better than book two...with a better first, second, and third act. Also a better last chapter.
I thought the last chapter for the second book might be missing pages. It ended so suddenly. Another thing is that there was something unsatisfactory about the entire book.
It looked like I was expecting lembas and got cram instead. I can't put my finger on it but I'm in a less hurry in reading the sequels. I gave the rating that reflected on the easy narration. That's a rare plus for me in Fantasy. That's all....more
This was a very uneven book, with lots of filler material. Harry lives to fight again. It's as if he never left. It's as if we're back to square one. This was a very uneven book, with lots of filler material. Harry lives to fight again. It's as if he never left. It's as if we're back to square one. Shoot, Jim Butcher has officially exhausted any permutations of wisdom that used to guarantee 5 stars from me. This book... such a bland book with a sugary end tacked on. One piece of advice to demanding readers; you'll enjoy the rest of this series only if you lower your expectations as much as you can....more
I'm feeling quite happy, fresh from reading Changes. Had I read it faster, I would have given it less than 4 stars. So who knows, if I'd read it slow I'm feeling quite happy, fresh from reading Changes. Had I read it faster, I would have given it less than 4 stars. So who knows, if I'd read it slower, maybe I'd have rated it a perfect five. But I feel that though I can't ignore the flaws of Dresden's episodic epics, I realize that for a book that provides so much fun, it's okay for part of it to be mindless....more
Giving a book 5 stars doesn't mean it's perfect. It's just that though I use it with a discriminative, fair, and remunerative sense of dosage, I know Giving a book 5 stars doesn't mean it's perfect. It's just that though I use it with a discriminative, fair, and remunerative sense of dosage, I know there are 2 farcical sides to this particular coin. First, for how long do I wait before ceding to impulse and rate a book 5 stars. Secondly, what do I do if, a week after giving Small Favor 5 stars, I chance on a book 10 times better? Cheerfully, those issues are non sequitur in my mind. Small Favor began slowly, embracing its pulpish roots and fleshing out its friendly universe where beings thrive even in places called Nevernever. I thought the musings of the Dresden Files, which earned my respect and interest by hitting on core metaphysical ideas, has been impotently pruned, in Small Favor, down to self help level. However, I underestimated Jim Butcher, and from the middle of the book to the twist of the last step, I was regaled with rich storytelling of the like that am grateful for. Definitely 5 star material....more
I chuckled twice while reading the book. You know how likely that a funny writer decides to write urban fantasy? The chances are a hundred to one, proI chuckled twice while reading the book. You know how likely that a funny writer decides to write urban fantasy? The chances are a hundred to one, probably.
"What's the matter, Trent? Jealous?" was a very funny quip. The parts where Rachel was captive, were among the most transcendental bits of a genre that I've barely explored, but did so, so far, to meager rewards.
Now that I've got an entire series of good books waiting in the wings, I'll read them one after the other, starting soon. That's a promise to myself....more
This novella contained the ingredients of the real books. I'm surprised Julie Kagawa managed to include a major twist regarding the First Hunter. The This novella contained the ingredients of the real books. I'm surprised Julie Kagawa managed to include a major twist regarding the First Hunter. The language was very user friendly. One thing about these books is that not everybody is saved. Bad actions go unpunished and the good people often are powerless against cruelty. The romance was a miniature form of the actual books, and taken/read in small doses it becomes bearable, if not slightly cute. I think Julie Kagawa is better than Cassandra Clare by far, and this novella is part of the reason why. I recommend this booklet as a distraction and if you must read everything by her. It's not crucial reading or anything of course....more
What happened to the promise of better things to come? What happened to the successors of the fantasy giants of the previous decades? Either I'm read What happened to the promise of better things to come? What happened to the successors of the fantasy giants of the previous decades? Either I'm reading the wrong authors or my perception of the past is woefully warped. If I remember correctly, and if I compare this book to the Narnia series, The Iron Daughter might win against some of the older books. I choose to read some books with more relish, and others are judged severely. I may choose wrongly, or like that Knight in that movie, choose...poorly. But in the end, what matters is what do we do with the time that we have.
Julie Kagawa has my respect but some of the passages were stitched up in a clumsy way. There were twists that were glaring, like the identity of Charles. Others, like the identity of The Iron Daughter, were deliciously subtle and I caught up late with them. Having said that, the consequences, and the stakes involved with the story, and the motivation of the heroine herself were quite unbelievable, ridiculous, and very foolish, respectively. Herein ends this review except for the reminder that today the power had gone for most of the day, so that may be the crankiness talking....more
I'm sorry, but I gave this book a rating that it didn't deserve. I never thought I'd be so petty. Kudos for that goes to one Kevin Hearne. Neverthele I'm sorry, but I gave this book a rating that it didn't deserve. I never thought I'd be so petty. Kudos for that goes to one Kevin Hearne. Nevertheless the tooltip of the rating says "did not like it", and I sincerely did not, nay, could not have liked the treatment given to this book. I know that many authors live with cats and dogs, but when winding down an epic story with an epilogue, don't make the latter about the f ucking dog. Okay, asshole? F uck you, f uck your dog, f uck your shoes, f uck your glasses, f uck you....more
This is a good enough book with a better opening and an even better ending. I really like bittersweet endings. The adventures of Allison had a quaint This is a good enough book with a better opening and an even better ending. I really like bittersweet endings. The adventures of Allison had a quaint, naive touch to it. It was not epic (and was not meant to be) but also it was not gloomy, broody or emo. I didn't know at times where the story would take me. In this way the classic coming of age of the hero played like a road movie. The road movie factor is more evident here than in say, Lord Of The Rings, because of the people the vampire heroine meets. I recommend reading The Immortal Rules, and I'm going to read its sequel very soon.
EDIT : I really wanted to say some more things, but that would be repeating myself, compared to older reviews. IMO now that I think about it, this book is efficient and nice but it's not nourishing, so I think I got the rating spot on.
EDIT : I've come across villains named Jackal twice now, and both times they were underwhelming....more
I'm beginning to wonder what's wrong with me...all these high scoring books are getting 3 stars from me, and I love books. Anyway Hammered is an apt I'm beginning to wonder what's wrong with me...all these high scoring books are getting 3 stars from me, and I love books. Anyway Hammered is an apt title because someone who might be an ale guzzling, brow bristling, tub thumping, hammer wielding god...Thor, we learn is starring as a villain, if not a mcguffin, in this book.
One of the best parts of the book is when Christ materializes in the form of a black guy. His laid back cheerfulness immediately made me think of Don Cheadle. Jesus is alas not thinking out of the box as he dishes out his trademark miracles, like healing Atticus aka Siodhachan aka our Druid, and also multiplying the best fish and chips portions in Arizona.
From the get go the story focuses on the targets in Asgard. Right in the very beginning Atticus climbs Yggdrasil to trick Ratatosk and defeat the spinners of Norse fate themselves, the Norns. The first visit to Asgard is the more memorable one. The Druid's exploits in securing Iduna's apple are worthy of Bragi's talent. The simple way in which Atticus denies Odin's spear its due is well thought of. Pantheons always were confusing. But here everything is "explained". The reason for many religions is illustrated by Kevin Hearne, and we do buy the explanation. Many parts score 4 stars.
But I gave the final score from the enjoyment I got from reading Hammered. The Druid's assistant never gets memorable or interesting lines, Oberon the dog gets the longest and most bizarre speech. As for the Tuatha Dé Danann they don't bother themselves with this book. Moving on, the gathering of the immortals that would lay siege to Asgard is an okay passage. I thought the motivations of the humans and creatures were decently fleshed out. Could have been better. But as the icelandic guy fell I could not empathize because I was still grieving the violent deaths of the Valkyries. I don't think the invasion of Asgard was justified. the hero's side was not draped in righteous colors. If I hadn't read Trapped first, I would have thought the Druid would die. He still will die, almost certainly. I think he's out-dared his luck and he's lived long enough. The author must write a hell of an ending to make it poignant....more
I found Harry Dresden to be wildly cautious as a wizard, as the hero. Heroes tend to vanquish their foes in any way that's intrinsic to their customs I found Harry Dresden to be wildly cautious as a wizard, as the hero. Heroes tend to vanquish their foes in any way that's intrinsic to their customs or nature. The cautious will triumph against all the odds despite their cautiousness, and the reckless will triumph because of their recklessness. Harry Dresden is in the book, you can check him out. The book is tailor made for Harry Dresden. Dresden traps the faeries, almost goes bow chicka wow wow with one of the lustily described females in the book, fries up a demon, the usual stuff wizards are bound to go through. But as deep in danger as he is, I had no fear for Harry Dresden, and that's because he's in - (count them...)at the time of writing - thirteen more Dresden file books. ...more
In a few ways I remember a few of the details quite vividly. In many others, the book as an entirety already is fading from my mind. The latter is to In a few ways I remember a few of the details quite vividly. In many others, the book as an entirety already is fading from my mind. The latter is to blame mostly. That cannot be helped. But I'd like to articulate what earned this book four stars.
The first thing is that the writer kept things interesting while making his hero near invincible. The logistics of living in the modern world and what being a Druid in a secular (or not so secular, considering the shop our hero owns) society make for an absorbing perusal. Usually I don't think action translates well to literature. The author...knows this. In the climax most of the battle is implied. I had fun reading the names and powers of the Irish gods. I know that Thor will appear at some point in the future books and I'm anticipating that. The cover art is well done. I would never imagine a Druid so young an so suburban. Granuaile could have been irritating but doesn't come across as a brat. All these nice cajoles and nifty touches is the result of the author being as careful as his hero is paranoid. I feel that the writer knows what works from reading about past and lesser fantasy books.
There are some characters that are memorable, and all of them are clear cut. One of them, the Irish widow, is superfluous. I think the author realized he was making Atticus too unlikable. The clumsiness in the manipulation for our sympathy is resounding. I think that character could be dispensed with without losing anything. I did find Atticus a bit callous but then not so much. Atticus only once showed a mellow side, and that was regarding the death of the detective. At other times, he is tempted, trapped, hounded indeed. The few days narrated in the book is very hectic for our endangered hero and the result is brisk storytelling. I could say more(I never even mentioned the witches, vampire, werewolves and ghouls), but here ends my review....more
I read this book quickly even for my usual habits. The various chapters are well woven together. Each scene segues into another. Nothing is out of pl I read this book quickly even for my usual habits. The various chapters are well woven together. Each scene segues into another. Nothing is out of place.I could faintly grasp that this popular and shamelessly fun riddled and commercial book, a book that is unapologetic about what it is, has some themes. Never one to understand the undercurrent or subtext of any work of literature, if not art, I think this book, safely be said, is not life like, but is the best fantasy I've ever read.
During this fun read however, I admit to thinking about Ares and Cara in a critical way. I mean, can someone whose mind is supposed to not be linear act in this simple way? The end of the book is a bright note, but these two characters are immortal...what lies after the end? There's a saying in my culture that says even the Gods cannot understand the mind of women. Can someone who has lived for 5 millenniums (I never remember that millennium contains two successive n - thanks, online dictionary) really get excited about sucking a woman's breast? Is it true that sex between two people who really love each other is the best thing ever? A lot of romance themed stories make the hero ignore the more interesting character for a randomly chosen consort...e.g the movie "Four weddings and a funeral" comes to mind.
Yet this is a roller coaster ride, make no mistake. I wonder how Larissa Ione works? My best guess is that her work in progress may be twice as big and she cuts the prose down to its final length. The twist that resolves all conflict is a nice component and has the whole revenge and redemption theme. We rue the deaths of characters we have come to like then we shrug and move on to what lies in the next chapter, which could be anything. Just like in real life. Beg borrow or steal this book. Or buy it, if that's what floats your boat....more
The rating of 3 stars sometimes here mean that they are really two, but one star has been added because I'm interested in reading the other books in The rating of 3 stars sometimes here mean that they are really two, but one star has been added because I'm interested in reading the other books in this series, the Iron Druid Chronicles. This being the latest - at the time of writing this review - much of the past events have been hinted at, and the author packed a lot of info in these pages.
Atticus. Granuaile. Fjalar. These are about the only names I remember from Trapped. Many of the names are of Irish origin. What transpired through most of this messy experience of this book is that the writer just might be enjoying himself very much so while writing about Greek, Norse, Irish, Roman gods. Not to mention fairies, bacchantes, and dwarfs. The most obvious passage like that was the long retelling monologue of the dwarf Fjalar regarding the battle against Hel. Hel is hela here, as Frigg is Frigga. Spoilers, Thor was killed by Atticus, the hero. Loki has been released. People are astonished at this prelude to Ragnarok. Many things happen.
It's tough to visualize a lot of the magic of the Druid. Take the binding of his assistant to the earth. The details were a bit hazy. For Granuaile to become a druid, she had to be tattooed with a thorn. Are her tattoos blue? Can they be magically hidden? What are the limits of druid powers? How come through five books, the hound Oberon has survived?
This book is better than the two Prydain chronicles books that I have read. This book although epic in proportions, has some modern cultural references which are used to make us like Atticus. The Black Cauldron was boring compared to Trapped. However, Trapped does smack of being a thriller in fantasy's clothing. That is evident from the chases, intrigues, double crossing, mysterious identities of the several dimensions, or planes of existence. Also many questions are pending and they are interesting enough for me to look forward to the sixth book of the Iron Druid Chronicles....more
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