Fun fact: Butters was suppose to a one off character that was going to show up as a background character in a couple of books. But, because the audiance loved him sooo much, Butcher made him into a recuring character with a more flushed out story. ^-^
I absolutely love the way Butcher followed through with CONSEQUENCES. it’s such a problem with so many series - they just re set when it’s inconvenient. It’s so interesting to see how early readers who complain that there are no lasting consequences find out that that is not Butcher’s intent, and it’s not how the series goes. Character development is constant. I love this book and I’m glad you appreciate what Butcher is doing. And I think you’re 100% right about Harry identifying with Fitz
I definitely agree with you here. I believe it is one of the strongest elements of Butcher's writing. He doesn't let the characters choices and their consequences go to the wayside in service of the plot. On my second read this book is still one, if not my favorite in the series.
I think it's very realistic in how early books when Harry does things he gets a pass, others let it slide or don't confront him about it but then they start building up, he gets more important and everyone else expects things from him. And their expectations are not fair to him either, very human in that way.
The interactions with Uriel are some of my favorites at the end. “It’s easy to say let the world burn. It’s much different to say let Molly burn.” Or something like that. And also “humans get it backwards, you think you are a body that has a soul. The truth is you are a soul and have a body.” Paraphrasing, but I think it’s very important.
You may have missed it but a big reason why Harry was able to be so defiant against Mab after his resurrection was due to Uriel counter-balancing the seven words said by the fallen angel in the last book ("and it is all your fault harry") with his own seven words ("She can not change who you are.") It's one of my favourite little details in the series but it is so easy to miss when you first read it.
Not to be that guy but I think Uriel fudged it by using cannot as one word for "Lies. Mab cannot change who you are." Imagine the Fallen arguing that counts as 8 words and Uriel must Fall as a consequence. Jokes aside, it's nice how Uriel counters a certain Fallen whispering lies to cause Harry to despair by whispering truths to inspire Harry.
I love Molly in this book, her line to Harry about how he never realised what a shadow he cast, how many things avoided Chicago because of him - it just hammers home how his decisions in Changes (while needed to save his daughter) were so selfish and what consequences that selfishness has; then Uriel hammers it home even more, he said he'd let the world burn but he didn't realise that includes Molly, and he let Molly burn. Just such good writing across the two books - you have Harry make what seems to be the right decisions, what seems to be the best decisions to save his daughter....but then Butcher examines the consequences of those actions and how utterly disastrous they are for everyone but Harry.
It also raises an entirely valid (in my mind, at least) question: to what degree is one required to sacrifice of themselves, in order to promote the well-being of others? When is someone allowed to say, "Okay, but I'm choosing to do what's best for me this time"? And how omniscient are we expecting our protagonists to be? Realistically, Harry couldn't _possibly_ have foreseen those results of his actions (and obviously didn't, because all of this blindsided him). Is it fair of _us_ to expect him to have 20/20 foresight?
@@cybergeek11235 And the consequences of his absence would also happen if he just got killed normally, which frequently could happen because he constantly does risky thing, and if he didn't his presence would probably be less important. Not quite the same as choosing it of course but still.
I loved Ghost Story. I get why so many fans wanted or expected something else, but to me, the best thing about Dresden Files is the character work and not the madcap action, and this one hit me hard. And while much of book is about the darker consequences of Harry's and Molly's choices here, but we also get to see so many other characters at their best. Not just the usual in-series badasses like Karen or Will, but also Mortimer, Butters, Father Forthill... even Abby and Toto. It's one of my favorite recurring themes in the series - courage and heroism isn't just about beating up monsters. That's what we pay attention to in the books, but all along the way, there has always been so much more going on in the background, out of focus but no less important.
Dresden has always been a series about doing the right thing no matter the odds, about always trusting in your own moral compass and Harry did that over and over in the worst situations. Tied to a chair with werewolves or hanging in freezing water with Nicodemus in the sewers, he would be faced with "do the wrong thing or die" and would always choose to do the right thing. And the series rewarded us by showing us that even when you think everything is lost, if you stay true to that moral compass there might just be something you didn't see that makes things work out. You don't have the whole picture, so all you can do is what is right in your heart here and now. Ghost Story feels like an entire book exploring the one time that Harry does the opposite. He KNOWS what he is doing is wrong and he makes that choice because he feels like the odds are too stacked against him and that he can't win by choosing to do the right thing. His daughter isn't worth the risk that it will all be okay if he stays true to himself, so he slips up and decides to partner with a monster and become a monster to save his little girl. And then we get to see the consequences of that choice for this whole book. And no spoilers here, they don't end with this one book. He wakes up in Mab's arms and that's when the actual consequences really start kicking in. And now Harry gets to live in the consequences of doing the wrong thing while being plunged into a situation filled with countless wrong choices he could make. You're really going to love the rest of the series and I'm happy that you're getting to experience it all for the first time. Keep up the great content!
Are you saying saving Maggie wasn't worth the cost, or that he should have trusted it would all work out? Maybe I'm missing something, but he *couldn't* win without making some kind of deal, right? Becoming the Winter Knight, ascending as a god through that necromancy ritual, or taking up Lasciel's coin. I mean, his spine was broken. He couldn't move. They barely won with Harry there, I can't imagine them winning without him. I feel like the real wrong decision was ordering his own assassination.
"sometimes the needs of the one outweighs the needs of the many" - Spock I am suprised Butcher did not use that quote but I see why he did not. Changes shows how human Harry is , he is completely governed by his core ethos of protect children and even more so to protect his own child. I completely understand this because given the choice between my daughter dies or a billion others die then I know what choice I am making. Send me to hell but given a choice I can only make one.
For a guy who always says he isn't a doctor, Butters always seems to fix a lot of people. (Molly is inherently cool too and I very much enjoyed the mind games line.)
"And it was all your fault, Harry." "Lies. Mab cannot change who you are." The forces of hell and heaven fighting to change the fate of the world through one man. The payoff in this book is so good
Couple corrections: Maggie is in the care of the carpenters, not Molly, and Mortimer was shielding Murphy from being seen crying 😁 lots of 'M' names haha
I am from now on sending everyone i debate about dresden to your reviews. You dont let the flaws slide but the way you eloquently relate the heart and depth of these stories and characters really sells it and i wish more people could see it that way the way i see it too.
Facing the consequences of decisions is definitely a main theme here that I think you picked up on way more than I did. On his interview with The Legendarium Podcast he talks about how a lot of Ghost Story was him writing to himself about a past suicide attempt, and to force himself to face the consequences had he succeeded by making Harry actually face those consequences. Which is you know....pretty dark, and has also changed how I look at the novel.
"Like I said, I'm not much when it comes to illusions. I am, however, reasonably good with fire." on top of being a *killer* line, has got to be the understatement of the series (at least up til now), right?
Butters was just a dude. Just a scrawny man doing a job, enjoying polka. He got pulled into things waay above his paygrade and beyond his experience. He is changing, having his arc. But he's still just a dude in over his head trying his best. Just like Harry. Polka will never die!
I feel he really personifies the good people of the series even more so than Michael at times. (Possible minor spoilers following for up to Peace talks as I can't remember exactly where it's mentioned but they're very minor spoilers.) We know Michael served in the Corps while Butters tried out but wasn't accepted for his physical limitations. In spite of this, I don't think we've ever seen Butters back down from a situation where his lack of participation could cause others to suffer. My guy doesn't have Michael's physique, training, experience or his big evil slaying sword but he is smart and just as willing to face evil without backing down. More so than Michael, he also takes no lip from Harry which is an accomplishment given how often Harry steamrolls people in conversation. Michael is basically a paragon of selfless good but Butters, though he makes mistakes from time to time, is probably the more realistic interpretation of a good man.
I know Harry is supposed to be like Sam in LOTR, but in truth, Butters is Sam! The truly everyman who has no special training, powers, or physique and gets thrust into a world way out of his league. And he just does the best he can in every situation.
I realize that Dresden Files has shaped how I think about religion and free will. Before I was leaning more toward atheism, but now I'm more agnostic. Before I was like "If God is all powerful, how come there is suffering", but these books have thought me the importance of free will. And where there is free will, there will also be suffering. A human has the free will to choose to do bad things, but that will cause other humans to suffer. But we still need to protect free will, and we have to choose to do good everyday.
I was surprised when the book came out how many fans were critical of its introspective nature. I love that you appreciate it. The flashback was my favorite part, seeing a teenage Harry.
The problem was that we waited a whole year, and then another year before the next one. It hits different upon re-read or even reading the first time and not having to wait so long. I love Ghost Story now but at the time..... just felt like we were missing something.
@@telynns8490 The other issue when it first came out was with the audio book. Listening to the original release of the audio with a substitute narrator really colored the way the story was received. Didn't matter that John Glover is a good narrator - he wasn't Harry. When they had the audio rerecorded a few years later with James Marsters, it was like listening to a different book.
@@karensamuel5616 The substitute narrator was really weird! I didn't read it with the audiobook on my first read, but on my second read it was super weird to have it change. I ended up not listening to it for long haha.
@@karensamuel5616 That was it for me. I knew John Glover primarily from two things - the antagonist executive Daniel Clamp in Gremlins 2, and Lex Luthor's dad in Smallville. He was great at Marcone, naturally, but horribly unsuited for Harry. I was very glad they got Marsters back by the time I did the re-'read'. Also, I love Marsters's renditions of every character, not just Harry. I think his Lea is my favorite
Changes - Ghost Story - Cold Days I view as basically one long story. I love Ghost Story, and it is the introspective middle before the chaotic awesomeness of Cold Days. Changes is fantastic and a top 3 Dresden book, but Cold Days may be my favorite of the series. You are in for a treat! Oh yeah... and then you have another top 4-5 book in Skin Game!
Dresden is one of the best series for delivering forward momentum. Obviously it has it's flaws, especially early on. But the more you read the more you get to appreciate that Butcher has some incredible strengths as a writer too. Every book compounds upon the last narratively and in terms of character until the story becomes much more than the sum of its parts.
Glad I found this, looking forward to watching your other videos now. I love the Dresden series, this particular book never sat well with me, it felt suffocating to me until near the end and just so very unfair - that attitude/perspective stuck with me while reading . Listening to your take on it gives a different perspective, these are actual consequences and he isn't allowed to escape them (to extremely summarize), I appreciate the well considered review.
This book also has my favorite "title" for Harry. I forget which character says it, but someone refers to him as "The Mad Wizard Dresden" in reference to the creatures that used to avoid Chicago because of him.
I think this may be my favorite review of Ghost Story that I have seen. I don't always have the same perspective on the books as you but I always enjoy your take on them and love seeing someone appreciate this journey. I think most reviewers and even a lot of readers were at least initially disappointed in GS and for some it's their least favorite. Which is to be a little expected if you waited a year for a book attempting to follow Changes and GS goes in such a different direction than how most imagined it would go. I think you grasped right away the need for a shift in pace and tone. The need for the overall narrative to allow for Harry to deal with the aftermath of Changes and not just jump back into the type of typical Dresden book a lot of us enjoy the most. It's something I feel like Butcher is doing again with the latest books. I appreciate that like life, nothing stays exactly the same for Harry and we don't just tune back in for another episode that forgets what happened before. I didn't hate the book on the first read by any means, but it caught me off guard. I think I appreciated it way more when I re-read the series.
Butters' arc is one of my favourites ! But I hope you enjoyed the little reprieve and breathing room that was Ghost Story, because my oh my... The best is yet to come
Shout out to John Glover who did the initial narration of the audio book. He did a great job stepping in for James Marsters who didn't have the time at release.
At the time of first reading i was a little bit disapointed with Ghost Story, but on re-reads i've really grown to love it. It was just hard back then coming down from the rediculousness that was Changes, get this down-tempo kind of grounded book, and then have to wait another year+ for Cold Days. Now I don't think there was any other way to do it really, it was needed.
Feel better. As i re read in prep for your video i was struck by just how many of the 'side jobs' stories were touched upon 5 at least. Also there is a story on Butchers site of Kincade getting the call and how Ivy reacts. Microfiction #3 Goodbye. Warning be careful most of the others are still in the future for you. Have really enjoyed you journey thru the Dresden Files. I love the chat with Uriel also the angel of death and the talk about choices.
Started another reread after your Small Favor video and now already finished again. You keep them alive with these and I’ll be sad when you catch all the way up. 😂 But these later books are all my favorite so excited to see how it goes for you.
And it so mess up that he made Molly someone who trying to come back from hurting the people she cares about messing with their heads to do the same to him on purpose this time.
No spoilers. Your comments about Mab and how she will manage Dresden and play by his rules. She's Mab. She will always follow the letter of her bargains. But you can use your imagination to figure out some of her other options. Because Mab plays all the angles and wins regardless of the outcome. She has preferences, of course. But she always ends up getting every possible benefit out of every situation she's involved in. You're going to love Cold Days.
Yes, I imagine Harry did see a lot of himself in Fitz. The guy did make a few decisions as a teenager that he now regrets, which had some bad consequences including (he believed at the time) accidentally killing Elaine, which then lead to him having trouble with the wardens for years afterwards.
This is the most underrated of his books. IMO. It's not in my top 5. But definitely top 10. It was such a contrast to the typical man of action. Cold Days is my second favorite of the series. It was actually my introduction to the series. My brother in law brought the audio book for a road trip. I was hooked
This is an odd one out for me. I fully agree we needed this sort of slower paced, more introspective book after the insanity of Changes, to give us and the characters time to just... deal with all this. But it doesn't make it all that great a book to re-read, and not as fun as the series usually is. I loved reading it, but after the first time it's just.... it's good, and necessary, but harder to really just get lost in the epic insanity of like the rest. Still wonderful. And it has so many great moments. On amazing touch it took me awhile to notice is how perfect Lea's hints to Harry about who killed him were, since all of them apply equally to both him and Kincaid!
I'm just the opposite. I have actually very much looked forward to this book on subsequent rereads of the series. It is the one book in the series that has gotten better and better on each reread, for me. I also LOVE anything to do with angels, so really love the scenes with angels. One of my favorites is the one with the angel of death waiting to guide Father Forthill's spirit, were he to die. When harry voices concern, I love how the angel says she was there to protect him and not even Lucifer himself could harm him with her there.
Nice review Merphy! I wasn’t too hot on Ghost Story when it first came out, but reconsidering it now, I agree with you that it’s a necessary step after the momentous events of Changes, to really let Dresden (and the reader) experience the consequences of his choices. Also, not a great analogue, I know, but Dresden incorporating into the physical world briefly for the fight against Boz through nothing but sheer force of will reminds me of Goku making a similar move to save Gohan in the Bojack movie. I figure as a Dragon Ball fan you’ll at least understand the comparison! 😅 (And to stretch the DF/DBZ analogy even further, I guess Corpsetaker = Captain Ginyu?! 😝)
"By the end of this book, I was wrung out" - yeah, this book is definitely a wringer, alright. And yeah, Marcone's organized crime setup is very much intended to keep the harm it does in the world of those who are part of it. Way back in Book 5 we have that kid he (or one of his companions? I forget exactly) shot way back when he was just a lowly thug, and it's basically stated there (and borne out since) that the tragedy of that child's near death coma is what gave him the strength to do everything he's done. In some ways he's kinda a foil for Harry - they're both people who found themselves in terrible situations where there was no good option...but Marcone fully embraced the utilitarianism math of minimizing harm, whereas Harry constantly struggles against that.
By chance, _Ghost Story_ was the first volume of the Dresden Files I picked up. And while I enjoyed it - heck, it was good enough that I subsequently went back and picked up the rest of the books - I don't _love_ it the way I do some other entries in the series, including the whole run from _Dead Beat_ to _Changes._ So in this case I find myself in agreement with the Conventional Wisdom that this book was something of a step back in enjoyment, despite the ample food for thought it provides (and will continue to provide as the books go on - seriously, this is one of the most re-readable series I know).
That's such an unusual order; I have to ask what was it like reading the series with so many major events spoiled for you so early? For example, knowing Molly was going to be Harry's apprentice all the way back at Grave Peril? Or reading Storm Front knowing that he was going to have a child with Susan and eventually take her life? Or did it not register with you when you went back to the beginning?
@ghjong001 Some of it I genuinely didn't pick up in _Ghost Story._ I knew Harry would eventually have a daughter, for example, but not who the mother was or what happened to her. Other stuff - _a lot_ of other stuff! - didn't sink in, because I didn't have any context for it. Like Michael Carpenter's sons (but _not_ Michael himself!) showing up at Murphy's house helping try to keep a lid on Fomor incursions. Of course there was also quite a bit that I simply forgot in the months between reading this and picking up _Storm Front._ The final major category were characters and events that I simply misidentified, such as Molly. I knew Harry would take an apprentice named Molly; I didn't know until about halfway through _Proven Guilty_ that "Apprentice Molly" would also be "Molly Carpenter, Precocious Eldest Daughter of Michael and Charity." All told, I think it took me roughly until Harry called Mab in _Changes_ for the "spoilers" from reading this book first to fully start making sense. And even then, I was still surprised to read what happened to Susan and Martin (for example).
There is a short story called Goodbye that's Kincaid getting that call and Ivy's reaction. Emphasis on short. But I know you like them and it's not in Brief Cases.
I want to finish this video and hear your thoughts, but I am still a few books behind. Alas I will have to wait for your thoughts until my library catches up.
It was certainly different and more unique, for better and for worse. I'm not sure how I feel about it now, maybe it's time for my 4th reread it's been awhile :)
One of the most heartbreaking lines in the book is when Young Harry mentions how much he appreciates Justin because, unlike his other foster parents, when Justin got angry, he would just beat Harry quietly and quickly without a lot of drama, and then move on to the next lesson.
YAY new Dresden review!!! edit now i've seen the vid. Mortimer is awesome Star Trek? Really padawan? Just did a re-read of the series. Believe it's at the end of Cold Days that Michael has a great observation/quote on the whole Mab/Harry situation. Won't spoil it but you'll love it!!!
I loved the consequences in Ghost Story, and the introspection of Harry once he was divorced from the power we as the audience are so used to seeing him have. HOWEVER, I hated the pacing. Too choppy by far. I can't think of a smoother way to accomplish it, but the repeated "I don't know what's happening in this scene and now the scene is over" only to be followed by a similar scene was really punishing to read for some reason.
I am on my third re read for this series and I am currently on this book so this review has come at a good time for me. I guess we are all here because we love Dresden so I will start with the negatives. This is not his best book and is a bit of a slog at times......but what this book does brilliantly , and what Butcher does amazingly well throughout the series, is allow the secondary characters to grow.Dresden is dead so growth is ... well it i does happen in a wierd way. Molly is my favourite character in this series and she grows and expands so much in this book and the ending is just fire, loved the end sequence and it may be my favourtie ending so far in the series. Do not love the book but the finale is boom zap pow Klingons on the starboard bow. I have read many many long series and I think Butcher does secondary charaters better than anyone else, He allows them to change and grow as if they are actually real people where consequences matter and not just plot devices to move the story along. Enjoy the rest of the series. Skin Game is my favourite book in the series so lots to look forwards too. .....One last point.... The short stories Jum Butcher releases are amazing and character enhancing for the entire series. You certainly do not have to read them in time with the books but they are great. The couple of stories that stick in my mind involve Molly and in another story Mouse and Maggie. I cannot give details without spoilers but they are incredible and well worth reading.
Storm Front is definitely the weakest of the series, partly intentionally. If you’re considering the series, Dead Beat (book 7) is more representative of the series as a whole, and it also written as an on-ramp for new readers. By all means, start from book one if that’s how you feel it should go, but don’t expect the series to stay at Storm Front’s level. The first three books are each a leap in quality, and by the time you’re in book 4, the whole ride is in motion.
@@caffeinedelusions That is pretty much what most people say and I'm gonna give it a good go. When I first read it years ago I thought it John Constantine-light so I liked it but it didn't impress me so much that I just had to continue.
@@Montie-Adkins I can certainly see the similarities between Dresden and Constantine, but - after the first few books, at least - I don't know that I'd call Dresden _"anything_-light."
I didn't HATE Ghost Story the first time I read (I had to wait for it to be published after devouring Changes on release day), but I didn't like it. Now however, I think it may be one of my favorites. Especially having re-read (and re-listened) to it a number of times since it was first published.
If you're a parent and don't want your kids cursing, you very quickly learn to guard your tongue - it becomes instinctive. Heck, I curse a lot less because one of my favourite streamers is a family friendly streamer. (And no that is not a deliberate heck)
This was a great review. I always had mixed feelings of this book, but that might be because it's a much more nuanced book than everything that came before it. I should give it a reread with a bit more of an open mind.
To me, the best scene in this book is Harry's conversation with Lea on his grave. Mark my words, this pivotal question is not only important to Harry's mental state in understanding more about the Sidhe and his role as Winter Knight, but this will also have major repercussions in one of the majors themes of the series. Which is Harry's path mirroring Maggie Le Fay (known to hang out with a "bad crowd", like pretty much Harry has been doing the whole series).
Personally, I got a bit tired of all the introspection that seemed a little repetitive and boring. 4.5 stars at most for this one. Lea is a total psycho and absolutely not right about how Harry should have trained Molly. Kind of disappointed that Ebenezar and/or Listens-to-Wind didn't step up to train Molly instead of leaving it to the crazy fairy godmother. I like that in Side Jobs it is made clear that Harry did make a huge difference in saving the world and also inspiring the people who would carry on the fight against evil after he was gone. This is also shown in this story with the effect that Harry has had on Mort.
![Small Favor By Jim Butcher [SPOILER REVIEW] | The Dresden Files](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lPGOpSLSMzI/mqdefault.jpg)
There’s not a dry eye when Mister slams himself into the shins of Harry’s ghost.
Fun fact: Butters was suppose to a one off character that was going to show up as a background character in a couple of books. But, because the audiance loved him sooo much, Butcher made him into a recuring character with a more flushed out story. ^-^
I absolutely love the way Butcher followed through with CONSEQUENCES. it’s such a problem with so many series - they just re set when it’s inconvenient. It’s so interesting to see how early readers who complain that there are no lasting consequences find out that that is not Butcher’s intent, and it’s not how the series goes. Character development is constant. I love this book and I’m glad you appreciate what Butcher is doing.
And I think you’re 100% right about Harry identifying with Fitz
I definitely agree with you here. I believe it is one of the strongest elements of Butcher's writing. He doesn't let the characters choices and their consequences go to the wayside in service of the plot. On my second read this book is still one, if not my favorite in the series.
I think it's very realistic in how early books when Harry does things he gets a pass, others let it slide or don't confront him about it but then they start building up, he gets more important and everyone else expects things from him. And their expectations are not fair to him either, very human in that way.
The interactions with Uriel are some of my favorites at the end. “It’s easy to say let the world burn. It’s much different to say let Molly burn.” Or something like that. And also “humans get it backwards, you think you are a body that has a soul. The truth is you are a soul and have a body.” Paraphrasing, but I think it’s very important.
You may have missed it but a big reason why Harry was able to be so defiant against Mab after his resurrection was due to Uriel counter-balancing the seven words said by the fallen angel in the last book ("and it is all your fault harry") with his own seven words ("She can not change who you are.")
It's one of my favourite little details in the series but it is so easy to miss when you first read it.
Not to be that guy but I think Uriel fudged it by using cannot as one word for "Lies. Mab cannot change who you are." Imagine the Fallen arguing that counts as 8 words and Uriel must Fall as a consequence. Jokes aside, it's nice how Uriel counters a certain Fallen whispering lies to cause Harry to despair by whispering truths to inspire Harry.
I've read this book a few times and never have picked up on this. Thanks for sharing!
I love Molly in this book, her line to Harry about how he never realised what a shadow he cast, how many things avoided Chicago because of him - it just hammers home how his decisions in Changes (while needed to save his daughter) were so selfish and what consequences that selfishness has; then Uriel hammers it home even more, he said he'd let the world burn but he didn't realise that includes Molly, and he let Molly burn.
Just such good writing across the two books - you have Harry make what seems to be the right decisions, what seems to be the best decisions to save his daughter....but then Butcher examines the consequences of those actions and how utterly disastrous they are for everyone but Harry.
It also raises an entirely valid (in my mind, at least) question: to what degree is one required to sacrifice of themselves, in order to promote the well-being of others? When is someone allowed to say, "Okay, but I'm choosing to do what's best for me this time"? And how omniscient are we expecting our protagonists to be? Realistically, Harry couldn't _possibly_ have foreseen those results of his actions (and obviously didn't, because all of this blindsided him). Is it fair of _us_ to expect him to have 20/20 foresight?
My favorite Molly line in this book: "How can you be so clueless and still be you?". That hits so much harder on a second reading.
@@ghjong001 counterpoint, how could he be him and NOT be clueless?
@@cybergeek11235 And the consequences of his absence would also happen if he just got killed normally, which frequently could happen because he constantly does risky thing, and if he didn't his presence would probably be less important. Not quite the same as choosing it of course but still.
@@cybergeek11235 That was my exact reaction when I first read it (and every time since)! Still hurts.
I loved Ghost Story. I get why so many fans wanted or expected something else, but to me, the best thing about Dresden Files is the character work and not the madcap action, and this one hit me hard. And while much of book is about the darker consequences of Harry's and Molly's choices here, but we also get to see so many other characters at their best. Not just the usual in-series badasses like Karen or Will, but also Mortimer, Butters, Father Forthill... even Abby and Toto. It's one of my favorite recurring themes in the series - courage and heroism isn't just about beating up monsters. That's what we pay attention to in the books, but all along the way, there has always been so much more going on in the background, out of focus but no less important.
Dresden has always been a series about doing the right thing no matter the odds, about always trusting in your own moral compass and Harry did that over and over in the worst situations. Tied to a chair with werewolves or hanging in freezing water with Nicodemus in the sewers, he would be faced with "do the wrong thing or die" and would always choose to do the right thing. And the series rewarded us by showing us that even when you think everything is lost, if you stay true to that moral compass there might just be something you didn't see that makes things work out. You don't have the whole picture, so all you can do is what is right in your heart here and now.
Ghost Story feels like an entire book exploring the one time that Harry does the opposite. He KNOWS what he is doing is wrong and he makes that choice because he feels like the odds are too stacked against him and that he can't win by choosing to do the right thing. His daughter isn't worth the risk that it will all be okay if he stays true to himself, so he slips up and decides to partner with a monster and become a monster to save his little girl.
And then we get to see the consequences of that choice for this whole book. And no spoilers here, they don't end with this one book. He wakes up in Mab's arms and that's when the actual consequences really start kicking in. And now Harry gets to live in the consequences of doing the wrong thing while being plunged into a situation filled with countless wrong choices he could make.
You're really going to love the rest of the series and I'm happy that you're getting to experience it all for the first time. Keep up the great content!
This was fantastically put, a far better analysis than mine. Thank you!
Are you saying saving Maggie wasn't worth the cost, or that he should have trusted it would all work out?
Maybe I'm missing something, but he *couldn't* win without making some kind of deal, right? Becoming the Winter Knight, ascending as a god through that necromancy ritual, or taking up Lasciel's coin.
I mean, his spine was broken. He couldn't move. They barely won with Harry there, I can't imagine them winning without him.
I feel like the real wrong decision was ordering his own assassination.
"sometimes the needs of the one outweighs the needs of the many" - Spock
I am suprised Butcher did not use that quote but I see why he did not. Changes shows how human Harry is , he is completely governed by his core ethos of protect children and even more so to protect his own child.
I completely understand this because given the choice between my daughter dies or a billion others die then I know what choice I am making. Send me to hell but given a choice I can only make one.
It goes all the way back to the third book (with a nice callback in this one) "He died doing the right thing."
The wrong thing that he did was arranging his death, not becoming the knight. His death was what caused all the damage to his friends and to Chicago.
Loved the way both Butters and Molly leveled up their badassery in this book. Polka will never die.
For a guy who always says he isn't a doctor, Butters always seems to fix a lot of people. (Molly is inherently cool too and I very much enjoyed the mind games line.)
Polka will never die!
"And it was all your fault, Harry."
"Lies. Mab cannot change who you are."
The forces of hell and heaven fighting to change the fate of the world through one man. The payoff in this book is so good
Couple corrections: Maggie is in the care of the carpenters, not Molly, and Mortimer was shielding Murphy from being seen crying 😁 lots of 'M' names haha
Butters becoming the heart of the team is the greatest thing! Scene in later book made me glad we have butters
I love this series!!! And Butters is one of the best characters. Polka will never die!
YES! Polka will never die!
I am from now on sending everyone i debate about dresden to your reviews. You dont let the flaws slide but the way you eloquently relate the heart and depth of these stories and characters really sells it and i wish more people could see it that way the way i see it too.
Butters is, by far, my favorite character in the Dresden Files. I can’t wait for you to see why.
No character in this series is more changed than Butters from the time we meet him to where he is after "Battleground".
Facing the consequences of decisions is definitely a main theme here that I think you picked up on way more than I did.
On his interview with The Legendarium Podcast he talks about how a lot of Ghost Story was him writing to himself about a past suicide attempt, and to force himself to face the consequences had he succeeded by making Harry actually face those consequences. Which is you know....pretty dark, and has also changed how I look at the novel.
Better late than never. Always put your health and family before any of us. What are we gonna do, NOT watch the update? 🤣
"Like I said, I'm not much when it comes to illusions. I am, however, reasonably good with fire." on top of being a *killer* line, has got to be the understatement of the series (at least up til now), right?
I do love that bit. "Ahh, it's just another illusion! OH NO IT"S NOT AN ILLUSION AHHHHH!"
Butters was just a dude. Just a scrawny man doing a job, enjoying polka. He got pulled into things waay above his paygrade and beyond his experience.
He is changing, having his arc. But he's still just a dude in over his head trying his best.
Just like Harry.
Polka will never die!
I feel he really personifies the good people of the series even more so than Michael at times. (Possible minor spoilers following for up to Peace talks as I can't remember exactly where it's mentioned but they're very minor spoilers.) We know Michael served in the Corps while Butters tried out but wasn't accepted for his physical limitations. In spite of this, I don't think we've ever seen Butters back down from a situation where his lack of participation could cause others to suffer. My guy doesn't have Michael's physique, training, experience or his big evil slaying sword but he is smart and just as willing to face evil without backing down. More so than Michael, he also takes no lip from Harry which is an accomplishment given how often Harry steamrolls people in conversation. Michael is basically a paragon of selfless good but Butters, though he makes mistakes from time to time, is probably the more realistic interpretation of a good man.
I know Harry is supposed to be like Sam in LOTR, but in truth, Butters is Sam! The truly everyman who has no special training, powers, or physique and gets thrust into a world way out of his league. And he just does the best he can in every situation.
I'm actually really surprised how little you've talked about Demonreach
I realize that Dresden Files has shaped how I think about religion and free will. Before I was leaning more toward atheism, but now I'm more agnostic. Before I was like "If God is all powerful, how come there is suffering", but these books have thought me the importance of free will. And where there is free will, there will also be suffering. A human has the free will to choose to do bad things, but that will cause other humans to suffer. But we still need to protect free will, and we have to choose to do good everyday.
Sanya must be your favourite character.
Well he is mine😅
I was surprised when the book came out how many fans were critical of its introspective nature. I love that you appreciate it.
The flashback was my favorite part, seeing a teenage Harry.
The problem was that we waited a whole year, and then another year before the next one. It hits different upon re-read or even reading the first time and not having to wait so long. I love Ghost Story now but at the time..... just felt like we were missing something.
@@telynns8490 The other issue when it first came out was with the audio book. Listening to the original release of the audio with a substitute narrator really colored the way the story was received. Didn't matter that John Glover is a good narrator - he wasn't Harry. When they had the audio rerecorded a few years later with James Marsters, it was like listening to a different book.
@@karensamuel5616 The substitute narrator was really weird! I didn't read it with the audiobook on my first read, but on my second read it was super weird to have it change. I ended up not listening to it for long haha.
@@telynns8490 I had no idea people felt that way about the book. I remember I read it in one sitting at Barnes and absolutely loved it.
@@karensamuel5616 That was it for me. I knew John Glover primarily from two things - the antagonist executive Daniel Clamp in Gremlins 2, and Lex Luthor's dad in Smallville. He was great at Marcone, naturally, but horribly unsuited for Harry. I was very glad they got Marsters back by the time I did the re-'read'.
Also, I love Marsters's renditions of every character, not just Harry. I think his Lea is my favorite
Changes - Ghost Story - Cold Days I view as basically one long story. I love Ghost Story, and it is the introspective middle before the chaotic awesomeness of Cold Days. Changes is fantastic and a top 3 Dresden book, but Cold Days may be my favorite of the series. You are in for a treat!
Oh yeah... and then you have another top 4-5 book in Skin Game!
Dresden is one of the best series for delivering forward momentum. Obviously it has it's flaws, especially early on. But the more you read the more you get to appreciate that Butcher has some incredible strengths as a writer too. Every book compounds upon the last narratively and in terms of character until the story becomes much more than the sum of its parts.
Changes was really interesting in that it really did reset Dresden as a series. Ghost Story feels like an epilogue to the world we thought we knew.
I loved Ghost Story. When I think back on the series, I remember probably the most about Ghost Story and Cold Days, other than Changes.
Glad I found this, looking forward to watching your other videos now. I love the Dresden series, this particular book never sat well with me, it felt suffocating to me until near the end and just so very unfair - that attitude/perspective stuck with me while reading . Listening to your take on it gives a different perspective, these are actual consequences and he isn't allowed to escape them (to extremely summarize), I appreciate the well considered review.
This book also has my favorite "title" for Harry. I forget which character says it, but someone refers to him as "The Mad Wizard Dresden" in reference to the creatures that used to avoid Chicago because of him.
This was a wonderful way to break down the book! 😊
Murphy's dad though! Meeting him is a highlight of this book imo
I think this may be my favorite review of Ghost Story that I have seen. I don't always have the same perspective on the books as you but I always enjoy your take on them and love seeing someone appreciate this journey. I think most reviewers and even a lot of readers were at least initially disappointed in GS and for some it's their least favorite. Which is to be a little expected if you waited a year for a book attempting to follow Changes and GS goes in such a different direction than how most imagined it would go. I think you grasped right away the need for a shift in pace and tone. The need for the overall narrative to allow for Harry to deal with the aftermath of Changes and not just jump back into the type of typical Dresden book a lot of us enjoy the most. It's something I feel like Butcher is doing again with the latest books. I appreciate that like life, nothing stays exactly the same for Harry and we don't just tune back in for another episode that forgets what happened before. I didn't hate the book on the first read by any means, but it caught me off guard. I think I appreciated it way more when I re-read the series.
Been eagerly waiting for this! Now you're on my favorite, Cold Days!
Love this podcast and your Dresden breakdowns
Butters' arc is one of my favourites !
But I hope you enjoyed the little reprieve and breathing room that was Ghost Story, because my oh my... The best is yet to come
Shout out to John Glover who did the initial narration of the audio book. He did a great job stepping in for James Marsters who didn't have the time at release.
But quite a statement about how beloved Marsters is that they actually re-recorded it when he could do it.
Been waiting, had to search out the channel.
Loved hearing your thoughts on it. I'm of the opinion that the Winter Knight Era books are the best in the series personally.
I think it was chapter 40, "Come home" very emotional!' Good stuff!
At the time of first reading i was a little bit disapointed with Ghost Story, but on re-reads i've really grown to love it.
It was just hard back then coming down from the rediculousness that was Changes, get this down-tempo kind of grounded book, and then have to wait another year+ for Cold Days.
Now I don't think there was any other way to do it really, it was needed.
I've been waiting for this! Love your Dresden reviews.
Feel better. As i re read in prep for your video i was struck by just how many of the 'side jobs' stories were touched upon 5 at least. Also there is a story on Butchers site of Kincade getting the call and how Ivy reacts. Microfiction #3 Goodbye. Warning be careful most of the others are still in the future for you. Have really enjoyed you journey thru the Dresden Files. I love the chat with Uriel also the angel of death and the talk about choices.
You're gonna hook me on yet another series, Mephy. You've never let me down though so I'm excited.
Wonderful review! Can't wait for you do the rest of this series (no pressure to rush through though! Take your time).
Started another reread after your Small Favor video and now already finished again. You keep them alive with these and I’ll be sad when you catch all the way up. 😂
But these later books are all my favorite so excited to see how it goes for you.
And it so mess up that he made Molly someone who trying to come back from hurting the people she cares about messing with their heads to do the same to him on purpose this time.
No spoilers. Your comments about Mab and how she will manage Dresden and play by his rules. She's Mab. She will always follow the letter of her bargains. But you can use your imagination to figure out some of her other options. Because Mab plays all the angles and wins regardless of the outcome. She has preferences, of course. But she always ends up getting every possible benefit out of every situation she's involved in.
You're going to love Cold Days.
Yes, I imagine Harry did see a lot of himself in Fitz. The guy did make a few decisions as a teenager that he now regrets, which had some bad consequences including (he believed at the time) accidentally killing Elaine, which then lead to him having trouble with the wardens for years afterwards.
This is the most underrated of his books. IMO. It's not in my top 5. But definitely top 10. It was such a contrast to the typical man of action. Cold Days is my second favorite of the series. It was actually my introduction to the series. My brother in law brought the audio book for a road trip. I was hooked
This is an odd one out for me. I fully agree we needed this sort of slower paced, more introspective book after the insanity of Changes, to give us and the characters time to just... deal with all this. But it doesn't make it all that great a book to re-read, and not as fun as the series usually is. I loved reading it, but after the first time it's just.... it's good, and necessary, but harder to really just get lost in the epic insanity of like the rest. Still wonderful.
And it has so many great moments. On amazing touch it took me awhile to notice is how perfect Lea's hints to Harry about who killed him were, since all of them apply equally to both him and Kincaid!
I think it could have been shorter, and that would have made it stronger, but I loved it despite that
I'm just the opposite. I have actually very much looked forward to this book on subsequent rereads of the series. It is the one book in the series that has gotten better and better on each reread, for me. I also LOVE anything to do with angels, so really love the scenes with angels. One of my favorites is the one with the angel of death waiting to guide Father Forthill's spirit, were he to die. When harry voices concern, I love how the angel says she was there to protect him and not even Lucifer himself could harm him with her there.
Been waiting for this review. Such a good part of the series.
Nice review Merphy! I wasn’t too hot on Ghost Story when it first came out, but reconsidering it now, I agree with you that it’s a necessary step after the momentous events of Changes, to really let Dresden (and the reader) experience the consequences of his choices.
Also, not a great analogue, I know, but Dresden incorporating into the physical world briefly for the fight against Boz through nothing but sheer force of will reminds me of Goku making a similar move to save Gohan in the Bojack movie. I figure as a Dragon Ball fan you’ll at least understand the comparison! 😅
(And to stretch the DF/DBZ analogy even further, I guess Corpsetaker = Captain Ginyu?! 😝)
"By the end of this book, I was wrung out" - yeah, this book is definitely a wringer, alright.
And yeah, Marcone's organized crime setup is very much intended to keep the harm it does in the world of those who are part of it. Way back in Book 5 we have that kid he (or one of his companions? I forget exactly) shot way back when he was just a lowly thug, and it's basically stated there (and borne out since) that the tragedy of that child's near death coma is what gave him the strength to do everything he's done. In some ways he's kinda a foil for Harry - they're both people who found themselves in terrible situations where there was no good option...but Marcone fully embraced the utilitarianism math of minimizing harm, whereas Harry constantly struggles against that.
iirc, a rival shot the kid while trying to kill him
I should read this series soon...
Yes... you should! It's amazing.
Yes, definitely.
I was looking forward for this review. Such a great book, but i am a Molly fanboy so no surprise.
Really enjoyable review :)
By chance, _Ghost Story_ was the first volume of the Dresden Files I picked up. And while I enjoyed it - heck, it was good enough that I subsequently went back and picked up the rest of the books - I don't _love_ it the way I do some other entries in the series, including the whole run from _Dead Beat_ to _Changes._ So in this case I find myself in agreement with the Conventional Wisdom that this book was something of a step back in enjoyment, despite the ample food for thought it provides (and will continue to provide as the books go on - seriously, this is one of the most re-readable series I know).
That's such an unusual order; I have to ask what was it like reading the series with so many major events spoiled for you so early? For example, knowing Molly was going to be Harry's apprentice all the way back at Grave Peril? Or reading Storm Front knowing that he was going to have a child with Susan and eventually take her life? Or did it not register with you when you went back to the beginning?
@ghjong001 Some of it I genuinely didn't pick up in _Ghost Story._ I knew Harry would eventually have a daughter, for example, but not who the mother was or what happened to her. Other stuff - _a lot_ of other stuff! - didn't sink in, because I didn't have any context for it. Like Michael Carpenter's sons (but _not_ Michael himself!) showing up at Murphy's house helping try to keep a lid on Fomor incursions. Of course there was also quite a bit that I simply forgot in the months between reading this and picking up _Storm Front._ The final major category were characters and events that I simply misidentified, such as Molly. I knew Harry would take an apprentice named Molly; I didn't know until about halfway through _Proven Guilty_ that "Apprentice Molly" would also be "Molly Carpenter, Precocious Eldest Daughter of Michael and Charity."
All told, I think it took me roughly until Harry called Mab in _Changes_ for the "spoilers" from reading this book first to fully start making sense. And even then, I was still surprised to read what happened to Susan and Martin (for example).
There is a short story called Goodbye that's Kincaid getting that call and Ivy's reaction. Emphasis on short. But I know you like them and it's not in Brief Cases.
Where can it be found
@@stevenstewart782 Jim Butchers website.
@@stevenstewart782 Butchers site.
@@stevenstewart782 It's only online for free. TH-cam's comment filter won't let me even vaguely say where, but it's easy to find.
Hope you feel better ❤
been waiting for that book review
I wonder what was going through Kincaid’s head when Harry called in the favor and it was to kill him 😂
I want to finish this video and hear your thoughts, but I am still a few books behind. Alas I will have to wait for your thoughts until my library catches up.
Polka will never die!
It was certainly different and more unique, for better and for worse. I'm not sure how I feel about it now, maybe it's time for my 4th reread it's been awhile :)
I love we finally get to see Justin and how awful he is in a very realistic way
One of the most heartbreaking lines in the book is when Young Harry mentions how much he appreciates Justin because, unlike his other foster parents, when Justin got angry, he would just beat Harry quietly and quickly without a lot of drama, and then move on to the next lesson.
Hope you're feeling better. What did you think of Sir Stewart and Evil Bob?
Damn, already conquered 11 of the books. Only four to go, nice Merphy 😁. Meanwhile I'm still stuck at 6😅
Ghost story is 13/17, not 11/15
@@rashkavar damn, there's 2 more books. I'm outdated 😭
YAY new Dresden review!!!
edit now i've seen the vid.
Mortimer is awesome
Star Trek? Really padawan?
Just did a re-read of the series. Believe it's at the end of Cold Days that Michael has a great observation/quote on the whole Mab/Harry situation. Won't spoil it but you'll love it!!!
I think you are thinking of a conversation with Michael in Skin Game.
@@telynns8490 you're probably right 😎
@@jellevanbreugel325 I go and re-read that conversation once in a while. It's sooooooo good.
@@telynns8490 i know, right!!!!
Hi, Merphy! I highly recommend you the book Determined by Robert Sapolsky. You'll see why 😀.
I loved the consequences in Ghost Story, and the introspection of Harry once he was divorced from the power we as the audience are so used to seeing him have.
HOWEVER, I hated the pacing. Too choppy by far. I can't think of a smoother way to accomplish it, but the repeated "I don't know what's happening in this scene and now the scene is over" only to be followed by a similar scene was really punishing to read for some reason.
I am on my third re read for this series and I am currently on this book so this review has come at a good time for me.
I guess we are all here because we love Dresden so I will start with the negatives. This is not his best book and is a bit of a slog at times......but what this book does brilliantly , and what Butcher does amazingly well throughout the series, is allow the secondary characters to grow.Dresden is dead so growth is ... well it i does happen in a wierd way.
Molly is my favourite character in this series and she grows and expands so much in this book and the ending is just fire, loved the end sequence and it may be my favourtie ending so far in the series. Do not love the book but the finale is boom zap pow Klingons on the starboard bow.
I have read many many long series and I think Butcher does secondary charaters better than anyone else, He allows them to change and grow as if they are actually real people where consequences matter and not just plot devices to move the story along.
Enjoy the rest of the series. Skin Game is my favourite book in the series so lots to look forwards too.
.....One last point.... The short stories Jum Butcher releases are amazing and character enhancing for the entire series. You certainly do not have to read them in time with the books but they are great. The couple of stories that stick in my mind involve Molly and in another story Mouse and Maggie. I cannot give details without spoilers but they are incredible and well worth reading.
It's been several years since I read Ghost Story so I'm trying to remember who the heck is Fitz😄
Merphy needing a better schedule XD
I shall re-read Storm Front next week to see how it appeals to me now.
Storm Front is definitely the weakest of the series, partly intentionally.
If you’re considering the series, Dead Beat (book 7) is more representative of the series as a whole, and it also written as an on-ramp for new readers.
By all means, start from book one if that’s how you feel it should go, but don’t expect the series to stay at Storm Front’s level. The first three books are each a leap in quality, and by the time you’re in book 4, the whole ride is in motion.
@@caffeinedelusions That is pretty much what most people say and I'm gonna give it a good go. When I first read it years ago I thought it John Constantine-light so I liked it but it didn't impress me so much that I just had to continue.
@@Montie-Adkins I can certainly see the similarities between Dresden and Constantine, but - after the first few books, at least - I don't know that I'd call Dresden _"anything_-light."
@@Philistine47 Cool.
great review ^^
I didn't HATE Ghost Story the first time I read (I had to wait for it to be published after devouring Changes on release day), but I didn't like it. Now however, I think it may be one of my favorites. Especially having re-read (and re-listened) to it a number of times since it was first published.
It definitely took me more than one pass to fully appreciate how cool it is.
Did a grown woman with a husband and two kids just yell out "golly" in shock and surprise? :)
If you're a parent and don't want your kids cursing, you very quickly learn to guard your tongue - it becomes instinctive. Heck, I curse a lot less because one of my favourite streamers is a family friendly streamer. (And no that is not a deliberate heck)
Her G-rated outbursts are honestly one of my favorite things about this channel.
This was a great review. I always had mixed feelings of this book, but that might be because it's a much more nuanced book than everything that came before it. I should give it a reread with a bit more of an open mind.
It is much better upon re-read.
❤❤❤
❤
To me, the best scene in this book is Harry's conversation with Lea on his grave.
Mark my words, this pivotal question is not only important to Harry's mental state in understanding more about the Sidhe and his role as Winter Knight, but this will also have major repercussions in one of the majors themes of the series. Which is Harry's path mirroring Maggie Le Fay (known to hang out with a "bad crowd", like pretty much Harry has been doing the whole series).
1:20
Personally, I got a bit tired of all the introspection that seemed a little repetitive and boring. 4.5 stars at most for this one.
Lea is a total psycho and absolutely not right about how Harry should have trained Molly. Kind of disappointed that Ebenezar and/or Listens-to-Wind didn't step up to train Molly instead of leaving it to the crazy fairy godmother.
I like that in Side Jobs it is made clear that Harry did make a huge difference in saving the world and also inspiring the people who would carry on the fight against evil after he was gone. This is also shown in this story with the effect that Harry has had on Mort.
Boo 👻
I’ve been refreshing my feed all afternoon.😂 I hope you feel better, take care of yourself. Looking forward to your thoughts as always.🩵🩵