Jim Butcher has another hit on his hands with his latest in the Dresden Files series, Turn Coat. Once again, Harry Dresden, the last wizard in Chicago is pitting his wits against the dark forces marshaled against him and the White Council. This is book 11 in the series, so if you like a good series, this is one to really consider.

The White Council of Wizards [is] the governing body for the practice of magic in the world, and made up of its most powerful practitioners...God help the poor practitioner who broke one of the Laws. p 8

I admire the way Butcher has constructed an entire universe around more or less believable lines. We have Harry, the wizard detective, with his loyal cohorts: the fairies (with courageous Toot toot again); the pack of werewolves; even a sort of alignment with Lara, the scary vampire queen of the White Court, the 'better' vamps. We can be pretty sure Harry survives in each book, even if it is by the skin of his teeth, but that is at least one thing we do not need to worry about.

And since I'm not expecting the Never Never land to open up, I'm not worried about the rest of the dark forces showing up some day or night either. So it is pure (that's an oxymoron) escapism, with lots of clever dialogue and clever thoughts in the narration voice of Harry, who has been compared to Phillip Marlowe, and twists and turns, and always a hanging end at the end because, after all, the fight with evil never ends...and there is a next book.

I understand there was a TV series, which I never saw as I didn't learn about it until after I started reading the series. I wish they had made a movie out of each book instead, as they are doing with Twilight and with Harry Potter. Perhaps they will do this in the future. I'd be first in line to buy tickets.

Harry is thrown into the deep end when Morgan, the Warden who has been sure Harry should be curtailed (dead) shows up on his threshold covered with blood, asking Harry to hide him from the Council. He has been charged with murder, having been caught with the bloody knife in his hand. Of course, in getting away he has killed several other Wardens, and the Council of Wardens are understandably after him. Harry knows a bit about being unjustly targeted, so he takes him in, against the better judgment of anyone who knows him.

There is a mole in the Council. Can he or she be found?

And then there's his brother (half-brother) Thomas, the vamp who runs a salon instead of running the night, who is taken by an especially powerful and evil shapeshifter. Not everyone knows that Thomas is Harry's brother, so there is some consternation at how much Harry undertakes to get him back.

There is just such an interesting mix of characters. It doesn't take long to figure out who the cast is and how they fit, and even to care about them and to wonder what's next. I don't think it is necessary to read the books in order. Frankly, book 1 is probably my least fave and I read it about 3rd.

Butcher has an ability to write really interesting fight/war scenes with a lot of paranormal thrown in. This is Harry Potter grown up and to the nth.

Have you read any of these books?
This is a series I'd like to own (and reread) for the pithy dialogue and interesting insights into human nature. I can't say that about many books.

Have you ever listened to any of the series?
I would love to hear an audio book, assuming there are some. Yes! there is:

I wonder who the reader is. James Marsters -- hmmm, who is he. I'm going to have to check one out.

Get thee down to your nearest library and check the book out. (It's in modern dialogue, even if that last sentence is not.)

My take: I rate it a 4 out of 4.
Karin

Originally posted 2009-08-06 09:09:56.

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Changes is the latest in the Dresden files saga, book 12, and it does not disappoint. It is the thinking person's adult Harry Potter, though not at all connected to the Potter series. There was a TV series based on the books, but it was, as I understand it, more of a conglomeration, not each book in the series being filmed as an entity. I didn't learn of the series until it was over, and I didn't begin to read the books until then either.

Who is Harry?
Harry is the last wizard in Chicago. He lives in a time when magic is used to fight the bad elements of the spirit world, and magic has a serious set of rules, which if violated, lead to death in order to keep magic pure. Long ago Harry was falsely accused and almost was put to death. There are still some who don't trust him, who wonder if he had gone bad. And where he goes, mayhem is sure to follow for the bad vamps, etc. are out to get him. He always managed to come out on top. While he would like to live peaceably, he isn't afraid to take up arms and magic against any who are determined to exterminate good -- and he does it with panache, a bit of fear, a lot of clever and quick-acting ways and means...

The usual cast of characters
Bob, the skull; Karrin Murphy, the police detective in charge of paranormal activities, which many in the department do not think exists; Thomas, a vamp who is Harry's half-brother; Molly, Harry's young apprentice, the daughter of Michael who used to be the Archangel on earth; the Foo dog; half-vamps; good vamps; bad vamps; assorted other bad characters, all imaginary...of course Harry Dresden.

The story
Harry learns that his daughter Maggie, who he never knew existed, has been kidnapped by he Red Court. It's up to him to rescue her before she is ritually killed.

The action
Harry teams up with his usual helpers, including his ex-lover, Maggie's mom, who is a half-vamp. So long as she doesn't partake of human blood, she will not change over. Her helper is Martin, charged with keeping her safe. He and Harry don't get along.

My take
I really liked this book. It is one of the best. It has a pre-ending and an ending. I can't say I understood the ending. I have some questions. Is this the end of the series? I don't think so.

If I owned the books, instead of getting them from the library, I'd have a pencil in hand to underline all the pithy aphorisms and truisms. I could take a lot of quotes. I admire Butcher's ability to construct a universe and give out information as needed as the stories develop, different rules and procedures, all are logical in a totally made up universe where you can step into the Ways and move more quickly through time and space while meeting up with incredible difficulties and supernatural creatures, all bent on evil. It isn't particularly hard for me to read because I don't expect to meet up with any of these in a dark alley. I know they don't really exist. And I know Harry always comes out on top, or does he?

Have you read the books?
What do you think of the ending?

The book is also available for Kindle. There are also audio books for the series, but I didn't like the monotonous voice of the reader. I wish Jim Dale were reading the books!

Karin

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Originally posted 2010-06-28 20:01:22.

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These are CG's predictions. They've morphed over time. What are yours?

I'd like to think Snape is not evil. Grown son thought, at one point, Snape wants to take over from Voldemort.

I'd like to think that Sirius and Dumbledore show up for the final show down.

JKR better not kill off any of the good friends. I will feel personally cheated. I would apply for a money back guarantee. CG doesn't see how she could do that and still have a theme park open. Who would go?

Have you got a book on order? Will you go in costume? Are you the designated stander-in-line?

Karin

Snape is a DE through and through!
Harry is not a Horcrux.
Gryffindor objects: The sorting hat and sword are also not Horcruxes. They've been under AD's nose and he would have noticed.
It is not Rowena Ravenclaw's wand. It's got nothing to do with Ollivander.
Nagini is also not a Horcrux.
RAB = Regulus A. Black
Voldemort will die.
Harry won't die.
Lupin is going to live when JKR had planned originally to kill him off.
A Weasley will die. Possibly two. After all that's 9 mainish characters. I doubt it'll be the twins or Ron, though I'm not saying they won't. [Don't you love how CG covers all bases?]
Helga Hufflpuff's cup is located at Godric's Hollow.
A Horcrux is located at Hogwarts.
Slytherin's locket is on Kreacher or located at one of the Black properties.
The final battle will be fought in a previously known location mentioned in the books.
Harry's scar and parsel tongue abilities will remain after LV's destruction.
I'm betting on something foul happening with Percy. Like he's a DE or death or something.
Rufus Scrimgeour will lose face.
Fudge will make an appearance.
Dobby will totally kick Kreacher's ass again.
Dobby will say something brilliant.
Harry and Ginny don't dance at Bill and Fleur's wedding.
Snape is evil.
Draco will pull a Snape on the trio and Harry will do a Dumbledore thing and trust him.
Bellatrix will be killed by Hermione or Neville.
Neville will not be at the final confrontation with LV and Harry.
I hope Luna will help with Horcruxes. Neville too. I, however, can't see her writing that.
Somebody will get possessed. Possibly Harry.
Lily and James are still dead.
Voldemort is not Harry's dad, uncle, brother, cousin, or relation.
Voldemort will not die from a Killing Curse.
Harry might get hit with another AK and survive.
#12 will be their base of operations. Possibly the Chamber of Secrets.
What are those Secrets? The basilisk is only one... mmm Horcrux?
SPEW will be demolished.
The last word is not scar.

Originally posted 2007-07-18 14:23:59.

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The HP book was very satisfying, even though I've read only the ending, a little of the beginning, and a little more of the ending.

I won't give it away.

Unfortunately I stayed up to 3:30 am and I am paying for it this morning. Groan. But it was worth it. Yes, I could have waited until today, but why? The middle of the night is quiet, with no one making demands on me, so I had uninterrupted moments to read.

9 yo was weaving, she was so tired, but she wanted to read some with the big kids, and she did. 11 yo went straight to bed at midnight; she was exhausted. One of the 20-somethings went to bed at 4:30, but she didn't begin to read until about 3:30. Everyone is just now beginning to stir somewhat.

Very satisfying!

If you've read it, we can email vs. writing at my blog. Here, just let me know if you find it satisfying too. JKR is vindicated as a storyteller. It was not disappointing and had just enough twists.

ps 9:13 pm one of the 20-somethings has finished the book. He also felt as I did. I heard him saying to the others as they left for dinner, that he almost cried when it was over. Why, they said, was it sad? I didn't hear his answer, but I'd say because it is poignant, a relief that it is satisfying, etc. Both of us liked the epilogue less than the book, but hey! that's all I'm gonna say.

Karin

Originally posted 2007-07-21 08:56:23.

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For those of us who would like to discuss the book without spoiling it for those who haven't read it, use the comment section to this post. It can only be read by clicking on the comments, so if you haven't read the book, come back to this section later!

What parts of the book did you find interesting? believable? scary? did you like what happens to the characters, the one(s) who die/don't die? how about the epilogue?

Karin

Originally posted 2007-07-25 17:25:17.

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Are you going to New Moon when it premieres?
Are you going to sparkle?

The story behind the story
A few weeks ago on Aromaleigh's forum, for theme week, it was my turn to suggest the week's theme. I was telling Book Girl, and she suggested having a Vampire Week, based on the movie Twilight, and the book series.

So that's what I suggested. I suggested doing a vampire look based on Twilight, using any colors, so long as their skin sparkled in sunlight, which is easy to do with Aromaleigh.

Many entered into the spirit of it, even if they hadn't heard of the book(s) or movie. That particular theme week had 1582 views and 74 responses, to date. Even Kristin, the founder of Aromaleigh, contributed a look.

And then Kristin developed three powders based on Twilight.

The Twilight DVD came out at midnight Friday night, and we were there -- in two cities! Book Girl was out of town.

Twilight Sparkle supernatural powder
This is the first one I've tried in this set of three. The glitter is very fine and shows up on my hand. On my face, it is a very sheer, sheeny look, not a glimmer look. My own mix is more sparkly, though there is more sparkle in the AL. I applied it with a FO brush.

Twilight Sparkle contains distinct shimmering iridescent glimmers. In the sunlight or under bright light, it shimmers like radiant tiny diamonds. Apply over skin that you have applied lotion to (preferably with a high SPF, of course!), the effect is even more pronounced, and the product will stay longer on your skin. Twilight Sparkle may slightly lighten your skin, but it is formulated to be suitable for many skintones, in a transparent base.

FOTD
I chose to wear it in my FOTD today in honor of the DVD debut.

Tomorrow I will show a second powder which you can find here.

Karin

Originally published March 22, 2009

Originally posted 2009-11-17 15:42:41.

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If you're like me, you've been waiting for the latest episode of the Dresden Files, and this does not disappoint. Butcher has knocked it out of the park again, along with assorted baddies of every ilk.

The story
At the end of the last book, Dresden was shot and dying by drowning.

In this book Dresden is a shade in the spirit world. He is given the task of going back, still a shade, to find out who killed him. And you can be sure there are a few surprises.

And to make it even more interesting, he has no magic powers and no staff. Unless he can figure out how to access magic, he is pretty well toast.

Butcher's imagination is in high gear, with situations and critters running amok.

The characters

All your favorite characters are here -- Murphy, Morty, Bob, Molly, Thomas, Kincaid... and each has an important part. And no one is quite sure that Harry is really Harry, and perhaps he isn't -- he is a shade of himself, which is not quite the same, evidently, as being a ghost. Additionally there are characters that aren't so well liked, such as Mab.

And there is a walking, talking statue, thousands of other shades who join the battles ... and... Butcher's imagination, as I said, is in high gear.

Along the way there are interesting metaphysical concepts and a whole gamut of other ideas.

Have you read it? or any of his books in this series or in his other series?
Now where is the next book! I got this from the library.

I give this 4 stars out of 4.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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Twilight is the second book in Stephanie Meyer's saga about Edward, Bella and Jacob. One thing I like about finding this series when the last book is about to be published, is that I get to read the story quicker. And anyone who knows me, knows I like to read the ending first -- though I wouldn't read the last book first to read the ending -- I just read the ending of each book first. I'm so bad! Still, I like that I don't have to wait very long to read book 4, which is coming out soon.

Meyer states in a video interview on Amazon that book 4 will close the story, but she doesn't eliminate the idea that she might write more of this type. Her next book after this is sci fi.

If Twilight is about finding true love, and New Moon is about losing true love, then Eclipse is about choosing true love. Stephanie Meyer

In this book Bella's father encourages her to date Jacob, since Edward has taken off for parts unknown, and Bella is a wreck because of it. Jacob has his own problems, known to Bella, but unknown to her father. Edward, who still loves Bella, has the idea that he must protect her from himself and from the life she would lead (or not lead) as a vampire.

Along the way the reports of her death are greatly exaggerated; we learn more of Alice's power and its limitation; Edward decides to offer himself up as a vampire sacrifice to the vamps in Italy (who are not animal vamps) since he can't imagine living without Bella; Bella has to go to his rescue; we learn more of the back stories of the other vamps; and...and...and...

We know it will turn out good, since there is still book 3 (and book 4).

I found the book a little contrived. The story was interesting. Let's just get on with it! I give it a 2.5.

What do you give it? On to book 3...

Karin

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Originally posted 2008-06-02 12:44:58.

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Syren is the 5th book is the Septimus Heap series. The author has created an interesting set of characters with an interesting world (and various time frames.)

My only complaint
My only complaint is also what I like about the books: they are complex. You can't really read the ending too early, because it won't make a lot of sense until you get there. And you can't do a whole lot of skimming as you will miss something that will matter down the road.

The story line doesn't really flow from A to B, because sometimes the time frames don't either.

And new characters with new milieus show up to confuse the issue.

You almost need a chart to keep the peripheral characters in line -- and sometimes they become more major.

The characters
This book has the usual well-loved characters: Marcia, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard; Sep (of course!); Jenna, the princess; Beetle, their friend; the dragon; Snorri; Nicko; a lighthouse keeper who is part cat; a few ghosts; an army of non-thinking jini; various baddies of different degrees, living, dead, and magyical.

The storyline
The storyline is freely adapted from the idea of the Siren who lures sailors to their deaths.

The confusion begins when Sep refuses to take a living SafeCharm from a young boy who was given it by Sep's aunt, the Keeper. Of course, Sep doesn't know it was really from someone he would trust, because the last time he took something, it turned out to be a Queste marker. So Sep is off and flying minus what might have helped him.

And the safe charm has been programmed to belong only to Sep. Remember the young man who thought he was Sep but is not? He, of course, claims to be Sep when he releases the charm. And let the confusion begin anew!

Have you read this? or any of the series?
I got my copy from the library. I give it 3*** out of 5***** as I just had a hard time getting into it, but I like Septimus, for sure. It wasn't my favorite of all the books, but I couldn't really tell you why. I'm looking forward to the next book.

It is available for Kindle:

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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First, I really enjoyed The Ghost and the Goth. [I got it from the library.] It was very clever and very funny, with a lot of heart, even if the subject matter could have been macabre. I give it 4**** out of 5*****. In some ways this reminds me of Ghost with Whoopi Goldberg, because there are definitely comedic aspects to it.

For sheer volume of subjects discussed in an engaging, non-didactic manner, it is a winner.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg (the list reads like a soap opera):
Death of a high school student
Another student in a coma
Vindictive high school principal
Friendship of high school students
High school guy who is a player
High school cliques
Alcoholism in an adult
Divorce
Possible mental illness
Malpractice by a mental health provider
Fundamentalist minister father (not much written about him)
Lesbianism
Suicide of a father
Ability to hear the dead and in some cases see them
Life after death from a secular, not religious, angle
Ouija board that definitely backfires

The story
Alona Dare, girl extraordinaire, is definitely not having her best day. She leaves school and as she is on the phone, gets hit by a school bus full of band geeks. And just that quick, she is dead. But not gone.

Enter Will Killian, another student at the school, who has the gift of sight, as had his father, and possibly his grandmother. He has to keep it under control or every ghost within his radius tries to contact him in a cacophony of sound to do something for them. He has an IEP [Individualized Educational Program] [A written statement for each individual with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with Title 42 USC Section 1414(d).] [The principal should not have been allowed to do what he did. Not everyone knows to fight for this.] which allows him to have an iPod to drown out the voices. But the principal takes it away from him and delights in putting him in detention. But that's not the least of it. If Will can't keep some semblance of control over the voices he hears, his unscrupulous shrink wants him in a locked down residential facility for schizophrenics because no one can hear ghosts, can they. Will is not a Goth, but he is seen that way.

Alona has a lot of questions (in common with most of the ghosts): why is she still hanging around? what must she do to go forward? how does she find the light? why does she keep disappearing? Will is the one to help her find the answers -- and she helps him keep the other ghosts at bay.

She says he is hers -- and when she claims him, she becomes his spirit guide. (I thought this was one thing that was really clever.) All the ghosts have to go through her to get to him, as far as asking him to do something for them in order to move them forward and complete the work they thought they left unfinished.

Will has figured some of it out: the more negative a ghost is, the more the ghost disappears. If a ghost totally disappears, they don't reappear, but who knows where they went. To stay intact as a ghost, the ghost must speak something positive that he or she really means.

And then there is Joonie who helps Will as much as she can. And both are concerned about their friend Lily who is in a coma. That story heats up too and is intertwined in the rest of the story.

So how can the book be so much fun?
Good question, but it is. It is written in alternating chapters of Will and Alona. There is definitely humor, a lot of it. I genuinely liked the characters.

There are some very funny scenes where Will confronts the principal with info from the principal's deceased grandfather who Will can hear. And of course, once the grandfather knows he is heard, that opens the door to other ghosts wanting to be heard.

There are funny and touching scenes where Will is talking to a ghost that no one else can see and has to make the convo have some sort of sense to those who are overhearing it.

And there are a lot of truisms thrown in

See, here's the bullshit about high school, and believe me, I've had plenty of time to think about this. Teachers, parents, guidance counselors...all of them are always pushing this crap about how it's okay to be different, just be yourself. Don't give in to peer pressure, blah, blah, blah. The truth is, it's really only okay to be yourself if that self is within an accepted range of 'normal.' p 23 (Will, thinking while confronted by the principal)

What I liked
The strong friendship that develops between Will and Alona; the idea of forgiveness; the humor; the suspense that you know will turn out OK; that one continues to live after death; the clever asides in the internal voices; the good spirited nature of most of it; the high school milieu, including certain lunch room seating that indicates what tier of popularity you are in; the growth in the characters, even those on the other side, as they learn; finding a way out of the impasse both in the spirit world and the earthly world; a lot of the ideas which make sense and are clever; that the mothers (finally) come through for their children, even if after death, when they seemed weak.

What I didn't like
I didn't see that there had to be a lesbian in the story for it to work. And then I didn't like some of the negative aspects surrounding how the girl (and the lesbianism) was handled, including how her family treats her (which might not be too far off from truth, for some.) I don't want to give away any of the story. This is a young adult book and there is no sex in it. But there are a couple of hetero kisses and one kiss that is mentioned.

It is available for Kindle:

There is a second book, which I will read.

Have you read this book or its sequel?
I give the author a lot of credit for being able to discuss the subjects with some semblance of objectivity with an interesting story that didn't seem to have an agenda. I disliked the books my kids had to read in early years that dealt with tough subjects, which at their age were better discussed by a parent, if the parent would, IMO, that were so didactic, the story got lost. And if a young child were dealing with that issue IRL, I didn't think they would want to read about it. They would want to read something to help them escape from it.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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