Most helpful customer reviews
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Moonlit murder, Jun 5 2009
It's almost required in urban fantasy series that you have werewolves. Big, small, aggressive or angsty -- its expected.
But Jim Butcher must win some kind of prize for jamming so many kinds of werewolf into a single novel. "Fool Moon," the second novel in the Dresden Files series, features four different breeds of werewolf, all of whom are potentially dangerous for our wizardly hero. It's a rather simple storyline, but Butcher manages to keep the story interesting.
After a woman tries to get some magical information from him, Harry is called in to consult on a series of mystery killings -- the victims were torn apart by an animal, and a canine paw print is the only clue. Smells like werewolf spirit. Unfortunately, investigating this crime brings him into contact with Gentleman Johnny Marcone's mob -- and even thrown in jail after Murphy goes postal on him.
But Harry has some unusual allies on his side in the search for the murderer -- gang of teenage werewolves and a mysterious wild woman who wants to save her fiancee. Unfortunately, Harry's quest to stop the murders brings him between a deadly cursed werewolf and a government conspiracy. And getting rid of this problem might not be so easy, even with werewolves on his side.
"Fool Moon" was only Jim Butcher's second novel, and it shows. It's a rather simple story compared to his later work -- one main plot, one kind of supernatural threat, presented in a straightforward fashion. But it's still a solid piece of urban fantasy, especially given the different colourful kinds of werewolf that Butcher introduces.
And he does a solid job mixing dark'n'rainy noir atmosphere with lots of magic spells and talismans, as well as a veiled conflict between the Mafia and the FBI. The story rolls along at a gradual pace, with Harry picking up clues and new allies along the way, before erupting into a dark, bloody conflict with some very nasty secret enemies.
Butcher's writing strikes a nice balance between stripped-down Chanderlian prose, with plenty of blood and violence and some gloriously creepy moments (such as Harry being cornered by the lyncanthrope biker gang). Yet there's also a pared-down beauty to scenes like Tera dancing nude in the street.
Harry's reputation is at something of a low in this book -- not only does a newspaper call him a "charlatan psychic," but he also gets in hot water with Murphy after a student of his gets killed. And Tera West makes an intriguing female lead -- although it's pretty obvious what she is, her love for MacFinn and her wild, deadly nature give her an unearthly edge.
"Fool Moon" still sees Jim Butcher growing into his urban fantasy series, but this adventure/horror/mystery story is a worthwhile little read. Especially for those who like their werewolves in a variety of flavours.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Werewolves & Wizards, Mar 13 2007
This series keeps getting better, as Harry Dresden develops as a three-dimensional protagonist, sometimes a hero, sometimes really damn cool, but also sometimes a guy who gets scared, gets arrogant, slips up, makes mistakes with bad consequences, and has to live with the results. Chicago's hidden magical world continues to be revealed with more magical spells and potions, more fantastic creatures and demons, and more development of the supporting characters that help to flesh out Harry's world. FOOL MOON is a great fun read, even more action-packed than it's predecessor (STORM FRONT), without losing the fun touch of humour. THE DRESDEN FILES is definitely turning out to be my kind of series. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for action, adventure, the odd touch of humour, magic and an all around fun read.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Jim Butcher does it again!!, Jun 28 2004
Well, I have loved the first book on Dresden Files and, you know, a sequel ei not mormaly as good as the first one. But this time, it was even better. We are learning more about Harry Dresden as the book goes, and the more I learn about him, the more I like him. Definitively, a great book, better than the first one.
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by Jim Butcher
by Jim Butcher
by Jim Butcher
by Jim Butcher
by Jim Butcher
