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Changes: A Novel of the Dresden Files

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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?

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. I absolutely love all the characters and impatiently await the next release.

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. Changes in particular was very good all the way to the unexpected cliffhanger and ending. LOVED IT!

By now it's become a law of nature: another Dresden Files novel by Jim Butcher, another extraordinarily good read. The advenutres of Mr. Dresden, the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, just roll along as if the law of diminishing returns didn't exist.

Changes is no exception. Butcher's blend of humour and drama, magic and noir grit, and simple humanity [for all its graces and ills] still works. Think the first dozen or so Spenser novels by Robert B. Parker. Now add a unique and detailed set of rules for magic, complete with dire consequences for attempted misuse. Stir in all of Faerie, several different brands of vampire [ruled by various Courts], werewolves and the like and add apocalyptic stakes and you have an idea of both the grandeur and mire that inhabits this novel.

The plot is simple: one of the leaders of The Red Court [see vampires] plans to cast a bloodline spell that would remove all of Dresden's line from existence. Since, to his knowledge, that means the daughter he's just discovered exists, he must prevent the spell from taking place - and, oh, yeah, save the world.

He'll get no help from the governing body of wizards, The White Council, but there's always sympathetic cop, Sgt. Karrin Murphy [who packs a lot of smarts and tough into her five-foot nothing frame], his vampiric half-brother, Thomas [long story, don't ask - read the books] and the mother of his child, Susan Rodriguez [whom he'll hate for not telling him about his daughter - but not until after they prevent the spell].

If you haven't read any of Butcher's work [he also has a brilliant epic fantasy series, the Codex of Alera], pick up the first Dresden, Storm Front, and proceed through the series until you hit Changes. You'll be glad you did.

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 10 books (minimum, can't remember how many are left).

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 being turned into a half-vampire. Now she calls to tell him that his daughter Maggie, about whom he'd never known, has been kidnapped by the Duchess of the Red Court. Harry learns that Maggie is to be a blood sacrifice in an act that will destroy him and many others. Harry is determined to rescue his daughter.

I am, primarily, a mystery reader. I picked up 'Storm Front,' the first Harry Dresden book by Jim Butcher thinking it would be interesting to see how he brings mysteries and the paranormal together. While the books are far more paranormal/fantasy than mystery, about half-way into that first book, the genre definition no longer mattered.

Harry Dresden is not the stuff of fairy tales'at least, not the Disney versions--Grimm was, after all, rather grim'but the stuff of nightmares with a wickedly good sense of humor. It is definitely a series to be read in order.

Boy, does Butcher know how to tell a story. He touches every emotion while making us face the monsters in the closet. I thoroughly enjoyed the references to movie, television, literature which have become part of our popular culture.

The world and characters created by Butcher are vividly drawn and often very unpleasant. Much of that is offset by the strong human characters, excellent dialogue and wonderful humor. There is a delightful bit where Harry 'said firmly, 'I don't do hats.' This is a jab to the fact that the cover of every book shows Harry wearing a hat.

Dresden is a classic hero. He is tall, attractive, strong, clever, protects the innocent and weak, destroys the bad buys and isn't overly macho ever. As with each previous book, we continue to learn more of Dresden's background. We also see the extent to which he is willing to go to protect and save others.

In 'Changes,' Butcher brings together nearly all the characters of previous books for this pivotal story, and some wonderful characters they are. It's thanks to his skill and imagination that we have Bob, the intelligent spirit who love trashy romance novels; Molly, Harry's apprentice; Mouse, the amazing Foo dog, and all the others; human and inhuman.

The story is non-stop with some breath-catching moments, both in terms of pacing and suspense. It is touching, suspenseful, gruesome, emotional, violent and occasionally funny. The book's ending is as much a shock to us as it is to Harry. I'm one who usually abhors cliff-hanger ending, but then realized Butcher did play fair with us by the lead up to the ending.

I am concerned about where the series is going from here, as I know the series is continuing. I'll just have to trust to Butcher's wonderful writing and go along for the adventure.

CHANGES (Para/Mys-Harry Dresden-Chicago-Cont) ' VG+
Butcher, Jim ' 12th in series
RoC, ©2010, US Hardcover ' ISBN: 9780451463173

This book has a surprise ending which I won't reveal here - you will have to find out for yourself... If you were stunned by the death of Morgan (or perhaps cheered if you were on Team Dresden), you will be even more shocked by what comes next. There were a lot of revelations in this novel which now make sense if you have followed through the series religiously like I have, some questions have finally been answered and some incidents have come back to bite him in the butt. As some readers may already know, this series has been getting darker in tone and this one is indeed more intense and gripping. As expected, Dresden goes to war against the Red Court vampires with the help of his close friends plus Thomas and Bob to rescue...are you sitting down?...his daughter. Yes, you read that correctly, he has a daughter! But, and this is HUGE one, sacrifices had to be made in order for this to be a victory. And boy, are there sacrifices happening, left an right. You will be left stunned and breathless by some of the major changes that happen in this book. And, um, you may want a box of tissues nearby when you get near the end...or a holy rosary to pray for some sort of miracle.

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.