Small Favor, the most recent Dresden novel by singate

OTHER SCIENCE FICTION SERIES

Small Favor, the most recent Dresden novel

POSTED BY: SINGATE
UPDATED: Thursday, June 19, 2008 00:26
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VIEWED: 5347
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Saturday, May 24, 2008 8:11 PM

So this had been sitting on my shelf for about a month before I even opened it. As usual, once I read the first page, it became a mad dash to finish the book. I'll put the spoilery stuff in tags.

A few comments on the whole before I dive into the details. For some reason Butcher decided to throw in just about every character from the Dresden universe. It's the sort of thing I would expect in the final novel of a series, not one which represents the halfway point in the overall story. While I like just about all of the secondary characters there just wasn't enough space in this book to warrant their inclusion. My only other criticism is that this book felt more like it was setting up future events rather than telling it's own story. I realize that Butcher has done this sort of thing throughout the series but for some reason it really nagged at me.

Now onto the good stuff...

Select to view spoiler:

At this point I'm never surprised to see Harry to take a beating but the amount of punishment inflicted on his allies was stunning.

From all indications Michael is out of the game permanently. This may have been the most shocking part of the entire novel. Now Harry has 2 swords that he doesn't know what to do with. Perhaps Charity will take up the mantle. I really thought Murphy would take Shiro's blade after what happened on the boat. The whole not wanting to turn her back on the CPD is getting old considering how many times they've fucked her over.

As bad as things are for Michael I think what happened to Ivy was far worse. I know the Denarians are the #1 baddies in the Dresdenverse but torturing a 12 year old girl puts them in a whole new category of depraved. If Luccio is right Ivy may become a grave threat even though they couldn't break her down to the point of accepting a coin.

Even Dresden's not so good allies got pretty well messed up. Marcone-kidnapped and presumably tortured, Gard-disemboweled, Kincaid-FUBAR.

That's not to say the heroes didn't get in some good licks. They did manage to reduce the Denarians to 6 active members, and one of them was crippled. I'm not sure if I liked how easily and quickly some the Denarians were dispatched after they had been built up as nearly indestructible. Harry also got to kick some Gruff ass, the highlight being the fight at the train station. For some reason I kept picturing Yoda when big brother Gruff showed up at the end. If Harry didn't get creative with that boon he would have been toast.

Harry's use of soulfire was interesting. I'm not completely clear on whether it was due entirely to angelic intervention or if this is something that he evolved into. Uriel's statement in the chapel makes me think Harry received unseen help in that fight, but Luccio's comments about a wizard developing new abilities over time makes me think it could have been due to his heritage. Either way I liked Bob's explanation and his subsequent comments about the human soul.

Speaking of Luccio I really did not see a relationship developing between her and Harry. If it wasn't for what happened to Michael this would have been the big shocker of the book. The funny part is that if Thomas didn't point out her attempt to seduce Harry he might still be oblivious as to what was going on. It will be interesting to see how they balance work and play.

I think that covers all the major stuff. If anyone else around here has read the book I'd like to hear your thoughts.

_________________________________________________

We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

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Saturday, May 24, 2008 11:17 PM

AMDOBELL

I loved Small Favor and won't go into details in case it spoils anything for newcomers to Jim Butcher's wonderful Dresden Files. Not sure if you have seen the new comic series yet, it is called Welcome to the Jungle and is a four part comic series (with variant editions). My favourite book so far though is Dead Beat, I thought that was amazingly awesome. One thing you said has me really intrigued, what do you mean Small Favor is the halfway mark for the series?

Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me...

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Sunday, May 25, 2008 3:53 AM

FLATTOP

Yup The Dresden Files is slated for a 20 book run.
I just received the Dresden Files audio books. Narrated by James Marsters (Spike). Great to listen to while I'm working on the house

Most of this post is spoilery. You've been warned.

Select to view spoiler:

I find myself agreeing with you on this book being a setup for things to come. Butcher has always done a good job of carrying elements through from book to book, but this one seemed a bit cramped for everything that happened.
The end of the encounter at the train station, "My elder brother shall kill you wizard," and the exchange with the eldest Gruff was classic Dresden. I'd been wondering when he would use his boon from Summer.

I still see Murphy taking up one of the swords. She just has to get her head around the idea first, and be presented with a situation that falls into the "someone has to do it" category coupled with the realization "I'm the only one who can"; no doubt coupled with saving Harry from some big bad or other.

I definitely think divine intervention was at play with Harry's new found ability. None of the other wizards have demonstrated that kind of magic. Tighter beams, better control, finesse & efficiency seem to be the marks of experience (Ivy holding Denarians at bay through magic while having a very limited pool to work with). That and the comment "You dare use..." made by one of the Denarians when Harry 'grabbed' him & started smashing him around made it sound like something they hadn't seen before.

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Sunday, May 25, 2008 7:04 AM

AMDOBELL

I agree with your comments in the spoiler zone. Really pleased to pieces that there is a planned series of 20 books, but why stop there? It is such a good tale I don't ever want Harry's exploits to end!

Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me...

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Saturday, May 31, 2008 9:54 AM

EMMARIGBY

LOVED the latest Dresden and was so excited to learn that it was on audio CD (which I listen to all the time as they are the only things to keep me awake on long car journies) and read by James Masters! FANTASTIC!

I'm seriously sulking now as this isn't out in the UK yet.

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Hissssssssss!

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Tuesday, June 3, 2008 4:58 PM

SIRI

Since I'm one of the few dinosaurs in the world that doesn't have cable - I recently rented the first Dresden files DVD from last year. Naturally, I then started reading the books. I was surprised at some of the changes. I actually kind of like that. I just finished White Knight and there were so many characters to keep track of that, well, I felt like I needed to make a list with a genogram.

I'm hooked on it - both the show (that may be a kiss of death) and the books.

Siri

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Wednesday, June 4, 2008 5:14 PM

SINGATE

Quote:
Originally posted by Siri:
Since I'm one of the few dinosaurs in the world that doesn't have cable - I recently rented the first Dresden files DVD from last year. Naturally, I then started reading the books. I was surprised at some of the changes. I actually kind of like that. I just finished White Knight and there were so many characters to keep track of that, well, I felt like I needed to make a list with a genogram.

I'm hooked on it - both the show (that may be a kiss of death) and the books.

I came to this series exactly as you did...TV series, then the books. I don't mind the differences. I especially enjoyed the TV version of Bob. Many long time fans of the series were less than happy with the many differences.

If you want to experience truly complicated character interactions try reading A Song of Fire and Ice. This series has a mindboggling number of characters. I'm dead serious when I say there should be college credit for keeping track of all the players and their dealings in these books. The Dresdenverse is Sunday tea compared to these books.

Back to Dresden. While the books will keep coming, somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 are planned, the TV series will not be back. Another fine series cut down before finding it's niche.
_________________________________________________
We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far.

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Wednesday, June 4, 2008 5:37 PM

SIRI

I heard the show might not be back but didn't realize it was a definite. I just can't seem to "pick 'em." Oh, well, at least there are the books. Jim Butcher doesn't live far from me either - which is kind of cool - and Chicago is a really neat place to have a resident PI wizard. What with the history of the fire and all the mobster lore - I liked that they referred back to the Chicago fires and could really get a picture of the wooden structures of that era.

My brother told me that Butcher's website has some short stories that you can download. I went to the website and he's right. I didn't read any of them yet though.

Siri

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Thursday, June 5, 2008 1:18 AM

FLATTOP

Thought I'd mention, the Dresden Files (1-4, 10) are available on audio CD, read by James Marsters (Spike, from Buffy). No british accent at all (except where needed for a character (he doesn't, but I can totally imagine Bob sounding like Spike)). Some of the breaks in the audio seem a bit out of place, but if you have to coin, it's a great way to spend time with your favorite wizard while you're working on something else.

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Wednesday, June 18, 2008 12:33 PM

ANGELLEMARCS

Sometimes you just need to stop, breathe deep, and scream.

I absolutely love Dresden and hope he never stops. They are the bomb. BTW, I loved the series as well. I know it wasn't quite like the books, but seriously, if our Firefly started out in novel form, it would have been different, too.

BOB rocks as a ghost!!

Angelle

"Into the dark..it cradles me in its arms and I know I'm home....

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Wednesday, June 18, 2008 12:42 PM

MSB

Oh so loved Small Favor

Ok spoiler time

Select to view spoiler:

ok is anyone else concerned that Mab is off her rocker? And why is Titania suddenly out to off him? I don't think the hitters were a coincidence.
Also, so didn't see the Luccio thing coming... I'd kind of rather see him with Murphy, but I'm letting that go.
Michael's definitely out, but what about Molly?? She's good with subtle magic and she's definitely got the heart and soul for it.
Can't wait to see how Nicodemus is going to handle the fact that his little invincible act is over...also is it me or is it possible Butcher is hinting Nicodemus is really Judas?

Oh and hey there's a new Dresden book out October 21st and with it is a smaller companion book called Backup that is written from Thomas's perspective...so can't wait!

____________________________________________

Love doesn't make the world go 'round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

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Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:12 PM

FLATTOP

Good questions!

Select to view spoiler:

Two swords up for grabs. I still think Murphy gets one. I don't know that Molly is ready for one yet, although seeing her father go down may shatter the last of the child in her & force serious maturity on her. I don't think so though. Michael & Sonia are a pair of seriously buff heavy hitters. Shiro wasn't, but as Michael said, "The man had a gift. He knew swordsmanship like Mozart knew music." I don't see Molly as having the physical strength for Amorachius or the talent to effectively wield Fidelichus. She is mentally tough enough, and likely could be a seriously righteous person, but it doesn't feel right. Then again, perhaps the magic of the blades is such that as long as the person is 'true', they will possess all the strength they need for the task at hand.
Sorry for the ramble, but if the magic of the swords is old enough to require Royal blood in the lineage, wouldn't it also likely require Male? 'Back in the day' I don't think there were many women allowed to handle swords (no matter what the TV & movies say). If that's the case, I think we'll have to meet some more characters to find men that Harry would trust enough to make into "The Fist of God," that also happen to be Royal.

Nicodemus as Judas? I was getting that vibe, but don't think Judas would have the strength of will needed to resist a Nickel-Head for 2000+ years (not in the way Harry resisted the shadow of Namshiel, but enough not to have fully succumbed & turned into nothing more than a puppet), nor do I think he was a great long-term planner the way Niki seems to be. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time an author has twisted history just enough to make it fit

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Thursday, June 19, 2008 12:26 AM

EMMARIGBY

Ha, love the huge spoilery discussions. Pity this will exclude those who're not up to date but then they should read faster!

Select to view spoiler:

Not sure I agree about the 'no women' rule. I think we were getting some major hints that Murphy is destined to be a Knight. Thinking back, that seems to have been coming since he first saw her with second sight. I kind of agree that Molly doesn't seem emotionally ready. I was actually wondering about Marcone! It could be a wakeup call for him, although he's have to alter his perceptions and personality a lot to fight on the side of the angels and not sure that's going to happen ! He does make such a good morally ambiguous character.

I have a horrible feeling that Luccio may end up working for the black council. Hey, it's Hollywood Noir! The 'dame' is always either gonna get killed or be a baddie!

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Hissssssssss!

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