THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET SERIOUS FOR HARRY DRESDEN, CHICAGO’S ONLY PROFESSIONAL WIZARD, in the next entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling Dresden Files. Harry has faced terrible odds before. He has a long history of fighting enemies above his weight class. The Red Court of vampires. The fallen angels of the Order of the Blackened Denarius. The Outsiders.But this time it’s different. A being … Outsiders.
But this time it’s different. A being more powerful and dangerous on an order of magnitude beyond what the world has seen in a millennium is coming. And she’s bringing an army. The Last Titan has declared war on the city of Chicago, and has come to subjugate humanity, obliterating any who stand in her way.
Harry’s mission is simple but impossible: Save the city by killing a Titan. And the attempt will change Harry’s life, Chicago, and the mortal world forever.
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I’ve read the first half of this story (Peace Talks) when it came out, and of course I jumped straight into this novel as soon as it came out.
*** What to Expect
Expect the culmination of the two-part story starting with Peace Talks. As usual, Butcher delivers an intense thriller-paced, larger-than-life adventure for Harry Dresden. If you haven’t read the previous novels (really, the rest of the series), this is not the place for you. If you did enjoy it so far, go ahead and skip the reviews to get to the book already.
*** What I liked
Love the plot that Butchers constructs, with their intricate multiple threads the weave around into a grand finale. The side characters often steal the show, being more interesting or relatable.
*** What to be aware of
Butcher has been consistently building up larger and larger battles for Dresden, so at this point this can come as over the top. In a world where magic is powered by emotion, Butchers delivers an emotional blow after blow to Dresden — which, as a reader, can get a bit much at times. One yearns for the simple days of yore, with simpler cases one could relate to.
*** Felix’s Review
The idea of fighting creatures that the gods had trouble to defeat was… perplexing to Felix. While he understands that different worlds run on different magic systems, he too found that the affairs of men and gods were mixed in wrong proportions here. At least, this reads more of a segment of mythology than how the series the started with detective cases.
*** Summary
As said above, this far into the series you either love it or have given up. If you haven’t read all the novels (or tried to skip some), then you’ll find it more confusing. If you have enjoyed it to date, why are you reading this instead of jumping right in?
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Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A Story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic – for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
The continuation of the previous book in the series it brings to head a battle that was destined to be terrible. The characters Jim Witcher puts together in these books are unique in that they grow like normal people in skill and experience. An excellent read raw and emotional
This is one of the most emotional novels in this series so far. A definite one of a kind and one that needs to get read more than once. It had action and violence from the opening word to the final announcement. The influx of new characters you meet was very entertaining. Just remind me not visit Chicago after dark, very paranormal feel and descriptions. If you do not get emotional while reading this novel, then you are not a true fan of Harry Dresden. I can see why the author took so long to write the previous novel and this one together. It definitely appreciate the pain and emotion the author went thru while writing these last two books. The only spoiler I will throw out there is that the White Council is comprised of morons. The short story, about Christmas was a great addition and the end of very emotional novel. It really brought some humor to the end of the novel, as being a separate story. I really cannot wait to see how the character of Harry Dresden goes forward after he went thru.
I loved it! Back to the Dresden we all know and love. Worst part is now I can’t wait until the next one!!!
Love Dresden. Pretty good story, but not his best.
This is basically part two of Peace Talks, since it would have been too long otherwise. Why else would Peace Talks come out July 10 and then Battle Ground Sept 29. Especially after a six year wait since Skin Game.
Don’t get me wrong. I read all Dresden books. Wait for them like a kid at Christmas. But, considering all the stuff left up in the air, how long will this next one take?
Unsurprisingly, given the title, this is primarily one long battle scene which got tedious for me. There were 5 or 6 important nuggets dropped in though that should be developed in the remaining books. Hopefully, I’ll remember them when the next book actually arrives.
On the plus side, some secondary characters get more development and we see more of the effect of the supernatural on the human population.
I am also getting tired of Dresden being passive and getting tumbled around by everyone. He needs to step up in terms of developing his skills and self knowledge. I understand he doesn’t have time to explore what he heard in Peace Talks, and is confirmed here, though he does try to get an answer from a couple of people. I hope that is not dropped in the next book and that he tries to explore his “situation”.
Would recommend this book to people who have stuck around for the previous 16 books and plan to finish the series because potentially important info. is revealed. This is defintely not a book for newbies to the series.
Incredible!! That was an incredible story!! There were too many parts that left me in tears!! All I can say is poor Harry! I am not going to leave any spoilers! As for the ending. What the heck?? Jim Butcher! Lol. DUDE?!?!
That ending!! OMG! It isn’t a cliffhanger but I hope I don’t have to wait too long to see what happens. Lol
Battle Ground by Jim Butcher is the 17th book in his excellent urban fantasy The Dresden Files series. I have read a few of the books in this series, since most of Butcher’s books are huge, it is hard to catch up; especially since its been a number of years having passed without a new addition of The Dresden files, though in July Peace Talks was released giving fans two Dresden File book in one year. Even though I did not read Peace Talks, I had no problem as I loved Battle Ground; which was an amazing nonstop action filled adventure from start to finish.
Harry Dresen, our Wizard hero, is star of this series. Harry is the Winter Knight, beholden to Mab, who is the Queen of Air and Darkness. We knew something big was on horizon when Peace Talks ended, and Battle Ground begins immediately after, with a ultra-powerful Titan, Ethniu, is on her way to destroy Chicago and all humanity. Ethniu is filled with hatred of humans and Mab, and will stop at nothing to cause utter chaos and destruction to all of Chicago with her creatures and army of thousands. From the immediate start, Harry was attacked by some of those creatures, and manages to survive with the help of Lara, Molly and Murphy. But this is only the beginning, as the battle to come is epic, and constant, with death defying situations having us holding our breaths so often, we were exhausted by the time this book ended.
I loved that in Battle Ground we get to see just so many of the regulars we have come to know, such as Murphy, Mab, Lara, Molly, Marcone, Butters, Sanya, Michael, Sarissa, River, Titiana, with a few surprises along the way. Mab was amazing in this story, as her faith in Harry excels, and she pulls her team together to help fight what is a desperate attempt to survive. Poor Harry, each time he was able to stop one thing, so much more kept coming. Battle Ground was one of the most exciting books I have read this year, and I have read a few. No surprise, as Jim Butcher is such a terrific writer. There is so much action throughout the book, you don’t have a moment to blink. Just when you think …whew, he got through that one, damned if you are not hit again, and again and again.
This is a difficult review to write, as everything that happens is a spoiler. Harry is phenomenal, and he suffers badly, but like the energizer battery, he keeps going. I cannot say the last half of the book was wild, crazy, mind-boggling; since the entire book was nonstop action all the way to the end. Amazing ride… If you have not read The Dresden Files, it is time to do so. Harry Dresden is one of the best heroes, and it is hard pressed to find a writer such as Jim Butcher, who can keep this story fresh, and the hero still awesome. Battle Ground is a must read.
Forzare! While Peace Talks was tepid, Battle Ground by Jim Butcher is on fire. Literally. And the storyline in this one is excellent too. 😉
Whenever you come into a series, but especially a fantasy series, after five books there is way too much to explain in a review. And the Dresden Files is on book 17, I don’t think a lot of authors can boast about that feat. So I won’t be getting into many details, besides if you’re a long time fan, you’re going to want to read it yourself with no spoilers. And if you’ve never read any of the Dresden Files before, you need to start with the first book, Storm Front. And you can thank me later!
I will say all of my complaints about Peace Talks have mostly been rectified. Harry isn’t a hormonal teen in regards to the Winter Mantle, he’s way too busy fighting for his and everyone else’s lives. Although I think Butcher still managed to mention it a couple of times. The repetition was not nearly as prevalent, but for the love of Cthulhu, we all get it, Butters is a small, but mighty man. And I still needed more Bob.
But, Battle Ground was so excellent, and exactly what a Dresden Files book should be.
Butcher was able to finally lay to bed a character that was problematic for where the books are heading. And I really can’t say I was sad about it, which actually shocked, since I cried a bit at various other things in the book. Cried?!? Yes, some of the things in there intersected with the actual world we’re living in right now. You can look at the deeper meaning in Battle Ground, or not look as close and just enjoy the story.
The fight scenes are epic, and I do not use epic often. I want to write so much more about them, but you really need to read all the surprises for yourself. But I will leave you with, pizza has more than paid for itself over the years. And that is just a teensy part of all the combat.
And with any good Dresden Files book we are left with new alliances and new enemies. Oh, and Harry has a lab again.
I’ve been a fan of this series since almost the beginning. I started it when book 3 came out so many years ago, and I worked at a now defunct bookstore Waldenbooks. Fast forward to this book, and I started reading with much anticipation. After a little bit of a slow start, the action started and never really let up. As the title states, this is a book about the battle for Chicago with the Winter Knight and friends leading the charge to save it. With my reading style of reading fast (I’ve tried to slow down but I then tend to ignore what I’m reading), it’s very difficult to read this type of book. However, I think others will find they don’t have a struggle. The author does a great job with descriptions, keeping characters true themselves, and most notably, bringing our emotions to the forefront. Prepare for losses. Big ones. I’m looking forward to the next one. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.