Wizard Harry Dresden must investigate his own flesh and blood when a series of killings strike Chicago’s magic practitioners in this novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.Someone is targeting the members of the city’s supernatural underclass—those who don’t possess enough power to become full-fledged wizards. Some have vanished. Others appear to be victims of suicide. But now the … suicide. But now the culprit has left a calling card at one of the crime scenes—a message for Harry Dresden.
Harry sets out to find the apparent serial killer, but his investigation turns up evidence pointing to the one suspect he cannot possibly believe guilty: his half-brother, Thomas. To clear his brother’s name, Harry rushes into a supernatural power struggle that renders him outnumbered, outclassed, and dangerously susceptible to temptation.
And Harry knows that if he screws this one up, people will die—and one of them will be his brother…
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Loved this next episode in Harry’s life. And the fact we learn more about Thomas as well made the book a winner in my eyes.
Cozy readers may not love the fight scenes, but they will appreciate the sense of community and well defined characters that Butcher gives us, book after book.
White Night opens around a year after the previous book. Harry and his apprentice Molly are investigating a rash of suspicious murders. Someone of something is killing off those practitioners who barely have any power/magic.
I always feel a little lost when I first start theses books. It has to do with the time in-between when one book ends to when the next one starts. I’m reading one a month, but each book has like a year difference in them and so, I feel like I’m miss something like maybe a novella or short story that I needed to read, but once I get into the book I’m all in until the bitter end.
I really enjoy these books. Harry, I like the balance of dark and light within him. It feels real. We all have light and dark in ourselves and each day is a battle to keep them balanced. I also really enjoy the secondary characters; like Murphy, Thomas, Johnny Marcone, Ramirez, and others. They bring with them some fun, interesting, and enjoyable moments.
I was pleasantly happy to see Johnny Marcone, Chicago’s notorious underworld boss return. He’s a dark character, but he’s also a good man. We finally learn who the mystery girl is that Johnny is hiding away and taking care of. Murphy and Thomas where amazingly awesome in this installment. Murphy is one of my favorite characters and I wish Harry and Murphy would get together, but they are just friends, but I keep hoping. Thomas has some secrets in this installment and one that was a fun moment to read when Harry found out. Molly, well she got on my nerves with her complete disregard for her actions and how they impact others. I get she’s young and learning, but still. The only character I didn’t like seeing was Harry’s teenage girlfriend who comes back. I don’t know. It probably has to do with me wanting Harry and Murphy together.
The Dresden Files are always packed full of action, mystery, and suspense. The different storylines all work well together and seeing Harry constantly struggle with morals, a fallen angel, and more intrigues me.
White Night had a lot to offer and I can’t wait to discover what nonsense Harry finds himself in next.
Rated: 4 Stars
This is the ninth book in the series, and touches quite a bit on the overall story arc. I’ve been binge reading the whole series in order, and reviewing as I go. My reviews focus on setting readers’ expectations, rather than summarising plots.
The most important aspect is that 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 the series in order.
*** What to expect
A thriller-paced urban fantasy, dealing with serial killers and vampires while Harry spouts his own brand of flippant humor.
As long time readers can guess, dealing with vampires touches on the series arc more than most and there are a lot of references to previous events. That aside, Harry does his normal best at beating (not before getting seriously beat up by) the magically talented bad guys.
*** What I liked
I like Harry’s wise-cracking attitudes towards life, and in dealing with supernatural horrors. I like the supporting characters in general, and my favourite one (John Marcone) makes an appearance in this novel. In general Butcher is doing excellent job in characterising and building recurring cast and introducing new characters.
*** Be aware
This is part 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 can get a tad tedious (and also may grate on some reader’s nerves as a “telling” style, or simply for being repetitive). It’s just a function of a long-running series, but as entering the series mid-way is not recommended anyway it doesn’t offer much to new readers while could be distracting to fans.
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 – just start at Storm Front.
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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.
This is a top notch addition to the Dresden Novels! Jim Butcher is a master wordsmith and has created a character who is enjoyable and engrossing in his adventures. I can’t wait for the next installment. A must read!
4.5
Oh wow another crazy book in this fantastic series. Each book gets crazier and crazier and I think it can’t get any better and nothing can shock me anymore with Harry and then he next book does. This was the same with this book.
It was a total wild ride and again so much stuff has happened this book that I most likely will forget stuff for the review. I also don’t want to spoil anything for the few people that have not read the series, but that also gets harder and harder. So I will try to just keep it to the point and short.
While I’m absolutely in love with Harry, sometimes his self-sacrificing act can get a bit annoying I also think eventually it will bite him in the butt someday.
I really love the Molly part, not only can it be funny it is also very informative and a better look into the wizard and council world, that we would otherwise not get,
This book get back a lot with the white court of vampires and some surprising things happened. I’m not sure how feel but I guess I wait and see how things works out. It also gave me a glimmer of hope that we might see Susan again, who I still totally miss.
There are also some news on Thomas and what he has been up to, I’m also curios to know why Harry not tells the people about who Thomas is to him, to the people who are closest to him. I think it will come out soon enough though.
Elaine was back a lot in this book and at first I was not sure how to feel about that but I ended up really liking it and her. I also curious to see what that means for Harry and her.
Of course there is still Murphey and the “will they, wont they” thing that is happening, honestly I’m not for it and really enjoy them just as friends and no more, but time will tell.
Ramirez is a great deal in this book and I’m so for it. I love his character and what he brings to it and hope we get to see more of him and maybe even between him and someone.
Overall another epic book in the series that was full of action, humor and surprises, the only little negative for me was that there was sometimes just too much going on and too much information overload… but other than that I loved every minute if it.
I rate it 4.5
Great writing, very entertaining and worth the read.
Not as much wit and snappy dialogue as other stories in the series, but a full-blown battle makes up for it.
Our little core of homies is expanding… alliances are forged… secrets are revealed.
Such a fun ride!
looking at the list of descriptives we can check, my eyes landed on ‘happily ever after,’ not often a description of jim butcher’s harry dresden. i love the writing, the action, the whole harry thing. but there’s never a happily ever after.
i never give a synopsis of the book in my reviews; that’s not what a review is for, a review’s purpose is to tell you if the book is worth your time or not. this book is worth your time, read it
Urban Fantasy, great series.
The best Dresden Files book since Summer Knight!!! When helping Chicago’s SI with a suicide, Harry finds that his brother, a vampire of the White Court is the prime suspect. Working along side Murphy, their relationship is growing beyond that of just friends, but can Harry get over that she and Kencaid went to Hawaii? An old enemy of Harry’s shows her face. And his old childhood friend and first love, Elaine shows back up in his life. The weight of being a warden is bearing down on him.
This was a great addition to the series!
Great author. The story grips you from the first page and you can’t put it down.
Holy crap. Review coming soon.
Butcher is an excellent author. Well written drama with a twist of humor.
Awesome read
The Dresden Files is the best of the genre.
Harry Potter for grown-ups–top notch!
Butcher is always great! Harry Dresden is always a mess but somehow pulls out on top!
A favorite novel of the Dresden series. They’re all enjoyable, but this is one of my top three.
I love Harry Dresden. I especially love the character growth shown through the different books in this series. Plus, he’s just great.