Changes: A Novel of the Dresden Files [Mass Market Paperback]

 

 

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Just when you thought Harry Dresden had every problem a wizard could have, a new one appears.

And his problems pile up like so many skulls in the twelfth book of the Dresden Files series, which is appropriately titled "Changes." Jim Butcher's quirky sense of humor is still in place ("Ick! My lips touched dog lips!"), but this is definitely a darker twist in the series -- and Butcher seems intent on diving down into a place that's far darker, bloodier and scarier than most urban fantasy authors can even dream of.

Harry is understandably shocked when his ex-girlfriend Susan tells him that their daughter has been abducted by Duchess Arianna Ortega, a vampire of the Red Court who has a personal grudge against him. After all, he didn't even know he HAD a daughter. To make matters even worse, the supernatural world is on the verge of imploding because of the Red Court's war with the White Council, which means that Harry can't depend on his own kind for any actual help.

And what's more, Harry's being bombarded by assassins, giant Mayan demons, and hordes of Red Court vampires out to destroy/vampirize him. He has to gather as many allies as possible before Arianna puts her lethal plan into effect, and he might have to sacrifice his morals to do so. But even then, an all-out assault on the Red Court in their own territory will tax Harry and his little fellowship to the limits -- and will tear away even more of what he loves.

"Changes" is a painfully appropriate name for this book. Just about everything you know in the Dresden Files series changes here -- the enemies, the allies, the politics, the devastating losses and even the war against the Red Court. Even the series itself is changing from an urban fantasy series into an EPIC fantasy series -- and it feels like a turning point after which everything (and I do mean everything) will be different.

For most of the book, Butcher whips up his usual mixture of action (a giant centipede out of "Inuyasha," a pitched battle in a fae court), convoluted supernatural politics, funny clothing, and pop culture references ("You know, I believe it IS possible to reference something other than "Star Wars," boss." "That is why you fail").

But a bleak, dark undercurrent runs through the entire book, and it gets darker every time another little piece of Harry's life is chipped away. Butcher spends the whole book creating a slow-burning build-up to a really nasty confrontation with the Reds, and it all culminates in a truly explosive climax that's soaked in blood, magic, and the deepest passions of the human heart. Here's the only disappointing aspect of it -- the "to be continued!" cliffhanger.

Butcher also brings in countless characters from previous books (Thomas, Sanya, Uriel, Butters, Toot, the ever-elusive Lea, Luccio), and introduces a few new ones (Vadderung, who resembles a certain ancient father-god). But the center of this story is undeniably Harry, who is so determined to save his daughter that he is willing to do literally anything -- he's even willing to do things you would never have thought him capable of.

"Changes" is full of changes -- it's the ending of an era in the Dresden Files, and it leaves you desperate to know what will happen next. Utterly brilliant, and truly heartbreaking.

This may in fact be the best one of the series. it marks the tipping point as the series moves closer to the finish and does so in all the awesomeness readers have come to expect from Butcher and Dresden. Secrets revealed, major twists and swerves. Amazing.

I'm not sure how to review this book without giving away too much. First of all, we find out that Harry has a daughter on page 1. And then things get interesting!

There are so many revelations, so many twists and turns, I was holding my breath most of the time. I plowed my way through every chapter, finding more information, previous story line sort-of coming together. I say sort-of because every revelation almost always led to many more questions. Which made the ending that much more surprising.

The thing about the Dresden Files is that as the serie goes, you are introduced to many incredible characters. They are not incredible because they are perfect. It's actullay the opposite. They are imperfect and there is rarely a situation, decision or event that is just Black & White. Heroes and villains come in all shapes and forms and they tend to have a mix of both wrapped into one. Harry is the main guy but you start caring about all the perephery players. A lot.

This is book 12 of the Desden Files and unlike many other serie, this one is still fresh and interesting. Makes me very mad I have to wait a year for the next book. Lucky number 13?

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great read!
I haven't read a bad Jim Butcher book yet. My husband who is not an avid reader is completely hooked and asking me when the next one comes in. Read more

Published 9 months ago by HeathermB

5.0 out of 5 stars Changes Takes Harry Dresden in Unexpected Directions!
By now it's become a law of nature: another Dresden Files novel by Jim Butcher, another extraordinarily good read. The advenutres of Mr. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Sheldon A. Wiebe

2.0 out of 5 stars The Death of Harry Dresden
In this book, Dresden transforms from a poverty striken detective who is also a wizard into a super hero who saves the world, and I did not enjoy it.

Published 19 months ago by Shirley

5.0 out of 5 stars Just gets better and better
Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series just keeps getting better, which is amazing considering that this is the 12th installment. Read more

Published 23 months ago by Catherine A. Thompson

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read!!
As all the other Dresden files books, the last one is an excellent read, fast paced, full of twists and turns, with a great ending. Read more

Published on May 25 2010 by HelenaP

5.0 out of 5 stars A real shocker
This book has a surprise ending which I won't reveal here - you will have to find out for yourself... Read more

Published on May 23 2010 by charmeddigitalchick

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Dresden Novel.
Great read. Much darker then his previous novels, but fun never the less. It's a shame I have to wait so long for the next novel.

Published on May 12 2010 by Scott Conley

5.0 out of 5 stars As cool as ever
It's all about changes in Harry Dresden so it's a good read. I wonder how Butcher will be able to keep Dresden's challenges getting bigger and bigger and bigger for every coming... Read more

Published on May 10 2010 by benzo

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect title
First Sentence: I answered the phone, and Susan Rodriguez said, 'They've taken our daughter.'

Seven years' ago, wizard Harry Dresden's love, Susan Rodriguez left after... Read more

Published on May 4 2010 by L. J. Roberts

4.0 out of 5 stars The Title Says It All
To tell you the truth, the first half of this book didn't impress me much.

If anything, it was just a retread of past novels and I found the development of Harry... Read more

Published on May 2 2010 by PMikey

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