Battle Ground
By: Jim Butcher
Highly Recommend
SPOILER ALERT: Please be aware that this is book 17 of this series. If you have not read the previous books, this review might spoil events in those books. If you wish to see a spoiler review, click here.
Chicago is in big trouble. There is a seemingly indestructible titan attacking the city with an army of Fomor. Her goal is simple, destroy mankind. Harry Dresden really wishes it was his day off. However, he’s one of the few who can stand and fight to save his city, and he will give his all to protect those he sees as in his care.
Jim Butcher is an amazing author and Battle Ground is yet another book that shows that. From start to finish the story is intense, interesting, and makes you question how things will turn out. This series continues to grow and mature with each new installment. This book starts us right where we were left at the end of Peace Talks. Harry and his companions are sailing back to the main land from the island. The titan, Ethniu, is about to attack, and the supernatural world is preparing itself to fight. Be prepared to jump right into the newest problem.
This book is one giant battle. If you miss the books that had more of Harry’s investigations with mystery aspects in it, this will not be one of your favorites. However, this battle is epic and interesting and still progresses the story in many ways. There are many pieces moving around and Butcher weaves them together to keep the reader on edge through the entire ride.
As always, Butcher has such a  complex world that just keeps growing. If you are someone who is constantly intrigued by Butcher’s magic system, fantasy creatures, and world building, you will not be disappointed by this novel. He continues to believably build his world even in the midst of all the trouble that is stacked against him. We learn more of the fae, the Outsiders, and the black court vampires.
We also see lots of character development in this book too. Almost all of the characters from the previous books are in this novel at least in passing. Butcher has excellent characters and character building throughout this series, and he continues to build upon those excellent foundations. We see growth of characters we didn’t know could continue to grow and different perspectives of those we thought we knew. He truly pushes everyone to their limits.
I will warn you, however, that if you were hoping to see some happiness come into Harry’s life, or to at least have Mr. Butcher treat him a little kinder with all of the stress he is already under with a war going on, this book is not that book. In fact, it seems that Butcher is taking and taking and taking from Harry until he has nothing left, and there are some huge blows in this novel that left me reeling.Â
Overall, I think this story is as amazing as all the previous books in this series. Butcher is an excellent writer with characters I have fallen in love with and such a complex world that is always intriguing. I am mad and heartbroken with some of the decisions Butcher decided to do, but I cannot deny that the book is a terrific sophisticated urban fantasy. I am interested to see where Harry will be led to next.
Pros:
- Amazing continued world building
- First person point of view
- Amazing characters
- Believable plot solutions
Cons:
- Heart breaking story eventsÂ
- Continuation of no happiness for Harry or his loved ones
Recommended for readers who like:
- Those who like books 1-16
- Urban Fantasy
- First person point of view
- Snarky main character
-If haven’t read the previous books, it is necessary to start with book 1 as it is a progressive series.
Book Details:
- Published: September 29, 2020
- Series: Dresden FilesÂ
- Book Number: 17
- Pages: 417
- Publisher: Orbit
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Jim Butcher’s Website: Click Here
