Even With Unrealistic Expectations, Changes by Jim Butcher Manages To Be The Best Dresden Files Book

Mike continues his journey through the Nevernever with Harry Dresden in his twelfth adventure, Changes.
0:00 Spoiler Warning
0:37 Excerpt and Introduction
3:21 Spoiler Review
29:43 Final Thoughts
Purchase Changes here: amzn.to/37mNJxP (physical) amzn.to/3htSVou (audio) amzn.to/3cRIcAI (digital)
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#MikesBookReviews #DresdenFiles #JimButcher

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hey Dresdenphiles! Yes, this video is riddled with spoilers so view at your own discretion. Enjoy!

[@shinraset]

I'm going to be editing this comment as things come up as I watch your video so here goes. Firstly the selling of dresden's debt to Mab by his godmother that goes back to book 4 summer knight.

[@DrakeDiablo]

I have been waiting for this since i first saw you reading Dresden, it is wonderful seeing others enjoy you're fav book series.

[@DeeboX-vv8ji]

I've read this book three, or four times waiting for Peace Talks, lol👍🏾😁

[@DeeboX-vv8ji]

The locator spell didn't work because, The Red King has powerful sorcerers (Lords of the Outter Night) that blocked his spell.

[@jorgnocke991]

Fate - The Winx Saga please can you review this book can you make a video about this book thank you so much please keep up your amazing work stay safe and have a wonderful and blessed day

[@jimbutcher5712]

Should have heard my editor. She called about 9 at night, panicked. “My god! You killed him! You killed him!” “Yeah!” I said. “Now we can do the REALLY fun stuff!”

[@mikesbookreviews]

Ha ha I bet that was a fun conversation. Thanks so much for watching (and tweeting about it). And, of course, for writing it.

[@Jaxxofrune]

We love you Jim!

[@aldieb07]

😍😍 love from India...include more from eastern/hindu myths...will we get a short on 'rakshasa war' staring Christos?

[@jordancampbell8597]

Thank you, Mister Butcher, thank you for giving us so many wonderful books! You're my hero!

[@danhathaway7984]

His death and having it turn out to be of his own volition make-up one of my favorite twists ever.

[@AlucardTepess1]

“You are drug dealer for tiny fairies” left me howling 😂😂😂

[@conraddominguez-urban5215]

I find this characterization of Chicago pizza highly offensive...MAN I'm REALLY jonesing for some Giordano's!

[@JaxStravig]

Wish I could like this 1000 times. On my 6th listen to of the series and every time that line makes me crack up. James' Sonya is priceless.

[@goudawgs]

I absolutely love Mouse's line "I live with a wizard, I cheat"

[@7Seraphem7]

It just shows how utterly perfect for each other those two are.

[@RecklessFables]

I read that in James Marsters's voice

[@Pyrus669]

"He didn't win me, I won him"- Mouse

[@mattkhourie4037]

@@Pyrus669 this :)

[@mubbywub]

I love seeing fresh readers talking about the books. It's a voyeuristic joy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's what they tell me.

[@Demonreached]

1000%

[@MrThierryFournier]

I did the series via Audiobook and let me tell you, James Marsters is a master story teller. He does voices for all the characters and you can follow the story without wondering who's talking. With that said, James really sells those gut wrenching moments. You can feel those emotionnal moments more then if you only read them. I highly recommend listening to the audio version.

[@jrich749]

Hearing him read: “I used the knife. I saved a child. I won a war. God forgive me.” I break listening to those words just as James Marster's did. I wonder if that was his first read through.

[@Evil_Peter]

I fully agree. James Marsters reading The Dresden Files is my favorite audiobook experience ever.

[@7Seraphem7]

@@jrich749 Those lines....oh those lines.... if you ever need to sell someone on Marsters being THE voice for Harry..... just let them listen to those lines.....

[@ohmythatsweird]

Some how I seem to be able to become more emotionally involved with audiobooks . James Masters really does take an excellent set of books too another level.

[@glitterfly6389]

I couldn't agree more! One line, one tiny little line in Skin Game, leaves me bawling every single time I listen to it!!

[@WinterKnight95]

"Whatever you do, do it for love. If you keep to that, your path will never wander so far from the light that you can never return". -Uriel

[@RLKmedic0315]

"All you need us love. John Lennon. Smart man, shot in the back, very sad"

[@Newicked]

@@RLKmedic0315 Ah, Independence Day. Really proud of myself right now for recognizing the reference.

[@RLKmedic0315]

@@Newicked good catch, lol.

[@allfather9645]

When Harry mentions he had already been to the site and back then starts describing everything made me laugh when I imagine their faces.

[@jeremydanchuk1897]

The thing I love about Butcher's writing is that all of Harry's power ups are earned, he does not get stronger just for the sake of it. Also there was little foreshadowing on him becoming the Winter Knight when he threatened Maeve(I think that is her name) the black Vampire and told her how he would come at her if she used his friends again, not a bluff. The growth with the secondary characters in this series is fantastic, not just the main ones, but guys like Sanya, Billy and Rawlins...ect, every time you see them they have evolved a little and always in ways that make sense.

[@7Seraphem7]

Mavra, Maeve is the Winter Lady.

[@gauchplant]

A couple of things from Butcher: 1. Butcher has plotted out how Dresden is going to power up throughout the series. Since he plotted out the whole 20 (I think it is now 22 books), plus an epic trilogy at the end, that is why Dresden never feels overpowered. 2. There were three paths Dresden could have taken after his back was broken: Mab's proposal, Denarians, or going back to Kemmeler's book of Necromancy. He didn't know what path Dresden was going to take until the very last moment. 3. Mouse is supposed to be one of the main characters in a spin-off series that Butcher is going to co-write with his sister.

[@galactic_socialist]

Mouse is going to be even more important going forward

[@raquel1217]

Really? I didn’t know there were plans for a mouse spin-off, but I’m so happy about it. Honestly, I understood the decision to sent him with the child, but I’ve miss him a lot

[@gregkral4467]

hahaha, especially when telling about their defenses and schedules, and all, was hilarious, I could only imagine the faces agog with wonder on ..... how the eff did you.... HAHAHAHAHA Wow, that was fun.

[@gregkral4467]

I love Harry's humility and honor and dedication.... and they effing think he is a warlock, and afraid of him, and he is just an all around good and honorable man.... doing what he can, for the greater good, and suffering so much doing so, and he wouldn't trade for anything. What a great character....

[@Newicked]

2 is very surprising to me. I mean, the Kemmler power up is not like the other two, it would have made him way more powerful and warped his personality way more radically than the winter knight mantle. I would have thought there's no good way to keep writing the series if he went for that instead.

[@7Seraphem7]

Things have changed for harry over the years, he's gotten into and out of relationships, got a dog, got a new job, a brother, and apprentice, the series has actually been pretty steady in making alterations to Harry's status quo, just never to the degree, or as many at once as this one did. Add on to that, I love how it's a running theme of people constantly pointing out how much Harry hates when things change in his life. Yeah, the tracking spell not working could have been odd, but the series has already gone to good lengths telling and showing reasons why a tracking spell might fail, that it really doesn't seem that odd looking at it. Another little bit of kind of dark humor I loved here, was the level of pettiness the Reds showed, buying out Harry's building to raise the rent on him. Not enough to drive him out, but just enough to annoy him. Also, agreed, the relationship between Murphy and Harry is amazing. Only even potential rival is the one between Harry and Micheal. Ummmm, Lea giving her debt to Mab was how Mab push Harry into the position of owing her those favors in the first place. Yes, Mouse is Best Boy! Nothing more needs be said, he is simply best doggo! Changes.......... yeah,one of the rare cases where something is endlessly hyped by everyone, and anyone new who comes in finds it actually does live up to that hype.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I was worried there was no way this one could meet the hype it receives. I was severely happy to be wrong.

[@goaway3717]

Mike - my favorite comment from Butcher interviews is when he talks about his editor's reaction to the end of Changes. She - You've killed him! Butcher - Yeah, yeah calm down now we can do the fun stuff. I actually enjoyed Ghost Story. I get that a lot of people don't like Ghost Story so much but I think it's more a matter of how Harry has to do things in the new reality compared to how he would typically do so in the flesh (not my original thought but I don't remember now where I saw that opinion first and after thinking about it I think it makes sense).

[@kamikefive]

I always feel like it's the sudden downshift I pace. It just keeps building and then ghost stories is a slower, more personal story. It gives it time to breathe and explore the repercussions of all the choices up to this point.

[@TheDarkMessiah]

"Murphy's face...just crumpled" will always get me. I like the book for not shying away from all the grief Harry's death has caused. It would be easy for the book to just go "Hey, Harry's here as a ghost now! Everybody be happy! Yayyy!!".

[@Stitch53]

Many people have said that they didn’t really like Ghost Story until the 2nd or 3rd reread but it ends up becoming a favorite. Those who just listen to the audiobooks were disgruntled about the fact that it was read by John Glover. James Marsters had a last minute emergency that prevented him from being able to do it. The outcry was so great that Penguin gat Marsters to re-record it a few years ago.

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's really cool of them to do that.

[@mikemcquarrie4113]

Butcher said that prior to writing changes he did not know weather Dresden would choose winter, knickleheads or the dark hollow.

[@EricEstesEleutherian]

Changes would never be considered the best book ever written. However, I have never had a more intense, exciting and emotional reading experience.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Indeed.

[@allfather9645]

List his home, car, workplace, and his life ... I just pictured Dresden's player rolling ones all game :)

[@caffeinedelusions]

I DEMAND 47 RETROACTIVE FATE POINTS!

[@nemoonbekend2483]

Definitely failed a saving throw when he broke his back!

[@HarperGigs]

Yeah, he had a "Wheaton" nite for sure~

[@christopherdyer2046]

I love sitting here twiddling my fingers evilly as you make assumption after assumption. Knowing how Butcher is going to subvert all of them soon. And I can’t wait!

[@joseph-jackharding5184]

Finished Changes yesterday and will be starting Ghost Story next week. I am reading all the short stories in Side Jobs and Brief Cases in chronological order too. Hoping to make it to Peace Talks in time.

[@mileswakefield2298]

I love that moment in the book when you realize just how much power Harry has within reach if he is desperate enough to cross any line. In that moment you can see why he is feared. In a world where power is everything how can you not see him as a time bomb ready to go off.

[@ronniemaclaine5234]

Harry pointed that out to Mab when he pointed out that if he went to other routes the next time they speak he doesn't have to be so polite

[@misterturkturkle]

I dont get real emotional most of the time. But when Mrs. Spunkelkreef yells "oh god help us" and Sanya jumps the fence..... I cri erry tiem

[@mikesbookreviews]

Believe it or not, this one didn't get me to tears. But Ghost Story came close.

[@misterturkturkle]

@@mikesbookreviews i almost got sent home from work once cause this part came up and i teared up (headphones + audiobook) just as my boss walked in on me

[@AuroraXA]

"I knew the name of the next book and I was still floored." EXACTLY

[@mikesbookreviews]

He's just a great writer.

[@michaelbaker6789]

Recently I listened to a previous book where Harry meets Maeve. She asks for his firstborn child specifically in exchange for help or info about his murder mystery, and she implies (after he says he has none) that he could conceive one now with some nymph (literally) that was there. It makes me wonder if Butcher planned out that far back so that she was trying to trick him out of his already-born daughter while making him think his second-born was also hers. This is some 5d chess playing by the Fae and this tiny element was just left to happen regardless of the readers connecting the events.

[@aldieb07]

Great observation..was it in a book after death masks? Then should be true..

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's some Robert Jordan level foreshadowing.

[@aldieb07]

@@mikesbookreviews that's apt since fall out from Bianca ascension party is has not played out.. .import of something in book 8 only hit me in my 3rd re read of skin game .. really bone chilling..this guy plays his cards close to his chest while hiding it in plain site. Jordan used a variy of tools, viewings. Dreams, written prophesy, fore telling. Butcher uses conversations and descriptions..it's tough to pickup in a Bing. Do a re read before Peace talks..u will appreciate his cheekiness and laugh out loud..

[@pattyl3090]

Mike~ You have Jim Butcher watching you & apparently enjoying your journey through the Dresden Universe (as are the rest of us). So impressive 😃 & like a early BDay gift! Cheers

[@mikesbookreviews]

It's pretty cool to see an author that gives me joy getting that in return from my discussions.

[@sjkrum320]

I've been creeping your channel for 2 days waiting for this! And I'll be working at 7, but I have something to look forward to at the end of my shift! Woot!!!

[@TraeCooper]

Yeah he definitely was letting the anticipation build, after finishing the last two chapter video and confirmation it should be this week, I think a lot of us have been keeping our eye out for this review

[@mikesbookreviews]

@@TraeCooper I had to let it marinate a few days. There was a lot to unpack. Plus, the weekends are for the kids.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Hope it's worth the wait.

[@TraeCooper]

Mike's Book Reviews sorry that wasn’t meant to sound like an indictment, I think even if you did just draw out the time for anticipation it would be cool. I also know there is a lot to unpack with this book . Regards

[@sjkrum320]

@@mikesbookreviews totally worth the wait! So glad you loved it. I like Ghost Story, but it's a definite slow down from Changes. I think it was needed though. Cold Days gets plenty crazy stuff to fill that need after Ghost Story😀

[@DougTurley]

My evil grin as you speculate about the Swords

[@ChrisSpecker]

I know, right? Can't wait for him to get to Skin Game.

[@aldieb07]

I just found in my latest re read that In dead beat there is a clever foreshadowing and in ghost stories there is a banter with einherjaren and you -know- who..it was teased so cleverly I could feel evil grin on his face while he wrote it..crazy crazy brilliant guy😍

[@katherineweaver382]

Great review! It's been fun watching you start the Dresden Files and get to this point. Buckle up! It just gets better....

[@andrewold3791]

Fidelacchius. To me the root word is fidelity, so I tend to hear it almost as if it begins with 'fiddle' But live your life, man ;)

[@roberthill5549]

It is. Latin. _Fidelis_ meant faithful. You would be correct in the pronunciation.

[@Philistine47]

My favorite moment in _Changes_ is probably Harry's conversation with Sanya after becoming the Winter Knight. Not so much because of the humor (though I agree that some of Sanya's lines, in particular, are hilarious), but because of Sanya's instant acceptance, bordering on _approval,_ of Harry's decision to Make A Deal. Of course we've already seen that the Knights in this series don't subscribe to the Lawful Stupid archetype that turns so many people off from paladin-type characters in gaming; but even so, there's plenty of room short of that for _"I understand, but you shouldn't have done that"_ or something similar. No. Sanya is immediately on board, even describing it as "a good deal" because Harry stipulated that he'd be allowed to sae his daughter first. And this extends to the Gathering of the Fellowship more generally. As Harry makes the rounds of his friends, associates, and even enemies - all the characters we've seen him build relationships with over the course of the previous eleven books - their overwhelming response to his request for help is, "Of course. What do you need me to do?" Even Johnny Marcone, who _at best_ is a sometime ally of convenience, is willing to do what he can. It's a welcome contrast and counterbalance in a story that leans hard into the darkness for so much of its length.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Sanya has so many more layers than I first thought. Butcher is a beast at this.

[@JamesMcCormickIV]

I WAS WAITING FOR THIS! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! P.S. Awesome ReTweet by Jim "The Man Himself" Butcher.

[@timothyharms2149]

I think my favorite part regarding what happens to Harry at the end, is that it is foreshadowed in one of the previous books

[@nemoonbekend2483]

Not foreshadowed so much as it gave a certain someone an idea. . . (being vague here to avoid spoilers for Ghost Story).

[@darkwingeduriel]

Mike you are going to love the "Zoo Day" and "Christmas Eve" shorts when you get til them.

[@sharoncops7160]

I don't remember "Christmas eve".

[@7Seraphem7]

@@sharoncops7160 It wasn't in one of the collections, it was a short little story of Harry on Christmas Eve that Butcher put up on his website as a gift last December (Well he put it on the site, but so many people tried to read it it crashed things, so instead it's now a link to the g-doc of it) can find it on Butchers official website, is very, very sweet... though it takes place after the upcoming Peace Talks, no direct spoilers for that book, but does do a lot of foreshadowing of something big having happened.

[@darkwingeduriel]

@@sharoncops7160 drive.google.com/file/d/1pxLeRAWNPc86lY-h6cO75YbpkE8ShjHZ/view

[@jameshannum5641]

@@7Seraphem7 At this point, I think it takes place after Battle Ground. When Christmas Eve was first released, Peace Talks was envisioned as a single book. I have not heard this definitively, but based upon the story and what Battle Ground appears to be about, I think it occurs after Battle Ground. And, while it may not have any direct spoilers, it has some VERY heavy foreshadowing.

[@kostisth1436]

i just started storm front after all this dresden bullying :p

[@mikesbookreviews]

Enjoy! And definitely avoid this review until you're caught up.

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

kostis th enjoy. This is the best series hands down. Harry for President 2020

[@7Seraphem7]

@@Mysicalgreenunicorn03 Let's be honest.... It might be Harry getting voted into office, but we all know it'll be Mouse doing all the real work.

[@Mysicalgreenunicorn03]

7Seraphem7 hahahahah yessss because he’s a good boy

[@gregkral4467]

I hope you are as easily falling in love with this new world as I had.... what a great discovery from a distant friend.... what a set of stories...

[@nelspaulson3099]

Butcher has talked about the decision to be come the winter knight. He stated he had built up 3 options at that point and a deep dive into harry was needed for what the least of the evils was to Harry. Option 1 was winter knight, Option 2 was getting a coin, Option 3 was the book of Kemler aka Harry becomes a necromancer.

[@darinbeiler5800]

Mike, I have to tell you. I finished this book months ago. I just came back to your video to watch it again and the dramatic reading at the beginning made me have a huge lump in my throat by the end. Can’t believe the emotion is still that strong. I remember I couldn’t read for days after this one. Just walked around in shock lol

[@lathspell87]

Seriously, Mike. Listen to the that chapter with Marsters reading it. Try not to tear up just a bit.

[@Dawnphyre]

shared this on a few dresden FB pages, lots of people have been waiting for this

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks! I hate self-promoting my stuff on FB groups and Reddit but sincerely appreciate when others enjoy it enough to do so.

[@earlmurrie1455]

Loving the reviews please continue waiting so anxiously for peace talks

[@gregkral4467]

My young kids love this series, 12 and 9.... they were so excited hearing me dictate to them what happened in the last two new books, peace talks, and battle ground, love your reviews sir, thank you so much for all your reviews, like reading them all over again. They are even getting into Conan.... as well.

[@stumpy1146]

Glad you're enjoying this so much! Really like your videos, man!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks!

[@nicademous6396]

I just started watching after Jim shared your video. Your review of Changes had me rolling. I look forward to more Dresden content. :)

[@mikesbookreviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@nelspaulson3099]

quote from butcher when his agent/publicist read the final draft and was worried. "Now we can do the cool stuff"

[@andrewold3791]

Oh man, I so call you brother on the fast travel thing, and how epic fantasy draaaags whenever they're on horses camping!

[@Spacepup18]

Man, just watched your video after being linked by Butcher on twitter, and man, after listening to your comments and stuff about what you liked: I'm already vibrating in anticipation for you to read Skin Game.

[@adamborst]

I love the whole series, and the books after Changes are still great, but this is still the cream of the crop as far as Dresden goes for me. Completely agree about the 4 sentences. Straight FIRE from Butcher there, possibly will the best written chapter ending in the whole series when it's done.

[@mattroxursoul]

He did not tell Ebenezer till very late in the story. At first Ebenezer was upset with him for not going with that group to do something, instead going after a child. Think it was toward end of the middle before the trip that Ebenezer got the truth and not only stopped telling Harry that people were upset and then redirected the group. Course the connections were interesting, I had followed the story for ever and had not connected those dots.

[@kobba8813]

I’m going back through the series again. Changes is still holding up as my fav. Followed by skin game, battle grounds and death masks 🔥🔥🔥

[@DeejayPozE]

You deserve more subs man. You are great at this. Can tell you're being yourself and not putting on a face. That can kind of be a rarity on KZbin. Cheers til the next review!

[@delphy2478]

this is a fun way for me review the books and get outside perspective in the runup to peace talks

[@xelithe3096]

I'm so glad that you have finally reached this point of the story. Yes, for those that were waiting, Ghost Story was underwhelming. The stakes in this story don't seem to be of the same level that had been building in previous books. With that, the weight of what happens was a let down. After having given it some time, I do appreciate Ghost Story now. It's not one of my favorite, but at least to me, the development from the fallout was needed. I don't think I could have taken another book like Changes right after it. Only a few more books until you catch up to what numerous people have been waiting for, for years.

[@PurpleDrazi]

There are some nice points in the re-read of Ghost Story. The scene near the beginning at Murphy's place, for example, takes on a whole new meaning :P #nospoilers

[@jrich749]

The Star Trek scene near the end.....I loved it.....and it made me cry when it was revealed what Dresden did to her.....the girl that's loved him for so long.

[@usxxgrant]

I doubt anyone will ever read this, but here goes. While I can understand many folks' disappointment with 'Ghost Story,' I found it to be an important point in Harry's growth. It's almost as if it forced him to begin thinking like an adult rather than as a younger, less mature person, putting more thought into his plans and less gut reaction dictating his actions. Harry's growing up, and this is an important step in his maturity. Which has also led me to speculate, given the extended lives of wizards, whether (emotionally rather than physically) they take longer to go from puberty to adulthood. I'll ask Mr. Butcher if I ever get the chance.

[@TurtleDude05]

Good review. Seeing you go through the series has made me want to go back and reread them for the 7th time. 😁

[@WoncoTheSane]

I think you called Dresden 'Harry Potter' in the middle of this review and had to laugh. (did I hear that wrong?) In any case, Jim Butcher himself once described the Dresden Files as "Dirty Harry Potter" so we can all let that slide. Loved this review, all your stuff is really well done and a joy to watch. Can't wait for the next one. (I loved Ghost Story) Looks like you will just make it all work in time for the newest book. Looking forward to us all being unable to spoil each other in the comment section.

[@kyleyounie4587]

Harry ponders I believe he said

[@darkwar25]

Hey man love your reviews keep it up and keep it real

[@fasdaVT]

Donner Vaderrung, Donner another name for Thor and Vader a word for Father.

[@Demonreached]

OH MY GOD I NEVER NOTICED THAT

[@08234loki]

This getting me even more hyped for the new book

[@alextuttle7762]

Good point about the people that had to wait for GS. I was fortunate enough to be late to the party and got to binge the series up until CD and love GS as well.

[@JaxStravig]

Even you speaking those 4 lines i got goosebumps

[@Chetverikov]

Loving the reviews, Mike, I can't wait to see the next few. Helps to make the wait for Peace Talks a bit easier. That said, I wanted to make a quick correction to something: The Leanansidhe sold Harry's debt to Mab between Grave Peril and Mab's first appearance in Summer Knight. That's WHY Mab was able to back Harry into working for her and why Harry owes her the 3 favors. Getting control of Harry's debt was Mab's price for allowing the Leanansidhe to keep the athame (ritual dagger) that Cloak and Kumori gave her at Bianca's party in Grave Peril (go back and re-read that bit of the party scene: Bianca's standing next to two figures in black robes, one tall, one short and slim, and they produce the dagger and give it to Lea).

[@nemoonbekend2483]

That damned athame. Probably the most important event in that whole book, and Butcher slips it in so quietly you never even notice. . .

[@aldieb07]

Ferrovax also got something ..getting dragon kind would make it real tough

[@Mark-iv6yg]

Happy you’re mind is sufficiently blown! It is a great book, thanks too for a great recap, I can’t wait for Peace Talks...

[@mikesbookreviews]

It was a wild ride.

[@Alpharius]

I had to wait for Ghost Story after Changes came out...it was pain, but Ghost Story is still one of my favorites

[@nicklbrown]

Once again, your reviews are fantastic!!

[@demonicgrub1025]

Changes is an absolutely amazing book, and its also the one I have reread the least, because of how painful it is to read, and see Dresden hit that low again.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

I am glad you enjoyed Changes as much as the rest of us. I'm actually looking forward to your review for Ghost Story more than I was for this one. You now have a couple of really good File books to look forward to.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I know, but I only have a couple left and then I have wait. This is bullshit!

[@nemoonbekend2483]

@@mikesbookreviews I am unsympathetic. Do you realize how long the rest of us have been waiting for Peace Talks! : )

[@codyt.346]

Changes was definitely a lot to process. Great job with the review. I love me some Spoiler vids (with proper warning). Good night sir

[@aitruscolso]

All I have to do is hear those four lines, and my spine shivers. It's just... ugh, it hits hard, man.

[@PugFeist]

Cantaloupe balls. What a beautiful sentiment to sum up the ride that is Changes.

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

I'm so glad you finally got to Changes. -Lloyd Slate wasn't immune to death as the Winter Knight. Why would Harry be? -Those four sentences made me cackle like a lunatic. -I was one of those people who waited a year and a half for Ghost Story. I like Ghost Story. It feels like a Small Favor book to me; you need it, you need to have it in the series, but is it something I'm excited to read through right this second? Eh, it's good storytelling. I'm fine with it but I'm not pumped like I am when I get to Changes. Or Skin Game. =) I'm the only one waiting for you to get to the end of the line (as it stands right now, anyway) not because I want a whole "looking forward" video, but because I love Skin Game -that much-. Seriously it's like my 2nd or 3rd favorite, only really outranked by Changes.

[@nemoonbekend2483]

Yeah, Skin Game is great. As to the Winter Knight; the whole role of the Winter/Summer Knight is to BE mortal and thus able to do things the Faye can't do.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I should be there in a couple of weeks!

[@zackfolkestad8746]

Definitely the best book in the series! EVERYTHING changes! I just wish that we only had to wait one year for the next book instead of, now, multiple years. I’m so frustrated that we have to wait so long for answers now, while Butcher is busy writing a brand new series and ignoring the Dresden fans. Please, for anybody who wants to start the Dresden Files series, don’t start! You’ll regret it because you’ll be left in limbo for years in between books! Wait until he’s done, which might never happen, or you’ll be 80 waiting for book 22 out of a 30 book series. Seriously, I’m super pissed that Jim started and cares more about his new series and ignores Dresden’s story. It’s BS! He’s “writing” book 18 out of a 24(ish) series, but has added another book, making it take longer to finally get to the end! JUST FINISH IT JIM!!!!

[@caffeinedelusions]

You nailed Donar Vadderung's pronunciation.

[@angiebennett578]

So I've been on the fence about rereading all the books before Peace Talks. I've really enjoyed watching your reviews and was thinking to myself I don't need to reread them.. I have a person who's reading them for me and giving me a synopsis... but this review.. i'm going to have to dive back in. love your show. and grats on the Butcher shout out. Well deserved!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Happy to help.

[@CameronBuckcamdeeman]

Good stuff, glad that you are posting these reactions and reviews so timely considering Peace Talks and Battleground.

[@mikesbookreviews]

It was something I started last December and I didn't think I'd be able to catch up in time, but that was before I realized how hard it was to put these books down.

[@CameronBuckcamdeeman]

@@mikesbookreviews I had to speed up the audiobooks just because the pacing isn't where my mind could adjust to Marsters. If you ever want to try a re-read while doing other things, I highly recommend 1.4 x speed! hahaha

[@c0barsm]

I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikesbookreviews]

I did! It was great.

[@thecanadianfood]

This is the only book in the series where I decided to watch your review after listening to the audiobook. All the others I watched the review and then listened to the audiobook. Totally worth it to switch the order for this book. This is Snape killing Dumbledore level of spoilers in this book. Something you definitely want to experience for yourself first. Anyways now I'm going to watch the review for Ghost Story before I get started on listening to the audiobook.

[@kamikefive]

Those 4 sentences still get me to this day. It's just haunting.

[@thesmuli83]

Hello. Absolutely awesome book and great video too. DF improves the further the series progresses. Luckily, during the summer, we get a couple of new adventures.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I feel grateful not having to endure that wait.

[@dougfile6644]

Had you noticed that every book title is 2 words with the same number of letters in each, except for Changes. This is the only book (so far) that has broken that rule.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Didn't notice that.

[@Cat_Sidhe]

I always love reviews/reactions to Changes

[@mikesbookreviews]

Where's your red lightsaber?

[@andrewold3791]

Changes was one of those books where I remember where I was when I read it. The whole Mexico/Red Court thing was a Magnum Opus.

[@Ship-security]

I started reading the series when small favor came out. The end of this book was mind-blowing.

[@DrecSutal]

Reading Changes when it came out was extra heavy. Not just not already knowing the title of the next book... but not knowing (for sure) that there would *be* a next book. > Now that the Red [Court] is over, does that mean we get to focus on the whole Black Council? Or do we still got everybody acting like idiots...? I mean, when you put it like that the answer seems kinda obvious, yeah? lol.

[@illumstern8831]

To be fair, those two choices aren't mutually exclusive. ;D (Though, I'm not confirming anything by saying this)

[@cloud2440]

I don't know if its been said or not, but in order for a new knight to arise the old one has to die. Its also a very allegorical to what harry latter does to suzan at the end of the book. Also it does feel a little rapey during the whole sealing the deal part.

[@DPS31762]

I had been suspecting ever since Ebenezer showed up that he was Harry's grandfather, but I hadn't anticipated the earlier reveal of Thomas as Harry's brother.

[@bunniesbunniesbunnie]

Which makes me wonder if Ebenezer knows about Thomas as of Changes. And if he does, why didn't he step in and stop Thomas from becoming what he became? It's something I almost never saw in fan theories or questions and it bothers me a great deal.

[@lOwlEyesl]

This is just my own personal observation, but fidelity seems to play a huge role in all of Jim's books, The Dresden Files, Codex Alera & even Cinder Spires. That being said I have always pronounced Fidelacchius like fiddle because I imagine the swiftness in which some fiddle players whip the bow when they play. (Im thinking of The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels band) Does that make sense? Anyway- glad you got this far, I look forward to the next 3 vids!

[@mikesionu]

Great review Mike!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@turtleanton6539]

Okay now this sounds awesome!

[@s.miklaski2286]

Great video! Thanks

[@patmoore9474]

Working title for Changes: "Harry gets kicked in the junk."

[@emptynight4861]

Yeah, I was one of the ones that read Changes when it came out so no Ghost Story for a year or so after that, and floored is kinda underselling how it was (at least for me). No joke, I actually finished the last page of Changes, put the book down, then completely repressed the memory of him dying for an entire day. Didn't realize what happened till the next morning when I was driving into the city for morning classes at my university, made the second half of that drive pretty hard to concentrate on lol. That year was a hell of a wait.

[@dresden3072]

Mike I cant wait for you to read zoo story part 3 of Brief Cases. It'll make you love mouse even more plus give a little more incite into the black councle

[@roberthill5549]

Glad I found your channel. I enjoy the content, and your attitude. I was following another creator, who shall remain nameless, that unfortunately crawled up his own ass; banning books from authors that have the 'wrong' viewpoints, being a general douchebag to anyone that calls out his biases, and so forth. We read books to get _away_ from the incessant politics that smother us for a little while. Please keep your content like it is. Don't bring disagreements with authors into your reviews, or start lecturing us on the "correct" way to view today's politics. Great work.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I made a promise when I started this channel to 1) be okay with disagreeing and 2) keep the focus on books and not the happenings of the real world. Glad so many appreciate it.

[@Dyuqe]

I started reading the series along with you and I finished it last week. (already my favourite series of all time probably). I liked Changes, but for me it didn't live up to the hype. But Cold Days made up for that!

[@mikesbookreviews]

Cold Days is really good 100 pages in.

[@benwilson409]

Herry is the best. I audio book. So I'm caught up. Another series of books to put on your list is (Mercedes Thompson Series) by Patricia Briggs it Dresden like and different enough, good read. I've also finished wheel of time and it's great. May the force be with you

[@mikesbookreviews]

I've gotten that rec a lot while doing this series.

[@OldGoat-cw8he]

I had to wait for ghost stories. I loved it anyways. I agree it is the epic size of Butcher's nuggets that make these stories.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Providing meaningful backstory in book 13 of your series is remarkable.

[@mndrew1]

You can always tell a nerd because they compare the big team-up like this to LotR; and everyone else compares it to The Magnificent Seven/Seven Samurai.

[@Grimmers]

Alright boys, our job here is done. Onto the next book review youtuber to hype Changes to.

[@aset91]

I love your dresten reviews, and ye this is easily the best book. I am eagerly awaiting your thoughts on the next one becouse oppinions are very split on that one. Btw have you ever read the Death gate cycle by by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman? If so what did you think about it and if not, i would highly recommend it.

[@redman0901]

changes is definitively the turning point in the series and masterfully done. I have predictions for the end of the series, I have a feeling butcher is gonna pull some R.R. Matin and main characters are going to die at some point, I don't think this ends happily ever after but you'll see that in the next couple of books. I still feel the mab/harry thing was kind of rapey, due to the fact that he didn't really have a choice, I have to re-read that part, maybe I over reacted to it.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I'm not expecting a bloodbath, but I'm expecting a lot of pain by the end.

[@amalaspina]

Theory has it that the actual “Black Staff” Ebenezar uses is Mother Winters missing walking stick.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Huh. That makes a lot of sense.

[@galactic_socialist]

I wouldn't say it's missing and I'd say it's more than a theory. I won't spoil it but winter has something to do with outsiders

[@DeeboX-vv8ji]

Fyi, there's a book called Side Jobs that tells the story of how Harry met Murphy.

[@mikesbookreviews]

I plan to read all the short stories once I'm caught up. Just racing to be done with the main series prior to Peace Talks.

[@pattyl3090]

And Brief Cases... They both contain info important to the ongoing storyline's!

[@HandlesAreStupid2024]

Sanya's "dat ass" comment after the Winter Knight part gave me a good chuckle. edit: After your character growth comment about Mouse, I was just sitting here thinking, "What if the building was on fire, and it WAS Harry's fault?" (which led into him being won by Mouse)

[@mikesbookreviews]

That's inception.

[@NIcolasbobbitt]

I never understood the hate for ghost stories.

[@Grimmers]

It mostly is a divide of people who had to wait versus people binge reading. I can understand people being a little dissapointed with the more slow contemplative and retrospective tone of it after they've had a year to braintheory all the crazy stuff the followup to a book like Changes must have. But yeah binge reading them back to back, Ghost Story is a really essential slower beat the story needed to take. If Changes was the tsunami, Ghost Story is the devastation and first steps to rebuilding afterwards.

[@Evil_Peter]

@@Grimmers I think some were also a bit jarred by that the audiobook didn't have James Marsters (at the time). I've listened to both versions and while I liked the book the first time it just felt so much better with Marsters. Not because John Glover did a bad job, it's just that Marsters _is_ Dresden Files now.

[@SushiPajamas101]

The first time I read it it was at the bottom of my ranking list. By the third reading it was much higher. 3rd or 4th...