Comments on: Book Review: “Changes” by Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files, Book 12)

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:58:13 +0000

I have a feeling that he did die, but he will be resuscitated early on in the 13th book. In order to leave the service of the Winter Queen, the Winter Knight has to die. Even if it’s for a second, he will be out from under Mab’s control. It will be like a Buffy/Kendra thing, if I have my guess.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 05 May 2010 06:05:30 +0000

Awsome thine name is Jim Butcher. Sorry but seriously good series. I actually read book nine first when I brought it off the shelf as something interesting to read. When I realised it was book Nine ,White Night I stopped and hunted around for the first two books. Afterthat I was hooked. I wish I had the abilty to travel in time and get Ghost Story because I really, really want to read it.
I agree with just about everything you said except for Maggie. See I felt that Maggie was an interesting angle to work with because it will be good to see her capabilties in the futre and how much trouble she’ll get Harry into.
(Spoiler Warning)

The only thing I didn’t really understand was the very end part when Harry

gets shot. I guess he wasn’t killed but judging from the whole ‘Ghost Story’ title he just might of. I had to re-read the bit a few times but still a little unsure if he died, was transpoted to an underground train tunnel or somehting completely different.
Another thing I really like about Jim Butcher though is his advice on writing. I found his Live Journel really interesting in the way he told you how he wrote his stories. For aspiring authors I recommend reading it. Oh and as for the actual reveiw? Top Marks! I’m glad you didn’t go out of you’re to simply diss the book like a few other reviews I’ve read.
Hoenstly one review was just being plain mean.
And thanks for the head’s up for November be sure to get add that to the other short stories I’ve already got. SOundoing slightly nerdy but alas that is life. Be interestinmg to see what you think of Ghost Stories keep ud posted.
Nicole

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:14:53 +0000

I wish it were April 2011 for this reason alone. I’m sad that he said in his Bitten by Books Q&A that he wouldn’t be doing more than 1 Dresden book a year, even now that his Codex Alera is finished. I hope, though, that means we get another new series from him because I’m not the biggest Alera fan.

At least we get to look forward to the short story collection in November!

By: ian cooper

ian cooper — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:27:28 +0000

No spoilers in this review, but Wow! Just wow!

On the first page of this book we learn exactly what Harry Dresden’s mission and
prime focus is going be. Throughout Changes the characters we know and love appear,
but the conversations they could/should and probably will have with Harry one day
often don’t eventuate, because there simply isn’t time. Harry has his mission and
one sole focus and his friends are either with him or not. There is no time for deep
discussions or reflections.

The changes, questions and possibilities accumulate in this book, not just for Harry
but for all the characters. I can’t wait to see which avenues Jim Butcher will
explore now that so many more have opened up. But fans may also be surprised at some
of the Dresden familiarities that come to an end.

The final 20 – 25% of this book especially impressed me. It was building up to a
huge climax and it certainly didn’t disappoint, but we are provided with many
surprise twists rather than just one big fight at the end.

There is one particularly enormous WHOA! moment that I guarantee nobody will be
expecting.

A wonderful book, a crucial pivot point in the Dresdenverse and after I’ve taken
stock and recharged the kindle I’m off to read it again to see what I missed.

Is it April 2011 yet?

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:03:05 +0000

I recently grabbed his Spider-man novel off Amazon as a used book. I had a friend read it, and he said it reads almost like a Dresden Files book, but with superheroes instead of wizards. I figure it’ll be a fun summer read.

I also started listening to the second book of the Codex Alera, too. And while the series is still nowhere as good as Dresden, the second book is already much more interesting than the first was at its best moment.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 04:01:12 +0000

Yeah, I mentioned a few things you might not want to know about just yet. And you should read the series, definitely. After book 2, it really hits its stride. 2 is better than 1, and so on and so forth ad aeternum.

By: We Fly Spitfires

We Fly Spitfires — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:59:22 +0000

I didn’t read this review cause I saw you had a spoiler warning at the top… but yeah, I do intend to start reading some more of the books I actually already own the second one so I might start reading it soon!
.-= We Fly Spitfires´s last blog ..Getting A Greed Steed Without The Guilt =-.

By: Void

Void — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 06:02:27 +0000

Really? That’s good to know. I’ll have to keep an eye out for it.

Changes was so good that I don’t know what book to pick up next. Not a lot compares to Jim Butcher writing.
.-= Void´s last blog ..Underwhelmed by Bioshock 2 =-.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:11:55 +0000

I hate the idea of having to wait. Luckily, though, there’s a short story collection due out in November that has a never-before-released short/novella called “Aftermath” that bridges the events of “Changes” and Book 13, “Ghost Story.”

By: Void

Void — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:58:18 +0000

I loved this book. I don’t really have much to add to your review. I definitely agree about not feeling connected when Butcher added Harry’s daughter to the mix, but I think it will pay dividends down the road. There is potential for it to matter a lot in subsequent novels as long as we are somehow able to grow attached to her.

I enjoyed how this book really pushed other character’s stories along as well. Harry has everything in his life change, but Murphy is basically forced in a new direction as well. Molly expanded her skills and used her special niche of magic in battle. You already pointed out that McCoy will be playing a bigger role from now on and Mouse being fleshed out while the main characters were transformed. Overall, Changes did a great job of growing all the characters.

As you said, if someone is a Dresden fan they shouldn’t wait to pick up this book. I can hardly wait for the next one (even though I have to).
.-= Void´s last blog ..PSA: RIP Original Xbox Live =-.