This is the most fun I’ve had while reading a book all year. I’ve loved and been affected by other books more deeply, but in terms of how gleeful a book has made me feel, this one wins hands down. Within the first three pages I was already giggling like a maniac.
I’m currently twelve (almost thirteen, if I finish Brutal Youth tonight as I anticipate doing) reviews behind for this year, and it is eating my soul. And it’s this book’s fault, because I had so much fun reading it I’ve just been paralyzed in regards to what to say about it. It’s often that way with books I really enjoy, because the more I enjoy something emotionally, the less I am able to talk about it intelligently (even if the intelligent part of me admires it also, which I will admit, is not always the case, but the heart loves what it loves).
But twelve (almost thirteen) reviews is too many reviews, so I’m just sucking up and going and who knows what’s going to come out.
Skin Game is book fifteen in the Dresden Files, and I think it’s fair to say that Butcher is on fire at this point in his career. If you go look at my old reviews for the rest of the series, you can see that I pretty much wrote this series off after the first three books, but curiosity (and James Marsters) brought me back. I’m so so so glad it/he did, because this is honestly one of my favorite series right now. I know other people didn’t care for the serialized nature of the last three books, or the lack of private eye stuff, etc. but I’ve loved every minute of it. What’s most impressive about this book, I think, is that it not only manages to satisfy the fans who did love books twelve-fourteen (people who like when authors break from traditional structures and turn their stories on their heads), and people who just wanted some good old fashioned wisecracking wizard PI fun. The ramifications of all the change-ups in the series are still being felt here (including some frankly jaw-dropping sequences that have been building without us noticing since books and books ago*), which is my favorite part, but there’s also a really really fun ‘case of the week’ involving a heist in hell. The Denarians have usually been my least favorite villains, but in this one, they are super great.
*HERE BE SPOILERS: Harry’s brain love child with Lasciel/Lash is the best fucking thing I’ve ever heard of and I love it and holy shit I love it. Also, the thing with Butters and Murphy and the Jedi sword equals WHAT.
There were also some really nice emotional character beats to be found here, involving Harry’s relationship with Murphy, and with his daughter (this made me well up considerably, and I’m sure if I was a parent, I would have been bawling).
Also, did I mention it’s fucking hilarious? Like, from page one when Harry’s boredom at being cooped up on Demonreach has resulted in him learning Parkour and showing his skills off at every possible moment. The longer Butcher writes about these characters, the better he gets at it. Of course, Harry’s still just a teensy bit gross in that he just can’t help describing every bit of every beautiful woman he sees, but honestly at this point, I’ve accepted him for who he is, and the rest of Butcher’s world and characters makes it clear that it’s strictly a ‘Harry issue’ rather than a ‘Butcher issue’. Like I said, love.
If you guys have made it this far in my review and you’ve never read this series, or if you gave up on it early like I did, I urge you to reconsider and be patient. It’s toooootally worth it. You are missing out. And you should feel bad about it.
Dammit, I love this series.
Oh God YES about the reason behind Harry’s headaches! And yeah, the bits with the sword and Murphy and Butters – I don’t even have words. I think I actually swore out loud at that part. My husband was extremely entertained by my reactions, but I can’t really explain to him in detail what’s going on, as he’s promised to actually read the books now, and I don’t want him to have ANYTHING spoiled.
Some of the previous books were pretty monumental in terms of changes and upheaval and angst, but you’re right, this book was so much FUN! I’m a sucker for a good heist story, and I love twists and double dealing and this book had so much of it.
I also agree with you about Harry’s tendency to perv over women, but bless him, he really can’t help himself. At least he’s now less likely to be completely hood-winked and end up nearly dead because he constantly underestimates women. Really, his experiences with just Murphy, Molly, Mab, Lara Raith, Charity and Lea should have taught him that women are not fragile little flowers that need a big strong man to protect them – not to mention make him realise that they can be just as formidable, if not more fearsome as enemies that many of the men he’s faced off against.
There is just no way Butcher is going to get to the end of the series without horribly bad things happening to at least some of the characters that I love, and I honestly don’t know what I’ll do then. Harry, Murphy, Butters, Molly, Thomas – if any of them die, I may never forgive him.
His brain was PREGNANT.
!!!!
I’m weirdly okay with the possible future deaths of characters. I pretty much trust Butcher at this point and feel like if someone dies, they are dying for a reason, and honestly with the stakes being raised all the time, it would be unrealistic if a major character DIDN’T die at some point. I don’t think Susan, that werewolf girl whose name I can’t remember, or Morgan really count as major characters.
Susan wasn’t a major character, but she was an important part of Harry’s life (even if I never liked her) and the way in which she died had a massive impact on Harry personally and on the series as a whole. Morgan and the assorted werewolves who have died – no, I agree, they don’t count.
I’m not saying he can’t kill any characters. I’m just saying that I’m not sure I can rationally deal with him killing Harry (again), Murphy, Thomas, Molly or Butters. Anyone else is pretty much fair game, although I’d be very sad if Ivy bought it. I’m extremely curious as to how he’s going to get out of being the Winter Knight because I don’t see him surviving being Mab’s pawn long-term, and it’s clear that none of the influences the Winter Mantle is having on him are positive ones. I’m also still wondering about how Molly as the Winter Lady is going to work out. Is he planning on her replacing Mab before the series is done?
I reiterate what I said in my review about the hospital scene at the end. It makes me squee. Murphy is awesome and Harry had better not mess this up, just as Murphy had better not break Harry’s heart, because he’s a big ol’ softie when it comes down to it. Far too romantic and sensitive for his own good.
Oh, I know, I totally get where you’re coming from re: the death thing. For some reason I just don’t care (at least right now). Normally I’m all over being protective of characters I love (I will never forgive Joss Whedon for killing Wash). Maybe it’s because I love all of them equally and there are so many to love? I don’t know.
As for Murphy and Harry, I really like them together, but I think I’m rooting for Harry/Molly long term. It just seems like a better idea for two wizards who will live hundreds of years to be together rather than Murphy, who is going to die much sooner than Harry, leaving him alone anyway. I guess I’d be fine either way, though. I’m just along for the ride, whatever it is.
I have all those same questions also, re: Harry and Winter and such. I try not to think about it too hard because it would probably stress me out and also I would develop expectations, and I’ve had pretty much none of those while reading this series, and it’s been great.