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The Dresden Files Books 7-12
“One of the most enjoyable marriages of the fantasy and mystery genres on the shelves,”(Cinescape) the Dresden Files have become synonymous with action-packed urban fantasy and nonstop fun. Now you can learn why Harry Dresden is Chicago's best—and only—professional wizard, in this collection of books 7 - 12 in the #1 New York Times bestselling series. DEAD BEAT PROVEN GUILTY WHITE NIGHT SMALL FAVOR TURN COAT CHANGES
2926 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2010
625 people are currently reading
626 people want to read
About the author
Jim Butcher
204 books51k followersJim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 13, 2020
Holy moly if he keeps writing them, I'll keep reading them
May 2, 2012
This was just a great way to read The Dresden files. I recommend using an e-reader though; it's something like 2300 pages long. I really enjoyed being able to just tear through book after book, without having to make trips to the library or wait for books that are on hold.
October 17, 2025
I already wrote reviews for Books 7-11; confused and maddened by the nature of a box set? As both a writer and a reader who's lived through many a change, this term confuses me for a series of e-books linked together.
I guess I'll post my review for Changes elsewhere. Each of these books involves a balance of action and character development. I tended to be more interested in the conversations, the confrontations involving conversation than the action. Some of the action scenes were quite clever (I recall a hamster wheel of lust and a remarkable reanimation), yet I got a little bored during the gun fights where magic was not used. They were described with meticulous detail, giving a play by play, but I preferred the philosophical moments, the revelations, often the quieter beats in between action.
All in all, this is a very addictive series, which left me craving more once it was finished. I may roll my eyes at the binary gender roles, but the characters were fleshed out, learning, growing, and impossible to leave alone. I'll be definitely looking for the next book.
I guess I'll post my review for Changes elsewhere. Each of these books involves a balance of action and character development. I tended to be more interested in the conversations, the confrontations involving conversation than the action. Some of the action scenes were quite clever (I recall a hamster wheel of lust and a remarkable reanimation), yet I got a little bored during the gun fights where magic was not used. They were described with meticulous detail, giving a play by play, but I preferred the philosophical moments, the revelations, often the quieter beats in between action.
All in all, this is a very addictive series, which left me craving more once it was finished. I may roll my eyes at the binary gender roles, but the characters were fleshed out, learning, growing, and impossible to leave alone. I'll be definitely looking for the next book.
December 10, 2012
This one is worth it for Dead Beat alone, never mind the others.
March 6, 2013
Ok, hooked on Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. Finished 7 - 12 and boy am I pissed. There better be another one in the works, cause that is no way to end a story.
May 1, 2021
Reading a bunch of these back-to-back they kind of blend together, and I guess they can probably do that anyway. We know the formula by now.
The soap-opera quotient has been increasing, until in Book 12 it was off the charts. I guess the romantic arc involving Anastasia Luccio wasn't far behind, but that was forgettable. Not that soap-opera even has to be bad, but this is not a good example. We're revisiting a lot of the same ideas and just trying to up the stakes, e.g., what more can we wring out of the concept of a kidnapped child?
Author still unable to introduce a female character without some reference to her curves or whether she's hot. So much creepy stuff about him checking out his apprentice (and so does every other damn male character - Thomas, Ramirez, Sanya, Bob, Ebenezar... is anyone *not* a sleaze into perving on teenagers?). And we had to circle back around to her having a crush on Dresden yet again, because she couldn't possibly start to grow out of that and into her own person.
From the beginning, these books have tried to apologise for their own use of noir tropes, particularly wanting to be the hero rescuing damsels in distress. We know that Dresden's meant to be a throwback. But there's no real attempt to properly reckon with this, or meaningfully contrast him with others. 12 books in, having a feisty detective to bounce off (who calls him out playfully and forgives him for gross comments constantly) isn't cutting it. And neither is having Molly there to agree when she says men are pigs.
As light and readable as ever, which has its place sometimes, but when it comes down to it Dresden Files is hard to defend.
The soap-opera quotient has been increasing, until in Book 12 it was off the charts. I guess the romantic arc involving Anastasia Luccio wasn't far behind, but that was forgettable. Not that soap-opera even has to be bad, but this is not a good example. We're revisiting a lot of the same ideas and just trying to up the stakes, e.g., what more can we wring out of the concept of a kidnapped child?
Author still unable to introduce a female character without some reference to her curves or whether she's hot. So much creepy stuff about him checking out his apprentice (and so does every other damn male character - Thomas, Ramirez, Sanya, Bob, Ebenezar... is anyone *not* a sleaze into perving on teenagers?). And we had to circle back around to her having a crush on Dresden yet again, because she couldn't possibly start to grow out of that and into her own person.
From the beginning, these books have tried to apologise for their own use of noir tropes, particularly wanting to be the hero rescuing damsels in distress. We know that Dresden's meant to be a throwback. But there's no real attempt to properly reckon with this, or meaningfully contrast him with others. 12 books in, having a feisty detective to bounce off (who calls him out playfully and forgives him for gross comments constantly) isn't cutting it. And neither is having Molly there to agree when she says men are pigs.
As light and readable as ever, which has its place sometimes, but when it comes down to it Dresden Files is hard to defend.
July 17, 2019
I found these books fun and very action-packed, with a lovable main character, but I wasn't always sure I wanted to keep reading them because I wasn't sure I liked where the author was going with them. Over all, I was never sorry that I kept going. I will say that I am awfully glad I didn't have to wait for the next one to be written when I finished certain books that have Massive cliff-hangers (#12, I'm looking at you!).
January 28, 2018
enjoyed this read....what was best was being able to read the series in the collection one after another.... sometimes I thought it was a bit wordy and to much explanation but all in all it was a good read....best part....I didn't have to skip around but was able to read them in order. Lots of action and adventure and a great super heros....
July 18, 2024
excellent series! Best I’ve read in years
I love the blend of noire private investigator with tortured wizard. Like Sam Slade meets Harry Potter. Also, the depiction of the Fae is amazing. So mercurial and unpredictable. So much more like classic folk tales than the sanitized versions served up by modern entertainment.
I love the blend of noire private investigator with tortured wizard. Like Sam Slade meets Harry Potter. Also, the depiction of the Fae is amazing. So mercurial and unpredictable. So much more like classic folk tales than the sanitized versions served up by modern entertainment.
March 1, 2019
Best of the Best
Fresh, well crafted characters that you become very attached to. Butcher's stories draw you in and hold your attention in a way that very few writers can. Grab any of the Dresdin files and settle in for an excellent time of humor,anxiety & adventures.
Fresh, well crafted characters that you become very attached to. Butcher's stories draw you in and hold your attention in a way that very few writers can. Grab any of the Dresdin files and settle in for an excellent time of humor,anxiety & adventures.
August 24, 2017
Can't wait for #16.
December 13, 2017
Excellent
This is a wonderful collection of the second set of six books in the ongoing Dresden Files series. A great value.
This is a wonderful collection of the second set of six books in the ongoing Dresden Files series. A great value.
April 25, 2018
Really fell in love with this series with the first 6 books and these are just a good can't wait for more
February 24, 2019
I love these books. It’s great to see the progression of Harry’s skill with magic and his personality changes as the books go on.
June 7, 2019
I've reviewed these books separately.
March 13, 2020
Great Read
If you haven't read Butcher before you will love Harry Dresden. I would start at the beginning. This is great to get all of these together
If you haven't read Butcher before you will love Harry Dresden. I would start at the beginning. This is great to get all of these together
April 19, 2020
Amazing
The Dresden files and Harry Dresden have made my life better for having been. This collection is wonderful and puts the stories in one place.
The Dresden files and Harry Dresden have made my life better for having been. This collection is wonderful and puts the stories in one place.
June 10, 2020
Library loan ended before finishing last book. Story progresses well with new characters and more scary guys. Great imagination. Love the humor throughout.
Read
November 20, 2020So readable. Glad I used the Kindle app to read this collection. Hungry for more.
July 14, 2022
Amazing series
I just finished rereading the first 12. They all made an impact many years ago. And I can say I really enjoyed them even more the second time.
I just finished rereading the first 12. They all made an impact many years ago. And I can say I really enjoyed them even more the second time.
July 8, 2023
Another excellent adventure
Butcher is awesome in writing Dresden. I've read most of the series a few times, and hope to finish what's available soon.
Butcher is awesome in writing Dresden. I've read most of the series a few times, and hope to finish what's available soon.
October 30, 2023
Excellent
A. Frustratingly wonderful collection of stories I didn't want to get me but needed to read to the end or I'd go nuts. Wonderfully done!
A. Frustratingly wonderful collection of stories I didn't want to get me but needed to read to the end or I'd go nuts. Wonderfully done!
May 15, 2024
Love the Dresden Files series. Reading in order isn't really necessary but recommended.
Read
August 4, 2024Always fun commercial fiction
August 26, 2024
The more books in this collection, the more powerful he becomes. It gets to the point when he is undefeatable. Then you kind of have to stop reading
February 19, 2025
Jim Butcher has got me hooked!!!
I chose this rating because I get so pissed every time I finish one of these books I am really hooked on Dresden.
I chose this rating because I get so pissed every time I finish one of these books I am really hooked on Dresden.
June 18, 2015
Synopsis:
Basically Harry Dresden is a professional wizard... living in Chicago.
I've listened to all of these books on audio. The greatest part of that - they're all done by James Marsters. If you're unaware of who that is, then shame on you. He played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel. He's a great actor, but wow - he sure is a great book reader. I can see him playing the perfect Harry Dresden if they ever make a movie, or a better TV Series. Yeah, okay so we'd totally have to fix how he looks. The novel "Ghost Story" was recorded by someone different, but was still done very well. (I would totally go back and re-listen to it if James came back for it though.)
These are all done in first person, in sort of like a journal format.
One thing a lot of people don't know. All of the books have two words. The first word has the same number of letters as the second word. With one exception.
Book 1: Storm Front
Harry Dresden goes after an amateur magician.
4/5 Stars
You instantly get into the characters, Harry's personality is great, and so is Karrin Murphy.
Book 2: Fool Moon
Basically this novel sets Harry against what appear to be werewolves, and is pretty epic.
4/5 Stars
Book 3: Grave Peril
Harry Dresden against Red Court Vampires. (Yes there are plenty of different courts, white, black, etc, all have different specialties.) And it never hurts to have a Knight of the Cross fighting alongside you.
4/5 Stars
Book 4: Summer Knight
Harry Dresden helps out the fae after the death of the Summer Knight. Pretty epic going against faeries/fairies.
4/5 Stars
Book 5: Death Masks
Harry is out to find a shroud for the church. While he is doing that, he is challenged to end the war of the White Council (Wizards) against the Red Court (Vampires) by a duel.
4/5 Stars
Book 6: Blood Rites
So poor Harry Dresden, the notorious wizard, is forced to work on a porn set to see why people keep ending up dead.
5/5 Stars.
Book 7: Dead Beat
Harry has to find the Word of Kemmler, a powerful necromancer that died several times many years ago. This one is full of zombies, and of course who doesn't want to ride on an undead T-REX?
4/5 Stars
Book 8: Proven Guilty
Harry gets to investigate the murders at Spattercon, a horror movie convention, where the murderers happen to appear just like the horror movie murders. He also finds someone that could have talent with magic.
5/5 Stars
Book 9: White Night
Harry investigates the murders of persons talented with magic. Yup, someone is killing people that can use magic.
4/5 Stars
Book 10: Small Favor
The winter queen asks Harry to watch over a crime lord, and he soon discovers everybody is after a little girl that has all of the written knowledge.
4/5 Stars
Book 11: Turn Coat
A Warden named Morgan (he despises Harry because of the dark magic he once used) shows up wounded at Harry's door. He begs Harry for help, there is a traitor in the White Council (Wizard Council), and everyone thinks it's him.
5/5 Stars - Excellent
Book 12: Changes
This book is where everything changes. Harry finds out he has a daughter, and she is in mortal danger. How far would you go?
5/5 Stars
Book 13: Ghost Story
Harry Dresden is dead. What better fun can a dead wizard have than to haunt the living? Except there is a lot at Stake if he can get them to believe him.
5/5 Stars
Book 14: Cold Days
Harry Dresden is the new Winter Knight, and he must ask the talking skull how it is possible to kill an immortal, only the earth is at stake.
4/5 Stars
Book 15: Skin Game
Harry Dresden is forced to ally with one of the fallen, and a mortal enemy of his. All he has to help the man do is rob a vault of Hades.
5/5 Stars.
Overall, this series is great. If you love dry and sarcastic humor with an element of Urban Fantasy, this series is great. It has had some criticism because the writing seems to have a distinct pattern. A standard climb with action, fall into chaos, and pull a miracle at the end. Even with that style of writing, the characters and story are excellent. And he gives something to those special critics in "Changes" (The only title without two words of the same length). I hope you give the series a go, and as I said, the audiobooks are excellent!
Entire Series: 4.5/5 Stars
Basically Harry Dresden is a professional wizard... living in Chicago.
I've listened to all of these books on audio. The greatest part of that - they're all done by James Marsters. If you're unaware of who that is, then shame on you. He played Spike in Buffy the Vampire Slayer & Angel. He's a great actor, but wow - he sure is a great book reader. I can see him playing the perfect Harry Dresden if they ever make a movie, or a better TV Series. Yeah, okay so we'd totally have to fix how he looks. The novel "Ghost Story" was recorded by someone different, but was still done very well. (I would totally go back and re-listen to it if James came back for it though.)
These are all done in first person, in sort of like a journal format.
One thing a lot of people don't know. All of the books have two words. The first word has the same number of letters as the second word. With one exception.
Book 1: Storm Front
Harry Dresden goes after an amateur magician.
4/5 Stars
You instantly get into the characters, Harry's personality is great, and so is Karrin Murphy.
Book 2: Fool Moon
Basically this novel sets Harry against what appear to be werewolves, and is pretty epic.
4/5 Stars
Book 3: Grave Peril
Harry Dresden against Red Court Vampires. (Yes there are plenty of different courts, white, black, etc, all have different specialties.) And it never hurts to have a Knight of the Cross fighting alongside you.
4/5 Stars
Book 4: Summer Knight
Harry Dresden helps out the fae after the death of the Summer Knight. Pretty epic going against faeries/fairies.
4/5 Stars
Book 5: Death Masks
Harry is out to find a shroud for the church. While he is doing that, he is challenged to end the war of the White Council (Wizards) against the Red Court (Vampires) by a duel.
4/5 Stars
Book 6: Blood Rites
So poor Harry Dresden, the notorious wizard, is forced to work on a porn set to see why people keep ending up dead.
5/5 Stars.
Book 7: Dead Beat
Harry has to find the Word of Kemmler, a powerful necromancer that died several times many years ago. This one is full of zombies, and of course who doesn't want to ride on an undead T-REX?
4/5 Stars
Book 8: Proven Guilty
Harry gets to investigate the murders at Spattercon, a horror movie convention, where the murderers happen to appear just like the horror movie murders. He also finds someone that could have talent with magic.
5/5 Stars
Book 9: White Night
Harry investigates the murders of persons talented with magic. Yup, someone is killing people that can use magic.
4/5 Stars
Book 10: Small Favor
The winter queen asks Harry to watch over a crime lord, and he soon discovers everybody is after a little girl that has all of the written knowledge.
4/5 Stars
Book 11: Turn Coat
A Warden named Morgan (he despises Harry because of the dark magic he once used) shows up wounded at Harry's door. He begs Harry for help, there is a traitor in the White Council (Wizard Council), and everyone thinks it's him.
5/5 Stars - Excellent
Book 12: Changes
This book is where everything changes. Harry finds out he has a daughter, and she is in mortal danger. How far would you go?
5/5 Stars
Book 13: Ghost Story
Harry Dresden is dead. What better fun can a dead wizard have than to haunt the living? Except there is a lot at Stake if he can get them to believe him.
5/5 Stars
Book 14: Cold Days
Harry Dresden is the new Winter Knight, and he must ask the talking skull how it is possible to kill an immortal, only the earth is at stake.
4/5 Stars
Book 15: Skin Game
Harry Dresden is forced to ally with one of the fallen, and a mortal enemy of his. All he has to help the man do is rob a vault of Hades.
5/5 Stars.
Overall, this series is great. If you love dry and sarcastic humor with an element of Urban Fantasy, this series is great. It has had some criticism because the writing seems to have a distinct pattern. A standard climb with action, fall into chaos, and pull a miracle at the end. Even with that style of writing, the characters and story are excellent. And he gives something to those special critics in "Changes" (The only title without two words of the same length). I hope you give the series a go, and as I said, the audiobooks are excellent!
Entire Series: 4.5/5 Stars
September 24, 2020
I read this six book collection immediately after reading the first six book collection. And things keep getting better!
This collection includes my personal favourite book in the Dresden files: Changes.
Just when maybe things could start to get stale Changes... changes that. So many characters and things that happen in the first six books reappear and start paying dividends.
I really enjoyed all the books in this collection!
This collection includes my personal favourite book in the Dresden files: Changes.
Just when maybe things could start to get stale Changes... changes that. So many characters and things that happen in the first six books reappear and start paying dividends.
I really enjoyed all the books in this collection!
December 11, 2022
I think this is going to be where Harry Dresden and I part ways. It's been fun but I'm over it. Harry's death seems like a pretty solid place to leave off even if it doesn't stick for later books. I know that I cannot spend another 5 or 6 books living inside that insufferable man's head. He wasn't too bad until the last couple books but now I want to slap him every time he speaks. After Changes the only characters I still like are Mouse and Sanya with an honorable mention to Leah since she is fun. I need to like way more characters than that to continue reading scene after scene of miracle survival against impossible odds. (I'm looking at you Pyramid full of various flavors of vampire warriors) Plus for some reason the plot of Harry finding out he has a kid and then needing to rescue her from vampires really rubbed me the wrong way. I eyerolled that from start to finish. I will also not be continuing with the series because I would not be able to stand it if Harry and Murphy get together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2015
Note* This review is really on the entire series. i saw no need to copy and paste this 16+ times.
I love Harry Dresden. I love. Bob. I love Mouse and Mister. I love ... OK I'll get to it...Karen, Molly , Michael, Toot, the wolves, BUTTERS and Thomas!!! Alright....maybe trying to list everyone I love was a silly idea... but I feel like I live in the same neighborhood with these folks.
To sum it all Harry is a wizard trying to make a living as a PI. On occasion things go all pear shaped and he with various associates (knowledge entity,occasional vamp or witch, medical examiner, college age werewolves, Christian Knights, the Fae...you know the usual) are the guys who save the day.
Harry is a sarcastic mildy arrogant completely lovable guy. He 'does the right thing' as best he can. Harry and his group fiercely love each other. All the characters in this series have distinct their personality. Not a bland sidekick anywhere.
I thank you Mr Butcher for these and please continue forever. Polka will never die!!
I love Harry Dresden. I love. Bob. I love Mouse and Mister. I love ... OK I'll get to it...Karen, Molly , Michael, Toot, the wolves, BUTTERS and Thomas!!! Alright....maybe trying to list everyone I love was a silly idea... but I feel like I live in the same neighborhood with these folks.
To sum it all Harry is a wizard trying to make a living as a PI. On occasion things go all pear shaped and he with various associates (knowledge entity,occasional vamp or witch, medical examiner, college age werewolves, Christian Knights, the Fae...you know the usual) are the guys who save the day.
Harry is a sarcastic mildy arrogant completely lovable guy. He 'does the right thing' as best he can. Harry and his group fiercely love each other. All the characters in this series have distinct their personality. Not a bland sidekick anywhere.
I thank you Mr Butcher for these and please continue forever. Polka will never die!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews