Cold Days: A Novel of the Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher

2012, ROC

My son and I read the Dresden Files books as they arrive.  I saved this one for his Christmas present.  He finished it in 3 days as did I (even while I was leveling up in WOW).

My son perhaps said it best "Everything you'd want in a Dresden book."

It is filled with magic and feats of daring combined with thoughtful explorations of motivations and politics.  It is also infused with humor.  Butcher is one of the few authors who continues to surprise me.  My son agreed--we were both caught off-guard by the ending.  I won't spoil it, but if you are able to anticipate what is to happen I will award you a badge of foresight.

This is a book I would easily recommend to adolescents.  It particularly will fit students who are drawn to fantasy/adventure and quest literature.  It could easily be used in coordination with game-based learning.  There had been a video game (RPG) version as well as a one season television series. He also had a series of comic books based on the Dresden characters.  For you graphic novel/comics students this would be a leveling up.

Why am I such a fan?  First, Butcher himself has a great take on becoming a writer and the work ethic necessary to reach goals.  Anyone who needs "inspiration" should look at what Butcher says about these topics.  Secondly, Butcher has extremely complex characters.  Although good and evil are at constant war, most of his developed characters have a mix.  It is excellent character development and can help adolescents and young adults explore roles and decisions.  Finally there is Harry Dresden himself.  He's funny, in a way that will appeal to many readers, especially adolescent and young adult males.  But, as a mature woman I can also appreciate the humor.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.  Butcher suggests that he's hoping for 23 books in the series.  Cold Days is #14.  I'll try and be patient while waiting.  Maybe I'll try one of the comics to tide me over.  But, I have a reading assignment--look for A Confederacy of Dunces in my next review.  (My book club's choice.)

Side Jobs, by Jim Butcher

A collection of short stories featuring the main and supportive characters from Butcher's Dresden Files series.  Reading these made me yearn for the next book in the Dresden Files series.  As always, Butcher's humor tickles me and his plots/characters compel me to continue reading.  This collection of short stories may be an excellent way to pull adolescent readers into the series or Butcher's other series, The Codex Alera.  Although readers of the series will be able to bring a layered and complex understanding of the characters and plot to these short stories I also believe that readers new to this would find each story engaging and lucid. 

Mean Streets, by Jim Butcher, Simon Green, Kat Richardson & Thomas Sniegoski (2010)

I purchased this collection through my Audible service.  There are times when I think I don't get as much out of audio books as I do paper--but this was an exception (if the rule is real).  I thoroughly enjoyed each and every story. These collections are invaluable--they help me find new authors I will enjoy. 

Butcher's story, The Warrior, brings us back to Harry's friend and colleague Michael, Knight of the Cross, wielder of Amoracchius after his retirement due to injuries sustained in assisting Harry.  I've missed Michael since he was nearly killed.  I was glad to get this postscript. 

Richardson's story, The Third Death of the Little Clay Dog, pulls from traditions surrounding  Dia de Muertes.  I have particular fondness for this celebration and love the arts surrounding it, as well as the spiritual concept.  I was able to enjoy an exhibition of the works of José Guadalupe Posada that helped me fully understand the importance of this holiday in Mexico.  Richardson's story does a good job of being faithful to the intent of the spiritual tradition while weaving a compelling tale.  I'm putting in the order for Richardson's books at the library.  I think I've found a new author for my collection.

Simon Green tells a story in What A Difference A Day Makes, that got a little too "Matrix" for my tastes, but others will enjoy it.

Thomas Sniegoski's story, Noah's Orphans, was one that I didn't enjoy as much.  Perhaps if I had been raised in more of a Catholic tradition and understood the grand order of angels I would have followed the plot and character twists more clearly.

The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle, by Jim Butcher illustrated by Ardian Syaf (2008)

A graphic novel, this is a side story to the others in The Dresden Files.  In his introduction Butcher explains that "comics" were one of his early literary loves.  I can appreciate that--I spent hours as a child with comics--but I don't have the fondness for them that many have.  It could be that males respond to the genre differently than females.  I don't remember reading Wonder Woman comics--that may have changed my perceptions.

Welcome to the Jungle, much of it set in the Chicago Zoo, is fairly classic Dresden fare.  However, I find myself less compelled by the graphic version.  I can understand how less able readers would prefer this genre.  The illustrations do an excellent job of filling in many of the plot, setting and mood.  But to me, the illustrations lumped the book in with a sort of stock set of visuals.  When I read a Butcher book I am able to visualize the Chicago I know well and feel the gritty atmosphere under the El and other locations.  The illustrations here took me to a sort of "Gotham City" set. 

When I got to the back matter and saw the concept illustrations by Chris McGrath I knew that it was more than a personal preference.  McGrath's illustrations offered much more the "feel" I'd prefer for my personal vision for the setting and characters of The Dresden Files.  On the other hand--Butcher selected the illustrations by Syaf, Ketcham & DeVito and says they are "spot on" for his personal vision for Dresden.  This probably proves Louise Rosenblatt's reader response theory.  The interaction between me and Butcher is different from the vision Butcher has on his own.  That's okay.  Many authors say that their "critics" see very different things in their work than they had intended.  My vision of The Dresden Files won't be spoiled by the content of this graphic novel.  I will also be able to use it to introduce graphic novel fans to Butcher's work.

The plot line left me a little disappointed, but then it isn't possible to work all the character development and plot twists that are typical in The Dresden Files into a graphic novel length work.  I look forward to introducing this to some readers to gather their responses.