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The Dresden Files #18
Twelve Months
Not yet published
Expected 20 Jan 26Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, has always managed to save the day—but, in this powerful entry in the Dresden Files, can he save himself?
One year. 365 days. Twelve months.
Harry Dresden has been through a lot, and so has his city. After Harry and his allies narrowly managed to save Chicago from being razed, everything is different—and it’s not just the current lack of electricity.
Harry lost people he cared about in the battle, and that’s the kind of loss that takes a toll. Harry being Harry, he’s doing his best to help the city and his friends recover and rebuild, but it’s a heavy load. He needs time.
Time is one thing Harry doesn’t have, however. Ghouls are prowling Chicago and killing innocent civilians. Harry’s brother is dying, and Harry doesn’t know how to help him. And last but certainly not least, the Winter Queen of the Fae has allied with the White Court of vampires—and Harry’s been betrothed to the seductive, deadly vampire Lara Raith to seal the deal.
It’s been a tough year. More than ever, the city needs Harry Dresden the wizard—but after loss and grief, is there enough left of him to rise to the challenge?
One year. 365 days. Twelve months.
Harry Dresden has been through a lot, and so has his city. After Harry and his allies narrowly managed to save Chicago from being razed, everything is different—and it’s not just the current lack of electricity.
Harry lost people he cared about in the battle, and that’s the kind of loss that takes a toll. Harry being Harry, he’s doing his best to help the city and his friends recover and rebuild, but it’s a heavy load. He needs time.
Time is one thing Harry doesn’t have, however. Ghouls are prowling Chicago and killing innocent civilians. Harry’s brother is dying, and Harry doesn’t know how to help him. And last but certainly not least, the Winter Queen of the Fae has allied with the White Court of vampires—and Harry’s been betrothed to the seductive, deadly vampire Lara Raith to seal the deal.
It’s been a tough year. More than ever, the city needs Harry Dresden the wizard—but after loss and grief, is there enough left of him to rise to the challenge?
15 pages, Audible Audio
Expected publication January 20, 2026
63 people are currently reading
30234 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 84 reviews
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February 6, 2023how can you all be rating a book you haven't read because it has not been published yet? The date of release is still TBA. Rating and Reviews should be turned off right now for this book as it is misleading. I am impatiently awaiting the release and this was a letdown.
Want to read
September 18, 2021Well Duh I'm gearing up to read it, especially after finishing the last one. Dresden Files books and waiting for them to come out is just part of my life now.
Want to read
March 30, 2024All of you release date whiners are mouse-hearted and weak of spirit.
Respectfully,
A Rothfuss fan
Respectfully,
A Rothfuss fan
April 1, 2022
Man, I cannot wait!! Please Jim. Finish it! We are all waiting with baited breath. I have read this series to my kids (older lol) for the entire series, and they love this more than Harry Potter. Need I say More?
maybe
March 5, 2022I'm going to be waiting for reviews on this one before I waste any more time on this series. Whenever it eventually gets published.
September 30, 2025
Review to come upon release. Loved it but definitely felt like a filler/move the chess pieces on the board kinda book. But also like a full tribute to you know who. So I dunno what my feelings are on it. But it’s one of my favorite series and still a great book.
July 29, 2025
It must have been at least 15 years ago that I started reading The Dresden Files books, so it was a big treat to get to read this book before publication-- a big thank you to Ace Books and Penguin Random House for sending me the ARC of 'Twelve Months"!
This book is about hurt, healing, heart, and happiness. And it was just what I wanted and Harry needed (and I perhaps needed as well).
Starting off immediately where book 17 left off, Chicago is left in ruins. As is Harry's life. He and his are being tested from all sides, all the while dealing with the rebuilding of the city.
All in all, I had a great time hanging out with Harry, Mouse, Mab, and many more that I do not want to name because of spoilers (some of my favs were introduced in this book!), as well as their friends, loved ones, and of course enemies.
The jokes and one-liners were A+ as well (spice, *that* mountain, hell, stuttering, the Irish, pearls, cars, French, hot chocolate), and I must find a way to export my highlights because the writing was just fabulous.
Also, I want to be at that one party with the oldies for sure, sounds so fun! Only if, of course, the hosts can promise I am safe the whole time
At times I did feel the story was a bit slow, but the final 10% of this book had all the action I could have wished for. Still, I would have preferred a better balance. As well as all the answers to all the questions I am now left with!!!! What do you mean citadel, what do you mean dreaming?!
A solid 4 stars.
It might take a few years, but looking forward to the next one.
And do not forget: do not show weakness to the Winter Fae. They get ideas.
I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.
This book is about hurt, healing, heart, and happiness. And it was just what I wanted and Harry needed (and I perhaps needed as well).
Starting off immediately where book 17 left off, Chicago is left in ruins. As is Harry's life. He and his are being tested from all sides, all the while dealing with the rebuilding of the city.
All in all, I had a great time hanging out with Harry, Mouse, Mab, and many more that I do not want to name because of spoilers (some of my favs were introduced in this book!), as well as their friends, loved ones, and of course enemies.
The jokes and one-liners were A+ as well (spice, *that* mountain, hell, stuttering, the Irish, pearls, cars, French, hot chocolate), and I must find a way to export my highlights because the writing was just fabulous.
Also, I want to be at that one party with the oldies for sure, sounds so fun! Only if, of course, the hosts can promise I am safe the whole time
At times I did feel the story was a bit slow, but the final 10% of this book had all the action I could have wished for. Still, I would have preferred a better balance. As well as all the answers to all the questions I am now left with!!!! What do you mean citadel, what do you mean dreaming?!
A solid 4 stars.
It might take a few years, but looking forward to the next one.
And do not forget: do not show weakness to the Winter Fae. They get ideas.
I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.
December 9, 2025
HELL, YES!
After the mess that was Battle Ground, I really wanted a win from Butcher and this newest installment in the beloved Dresden Files delivered.
I completely understand and respect Butcher's decision to change up the order of the books now that I've read this one - and it's impossible to expound further without giving away spoilers - but if you're a die-hard fan of the series, then I promise you will too.
Finishing this book fired me UP. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one (a novella in May, I think?) and I might just have to kick off another reread of the series in the meantime....even though I just read them all again last year, lol
After the mess that was Battle Ground, I really wanted a win from Butcher and this newest installment in the beloved Dresden Files delivered.
I completely understand and respect Butcher's decision to change up the order of the books now that I've read this one - and it's impossible to expound further without giving away spoilers - but if you're a die-hard fan of the series, then I promise you will too.
Finishing this book fired me UP. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one (a novella in May, I think?) and I might just have to kick off another reread of the series in the meantime....even though I just read them all again last year, lol
August 5, 2025
My (nonspoiler) Twelve Months review.
(If you don’t want to read it, look away)
xxx
xxx
xxx
Cumulative storytelling.
Fantasy readers especially have come to expect that the stories in series within the genre build upon one another. JKR shows this in seeding clues in early books that do not bloom until later books. Names are dropped with a casualty that masks their later importance. Robin Hobb, too, is a classic master of this art and skill. This type of dynamic world-building and plot accumulation is not a skill everyone has; we’ve all read books that can be read as standalones even in a series that spans tens of novels. This isn’t terrible writing, just different.
However, every once in a while, we get a series like Harry Potter, October Daye, and the Dresden Files. The cumulative storytelling anchors us into the world; the changes the characters go through from book to book give them a sort of Velveteen Rabbit-esque reality. Their pain and joy, trials and triumphs, their dynamic internal narration turn them into friends.
And in Twelve Months, our friend Harry is experiencing his lowest year. I had complete faith in Butcher’s ability to change the formula from “worst weekend of Harry’s year” to an entire year of riding along in Harry’s head. I was curious how this would be managed — would it be split into essentially twelve novellettes for each month? Would it be split into four novellas for each season? In reality, I was surprised (though I shouldn’t have been).
Having the novel take place over the course of the year gave Butcher the opportunity to flex his dynamic world-building muscles in several different ways: we get callbacks from earlier books, we see slow, realistic change, we get carefully laid foundations of new alliances. The sheer expanse of time available allows for 1) callbacks to several past cases, 2) refamiliarization with characters long off-page, and 3) for Harry to take a deep breath and divine. He needed more time.
As much as I am dying to read Mirror, Mirror, Twelve Months is so very necessary to both the series and us, the reader. After the events of Peace Ground and Battle Talks, we needed something just a little quieter. It’s possible that Butcher pulled everything in Twelve Months out of the Sea of Stories, but I don’t think he did. At least, not all of it. I think we would have gotten a lot of off-screen information told to us in the beginning chapters of Mirror Mirror to tell us How We Got Here, but by allowing himself to write this unplanned book, the series is so much richer than two gym socks full of diamonds.
My only questions are: Will book 20 still be a Denarian book? Did Butcher nix some future books we don’t know about in favor of limiting the series to 25 books? Will we get that professional wrestling book, the dragon book, another Halloween book?
I guess we’ll know in a few years. 🙂
We just need more time.
Harry’s non-existent hat off to Mr Butcher, who has created something wonderful… again.
(If you don’t want to read it, look away)
xxx
xxx
xxx
Cumulative storytelling.
Fantasy readers especially have come to expect that the stories in series within the genre build upon one another. JKR shows this in seeding clues in early books that do not bloom until later books. Names are dropped with a casualty that masks their later importance. Robin Hobb, too, is a classic master of this art and skill. This type of dynamic world-building and plot accumulation is not a skill everyone has; we’ve all read books that can be read as standalones even in a series that spans tens of novels. This isn’t terrible writing, just different.
However, every once in a while, we get a series like Harry Potter, October Daye, and the Dresden Files. The cumulative storytelling anchors us into the world; the changes the characters go through from book to book give them a sort of Velveteen Rabbit-esque reality. Their pain and joy, trials and triumphs, their dynamic internal narration turn them into friends.
And in Twelve Months, our friend Harry is experiencing his lowest year. I had complete faith in Butcher’s ability to change the formula from “worst weekend of Harry’s year” to an entire year of riding along in Harry’s head. I was curious how this would be managed — would it be split into essentially twelve novellettes for each month? Would it be split into four novellas for each season? In reality, I was surprised (though I shouldn’t have been).
Having the novel take place over the course of the year gave Butcher the opportunity to flex his dynamic world-building muscles in several different ways: we get callbacks from earlier books, we see slow, realistic change, we get carefully laid foundations of new alliances. The sheer expanse of time available allows for 1) callbacks to several past cases, 2) refamiliarization with characters long off-page, and 3) for Harry to take a deep breath and divine. He needed more time.
As much as I am dying to read Mirror, Mirror, Twelve Months is so very necessary to both the series and us, the reader. After the events of Peace Ground and Battle Talks, we needed something just a little quieter. It’s possible that Butcher pulled everything in Twelve Months out of the Sea of Stories, but I don’t think he did. At least, not all of it. I think we would have gotten a lot of off-screen information told to us in the beginning chapters of Mirror Mirror to tell us How We Got Here, but by allowing himself to write this unplanned book, the series is so much richer than two gym socks full of diamonds.
My only questions are: Will book 20 still be a Denarian book? Did Butcher nix some future books we don’t know about in favor of limiting the series to 25 books? Will we get that professional wrestling book, the dragon book, another Halloween book?
I guess we’ll know in a few years. 🙂
We just need more time.
Harry’s non-existent hat off to Mr Butcher, who has created something wonderful… again.
October 5, 2025
I received an advance copy via NetGalley.
All in all, a pretty solid return to form for the series. Twelve Months is all about Dresden recovering from the events of Peace Talks and Battle Ground. He knows (and repeatedly mentions — these are arc words) that he just needs time — to grieve, to heal, to figure things out. His stack of urgent to-do items does nothing grow as his myriad obligations pull his attention multiple directions, and of course the stakes are high… perhaps not as high as a titan attacking a mortal city, thankfully, but high enough.
It’s at least 6 months before the city really starts having any feeling of normalcy after the attacks. Streets are blocked, food supplies are irregular, and everyone is fearful and on edge, especially about magic-using weirdos who live in castles (and the magic-users in turn are increasingly on edge about harassment from the normals). And then (not a spoiler, it’s in the summary), ghouls are feasting like mad, which doesn’t help.
Fortunately, Harry’s not alone. He hasn’t been the lone wizard for a long, long time now, but the true motif of this book is the importance of social ties. He has his Knights of the Bean to help keep some peace and protect the home front; he has family he builds new connections with; he has friends around him, like Michael Carpenter, Billy, Molly; he even has Lara Raith who you can’t really call a love interest but is definitely a strong ally. There’s some *interesting* developments in that quarter that will definitely impact how they interact with each other moving forward, but We see a lot of supporting characters this book! Some are practically just cameos, but their time is meaningful. Harry even picks up some new strays.
Harry lets go, and lets go again. One of the subplot resolutions demands a very steep price, and for once, Harry isn’t the one to pay it (at least not directly). (I actually wish that had been left dangling longer, but I suppose Butcher wanted to give us some proper resolution and relatively lighter fare!)
All in all, a pretty solid return to form for the series. Twelve Months is all about Dresden recovering from the events of Peace Talks and Battle Ground. He knows (and repeatedly mentions — these are arc words) that he just needs time — to grieve, to heal, to figure things out. His stack of urgent to-do items does nothing grow as his myriad obligations pull his attention multiple directions, and of course the stakes are high… perhaps not as high as a titan attacking a mortal city, thankfully, but high enough.
It’s at least 6 months before the city really starts having any feeling of normalcy after the attacks. Streets are blocked, food supplies are irregular, and everyone is fearful and on edge, especially about magic-using weirdos who live in castles (and the magic-users in turn are increasingly on edge about harassment from the normals). And then (not a spoiler, it’s in the summary), ghouls are feasting like mad, which doesn’t help.
Fortunately, Harry’s not alone. He hasn’t been the lone wizard for a long, long time now, but the true motif of this book is the importance of social ties. He has his Knights of the Bean to help keep some peace and protect the home front; he has family he builds new connections with; he has friends around him, like Michael Carpenter, Billy, Molly; he even has Lara Raith who you can’t really call a love interest but is definitely a strong ally. There’s some *interesting* developments in that quarter that will definitely impact how they interact with each other moving forward, but We see a lot of supporting characters this book! Some are practically just cameos, but their time is meaningful. Harry even picks up some new strays.
Harry lets go, and lets go again. One of the subplot resolutions demands a very steep price, and for once, Harry isn’t the one to pay it (at least not directly). (I actually wish that had been left dangling longer, but I suppose Butcher wanted to give us some proper resolution and relatively lighter fare!)
Want to read
April 7, 2025I have only waited years for this....
December 18, 2025
It’s been a few years since we’ve been in the world of The Dresden Files, and wow I’m so relieved this book didn’t disappoint. You can feel how much Harry has grown. He’s older, more deliberate, making thoughtful choices…but he’s still Harry. The sarcasm, the stubbornness, that big messy heart, it’s all here.
This book sits in a quieter emotional space than the last few. Harry is grieving, and Butcher really lets us sit with that weight. We see the depression, the long recovery, the way loss can linger. It felt honest and painful in all the right ways. I appreciated the slower pacing because it gave room for character work: rebuilding relationships, laying groundwork for new alliances, and reconnecting with characters we haven’t seen in a long while. There are some great callbacks to earlier books that add to the sense of cumulative storytelling long time fans love.
We also meet a few new faces I immediately adored, and we get to spend time with plenty of old friends even in the middle of Chicago’s devastation. The rebuilding arc felt necessary for both Harry and the series.
Yes, it’s slower than a typical Dresden novel…but that final 10%!! Pure chaos in the best way. Action, emotional payoff, and threads tightening toward what comes next. This installment feels like a breath, a chance to heal before whatever storm Butcher has planned next.
Overall, a solid and moving addition to the Dresden universe and one I really enjoyed. I’m excited (and a little nervous) to see where Harry goes from here. Thanks to Ace books for the gifted ARC.
This book sits in a quieter emotional space than the last few. Harry is grieving, and Butcher really lets us sit with that weight. We see the depression, the long recovery, the way loss can linger. It felt honest and painful in all the right ways. I appreciated the slower pacing because it gave room for character work: rebuilding relationships, laying groundwork for new alliances, and reconnecting with characters we haven’t seen in a long while. There are some great callbacks to earlier books that add to the sense of cumulative storytelling long time fans love.
We also meet a few new faces I immediately adored, and we get to spend time with plenty of old friends even in the middle of Chicago’s devastation. The rebuilding arc felt necessary for both Harry and the series.
Yes, it’s slower than a typical Dresden novel…but that final 10%!! Pure chaos in the best way. Action, emotional payoff, and threads tightening toward what comes next. This installment feels like a breath, a chance to heal before whatever storm Butcher has planned next.
Overall, a solid and moving addition to the Dresden universe and one I really enjoyed. I’m excited (and a little nervous) to see where Harry goes from here. Thanks to Ace books for the gifted ARC.
October 1, 2025
An ARC of this book has been sent to a friend in my workplace to share around. I am lucky to have read it already and thankful for those sending ARCs that we got one!
This book was fantastic. Slow and steady pacing takes precedence over the last two installments which took place over a day or two collectively. Dresden has lost a lot in the last couple books, and this is about coming to terms with that. In a variety of different ways. And then there’s the engagement to Lara Raith to handle…
I really loved this book. I’ve recently reread the first few books in the series and it’s amazing to see how far Dresden has come as a character and how Jim has grown as a writer.
This book was fantastic. Slow and steady pacing takes precedence over the last two installments which took place over a day or two collectively. Dresden has lost a lot in the last couple books, and this is about coming to terms with that. In a variety of different ways. And then there’s the engagement to Lara Raith to handle…
I really loved this book. I’ve recently reread the first few books in the series and it’s amazing to see how far Dresden has come as a character and how Jim has grown as a writer.
Want to read
May 14, 2023Huge fan of the Dresden Flies books! With a clift hanger in the last book I can't wait to read Twelve Months!!
Want to read
May 3, 2024Why is there no release date put onto the description of this book?
Even if it is TBA, that should be put under the title of the book
it is aggravating to not be able to tell when these books will be released
Even if it is TBA, that should be put under the title of the book
it is aggravating to not be able to tell when these books will be released
November 12, 2025
It's been 5 years since Battle Grounds came out. Five years since I was last in the world of Dresden.
This book was worth the wait.
I was able to read an ARC of this book thanks to Netgalley.
I've actually had the ARC over a month now. I have been avoiding starting it, because Battle Grounds was so heavy, I knew this one was going to be intense. I wasn't wrong, it was intense and emotional at many times. But, Butcher has completed a work that was perfectly Harry Dresden, wounds and all.
Twelve months picks up a few weeks after the events of Battle Grounds. Harry is still recovering from the losses of the Battle of Chicago. This book was a beautiful look at grief, resilience, and hope, all wrapped up in the world we love of Dresden.
It's so hard to write about this one without spoilers, but I can tell you, if you are a Dresden Files fan. You will appreciate this one. It's definitely darker, as Harry deals with his grief, but watching this book take place over a full year was genius. Harry has grown so much since the series started and this book proves it. Harry is powerful, both as a wizard, and as a man.
Tiny spoiler: this is from a scene towards the end, and is perfectly Harry. It feels like a callback to the early books. He's Harry Dresden, Wizard, and he's in the book.
"I knew who I was.
I was a man.
I was a father.
I was a protector.
I was imperfect and flawed.
I was stubborn as hell.
I was a fighter.
I was a helper.
I was someone who worked every day to be a better man than I was the day before.
I was someone who would not stand by doing nothing when there was a clear need for action.
I was a wizard.
I was Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden."
This book was worth the wait.
I was able to read an ARC of this book thanks to Netgalley.
I've actually had the ARC over a month now. I have been avoiding starting it, because Battle Grounds was so heavy, I knew this one was going to be intense. I wasn't wrong, it was intense and emotional at many times. But, Butcher has completed a work that was perfectly Harry Dresden, wounds and all.
Twelve months picks up a few weeks after the events of Battle Grounds. Harry is still recovering from the losses of the Battle of Chicago. This book was a beautiful look at grief, resilience, and hope, all wrapped up in the world we love of Dresden.
It's so hard to write about this one without spoilers, but I can tell you, if you are a Dresden Files fan. You will appreciate this one. It's definitely darker, as Harry deals with his grief, but watching this book take place over a full year was genius. Harry has grown so much since the series started and this book proves it. Harry is powerful, both as a wizard, and as a man.
Tiny spoiler: this is from a scene towards the end, and is perfectly Harry. It feels like a callback to the early books. He's Harry Dresden, Wizard, and he's in the book.
"I knew who I was.
I was a man.
I was a father.
I was a protector.
I was imperfect and flawed.
I was stubborn as hell.
I was a fighter.
I was a helper.
I was someone who worked every day to be a better man than I was the day before.
I was someone who would not stand by doing nothing when there was a clear need for action.
I was a wizard.
I was Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden."
December 23, 2025
This was rough and so depressing for awhile but I’m glad I kept going and I will be excited to see what’s coming next. The last two pages made it all worth reading ❤️
November 11, 2025
Disclaimer: I won an ARC of Twelve Months through a Goodreads giveaway. Every opinion in this review is my own.
This is a great book. It’s not explosive or relentless like Proven Guilty, Changes, or Skin Game (my favorites), but great in a quieter and more introspective way.
The pace isn’t breakneck; in fact, the first real fight scene doesn’t appear until past the hundred-page mark. Most DF installments cover a single catastrophic weekend, but Twelve Months unfolds over an entire year, as the name implies. It begins just three weeks after the devastation in Chicago and follows Harry through a year of PTSD, grief, debilitating depression, and slow recovery.
Much of this story happens through conversation, and by nature it’s a little repetitive. Harry carries immense guilt from the events of Peace Talks and Battle Ground, and that repetition reflects his state of mind. He revisits his trauma again and again, needing reassurance and connection from those around him. It’s not action-heavy, but it’s emotionally raw with the occasional good joke thrown in.
In tone and structure, Twelve Months feels closer to Ghost Story. It’s a bridge book, slower and more focused on rebuilding and smaller conflicts. Some readers might find that frustrating, but I think it’s exactly what the series needed after the chaos of the last few installments.
And then there’s the courtship between Harry and Lara, which I loved. I can’t wait to see where that relationship goes from here.
Overall: Twelve Months may not deliver the wild spectacle fans may expect, but I really appreciated the quieter character moments and the chance to see the consequences of everything that came before.
This is a great book. It’s not explosive or relentless like Proven Guilty, Changes, or Skin Game (my favorites), but great in a quieter and more introspective way.
The pace isn’t breakneck; in fact, the first real fight scene doesn’t appear until past the hundred-page mark. Most DF installments cover a single catastrophic weekend, but Twelve Months unfolds over an entire year, as the name implies. It begins just three weeks after the devastation in Chicago and follows Harry through a year of PTSD, grief, debilitating depression, and slow recovery.
Much of this story happens through conversation, and by nature it’s a little repetitive. Harry carries immense guilt from the events of Peace Talks and Battle Ground, and that repetition reflects his state of mind. He revisits his trauma again and again, needing reassurance and connection from those around him. It’s not action-heavy, but it’s emotionally raw with the occasional good joke thrown in.
In tone and structure, Twelve Months feels closer to Ghost Story. It’s a bridge book, slower and more focused on rebuilding and smaller conflicts. Some readers might find that frustrating, but I think it’s exactly what the series needed after the chaos of the last few installments.
And then there’s the courtship between Harry and Lara, which I loved. I can’t wait to see where that relationship goes from here.
Overall: Twelve Months may not deliver the wild spectacle fans may expect, but I really appreciated the quieter character moments and the chance to see the consequences of everything that came before.
August 16, 2025
It had been quite a while since the last Dresden Files story - almost five years! - so I had to comb through the Dresden wiki to remember everything to this point. I've been reading these books for maybe fifteen years, and it's impressive to me that this might be the best one so far.
Butcher so tenderly shows us Harry trying to heal from the scars and trauma he endured in Battle Ground that you get the sense Butcher himself was working through some life challenges. The man's been to therapy. You don't typically come to the Dresden Files for deep emotional work and development, but here we are.
There's also a ton of the usual wizard shenanigans, fights against ghouls and vampires and worse, high stakes drama, maybe even a courtship. Fun new characters and a plethora of returning favorites. This is the good stuff and I was glad to be back in this world again.
Butcher so tenderly shows us Harry trying to heal from the scars and trauma he endured in Battle Ground that you get the sense Butcher himself was working through some life challenges. The man's been to therapy. You don't typically come to the Dresden Files for deep emotional work and development, but here we are.
There's also a ton of the usual wizard shenanigans, fights against ghouls and vampires and worse, high stakes drama, maybe even a courtship. Fun new characters and a plethora of returning favorites. This is the good stuff and I was glad to be back in this world again.
Want to read
June 13, 2023I have created my Goodreads account for the sole purpose of sharing my excitement and my hope that this series continues its epic journey. If I could buy my copy in advance right now, I would.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This may have become my favorite installment of The Dresden Files. While Harry is at his worst, Jim Butcher is at his best. The way he handles grief, depression, and self-loathing in this book is incredibly empathetic.
Without getting into spoilers, the core of the story is Harry dealing with the hangover from the Battle of Chicago. He’s lost the woman he loved, he’s lost friends, he’s lost his brother and now he’s ready to start clawing pieces of his life back.
It’s a uniquely different entry in the series. The action is sparse, the big bad isn’t immediately obvious, and that feels entirely intentional. In the end, the true enemy Harry is fighting isn’t a monster or a villain it’s his own depression.
Without getting into spoilers, the core of the story is Harry dealing with the hangover from the Battle of Chicago. He’s lost the woman he loved, he’s lost friends, he’s lost his brother and now he’s ready to start clawing pieces of his life back.
It’s a uniquely different entry in the series. The action is sparse, the big bad isn’t immediately obvious, and that feels entirely intentional. In the end, the true enemy Harry is fighting isn’t a monster or a villain it’s his own depression.
October 21, 2025
Review: I had high expectations for this installment and Mr. Butcher fulfilled those admirably. This is a deep emotional dive that may be a sounding board for the author's real-life struggles. I really do not know what happened but there is certainly grief and a deep sense of loss that comes through. Dresden is at the bottom in a deep well of depression and slowly pulls himself back up. This is interleaved with compounding issues via worldly demands.
Is this character development? Not really. This is recovery that may imply growth by wisdom gained. This story is a heart felt rendering that bridges the chasm of loss with friends, resolve and a little girl. The supporting characters were varied in approach and ran the breadth of humanities personality scale. This kept the characterization simple yet memorable where the punch was more direct.
I had a great time reading this.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
4.7/5
Is this character development? Not really. This is recovery that may imply growth by wisdom gained. This story is a heart felt rendering that bridges the chasm of loss with friends, resolve and a little girl. The supporting characters were varied in approach and ran the breadth of humanities personality scale. This kept the characterization simple yet memorable where the punch was more direct.
I had a great time reading this.
I received this ARC for an honest review.
4.7/5
Want to read
April 5, 20254/5/25 THERE'S A RELEASE DATE!!! January 20th, 2026!
October 2, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for my honest review.
What a wild ride to get to this point. We follow Harry throughout the year following the events in Peace Talks and Battle Ground, hence the title.
It has everything you've come to expect from a Dresden Files book:
1. Fast-paced battle sequences that make you go from oh no to hell yeah!
2. Morally gray characters
3. Corny one-liners
4. Harry's hero complex
5. Mouse! Plus other fun characters new and old.
In comparison to the rest of the series and especially the last two books, this is definitely more slow-paced since it involves Harry's mental and physical recovery and takes place over a longer period of time, but I think it is nice to be able to breathe after non-stop, world-ending action and enjoy some character growth. We get some loose ends tied up with a bow but are left with crumbs of what the next book will probably entail.
Harry spends a lot of time being introspective, reflecting on what he could and couldn't have done differently and I think Butcher does a much better job this go around compared to Ghost Story. I may have shed a tear or two because of all the feels. He may act tough but he's a big softie at the end of the day, especially when it comes to family. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can't wait to see what happens next.
What a wild ride to get to this point. We follow Harry throughout the year following the events in Peace Talks and Battle Ground, hence the title.
It has everything you've come to expect from a Dresden Files book:
1. Fast-paced battle sequences that make you go from oh no to hell yeah!
2. Morally gray characters
3. Corny one-liners
4. Harry's hero complex
5. Mouse! Plus other fun characters new and old.
In comparison to the rest of the series and especially the last two books, this is definitely more slow-paced since it involves Harry's mental and physical recovery and takes place over a longer period of time, but I think it is nice to be able to breathe after non-stop, world-ending action and enjoy some character growth. We get some loose ends tied up with a bow but are left with crumbs of what the next book will probably entail.
Harry spends a lot of time being introspective, reflecting on what he could and couldn't have done differently and I think Butcher does a much better job this go around compared to Ghost Story. I may have shed a tear or two because of all the feels. He may act tough but he's a big softie at the end of the day, especially when it comes to family. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can't wait to see what happens next.
September 9, 2025
Advance copy from Berkley, via NetGalley
When I finished Battle Ground, I was pretty mad at the direction the story was taking, and I didn't know how friendly I was going to feel toward the series going forward. But I had to see. And I'm glad I did. It's not as much whiz-bang action as a lot of the books. Harry is grieving and working hard to heal and take care of himself (while taking care of a million other people). So there's a lot of therapy language and self-care. There were still some good action scenes sprinkled into the slower first half or so, my favorites with Michael Carpenter's son Daniel.
In the midst of his healing journey, Harry's also navigating his arranged engagement, which was a little eye-rolly, but actually mostly O.K. Lara is a good ally, and I felt better about things than I expected to. I'm not shipping them or anything, though, and I still hope they get out of this.
There were some great new characters introduced, along with beloved ones who have been around for a while.
Butcher's dedication at the beginning thanks the people who helped him through "a very bad year." It made me wonder how much of his own experience he poured into Harry in this book, who was working through a lot. Hopefully, he's doing as well as Harry is by the end.
The last handful of chapters felt more like the Dresden Files I know and love, with some very satisfying magical ownage of the baddies. This is clearly not the end, and I hope the next book is right around the corner.
When I finished Battle Ground, I was pretty mad at the direction the story was taking, and I didn't know how friendly I was going to feel toward the series going forward. But I had to see. And I'm glad I did. It's not as much whiz-bang action as a lot of the books. Harry is grieving and working hard to heal and take care of himself (while taking care of a million other people). So there's a lot of therapy language and self-care. There were still some good action scenes sprinkled into the slower first half or so, my favorites with Michael Carpenter's son Daniel.
In the midst of his healing journey, Harry's also navigating his arranged engagement, which was a little eye-rolly, but actually mostly O.K. Lara is a good ally, and I felt better about things than I expected to. I'm not shipping them or anything, though, and I still hope they get out of this.
There were some great new characters introduced, along with beloved ones who have been around for a while.
Butcher's dedication at the beginning thanks the people who helped him through "a very bad year." It made me wonder how much of his own experience he poured into Harry in this book, who was working through a lot. Hopefully, he's doing as well as Harry is by the end.
The last handful of chapters felt more like the Dresden Files I know and love, with some very satisfying magical ownage of the baddies. This is clearly not the end, and I hope the next book is right around the corner.
September 27, 2025
Thank you to Ace and NetGalley for sending me a free eARC of this book. All opinions remain my own.
After five long years since the last installment of the Dresden Files, Twelve Months is finally here! Twelve Months explores the aftermath of the Battle of Chicago which took place in the previous two books Peace Talks and Battle Ground. This book explores Harry Dresden's grief over losing his lover Karrin Murphy in the battle. As well as coming to terms with Harry's arranged marriage with Lara Raith, de facto queen of the White Court of vampires. Not surprisingly Harry is not too pleased with the arrangement given that he was granted one year of mourning before the ceremony is to take place. Given that this is a Dresden Files book, expect lots of snark, action, and even some surprises. (And yes, Twelve Months takes place over a literal year.)
Highly recommended for long term Dresden Files fans. I think Harry's grief over Murphy's death was done justice, especially within the constraints of his betrothal to Lara. The slow repairs to the city of Chicago also nicely echo Harry's emotional state. Without too many spoilers, also expect to see the return of some characters we haven't seen in a while (which were integrated into the story nicely).
Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up
After five long years since the last installment of the Dresden Files, Twelve Months is finally here! Twelve Months explores the aftermath of the Battle of Chicago which took place in the previous two books Peace Talks and Battle Ground. This book explores Harry Dresden's grief over losing his lover Karrin Murphy in the battle. As well as coming to terms with Harry's arranged marriage with Lara Raith, de facto queen of the White Court of vampires. Not surprisingly Harry is not too pleased with the arrangement given that he was granted one year of mourning before the ceremony is to take place. Given that this is a Dresden Files book, expect lots of snark, action, and even some surprises. (And yes, Twelve Months takes place over a literal year.)
Highly recommended for long term Dresden Files fans. I think Harry's grief over Murphy's death was done justice, especially within the constraints of his betrothal to Lara. The slow repairs to the city of Chicago also nicely echo Harry's emotional state. Without too many spoilers, also expect to see the return of some characters we haven't seen in a while (which were integrated into the story nicely).
Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up
September 5, 2025
It's a bit of a no brainier that I'm going to eat up a Dresden Files book. I fell in love with Harry too many years ago to skip a chapter in the life of one of my favorite wizards. I don't think this was one of the strongest books but it sure had a lot of heart. It's about time Harry had a bit of a respite to get some healing done. He is still a human being under all that frost, right? That was some heavy grief to deal with. I will refrain from sharing my salty thoughts about but... it is what it is. .... And I'll still be reading whatever I can from the world of Dresden.
September 29, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.
The Dresden novels are always fast, fun reads, and this was no different in that respect. It was different from others in the series as it deals with the loss of a loved one and the healing process afterwards.
Expect the usual magic, vampires, and fae, but with character growth being a main focus.
I’m excited to see where Jim Butcher takes the series and Harry Dresden after this novel.
The Dresden novels are always fast, fun reads, and this was no different in that respect. It was different from others in the series as it deals with the loss of a loved one and the healing process afterwards.
Expect the usual magic, vampires, and fae, but with character growth being a main focus.
I’m excited to see where Jim Butcher takes the series and Harry Dresden after this novel.
Read
October 26, 2025The average pace of release for this series has gone from 12 to 15 months to about 5 and a half years between releases. We are on book 18 of 25. That means if the averages stay the same—and at this point there's no reason to believe they won't—it could easily be another 35-40 years before the series is done. Butcher needs to start collaborating, or he's going to be dead before the series is finished, and no series is worth waiting that long to me.
December 9, 2025
Thanks to Goodreads for the chance to get an early copy of this book.
This was another great entry in the Dresden Files series. I really enjoyed the more drawn out time line of this book. It really gives you a chance to see Harry grapple with his grief over time. Overall I really felt like this helped move the overall story along. There were a few things I didn't see coming. I think anyone that has read to this point in the series will enjoy this book
This was another great entry in the Dresden Files series. I really enjoyed the more drawn out time line of this book. It really gives you a chance to see Harry grapple with his grief over time. Overall I really felt like this helped move the overall story along. There were a few things I didn't see coming. I think anyone that has read to this point in the series will enjoy this book
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