celmendo

Just finished it too. I kind of agree and disagree with you. The ghost thing was really not working for me at first but I got into it and think it's def. a great follow up to Changes. I believe the fact the the rules were not clearly defined and it was all very uncertain was on purpose. He was finding his way in a new situation and we, as readers, were too. Most of us hate for our characters to change and be in unfamiliar territory but I'm sure the author gets bored and needs to do something so he doesn't ruin the series for us or himself.

The part in Molly's head was classic Dresden. I wish I could see a video of that that is as great as it was in my head.

maxfisher

Just finished Ghost Story earlier this week. I enjoyed it well enough, I guess, but it left me a little disappointed. Looking back, it felt to me more like a short story bridging Changes and whatever comes next, as opposed to a full novel in the series. Also, the direction Butcher went might hurt the series down the road. Hopefully the next book is better. This is really the first one where I felt like the quality was a step down, as opposed to being as good or better than the preceding book.

Xander

Can you guys please use goddamn spoiler tags? Some of us are not caught up on the series yet.

maxfisher

Sorry man. I read the last couple posts before mine and didn't even think of it. Plot-related items should definitely be spoiled in a thread like this.

wmansir

From what I've read on Butcher's forum he has a 20ish-book "case file" outline for the series followed by a final 3 book apocalypse trilogy. However, he has said that he's already about 3 books behind the outline as Ghost story was suppose to be the midpoint.

The bad-ish news is I also read he is taking a break from Dresden and starting a new fantasy series with his next book.

xmiyux

I really enjoyed his Alera Codex series - so he can do good fantasy.

However, even his good fantasy wasn't as good as the Dresden series.

maxfisher

I actually enjoyed Codex Alera more than Dresden. Both are great though and if Butcher wants to start a new fantasy series, I'll be glad to have it. The guy seems to have a great work ethic and gets at least one book done a year. Hell, I think during Alera, he may have been turning out two books a year.

wmansir

I have to agree with xmiyux. Alera was good, but I didn't enjoy it as much as Dresden. It had some good ideas though and improved as it went along. I'll definitely be checking out the new series.

wmansir

A little late but I just finished Cold Days. I actually read this one instead of listening to the audiobook. That's a first for the Dresden Files.

I'm still digesting a bit but my initial though is that I'm a bit disappointed. It has a couple of things going against it.

First, this books seems to be the first one explicitly setting up the conflict that will be focus of the series arc, so it has to establish a lot of stuff without much resolution, and there is very little resolution in this book. Because of that the story of this book never really jelled for me.

Second, Harry is no longer the little guy. He hasn't been for a while, but even as he gained power, respect and "legitimate" authority in the magic world he still felt like he was playing over his head. I didn't really get that feeling with this book.

Third, the struggle against corruption. The series has always had an aspect of Dresden's resisting temptation. Being noble is kind of Harry's thing. A lot of this book focused on Dresden resisting and being fearful of the Winter Knight mantle taking over his soul. It wasn't badly written, I just didn't find it a very compelling part of the story.

That said it had a lot of the usual stuff I like about the Dresden series (action, humor, characters, etc) and it set up quite a bit of interesting stuff for the future.

clappj

I just started Storm Front. A little late to the game. LOL!

Jim’s next project is a Steampunk series called The Cinder Spires. He’s currently writing book 1, The Aeronaut’s Windlass.