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: When It Pops, It Pops Hard
Summary: 4 Stars
Jim Butcher's second Harry Dresden novel remains excellent, but seems less tight than the first. Butcher retains the feeling that this story could happen in our world, yet feels like he's putting more effort into signaling his place in a larger series. And while I get a sweeping sense of what this series has to offer in the near future, I also think Butcher's mind is less on the book in front of him.
When a mauled gangster's body reveals signs of a wolf, and the full moon looms large, Harry Dresden gets called back in by Chicago's finest. But it seems the PD has a turf war going on with the FBI. And the Windy City's biggest big boss wants to buy Dresden's formerly unshakable loyalties. What's a wizard for hire to do? Why, strike out on his own, of course!
The first novel, "Storm Front," earned my praise because it hung together tightly. It felt like you had been dropped into a wholly formed story already in progress. Not so this time. The story doesn't coalesce until nearly halfway through the book. When it does, whoa nelly, it's a doozy. But the tentative knuckle-cracking we have to read through to reach that point becomes draining after the first hundred pages.
In fairness, there's much more of a sense of how this story fits a larger continuum. Dresden is now much more a part of a big, terrifying back-story. And such a story demands much more expository narrative, which can sometimes be wordy and dry. Such is the risk in writing fantasy.
And I like the fact that Dresden's world is alive and changing. He's no TV drama character, whose life returns to the status quo ante at the end of every episode. His choices change his life, and the lives of those around him. Dresden really has to live with the consequences of his actions. Which is why, when he makes choices that are truly bone-chilling in their scope and power, you can't help but care.
When this novel pops, it pops hard. It has a lot of power behind it. Jim Butcher is a writer who doesn't flinch at making his characters walk through hell on Sunday. But to get to that point, he has to spend a lot more time in scene-setting and slow talk that we didn't have to endure in the previous novel. So be aware, in reading, that this novel is still excellent, just a little less focused than his last fantasy foray.
Book Review: Not as good as the first
Summary: 3 Stars
I read these books during my shallow reading phase. I mean these books are light, shallow, relatively fast and action based. Perhaps I liked the first book more due to the novelty of Harry Dresden but it took me about 2 weeks to finish this book. I usually read a book this length in a about 2-3 days. Being an adult now, I am definitely sure I would've enjoyed these books as an adolescent although there is a bit of cursing in it.
First of all, this book is pretty much the exact formula as the first. A few deaths and Dresden goes to investigate. Murphy as ever doesn't believe in Dresden no matter how illogical that is. I was rolling my eyes near the end at the dialog between the two. Almost all the characters talk in exactly the same roguish, cowboy way. "You bastard." etc. None of the characters are particularly deep or moving. Like I said, it's fast action.
However, things get a bit repetitive in this book. There's a bunch of really close encounters that are always saved by something at the very last second. It doesn't help that there's never any peril for the characters either. Like Harry or Murphy are ever gonna die. Plot holes as usual. I mean the FBI agents search Marcone, but they don't even take his knife away although they hang him on a rope? Totally illogical. The werewolf can knock down walls and run 30mph yet it can't kill some exhausted prisoners in a pit? Please. These books are characterized as mysteries but there really isn't any mystery here to solve. It isn't possible to guess what is going on like in Sherlock Holmes novels. You get what's revealed to you and that's it.
What's the worst is the blatant cop out by Butler near the end. This would've been a great time to actually see Dresden as a believable and flawed character. When he turns into the wolf and is faced with the decision to kill the villains who definitely deserve it, he's coincidentally and quite handily saved (thru impossibly implausible events) from having to kill anyone as usual. What a cop out, really. Dresden is basically a saint and I doubt he'll ever change.
All in all, if you read the first book then you pretty much read them all. But if you're sick of heavy reading and need something quick then these books are readable.
Book Review: Juvenile, At Best
Summary: 1 Stars
I read Jim Butcher's first "Dresden" novel, "Storm Front" a few months ago, and found it entertaining. The premise appealed to me -- stories based on the adventures of a practicing wizard, available for hire and consultation, written in a manner reminiscent of the classic dark detective novels of yesteryear. So, hoping for a good read, I picked up the second in the "Dresden" series, "Fool Moon." And was very much disappointed.
Insofar as the story line and basic premise, "Fool Moon" fit nicely as a second entry into the series. But the writing itself was tedious and there was way too much repetition. One of the main characters, Chicago Police Lt. Murphy, who heads the Special Investigations unit that deals with crimes and events of the occult, was just way over the top. Too much aggression, not enough brains, and a way wrong attitude directed toward her expert "consultant." The way Butcher developed her character in "Fool Moon" was, for me at least, an impediment to the story.
Dresden, too, was way overplayed. Too much the martyr, shall suffice to describe it. Much of the writing in the book was devoted to his various beatings, injuries, pain, suffering, and generally abusive treatment by other characters. Some adversity is always a good addition to heroic character development -- read some Louis L'Amour and you'll see what I mean. But making your main character into a Punch & Judy doll in the extreme becomes insulting to the intelligence of the reader.
As far as the story, well, it's about werewolves. A lot of them. Running amok in Chicago. And a sinister scheme by a group of people who should have known better than to delve into the dark side in order to solve their problems. But, again, their character development is more cartoonish than it should be, and the results are supporting actors who are just not particularly convincing.
I'll have to think a while before I read another Dresden novel. In my experience, serial fiction which tends to deteriorate in quality does not get better with each subsequent submission. Harry Dresden may be able to do enough magic to save the World on repeated occasions, but I'm not sure Jim Butcher can do enough to save this series.
Book Review: Seriously chilling wolf action and Harry in trouble...again!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first was exposed to THE DRESDEN FILES via the tv show (which I don't like), and then picked up the first novel (which I loved), and decided to ditch the show and stay with the books.
Number two in the series affirms I made a good decision. FOOL MOON took me a while to get into. I just don't go for werewolf stories. I've read a couple of wolfish novels and they didn't work for me. But I plugged along and soon enough the Harry magic took over.
In this installment, Harry basically makes enemies of just about everyone (except hot reporter Susan). Murphy wants him behind bars, an assortment of wolfen characters--from all the branches of werewolfdom--are out to get him, and even a demon summoned for aid ends up showing a nastier side than Harry expects. One thing Butcher is a master of is getting Harry into the worst scrapes imaginable, so that we, the readers, think, "Oh, no, he's doomed!" even when we know he CAN'T BE DOOMED, cause, hey, he's the protagonist. And yet, there it is. Harry...rock..hard place...and a really creepy loup garou baring its fangs. Add the reappearance of Gentleman Johnny Marcone up to his usual no-good, and Harry is having a very, very , very bad series of days.
But it's such fun to see how he'll survive.
This book has some incredibly exciting moments. The rampage in the police station is harrowing. REally, really harrowing. The demon summoning is informative and, in Butcher's usual fashion, mixes the dark with the humorous. And the climactic battle brings everyone in for the big and bloody fight, and it shows us a side of Harry we haven't seen yet, and one that was exciting and scary to behold.
The ending portends even greater trouble ahead for our dear, battered, bruised, lacerated, depleted, but still up for a Susan-snog Harry. Woohoo. I can't wait.
So, okay, there's at least one werewolf novel that I truly enjoyed. Color me surprised.
Can't wait to get into Dresden #3. This series is addictive. (Unlike the tv show, which just doesn't grab me, though I've tried, really tried, to get into it.)
Mir
Book Review: Harry vs. the werewolves in the Windy City
Summary: 3 Stars
When Karrin Murphy of the Chicago PD Special Investigations unit calls on Harry Dresden to investigate a series of savage murders, the clues point to beastly creatures that appear during the full moon. Werewolves!Dresden, Chicago's only openly practicing professional wizard, must reestablish his friendship with Murphy, and build his growing relationship with Susan, a beautiful tabloid journalist.
Also included are gangster John Marcone, a quartet of intense FBI agents, two gangs called the Alphas and the Streetwolves, a cursed Scottish philanthropist and the mysterious Tera West.
It's enough for a fast-paced, intense read that is both graphically violent but balanced with the levity of Dresden's self-deprecating sense of humor.
Things I liked:
Dresden's character improves from the first book and I liked his inner monologue. I do like that he uses his wits and body in addition to magic. When Harry has a conversation with his inner self, while he's knocked out, a lot of information comes to the surface and he takes a leap forward in development.
As I mentioned earlier, there was a good mix of levity with the suspense, which helps because this is a very violent story, especially the second half of the book, which is an extended string of action sequences, in the police department, in dark garages, and climaxing at Marcone's estate.
I liked making potions with Bob and the fun ingredients.
I enjoyed learning about the different types of werewolves.
The plot of Fool Moon flowed much better than Storm Front, with more related subplots and loose ends thrown in about Dresden's family, Marcone, Murphy, Susan, etc. that gave a sense of continuity to the series.
My bumps:
I wanted to smack Harry for being overprotective and for withholding information from his friends. He needs allies. He also always seems to get beat up and lose his clothes. He's intelligent but not very wise sometimes.
My questions:
What about Harry's father and mother? Will he get his powers restored? What are the repercussions of the body count at the department?
I'm ready for Book Three!