Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
Loading... Proven Guilty (The Dresden Files, Book 8) (edition 2007)by Jim Butcher (Author)One of the things that happens with these novels is that they launch right into the main plot and then they go full out until the dramatic conclusion. This one was no different, and I realized almost at the climax that this wasn’t preamble or some sidebar, but the action had in fact begun. Harry is tasked with tracking down the source of some black magic in Chicago, and he winds up at a horror movie convention where the bad guys from the movies have come to life and terrorized the fans. He discovers the involvement of his friend’s daughter, and winds up leading a mission to rescue her from supernatural kidnappers. All throughout, Harry feels as though there’s something else, something bigger, going on, and indeed that is how the book ends (no spoilers here) — the plot opens out into a deeper backstory and a new path for Harry. And also a couple of possible life-changing choices. It was all vastly entertaining in that violent and breathless sort of way that I’ve come to expect from the Dresden Files. I’m ready for a little break, but I’m sure I will plunge into the next one sooner rather than later. This is one of the best so far. First it surprises me by going beyond the scope of what I had considered to be the main conflict, completely surprising me. Second, it does a lot more set up for future books than 1-7 tended to do, making me eager to read more. Lastly, it expanded on the Carpenter family who now houses my favorite supporting characters by FAR!!! As usual, Butcher blends magic, humor, and suspense into a near-perfect concoction and that scratches every itch of my literary brain. Absolutely wonderful! I haven't picked up a Dresden Files book in a while. I felt both [b:Blood Rites|99383|Blood Rites (The Dresden Files, #6)|Jim Butcher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345557965l/99383._SY75_.jpg|227172] and [b:Dead Beat|17683|Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)|Jim Butcher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1627927030l/17683._SY75_.jpg|6614452] were a little lackluster and wasn't sure I wanted to continue the series. I'm back in the game - I really enjoyed Proven Guilty and the direction the series is heading. Side note: I'm beyond thrilled Harry stopped saying "Hell's Bells!" every other page! Proven Guilty is the eighth book in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. In this week's episode... Horrors from the big screen start coming to life at a local horror movie convention. Harry needs to investigate this one fast as it appears that black magic may be involved and a family friend has been caught up in the chaos. I am impressed with how far Harry has come in eight books. Sure, there are horrors to fight and possible black magic to be stopped. The real focus of the book is Harry's relationships with some important women. Without saying too much, Harry and Charity are FINALLY forced to review their animosity and come to terms with each other's differing world views, even giving each other mutual (if grudging) respect and tentative friendship. Murphy continues to be the ultra bad ass. I really enjoyed getting to know more of Michael's family during this installment, primarily through Molly though others make an appearance too, though missed the big guy himself. Considering just how archaic Harry's views of women were at the start of the series, this is amazing progress. As if that isn't enough, Harry is learning to adjust to his new role in the Council. Given the cause and resolution of the events at the convention, I think this is going to Give Harry some serious challenges in the future. Proven Guilty is an engaging read. Given the main set up, there is plenty of horror and gory action to go around. It would make for a great Halloween read. Overall the book feels like a transition for Harry and the series. I'm not sure I see Harry as a teacher/mentor. This is an interesting set up for future books. Slightly spoilery. This one is kind of all over the place. And it gets a little creepy. Not due to the demons and what not, but because of the frequent sexual undertones between Dresden and a teenager. It's unfortunate. As for the plot, it starts out more interesting than it becomes. A horror convention is drawing attacks from real life versions of movie monsters. But then it turns into a long slog into fairy land. However, some third act political stuff is pretty interesting and well done. James Marsters does a great job narrating the story. Overall, a good story that feels like a setup for future books. Just kinda creepy. My favorite of the series, so far. In this story, Harry encounters the love and acceptance he craves when his friends rally to aid him. They also reach out to bridge the emotional gaps undermining his strength. We’re also treated to further developments in the White Council traitor storyline. Harry takes on an apprentice. Harry’s relationships with Murphy and Thomas are deepening into somethings interesting. This story leaves me wanting to immediately pick up the next so I can find out what happens next. Another very solid entry. Basically, there's black magic afoot. Fear monsters from the Nevernever are attacking a horror movie convention and it's up to Dresden to find out why. Add to that complications with Michael's now almost adult daughter Molly. The interactions between Molly and Dresden are weird and uncomfortable at times, but on the other hand they seem for the most part disturbingly realistic. I like a lot of the characterization here. We get more on the Carpenters, in particular Molly and Charity. I really love that entire family. Charity shines in this book in particular. We learn a bit more about why she dislikes Dresden so much and how much of a badass she is when the need is right. Molly is in and out of the spotlight quite a bit, but it's obvious she'll be central to future books. We also get a bit of a hint about how other wizards bend the rules. It's heavily implied that the Gatekeeper has a warning from the future that he passed on to Dresden. It's not time travel strictly speaking... but still. Then, there's the ending. While there is still a monster-of-the-book thing going on, we're really seeing more of the larger implication of the Dresdenverse. There are a few questions raised here (who is the person behind the person behind the curtain) which we don't even get an answer to... Yet. It's annoying in the first book or two of a series, but this many along, it's something that can really make a series. Amusing aside: Thus far there are baddies with the same name as my wife and my daughter in this series. It's a bit jarring each time I come across them. Fun quote of the day: "It is far easier to avoid inappropriate amorous desires if one runs screaming from the room every time a pretty girl comes in." Because of war-related attrition, Harry Dresden is now a Warden of the White Council, but still facing stiff political opposition there. Book #8 opens with Harry forced to witness a retribution against a warlock for violating a primary law. This is followed by Molly Carpenter calling Harry instead of her parents to pick her up from the police. While Harry and her father Michael are very close, her mother Chastity blames Harry from all kinds of transgressions. Molly and her mother are fighting and she has left home, and is working on Splattercon!!, a horror movie convention. Real horrors are happening there, taking the form of movie characters and feeding off real fear. Of course, Harry has to protect the innocent, calling in favors as they invade Nevernever land to rescue Molly. Harry is struggling to solve the mystery, which seems just out of his reach, when finally all of the pieces fall together and Harry makes a desperate gamble to save his friend's family. The love in the Carpenter family, especially among the siblings was great, as was Mouse, who saves Harry on several occasions. Continuing my slow but steady progress on the Dresden Files books, which are always a good time and always marvelously narrated by James Marsters (except for the one temporarily released with another narrator until the fan outcry). This one introduces Molly Carpenter, Dresden’s apprentice, as a major character. I felt like Butcher engaged in a bit of unnecessary leering in Molly’s first character descriptions, but you could argue that they set up a plot development at the end of the book that defines clear boundaries and a line that Dresden will not cross with his new apprentice. That said, I wonder if he’d make the same creative choice today. I enjoyed this book the first time I read it and I think that it was even better during this re-read. This is the eighth book in the Harry Dresden series which really should be read in order since each book builds on events from previous installments. It is a great series to revisit anytime I want to read something that I know I am going to enjoy. Once again, Harry finds himself in the middle of a mess. He receives a call from Molly Carpenter, the daughter of his good friend, looking for help and he just can't say no. Someone in town is doing black magic and there are also some grisly murders at a local horror festival that he needs to contend with. All while trying to keep the White Council happy. Things get very complicated very quickly and Harry feels like it is his responsibility to set things right. There were some pretty big developments that were revealed in this installment. I found this story to be really exciting with plenty of action. I was hooked by the mystery and couldn't wait to see if Harry would be able to make everything work while protecting those in his care. James Marsters continues to do a phenomenal job with this series. It really is amazing how completely he is able to bring Harry and the other characters to life. I thought that he added a lot of emotion and excitement into the reading and I found it easy to listen to this book for hours at a time. I do feel that his performance added to my enjoyment of the story. I would recommend this series to others. Harry's world is an interesting one to visit and I always feel completely entertained when I dive into any of the novels in the series. I cannot wait to continue with my re-read of the series. |
Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.6Literature English (North America) American fiction 21st CenturyLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. |
I am impressed with how far Harry has come in eight books. Sure, there are horrors to fight and possible black magic to be stopped. The real focus of the book is Harry's relationships with some important women. Without saying too much, Harry and Charity are FINALLY forced to review their animosity and come to terms with each other's differing world views, even giving each other mutual (if grudging) respect and tentative friendship. Murphy continues to be the ultra bad ass. I really enjoyed getting to know more of Michael's family during this installment, primarily through Molly though others make an appearance too, though missed the big guy himself. Considering just how archaic Harry's views of women were at the start of the series, this is amazing progress.
As if that isn't enough, Harry is learning to adjust to his new role in the Council. Given the cause and resolution of the events at the convention, I think this is going to Give Harry some serious challenges in the future.
Proven Guilty is an engaging read. Given the main set up, there is plenty of horror and gory action to go around. It would make for a great Halloween read. Overall the book feels like a transition for Harry and the series. I'm not sure I see Harry as a teacher/mentor. This is an interesting set up for future books. ( )