The Dresden Files: Books 2 - 9

This is… this is a little weird. I’ve been away for so long, it’s like coming back home from college. Sure, it’s the same house, but the furniture has been rearranged, my bedroom has been converted to my parents’ decoupage station, and clearly someone forgot to feed my hamster, Colonel Snugglebutt, while I was away.

All that said, it’s great to be back. Stan you did a fine job holding the joint up all by your lonesome, but let’s see if you we can’t bring some people back together over the holidays… sans Colonel Snugglebutt – you will be missed.

So… Dresden Files. If you’ve talked to me at all over the past year, you are likely aware I’ve developed a strong affection for a certain hardboiled wizard-detective saving the world from the supernatural foes lurking deep within Chicago’s underbelly.

This is a fantastic series that does a great job as building suspense and excitement while providing a unique twist at mythical or religious folklore that can then be grounded in our day and age. Albeit, there might be an extra note of affection for these stories as they all take place in Chicago, so that added be of context definitely accounts for something.

But with 15 books already written (and with a total of 20 proposed by the author to be released with an additional trilogy exploring Dresden fighting against the End of Days – don’t quote me on this, though), I have found my way onto book 10. With my second to last post being on my first chapter into this series, it only seems appropriate that I bring you all up to speed on this experience thus far with Dresden and his adventures. Don’t worry, I’ll be quick about this.

Dresden Files Book #2: Fool Moon

Aaaaaah-Oooooooh, Werewolves of… Chicago? Several months following the events of Storm Front, book two brings up the conflict that there is a werewolf (or wolves) loose in Chicago causing havoc and killing people. Dresden must stop this, but it certainly doesn’t help that CPD and now even the FBI are breathing down his neck and believe, once again, that Dresden is responsible for all that is wrong in their city. However, if you learn anything from Butcher’s storytelling… not everything is as it seems.

Dresden Files Book #3: Grave Peril

This is where things get real. If you started reading this series from the beginning and are not hooked by the end of this book, then just stop reading. It’s hard to get better than this guy, so there might be a good chance you’ll never get into Dresden from this point out.

The story involves Dresden fighting against waves of vindictive ghosts and tormented souls… but who’s tormenting them? And why? There’s someone responsible for making the things that go bump in the night, kill in the night, and the closer Dresden gets to the truth, the more dangerous things become. This time around, Dresden is doing more than just protecting Chicago, he’s about to wage war against an ancient evil. A war that won’t be simply concluded in one measly book.

Dresden Files Book #4: Summer Knight

Faeries. They’re not always like Tinkerbell. Most times they are ruthless killing machines set on world domination. And when you’re caught in a rivalry between the creatures of Summer and the creatures of Winter, you know there’s going to be trouble.

Dresden Files Book #5: Death Masks

Another great excellent addition to the series that sets up another villain who will be in a constant battle with our hero. Point of context: Every fives books, Dresden will be dealing against this, one of his greatest foes... The Denarians.

The Denarians are the legion of 30 fallen angels bound to 30 silver coins – the same coins Judas was rumored received as payment for his betrayal of Jesus. And when a person receives one of these coins, physically touching it, the demon imprisoned within the silver is freed taking over their host’s body. It’s ugly business. Ugly business made even worse as they have one item on their agenda… bringing about the apocalypse.

Dresden Files Book #6: Blood Rites

This is a bit of a weird addition to the series. Plain and simple, Dresden is hired to solve a string of pornstar murders all taking place on the set of this major porn film shoot. Yup. But, hey, without giving too much away, there’s a lot of life-changing information Dresden receives that will… um, change his life forever. Oh! And he also gets a puppy. A Caucasian Shepherd named "Mouse," despite the fact that they look like this full grown:

Dresden Files Book #7: Dead Beat

Necromancing. It’s a big no-no in the wizard world. Punishable by death. No exceptions. But that’s not stopping a string of necromancing attacks from popping up all over Chicago. As Dresden tracks down the party (or parties) responsible, he quickly learns that he might be in over his head for this one.

All things aside, this might have the most iconic scene in the series thus far. Won’t spoil anything, but next time anyone is in Chicago, I highly recommend paying a trip to the Field Museum to see “Sue” – the world’s most complete and best preserved fossilized remains of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

Dresden Files Book #8: Proven Guilty

Horror movies. They’re all fun and games until the monsters come to life and climb out of their movie screens killing everyone in their sight. Am I right people? Dresden is once again on the case trying to figure out who or what is causing this mayhem of bringing horror villains to life. Doesn’t help that Chicago is in the midst of hosting a giant horror-movie convention at the same time.

Dresden Files Book #9: White Night

Dresden is called in by the Chicago Police to investigate a string of suicides. Upon closer inspection, Dresden finds out the victims all have something in common. They all are practicing wizards. Not fully-trained and talented wizards, mind you. More like budding apprentices. But wizards nonetheless. That doesn’t make things any less terrifying when Dresden learns that there’s a villain afoot that can lure his or her victims to take their own life. Especially when that killer looks to be your own relative.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And there it is. As part of my re-introduction back to the blog, I give you where I am at with the Dresden series. Currently book 10 is sitting in the back of a mail truck somewhere en route to my house. I don’t know much about book 10 other than it should bring me to Dresden’s second major encounter with the Denarians. I’m looking forward to it.

Curious if this will get anyone else interested in the series. Despite these books being a super popular series in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre, I rarely have anyone I can talk to about these aside from my roommate. So… if anyone’s looking for something fun to read. You know who to call.

Also, it's good to be back.