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conprimo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kaisersozee's review against another edition
5.0
One of the greatest writers with such great ideas!!
A pleasure and must read every book of his!!
A pleasure and must read every book of his!!
eesh25's review
4.0
3.75 Stars
Okay, I can finally say that I like a Dresden book. It's not perfect and I'm not remotely ready to call myself a fan of the series, but I finally have a book that I mostly enjoyed. It also only got a 3 on the "Fuck You" counter (see this review for the origin of the counter). That means Butcher is finally learning to write women as human beings. Good for you, sir!
The danger in this book is more... well, dangerious than ever. Harry is still trying to deal with what happened with Susan when a new threat surfaces. We don't know where it's coming from and why, just that someone's trying to do something bad with some very deadly creatures, and an important magical object has been stolen that Harry's been hired to find and retrieve. Oh and, someone's trying to kill him. That's not exactly a development unique to this book but it's more serious this time around. And that was interesting. Like, I can't say that I feared for Harry's life since this series has a million books, but I was definitely curious to see how he would get out of it.
The pace of the book was good too. There were a lot of, mostly connected, things going on. The book lost me a tiny bit in the middle and I'm not sure why. And yeah, Harry still isn't someone I like. He's become more tolerable, though.
I also really liked some of the side characters. Michael's back and we learned more about the Knights of the Cross, which I loved. The new supernatural creature of the book was super interesting and I wanna know and see more of them. The politics of the various courts and councils were great, though they'd be even better if Harry was less annoying when dealing with them. In fact, the series as a whole would really benefit if it stopped trying so hard to make Harry cool and likable. He's not.
Overall, this was a good installment and I will be continuing with the series. Will probably get to the next book in a couple of months. Fingers crossed that I like it even more than this one.
Okay, I can finally say that I like a Dresden book. It's not perfect and I'm not remotely ready to call myself a fan of the series, but I finally have a book that I mostly enjoyed. It also only got a 3 on the "Fuck You" counter (see this review for the origin of the counter). That means Butcher is finally learning to write women as human beings. Good for you, sir!
The danger in this book is more... well, dangerious than ever. Harry is still trying to deal with what happened with Susan when a new threat surfaces. We don't know where it's coming from and why, just that someone's trying to do something bad with some very deadly creatures, and an important magical object has been stolen that Harry's been hired to find and retrieve. Oh and, someone's trying to kill him. That's not exactly a development unique to this book but it's more serious this time around. And that was interesting. Like, I can't say that I feared for Harry's life since this series has a million books, but I was definitely curious to see how he would get out of it.
The pace of the book was good too. There were a lot of, mostly connected, things going on. The book lost me a tiny bit in the middle and I'm not sure why. And yeah, Harry still isn't someone I like. He's become more tolerable, though.
I also really liked some of the side characters. Michael's back and we learned more about the Knights of the Cross, which I loved. The new supernatural creature of the book was super interesting and I wanna know and see more of them. The politics of the various courts and councils were great, though they'd be even better if Harry was less annoying when dealing with them. In fact, the series as a whole would really benefit if it stopped trying so hard to make Harry cool and likable. He's not.
Overall, this was a good installment and I will be continuing with the series. Will probably get to the next book in a couple of months. Fingers crossed that I like it even more than this one.
kathydavie's review
5.0
Fifth in the Dresden Files urban fantasy series revolving around Harry Dresden, a wizard private investigator and world saver.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of The Dresden Files books on my website.
My Take
It’s funny enough to open with Harry on a talk show, but then Harry opens…his mouth and spews forth truths, which only makes it funnier! Surprisingly, Mortimer is good on the show and it’s good cover for what Harry needs.
I’m with Harry, Ortega needs to work on his negotiating skills. That could be an interesting business class: Negotiating with Vampires and Faeries.
Karrin is trusting Harry. And while Susan trusts Harry, she can’t be with him. She’s got the right reasons, but it’s still sad for them both.
Nah, doesn’t matter how often I read that scene. It’s just plain stupid for Harry to insist on an explanation in that alley. It’s driven him nuts often enough, why on earth would he do it to Michael?
Damn, Butcher has got one heck of an imagination with his depictions of the Denarian demons. He’s also brought in a pack of new characters besides the Denarians from “Ivy” with Kincaid to the other Knights to Snoozy Martin who is driving Harry crazy with jealousy. It’s complex with multiple, multiple layers --- a Butcher classic.
I gotta wonder if we’ll ever learn more about the Chicago PD powers-that-be and if they have a connection with the vampires or Marcone. It’s gotta be something the way they keep slapping Murphy down. This time, she may lose her job.
Thomas may not be able to help Harry, but watching him as Ortega’s second is too funny.
Oh man. See, that’s what’s wrong with the Catholic Church and confession. Say you’re sorry and you’re all cleaned up and ready to sin again. At least Harry didn’t have to abide by the rules --- and I loved that Sanya and Michael got into the spirit of it afterwards! At least it shows that they’re human!! And that crack about the phone! Oh, ROFL, damn I’m mean.
It’s Saturday-afternoon, or should it be a Sunday-school-afternoon?, at the movies with the train chases and our own evil Snidely Whiplash.
The Story
It’s Harry and Mortimer waiting for the show to begin, literally, as they’re both guests on The Larry Fowler Show in a segment on “Witchcraft and Wizardry --- Phony or Fabulous?”
It’s one of the other guests that’s a problem, and he wants to fight Harry in a duel to the death. Harry’s.
The Characters
Harry “Hoss” Dresden is a wizard who manages to fit in the usual private investigator cases between his saving the world. Bob the Skull is a spiritual entity housed inside a human skull; he has an encyclopedic knowledge of magic. Margaret was Harry’s mother’s name. Mister is Harry’s ginormous cat while Mouse is the rescued temple food dog.
Special Investigations
Lieutenant Karrin Murphy heads up Special Investigations (SI) for the Chicago PD, well, unless they’re trying to shut her down harder. It’s where they throw cops who get out of line. Waldo Butters is an assistant medical examiner who almost got tossed to the curb when he insisted the bodies were humanoid, and not human. Detective Rudolph is a brownnoser who wants out of SI.
The Fellowship of St. Giles
The Fellowship of St. Giles tries to help people the Red Court has harmed. Susan Rodriguez was Harry’s girlfriend and a reporter for the Midwestern Arcane before she pushed too hard and crashed a vampire ball. Now Harry’s trying to figure out a way to bring her back. The very bland Martin, Susan’s current partner, has his own agenda.
The Knights of the Cross
Shiro Yoshimo carries Fidelacchius, was Michael’s teacher, and will be Harry’s second, Sanya, who repented, and Michael Carpenter with Amoracchius wield the Three. Michael is married to the Harry-hating Charity while their kids include the very teenaged Molly with her rebellious ways right down to Harry’s namesake.
Father Forthill is with Saint Mary of the Angels church. Ulsharavas is an oracle spirit. Ebenezar McCoy was one of Harry’s teachers and is on the Senior Council. The Merlin is the leader. The Archive may be a little girl (Harry names her Ivy), but only in appearance. She is the living memory of mankind. Kincaid is her appointed driver-cum-babysitter. MacAnnally’s is a tavern for supernatural users, and it’s run by Mac. It’s also been declared a neutral zone.
Mortimer Lindquist is an ectomancer who communes with ghosts. Father Vincent is a representative from the Vatican and is their leading scholar on witchcraft and magic. Dr. Paolo Ortega is with the University of Brazil at Rio de Janiero and a “world-renowned researcher and debunker of the supernatural”.
Larry Fowler is the TV host for The Larry Fowler Show, and I get the impression the show is right up there with Jerry Springer.
The demon boys, the Order of the Blackened Denarians
The Denarians are Fallen who tempt greedy mortals with one of the thirty coins Judas was paid. Ursiel is a Fallen with a bear shape; Rasmussen was his mortal. Nicodemus is the head boy with Anduriel as his patron. Nick wears the noose that Judas used to hang himself. And he packs a whole lotta power. He’s also killed hundreds of Knights. Chauncy. Dierdre is Nicodemus’ daughter, and they have a very twisted relationship, besides the fact that she turns into a demon with razor blade-sharp tentacles. Quintus Cassius does the fake repent of his liaison with Saluriel.
Gentleman Johnny Marcone heads up the crime syndicate in Chicago. Hendricks is one of John Marcone’s thugs. Miss Gard is a new employee.
The Vampires
The vampires are divided into three courts: the White, Red, and Black.
The White Court
The White Court vampires feed on psychic energies, emotions, lusts. Thomas Raith is its king’s bastard son. Justine is his girlfriend-cum-victim.
The Red Court
Duke Paolo Ortega is their warlord and quite sneaky with his true plans. Thomas Raith will be his second.
Gaston LaRouche is the ringleader for a group of thieves called the Churchmice. Anna Valmont and Francisca Garcia are part of the ring. Nick Christian at Ragged Angel Investigations was Harry’s boss when Harry first arrived in Chicago.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark and gets darker in its center. There’s a feeling of being underground, even if it is an underground with giant white fluted pillars, with the only light coming from Harry’s staff. Harry himself is in his standard black, walking away from us, his long duster flaring out around his legs.
The title refers to the Death Masks of the Denarians as well as Ortega’s trickery.
If you're interested, there is a chronological listing of The Dresden Files books on my website.
My Take
It’s funny enough to open with Harry on a talk show, but then Harry opens…his mouth and spews forth truths, which only makes it funnier! Surprisingly, Mortimer is good on the show and it’s good cover for what Harry needs.
I’m with Harry, Ortega needs to work on his negotiating skills. That could be an interesting business class: Negotiating with Vampires and Faeries.
Karrin is trusting Harry. And while Susan trusts Harry, she can’t be with him. She’s got the right reasons, but it’s still sad for them both.
Nah, doesn’t matter how often I read that scene. It’s just plain stupid for Harry to insist on an explanation in that alley. It’s driven him nuts often enough, why on earth would he do it to Michael?
Damn, Butcher has got one heck of an imagination with his depictions of the Denarian demons. He’s also brought in a pack of new characters besides the Denarians from “Ivy” with Kincaid to the other Knights to Snoozy Martin who is driving Harry crazy with jealousy. It’s complex with multiple, multiple layers --- a Butcher classic.
I gotta wonder if we’ll ever learn more about the Chicago PD powers-that-be and if they have a connection with the vampires or Marcone. It’s gotta be something the way they keep slapping Murphy down. This time, she may lose her job.
Thomas may not be able to help Harry, but watching him as Ortega’s second is too funny.
Oh man. See, that’s what’s wrong with the Catholic Church and confession. Say you’re sorry and you’re all cleaned up and ready to sin again. At least Harry didn’t have to abide by the rules --- and I loved that Sanya and Michael got into the spirit of it afterwards! At least it shows that they’re human!! And that crack about the phone! Oh, ROFL, damn I’m mean.
It’s Saturday-afternoon, or should it be a Sunday-school-afternoon?, at the movies with the train chases and our own evil Snidely Whiplash.
The Story
It’s Harry and Mortimer waiting for the show to begin, literally, as they’re both guests on The Larry Fowler Show in a segment on “Witchcraft and Wizardry --- Phony or Fabulous?”
It’s one of the other guests that’s a problem, and he wants to fight Harry in a duel to the death. Harry’s.
The Characters
Harry “Hoss” Dresden is a wizard who manages to fit in the usual private investigator cases between his saving the world. Bob the Skull is a spiritual entity housed inside a human skull; he has an encyclopedic knowledge of magic. Margaret was Harry’s mother’s name. Mister is Harry’s ginormous cat while Mouse is the rescued temple food dog.
Special Investigations
Lieutenant Karrin Murphy heads up Special Investigations (SI) for the Chicago PD, well, unless they’re trying to shut her down harder. It’s where they throw cops who get out of line. Waldo Butters is an assistant medical examiner who almost got tossed to the curb when he insisted the bodies were humanoid, and not human. Detective Rudolph is a brownnoser who wants out of SI.
The Fellowship of St. Giles
The Fellowship of St. Giles tries to help people the Red Court has harmed. Susan Rodriguez was Harry’s girlfriend and a reporter for the Midwestern Arcane before she pushed too hard and crashed a vampire ball. Now Harry’s trying to figure out a way to bring her back. The very bland Martin, Susan’s current partner, has his own agenda.
The Knights of the Cross
Shiro Yoshimo carries Fidelacchius, was Michael’s teacher, and will be Harry’s second, Sanya, who repented, and Michael Carpenter with Amoracchius wield the Three. Michael is married to the Harry-hating Charity while their kids include the very teenaged Molly with her rebellious ways right down to Harry’s namesake.
Father Forthill is with Saint Mary of the Angels church. Ulsharavas is an oracle spirit. Ebenezar McCoy was one of Harry’s teachers and is on the Senior Council. The Merlin is the leader. The Archive may be a little girl (Harry names her Ivy), but only in appearance. She is the living memory of mankind. Kincaid is her appointed driver-cum-babysitter. MacAnnally’s is a tavern for supernatural users, and it’s run by Mac. It’s also been declared a neutral zone.
Mortimer Lindquist is an ectomancer who communes with ghosts. Father Vincent is a representative from the Vatican and is their leading scholar on witchcraft and magic. Dr. Paolo Ortega is with the University of Brazil at Rio de Janiero and a “world-renowned researcher and debunker of the supernatural”.
Larry Fowler is the TV host for The Larry Fowler Show, and I get the impression the show is right up there with Jerry Springer.
The demon boys, the Order of the Blackened Denarians
The Denarians are Fallen who tempt greedy mortals with one of the thirty coins Judas was paid. Ursiel is a Fallen with a bear shape; Rasmussen was his mortal. Nicodemus is the head boy with Anduriel as his patron. Nick wears the noose that Judas used to hang himself. And he packs a whole lotta power. He’s also killed hundreds of Knights. Chauncy. Dierdre is Nicodemus’ daughter, and they have a very twisted relationship, besides the fact that she turns into a demon with razor blade-sharp tentacles. Quintus Cassius does the fake repent of his liaison with Saluriel.
Gentleman Johnny Marcone heads up the crime syndicate in Chicago. Hendricks is one of John Marcone’s thugs. Miss Gard is a new employee.
The Vampires
The vampires are divided into three courts: the White, Red, and Black.
The White Court
The White Court vampires feed on psychic energies, emotions, lusts. Thomas Raith is its king’s bastard son. Justine is his girlfriend-cum-victim.
The Red Court
Duke Paolo Ortega is their warlord and quite sneaky with his true plans. Thomas Raith will be his second.
Gaston LaRouche is the ringleader for a group of thieves called the Churchmice. Anna Valmont and Francisca Garcia are part of the ring. Nick Christian at Ragged Angel Investigations was Harry’s boss when Harry first arrived in Chicago.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark and gets darker in its center. There’s a feeling of being underground, even if it is an underground with giant white fluted pillars, with the only light coming from Harry’s staff. Harry himself is in his standard black, walking away from us, his long duster flaring out around his legs.
The title refers to the Death Masks of the Denarians as well as Ortega’s trickery.
tmawhir's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
yodamom's review
5.0
Harry, Harry, Harry, he is faced with death by the Red Court, Chased by some really evil demons, the love of his life back, the shroud and losing a friend. This story was so incredibly good i was on the edge of my seat throughout the whole tale.
oshaffer's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
prairiewolf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kurtiskozel's review
4.0
Each book adds not only new plotlines, but something new stylistically. It's the same meat on a different skeleton. It's good.
dkadastra's review
4.0
Another awesome installment. The introduction of the Denarians and the Archive, more Knights of the Cross, and increase in tensions with the Red Court.