Customer Reviews

Small Favour

5 star:		(135)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

You are never going to believe what Queen Mab wants Harry to do in exchange for a favor owed her. She wants him to rescue Gentleman Johnny Marcone (one of Chicago's most nefarious gangsters) from unknown kidnappers.

Now, having Johnny out of the scene could be a good thing? Well, not if the folks holding him are the order of the Denarians. And yes, they want Gentleman Johnny to take one of those ill-fated coins and the demon possession that goes with.

Unfortunately, Queen Titania is not in agreement with her sister regarding Johnny's possession and she sends some heavies of her own to get Harry's goat. What is described as a small favor turns out to be a serious threat to many of the people Harry cares about.

As always, Jim Butcher puts a lot of heart into his novels. He's kept Harry a good man, someone who'd risk his own life for others, a real hero in the urban fantasy genre.

We get some favorites returning: Michael Carpenter and his family; Sanya, the Black Russian Knight; Captain Luccio; Gard (remember Monoc Security, part of Marcone's protection?); and others.

"Small Favor" is one of the faster paced Dresden novels around. Jim had me hooked from the beginning and didn't let up until I turned the last page. I was glad to read that Butcher has ideas for 20 or so Dresden novels on the books and I seriously hope that his publisher will allow him to continue writing them.

Small Favor
By Jim Butcher


Once more author Jim Butcher has given his readers a thrill packed roller coaster ride through the wild & woolly world of Harry Dresden's Chicago. The 10th book in the series shows us an ever evolving and maturing Harry Dresden. Almost all of the old gang are back, Murphy, Mab, Thomas, Marcone, Knights of the Cross, Fallen Angles ...etc.... and of course ...Bob. While Butchers books are far superior to the enjoyable , if somewhat short lived TV series, is there anyone who doesn't visualize Terrence Mann in a smoking jacket as they read about Bob?

Butcher seamlessly moves his story from the world of the hard boiled gumshoe through the occult and into magical realms of Faerie, (not to mention a few stops at the Godfathers), with all the in's and out's that we've come to expect in a Dresden novel.
I normally don't do reviews of novels because I would hate to inadvertently ruin the story for someone. So here`s the nutshell version without giving anything away. A very enjoyable read that I highly recommend. The book has most of the cast and crew that we've grown to love (or hate). Fast paced with lots of twists and turns in the plot, no surprise there. The Good guy's finaly get to.......... I'll stop there. Oh, ya.... There's something better than hellfire, (be careful what you wish for Harry!). Enjoy!

In Frith,
Spence the Elder

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams

SMALL FAVOR (Para/PI, Harry Dresden, Chicago, Fan) - VG
Butcher, Jim - 10th in series
ROC, 2008, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780451461896

First Sentence: Winter came early that year; it should have been a tip-off.

Wizard Harry Dresden is having an enjoyable snowball fight with his apprentice and her siblings. It comes to an abrupt, and violent, end when they are attacked by three Billy Goats Gruff. These are no mild fairytale creatures and Queen Mab is calling in one of the favor's Harry owes her.

With a missing mobster, creatures galore and even his friends not quite trusting him, Harry has to fight to save himself and those important to him.

Once you get past the oozy, gory descriptions, these are great books. The character of Harry is a wonderful one--he's tough, loyal, brave, dedicated and has a wicked, wry humor. Even though this is part of a series, there is always enough back story so you understand the relationships.

This book was a real page-turner. It is, sometimes, hard to keep track, among the fantasy creatures, of who is whom, and on whose side, but the action just keep you going.

The story is not cliché and some of the more real characters have a strong moral code. For me, these books are always a treat to read.

Like many others, I was disappointed in this installment of the Dresden Files. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't up to the same caliber as previous books. I also think there was way too much Michael, and not enough Murphy. And a lot of characters seemed to be thrown into the mix just so they could appear. Really, was driving Harry around all Thomas could do? Molly has the potential to be a good character, but she has little substance at this point so why not have her hide out with the rest of the kids? Yet, these were minor problems for me. My main objection was yet another hollow victory.

I agree completely with the reviewer who said, "the action is relentless to the point that it sometimes seems like movement for its own sake and simply to grind Harry down." I'm all for a nemesis, or powerful villain that recurs to tempt or taunt the hero. However, the endless parade of uber-powerful foes has become too much. I find myself thinking, "put the poor bugger out of his misery" instead of "go Harry!" He (still) owes a favor to Mab. Summer wants him dead. Then we have The Fallen, The Red Court, and The Black Council. Not to mention all the individual evils that pop up. And the White Council which still doesn't trust him. And to top it all off, his friends are doubting him and he keeps getting beaten up - literally! When I reached the end of the novel, it didn't feel like Harry saved the day. The little progress that was made was taken back and then some, and the Fallen are just regrouping over a minor setback. The plot, such as it was, didn't seem to serve any purpose. You'd think Summer would be just as concerned over a breach of the Accords as Winter, yet they're too intent on killing Harry? All this manipulation by Nicodemus on the chance the Archive would arbitrate? It just didn't mesh. I miss the Harry Dresden who investigated, prepared careful spells in advance (with Bob's running commentary), and came out ahead because of wits and bravery. I miss when the Voltswagon Beetle took the brunt of the damage instead of Harry. I was surprised to find myself happy at the potential romance between Harry and Luccio. I think because I just wanted something good to happen to our hero. But a kiss on the last page isn't enough to make up for how depressing the rest of his life, and this book, is.

Overall, I can't deny this was a page turner. Fans of the series will want to know what happens, and I did enjoy some of it. There is a lot of action and Harry is still a great, chivalrous hero. Butcher's trademark humor is here and a lot of good one liners. I've already pre-ordered the next book, but can't help but hope it gives us a real victory for the good guys. Harry deserves it.

Harry Dresden and the cast are back for another round in A Small Favor. All of the major players have a piece in this tale, from the Faerie Courts to the Wardens and White Council, Marcone and his cronies as well as the entire Blackened Denarius (Nicklehead) crew, the Archive, the Knights and some of the powers unseen. The story is driven strongly by the sub plot of the last few books, with the formation of the Black Council and how their manipulations across the supernatural world are causing havoc.

Harry has been called in for a favor from Queen Mab of the Winter Court of the Sidhe. His job; rescue Marcone. Do this while dodging hitters from the Summer Court who have a knack for finding him, as well as hitters from the Winter Court who seem to disregard the fact that Harry is on their team, and doing battle with various enemies of the Fallen, the Order of the Blackened Denarius. From the first chapter to the last, the book is a rush of organized anarchy, with everything depending on Harry and his talent for being the wrench stuck in every dark plan that swings his way.

Its the 10th book of the series and doesn't disappoint. Now starts the countdown to Book 11.

The best novel series out there have several defining factors - a number of common points. First, they have to have memorable characters that grow and change as the series progresses, but retain enough of the characteristics that the readers has come to expect and love.

Secondly, and this follows closely with the characters, there has to be a wide variety of interesting supporting characters as well - not only heroes, but the villains. Both we look forward to seeing in the future.

Third, and this is really important, the mythology, the canon behind the series itself. How the author sets up the world he's created, and his eye for detail. This goes hand in hand with continuity. You lose the continuity, you lose the detail and the canon becomes, at best, haphazard and a real mess.

These are the three things that I love about two different series. The Dresden Files, and Outlanders.

Of course, this review is about Small Favour - Book ten of the Dresden files by Jim Butcher.

Poor Harry Dresden. He's been through a lot over the years. He's been tempted by a fallen Angel, had his girlfriend taken from him by the Red Court, been in trouble more times than he can count with the White Council... just to name a few of the things that have happened to him. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

A man that he despises has disappeared, and the Winter Court forces Harry to search for him, by calling in a marker, one of the two remaining favours owed to Mab, the queen of the Winter Fae.

Of course, as much as Harry would like to tell her to shove it, he has no choice but to do as she asks.

And that only invites more misery into his life.

Don't fret, as tempted as I am, I won't give any of the plot away, I don't want to spoil it for any potential readers.

It has been a year since I read the ninth book, and at that time, I had devoured the entire series in less than a month. Consider this... I have a wife, son, full time job, and hobbies I like to pursue, so you have to realize that I loved the series if I would finish off the books that quickly.

You can forget a lot in a year's time.

I forgot about the rich world that Jim Butcher created. Sure, there are people out there who would say that it's nothing more than a cheap rip-off of Harry Potter, but to Hades with that noise!

The Dresden files takes fantasy, all aspects of it, and melds it wonderfully together in a modern setting, and does so without removing or sullying any of the fantasy elements.

With each progressive novel, the world he's created fills out more and more. We learn more about the various factions of the fantastic world of the Dresden Files - more about the wizards, more about the Fae, more about the various vampire houses, and so forth.

Most importantly though, is we learn more about each character that we, the fans, hold near and dear to our collective hearts.

Even minor characters that have only appeared a couple of times get more detail, we learn more about them, and they fill out in our minds, becoming more complete.

And, that's one other wonderful thing about the series... such a rich rogue's gallery of characters, friends and foes alike. Again, characters - heroes - that you grow to care for, and on the flip side of the coin, villains that you despise, but know that they're needed because the hero is as only as good as the villain he has to face.

Another thing that I really respect about the series is that there is an overall major story arc in development. A story that will eventually be brought to closure in the future, but one for which each and every passing novel is setting the stage.

There is something huge in the making, something that will be biblical in proportion once it finally comes to the forefront.

But, until then, each novel has its own story to tell, and bits and pieces of the overall puzzle are falling into place.

And, of course, the characters are all growing and developing with each passing offering.

The only downside is that anyone who is just starting to read the series at this point will have a lot of catching up to do. Even though each novel is a stand alone story, there are more than a few facts brought up that will leave a new reader wondering just what is going on.

For a few, this can be intimidating, but more often than not, it will simply whet the readers appetite to go out and find the previous novels so that they can read them, and discover for themselves what happened to bring up a particular point... such as how did Harry burn his hand? What's up with this Vampire Thomas who just happens to be his brother?

Things like that.
One last thought - the humour that long time readers has not diminished one iota. It's there in full force and more than once I laughed out loud while reading.

Just one of many reasons I will continue to follow this series until it does finally come to an end.

For veteran readers, it was a great addition to the series. For newcomers - all I have to say is this. Welcome to the club and get ready for the ride of your life!

5 out of 5.

Enjoyed the book and it did tie up some plot lines. However, there was no one "new" in the game, most all of the players were known quantities. Half the fun of the Dresden files is figuring out where the new baddie fits in. Also, Harry is a good man, but he ain't no saint. Advice to the author keep Harry straddling G&E, good man with hard choices. A bit of moral ambiguity goes a long way toward keeping this character fresh. Wizard-Noir, don't forget your roots, they are deep and strong. Don't know about this soulfire business...Willing to give it a shot, but miss Hellfire like you wouldn't believe. Love the series, looking forward to the next one. I ended up reading the book again a couple of days later. As with all the Dresden books, loved reading it again.

This book had it's moments, but it isn't one of my favorite Dresden files. I disliked how the whole mission from Mab with Marcone got pushed into the background, to the point where it was Harry vs. the Denarians.

I liked how Butcher had developed the Order of the Blackened Denarius, up until this novel. They were menacing, fallen-angel type evils of biblical proportions. Even in "Small Favor" it's stated that the Knights prefer to double or triple an active Denarian if possible, because otherwise the odds are suicidal. Inside the book, Harry coins the term 'Nickleheads' because otherwise he's giving Denarians too much respect.

I guess Butcher bought into that mindset too. Because Harry Dresden had it too easy, given the odds against him. I liked the way the Summer/Winter angle was handled, and the early chapters were great. Then in the middle of the book when the focus is off Marcone, suddenly nearly the entire might of the Denarian Order (led by Nick) is focused against team Dresden. Rather than diabolical fallen angels hellbent on Armageddon, the Denarians come off more as buffoonish monsters with little intelligence. Nicodemus is the exception, yet given the number of Denarians encountered, this struck me a reversal of the how the Order of Denarius was portrayed in the Dresden Files.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but I'd like my fallen angels a little more on the scary side. Nicodemus fits that bill, the rest, no.

Another great addition to the Dresden Files. As Jim Butcher really starts digging into his characters he is able to intertwine the relationships so the stories don't seem like "oh, today's guest star is [blank]". Jim Butcher also is letting each character grow with the novels and not remain a static 2-D person to play the foil-du-jour to Harry Dresden. In Small Favor, many past characters and story lines build up more steam as Dresden has what might be called a "crapstorm" dumped on him. For those of you familiar he has to deal with the Denarians, Winter (Mab), Summer (Titania), the Archive and Kincaid, no support from the C.P.D., Gentleman Johnny Marcone, and what turns to be a little more insight into the Black Council. You can almost feel Jim Butcher using 'Small Favor' to take mythos of Harry Dresden and crank things up a notch and given what has been said and done, the future is "gonna get really good!"

By the time a series is in its 10th volume, you're either a fan or not a fan and it will take some pretty serious stumbling to put you off (Sue Grafton, are you listening?). Small Favor is not a stumble, but it's a placeholder in the series. Harry Dresden is more powerful, and thus has greater challenges to overcome. A minor spoiler - he has some romantic interest, which has certainly not been a regular feature for him.

Harry Dresden has been accruing minor characters like a snowball rolling down a slope. Most of them make an appearance in Small Favor. Molly Carpenter, the young woman he's been mentoring, is making progress but will never be the kick-ass fightin' wizard that Harry is. Murphy, the petite Special Investigations cop continues to be a loyal and good friend with a spark of attraction between her and Harry. Even the pizza-eating pixies make an appearance. All this interplay of Harry's friends and wary allies can't create a good story, and although there is definitely a plot, with the typical world-as-we-know-it at stake, Small Favor feels like Butcher is going through the motions. This is a real bummer, as I really like Harry as a character, the world of magic and the supernatural that Jim Butcher has developed, and Butcher's thoughts and wisecracks attributed to Harry. There's an afterward to Small Favor where Butcher introduces us to his Codex Alera series (this is reprinted from previous books), and perhaps this is where his heart is. But Jim, there are plenty of series like Codex Alera, and only one Harry Dresden!