Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, Book 2)
by Jim Butcher
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Book Reviews of Fool Moon (The Dresden Files, Book 2)
Book Review: It's a wild wolf-chase!
Summary: 3 Stars
The book starts with the loveable, hard-bitten, wizard detective Harry Dresden, having dinner with a sometimes-apprentice of his, that is picking the depths of his brain for dark magic. From there it takes a frenzied run from scene to scene, dragging poor Harry down the wrong rabbit hole further and further. Perhaps this one is a badger hole? (Do badger's dig holes?)
I digress.
The characters get more developed. There is mystery to uncover and there are some great battles. One action scene is particularly memorable, though it unbalances the flow of the book some by appearing midway through and overshadowing the ending. But then the ending isn't this books strongest point anyway.
As you might guess by the title, or maybe not due to the play on words, werewolves are a big factor. For a fan of the mythical beast, this may either make the book fantastic, or make it blasphemous. There are four different types of werewolves, with one type composed of two varieties and a fifth revealed at the end (though you probably guess it for at least half the book--especially if there are any Eddings' readers out there). Is that enough for ya? It was a little confusing to keep track of all the different types and was needlessly complex. If you look up loup-garou (one of the types) it is an actual term, but just means "werewolf" in French. There are another couple types that you'll read of that are just made up (as far as I can tell). There's nothing wrong with that, I was just so convinced by the book, that when I looked them up I fully expected them to mean the same in "real life" (I put that in quotes, because we all know there are no such things as real werewolves... Right? Anybody that raised their hand to contest that statement, please see a therapist.)
I'm starting to notice that Butcher follows the simple but effective premise to subject your characters to as much punishment as possible. Believe me, Dresden gets his fill.
This brings to mind the quote (not sure from whom) of how to do the Three Act Format. You've seen it elsewhere no doubt, but it makes me chuckle: Act 1: send your characters up a tree; Act 2: throw rocks at them; Act 3: chop the tree down.
TIMBER!!!!
Overall I liked this installment. It was often formulaic, and the magnificent, multitudinous variety of werewolves seemed a stretch, but it ultimately worked. I'd put it on nearly the same level with the first book, making me interested in reading more in the life of Dresden, but not until I put a couple more books under my belt first. I'd give it a 7 out of 10. (Keep in mind that I am a pretty tough reviewer. But then I feel that a 10 should be nearly unattainable and a 9 be reserved for only the very best. Which is why I disparage the 5 star format mostly used--really limits your options.)
If you haven't read the first book in the series, I'd start there first. Read my review of Storm Front here:[...]l
For everyone else what did you think? I hear that Butcher more or less started the urban fantasy genre. Does that mean we should "thank" him for Twilight? No, no. Don't hurt the man. He seems nice.
Come visit me on my blog: [...]
Book Review: Jim Butcher delivers a fantastic second book in The Dresden Files series
Summary: 4 Stars
Fool Moon is the continuing adventures of wizard Harry Dresden. In this second book of The Dresden Files, Harry finds himself idly waiting for the Special Investigations unit of the Chicago Police to call him as a consultant. He doesn't have to wait long because a gruesome murder has been committed in Chicago that screams supernatural. Suspicious paw prints are found at the scene and Karrin Murphy calls on Harry to help her solve the crime. Little does Harry know that his reputation also makes him a person of interest in the case. While holding off Karrin Murphy's Special Investigation unit Harry must stop what he suspects might be a bloodthirsty pack of werewolves from wreaking further havoc on the city.
Harry Dresden might be one of my favorite characters in urban fantasy. He's snarky but good-hearted and has a great sense of humor to boot. Fool Moon picks up where Storm Front left off. Harry is hanging out at his favorite pub, McAnally's when a woman asks him for help in deciphering some symbols from a circle she has seen. No sooner does Harry finish talking to the woman than Karrin Murphy appears and tells him about a case that needs the services of Chicago's only practicing wizard. It only takes two pages in the book for the action to start. Murphy tells takes Harry to the scene of a brutal murder where the person has been torn to shreds and strange paw prints are all over. Harry learns that this strange murder is not the first and that the FBI has become involved. Harry goes home to Bob, one of the coolest spirits on the planet and asks for his help. What he learns is that the paw prints can belong to more than just werewolves which doesn't bode well for Harry.
This book is no different from Storm Front. It's fun and action packed and Harry Dresden is still spot on with his humor. I really enjoyed just about every moment of this book while reading it and can't wait to move onto the next book. I loved the werewolf mythology (I have no idea if it's accurate or just a creation of Jim Butcher's mind) and the continuing banter between Murphy and Harry. There is also another familiar character that returns in this book. Marcone, the shady gangster is heavily involved in the plot. I was a little sad that Bob didn't have more of a role in the book than he did. I kept waiting for Harry to have more interaction with him, but it never happened. Bob is hilarious and I hope that Butcher gives him more of a role in the later books.
I can't wait to move on to the third book in the series, Grave Peril. These books read really fast and are great if you are needing a break from more serious reads or just from life in general. They are especially good reads with Halloween just around the corner so if you are looking for fast moving urban fantasy that is high on fun and thrills, definitely pick up Fool Moon. I will say that it is best to read the first book in the series (Storm Front) before you read this one, but if you decide to start here you won't be lost.
**Notice of Disclosure: I received this copy of Storm Front from Penguin Books.
Book Review: Book Two of The Dresden Files
Summary: 5 Stars
Fool Moon is the second book in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series. This series follows the exploits of Harry Dresden, the only wizard who has gone public and tried to run a business based on his magical talents. This book sets up with the fact that Harry's business is in trouble, no one believes that he is really a wizard. When an opportunity comes along for him to once again work with the Special Investigations Unit of the Chicago PD, he jumps at the chance. From there on it's a nonstop roller coaster ride of action as Harry jumps from one situation into the next, involving werewolves (there are actually at least three different kinds, who knew?), street gangs, and the ever-present organized crime boss.
In this book, Butcher lets us know not to take this series too seriously. Dresden is often shown to be a kind of bumbling magician, catching on to things just a little too late, miscalculating the power of spells, and really mishandling his relationship with Murphy, the head of Special Investigations. The climax of the books ends up taking on an almost comedic slant. It is clear that the author is approaching this series with a tongue-in-cheek attitude. This really works for me. It almost puts you in mind of Steve Brust's Vlad Taltos series. The scenes with Bob, Dresden's rather unique magical assistant, go even farther in that direction. Much of the dialog between the two comes off exactly like Vlad and Loiosh in Brust's series. If you liked the Taltos series (and who doesn't?) give this one a shot.
Another series it is hard not to draw comparisons with is Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. The protagonists of both series are supernaturally-inclined individuals who often help out their respective Police Departments with messy cases. The tone and setting is much the same in the two series, with the Anita Blake series being set in an alternate version of St. Louis and this series being set in a version of Chicago. Also, the array of supernatural beings is pretty much the same between the two series: vampires, werewolves, demons, etc. One big difference between the two is that most aspects of the Anita Blake's world are generally public knowledge. Everyone knows and accepts that there are really vampires, werewolves, and zombies. However, Butcher doesn't go in that direction with this series. Only a select handful of people know the truth, the general populace doesn't believe in magic or any of the creatures that lurk in the dark. This makes things interesting for Dresden as he is scraping to get by. Even the Special Investigations unit is under pressure from using him on cases. For me, this works better than having all of the supernatural stuff be public knowledge.
Anyway, this book is highly recommended. I would strongly suggest reading the first book in the series (Storm Front) before this one. This book is a fast, fun ride that you won't want to put down! Now on to Book Three, Grave Peril.
Book Review: Moonlit murder
Summary: 4 Stars
It's almost required in urban fantasy series that you have werewolves. Big, small, aggressive or angsty -- its expected.
But Jim Butcher must win some kind of prize for jamming so many kinds of werewolf into a single novel. "Fool Moon," the second novel in the Dresden Files series, features four different breeds of werewolf, all of whom are potentially dangerous for our wizardly hero. It's a rather simple storyline, but Butcher manages to keep the story interesting.
After a woman tries to get some magical information from him, Harry is called in to consult on a series of mystery killings -- the victims were torn apart by an animal, and a canine paw print is the only clue. Smells like werewolf spirit. Unfortunately, investigating this crime brings him into contact with Gentleman Johnny Marcone's mob -- and even thrown in jail after Murphy goes postal on him.
But Harry has some unusual allies on his side in the search for the murderer -- gang of teenage werewolves and a mysterious wild woman who wants to save her fiancee. Unfortunately, Harry's quest to stop the murders brings him between a deadly cursed werewolf and a government conspiracy. And getting rid of this problem might not be so easy, even with werewolves on his side.
"Fool Moon" was only Jim Butcher's second novel, and it shows. It's a rather simple story compared to his later work -- one main plot, one kind of supernatural threat, presented in a straightforward fashion. But it's still a solid piece of urban fantasy, especially given the different colourful kinds of werewolf that Butcher introduces.
And he does a solid job mixing dark'n'rainy noir atmosphere with lots of magic spells and talismans, as well as a veiled conflict between the Mafia and the FBI. The story rolls along at a gradual pace, with Harry picking up clues and new allies along the way, before erupting into a dark, bloody conflict with some very nasty secret enemies.
Butcher's writing strikes a nice balance between stripped-down Chanderlian prose, with plenty of blood and violence and some gloriously creepy moments (such as Harry being cornered by the lyncanthrope biker gang). Yet there's also a pared-down beauty to scenes like Tera dancing nude in the street.
Harry's reputation is at something of a low in this book -- not only does a newspaper call him a "charlatan psychic," but he also gets in hot water with Murphy after a student of his gets killed. And Tera West makes an intriguing female lead -- although it's pretty obvious what she is, her love for MacFinn and her wild, deadly nature give her an unearthly edge.
"Fool Moon" still sees Jim Butcher growing into his urban fantasy series, but this adventure/horror/mystery story is a worthwhile little read. Especially for those who like their werewolves in a variety of flavours.
Book Review: Harry Takes on the Hairies
Summary: 4 Stars
Book Two of the Dresden Files picks up six months after Storm Front. Police Lieutenant Murphy of Special Investigations calls consultant Harry in on yet another grisly murder. Their friendship has been decidedly strained since he withheld information from her in Storm Front-with the best of intentions but lamentable results. Now she's under investigation by Internal Affairs because of Mob involvement in the earlier matter. The current decedent, torn to shreds one night before the full moon, follows nine similar killings a month earlier. Paw prints, tooth and claw marks, plenty of blood. Murphy doesn't really need Harry to cry werewolf, and she's reluctant to trust him again, but she hopes he can help nab the perps and maybe save her job.Lupine shape-shifters come in assorted flavors. All have established a presence in the Windy City. In fact, readers will be forgiven for thinking that half of Chicago has gone to the wolves in one way or another. As Fool Moon unfolds, Harry tallies up a pack apiece of werewolves, Hexenwulfen, and lycanthropes, plus a lone loup-garou and a sort of reverse werewolf. Not all of the hairies are bad guys, and not all of the bad guys are as guilty as they could be.
The carnage in Fool Moon is more graphic and widespread than in Storm Front. In addition to the high body count, Harry himself is shot, mauled, chewed, pounded on, and bodily hurled against unforgiving surfaces-in most cases several times-so he's understandably a bit less inclined toward cracking wise than in Book One. The mayhem seems to be part of a larger, long-range plot about which Butcher drops several hints; it could also be a harbinger of an emotional train wreck looming in Harry's future.
There are intimations of a dark legacy from the mother Harry never knew. There's a glimpse of the youthful crime that clearly still haunts him. There was a girl in that part of his past, and she may not be as far past as he chooses to believe. There are even questions about the two most prominent women in his present: Murphy and girlfriend Susan Rodriguez, a tabloid reporter.
Butcher still has moments where his plot strains against the willing suspension of disbelief, mostly in timing: conversations, travel, and other activities ought to be taking longer than his narrative clock reflects. There are a couple of minor plot issues at tale's end. Harry never quite comes off as one of the two dozen most powerful wizards in the USA, either. As in Storm Front, however, the plotting is well-paced and the story is absorbing enough to divert attention away from the minor sticking points. While it lacks some of the zest of Storm Front, readers with a taste for Sam-Spade-plus-sorcery stories will find Fool Moon an entertaining read on its own merits, and it raises several interesting possibilities for the direction of future Dresden Files.