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: Good Series Continues but Flounders a Bit
Summary: 3 Stars
The Dresden Files moves from exploring a dark wizard in the first book in the series, Storm Front, to werewolves in Fool Moon. The various types of werewolves are explored, more of Harry Dresden's powers and past is hinted at, and more of this universe Jim Butcher is building is revealed.
Since the author can assume the reader is familiar with the basics, the pace of this book is much faster than Storm Front. Action, action and more action with many of the same series characters from the first book. I found learning about Butcher's take on werewolves very interesting and enjoyed it very much. My issue with the story is that the final confrontation diluted the power of the main werewolf. In their first confrontation, Butcher wrote about a killing machine that took everything that Harry and Murphy could throw at it and still walked away defiant. In the final battle it seemed a much weaker and slower being, easily delayed and handled. A serious letdown. That said, Butcher has obviously mapped out his universe in detail and I'm looking forward to learning more.
But the biggest weakness is still in the characters. Murphy is starting to annoy me and that's a bad thing because she should be a central character. As written, she's unbelievable. Same with Marcone. His involvement and survival of two major attacks in two books needs to be explained soon because I'm tiring of hearing about how cold and tough he is. I don't care. He doesn't fit in (so far) with a supernatural book unless there is some back story we haven't been told yet. So far I can't think of any hints in that direction so I worry that he's fulfilling some role Butcher thinks he needs. The love interest angle with Susan is fine but a little forced.
Overall, a entertaining read with some disappointment, but will continue to at least book three to see if my complaints are just the growing pains of a good series.
My rating scale is one star for loathed it, two for annoyed I wasted the time to read it, three for it was so-so, four for good read and recommended, five for excellent, must read.
Book Review: A Disappointing Sequel
Summary: 3 Stars
I really enjoyed the first book from the series, but I'm afraid I'll be in the minority here when I say that I found this book to be a big let down. The first book was a lot of fun with some minor problems, but it seemed to move at a fast pace. This book at the same basic length dragged on for about seventy or so pages too long. It was good to see the same cast of characters although everyone but Harry Dresden and Karrin Murphy are little more than bit players (even Harry's love interest isn't given much to do). I found the tension between Murphy and Dresden little more than an added distraction, something thrown in just for the extra drama. With everything else going on it wasn't needed. Likewise the inclusion of not just two but three groups of werewolves seemed to me to be one too many. I like Jim Butchers style of writing but this time around Harry didn't seem as witty, the humor was a little more forced. He also dragged several scenes out far longer than necessary. The attack in the police station was over done with the body count needlessly excessive. I think he could have conveyed the toughness of the werewolf just as convincingly without the blood bath. You can't write a werewolf story without some gore but this scene just beats the reader relentlessly. It was at about this point that my attention started to wane. The action went on far too long with each chapter being an "all hell broke loose..." ending.
I also thought the injuries Harry suffered were unbelievably excessive. I know the author wants to convey the adversity the hero is going through but I thought it was a little ridiculous.
The one thing I really like was Harry's strong morale beliefs. It's something Mr. Butcher gave him in the first book and it's reinforced in this story.
I don't think I've given up on this series yet. The book had some high points but I think it could have been trimmed down into a leaner, quicker paced book. I will try the next installment in the Dresden Files I just hope the editor reins in the author a little.
Book Review: A sophomore effort, but still great fun...
Summary: 3 Stars
When I told my wife that this book was even more action-packed than the first title in the series, Storm Front, she looked at me and said, "You're kidding." As much of a roller-coaster ride as Storm Front was, Fool Moon seems to be going twice as fast, in three times as many directions. The premise, again, is that Harry Dresden--who seems as if he were written by the love-child of Dashiell Hammett and JK Rowling--is the only real wizard in the Chicago phone book; he's a contractor with the Chicago PD (though his relationship with the department is somewhat strained since he withheld information from his buddy, Detective Murphy, in the previous book).Having said that, Fool Moon feels a bit formulaic. I'm not giving anything away by saying that all of the nasties in the book are variations on the werewolf mythologem. Early on, Harry discovers that there are a certain number of such variations, and, lo and behold, that's exactly how many different kinds of baddy he's up against. Too, Harry spends much of the book promising to tell Murphy everything that's happening, and then either going off on a quest-lette without telling her, or holding back critical pieces of information. I began wanting to hit Harry over the head and tell him he had a commitment problem.
Even so, Mr. Butcher spins the tale wonderfully, at a breathtaking pace. Neither I nor my wife was able to figure out exactly who was behind everything until very late in the game, and, even then, the plot took some unexpected twists. Even with some of its shortcomings, Fool Moon is full of surprises, serendipitous moments of wonder, a little romance (provided by fringe journalist Susan Rodriguez, who seems to want to recreate Harry in the fashion image of The Matrix's Neo), a couple of wild action sequences (one that takes place in a Chicago police station shows Butcher's willingness to go WAY outside the lines) and hints of pieces of Harry's past, and of things to come in this still-promising series.
Book Review: 3.5 stars - Run with the pack!
Summary: 3 Stars
The dust has barely settled from the events of Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1), and our new favorite down on his luck wizard-for-hire is in big trouble again, this time from more werewolves than you can shake a stick (or in this case, blasting rod) at. Yes, Harry Dresden is at the center of yet another paranormal murder-mystery, this time surrounded by the mob, the FBI, the police, and a whole host of bloodthirsty werewolves.
Fool Moon may be just the second installment in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series, but a few pages in I already feel like I'm slipping back into a worn and comfortable pair of shoes. That's partially due to the fact that this series has a strong Dennis Lehane meets J.K. Rowling vibe, and I've read and reread those authors' books to death. Still, there's something reliable about Harry Dresden. You know that no matter what life throws at him (and it's always a lot), he'll still come out the other side with his integrity (if nothing else) intact.
My only real complaint about Fool Moon is that it was so fast-paced and action packed that we really didn't get much in terms of character development aside from Harry's brief conversation with his subconscious, which reminded me greatly of the Lusiphur/Parintachin relationship in the late, great Drew Hayes' Poison Elves series (look it up, you'll thank me later). Still, it's early in the series, and I'm sure Butcher will further flesh out Harry's back story and supporting cast in future volumes.
I still think the Dresden Files series is closer to enjoyable escapist fare than a truly great series, but I can see it edging into that latter category. Either way, you can count me in for book three!
Book Review: Entertaining but...
Summary: 4 Stars
After a friend recommended the Dresden series to me, I decided to take a shot at them. I'm usually kind of wary of new authors, especially when reading fantasy or sci fi. This series by Jim Butcher does not disappoint. I just finished reading the second book in the series "Fool Moon" and am just opening the third. As to the first two, and especially this one...what can I say...they are fun. This second in the series is a little bit more dark and intense than the first one but still leans more towards the light reading genre than not. Make no mistake, these are well written books but not the sort to make you lose very much sleep over (well, towards the end of this one perhaps a little). The approach to magic in the modern world, it's pluses and minuses, is well thought out. On a very slight downside, the characters do need some work. I love the idea of a modern day wizard trying to fight the good fight as a working "P.I." type. Harry Dresden thus far seems almost criminally naive at times however. He's still someone you want to root for though. His main sidekick, Murphy makes me want to tear my hair out though. While merely obnoxious in the first book, in this one she's pretty much Dresden's worst enemy. I am hoping with character evolvement in the books to come, things will begin to make a little more sense in character interaction. That complaint aside, I'd recommend these books to any avid fantasy reader.
***UPDATE*** It's been quite awhile and several books later since I wrote this revue. I'd just like to add that not only has Jim Butcher's series and talents as a writer improved, but you now have a heck of a time getting any sleep, it's so hard to set the books down. Murphy has improved and so has Dresdin. It's been a joy to watch their evolution. Get the series, you'll love it.