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"Book six of the Dresden Files continues the epic saga. This imaginative series continues to surprise and delight with its inventiveness and sympathetic hero." –Booklist.
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"The building was on fire, and it wasn't my fault."
Now that's an opening line.
Number six of the Dresden Files and I'm still as excited to read it as the first. Some major revelations here. No spoilers, just, wow.
This tale was a tad lighter one than previous stories. It seems Harry has gotten himself contracted by a porn film maker. Completely by accident, but Murphy's not convinced. Harry's due for a bit of a breather, though. So the lighter mood is welcome, though as the story progresses, things do become more serious and potentially deadly for Harry.
We learn more about Murphy in this story, which I enjoy. I like seeing how her friendship with Harry develops. I'm glad to see Thomas taking a greater role in this book, too. He's great show more fun as a character.
Not as all-encompassing doomsday scenario as previous stories, but plenty of danger, trouble, and enemies around Harry. We learn some good stuff. And the larger story continues to unfold. And Harry is as lovable as ever.
On my second read:
I mentioned Murphy and Thomas, but failed to mention Mouse! What a great character he turns out to be. He looked after Harry right from the beginning. And I also failed to say anything about Kincaid. SPOILERS AHEAD! He said he was as human as Harry, and yet, he's not. Don't know if it counts as just being ambiguous, since Harry's not your average human, or outright lying, since Kincaid is actually just half human and half ...Hellhound or something. At least I know Harry doesn't trust him. (view spoiler) I also don't think it was a great idea for Harry to reveal the connection between him and Thomas to Lara. But as he sees it, he has something over her too, so he seems to feel on equal footing there.
I was left with a lot of questions too. I was surprised by the level of fear Lara showed for the Black court vamp when it attacked her and wondered: what would happen if a Black court vamp bit a White court vamp? Does Black + White = Black? Or something else?
I wonder what kind of magic it takes to plant such a message in a soul gaze as Margaret Le Fey did. I would think it was no trivial thing. Which means the woman was powerful. And what sort of business could she have had with House Raith? Why did she turn from her allies and go on the run? Did she piss off Lord Raith? Some of the Fae? Ebenezar said she met Harry's father when she was on the run. But what if she went on the run because of Harry? Could she have known something about Harry's future? Everyone else seems to. And DuMorne was one of her allies - why? Is that how Harry ended up with DuMorne?
Ah, tons of questions, but the answers have to wait! On to Death Masks! show less
Now that's an opening line.
Number six of the Dresden Files and I'm still as excited to read it as the first. Some major revelations here. No spoilers, just, wow.
This tale was a tad lighter one than previous stories. It seems Harry has gotten himself contracted by a porn film maker. Completely by accident, but Murphy's not convinced. Harry's due for a bit of a breather, though. So the lighter mood is welcome, though as the story progresses, things do become more serious and potentially deadly for Harry.
We learn more about Murphy in this story, which I enjoy. I like seeing how her friendship with Harry develops. I'm glad to see Thomas taking a greater role in this book, too. He's great show more fun as a character.
Not as all-encompassing doomsday scenario as previous stories, but plenty of danger, trouble, and enemies around Harry. We learn some good stuff. And the larger story continues to unfold. And Harry is as lovable as ever.
On my second read:
I mentioned Murphy and Thomas, but failed to mention Mouse! What a great character he turns out to be. He looked after Harry right from the beginning. And I also failed to say anything about Kincaid. SPOILERS AHEAD! He said he was as human as Harry, and yet, he's not. Don't know if it counts as just being ambiguous, since Harry's not your average human, or outright lying, since Kincaid is actually just half human and half ...Hellhound or something. At least I know Harry doesn't trust him. (view spoiler) I also don't think it was a great idea for Harry to reveal the connection between him and Thomas to Lara. But as he sees it, he has something over her too, so he seems to feel on equal footing there.
I was left with a lot of questions too. I was surprised by the level of fear Lara showed for the Black court vamp when it attacked her and wondered: what would happen if a Black court vamp bit a White court vamp? Does Black + White = Black? Or something else?
I wonder what kind of magic it takes to plant such a message in a soul gaze as Margaret Le Fey did. I would think it was no trivial thing. Which means the woman was powerful. And what sort of business could she have had with House Raith? Why did she turn from her allies and go on the run? Did she piss off Lord Raith? Some of the Fae? Ebenezar said she met Harry's father when she was on the run. But what if she went on the run because of Harry? Could she have known something about Harry's future? Everyone else seems to. And DuMorne was one of her allies - why? Is that how Harry ended up with DuMorne?
Ah, tons of questions, but the answers have to wait! On to Death Masks! show less
I still like Death Masks better, but Blood Rites is still quite good. We're back to big magical rituals (a five book cycle?) but also a bit of goodly hint of vampiric mayhem (the Black and White Courts this time around).
Of course, since it's the White Court, the entire plot this time has to revolve around a ritual curse targetting an adult film director. All righty then.
As I'd mentioned before, the best part of Death Masks was the characters. This time around, it had to be have been just random scenes.
Awesome scenes:
A fight with monkey demons whose primary weapon is... flaming monkey poo. Dresden has a quite literal fight with a literal monkey on his back.
An entropy curse that kills via whatever bizarre means it can access. show more Including... death via frozen turkey.
A big basement showdown with Mavra (she's back!)... And that wasn't even the climax of the book.
A big fight in a cave system while a bad ass demon summoning is going on.
That's not to say that there weren't a few neat character moments. We learn a lot more about Thomas, Murphy, and Kincaid. Oh, and Dresden has a magic dog now.
One interesting thing that we really haven't seen that much of prior to this is lasting consequences, other than the war with the Red Court. Things are changing in the Dresdenverse. The big example: Dresden's hand. Smaller examples that I'm sure will mean more later: Dresden learns a lot more about his mother/family and about some of the more troublesome parts of the White Council (the Blackstaff). Slightly terrifying example:He Who Walks Behind .
My other favorite part of the Dresden Files in general and this book in particular:
"I put the ick in magic."
"I the hell am Harry."
"Proof is something you use with rational people. Right now you aren't."
Love it. show less
Of course, since it's the White Court, the entire plot this time has to revolve around a ritual curse targetting an adult film director. All righty then.
As I'd mentioned before, the best part of Death Masks was the characters. This time around, it had to be have been just random scenes.
Awesome scenes:
A fight with monkey demons whose primary weapon is... flaming monkey poo. Dresden has a quite literal fight with a literal monkey on his back.
An entropy curse that kills via whatever bizarre means it can access. show more Including... death via frozen turkey.
A big basement showdown with Mavra (she's back!)... And that wasn't even the climax of the book.
A big fight in a cave system while a bad ass demon summoning is going on.
That's not to say that there weren't a few neat character moments. We learn a lot more about Thomas, Murphy, and Kincaid. Oh, and Dresden has a magic dog now.
One interesting thing that we really haven't seen that much of prior to this is lasting consequences, other than the war with the Red Court. Things are changing in the Dresdenverse. The big example: Dresden's hand. Smaller examples that I'm sure will mean more later: Dresden learns a lot more about his mother/family and about some of the more troublesome parts of the White Council (the Blackstaff). Slightly terrifying example:
My other favorite part of the Dresden Files in general and this book in particular:
"I put the ick in magic."
"I the hell am Harry."
"Proof is something you use with rational people. Right now you aren't."
Love it. show less
I've never DNF'd a book this far into a series, but I had to. I'm also calling it quits on the series, which I've rarely done this far into a series either. Though I mostly enjoyed the previous books, I commented about the amount sexual content in each of my reviews. Jim Butcher's main use for female characters seems to be as sexual objects, and their body parts are described often and in far too much detail. This makes me uncomfortable both as a woman and as a Christian.
So you can imagine my discomfort and frustration with this book that has a main setting of a porn movie set. At the 26% mark, I realized that just wasn't worth it. I have enjoyed James Marsters's narration, which might be the only reason I continued as long in the show more series as I did, but that's it for me. show less
So you can imagine my discomfort and frustration with this book that has a main setting of a porn movie set. At the 26% mark, I realized that just wasn't worth it. I have enjoyed James Marsters's narration, which might be the only reason I continued as long in the show more series as I did, but that's it for me. show less
As a favor to his vampire friend Thomas, Harry takes a job to investigate some suspicious murders on an adult film set run by director Arturo Genosa. Two of Arturo's female employees have already died in excessively dramatic manners, so much so that it looks like there might be a curse involved. A highly complicated curse requiring more than one person to pull off. This is one mystery that becomes more twisted, and dangerous, the further Harry digs into it.
Blood Rites is the sixth in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. This just might be my favorite in the series so far. It his the right combo of mystery, action, humor and bad ass wizardry that reminds me how much I enjoy this series. There are some cheesy cliches mixed in but that's all part show more of Harry's charm. I love how we're pulled right into the action as Harry is wrapping up another assignment by fleeing for his life from some monkey demons. Needless to say that's definitely just the start of a wild thrill ride.
There are two main plot threads. are woven together much better this time around, which was my main complaint about book 5. Yes, we're still dealing with vampires though it's both the Black and White courts this time. It helps fill in the differences between the three courts nicely.
Finally we get some insight into Harry's past! And a lot more character building for Karrin Murphy. I've been waiting for both of these and found it very satisfying. There are two big revelations that turns Harry's personal life upside down (again) which lead to some emotional moments for our characters. I'm fairly sure it's a great set up for where the series will be heading next. I also have a feeling the addition of Mouse will end up fairly important to Harry's future.
“Thomas, why did you buy large breed puppy chow?” show less
Blood Rites is the sixth in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files. This just might be my favorite in the series so far. It his the right combo of mystery, action, humor and bad ass wizardry that reminds me how much I enjoy this series. There are some cheesy cliches mixed in but that's all part show more of Harry's charm. I love how we're pulled right into the action as Harry is wrapping up another assignment by fleeing for his life from some monkey demons. Needless to say that's definitely just the start of a wild thrill ride.
There are two main plot threads. are woven together much better this time around, which was my main complaint about book 5. Yes, we're still dealing with vampires though it's both the Black and White courts this time. It helps fill in the differences between the three courts nicely.
Finally we get some insight into Harry's past! And a lot more character building for Karrin Murphy. I've been waiting for both of these and found it very satisfying. There are two big revelations that turns Harry's personal life upside down (again) which lead to some emotional moments for our characters. I'm fairly sure it's a great set up for where the series will be heading next. I also have a feeling the addition of Mouse will end up fairly important to Harry's future.
“Thomas, why did you buy large breed puppy chow?” show less
This is another good detective novel and urban fantasy mix. It kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I love the descriptions -- I think this may be my favorite: An errand is getting a tank of gas or picking up a carton of milk or something. It is not getting chased by flying purple pyromaniac gorillas hurling incendiary poo.
This book is one where you need to have read the earlier books in the series. While Butcher catches the reader up on more picky plot lines, other aspects of Dresden's world the reader is expected to remember. I love the returning characters and found the new characters interesting, sometimes as one finds something nasty "interesting."
Butcher is truly a master of urban fantasy and this show more is well worth reading. Do start at the beginning of the series. show less
This book is one where you need to have read the earlier books in the series. While Butcher catches the reader up on more picky plot lines, other aspects of Dresden's world the reader is expected to remember. I love the returning characters and found the new characters interesting, sometimes as one finds something nasty "interesting."
Butcher is truly a master of urban fantasy and this show more is well worth reading. Do start at the beginning of the series. show less
Things are about to get darker, aren't they ... oh, Harry.
I will always love a series that gains layers as it goes yet doesn't forget that the characters are the point, not the plot. This book feels like one revelation after another, with the entropy curse mystery merely the vehicle for Harry's identity-altering discoveries (the other plot vehicle being the, um, erotic film industry ... yeah, thanks to the author for treading mostly tastefully there; not sure this element was necessary but, you know ... White Court vampires). The revelations about Thomas made the book for me. Butcher did a great job making us misunderstand Thomas along with Harry, just as Thomas would want us to, but now we get him. And now, along with Harry and show more Michael, he is one of my favorites and I can't wait to read more of him. Even if he is a lecherous vampire... yeah, problematic maybe but there it is. Because now he's more than that.
On to [b:Dead Beat|17683|Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1345667776s/17683.jpg|6614452] as soon as possible. show less
I will always love a series that gains layers as it goes yet doesn't forget that the characters are the point, not the plot. This book feels like one revelation after another, with the entropy curse mystery merely the vehicle for Harry's identity-altering discoveries (the other plot vehicle being the, um, erotic film industry ... yeah, thanks to the author for treading mostly tastefully there; not sure this element was necessary but, you know ... White Court vampires). The revelations about Thomas made the book for me. Butcher did a great job making us misunderstand Thomas along with Harry, just as Thomas would want us to, but now we get him. And now, along with Harry and show more Michael, he is one of my favorites and I can't wait to read more of him. Even if he is a lecherous vampire... yeah, problematic maybe but there it is. Because now he's more than that.
On to [b:Dead Beat|17683|Dead Beat (The Dresden Files, #7)|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1345667776s/17683.jpg|6614452] as soon as possible. show less
Harry Dresden is up to his usual tricks: working his wizardry for a few scraps and pennies, dodging malicious entities, and navigating his personal feuds with vampires and the wizarding establishment. This time he also delves into the world of porn, and the differences between the various types of vampires become more defined. There is plenty of sex and violence and magic here as usual, but also the story of Harry begins to fill in a bit. I can’t binge these novels—I get a bit worn out on the procedural details and tropes. The character development is intriguing though, and I’ll come back for the next one after a while.
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Author Information
166+ Works 160,427 Members
Jim Butcher was born in Independence, Missouri on October 26, 1971. He is the author of The Dresden Files series, the Codex Alera series, Side Jobs, Ghost Story, and the Cinder Spires series. He has also written a Spider-Man novel entitled The Darkest Hours and a novelette entitled Backup. He has contributed to numerous anthologies including My show more Big Fat Supernatural Wedding, Blood Lite, and Many Bloody Returns. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- Blood Rites
- Original publication date
- 2004-08-03
- People/Characters
- Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden; Karrin Murphy; Bob the skull; Justine; Jared Kincaid; Mavra (show all 31); Ebenezar McCoy; Mouse, Harry Dresden's dog; Lara Romany Raith; Thomas Raith; Inari Raith; Brother Wang; Stacy Willis; Sheila Barks; Artrogenosa; Marion; Madge Shelly; Lucile Delarossa; Tricia Scrump; Jack" Jake" "Guffie" Rockhardt; Bobby; Joan Dallas; Giselle; Emma; Stallings; O'Toole; Lisa Murphy; Bruce; Margaret Gwendolyn LeFay; Mother Marion Murphy; Rich
- Important places
- Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cook County, Illinois, USA; Illinois, USA
- Related movies
- The Dresden Files (2007 | IMDb)
- Dedication
- For my nieces and nephews: Craig, Emily, Danny, Ellie, Gabriel, Lori, Anna, Mikey, Kaitlyn, Greta, Foster and Baby-To-Be-Named-Later. I hope you all grow up to find as much joy in reading as has your uncle.
- First words
- The building was on fire, and it wasn't my fault.
- Quotations
- "What about her death curse?"
I blinked.
"You'd thought of that, right?" he asked.
"What death curse?" I stammered.
"Use your head, boy," Ebenezar said. "If she's got a wizard's power, she might well be able t... (show all)o level a death curse at you when she goes down."
"Oh, come on," I muttered. "That's no fair. She's already dead."
She flipped to a second page and took a pen from behind one hair-bun. "Oh, what would you like on your vegetarian pizza?"
"Dead pigs and cows," I said.
She glanced up at me and wrinkled her nose.
"They're vegetari... (show all)ans," I said defensively.
"But what do you want on yours? I mean, I'm supposed to make everyone happy here."
"Kill me some animals, then," I said. "It's a protein thing."
"Oh, you should have said," Inari replied, smiling at me. We stopped in front of a door and she scribbled on her clipboard. "Some extra cheese, maybe some beans and corn. Or wait. Tofu. Protein. I'll fix you up."
Bean-curd pizza, good grief. I should raise my rates.
"Hey, Harry. You know what?"
"No. What?"
"I'm thinking maybe we should get indoors."
I picked up the puppy and scanned the darkness but saw nothing. "Discretion is the better part of not getting exsanguinated,"... (show all) I said. "Let's go."
Murphy had genuine worry on her face and actual tears in her eyes and I started feeling out of my depth. Maybe because it was a family thing. It seemed like something completely alien and I didn't get it. Murphy was worried a... (show all)bout being close to her mom. Murphy should just go talk to her mom, right? Bite the bullet and clear the air. With anyone else she'd have handle the problem exactly that way. But I've noticed that people got the most irrational whenever family was around while simultaneously losing their ability to distinguish reason from insanity. I call it familial dementia. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)I frowned at a giant green bag and asked Thomas, "Hey. Why did you get large breed Puppy Chow?"
- Original language
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