Ghost Story (The Dresden Files, #13) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Dec 19, 2012 The Flooze rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal, vanquished_2013, owned

Added thoughts, because the review below is purposefully vague. This book demands that I put more specific musings and reactions into writing:

(view spoiler) Added thoughts, because the review below is purposefully vague. This book demands that I put more specific musings and reactions into writing:

(view spoiler)

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Ghost Story is...a philosophical journey, if you will.

Sure, there are villains to be vanquished, innocents to be saved, and a tangled mess of mysteries to be unraveled. But at its core, it is about the nature of knowledge and power. How will and considered logic can temper their Dionysian effects. How unintended consequences are still consequences.

And how sometimes thinking things through is more advantageous than kicking down doors and burning everything in sight.

Up until now, Harry has been largely a man of action. His persona is so wrapped up in his pure physicality, as evidenced by other characters' descriptions of him. He's the big goon, the magical heavyweight, the gangly and awkward oddity who transitions into an intense, tightly coiled giant of intimidation when under fire.

He hasn't been that much of a thinker, as Bob tells him frequently, gleefully, and despairingly. He's saved by the fact that both his instincts and intentions are solid. He also has a considerable amount of luck and supernatural backing on his side. But no matter how much Harry has been a force for the Good, there's always been the very real suggestion that his reactionary nature could just as easily lead him over to the other side. He might not intend to go there, but as I said: consequences are consequences regardless.

Ghost Story then is one big learning experience, prompting Harry to reevaluate his methods and bring his lizard brain under control. The potential for character growth is enormous...and not just a little frightening, if we consider all that raw power reined in and used in an increasingly calculated manner.

Ghost Story also puts great focus on memory, utilising it to further the plot and facilitate understanding. We get much-anticipated glimpses into Harry's past, assuring us that Butcher has been keeping track of all those dangling little series plotlines and plans on addressing them in due time. It's all at once exciting and torturous to know that answers are somewhere on the horizon.

As for the specific events of this episode, they were often heartbreaking and frustrating. But in usual Butcher fashion, they were tempered with humor and hope. I particularly appreciated the parts played by Harry's circle of friends and acquaintances - an intelligent and capable group who are willing to rise to the occasion, whose concentrated will is remarkable. They've got backbone and principles and courage to spare, even when facing horror beyond imagining. And there are plenty of horrors in their altered world, most of which we don't yet fully understand.

The final moments of the book, the big payoff, is gratifying. While Harry conducted his self-evaluation, I spent the time trying to make the clues fit together. Though my initial theory did prove correct, there are enough misdirects to the tale that I was never entirely sure until the Big Reveal. Thank you, Mr. Butcher, for keeping my mind whirring to the very end.

In the wake of this book and Changes, Butcher is to be applauded for so thoroughly shaking up the status quo while still managing to keep his characters recognisable. It's no small feat, and proves the author's utter dedication to the world and the personalities he's created. And to his readers, for although he gave us reason to fear him it turns out he's rather like Harry: he can push right up to the very dangerous edge of complete darkness, but he'll always pull back into the hopeful light. ...more

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Mar 05, 2011 Melissa-The Book Addict rated it it was amazing

Reading this was like coming home after a long vacation and seeing all your old friends. I LOVE Harry and the crew! I was a bit apprehensive about how this book was going to play out, but it was very enjoyable. Actually I think this book gave the secondary characters a chance to really come into there own. I also loved how Harry never hesitates even if it puts him in danger. If he thinks he can save someone he just jumps in head first. Harry being dead gives a new perspective on things and Harry ...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Tim (Mole) The Gunslinger rated it it was amazing

I love the dresden files classic harry starts different than most but a real page turner can't wait for the next! ...more

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Nov 13, 2010 DarkHeart "Vehngeance" rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, urban-fantasy, a-jim_butcher, witch-wizard-sorceror, 2012

Another great Dresden adventure. After the cliff hanger of the last book, I was anxious to get back to Harry. However, I delayed getting into this one because I enjoy my Dresden books on audio - as I think James Marsters does a masterful job at narrating our hero - and apparently Mr. Marsters was unable to do this installment due to scheduling conflicts. The initial reviews I read about the new narrator weren't promising. Eventually though, I had to know what happened to our favorite sorcerer, a ...more

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Jun 13, 2010 Katyana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, fantasy

Wowee!

Really, wow. I mean, wow.

There isn't much to say that won't ruin the game for people who haven't gotten this far in the series yet, so we'll leave it with this:

This is one of those things that was about the journey, not the destination.

If the last book was the utter un-making of Harry Dresden, this book was his rebirth. We see him sort through the man he was - what shaped him, the decisions he made - and we see him choose what man he's going to be from here on out.

Great things are happeni ...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Netanella rated it really liked it

Shelves: ghosts, urban-fantasy, author-jim-butcher, wizard-warlock, 2015-dangerous-heroes, dresden-files-read-a-thon, 2015-july-reading-challenge

I started reading this series early last year in preparation for the release of "Skin Game" for a buddy read. I couldn't keep up with the pace, because I don't do audio-books, but I most definitely did not give up on the series. For 13 books and several short stories into the series, the Dresden Files has not staled for me one bit. The characters are still evolving, and the impact of all of the changes from the last book - Harry's death primarily - are revealed here. I'm looking forward to the n ...more

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Aug 12, 2011 Chompa rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2020

Another fine addition to the Dresden Files, but this one left me wanting more. I liked the story and the unique perspective (Harry's condition through the book). Honestly, I just need the 14th book to come out ASAP.

2/18 Continuing my reread of the Dresden Files: This book was better than I remembered it being, but 4 stars will stand. ...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Christal rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: magic, vampires, male-lead, fae, witches-warlocks-and-mages, favorites, angels, demons, ghosts, weres-and-shifters

This one was great and Mr. Butcher was able to cut back on the narrative detours this time as well. It was interesting to see how the different characters were affected by Harry's death and how they had changed. The ending is a definite game changer and I can't wait to find out how Harry will deal with Mab. ...more

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