A Book Review: Changes by Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files #12)

Changes, the 12^th installment in Jim Butcher's urban fantasy series, The Dresden Files, materialized on my bookshelf as it shaked the paranormal world of Harry Dresden, Chicago's one and only professional wizard.

How is this book? Simply putting it, Changes restored my interest in The Dresden Files. When I reached the final page in Changes, I was keen to finding out what will happen in the next book. And I have not experienced this type of keenness since Dead Beat.

That is right, Changes is one of the better books in The Dresden Files series. As its name suggests, Changes snapped out of the formulaic storytelling found in its predecessors, and refreshed this series with a major overhaul to the narratives. And the result is very positive.

Synopsis:

Harry Dresden has had a rewarding career as Chicago's only Supernatural P.I. In a decade, Harry helped the police and cracked down dozens of supernatural crimes, while waging countless battles against malicious, preternatural entities lurking in Chicago's shadowed alleys. From vampires, demons, fairy queens, werewolves to dangerous warlocks, Harry has fought them all to protect those he loved and he triumphed in every encounter. Harry risks his life on a daily basis, while he may not be earning big $$$ for his detective works, but he is doing what he loves and he is the best in the business.

Then along came Harry's ex-lover, Susan Rodriguez, who brought Harry's world crumbling down when she revealed a secret to Harry; that they have a daughter and she is being kidnapped by Harry's past enemy Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court vampires.

Suddenly, Harry found himself racing against the clock to free his daughter from the claws of the blood-thirsty Red Court...

My thoughts on this book:

Set in the metropolitan city of Chicago, pulsing with a strong neo-noir vibe, and fueled with explosive actions, The Dresden Files series captured the hearts of millions of readers with its vivid characters and compelling stories. It suffices to say, The Dresden Files established itself as a major player in the genre of urban fantasy. These novels, featuring the stoic, supernatural P.I. Harry Dresden, stormed my reading world some 16 months ago and I have been enjoying most of these books; they are fun reads.

Jim Butcher is a talented writer. His stylistic writings painted stunning visuals in the dark, magical world of Harry Dresden. Jim Butcher's prose breathed life into his memorable characters, Chicago, and its supernatural communities. These books are immersive. They are dark but colorful. Dreadful entities reside in the world of Harry Dresden, haunting Chicago's streets under the shadow of black nights. But Dresden's world is also a place of hope, where larger-than-life heroics, committed in the hands of courageous people, are serving as a radiant light to keeping the shadows at bay. This is a place I love visiting, a place I want to visit again and again.

Having praised the series, my biggest complaint about The Dresden Files is its episodic, repetitive nature. Jim Butcher has the tendency to recycle plot devices in his books. This means, not only are these books formulaic, but when it comes to establishing a sense of urgency and continuum these books leave much to be desired.

Then along came Changes, where Jim Butcher revised his storytelling and injected much welcomed refreshments into the tale of Harry Dresden. How? For the first time, Jim Butcher finishes a Dresden Files book on a cliffhanger. It is an ending that keeps its reader guessing, and it also hints at many interesting things to come. When I finished reading Changes, I could not wait to read the next book because the story reverberates a sense of urgency and mystery.

This also means, if you are a new adventurer in Harry Dresden's world and found the first 4 books repetitive, then exercise perseverance. This series is worth it. My personal opinion is, starting from book 7, The Dresden Files novels got better and better with the coming of every new installment. If your dream is to reading an urban fantasy series flavored in detective fictions, then don't hesitate, The Dresden Files is for you. On the other hand, if you are a veteran reader to The Dresden Files series, then you wouldn't want to miss out on Changes. This book is one heck of a roller coaster ride.

Until the next time, happy reading!