Death Masks (The Dresden Files, Book 5) by Jim Butcher
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Book Reviews of Death Masks (The Dresden Files, Book 5)
Book Review: Wonderful supernatural novel!
Summary: 5 Stars
The author's writing style draws you in from the beginning and keeps a hold on you until the very last page. I wasn't able to put this book down! It flows nicely from one scene into the next and leaves you wondering what will happen. I often find myself wanting to know who is the antagonist by the time I hit the 6th chapter of the book and my husband hates telling me the ending! This particular novel didn't leave any mystery as to the antagonist like the other books in the series, though. The author revealed everyone from the beginning, but the ending is not without its surprises!
In this particular novel, Harry goes up against a scourge of demons, their leader being a man named Nicodemus, who is cunning, sly, and loves to trap his victims into making a choice that leaves them choosing between two evils. One particular example of this is when Nicodemus trapped Harry and told him to choose the coin (which would allow a demon to manipulate Harry for eternity) or death. Harry was lucky when a Knight of the Cross showed up and made Nicodemus an offer he couldn't refuse.
But it isn't all about the demons. Harry has to go up against the Red Court vampires again, one in particular named Ortega that challenges him to a duel. Harry is allowed to choose the weapon (a first choice and second choice since Ortega is allowed to decline the first choice if he so chooses, which he does). They wind up in a duel where the weapon is Will. To find out what happens, read the book! If you enjoy supernatural thrillers, you will not be disappointed.
Book Review: Urban Fantasy at its'best
Summary: 5 Stars
Two extremely competent female cat burglars steal the Shroud of Turin with all signs pointing towards the icon being taken to Chicago. Evidence suggests that Chicago mobster John Marcone is the intended buyer, but the church hopes to intercept the sacred artifact before it changes hands. Father Vincent works with the Chicago police but he also hopes to obtain the assistance of local wizard Harry Dresden, a private investigator who specializes in supernatural crimes.Harry agrees to take the case but it becomes more complicated when the Denarians also want the shroud. The Denarians are humans who chose to align themselves with the Fallen for immortality and innumerable power. They plan to use the artifact combined with some dark magic to create and spread a plague that will decimate much of the world's population. Harry and his allies, the Knights of the Cross, must stop the Denarians at all costs or Earth will undergo a tragedy more powerful than the Black Plague.
Jim Butcher has created a very powerful urban fantasy story set in modern day Chicago where the only "outed" wizard resides. Unlike many of his allies, who operate in a black and white world, Harry works in shades of pastels, never certain whether what he is doing is right or just expedient. It is that uncertainty that makes the hero a vulnerable lovable person. Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and Mercedes Lackey will definitely want to read all five books in the Dresden Files.
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: Superb! Butcher's best to date!
Summary: 5 Stars
Superb! Jim Butcher has brought Harry Dresden back with a vengeance. At the end of the fourth book, "Summer Knight," Harry's world was a tad askew. His girlfriend was half-way to becoming a vampire, he'd started a war between the Wizard's Council and one of the Vampire clans. Also, he'd been on the "list" with a Chicago mob-boss for quite a while now. He did, however, manage to play some fun D&D with a group of werewolf vigilantes. Hey, you take your victories where you can.So, when a priest asks him to recover a stolen relic (sort of like a big white cloth, taken from Turin... uh... yeah, that one), and demons start popping up everywhere trying to pop Harry off, things are tense. Toss in a suprise visit from his Girlfriend, three holy knights with very holy swords (one of whom has a very bitter wife), and you see why Harry's day is just about as bad as any he's had.
The mystery in this one threw me for a loop (I thought I had it right, only to learn I had it way wrong), and the tone of the book was dark and fun in equal measure. The pithy one-liners are always well done, and there's enough insider-geek references to make you swell with geeky pride.
Enjoy it, enjoy 'em all, and if you've never read any of Butcher's work, you owe yourself a copy of 'Storm Front,' a hot cuppa tea, and some quiet time you'll soon fill with laughter.
'Nathan
Book Review: Before a Live Audience
Summary: 5 Stars
The astonishing thing about Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series is that after 4 standout books, he just hits his stride with book 5, DEATH MASKS. The book opens with Harry Dresden nervously working a spell to suppress his magic as he waits to be interviewed on TV. Wizards and technology don't mix and Harry has to endure the TV host's scorn when he refuses to demonstrate magic. Then the host introduces the next guest. Harry recognizes the new arrival as an evil vampire lord. His concentration slips and he starts losing his temper...and accidentally trashes the TV studio. No other author could exhibit such a comic touch while putting his fictional hero in deadly peril.
As always the action is nonstop. But for the first time, Butcher allows us a glimpse of the inner Harry. Harry's ex-girlfriend is in town for the formal breakup. It's not going to work because she might give into her vampire tendencies and kill him. As Harry's character deepens, new philosophical depth creeps in to the other characters as well.
Other than that, Harry battles the full component of gangsters, vampires and deadly demons. The Vatican hires him to hunt for the stolen Shroud of Turin. The wisecracks never stop. Fabulous fantasy!
Book Review: Very Powerful Book In An Excellent Series
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the best books in the series. Painful time for Harry but excellent read for us. A couple loose ends from prior books wrapped up and a nice new path for future books set up. Exciting page turner. I dont think I got more than four hours sleep any night I was reading this book as I could not put it down at night to go to bed.
Harry Dresden is an inspired character. Intelligent, humorous and sexy. One liners in this series will make you laugh until you wet yourself. Guaranteed! Even when you think of them a week later you will giggle madly.
Series keeps to rules of it's own world. Book after book, adventure after adventure it stays true. Each book stands beautifully on it's own and fits into series without flaw. Extremely well written and imaginative.
Fun, fun, fun.
Also check out the first three in series as audio books narrated by James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Summer Knight is due as audio book soon as well.
If you have seen TV show but not yet read the books BRACE YOURSELF as you are in for a treat. Books are a million times better than the show.