Battle Ground

Jim Butcher delivers again!!

[SPOILERS] I was excited for this book. I was terrified of what might happen because people die in war. Who would Harry lose? Who would fall defending Chicago? Well, the answer is one Harry Dresden Love interest and THATS IT. Not only did Murphy’s death seem cheap, but it’s literally a rehash of Susan’s except not as impactful. There was literally NO reason for Murphy to die. And worse, to not let Harry kill Rudolph? And make it seem like the reader should applaud this outcome? This plot point was HORRIBLY misused and just seems like a way to set Harry up with someone that can actually keep up with him. Which is just sad. I truly loved this series before this point and to have one of the OG characters killed for literally nothing? Not only that but to make Harry suffer the same pain over again just seems gratuitous and lazy at this point. It is possible to have Harry have growth without killing off a person he loves. And literally Murphy is the only one that dies. Everyone else got plot armor, but Murphy had to die. As the title says, it is a great book. But it is terrible within the context of the rest of the series. This isn’t the end of the Dresden Files but it’s the end of my participation in it.

Another great Dresden book. It starts in the middle,if I hadn't read most of the others I'd of given up. Now reading Peace Talks so will get it all. Don't pass on the Christmas story! Santa will never be the same.

Loved this entry in the Dresden universe. Perfectly done and I can’t wait for what comes next!

Fast paced, fueled-up, pure adrenaline. Battle Ground is more epic in battle and scale than it’s predecessors. The world of Harry Dresden comes alive in ways that always make us laugh, keep turning pages as fast as we can, and even cry. Battle Ground is a turning point in the Dresden files for sure; Harry is coming into a new era in his long life and what waits around the corner is going to be something that we (and he) has never seen.

Just a roller coaster. Be careful starting this one. You may not sleep. Please get the next one out asap

I’ve enjoyed this series so much over the years. Each installment shows Harry growing into a bigger and badder threat to the things that go bump in the night. My grandmother used to read these with me and I’m sure she would have gotten a kick out of these back to back books. Thank you Mr. Butcher, I hope there is more to come.

It was worth reading all the previous books just to get here! Thanks for the great ride so far and really looking forward to where the author takes us next!

I like the Harry Dresden series. I have read all of the books and most of the stories. I am truly grateful to Jim Butcher for his imaginative presentation of magic as a physics problem. Indeed what I fell in love with about Harry Dresden Wizard PI of Chicago is that he couldn’t just “magic” his way out of problems. His Magic had a cost that had to be paid. His own, innate raw power was barely tamed by his youth but was sufficient to deal with the ectoplasmic elements that surrounded him, even while he learned from ancient masters of the craft and brushed elbows with the truly powerful beings of folklore, never-never and fae. I’m sorry Mr Butcher, in my opinion, in some ways you have become lazy. I enjoyed the book. It was a nice story and even tugged at my heart strings. But, there were too many convenient plot holes, hastily covered over with ‘magic’ that far exceeds the plausibility of a 30-40 year old novice wizard. These books would have me believe that immortal beings are systematically beaten by this figurative babe of magic who can apparently wield the very powers of creation. Diametrically opposed beings such as angels and daemons are not only able to tolerate each other’s presence but are able to ally against their very nature. It makes for fun fantasy but not very plausible realistic story telling. Mr Butcher, I am not an author. I do not question the challenges of your art. I am merely a fan who enjoys the escapism of a good story. I would say you delivered on many fronts but please resist whatever has been pushing you to find bigger and badder enemies. You are exploring credible space by examination of what makes an outmatched man punch above his weight class and prevail against the odds. That fight can occur in many shapes but it violates your own reality when it escalates too fast or to too high a degree. You tell us that these beings and their political bodies move at tectonic speed, but show us that they are just as capricious as human beings. —spoiler—- spoiler—- spoiler—- —spoiler—- spoiler—- spoiler—- I liked Karrin Murphy and thought she was a good grounding rod for Harry. There was no good reason I could see to kill her off unless your intent as an author is to explore the painful space of grief of a lover. If that IS your intent, and I honestly don’t know how you avoid that at this point, I urge you to go VERY slowly.

So good, so sad. I don’t have any idea what will happen next but I can’t wait. Perfect novel.