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Which I finished at 2 am latest night and left me in a state of omfg. So, my very disjointed list of thoughts is behind the cut:
–so, in this book Harry lost: his office, his house, his laboratory, his car, Murphy's job, and Susan (which totally took me for surprise, I thought we were in for another round of final girl roulette).
–I was sad that Butters and (I know I'm going to burn in hell for this) Mister made it through the book alive.
–Also, Susan, please do not be encouraging Harry to have sex with his jailbait apprentice who he doesn't love, m'kay?
–I found the middle section of this book dull. The pacing actually reminded me a lot of Deadbeat, in the sense that the opening and closing were epic and the middle kind of dragged.
–The end left me going omfg over and over again (but can we PLEASE stop having the same author's note after every single book? I want you to explain why Harry is between life and death right now, not shill for a series that is a.) over and b.) annoyed me!)
–Saya had the best. entrance. ever.
–omfg MURPHY. Wielding the Sword of Faith and having Bob the skull as her halo because Karrin Murphey IS A MOTHERFUCKING WARRIOR ANGEL PEOPLE. WARRIOR ANGEL.
–And then she turned down a rebound job for god! But was perfectly willing to jump Harry's bones after she watched him kill Susan! And I was like 'noooo! this should mean something!' and then Harry got shot to cock!block the Harry/Murphy sex because, IDEK, I guess them making out is going to be the finale of all thirteen books or whatever.
–I really wish we had a greater sense of Maggie (Harry's kid) then we did. Because at in this book, she was a plot point and not a personality, and while that's understandable, it's beneath Butcher's caliber.
In summation, I can haz the next book nao plz?
–so, in this book Harry lost: his office, his house, his laboratory, his car, Murphy's job, and Susan (which totally took me for surprise, I thought we were in for another round of final girl roulette).
–I was sad that Butters and (I know I'm going to burn in hell for this) Mister made it through the book alive.
–Also, Susan, please do not be encouraging Harry to have sex with his jailbait apprentice who he doesn't love, m'kay?
–I found the middle section of this book dull. The pacing actually reminded me a lot of Deadbeat, in the sense that the opening and closing were epic and the middle kind of dragged.
–The end left me going omfg over and over again (but can we PLEASE stop having the same author's note after every single book? I want you to explain why Harry is between life and death right now, not shill for a series that is a.) over and b.) annoyed me!)
–Saya had the best. entrance. ever.
–omfg MURPHY. Wielding the Sword of Faith and having Bob the skull as her halo because Karrin Murphey IS A MOTHERFUCKING WARRIOR ANGEL PEOPLE. WARRIOR ANGEL.
–And then she turned down a rebound job for god! But was perfectly willing to jump Harry's bones after she watched him kill Susan! And I was like 'noooo! this should mean something!' and then Harry got shot to cock!block the Harry/Murphy sex because, IDEK, I guess them making out is going to be the finale of all thirteen books or whatever.
–I really wish we had a greater sense of Maggie (Harry's kid) then we did. Because at in this book, she was a plot point and not a personality, and while that's understandable, it's beneath Butcher's caliber.
In summation, I can haz the next book nao plz?
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wait whut?!
Harry and Murphy almost with the.........and he..........why!?
I've got like the first 4-6, I believe and haven't read them through yet. Perhaps I should, yes/no? They do sound awesome!
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wait whut?!
Harry and Murphy almost with the.........and he..........why!?
Yes. Exactly my reaction.
I've got like the first 4-6, I believe and haven't read them through yet. Perhaps I should, yes/no? They do sound awesome!
Absolutely! Be sure to start with the first three, though, because this is NOT a series you should jump right into. First, because each books builds on the one before it - there are characters and plotlines which are introduced in earlier books that then continue on in later books, and secondly, because while the very first book is a very fun romp, as the series continues Butcher gets better and better until the later books (I'm thinking specifically of Blood Rites, Small Favor, and Turncoat) right heights of epicness that put them whole levels above the earlier novels.
Go get Storm Front, start there. You'll thank me.
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IF I recall correctly, I wanna say that there's all sorts of UST between Harry and Murphy right? or rather, there is eventually? And I think he also kept sorta cockblocking himself then too! (again, it's been ages since I've read these, so forgive me if I'm getting the details wrong)
Do you, by any chance, know where I could get my hands on the rest as ebooks for free?
OH! I've started Catching Fire, and the tiny teaser on TV Tropes of "It gets worse" does NOT make Angela a happy camper. No, indeed! From YOUR perspective though, how bad does the second book get, one being harmless and ten being, well a really shitty place to live?
Have you ever read the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine? *LOVES*
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And I see a lot of UST between Murphy and Harry and it's more that LIFE keeps cock-blocking them.
Do you, by any chance, know where I could get my hands on the rest as ebooks for free?
I haven't the faintest.
From YOUR perspective though, how bad does the second book get, one being harmless and ten being, well a really shitty place to live?
The stakes get higher, but it's nothing that wasn't implied by the entirety of The Hunger Games.
I have read the Weather Warden series. I love the first book, but got tired of later books where she flip-flopped between being a jinn and being human, and then there was that whole baby thing.
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Even better... SUSAN DIES/GOES AWAY FOREVER?!?!
Hell. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Butcher. Thank you so much. I could weep right now I'm so ecstatic.
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Last chance......
Susan is the baby!mama of Harry's kid.
Even better... SUSAN DIES/GOES AWAY FOREVER?!?!
Yes she does. And Harry was the one holding the knife.
AND WHAT IS THIS HOLY SHIT MURPHY AND HARRY SEXY TIMES?!?!?!
ALMOST. ALMOST SEXY TIMES.
Murphy: I lost my job and my reputation, so I think I'm going to get drunk and screw some random guy.
Harry: Can I audition for the role of random guy?
Murphy: Well, since Kincaid's out of town... you're on. Just me shower, m'kay? Because nothing gets me sweaty and gross LIKE PWNING 85% OF THE ENTIRE VAMPIRIC BLACK COURT.
Harry: I'll wait.
Murphy: Back in five.
Harry: *gets shot*
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Yeah, I was actually spoiled by a Butcher quote I saw. Apparently, he was GOING to title the next book "Dead" but the publishers thought that was boring so, the title of the next book is "Ghost Story". I saw that BEFORE reading changes, so I had the very strong feeling throughout the entire damned thing that Harry losing everything was just buildup for him dying.
Overall, I liked it, but I felt it seriously skimmed over some plot points and failed to explain. More than anything else, I think Jim Butcher was just knocking down dominoes with this one and rebooting the series for himself. I've kind of gotten the impression that he was getting a little bored with the series, so it kind of makes sense that he would COMPLETELY tear down the status quo.
Also WHO KILLED HIM!?!?!?!? That's what I want to know. I kind of had a sneaking suspicion it's Kincaid, because the early references to Kincaid setting the standard for "how to kill a wizard with a gun". But he was with Ivy, and it isn't like Harry has a shortage of enemies...but it's bothering me.
I agree that Maggie didn't feature prominently enough, and I know it doesn't make logical sense, but I'm hoping that someone he knows ends up taking care of her so she can have a greater role in the future (but, she obviously will anyway). Which reminds me; I did love how devoted Harry was, even though he'd never met her. There was something incredibly touching about the fact he LOVED her immediately and would have done anything to keep her safe.
Also...am I the only one who thought that Molly's attraction to Harry might have shifted to Thomas after the soulgaze? Mouse is only so much of a cockblocker, and in Harry's absence I'm thinking she might be getting it on with the White Court- Thomas did pretty much swear to protect her, and I imagine that means from the White Council, too.
Murphy is going to have ISSUES after this. We know she's had trouble opening up, then she finally thinks "hey, maybe this could work", and Harry gets ventilated. AND SHE WAS SUCH A FUCKING AWESOME WARRIOR ANGEL!!! I fangasmed so hard during the paragraphs of OWNING wave after wave of Reds.
How did you feel about Harry becoming the Winter Knight? In some ways, I thought it really seemed like too sweet of a deal- as far as his deals went- which leads me to believe his death will nullify his deal with Mab.
But yeah, seconding the call for the next book.
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He's dead? Seriously? I thought he was just gravely injured.
That said, 'Ghost Story' is a WAY better title than 'Dead.' (And I actually thought 'Changes' was pretty lame, frankly.)
I've kind of gotten the impression that he was getting a little bored with the series, so it kind of makes sense that he would COMPLETELY tear down the status quo.
I didn't get the sense that Butcher was bored so much as gearing up for the end - I heard he had a three book arc that was going to finish the series with, so I assumed that he was setting it up for that.
I kind of had a sneaking suspicion it's Kincaid, because the early references to Kincaid setting the standard for "how to kill a wizard with a gun". But he was with Ivy, and it isn't like Harry has a shortage of enemies...but it's bothering me.
I'm sure that's a plot point that Butcher will make much of. I highly doubt it's Kincaid, because while I think Kincaid COULD kill Harry, why would he? Kincaid loves Ivy, who loves Harry, isn't working for anyone else, Harry isn't a threat to Ivy, and Kincaid seems to like Harry himself, as long as Harry isn't stiffing him on his payday. Plus, could you imagine Murphy's reaction if Kincaid killed Harry?
Hell hath no fury indeed.
I know it doesn't make logical sense, but I'm hoping that someone he knows ends up taking care of her so she can have a greater role in the future (but, she obviously will anyway).
Why do you think she obviously will? One reason Maggie felt like such a plot point was that it was so easy to shunt her off stage at the end of the book.
Which reminds me; I did love how devoted Harry was, even though he'd never met her. There was something incredibly touching about the fact he LOVED her immediately and would have done anything to keep her safe.
Yep. It was touching and so very Harry, on many levels.
Also...am I the only one who thought that Molly's attraction to Harry might have shifted to Thomas after the soulgaze? Mouse is only so much of a cockblocker, and in Harry's absence I'm thinking she might be getting it on with the White Court- Thomas did pretty much swear to protect her, and I imagine that means from the White Council, too.
That would be cool, and yep, Molly is definitely interested in jumping those bones.
Murphy is going to have ISSUES after this. We know she's had trouble opening up, then she finally thinks "hey, maybe this could work", and Harry gets ventilated. AND SHE WAS SUCH A FUCKING AWESOME WARRIOR ANGEL!!! I fangasmed so hard during the paragraphs of OWNING wave after wave of Reds.
ME TOO. Oh, god, she was so badass.
And Murphy is going to have issues up the wazoo, but I think they will be more related to the fact that she walked away from her best friend and he got killed five minutes later on the very same day that she lost the job she adores.
I think she was probably more in the same mental space as Harry with regards to the sex - it was kind of end-of-the-world sex in a way. I don't think she was thinking long-term.
How did you feel about Harry becoming the Winter Knight? In some ways, I thought it really seemed like too sweet of a deal- as far as his deals went- which leads me to believe his death will nullify his deal with Mab.
Well, since I didn't think he was dead until you said something, I had not problem with him being the Winter Knight, under the assumption that he hasn't even SEEN the price tag for that power yet. If his death nullifies it, though, I agree that it was way to sweet of a deal for any deal made by the Queen of Air and Darkness.
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I didn't get the sense that Butcher was bored so much as gearing up for the end - I heard he had a three book arc that was going to finish the series with, so I assumed that he was setting it up for that.
What you heard about the Big Apocalyptic Trilogy as a series capper is very true, but he's also said that there are going to be a total of 20 "case files". "Changes" is book 12, so we still have about 8 case books left before he ends the series. And that is straight from the horse's mouth.
Plus, could you imagine Murphy's reaction if Kincaid killed Harry?
Hell hath no fury indeed.
Stars, that would be an awesome showdown.I mean, that makes sense. Your probably right in that it isn't in his interests right now (and the fact that he was with Ivy strongly reinforces the idea that he's not working for anybody else right now). But the "who" is going to bother me.On a completely different note, I found Harry's description of Kincaid as Ivy's bodyguard and all-around "teddy bear" very squeeworthy.
Why do you think she obviously will? One reason Maggie felt like such a plot point was that it was so easy to shunt her off stage at the end of the book.
I think that part of why that happened is because she's also very young. Traditionally, I find that- in fantasy- the children of the hero are basically destined for greatness. I don't feel that Butcher would have GIVEN Harry a child unless there was some HUGE plan for the girl. Considering the role that bloodlines play in the series and the fact that Harry is one of the top wizards on the planet, I can't imagine she's just a vanilla mortal, and it would just seem TOO cruel to give Harry a child that he'll probably outlive (ironic statement, I know). But even if Maggie isn't a wizard herself, Murphy has showed that vanilla mortals can be champions of great importance.
So yeah, I think there's no WAY we won't be hearing more from Maggie.
What I would like to see happen, and I know this is unlikely, but I would love to see someone Harry knows take her in. I'll admit I'm a little biased, because I'd like to see him have SOME relationship with the kid, and the idea of someone he trusted with his life raising Maggie after everyone thinks he's dead seems so...right. To me. But I guess it DOES depend on how much of a role Butcher wants to play.
Or maybe the idea of just handing her over to the Catholic Church to raise squicks me.Do you think Murphy will take up the Sword? It almost makes sense right now, as there's probably going to be a power vacuum in Chicago and SOMEONE will need to rise to fill the hole he left in the city.
Oh, and about Thomas...I had trouble seeing his motive. After Turn Coat, I thought he would disappear entirely from Harry's life and keep on with the emo boi act. His help here totally surprised me, but I can't decide if he was doing it because he REALLY still cares about Harry and wanted to make sure his niece was safe, or if he was just saving his own skin, which would be SO damned vampiric. I mean, he seemed genuinely repentant after almost feeding on Molly, but his appearence here almost seemed forced. Or at least that was the vibe I got.
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Do you happen to have a link? It's not that I disbelieve you at all, it's just that 99% of the information I get is from friends telling me what Butcher said, and I am quite aware of that that is not first-source reporting, if that makes sense.
Hell hath no fury indeed.
Stars, that would be an awesome showdown. I mean, that makes sense. Your probably right in that it isn't in his interests right now (and the fact that he was with Ivy strongly reinforces the idea that he's not working for anybody else right now). But the "who" is going to bother me.
I really want someone to write that fic. So much.
On a completely different note, I found Harry's description of Kincaid as Ivy's bodyguard and all-around "teddy bear" very squeeworthy.
Same here. That's one reason why Small Favor is one of my favorite Dresden books.
Traditionally, I find that- in fantasy- the children of the hero are basically destined for greatness. I don't feel that Butcher would have GIVEN Harry a child unless there was some HUGE plan for the girl. Considering the role that bloodlines play in the series and the fact that Harry is one of the top wizards on the planet, I can't imagine she's just a vanilla mortal, and it would just seem TOO cruel to give Harry a child that he'll probably outlive (ironic statement, I know). But even if Maggie isn't a wizard herself, Murphy has showed that vanilla mortals can be champions of great importance.
That is all true. And I was thinking about it. They've said that magic comes from the mother, but I was wondering if it has to be a direct line - like, could Maggie have magic from her grandmother?
What I would like to see happen, and I know this is unlikely, but I would love to see someone Harry knows take her in. I'll admit I'm a little biased, because I'd like to see him have SOME relationship with the kid, and the idea of someone he trusted with his life raising Maggie after everyone thinks he's dead seems so...right. To me. But I guess it DOES depend on how much of a role Butcher wants to play. Or maybe the idea of just handing her over to the Catholic Church to raise squicks me.
You know, I viewed it as handing the child not to the Church, but to someone who Harry trusted and has hidden other people, but I can see why that would squick you. Who would you like to see raising the kid?
Do you think Murphy will take up the Sword? It almost makes sense right now, as there's probably going to be a power vacuum in Chicago and SOMEONE will need to rise to fill the hole he left in the city.
Ever since the sword responded to her, I have known that Murphy will take up the sword - she is just clearly going to do it on her own terms.
His help here totally surprised me, but I can't decide if he was doing it because he REALLY still cares about Harry and wanted to make sure his niece was safe, or if he was just saving his own skin, which would be SO damned vampiric. I mean, he seemed genuinely repentant after almost feeding on Molly,
I think he genuinely loves Harry and feels guilty about hurting people, but is just sick of fighting with his nature and what he has to do to live. That's my take on it, at least.
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*smiles* I always cite my work!
First of all: here's a link to the Jim-Butcher.com forums "Masterlist of Interviews". The forums are run by his friends and the information has always been congruent with what I've seen him say.
http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,7822.0.html
Here's a specific interview where he refers to it:
http://www.crescentblues.com/7_4issue/int_butcher.shtml
"If I get to do what I want, I'll get to do about twenty case books. And then at the end I'll do a big old apocalyptic trilogy because big old apocalyptic trilogies are fun."
And I've seen him speak in person, and the "20 case files + apocalyptic trilogy" is a number that appears consistently through the years.
:) Hope that helps. Some of the interviews are really interesting. He's a pretty dynamic guy.
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Exactly!
And I am going to have a fun time going through those interviews. I just discovered that James Marsters did the first couple of audio books, and that just thrills me beyond measure.
And I've seen him speak in person, and the "20 case files + apocalyptic trilogy" is a number that appears consistently through the years.
That must have been fun! And I have to admit, 23 books total sounds good to me at the moment.
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I hate the book (http://community.livejournal.com/bookfails/199335.html). And I will not buy or read the rest of the series. (http://community.livejournal.com/bookfails/199335.html?thread=4231079#t4231079)
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