by Jim Butcher is the latest installment in his wonderful 'Dresden Files' series which features that singularly independent wizard Harry Dresden. If you have never read these stories (or watched the television show during its all too short run) they are a great set of tales that showcase an immensely talented author. Harry is irreverent and has the most amazing allies and friends, not to mention an irresistible brother who is a White Court vampire. One of my favorite secondary characters is called 'Bob' who loves salacious literature and inhabits a skull, not to mention the enormous canid known as Mouse who became attached to Harry several books ago. Harry has become more comfortable with his powers as the series unfolds but his life gets ever more complicated and he is now committed to serving as the Winter Knight under Queen Mab of the Winter Court of the Sidhe. Her version of rehabilitation would be considered torture by most people's definition but she has a plan, however devious it may be. It is virtually impossible for Harry to determine who, if any, of the Winter Court will be allies rather than enemies but he knows that he can count on his ties from his previous life.
There are always new and exquisitely fascinating characters introduced in this creative series and the Cat Sith, the malk, is one of those who is highlighted in this particular story. Just as with any cat, one never knows what mischief will accompany this being who operates according to its own arcane rules. Harry continues to gingerly traverse that infinitesimally thin line between right and wrong as he struggles to retain his humanity in the face of all of the pressures threatening to undermine him. An eerie encounter with a being named Kringle gives new fodder to speculation about what happens the other 364 days of the year after the gifts have been delivered, lol. Another great addition to the series, complete with more unexpected developments that will leave one anxious for the next volume in this exciting series. My Night Owl review is at this link.
Jim Butcher also has a wonderful action-packed fantasy series known as the 'Codex Alera' which showcases his ability to write enthralling war scenes even as an intricate game of kingdoms is being played, involving fascinating races who have their own rigid structure and code of honor. Another fun series to read.
