Small Favor

Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of Urban Fantasy

My Thoughts: The Dresden Files books that deal with the Sidhe always amuse me. I can’t say why I find them particularly amusing, other than Butcher does a fabulous job of following the traditional faery lore, but I tend to enjoy these the most.

I loved Sanya’s reaction to Murphy. “I like her... she is tiny, but fierce.” Tiny but fierce women seem to appeal to Russians, as least based upon my limited experience of my tiny but fierce Russian mother-in-law, who is also on her third husband, and whom I quite adore. Sanya’s descriptions of what it’s like to be a black man in Russia are right on; my husband says there are hardly any. (And no one call me on the PC bandwagon; you can’t call a black Russian an African-American. Maybe an African-Russian? *shrug* But not all black people are of African descent, you know—he might be Moorish for all I know—and I can’t make any sort of stab at Sanya’s genealogy, so I just have to go with that.)

I also enjoyed the gruffs. Those are some cool faeries, I tell ya, especially Elder Brother and Eldest Brother Gruff. We also learn more about the Denarians, Archangels, the Knights of the Cross... Butcher’s world is very complex, and it’s coming together nicely now. Folks who haven’t read the full series might miss some of these details, but I’m enjoying watching it all ratchet together like a jigsaw puzzle. Great stuff.

Disclosure: I purchased this book in hardcover for myself, and backup e-book copy. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis: Harry Dresden's life finally seems to be calming down-until a shadow from the past returns. Mab, monarch of the Sidhe Winter Court, calls in an old favor from Harry—one small favor that will trap him between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and that will strain his skills—and loyalties—to their very limits. ( )

Urban fantasy,Detective series

OH shizzle! This book was intense. Excellent though, and I loved the humor.

I actually really enjoy the faith aspects of these books too, which isn't something that you'll see me say very often. I just really appreciate how Butcher manages issues of Good and Evil and God, god(s) and religion, or not so much religion but faith.

I love Harry and I love these books. That's all that really needs to be said. ( )

Very satisfying. I've been getting worried because this is the 10th book in the series and quality often starts to suffer by this point, but they do just keep getting better. ( )

Another fast paced and fun story from Butcher, showcasing our favorite wizard-detective enduring more dangerous shenanigans.

I thought this one was fun. It brought back a lot of characters that have been seen before. I like the stuff with the Denarians and the Knights of the Cross. The end was a bit off (and bittersweet), but it wasn't due to bad writing, just a weird plot development I'm not entirely OK with. ( )