Changes (Dresden #12) [SPOILER] Review

[@nikoburazer437]

I used the knife. I saved a child. I won a war. God forgive me One of my favourite quotes of all time

[@frankhenninger7416]

Especially in the audiobook. there is so much emotion expressed.

[@pauloid76]

@@frankhenninger7416think I read somewhere that Marsters was actually crying when he read this line. #chefskiss

[@uid360]

Truly great.

[@matthewdhewlett]

😭

[@Marpaws]

@@pauloid76 wouldn't surprise me. he is amazing.

[@isolagbohunmi4074]

'Here lies Harry Dresden, he died doing the right thing'. Even his enemies know it 1:47

[@Armadaonion]

“False gods!” she cried, her blue eyes blazing as she stared at the Red King and the Lords of Outer Night. “Pretenders! Usurpers of truth! Destroyers of faith, of families, of lives, of children! For your crimes against the Mayans, against the peoples of the world, now will you answer! Your time has come! Face judgment Almighty!” -Angel via Murphy So many great moments but this one always stands out to me, so powerful.

[@bradfordkramarsyck9740]

I agree on how you pointed out that the sacrifices Harry was making were chipping away at his soul. But you glossed over one that I felt hit harder than all the rest. When Harry ‘chose’ to murder Susan. Not with the knife, but when he knew he could goad her into sacrificing herself. “One day I hope God will forgive me for giving birth to the idea that came next. Because I never will. I knew how angry she was. I knew how afraid she was. Her child was about to die only inches beyond her reach, and what I did to her was as good as murder.” That’s the line that sticks with me from Changes.

[@destro6971]

Mouse is a very good boy. Everybody says so.

[@ghjong001]

First, some lighter notes: [1] Harry tries his best, but Sanya easily has the best one-liners in the entire series. "It was probably just a coincidence." "You are drug dealer. To tiny fairies. Shame." Gold. [2] Mrs. Spunklecrief is a stone cold Badass, and thirty years ago would have totally hatted up and killed her way across a field of vampires with her bare hands. [3] Butters proves he's the smartest character in the series by immediately donning body armor the second he hears Harry is up to shenanigans. [4] Sanya telling Harry that Sam was the true hero of LOTR gets me every time. [5] Harry's interactions with Mouse while transformed into a hound are hilariously awesome. Mouse is so gracious in letting his sidekick take the spotlight every so often. I think you covered all the Big Events, but there was one (comparatively) small thing I didn't really think about until later. When Harry loses his apartment, he also loses everything in it: the only photo he has of his mother & father, from their honeymoon. The postcard Susan sent him at the end of Grave Peril. The original Star Wars poster that Will gifted him. All the photos he must have taken with Susan. Harry doesn't have cloud backup; all he's got left are his memories.

[@queenvrook]

I don't know why, but it makes me laugh every time when Sanya says, "Mab. You hit that."

[@ghjong001]

Every. Single. Line. "You... tapped that ass. Presumably it was phat." "I think I am having a problem translating between English and insanity."

[@jellevanbreugel325]

@@queenvrook i assume it was phat 🤣🤣🤣

[@umangsharma4346]

Arianna - "Cattle. You are cattle" Harry - "Moo" 🐮 Favourite quote from the book 😂😂

[@jiacheng23]

This is actually the best quote.

[@LightningRaven42]

Merphy covered a lot, but I'm surprised she didn't mention that Mouse TALKS in this book. Also, the whole fandom loves the LOTR scene where Harry thinks he's Gandalf, but he's given the role of Sam (the actual hero of the story). Also, Martin is given the role of Boromir. Talk about a funny scene being revealed to be a major foreshadowing.

[@krissaunders6418]

How in the hell did I miss that after all of my read throughs. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@LightningRaven42]

@@krissaunders6418 Oh, this is one of the obvious connections. The Dresden Files has no business being this rereadable with how fast and fun everything is. The discussions around this series are deep because there's a lot more going on for it than the fun romp you get in most of these books. For example, to illustrate my point I always ask people if they noticed that Dresden's mom has a "cameo" in book 1. But you can only realize it if you read Blood Rites. It's right before Dresden enters The Shadowman's lake house in the final showdown.

[@Dunybrook]

And also that Mouse is apparently nearly a god or something.

[@krissaunders6418]

@@Dunybrook He's an angel.

[@LightningRaven42]

@@Dunybrook Foo Dogs are celestial good boys.

[@destro6971]

Oh…you did the audiobook. Mr Marsters did a hell of a job

[@chriswhinery925]

I know right? She talks about how much emotion he's able to put into it and such, it's almost like he's a professional actor or something!

[@marcolechuga5292]

Does he stop slurping his way throught the books? I could only listen to the first one. Then the saliva turn me away from the audiobooks

[@chriswhinery925]

@@marcolechuga5292 Yes. The first couple of books are definitely rough since he didn't have any experience as a narrator at that point. By the third book he gets way way better.

[@knoxvillebuckeye5155]

@@marcolechuga5292 That was because of the upgrade from the original audio publisher (Buzzy Multi Media?) and moving on to Penguin audiobooks.

[@charlottejacobson6226]

He is amazing, sadly the last 2 books aren’t as well narrated. Probably mainly because it was recorded during Covid, the quality just wasn’t as high. He also dropped some accents for characters which bugged me. Otherwise one of my favourite narrators!

[@matthewdhewlett]

Jim Butcher set it up so that Harry could either become the Winter Knight, take up Lasciel's coin, or use the Word of Kemmler and the Darkhallow. And, according to interviews, he didn't know which way it would go until he began composing that chapter after the call with Uriel.

[@RetroRaconteur]

Wow. That's an amazing bit of info there! Thanks for sharing.

[@yannispapoulis7550]

Denarian would have been a quick solution, but doesn’t the Word of Kemmler and the Darkhallow requires special timing/convergences? I didn’t think the Darkhallow was a conceivable option to save her, just for a delayed revenge.

[@ragnhildknezevic8564]

I always hoped for Lasciel's coin.

[@Noah-pc6wq]

"Hard book for him, great book for me" has been Jim Butcher's motto for the last decade+

[@alexodom358]

The Harry/Mab rape scene is actually treated exactly how most men I've met treat their own experiences of sexual assault and rape. It's joked about as if it were consensual and rarely, if ever, expressly called what it was. I've had a bunch of my friends tell me stories about being lied to, tricked, or physically forced into sexual encounters they otherwise would have avoided to the best of their ability, not one of them said they were raped until after I pointed it out. most still wouldn't use that word even after they acknowledged that it fit.

[@happyninja42]

Is it though? I mean he DID consent to the bond with her. That's kind of the whole key point of his pact with her as the Winter Knight. He had to choose the mantle, and to consent to the power and bond to the Winter Court. She couldn't force him to do it or else the magic wouldn't work.

[@johnbd9765]

@@happyninja42 I mean she DID sign the contract, it was kind of the whole point of the job offer from Mr. Weinstein

[@happyninja42]

@@johnbd9765 yes, because agreeing to be in a movie in the real world, where we have laws against signing sexual contracts, and making a lifelong spiritual bond to an ancient, timeless, immortal fey queen, binding your life to hers completely are 100% TOTALLY the same thing 🙄

[@roberthullah8619]

As I recall a fair few of the stories in Side Jobs have impact on future books so a spoiler review would be good. I really liked his verbal sparring with the Earl King to show just how sharp he can be.

[@Moonadept]

"Die Alone" - Quintus Cassius in Death Masks. My mind instantly went back to this death curse at the end of Changes. I also love the ominous feeling of the title as it breaks the two same-length words format. It is rumored that this will be roughly the half-way point of the series, which is so appropriate. Butcher's growth as an author is so amazing as he goes through Harry's journey. I'd definitely watch a review of Side Jobs! Random thought: I really want an adult animated Dresden series, with Marsters as Dresden.

[@dajtoad1]

I’ve never thought that to be a particularly bad curse. We all die alone.

[@redgyrados2000]

iirc Harry actually flashes back to the "die alone" curse as he gets shot, followed by a voice saying "Hush" or something (which is very interesting and Merphy should keep in mind)

[@Lufro_00]

Harry commits human sacrifice twice to power a magical rite/ ritual and he commits genocide and I am still on his side. I love that you recognise the SA that Mab does to Harry because the narrative buries that aspect of his trauma and Harry generally supresses this kind of violence. I really hope that this scene and what the Red Court vampires at Bianca's (in Grave Peril) did to him. Right after he kills Susan he blacks out. He can't remember how he got Maggie of the alter. We rarely get a fade to black like that and I think something interesting happened and he suppressed it/ an outside force blocks the memory to protect him.

[@LightningRaven42]

Butcher already mentions that all of Harry's "fade to black" moments are stuff he doesn't want/like to remember, or don't remember.

[@2allison219]

I think it's buried partly because I don't think Harry looks at it as sa I think he looks at it as a part of the price he willingly paid to save his daughter just another chip off his soul no different than what he did to slaid the trauma of the incident wasn't what happened it was his willingness to let it happen to cross one more line Harry doesn't have casual sex or one night stands is never intimate with people he sees as monsters it's also not that Harry wouldn't enjoy sex with mab he couldn't let himself enjoy it he describes her as hot all the time and hides the attraction behind self preservation But it's also that he can't let himself be attracted to an unmitigated monster but even though he can't let himself enjoy it it's mab and Harry's just a mortal guy no matter how brutal he can't stop himself from enjoying it it's like if a famous actor gave a 16 year old church girl e she has a great time but when she wakes up the next day pregi with what she thinks is the literal antichrist the guilt and shame eat her untill she kills herself only to learn later their wasn't really anything wrong with enjoying it and the baby was just a baby and the guy while kinda a Schum bag wasn't all bad

[@sergioaccioly5219]

According to Jim Butcher, he found out exactly when his editor finished reading the manuscript when she called him in the middle of the night, and said as soon as he picked up the phone: "You Killed him!" His answer? "Now the fun can finally begin"

[@happyninja42]

One of my favorite parts of this book, is when we get to see Molly unload her magical prowess in battle. I really get the feeling that Jim was channeling a lot of X-Men's Jubilee when it came to how Molly operated. Lots of light and sound. But he did the SMART thing and pointed out just how freaking devastating and debilitating massive lights and sound waves can be to fleshy bodies. The fact that she was doing insane crowd control and AOE damage to the hordes of vamps with blinding lights and organ rupturing soundwaves, was just chef's kiss for me.

[@fenris5932]

Ah Changes. The book that flipped the table on the status quo so hard we're only now starting to re-establish something resembling normalcy for our boy.

[@totesmagotes213]

You think so? I feel like every book since has messed with that status quo even further. I imagine that the next one (“Twelve Months” I believe) will establish a new status quo that’s been building for a while but might give us a glimpse of the what’s leading to that Apocalyptic Trilogy.

[@fenris5932]

@@totesmagotes213 Battle Ground's resolution leads to the startup of a new status quo but we don't know what it is yet

[@philliptivis3082]

Grave Peril: "This is a great book, but poor Harry." Changes: "Amazing, but why does Butcher hate Harry so much?" Battle Ground: ...

[@TheDiggs87]

About the sexual violence in the book that you mentioned: I found the confusion you expressed about how it was described/how other characters reacted vs what Harry experienced in the scene with Mab was very real to me. That's often how you're treated when that happens to you as a man, especially if people know about it. They joke, or ask probing questions, but never about you. The presumption is that you liked it and that its okay to joke about or treat casually. Like you said, the narrative rarely matches the experience. I'm sure some of that is projection, and maybe butcher didnt intend it, but that's what i saw.

[@LightningRaven42]

In my opinion, I think Butcher wanted to remove more the pleasurable aspect of the act from Harry and ended up veering into SA territory without fully meaning to. Harry says things that highlight Mab's other-worldliness and how ritualistic the whole thing was with her saying "Mine". I think he wanted to focus more on Harry losing his freedom than him having relations with a fairy queen. Harry was SA'd way back then in Grave Peril, when Harry was ambushed by the vampire when he used the Nevernever to infiltrate Bianca's mansion and ended up all banged up and naked on the basement with Susan and Justine. That's why, IMO, he's in such a terrible state in Summer Knight. Because of that, I think Butcher would've referenced Bianca and the other reds if Mab just straight up hurt Harry. That's my take at least and I think the confusion and uncertainty we have comes from Butcher not being more clear with Winter Knight scene.

[@Lufro_00]

And please do a spoiler review of Side Jobs! Would love to hear your thoughts on The Warrior & Aftermath

[@timcook770]

Those are the ones I have had in mind also, they are all good but especially with the characters that Merphy likes to talk about, and some of the favorite themes, those are essential. The Warrior is, I think, one of my favorite things that Butcher has written overall. Oooh, but I also just remembered that Backup, the Thomas novella is in that collection. Merphy will LOVE that!

[@keith62970]

The voice acting for this book series is an absolute clinic on how it should be done and I hope that the guy who did it got awards for his skillful interpretation.

[@thomasbrown8462]

The guy who did it is award winning actor James Marsters (best known as Spike from Buffy) - the man who turned a throwaway single-season villain role into one of the best loved supporting characters in TV history, entirely because of how popular his performance was. One of the most inspired choices to narrate an audiobook of all time in my opinion!

[@2allison219]

​@@thomasbrown8462 Yes this series was the first time he was hired as a reader and you can really tell at the beginning a lot of breath and mouth sounds not an amazing job with the voice variety but that happened to really work for Dresden files he quickly got better though and now he's one of the best and audio books have become his main career as his acting career has fallen off

[@c0barsm]

My favorite moment in the book is when everyone was turned into dogs by L, and Mouse "talks". So many impactful moments in this book, and so many hard decisions for Harry to make. Butcher's writing is fantastic!

[@TheVaultDescendant]

I love this book. One thing that always comes back to me is how Ebenezar does not come to Harrys aid untill he knows he himself is in danger. It always feels like that should have been noted more in this book. I would love a video for the short stories! I think they "deserve" them and that you will want to do one after you read them, (some of them stand out a lot but I like all of them tbh)

[@captainmorg95]

It's so clear, especially later on but I won't go into it, how much Ebenezar works towards what he views is the greater good. The bloodline curse affects him. Leaving a spot on the white council open, leaving the black staff open, getting rid of the organizer of the Grey council. I still hate it, and I think Ebenezer does struggle with it but man it feels so crappy to Harry, for whom family is sooooo important.

[@LightningRaven42]

There are many things in Ebenezer and Harry's relationship that are not directly stated in the books, but are well laid out. This is one of them. That's why the THING that happens in Peace Talks is not really a surprise to anyone who knows these characters and these books (while a lot of fans at the time were complaining it was "too sudden"). It was not. There are major issues between Harry and Eb that Butcher does not highlight, but takes into account in Peace Talks.

[@captainmorg95]

@LightningRaven42 oh yeah, I know it's going to be a while but I'm excited to see what merphy's thoughts on Peace Talks will be. Maybe the next book will be out by then

[@Fawkes42]

If we're being generous he doesn't come to Harry's aid until he learns why Harry has to do this Before that he was still trying to talk Harry out of that suicide mission

[@LightningRaven42]

@@Fawkes42 Even then, that just shows the underpinnings of his argument with Harry in PT. Harry's choice in PT are directly opposite to one of Ebenezer's core beliefs. He NEEDS Harry to be wrong, because if Harry's right, it means that Ebenezer was wrong, and the old man won't be able to take it.

[@TheAthens619]

FINALLY!!! BEEN WAITING ON THIS ONE!!!! Changes is peak one of the DF books

[@kurathchibicrystalkitty5146]

"...and then fighting a few giant caterpillars..." Just a casual, regular day in the life of Harry Dresden, apparently.

[@consolescrub4031]

If we're being technical they were giant centipedes.

[@derrisreaditbefore]

Happiness. All Dresden fans at listening to your reaction of Changes. 😁 Like all cliches, it's a cliche because it's true. Just wait for Changes. We all heard it, we all mock it, and those of us who have read the series also MEAN IT. You're bang on, from page one, Jim Butcher has us off and running, and it's a marathon distance sprint. Reveal after shock after bombshell after reveal it simply keeps going until the moment (in movie speak) the score goes silent. "God forgive me." The falling action is all the more resonant coming after the scale of the story, and to be left as Harry descents into the cold and dark? Man. Jim Butcher's come a long way since Storm Front. The scene you wanted feedback on, the one where Mab makes Harry the Winter Knight, I sort of agree with you? For me, while there's clearly a sexual aspect, it speaks symbolically to an intimacy Harry doesn't wish for but needs. That he isn't going in with arms fully open, or unwavering willingness, makes the necessary intimacy feel much closer to an assault, and I think that the uncomfortable feelings we have reading it shows that Jim did it right. That Toot had the innocent curiosity to ask about Mab's temperature helped me see it as Harry tries to describe it. She's the Winter Queen, not simply a woman. The scale of Power in her is elemental, for even a symbolic joining of Winter Powers they needed to inhabit a *different plane of existence*. The 'act' was on so many more levels than merely physical. Murphy and the Sword had a moment of breathtaking Glory, and I love love love that even having created her with such a strong Faith, Jim Butcher also created a woman who would cherish her individuality. Her right to be herself. On the one hand we see how immensely effective she would be if she chose to pick up the Sword, on the other we see that even the Swords allow for freedom of choice. 😥I wish Harry had soul-gazed her before he got fricken' shot.

[@dresdenwarlock7978]

I remember when Changes first came out and people were saying as soon as Harry killed Susan they threw the book across the room, or or threw it in the trash and vowed to never read another Dresden Files books because "it went against Harry's character." Which was a very odd statement to me. This came out in 2010, I'd been reading since 2006, this seemed very in line with Harry as a character to me. NOW that you've gotten through Changes, the real stuff can begin.

[@Danne1886]

Murphy with the sword and Bob was so cool. Nothing like having a representative of the capital G speak through your best friend to say what happens next is officially sanctioned judgement Almighty. I also loved Lea in this book. Getting so giddy about turning everyone into hounds and her surprise attack in the battle made her more endearing and more creepy at the same time some how.

[@chriswhinery925]

This book is what turned Lea from a character I didn't think much of one way or the other into one my favorite side characters in the entire series. I just love her.

[@LightningRaven42]

@@chriswhinery925 Don't know how Butcher does it, but I've been highly invested in Harry having a healthy relationship with her from the beginning. One of the best scenes of Ghost Story is between both of them and I love every word of it.

[@arenkai]

Remember when one or two books ago we told you to keep in mind how Harry reacts when a child is involved ? Well... Now we know how he reacts when HIS child is involed: sells his soul, goes to war and does a bit of genocide on the way to hugging his kid Worth it Also, it made me think of this episode of Doctor Who where this poem is recited: Demons run when a good man goes to war Night will fall and drown the sun When a good man goes to war Friendship dies and true love lies Night will fall, and the dark will rise When a good man goes to war Demons run, but count the cost The battle's won, but the child is lost

[@MatrixQ]

Man. Just hearing you talk about it makes me tear up. That book was one hell of a ride.

[@aaronprice2868]

Yes! Spoiler reviews are a must for both of the short story collections!!! Especially the novella at the end of "Side Jobs" that takes place from Murphy's perspective!

[@captainmorg95]

James Marsters is the reader for the audiobook and it's so good

[@TheVaultDescendant]

The actor who played Spike in Buffy the vampire slayer, he really does a great job in this book series!

[@JayMallow]

This book was such a shock as Butcher upended every single thing the readers had grown accustomed to in the series. The book almost systematically takes Harry's life apart and gives us a new status quo going forward. What also was great was giving Mouse a character voice. Mouse vs Leah was absolutely hilarious.

[@nililavi]

So for side jobs i think it really should have a spoiler review because otherwise you cant really talk about it and some of the short stories are really good

[@evanflynn4680]

How could you forget Mouse talking? Mouse is a good dog.

[@redgyrados2000]

That scene was incredible for multiple reasons, including finally paying off Lea's desire to turn Harry into a hound

[@RecklessFables]

"I'm cheating" :)

[@mcintyre0591]

Was waiting for this review. Merphy as a mom must have quite the views on this book

[@coleconrad2543]

I think Side Jobs is definitely worth a spoiler review! Many fun stories and a few from new perspectives that merit spoilery stuff 👍 Great video. I love reliving the books through these reviews

[@paulwilliams6913]

I have several friends who I got into the Dresden Files. In each case, as I’ve seen them get hooked, I’ve warned them that they must not start Changes unless they have Ghost Story ready to go, because that first sentence is about as strong a hook as has ever been. The first such friend did not heed my warning and said that as he put Changes on his shelf he ominously thought “I was warned…” Not only did he not have answers ready for him, but when he went to the bookstore the next day they didn’t have GS available and he had up wait several days😂

[@gouachegirl6115]

I finished Changes half an hour after my usual bed time on my kindle. With instant downloads, must I say that I got little sleep that night?

[@telynns8490]

Some of us had to wait a whole YEAR.

[@MrRosebeing]

I enjoyed listening to all of the Dresden Files books on Audiobook. Jim Butcher is a great writer.

[@theonlyslagathor]

As a not mom, I do agree Susan was super sympathetic in how difficult her choice was because you could also see how much it hurt her to not be with her daughter all the time. I also love how Harry always phrased it as a dad who Shows Up and talks about it with Molly and how he wants to be a dad who Shows Up for his daughter and now I'm crying again thanks. You're ruining my manly aura merphy

[@merphynapierreviews]

😂

[@D123-f9k]

Susan reminds me of Halle Berry’s Sophia in John Wick 3 in that way. The badass has to kill her motherly side every day to keep from running to her baby

[@arthurweise2573]

By Harry dying doesn't that sever his contract with Mab?

[@cybergeek11235]

Bah! There is nothing manlier than Dadding! Wear your tears with manful pride, friend, for they are well-earned through toil and sacrifice!

[@cybergeek11235]

@@arthurweise2573 this question is addressed later in the series. :)

[@joylynn0620]

My favorite part of the book is when they all transform into dogs and we FINALLY hear Mouse talk. And he’s even more awesome than we thought. I agree that Butcher did a great job of making us empathize with Susan and Harry’s choices.

[@datalaughing]

Definitely interested in a spoiler review for Side Jobs or you could do a bunch of mini spoiler reviews of each story over the course of a month.

[@dannygarland6366]

I'd do a spoiler review for Side Jobs, at least a few stories of the collection.

[@ianthereader]

The moment we’ve all been waiting for!!!

[@pauloid76]

The last week, I kept checking my KZbin notifications.

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Oh man it was so powerful to relive this incredible book through you today. One of my favorites of all time, and right with you on how powerful the character work is in it throughout, hitting so hard emotionally. Not sure if Side Jobs will be worth a review, but maybe as part of a vlog where you can comment on a few stories at a time. Can’t wait for you to continue on with Ghost Story!!!

[@BobTheSkull]

I used the knife. I saved a child. I won a war. God forgive me. Sums up the book so we'll and is just heartbreaking.

[@uid360]

Hey, this is the absolute best book in the series so far and that saying a lot because this is one of the best modern fantasy book series I have ever read

[@babybalrog]

"It's a hard book for him, it's a great book for me" -sums it up

[@mtverv]

Oh Merphy Napier you and I could go for hours arguing the various points you brought up here even though we both ended at Amazing Book lol. Changes is my number 1 Dresden Book and a Top 5 at a minimum book overall for me. Your review of Side Jobs should be interesting to see and then we move on to probably the most polarizing book of the whole Files with Ghost Story. Can’t wait to see what you think!

[@Joemanji]

This book is epic, really pushes the series from good into great for me. Definitely want a spoiler review for Side Jobs please!

[@Minandreas213]

Was waiting for this! Glad you liked it and I'm still so glad you're reviewing this series in general. I am shocked by your ability to wait 2 months to read Ghost Story. I mean I didn't have a choice but to wait a whole year for it. But I was ready to drive to Butcher's house and demand answers personally when I finished Changes lol. I'd rather have a longer video on Ghost Story and nothing on Side Jobs than a shorter video on Ghost Story and also a video on Side Jobs. But I don't know if it works like that lol. Ghost Story is one of my favorites.

[@alexandrebelinge8996]

The Dresden audiobook are so very good !!! ouch this reminded me of what's coming ...

[@aciooica4469]

Ghost-story has been re-recorded by James Marsters. (if that's what you were alluding to).

[@alexandrebelinge8996]

@@aciooica4469 hi, just a wave of melancholy remembering some of upcoming events.

[@jparish1987]

I'd still enjoy a spoiler video after you read Side Jobs. The short stories and micro stories(available on his website) are the only times we get perspectives from other characters.

[@rodneylopez5073]

First off, I would LOVE a spoiler review of Side Jobs. There are a couple of stories in there that are heartbreaking. Second, the Molly in love with Harry thread doesn't entirely go away, but it does get mentioned less and less as the series progreses. Rest assured, Harry NEVER goes for it. EVER. Finally, one thread in Changes that I found compelling which you didn't mention was that despite all of the parental emotions he was going through, a part of him couldn't shake the idea that this was all a setup. And that Maggie wasn't really his. He was still going to save the child but his experience with supernatural entities gave him doubts which reinforced the pain of not having family. The moment when he got confirmation from Uriel, and the relief he felt knowing she was actually his daughter (even with the current situation), made ME cry.

[@gouachegirl6115]

Really serious spoilers - you have been warned! I think that it’s safe to say that Harry is not a black and white character but one of many shades of gray. While I think he would never ever desire a child let alone hurt it, when Molly comes of age there is a vibe of: “if you were older and not the daughter of my best friend and me in a relationship, I could be attracted to you.” In the position Molly end up in later books, a consumption of that would be futile, anyway. (See the short story collection for that!) But: the winter knight is bound - in many ways - to the Winter Queen. With the winter court, there is a kind of maiden, mother and crone situation going on. What when Man can no longer be the Queen, either because she is killed or by moving to fill in the crone position? Then Molly will become the Queen. I don’t remember in which book Harry finds out what Man is fighting against, but that threat is big! It’s when the Dresden files go Big epic. I believe Butcher is steering in that direction: Queen Molly and the winter knight “bonding” to stand against that thread… What could save Harry’s humanity, especially after what happened at the end of Battle grounds? Let’s say I hope Odin finds a way around the rules for calling up Valkyries…

[@glastonburyeagle]

Here’s my vote for a spoiler review for side jobs!

[@joecassidy2887]

it'll be worth it for a review of side jobs

[@stephenm.5121]

I absolutely love your reviews, so more is always a good thing. Yes, I’d love a spoiler review of “Side Jobs”

[@isolagbohunmi4074]

I started reading the book the day changes was released, binged the 12 books in 2 weeks and i couldn't read anything for the next two. Just kept processing😮‍💨. A very beautiful but horrifying experience

[@jiacheng23]

The audio book is more heart wrenching by a lot. I've done both. I recommend the audio book but sometimes a reread tells you more the second time. Agree on the Mab thing. It was definitely the r-word. I don't see another way to describe it. Harry is in danger of doing a full Anakin fall to darkness. Really excited for you to see the fallout for this and how Molly deals with it. This book more than any other shows how different the Dresden Files reads if you think Harry is an unreliable narrator. He grabs a ton of power, murders his lover and all the witnesses are dead. If we didn't trust Harry, he would look like a bastard.

[@LlamaNL]

definetly do Side Jobs, the final short story in the collection begins right after the final scene from Changes and is from the perspective of Muphy dealing with the fallout.

[@lathspell87]

Yay! I've been waiting a year for this one! The next 3 are also top tier Dresden books. Listening to the end of this book with Marsters reading that scene... just haunting and perfect.

[@jeffreymeehan3567]

I would love to hear your thoughts on Side Jobs. Dohbly so for the stories with PoVs that AREN'T Harry, and thus give some really neat changes in perspective. By and large they're really well written and are nice little snippets of Dresden in lower stakes situations that still feel no less important.

[@cyborghuey]

I would love a spoiler review of the short story collection! Very much interested in what you think about them.

[@angelicaboudreau8739]

Please do a spoiler review with side jobs. I've really enjoyed these reviews with the rest of the series. It actually wouldn't feel right to me unless you do.

[@mkgnlgt]

Deadbeat was when I realized there was much more depth to Butchers’s writing Changes was such a crazy blockbuster, that some of the poignant moments get lost in all the mayhem I’ll be curious to hear your reaction to the shorts and Ghost Story, I thought it was so well written Thanks for another great review!

[@Enigmanaut]

Such an astonishing book. That scene... THAT scene kills me every time. I would enjoy a Side Jobs spoiler review if you feel like making one.

[@ottovonbaden6353]

Also - this series is one of if not my favorite fantasy series, and it is a joy to watch you react to it. Reminds me of when I read through it the first time.

[@thewheelweave]

Oooh yes, finally the Changes video. And as an audiobook too? 10/10. The way Marsters delivers those four lines at the altar. Even on re-listens I'm never quite ready for them. "And thank goodness for Mouse!" could be the subtitle for so many of these books. Big yes for spoiler review for Side Jobs. Ghost Story is a big shift in many ways. It gets some flak from some readers. Especially the ones who had to finish it and then wait a long time for the next one to come out. I've apprechiated it more on rereads for sure. And let's be honest, how to you follow Changes except for with a little bit of a breather, at least compared to that madness. (ps: I think it's really funny how Martin wasn't mentioned in this whole half hour review, he really is bland and forgettable like Harry describes him huh)

[@scantor8648]

The lines on the altar, yeah. Perfection.

[@uid360]

James Marsters is extraordinarily as the narrator of this series and he is integral. It was apparent in the next book when he had scheduling conflict. And as the absolute champion he is, he recorded the book later and Audible rereleased it.

[@Impling]

“The man once wrote: Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger. Tolkien had that one mostly right. I stepped forward, let the door bang closed, and snarled, "Fuck subtle.” MOUSE SPEAKS! This books is absudebalz amazing! And for the longest time it was my number 1, it was edged out of that space by #15 (Skin Game). But that's aways down the line for you.

[@mikemcquarrie4113]

Remember that thought on the decisions made when taking care of Maggy.

[@NuoNNinja]

Fantastic book, but I think you glossed over an import part about Susan turning. Harry pushed her to kill Martin, so she would turn, so she could be used for the ritual.

[@telynns8490]

Harry didn't push her to do that. Martin pushed her to kill him so she would turn.

[@Oneill665]

There are a few short stories in Side Jobs that I really want to hear your take on. Especially one called Aftermath and another called The Warrior. The short stories vary wildly in quality but even just these two make the book a worthwhile read in my opinion.

[@Teeklin]

Definitely worth spoiler review for Side Jobs. It won't be a super long video but no reason not to with what it tackles and you'll have plenty to say.

[@joelrandall2348]

I would love to hear your Side Jobs review.

[@peterepeatepete2845]

Great review. Two scenes that I loved were when he asks Uriel for help, cuz he knows he won’t get the help he needs but he has to try to do it the “right” way. And when he ask “Karrin” to take Maggie to Father Forthill and that he doesn’t need to know where she will be taken to. Another scene that hits hard if you are a parent I guess.

[@jparish1987]

So excited for this, I've been waiting. My favorite book in my favorite series.

[@joshbone9888]

I recommend the 12.5 compilation. It was a breath i needed after changes. But also ends with slotting you right back in for ghost story.

[@KZIN42]

I would say do the spoiler review for side jobs and not just wait for Ghost Story. They may be short stories but some of them advance the world in ways the main series can't and I for one would like to hear your comments on the non Harry first person perspective ones

[@gabep8595]

One of the big “changes” in this book that you circled but didn’t specifically pinpoint is that Harry fully departs from moral black and white in this book. He has clung vehemently to the idea of doing the right thing to get to the right outcome up until this point. Here, he finally finds the end that will justify any means. His actions in this book range from heroic, to morally grey, to actions devoid of any morals. Becoming a parent is just about the most irresistible form of forced character growth there is and it was incredible to read

[@drakevalentine8]

Side Jobs has some really fun stories, I'd love to hear your thoughts about them

[@revpembroke3082]

On the hand, Mab IS supernaturally attractive and Harry has certainly described her that way. On the other hand, you don't have sex with a thunderstorm. So it's kinda tough to tell

[@lordshavron]

I love this book so much. With how all these books being pretty self contained that slowly progressed other story threads this one truly felt like the culmination of the series so far and it was amazing. Also the title of the book is one of the most apt I've ever read. Nothing is the same after this. Also it broke up the title formula of two words with the same number of letters for a single word. It doesn't impact the story at all but just a neat detail that I've always liked.

[@joshbone9888]

“Hard book for him great book for me” loved that

[@scantor8648]

THANK! GOODNESS! FOR MOUSE!! Me: Mouse is a good dog.

[@destro6971]

Everybody says so 🐶

[@ibg_music7525]

Would love a spoiler review for side jobs!

[@thomasbrown8462]

Great video as always. I truly wish you'd had time to talk about every chapter of this book, I feel like every single one has brilliant bits that are worthy of discussion! It's really one of my favourite things on the internet to hear you discuss the Dresden books... I hope your life becomes less hectic, and perhaps when you have more time or are short of video ideas you could return to the series, and particularly to Changes, to discuss it in as much detail as needed. Also when Ebenezer gives Harry his staff and summons the Blackstaff instead is maybe the coolest bit of any book ever.

[@ADudeWhoReads]

This is my favourite Dresden Files book, and the one that FINALLY sold me on this series. Yes, it took me 12 books to be sold, but now I'm a legit fan. Great video, Merphy!

[@uid360]

“The fallout of this world” Side Jobs. :)

[@uid360]

Mab doesn’t F around. That compact is not easily broken.

[@arenkai]

You should read the short story Aftermath before starting the next book in the series ! And I would also suggest reading the rest of the short stories that you didn't read along the main narrative at this moment in the series. It's the perfect timing :D EDIT: The second I press enter, you talk about it in the video haha

[@peterepeatepete2845]

You could knock out a Side Jobs review in a 15 min video, I would really love to hear your take on three of the stories in particular, most of them you can just say a thing or two about them and it’s plenty. But the Thomas POV story, the Warrior, and the Merphy POV ones I think we would all love to hear your take on.

[@timcook770]

lol, those are the same ones like 4 other people have said also. great minds, good taste, etc

[@cybergeek11235]

Murphy. Merphy is the reader, not the character. :)

[@Jothsaa]

Definitely want a spoiler review for Side Jobs!

[@satir6156]

Do a bunch of KZbin Shorts for Side Jobs. One quick short pert short story. They're good xD

[@dixoncrofford2037]

I became a dad to my daughter just a bit over a year ago, and read this book in February. The line "Hang on kid, dad's coming" reverberates through me and will for the rest of my life.

[@albinoverse8198]

could you create a playlist of all your dresden videos? One of my favorite series and would love to have your thoughts on whole series in one place. thanks either way!

[@crowdsourcedlife]

As for Mab raping Harry, it's described as having sex with a thunderstorm IIRC. Also this is the second time Harry has been SAed in the Files. At the end of book 3 their is a fade to black moment and it's heavily implied the Reds SAed him. A couple of books later he meets some of those vampires and actively refuses to remember that night while they taunt him about it. Really puts Harry in book 4 into perspective. It wasn't just losing Susan that made him act the way he was acting, he had PTSD.

[@BobTheSkull]

Some of the short stories are extremely good and it has some great character moments in it. Would really love your review of it. It does so much to flesh out side characters in the books.

[@williamwolfe962]

God, the end of Changes, I remember staying up late reading it, and that last line where he dies! I had to start the next one and I was so tired.

[@nicholascostanzo1258]

I like how Harry had three separate deals with the devil he could call on when his broken back was against the wall.

[@axhindtroll]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the short stories as well