Fantasy TOP - land of best fantasies

"Changes. Dresden File #12" by Jim Butcher (Reviewed by Mihir Wanchoo)

1
2
3
4
5

(0 votes, average 0 out of 5)

Books & Stories - Books

Written by Ares

Tuesday, 13 April 2010 05:12

Visit Jim Butcher's Official Website Here
Order Changes from Amazon Here

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Jim Butcher is the author of eighteen previous novels which includes the NYT bestselling urban fantasy series, Dresden Files which has also been made into a television series by the SY-FY channel of the same name and the fantasybad wordtet Codex Alera series which ended a few months ago. Jim Butcher is also a martial arts enthusiast and a live-action gamer.

PLOT SUMMARY: Nearly 10 years ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it. Now lady Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered Susan’s secret and she plans to use it- to further her own vendetta against Harry. Thus to prevail against the mighty odds set this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world... He's fighting to save his child.

CLASSIFICATION: Changes is the 12th book in the Dresden Files series, an Urban Fantasy series that follows a similar writing pattern of using humor and action for the storyline. Unlike the previous novels this one ends in a cliffhanger which was a new twist to this series.

FORMAT/INFO: The HC edition stands at 448 pages and is divided into 49 chapters and an author’s note. The narration is via Third person omniscient and features Harry Dresden as the sole POV

April 6, 2010 marked the US Hardcover publication of Changes via ROC books, an Imprint of Penguin books. The UK version was published on 8 April, 2010 via Orbit books.

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Changes is the 12th book in the Dresden Files and is possibly the most explosive book in the series. Not only is there a titular pattern change in the offing but the plot twists and the eventual conclusion of this tale will definitely get reader emotions high and most likely have a rather voluble output as well. This review will as bit tricky as we are at such a point in the series that while even discussing the non-spoiler aspects of this book, I could potentially be spoiling the previous books for readers not acquainted with the previous titles. If you haven't read the previous novels and wish not to be spoiled, it is best that you not read further into this review.

For those of you who have and are still here with me, here is Changes in a nutshell “Changes is the best book I have read in the series”. It begins from the premise that Harry’s daughter has been kidnapped by the Red Court Vampires. The tricky part is that Harry did not have a clue about her existence as Susan Rodgriguez [Harry’s ex-flame and the mother of the child] never revealed it to him. Thus with such a tantalizing opening, the book pitches Harry, Susan and Martin(no-last-name) in search for clues in Chicago and at the Red Vampires' most recent hangout.

Beginning the litany of surprises in this book is the fact that Harry’s lease might be fueling an enemy of his. The next thing to happen is an explosion which ruins Harry’s business prospects and further complicates his search for his child as the national authorities get involved due to implications of terrorist-like activity. The search gets further complicated when the White Council is approached by an important Red Court emissary (in this case Lady Ortega) and offered an all important proposal. Needless to say this throws a huge magical spanner in Harry’s way.Thus with his friendly options cut off, Harry has to turn towards other non-friendly ones and this is where things become even more interesting. The remaining part of the plot follows the general pattern of the previous Dresden books, however the events are too spoiler-ish to recant here.

It’s safe to say Jim Butcher is getting into high gear and slowly showing what he truly intends to do with this series. The climax has some really great revelations and twists. I was stunned by at least 2 of them and to cap it up Jim Butcher ends the book on a cliffhanger of EPIC proportions. Be warned when you finish the last page, you will be rushing to know what happens next and will be one of many who eagerly look forward to the next chapter in the Dresden Files next year.

[On a side note Jim Butcher has revealed that in his short story collection Side Jobs, to be released later this year, it will contain a short story/novella called Aftermath which will be set 45 minutes after the end of Changes and will be featuring the POV of Karrin Murphy. So this will be an important follow-up in regards to the cliffhanger at the end of Changes.]

As far as writing goes, I didn’t have any issues with this book, it follows Jim Butcher’s style of lacing humor with action, though the humor is often then previous novels due to the darker plot content. There were a couple of plot points which are not resolved and could be potentially explained in the next book which was a new twist to the Dresden Files. People who have enjoyed his previous books will have similar (if-not-better) feelings with this one. Those readers who have had previous issues with his books will find no new charms to win them over. Jim Butcher is writing a character driven, humor-laced, action packed urban fantasy series and he’s not making any apology for it. Dive in and find out for yourself as to why this series is heralded as to the Gold standard for all UF books.

visit author site