Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, Book 8)
by Jim Butcher
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Book Reviews of Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, Book 8)
Book Review: Another intriguing Harry Dresden adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
Book 8 in the Dresden File series; another fine addition to Jim Butcher's ongoing series featuring wizard/detective Harry Dresden.
Something unusual is happening at a local horror film festival and Harry is asked to check it out. From there Harry, Murph, Bob (everyone's favorite, well OK mine at least, libidinous skull), Thomas and Mouse (his dog) go from bystanders to main combatants as they delve into the ever expanding 'Horror' situation.
This is my 4th Dresden novel and it continues to use the same simplistic format that has worked well with the rest of the entire series. The outline of this story is identical to the previous books; Harry gets involved with an unusual occurrence, Harry discovers an underlying sinister plot, Harry faces astronomical odds against survival, and finally Harry saves the day. But instead of a rather boring rehash, each new work brings something fresh to the table that provides an unexpected, pleasant revelation of sorts.
Conclusion:
Basically, I like Harry and the host of other characters that Jim Butcher has produced in this entertaining series. The story is fun, fast paced and keeps those pages turning. And for light read, who could ask for more than that.
Ray Nicholson
Book Review: A Wiseguy Gets Wise
Summary: 5 Stars
In the eighth installment of the Dresden Files, Chicago's favorite wizard battles creatures from famous horror flicks in desperate battles in and around Chicago (including the Winter Kingdom which must be a northern suburb). Handicapped by a shriveled hand and an inner demon who tempts him to the dark side, Harry Dresden steps out of his role as lone wolf and actually asks for help from the dishy Lt. Karrin Murphy.
Jim Butcher has always portrayed Harry as a balancing on a sharp edge. As a young wizard, Harry fell into the hands of an evil master. His first contact with so-called "good wizards" was a tribunal trying him for killing his master in self-defense. That bit of personal history comes full circle as Harry discovers that Molly, the daughter of his friend Michael Carpenter, has magical talent inherited from her mother Charity. Furthermore, Molly has, with all the best intentions in the world, broken one of the Seven Laws of Magic that could earn her an automatic death sentence. In a very real sense of the world, Harry's battle to save Molly is a struggle to save himself.
This looks less like boffo fantasy and more and more like literature. Am I still allowed to read this for fun? Is there a category called kicka** literature?
Book Review: There's a new cop in town...
Summary: 5 Stars
...and much to everyone's surprise, it's Dresden himself. With the war against the red vampire court not going well, the white council has drafted him for the good fight. And his first assignment is to track down some evil magik in Chicago being thrown around by person(s) unknown.
Complicating this is a horror convention where the characters from the movies are coming out and killing attendees. They're fear fetches from the Nevernever, but how are they getting through?
And complicating that is the request from the eldest daughter of Dresden's friend Michael, one of the three knights of the swords of the Cross, to bail out a friend and help him.
And when the daughter gets kidnapped, and the sources of the fetches becomes clear; well as you would expect, it gets really complicated....
As with all the Dresden Files books, this one is full of sci-fi references for the fans (it took me three hours for one to come to me), fast action, and great characters. I love the fact that this series can be read as stand alones, but there is a consistant story line that runs through them all. A great read that makes me sorry it's over, even as I snatch as much reading time as I can to enjoy it all the more quickly.
Book Review: An amazing novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Proven Guilty was another great installment in the Dresden Files. Combined with the last book and the next two, this series has taken a turn for the better. After the first book, I felt that this series had lots of potential if Butcher could improve his writing technique, and he has. I finished each of the last three books in a day. After receiving the first nine from a friend, I was compelled to purchase Small Favor for myself. These novels are great.
I do agree with another reveiwer who feels that the basic plot is a little predictable. Harry gets involved in a case, Harry gets beat up, Harry somehow survives, Harry thinks he figures it out, Harry gets beat up, Harry arrises victorius. However, Butcher creates new and exciting plots to carry out this sequence. He also creates detailed characters that are fun to follow throughout the series. Nicodemus is my favorite villain. The history Butcher puts into his characters is what has sold me on this series. Additionally, I enjoy the intrigue between Summer, Winter and Harry Dresden.
I enjoyed this novel, and I highly recommend it.
Book Review: Dresden Survives Again
Summary: 5 Stars
Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher
Harry Dresden finds one of his staunchest supporters family is in danger. As a new Warden he finds his distaste for the way the White Council handles dissidents. When Michael's daughter finds her snagged in Council and Fairy politics, Harry finds himself over his head again.
Butcher causes Harry to question his value system in each and every book. Soul searching seems to be a hallmark. Insurmountable odds and monumental tasks are also in each book. In spite of a similar formula, I have really enjoyed each book. Why would you ever get tired of deep, rich, yummy chocolate cake anymore than you would the Dresden files. Harry's emotional fragility in his personal relationships and his inability to recognize how much he is respected contribute to his likeability. You see a slow maturation of Harry Dresden as the series proceeds. I highly recommend the entire series. You will be seeing more as I have finally purchased all the ones that have currently been printed.