White Night / Jim Butcher

White Night

category: fantasy, action, author:

Jim Butcher

book 9 of the Dresden Files
published by Orbit, original copyright 2007, read in May 2010

Agamedes' opinion: 8 out of 10

It's great fun watching this author develop his skills. Actually, I just checked his website... Butcher has written Dresden Files books (twelve, now) -- plus ten or so other books. So the skill development is not just through the Dresden books that I've read. Too bad! I comment only on what I've read:-)

So, it's great to watch Butcher develop his skills. An earlier book had every chapter ending with, "Oh no it looks as though I'm doomed!" The next chapter would start, "With a final burst of magical energy, I used an amazing new spell to escape..." Butcher still likes his cliff-hangers -- but, in White Night, they are a bit more subtle! Except for the combination of cliff-hanger and flashback:

One of the earlier Dresden books used flashback, very effectively. There were hints of past battles -- which could well have been references to past books. The flashback revealed all -- at an appropriate moment -- without interrupting the flow of action. White Night uses a similar flashback technique... except that the flashback occurs just as the hero has said, "Oh no it looks as though I'm doomed!" Sure, it revealed essential information. But it was a bit of an unsubtle and overworked cliffhanger.

Then there's the title of the book; it has me a little confused. White Night. Ah! wait! now I see it! Of course!

Harry Dresden is a wizard, in modern-day Chicago. In White Night, he battles -- I had overlooked the obvious! -- he battles the vampires of the White Court! Vampires of the White Court kill you with pleasure, Red Court prefers misery, Black Court work on the agony angle. So this book is about the battle, possibly at night, of Harry & friends -- and the White Court.

And, as with other books in the series, the title is a pun.

Harry is a nice guy. Tough, but nice. Protector of the weak, defender of the innocent, always ready to help a damsel in distress. In White Night, Harry helps protect a whole coven of wiccan witches: sweet & cheerful ladies with only minor magical powers. A sort of sewing circle with cup cakes and candles, altars, magical wards and a nice, hot cup of tea.

Harry the hero rushes in -- like a white knight, of course! -- to save these (possibly) damsels in distress. Also convinces an evil spirit to become good, demonstrates that he is still true to his one true love, and wipes the floor with the very vicious ghouls.

Yes, this book has a strong theme of Harry the white knight hero. Yes, there is non-stop magical action -- backed up by plenty of non-magical bullets and bombs. Yes, there is a solid plot, gradual discovery of means and motives, a hint of sex, lots of good versus evil action and violence. Yes, there is humour, heroics and a good side to nearly everyone...

Yes, this is another, great, Dresden Files novel!

..o0o..

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