| (This review was originally sent in my enewsletter on release day, July 14). I got an early review copy of Peace Talks and had to hold my tongue until today, release day. If you are a fan, like I am, you’ll race through it until the … end? See, this is half a book, which is why Battle Ground is coming on its heels. Release date, September 29th. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of stuff happens here that you will need to know, especially with Thomas. If you love Michael, you get a little bit of him and a touch of Marcone and a bit of Molly as well. Everyone shows up just enough for you to know the gangs all here, but not enough to let you know the whole story. There’s a caper in the midst of the larger story, but we’re waiting for Battle Ground to get the bigger picture. I’m reminded of the scene in which Thomas tries to teach Harry what it is like to live with his Hunger. Do you remember it? He and Harry run on the beach and Harry is thirsty. He brings a water bottle to his lips and just as he is about to take a sip, Thomas smacks the bottle out of his hand. That’s this book. I will say this, things become very serious between Harry and his grandfather. Important, life and death serious. So go forth and read, my fellow Dresdenphiles. Just know what you are in for. |
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I’ve never read any of Jim Butcher’s books, but he’s come up as a “comp author” for me. What do you find you like most about his books? What’s his style?
Well, first of all–that’s a compliment to have him as a comp. Second, I can’t believe you’ve never read anything in his Dresdenverse. Harry Dresden is a complicated character who lives in a magical version of our world. His world feels real. Butcher’s done a great job of creating magic that feels like it could actually exist, and his characters are three-dimensional. We know them. We root for them or against them. His world-building is so slick and smooth that you slide into it almost unknowingly and suddenly you believe that there could be a wizard in the phone book who does everything but love potions. He’s kept it up over 17 books, too! He’s had some ups and downs over that time, naturally, but overall, he’s kept up the quality over all that time and this series is supposed to go on for 23-ish books and then end with a bang-up trilogy. This one book didn’t grab me like the others but mostly because it is half a book. Once Battle Ground comes out it may all make more sense. His fans are rabid and personally, I love some of his short stories best. I adore Mouse, the dog, as a character. If you start the series, keep with it because his writing improves steadily and by about book 4 you’ll see him really take off.