Harry Dresden

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Changes are Coming!

March 8, 2010 in Fantasy, Urban | Comment

Jim Butcher’s latest addition to the Dresden Files will be out in April! You may recall the fun I had reading Turn Coat, and I expect Changes will be no different.

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden’s lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry’s not fighting to save the world…

He’s fighting to save his child.

You can check out the first few chapters on Jim Butcher’s site here!

Welcome to the Jungle

May 14, 2009 in Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Urban | 2 comments

I picked up Jim Butcher’s graphic novel, Welcome to the Jungle last weekend at my local Downtown Comics store.

welcome-to-the-jungle-3My excitement was so great I began reading it on the way home (Not to worry, the honey was driving, while shaking his head that anyone could be so excited about ‘a comic’). It can definitely be devoured in the course of 30 minutes or so, but I took my time, examine the panels, and probably took closer to 45 :-) .

In terms of a time line, the novel takes place before the events of Storm Front (Book one of the Dresden Files). Harry Dresden, Wizard, Sleuth, and All-Around-Awesome-Guy, is called in by Lt. Murphy of the Chicago PD to investigate the mauling of a night security guard at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Using his “third eye” or Wizard’s Sight, he sees that this is no ordinary animal attack and begins searching for the supernatural cause of death.

A number of characters are also present–Murphy, Carmichael, and even Mister. I especially enjoyed the dialogue between Murphy, Carmichael, and Harry. Remember, this is before Murphy warms up to Harry! Another panel I enjoyed was Harry, alone, brainstorming possible culprits and discarding each one when they didn’t fit the M.O. welcome-to-the-jungle-2

Overall, the artwork is excellent, as is the writing: perfectly Dresden-esque, especially for Jim’s first foray into ComicBookLand. While the story isn’t as deep and multifaceted as the books, Butcher still delivers Classic Harry with the humor and cynicism we know and love. For those who are curious about The Dresden Files, Welcome to the Jungle is an excellent introduction/jumping off point.

The Dresden Files-TURN COAT

April 7, 2009 in Fantasy, Urban | 3 comments

I love being a wizard. Every day is like Disneyland.

So says Harry Dresden, caught in the midst of a White Council meeting gone bad. The search for a turn coat in the White Council is Harry’s current predicament. It all started when Harry, (now a warden of the White Council) finds a badly injured Morgan on his doorstep, begging for help (uh, you may recall Morgan as Harry’s Number One Antagonist and Constant Evil Shadow). A White Council member, LaFortier has been murdered, and Morgan was found at the scene of the crime holding the murder weapon. Now, we all know that Harry has gotten by partly on luck and his extreme paranoia. Is Morgan for real? Does this mean Harry’s suspicions about a supposed “Black Council” is true? (After all, we know that “someone” has been causing trouble–giving wolf belts to FBI Agents, riling up Red Court Vamps, and making Faerie Queens idealistic and overthrowing Faerie’s status quo, the list goes on. Basically everything that has happened since book one!)

But first Harry must deal with a powerful a Skinwalker, a Native American nightmare, drawn by Morgan’s weakened state.

Side Note: In this sense, the books are a little formulaic, but that’s what makes them so ‘comfortable’ to me– Someone comes to Harry for help. Big baddies come after Harry while he investigates. Help is going to take a lot more than Harry anticipated. Harry outsmarts/outlucks/outmaneuvers baddies. Harry saves the day.

So, Harry finds a Skinwalker (promptly dubbed Shagnasty, Dresden-style) after him while he tries to follow the clues in LaFortier’s death, leading him to ally with his old werewolf friends Billy and Georgia, as well as Lara Raith, head of the White Court vamps. On the home front, Harry has to deal with his apprentice Molly (who has grown up fast!) and her interest in dark magic. Also, it’s worth noting that Harry has gotten used to relying on Thomas for backup. In Turn Coat, Thomas suddenly goes missing and Harry has to deal on his own. We also find out that Mouse, Harry’s Foo dog, has quite a few abilities, including acting.

Turn Coat involves a myriad of characters, leading to a sprawling plot line. However, it ensures that the action never quits and that we learn much more about characters who were previously sidelined, including leaders of the White Council, Captain Luccio and more. As usual, Harry’s sardonic sense of humor will make you laugh out loud. Overall a fun, excellent read—just what the wizard ordered.

51kp1vk4pol_sl160_My only regret is that Bob the skull only made one appearance, and a late one at that—you won’t see him until Chapter 29!

Preview the first five chapters, posted on Jim Butcher’s website, and make sure to enter my giveaway!

The Dresden Files-Turn Coat Giveaway!

March 23, 2009 in Fantasy, Giveaway, Urban | 1 comment

51kp1vk4pol_sl160_Thanks to the great people at ROC, I have two copies of Jim Butcher’s TURN COAT (Book 11 of the Dresden Files) for giveaway!

Contest open to everyone.  Just send an email to me at dayapillaiATgmailDOTcom with “Turn Coat” in the subject line and your full mailing address. I will draw names April 12, so have your entries sent in by April 11.

The two winners will be notified by email—good luck!

Don’t forget to check out the first five chapters on Jim Butcher’s site.