I don't read very many Sci-Fi books. A few of the mysteries I read walk the line of Sci-Fi but that's usually as close as I get to the genre. Of course,as with everything, there are exceptions to this. Like Lord of the Rings for example and as of right now Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series.
I first picked up this series because my husband used to watch the show on the Syfy channel and liked it so much it got him to actually read the first book (my husband is not much of a reader). Anyway, it was laying around and I was looking for something new so I tried it. I really enjoyed the first book of the series.
The series follows Harry Dresden, professional Wizard. The books could qualify as mysteries just as much as Sci-Fi as far as I'm concerned. Dresden battles creatures of all types. Pretty much think of any kind of spooky story or myth you've heard and the creatures are mentioned in Dresden's world. Book 1 dealt with "Black Magic", book 2 dealt with werewolves and with book 3 we get nasty ghosts and vampires as the main baddies.
While books 1 & 2 were very entertaining, in my opinion, book 3 was a bit of a let down. The story itself dragged a bit and I felt like it got bogged down in too many complicated details of the world Butcher is trying to create for all the paranormal beings. There were too many plot threads to follow in this book as well. The book introduced a storyline about Harry's godmother, a real Faerie, and some kind of deal she has for Harry's life. The story remains undisclosed, presumably to be dealt with later in the series. Another plotline includes the ghosts and something that is stirring them up. You believe this to be the main plotline until later when you realize it's all been a detail to add to the actual plotline which involves vampires and revenge. To understand what is happening, or better yet the why, you have to have read the first book in the series. Not a problem for me since you know that's one of my quirks (see I told you it makes sense!) but could cause some real confusion to a new reader.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this installment very much. It was just way too busy for my taste. I will continue on to the next book in the series to see if Butcher is able to rein it all back in but if it continues to be as chaotic as this book was I may have to shelve this series indefinitely.
2stars for this installment of the Dresden Files and fingers crossed that it is just a fluke and not a trend.
Happy Reading!
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