Small Favor
Ratings283
Average rating4.2
This one invokes the heart string, turns a particularly fun nursery rhyme into a horrifying series of encounters, and has a wonderfully horrible turn of and series of events that fees natural and real and incredible. Even the ending, which was tragic and heartbreaking, felt real and rewarding and raised the stakes.
After the last book I was feeling like maybe I'd hit a wall with Dresden. I was getting annoyed with some of his formulaic aspects like how every woman seems to be incandescently radiant and beyond attractive, how he's “just old fashioned” about women in distress (even though he's self aware about it which is a great first step, i'd like to seem more development in that area after 10 books. I want to see some growth), and how he always has a headache and is so tired he can't speak. It happens EVERY single book. All this combined with boring and somewhat sloppy plot I was really disappointed with his last book. I was feeling some Dresden fatigue. I picked up this one right away though and was rewarded with one of my favourite in the series thus far. There was so much humour! I was on the edge of my seat so many times. I outright cried a few times. I'm back on the Dresden train. ;)
As usual Jim Butcher does disappoint when it comes to the Dresden files.
Fast paced and action packed supernatural forces vs the world and wizard for hire Harry Dresden .
I love Jim Butchers sense of humor with in his writing style and how he uses religious theology within jus story.
The knights of the cross with the nails of the crucifix along with 30 pieces of possessed silver just make for a more interesting read.
Anything Dresden Files is highly reccomended
This book is definitely leading the reader up to something big. Dresden is basically facing all his foes at once in someway or another. Butcher really likes to load up on issues. The book definitely has everything coming down on Dresden's head all at once, but we're used to that. There are some added players at the end, so it will be interesting to see how this all comes together. The book did it's job, it kept me interested and wanting to find out what is going to happen next.
Executive Summary: Another great entry in the series. Instead of running on too long and rehashing old ideas, Mr. Butcher keeps ratcheting things up and making you want more.Audio book: James Marsters? Check. Awesome reading? Check. He has me dreading [b:Ghost Story 8058301 Ghost Story (The Dresden Files, #13) Jim Butcher http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1329104700s/8058301.jpg 12731936], because I know he won't be reading it. I really can't imagine anyone else doing this series justice.Full ReviewThis one is even better than I remember, but still not quite as enjoyable for me as [b:White Night 91475 White Night (The Dresden Files, #9) Jim Butcher http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1309552288s/91475.jpg 1254936] is. I'm not really sure why either.It's got a lot of my favorite supporting characters like the Knights of the Cross, Kincaid and the Archive as well as the regulars (Murphy, Thomas, Molly). It's got a return of some of the series best villains too.Not to mention the general premise: Mab shows up to collect on a favor (hence the title). But of course the title is ironic, because the favor she wants is for him to be the emissary for Winter and to help “Gentleman” Johnny Marcone.You can bet Dresden is just thrilled at the prospect, and eagerly agrees. Or maybe she has to twist his arm a little..I had forgotten about some of the more important details of this book. It really made for a pleasurable rereading. This isn't Malazan or anything, but I was surprised to see some of the setup and foreshadowing taking place here that I missed the first go round.This book also put an idea into my head that Mr. Butcher has been taunting us all with ever since. Murphy taking up Fidelacchius.The level of action is a little down from last one. Maybe that's why it's not quite a 5 star for me (that and I'm stingy), but it's a very high 4 stars.
Loved this book the first time I read it, and it's better the second time around (if for no other reason than I could slow down and enjoy it more rather than have to race to find out what happens). Like he's been doing for awhile now, the stakes get bigger–as do the foes–in this book, as does the cast.
At the same time–for most of the book anyway–this is a lighter read than the last couple have been, it's a bit more “fun” in the midst of the darkness and destruction, I guess you could say.
And then the fun goes away and you get only darkness and destruction for awhile–and an emotional punch in the gut that fans really didn't want (but love anyway).
I'm not sure how well this'd work as a jumping on point for someone new to the Dresden Files, but I think it'd stand on it's own, and show readers why they'd want to go back and read all of the best Urban Fantasy series going.
Really thought a certain character would take up the Sword, but it didn't happen. Another great story by Butcher.