Jim Butcher: Changes

Review by Vicky London

Changes is book 12 in the fantastic Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher. I can’t remember how I stumbled across the Dresden Files books but I’ve never been as glad to find a well written engaging series that’s a mix of paranormal, mystery and humor.

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden’s lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry’s not fighting to save the world…

He’s fighting to save his child.

All I could think of when I started reading this book is “Holy crap! Harry has a secret baby!”. For those of you familiar with this common romance novel trope, it was a freaky collision for me between romance and sci-fi/fantasy. Changes could not possibly be a more apt name for this book. Harry’s world is totally rocked when he discovers the only woman who he’s ever loved had his baby and didn’t freaking tell him. Of course she had her “reasons” blah blah blah. This was a major twist from the devious mind of Jim Butcher that I *so* did not see coming.

For those of you who haven’t read this series, Harry Dresden is a wizard from Chicago who deals with just about every supernatural creature you could imagine in addition to human bad guys that are just as dangerous. Harry has a wry self-deprecating humor that is completely endearing. He often works with the Chicago PD’s special investigative unit when it comes to the weird stuff. One of his best friends, and Scully to his Mulder is Karrin Murphy. She’s Harry’s connection in the police department and she’s taken a lot of crap over the years to protect both the people of her city and Harry. They’ve never hooked up but there’s definitely a connection there.

So anyway, Harry’s about to open a giant can of whoop ass on the Red Court vampires and his friends aren’t about to let him go it alone. Not only did the Red Court take his woman and make her an almost vampire but now they’ve taken his child. He’s the Dirty Harry of the supernatural world and he’s going to be there for the show down Ariana has set up for him. Everything is Harry’s life is changing forever and there’s no place safe left for him to go. The only thing he can do is to meet his destiny and hope that he can safe his daughter even if he can’t save himself.

I seriously heart this book. I’ve grown to love this character over the years and his pain and rage are just heart wrenching. Harry is the kind of guy who would gladly sacrifice everything for a daughter he will probably never know. This book was complete non-stop action until the crazy cliff-hanger ending. Oh Jim Butcher, I have such a love/hate relationship with you! I know you’re going to make me wait for an eon to find out what happens to Harry and I totally can’t wait.

If you want to know more about this excellent series including the reading order of the books you can visit Jim’s website here: http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/

By the way, Amazon has this $26 hardcover selling for $9.99 which is a whopping 62% off.

Publisher: Roc Hardcover
Release Date: April 6, 2010
ISBN-10: 045146317X
ISBN-13: 978-0451463173

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