Sad to say, it's two thumbs down on Jim Butcher's new Harry Dresden book, Ghost Story.
Fiorella has long been a fan of the series, which features the only practicing wizard listed in the yellow pages of the Chicago phone book, and she loved the short-lived TV show, with which she drew Husband into the cult. She loved Butcher's quick turn of phrase, Harry's very human paranormal world, his adventure and relationships. Sure, the basic plot got a little old, and sure, Harry pulled way too many rabbits out of the hat by tortuous reasoning at the last minute, but his adventures and relationships kept Fio faithful.
No more. Ghost Story is a labyrinth of back story. Even the villain is recycled. And the plot is a treatise in metaphysics.
Too bad. Fio's going to miss Harry Dresden just like she misses Harry Potter. But Potter at least went out with a bang. Ghost Story barely whimpers.
Showing posts with label Harry Dresden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harry Dresden. Show all posts
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Turn Coat
Fiorella began her blog last year on this very day with a review of Jim Butcher's latest Harry Dresden tale. Therefore she considers it only appropriate to commemorate the occasion with a review of his new Harry Dresden adventure, Turn Coat.
Harry, at least according to Butcher, is the only wizard advertising in the Chicago phone book. Fio thinks of him as an adult, American Harry Potter.
Through eleven tomes, he has battled every kind of supernatural being imaginable, which can get sort of boring after a while, but Butcher also leads us through Harry's personal life: the angst of his youth, complicated family problems, consecutive girlfriends, etc.
Turn Coat was great, despite the usual overly-complicated plot. Fio likes the characters, the action, and the concepts. From book to book, Butcher keeps the story fresh by introducing new characters, which, of course, means dropping old ones. Bob, the ghost in the skull, makes only a token appearance. Policewoman Karrin also seems to be on her way out. Susan,the original girlfriend, is more gone than ever. Two more characters are lost in Turn Coat, but Fio won't tell who.
So go out and buy Turn Coat or check it out of your local library and celebrate Fio's first entry of her new year by curling up with a good book!
Harry, at least according to Butcher, is the only wizard advertising in the Chicago phone book. Fio thinks of him as an adult, American Harry Potter.
Through eleven tomes, he has battled every kind of supernatural being imaginable, which can get sort of boring after a while, but Butcher also leads us through Harry's personal life: the angst of his youth, complicated family problems, consecutive girlfriends, etc.
Turn Coat was great, despite the usual overly-complicated plot. Fio likes the characters, the action, and the concepts. From book to book, Butcher keeps the story fresh by introducing new characters, which, of course, means dropping old ones. Bob, the ghost in the skull, makes only a token appearance. Policewoman Karrin also seems to be on her way out. Susan,the original girlfriend, is more gone than ever. Two more characters are lost in Turn Coat, but Fio won't tell who.
So go out and buy Turn Coat or check it out of your local library and celebrate Fio's first entry of her new year by curling up with a good book!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Harry Potter, Harry Dresden
Adults missing their annual Harry Potter fix might want to try Harry Dresden instead.
Harry Dresden, the only wizard listed in the Chicago phone book (at least according to author Jim Butcher) is a grown up Harry Potter with a twist. For one thing, he's strictly American (although played by a British actor). For another, he's sexy. Also, he's something of a ne'er do well, extending Harry Potter's Cinderfella-ness well into adulthood.
And if you are really, curious, Harry Dresden didn't emerge until 2000, after the Potter phenomenon had really caught on. It's a natural.
I first became aware of Dresden when I was exercising my thumb on the channel changer. I had ignored all the commercials for THE DRESDEN FILES, assuming it was just another spy thriller, which I am NOT interested in, but got caught up in an episode before I knew what the program was. I became a dedicated watcher from then on, but, as usually happens with the shows I like, the series folded after one season.
So I checked out the books--literally-- from the local library.
They're a lot of fun, but more complicated than the hour-long TV episodes. Jim Butcher must have a taxonomy chart a mile long to keep track of all the various supernatural types he introduces in each book. When I read the books, I sort of let all that pass me by and head straight for the characters and the plot.
Husband likes the books too, so much so that he bought the whole series off Amazon. And I hear there are more to come. My cup runneth over--a Harry Potter that never ends.
Harry Dresden, the only wizard listed in the Chicago phone book (at least according to author Jim Butcher) is a grown up Harry Potter with a twist. For one thing, he's strictly American (although played by a British actor). For another, he's sexy. Also, he's something of a ne'er do well, extending Harry Potter's Cinderfella-ness well into adulthood.
And if you are really, curious, Harry Dresden didn't emerge until 2000, after the Potter phenomenon had really caught on. It's a natural.
I first became aware of Dresden when I was exercising my thumb on the channel changer. I had ignored all the commercials for THE DRESDEN FILES, assuming it was just another spy thriller, which I am NOT interested in, but got caught up in an episode before I knew what the program was. I became a dedicated watcher from then on, but, as usually happens with the shows I like, the series folded after one season.
So I checked out the books--literally-- from the local library.
They're a lot of fun, but more complicated than the hour-long TV episodes. Jim Butcher must have a taxonomy chart a mile long to keep track of all the various supernatural types he introduces in each book. When I read the books, I sort of let all that pass me by and head straight for the characters and the plot.
Husband likes the books too, so much so that he bought the whole series off Amazon. And I hear there are more to come. My cup runneth over--a Harry Potter that never ends.
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