Small Favor: Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

Small Favor
by Jim Butcher
pub: March 2009
560 pages

Synopsis:
Wizard Harry Dresden's life finally seems to be calming down. The White Council's war with the vampiric Red Court is easing up, no one's tried to kill him lately, and his eager apprentice is starting to learn real magic. For once, the future looks fairly bright.

But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, calls an old favor from Harry. Just one small favor he can't refuse - one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally and strain his skills and loyalties to their very limits.

And everything was going so well for once...

Whenever I start my latest Dresden Files book, I always have a tinge of worry. I mean, I LOVE this series but I wonder...

How can I not be disappointed since I have such high expectations? How can Butcher continue to surprise and delight me and write another phenomenal novel.

And then I read something like Small Favor, and I slap myself in the head, wondering what I was worried about. Small Favor was better than the last. It might even be the best in the series.

I can't tell you too much without giving stuff away. Especially for those haven't read the series, but trust me. It. Is. Awesome.

The witty repartee, the creativity, fun new monsters, great recurring characters and of course, Harry Dresden.

Butcher keeps me on the edge of my seat and laughing out loud. I get so excited sometimes that I run over to anyone who will listen and either tell them what's going on or read an exceptional excerpt from the book.

This series is urban fantasy at it's best. It's filled with wizards, witches, vampires, werewolves, faeries, trolls, demons - I can't remember them all!

It's jammed packed with hysterical humor, incredible ingenuity, fast paced and clever plot lines, multiple layers, genius characterization... I could go on and on.

And if you're thinking it's just for guys, let me tell you that it is my mom's and my aunt's favorite series too - they especially love it when sexy vampire Thomas shows up - and they're the one's that got me started on it. I am forever grateful!

Dresden Files is an adult genre but perfect for older teens as well. There's very little sex (Harry went years, literally, without having sex since he's a gotta be in love kinda guy). It actually became kind of a joke with my mom. I was ahead of her in reading the series and she'd say, "Did Harry have sex yet?" and I'd say "No," and we'd have a Poor Lonely Harry sympathy moment. And even when sex does happen it's one of those "we kissed and then woke up the next day." Nothing explicit.


Language is mild. Much more mild than in a lot of YA these days. Harry usually says "hell's bells" when he's upset.

If you're an urban fantasy fan, beg, borrow or steal (okay, don't steal) a copy and read the Dresden Files. I'm down to one more, Turn Coat (I got the hard cover from Santa) before I have to wait for the next installment, Changes, which comes out in the Spring. I'm already frothing at the mouth!

Butcher's website is a treasure trove I also recommend.

You might recognize who I had Parajunkee pattern my avatar after. Yes, I am a dedicated Dresden Files fan!

The Cover: I suppose it's not the greatest but I'm such a fan all I see is awesome. Perhaps you all can weigh in with more objective opinions.

First Line: Winter came early that year; it should have been a tip-off.
I love it. He always hooks me. With this line I've got to read on to see what hazard is about to befall Harry. I know it's going to be fun - for me, at least, not Harry.

Also, Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell reminded me about the TV show that was on a while back. I hadn't read the books yet and I did enjoy the show. But now having read the books, I've got to say that it didn't do the books justice (no wonder the book fans didn't care for the TV series.)

The characterization was weak and just plain wrong in some cases in the TV version, and it never captured the fantastic wit and humor. If you didn't care for the TV show, don't let that stop you from devouring the books. I promise, especially for urban fantasy lovers, this series is a MUST READ!

And you NEW MOON lovers, be sure to ENTER our 2010 calendar contest!