Loved: I can’t think of a more appropriate title for this book—there is quite literally nothing left untouched by Jim Butcher in this book. No aspect of Harry Dresden’s life from the previous 11 books is safe in this one. It’s jarring at times, as a reader, and literally made me squirm uncomfortably or hold my breath. Everything changes, and I LOVE that Butcher took this risk. Learned: If you’re struggling with “how can I make things worse,” or “what else can I do to throw obstacles at my characters,” look no further for inspiration than this book. You know that little voice that whispers when we get a brilliantly evil idea for one of our MCs. The ones that make us say, “I couldn’t do that…could I? No, it’s scary, it’s irreversible… I can’t go that far…right? Right?” Yeah, Jim Butcher ignores that voice.
Jim Butcher is an amazing writer! I love Harry Dresden!
ReplyDeleteThe way you described the book makes me feel sorry for poor Harry Dresden. Writers can be so cruel to their characters sometimes.
ReplyDeleteJ.C. Martin
A to Z Blogger
Excellent - these sound like a lot of fun. Must check them out. Thanks for dropping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteSounds good I will check it out thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletehope you can pop over to my blog and see my A to Z
www.jollyjillys.blogspot.com
I haven't read any of his books, though my husband who is an illustrator has done a couple of his covers and has told me several times I should read his books :)
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
DeleteQuestion: I haven't read any of the Dresden books. Would "Changes" pack the same punch if you've not followed Harry through the series?
ReplyDeleteI'm intrigued by you citing this one as a model for making a character's darkest hour, well, darker. Sounds like there are lessons to learn here. Just wondered if I'd still learn 'em if this book were my first Butcher read.
Thanks for helping me stock my writing how-to arsenal. I appreciate it!
C/Cahokia
Really good question! I think you'd still learn a lot simply by reading and judging the other characters' reactions in Changes, but I do think the best "punch" would come from reading at least a few other Dresden books.
DeleteThis is book 12, and there are some aspects that have remained untouchable throughout the rest of the series and are suddenly fair game in this one.
I've not ever read one of his books, but I follow his agent closely. I should read one.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book and sounds great. I guess I'll try! Thanks for commenting on my blog, I hope you keep finding new great ideas for books and movies in it as I know I'll be getting from yours.
ReplyDeleteFrom Diary of a Writer in Progress
I so need to be like Butcher and ignore the "I couldn't do that to my MC" voice. :) See you at D.
ReplyDeleteI've heard he is a great author. I have one of his books, a fantasy. I need to make time to read it (like everything else). :)
ReplyDeleteI love the theme for your A to Z challenge - BOOKS! I was a big Jim Butcher/Harry Dresden fan, but somewhere around book 7 I got behind and haven't taken the time to catch up. And now I'd probably need to reread the previous ones to remember all the details. Not that that would be a bad thing! :-)
ReplyDeleteKyra - Yay!
ReplyDeleteJC - I know...aren't we writers mean? :)
Simon and Gina - You're welcome!
Miranda - You definitely should. I follow Jennifer J. too!
Jackie - Torturing our characters can be so tricky, can't it?
Kimberly - Ooh, the Codex books? I haven't read them yet, but have heard good things!
Jocelyn - Ha, not a bad thing at all. :)
I am a huge Jim Butcher fan and you're right - he really does know how to make a bad day even worse for poor Harry Dresden, haha.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick note here. I am a big fan of Jim Butcher's Live Journal. He gives some great advice on writing. Here is the link in case you are interested.
ReplyDeletehttp://jimbutcher.livejournal.com/
Thanks for the link reminder. I have checked that out before - great updates.
DeleteThanks for the link reminder. I have checked that out before - great updates.
Delete