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Welcome back Dresden!

Reviewed: 08-28-20

I don't write many reviews, but there have been some pretty critical reviews of this book. Some so bad I almost didn't get it, despite being a long term Dresden fan.

First; about the audio transitions. I only noticed one such occurrence in the entire book.

Second; about Marsters' performance. It's about par with the other books in my opinion. Marters has never been what I would call a great voice actor. Regardless, since the books are all written in first person. Marsters is the voice of Harry Dresden, and he does a decent job of that character. If not so much the others. Yes. Many of his voices sound similar, but that is not new to this book.

Third; about the story. Maybe it's not as polished as some of the previous books, but it is at least as good as the early Dresden novels. Butcher is a decent author that has steadily improved over the years. He's never been a particularly polished writer. Still though, whatever he may lack in polish, he more than makes up for in story telling and world building.

The ending is a little unsatisfying, though it seems clear that the narrative arc was more about Thomas than the events that are foreshadowed for the next book. In that context, I do feel like the story is complete, if not as climatic as some of the previous books.

In summary; I am glad I didn't listen to the negative reviews, and went ahead and purchased this book. Perhaps not the best Dresden novel, but better by far than the first couple. So if you're a Dresden fan don't hesitate, I am certain you will enjoy, if not love this novel. The good news is that next one is sure to be a lot more exciting. It's about four hours longer, and is being released less than three months after this one (9-29-2020). So welcome back Dresden!

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Inconsistent

Reviewed: 03-27-20

This author is gifted with creating a great story, and then destroying it with juvenile cringy sex scenes and horrible dialogue. There are five star moments in this book, but I have a strict one orgy is more than enough policy...

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This is not an audiobook.

Reviewed: 03-19-20

This is an audio performance. It reminds me of old-school radio serials. Where you are given sound effects and a full cast, but the only narrative exposition comes from the dialogue. This unfortunately leads to character lines that are overly engineered to let the listener know what is happening. Which I just couldn't get into.

The voice acting seems quite good actually. I also believe the story had some potential. This format is just not for me.

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22 people found this helpful

Too much politics and misinformation.

Reviewed: 06-18-19

I liked the story, but Jack Reacher the character was abysmal. Two dimensional and of low character. Basically any right leaning political position no matter how tired and/or not based on fact or reality is embraced and extolled by the character.

I really wanted to like this book, but just couldn't finish it...

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Real Magic

Reviewed: 10-19-18

When I listened to the first book in this series. Knowing the author to be J.K. Rowling. I was very much struck by the differences in this series versus HP. I was in fact, a bit taken aback by some of the language and grittier aspects of the book. Nevertheless I enjoyed it and found myself wanting to continue the series.

As I finish the fourth, and at this time, the last book in the series. I am now struck by the similarities between this series and HP. Namely; the characters. No matter if she is writing about wizards, or hard-bitten PI's. She creates characters that outlive the pages they are written on. Friends you will miss when they are gone... That is the "real magic" of J.K. Rowling.

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Great series, if...

Reviewed: 01-26-18

Any additional comments?

It's no secret that military sci-fi stories are often used as political allegories. Usually leaning right with a heaping side of military aggrandizement. This series worships at that alter with a zealotry that borders on the absurd. Even going so far as to make the ultimate evil empire in the universe a bunch of crazed theocratic environmentalists.Complete with kamikaze Greenpeace commandos. I kid you not.

It's not even so much that I completely disagree with many of the not-so-subtle political diatribes delivered by the main characters. Or even that most of the time they aren't really even relevant to the plot. It's more that they often come across as patronizing. As if the reader is incapable of coming to an intelligent understanding of the characters views and motivations without the character nearly breaking the fourth wall to drive their views home with all the subtlety of a sledge hammer. I suspect the co-author John Ringo as the source of much of this, as I've read David Weber before, and he is generally not inclined to pontificate.

All of that aside; I did enjoy the hero's journey of Prince Roger. David Weber as usual delivers a wonderful mix of fiction and historical fact to create a rich world of evolving technologies and military tactics. Which of course are the reasons I love mil-sci-fi so much despite the inevitable political rants that seem to infest them like fleas on a cur.

So this is a great series,if... you either A; enjoy people preaching their politics to you. Or B; you are like me and are happy to ignore the coal to get to the diamonds.

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1 person found this helpful