Sun 20 Jun 2010
Reviewed by LJ Roberts: JIM BUTCHER – Changes.
Posted by Steve under Reviews , Science Fiction & Fantasy[6] Comments
Reviews by L. J. Roberts
JIM BUTCHER – Changes. Roc, hardcover, April 2010; tall paperback: March 2011.
Genre: Paranormal mystery. Leading character: Harry Dresden, 12th in series. Setting: Chicago.
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. And, boy, does Butcher know how to tell a story. He touches every emotion while making us face the monsters in the closet. I thoroughly enjoy 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 says 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.
Rating: Very Good Plus.
June 20th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
These are well written and fun — which is all you can ask of any genre fiction. Butcher can not only entertain, but as pointed out here can challenge you and even surprise you once in a while, and magic here not only has rules, but a price to be paid.
Obviously not everyone who likes mystery and crime fiction will enjoy them, but for those who do, Butcher does his special niche in the genre with real style and fun.
June 20th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
I purchased the first few as paperback originals, I’m sure, but as the series became darker (or so was my perception) I seemed to lose interest, even without reading them.
If I were to give the series a real try — and can there be 12 of them already? — I’m sure I’d do best to go back to the first one.
I don’t know that I will, as I seem to be saying the same thing following 90% of the reviews that I post here, the ones not by me, that is.
I did watch the first few minutes of the TV series that was on briefly, THE DRESDEN FILES, but I gave up soon after I began. Too many commercials and extraneous clutter on the screen.
I might give the DVDs a try, if anyone has seen them and can say something positive about them. (Or is a rating of 7.8 stars out of 10 on IMDB good enough?)
June 20th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden books are my current favorite reading, though CHANGES is near the bottom of the series in my estimation. Don’t misunderstand me though: to my taste CHANGES is still an A-.
However, to quote THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE, “For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like,” This genre certainly will not appeal to everyone.
Steve, I hated the TV series, They cut out the magical heart of what makes the books so effective. The worst change from the books is that Harry is hardly a wizard at all instead having great power.
As I told my friends who like the novels, the TV show had more in common with SPENSER: FOR HIRE (with some light sorcery). The lead actor Paul Blackthorne is quite good and is well-cast, though.
June 21st, 2010 at 3:05 am
If you aren’t expecting the books exactly the series is entertaining and has its moments. The plots are a bit better than average and the usual romance/rivalry with his female cop pal well enough handled with the added bonus that she has to explain away his magic to her superiors. The comparison with SPENSER: FOR HIRE is a good one. The only thing I would add would be it took about three episodes for me to get into it.
I like the books, but don’t follow them regularly, but I can’t say any I’ve read let me down. I keep meaning to read them all, but something else always comes up and I don’t get around to it.
June 21st, 2010 at 5:31 am
The first one wasn’t that good, Steve. I think it took him until the second book to know where he wanted to go with it, so if you do start the series give it two chances.
I’m actually way behind with it.
June 21st, 2010 at 3:42 pm
I’m semi-convinced that I ought to give the TV series another try. Thanks for all the comments.
If the show was something like SPENSER: FOR HIRE, that’s an incentive, for me, at least. I know lots of people didn’t care for the show, but I did, and I keep wondering why no one has come out with Season sets of the series itself. If SIMON & SIMON can be purchased on DVD, why not SPENSER?
At least with DVD sets you can watch a program without the station logo on the screen, the announcements of what’s coming up next, and the commercials.
But I’ve gone down that rant before, many times.
As for the books themselves, we’ll see. No promises, not ones I probably won’t be able to keep. No time!