Okay, picked up the book last Tuesday and finished it Thursday - my oldest daughter just finished it last night and my mom is reading it now. We're just a little wild about Harry Dresden in this household!
So, I am impressed with Butcher. Most series tend to get stale for me after so many books, but he is holding my interest with Harry Dresden very well. This book was longer, and I was afraid it would drag - and it did, slightly in the middle - but it picked up and really held my interest at the end.
I was actually glad to see Thomas return to a predator self..."gay" Thomas fixing hair was just too neat and simple a solution, and I wanted Butcher to complicate things a bit. Harry's unflinching devotion to his brother, even though he knows his brother has killed again is touching...and so very Harry.
Some things I really loved in this book:
Mouse - I love Mouse and he was awesome - especially when he faked the severity of his injury to drive the point home to Molly
Which brings us to Molly - she has annoyed me in the past but I'm beginning to be more and more impressed with her character. She's growing up and in her maturity process she's growing more likable
Butters...though he only appeared at the very beginning and the very end...they were great appearances
Harry stopping and realizing how the council might view him - he's always looked at himself as a bit of an outcast and as lesser than they - but he was able to step aside and see how they might view him and fear him. That introspection bodes well for his character development
The island! We will hear more of that later, and it should be interesting. I want Intellectus!
Morgan - self-sacrifing, and admitting that he knew he could count on Harry because Harry knew what it was like to be an innocent man hunted by the wardens.
Harry told Murph he loved her!
So, I am now anxiously awaiting the next book. What did you guys think?
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Really liked it. And like your family, we pass 'em around. My son got it first and passed it off to me, and now it goes to Teres.
Loved the parts you mentioned, and I was glad to see Morgan redeem himself (somewhat) in the end without becoming maudlin or "I was wrong all along, we're all friends now!"
And, as often happens, I'm rereading the earlier ones, again. Weird reading how spiteful Morgan was, knowing what will happen.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)