If you’re one of those people who continue to hold off reading this series, maybe because you saw the short-lived television series and didn’t enjoy it all that much, let me assure you that the books make all the difference. Butcher is a master of building tension, flipping plots on their heads, and getting you so invested in what is going on during a scene that you’ll often have to remind yourself to breathe.
The main story involves Harry Dresden’s debt to one of the Faerie Queens, and she shows up early on to give him the task of rescuing a none-too-savory mob leader in the Chicago underworld, after the guy gets kidnapped by various dark forces. Why is the queen worried about this criminal mastermind, and who kidnapped him, and for what purpose are all the main questions that spur Harry on into a escalating confrontation with some very ancient, very evil foes, and it’s going to take the help of all his friends–including a few hostile parties–to get him out of this situation alive.
A lot of familiar faces are involved in this story, including some more minor characters who barely got any face time before. Despite that, the story doesn’t feel overcrowded or confusing, though I’m not sure you’d want to make this the first book in the series to read, since it does involve a lot of backstory, and you wouldn’t want to spoil earlier books for yourself. If I had to point out a flaw in the book, I’d say that’d be the biggest one. It’s based on a lot of former books, and if you haven’t read them, you’re going to have a lot of catching up to do before you understand what is going on, and who is important. There is one spot at the ending that was particularly rough to get through…not because of writing or anything, but because of what happens to a character a lot of people have come to respect. (and if you have read it, you know who I mean, otherwise I’m not spoiling it for anyone)
So rest assured, Butcher has not lost an ounce of his storytelling oomph. If anything, he’s notched things up a few rpms.
I believe the long-term plan is for there to be twenty books in the series (so we’re halfway there!) which will be finished off with an apocalyptic trilogy. If the stories continue to grow in depth and quality as they have, I’m planning to be along for the whole ride. Don’t let the size of the series daunt you. This isn’t some epic fantasy slog that’ll bore you at any point.
I see that smile.