Saturday, May 19, 2012

Review: Ghost Story by Jim Butcher


Harry Dresden is dead. He finds himself in a limbo version of Chicago where Jack Murphy, Karin's deceased father, tells Harry that if he doesn't go back to earth and solve his own murder three people he loves will suffer terribly. Catch is that he can only go back as ghost and won't have access to his magic. Harry's work is indeed cut out for him.

I've always loved seeing characters in a 'post-apocalyptic setting'. By this I don't really mean it in the traditional sense but more how characters cope when their world is turned upside down. In this case how do Harry's friends cope after his death. Butcher's pulls this off brilliantly and I particularly liked the direction he took Molly and Murphy in. The pace slows down a bit from break-neck speed of Changes and I quite enjoyed seeing Harry examine his motivations in much more subdued and mature fashion. In the Dresden books we've got used to seeing things build up to an impressive finale and I quite liked seeing Butcher mix things up a bit with a few well considered twists.

Overall Ghost Story marks a turning point in the Dresden files and is a nice change of pace. 8.5/10.

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