- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Roc; Reissue edition (January 9, 2001)
- ISBN-10: 0451458125
- ISBN-13: 978-0451458124
- List Price: $7.99
- I finished this book on April 26
As I'm sure you can guess Harry Dresden, our favorite professional wizard, is on the hunt to track down some badass werewolves with the police. Only this time around Murphy, his cop buddy (who is also happens to think is foxy, though he's sleeping with the hot reporter broad) is super mad at him. I hate that in books: when characters who are buddies spend the whole book mad at each other and you know they are gonna kiss and make up at the end. Makes everything difficult, you know? Besides, things are difficult enough. And here's why: Butcher's take on werewolves is that there are a bunch of different kinds. Those who are cursed (loup-garou) those who are possessed by baddie demons and those who have received the power from fuzzy belts (hexenwolves) amongst others. So, you know, Dresden has enough on his plate without spats with friends.
I kind of liked Butcher's different kind of wolves, but I must admit, when they all hang out it gets a little confusing. There is much fighting, and no eating of beef chow mein. (yeah, that's right, I made a horrible Warren Zevon reference, I'm not sorry). Also in this book Dresden gets knocked about pretty good and we get to see him have to deal with trouble when his magic fails him, which I liked. I also don't believe that I mentioned in my previous post that Dresden routinely uses the stellar phrase 'Hell's Bells' which I love (I often say Yikes Stripes! but I'm thinking I really like that and might steal it).
Might I add that the term loup-garou is French, and what the werewolves refer to themselves as in one of my fav werewolf books, Blood and Chocolate. Reading this also made me think of some of the other werewolf stuff I've read and liked. Might I recommend Bisclavret, one of the twelve Lais of Marie de France. It's this poem about a werewolf man and his wife, and definitely worth checking out. I have more Dresden Files books waiting but I might take a break and read something for the challenge, haven't decided. That's me, keeping you on your toes.
6 comments:
I'm looking forward to this series! I have the first book on it's way to me as we speak :)
I'm 99% certain that his varieties of werewolves comes from research. Particularly because of the "hexenwolven", or however it's spelled.
-C
I couldn't find much info about hexenwolfen, in encyclopedias, at the library or online. But I'd be interested if you had suggestions of where to look or something I could read about. Thanks for your comment!
I agree that it is annoying when characters in books are mad at each other throughout the book...there is enough tension in a well-written book without adding that.
Did you see the film adaptation of Blood and Chocolate? It tanked miserably and was in no way a *great* film, but I enjoyed it for what it was. I understand that the book is quite different and it is one I plan to read for the R.I.P. Challenge this September.
I didn't see the film, though it's in my Netflix queue. From the trailer it looked as thought they changed quiet a bit. I think you'll find the book more substantial.
Bee,
Only you could make reading feel soooo sexy. Who is this foxy librarian? My imagination is in overdrive... Get out of my dreams and get in to my car (Get in the back seat, baby).
I'm off to the library to check out everything I can get my mitts on about warewloves. Later...
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