Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, Book 6)
by Jim Butcher
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.48 You Save: $4.51 (45%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.98 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, Book 6)
Book Review: Family Matters
Summary: 5 Stars
Harry Dresden, the only wizard/private detective listed in the Chicago yellow pages runs into some family problems in this, the sixth novel in the Dresden Files series. Rather ironic since Dresden is an orphan and his relationship with his girlfriend Susan has hit a serious snag - her being halfway turned into a vampire has caused a few problems. Still Harry has had to keep on taking on jobs in order to pay the rent. As the story opens Harry has rescued a litter of puppies from the demons who had kidnapped them. The mission seemed to have reached a satisfactory conclusion when he returned the pups, even if one had been inadvertently left behind in Harry's car. After all it shouldn't be all that difficult to send it on its way as soon as he got a minute to spare right? What Harry didn't realize was that the simple body guarding assignment for a film director would lead him in the path of the dysfunctional ruling family of the White Court vampires. Harry had met part of the White Court earlier, the vampire Thomas had aided Harry in the past for reasons that Harry could not quite understand. As if that was not enough Harry's lone ally on the CPD, Det. Murphy had her own family problems that spilled over into Harry's life. Harry's mentor, Ebenezar, the closest known thing Harry had to family even arrived on the scene to lend a hand. Before all questions were answered though Harry's world would change in ways that he never imagined possible.
The DRESDEN FILES are a popular series of urban dark fantasies set in Chicago and featuring Wizard Harry Dresden and his efforts to keep the magical world of the Nevernever from spilling into the mundane world. The overall story arc in this series is quite pronounced so for maximum enjoyment begin reading this at the beginning, STORM FRONT and proceed in order.
Book Review: Worth the wait
Summary: 5 Stars
I started reading this series late, so I was able to read the first five books all in a row. This was the first of the series that I had to wait for, and it was more than worth it.
If you haven't read any of the previous installments, then let me be the first to welcome you to the world of Harry Dresden, wizard for hire. I would strongly recommend that you go back to the beginning and start with "Storm Front" and work your way up from there. Believe me, it's a great ride. If you start with this book you should be able to get up to speed fairly quickly, but you may not understand who some of these characters are. Butcher does give a bit of backstory as he goes, but you'll be so caught up by the story that you may well miss the few details he scatters around.
The important things to know about this series:
Butcher is an above-average writer with an ability to tell a story that is well-plotted, fast-paced, moving, interesting, and more than occasionally funny as heck.
Harry is one of the most interesting characters to come along in quite a while. His backstory is satisfying but still leaves enough unanswered questions to keep the series going for a while. He is also, occasionally, a son of a b***h.
The world of this series is a place full of vampires, werewolves (a few different kinds of each) and lots of other things that go "bump" in the night. It is also full of heroism, honor, daring, and sometimes even love.
These books read like a mixture of Buffy, Sam Spade, and Terry Pratchett. If you don't know who any of them are, then you need to get busy because there is a lot of great entertainment waiting for you. And Jim Butcher's novels are a good place to start.
Book Review: Dark Magic Fun
Summary: 5 Stars
The ride continues for wizard/private investigator Harry Dresden. With his most recent adventure, "Small Favor", blasting its way to the New York Times Bestseller's list, his other adventures continue to grow in popularity. In "Blood Rites", Harry Dresden becomes more than just an intriguing character - he becomes an urban fantasy icon.
Fresh off a case involving demon monkeys chucking flaming poop, Harry is ready for something a bit more upscale than his usual fare. Of course, in usual, twisted fashion, he gets his wish: he's hired to solve a string of accidents on a maverick porn director's latest production.
Just when Harry thought life was getting dull.
Things quickly turn from embarrassing to deadly when Harry discovers he's been sucked into affairs way over his head. Someone has unleashed an entropy curse upon the porn mogul, but it's not attacking him; rather important women in his life. Women are dying, and of course - entropy curses are the worst things to unravel. That's not all, however. Somehow, White Court vampires - succubi - are involved, which of course involves Thomas, a white court vampire acquaintance who's shown an odd affinity for Harry as of late. Hidden there is a family secret that will change Harry forever.
Many urban-fantasies have sprung up in the past several years, but the Dresden Files continues to outshine them all. Harry is a delightfully rough, brusque character of surprising depth, accompanied by a razor sharp wit. Butcher writes with deft and skill, which should guarantee Harry Dresden a long future, indeed.
Book Review: Best one of the bunch...so far
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I stumbled upon the Dresden files last summer and quickly read through the first 5 books. This is the best of the bunch and you don't have to read all the others to enjoy this book, however, I think it's sacriledge if you do pick this up without reading the other. Jim Butcher does a good job just in making the book very self-contained, exciting stuff. I tried to pace myself with this one, but ended up finishing behind closed doors at my office when I should have been working. Great book!
Jim Butcher has an amazing skill, I think genius level on how to pace a book. From page one the pace of this book is outstanding. I can't remember the last book I read that didn't have a "slow part". I typically read from two points of view: wannabe writer and lifetime reader. Usually I tackle the reader side first and then, if worthy, go back a second time with a writer's perspective. I couldn't help but do both. This was just a FUN read. The story is interesting, great characterization, dialogue is snappy, at times contemporary but always on point. High on entertainment, good messaging about family and wanting of such. You will play this book like a movie in your head. You probably have ideas of current actors who could play the leads. When this does get the Hollywood TV treatment all I can tell folks is READ the books. It will make great TV/Movie but you can't appreciate the texture of a well written and paced book.
Well done Mr. Butcher. I highly recommend this book to those who are not into High Fantasy but more of an realistic urban fantasy.
Book Review: A fun book in a fantastic series.
Summary: 4 Stars
Let me start by saying I'm a huge fan of this series. And while this book was not my favorite it was still significantly better than many other urban fantasy books that I've read and enjoyed. So, Butcher has raised the bar to a very high level of expectations.
If you're new to the Dresden File series, imagine Dick Tracy as a wizard. The protagonist of this novel and series is the unapologetically chivalrous yet lovelorn Harry Dresden, the only wizard in the Chicago Yellow Pages. Dresden, a supernatural gumshoe who lives in his rundown Chicago apartment makes for a fun protagonist. While the series is driven more by a blazing plot than by characters, the characters, too, are multifaceted individuals (for the most part) who learn (or not) from real mistakes. And seriously, who doesn't love a polka-playing Medical Examiner? A sex-feeder who has sworn off sex.... A fairy godmother who wants to turn you into a pet dog and love and take care of you forever. The list goes on...
As always, Butcher's neo-noir style narration is spiced liberally with a warm humor that only enhances the non-stop thrills. He is one of my favorite writers.
Great fun. Outstanding writing. Paced for thrills with no slow spots. Darkly urban, contemporary setting. Magical, colorful characters. What's not to like?
The series is best enjoyed by starting with the first novel, Storm Front.
Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)