Wizard for hire Harry Dresden has to track down the things that go bump in the night in this novel in Jim Butcher’s #1 New York Times bestselling series.There’s no love lost between Harry Dresden, the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, and the White Council of Wizards, who find him brash and undisciplined. But war with the vampires has thinned their ranks, so the Council has drafted Harry as … Council has drafted Harry as a Warden and assigned him to look into rumors of black magic in the Windy City.
As Harry adjusts to his new role, another problem arrives in the form of the tattooed and pierced daughter of an old friend—all grown up and already in trouble. Her boyfriend is the only suspect in what looks like a supernatural assault straight out of a horror film. Malevolent entities that feed on fear are loose in Chicago, but it’s all in a day’s work for a wizard, his faithful dog, and a talking skull named Bob…
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The blurb I’d read led me completely down the wrong path here, but I love the journey. I’m concerned about a character as I’ve read ahead before I started reading the series and now I’m worried I’m remembering something bad in the future. You know you’re committed to a world when you’re concerned about the characters well being in a future book.
Cozy readers will love the community Jim Butcher has built here. Especially with this book when a mother’s love is proven and challenged.
This is the eighth book of the Dresden Files, and as one expects things are glum. I’ve been binge reading the whole series in order, and reviewing as I go.
The series has an over-arching story arc, with roots starting at book 3 (Grave Peril) but only becoming visible as more and more of the series unfolds. It’s a great thing, but as it continually colours events around Dresden it’s best to read in order.
*** What to expect
A thriller-paced novel: the initial two volumes could have been mistaken for a noir-detective, but this is more like Jason Bourne, complete with constant battering by his foes.
The tone of this book is in line with the series, descending into glummer and grimmer aspects while Harry tries to keeps his sanity with flippant humour. This book has more homage to pop-culture horror B-movies, and Butcher balances both slasher-type murders with more emotional trauma.
*** What I like
I like Harry’s wise-cracking attitudes towards like, and his Wal-Mart attitude towards acquiring magical resources. I like the supporting characters in general, and even though my favourite one (John Marcone) is not in this novel Butcher is doing excellent job in characterising and building recurring cast and introducing new characters. It’s great to see all characters grow and evolve as the series progresses.
*** Be aware
This is part 8 of a series, and you really need to read them in order. Butcher has Harry’s mental dialogue to recap previous events and dialogue for those who read the series in breaks (which, in itself, may grate on some reader’s nerves as a “telling” style, or simply for being repetitive), but really it’s just a function of a long-running series.
Also, some readers may find Dresden attitudes chauvinistic and misogynistic, though that is a both a trope of the genre and something of a failing of his.
*** Summary
While there are certain flaws in the book (especially if you’re binge reading the series), this is a great example of a fast-paced, urban-fantasy thriller. If you want an excellent blend of modern-day thrillers with dark fantasy, this is the series to read.
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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.
As a newly appointed Warden of the White Council (a job he didn’t want), Harry finds himself in a new role. Toss in a horror convention (Splattercon!!!) where movie slashers and killers come to life, warring factions of the Fae, supernatural attacks, nail biting action, snappy dialogue and snark, and this book rocks! I would expect on less from a story that features Chicago’s only professional wizard.
I love Harry’s heart as much as his witty comebacks, and that heart really shines through in this story. I can’t recommend this series highly enough!
Proven Guilty is book eight in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.
It never rains, but it pours. This one was full of black magic, faeries, ghost and more. Harry is adjusting to his new role as Warden, doing the right thing and enforcing the laws of magic don’t always go together and a bit of tough love proceeds. So much happens and the surprises keep coming.
Harry gets help from an unlikely source, Charity. Also Thomas and Murphy come along on this adventure. The war is still going on, but things aren’t going well between the Red Court and White Council. Merlin also wants to remove Harry permanently from the Council. And, Harry is collecting a interesting set of allies to help him now and in the future.
Proven Guilty is full of action, mystery, magic, compassion and intrigue. Overall, I’m enjoying The Dresden Files. The mystery, action, and seeing Harry grow and deal with life’s changes is wonderful. Their is something new to experience in each new installment.
Rated: 4 Stars
4.5
Oh wow another great book in the series. What a wild ride not only this book but the entire series so far. Also the books are getting harder and harder to review without spoiling it. But I will try my best but this review might spoil something from previous books, so if you haven’t read them please be aware that this might spoil you.
One big thing happening in this book has to do with Charity and she has had kept a huge secret from everyone as they deal with the fallout from that, Harry and Charity work together Unlikely duo, yes, but I loved it and some things are also being revealed along the way. Though there were a few moments between Harry and her daughter Molly that had me worried for a while and a bit nervous and too weird for me. But overall it worked all out for the most part and for now. As we know things never quiet rest in these books.
One thing that happened in now in a few books is the whole coin and fallen one, Lasciel. Inside Harry thing. I’m not sure what to think of that, I’m not a huge fan of it but still curious to see where it takes us from here on out in the story.
We get more into depth of the whole winter and summer court, but to be honest all that is starting to get a bit confusing. The same with the Vampire courts and so on but I can’t wait to see how things work out now that Harry has been on the council, how it will effect things for him.
We learn more about Thomas as things also move and they seem to be more comfortable with each other and the whole situation. I can’t get enough of them two together.
Murphy, things might or might not be happening, we might never know to be honest. Only time will tell as most of everything in his life things are complicated and never that easy. Though one thing is for sure Harry seems to be getting really lonely and I feel for him. I also still hoping Susan will come back some time with her hunger under control and they can make it work somehow. I not only liked her but I liked them together.
I listened to the audio book as all the other prior and again I can’t praise them enough, they are s great to listen to and James Marsters does a phenomenal with these books.
Over all I loved the book and rate it 4.5, there are a few minor things that I don’t care for and feel drawn out like Lasciel but overall I loved it
I’ve just finished reading all of the Dresden books and what a ride that was.
Like my own book, Dead & Talking, Fool Moon and its companion volumes, mix up real life and fantasy.
Harry Dresden is a PI wizard in Chicago and like the Muggles unaware of magic in their world, he has to do his job with the real world (mostly) unaware of the demons and vampires that live around them.
These are first person narrations and after 15+ books, I feel that I’ve spent enough time in Harry’s head for him to have become part of my own DNA.
All the books are imaginative, full of suspense and confrontation, and populated by the most amazing and diverse group of supernatural beings you could imagine.
Start at the beginning and go for it.
The Dresden Files series gets better with each book! I highly recommend this series.
A well done continuation of harry Dresden, very enjoyable
I love the Dresden Files, read them all.
Great series! One of my absolute favorites.
Investigating the rumor of black magic leads Dresden and his friends into epic battle (by way of a horror movie convention).
Lots of fun to read—witty banter, emotion-heavy situations, old world politics, and serious fight scenes!
I enjoyed this book the first time I read it and I think that it was even better during this re-read. This is the eighth book in the Harry Dresden series which really should be read in order since each book builds on events from previous installments. It is a great series to revisit anytime I want to read something that I know I am going to enjoy.
Once again, Harry finds himself in the middle of a mess. He receives a call from Molly Carpenter, the daughter of his good friend, looking for help and he just can’t say no. Someone in town is doing black magic and there are also some grisly murders at a local horror festival that he needs to contend with. All while trying to keep the White Council happy. Things get very complicated very quickly and Harry feels like it is his responsibility to set things right. There were some pretty big developments that were revealed in this installment. I found this story to be really exciting with plenty of action. I was hooked by the mystery and couldn’t wait to see if Harry would be able to make everything work while protecting those in his care.
James Marsters continues to do a phenomenal job with this series. It really is amazing how completely he is able to bring Harry and the other characters to life. I thought that he added a lot of emotion and excitement into the reading and I found it easy to listen to this book for hours at a time. I do feel that his performance added to my enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this series to others. Harry’s world is an interesting one to visit and I always feel completely entertained when I dive into any of the novels in the series. I cannot wait to continue with my re-read of the series.
Hands down my favorite series and this is a great example of the series. Fun, escapist entertainment that also makes me ponder bigger questions of ethics and right and wrong.
Another fun installment of the Harry Dresden Wizard Detective series
I adore this series!
Butcher is my favorite author; the Dresden series my absolute favorite of all time; if you start you will want more; sorry the series had to end.
You should probably read them in the order they came out but Harry Dresden is an awesome character and you’ll fall on love with him.
This is book #8 of the Dresden Files, but it’s the first one I read. Despite that, I didn’t skip a beat with the story or characters. This is a book that sucked me in and caused me to look for opportunities to escape from life and get lost in the story. I got through this book in a couple days and loved every minute of it. I highly recommend giving this snarky, fantasy/mystery a read.
Holy… well, heck. A lot of things have connected and I’m here with my mind all racing with a bunch of things. so far my favorite I think. More to come.
Awesome read