Harry Dresden: No Time for Subtle | Storm Front Spoilers

His name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden and he's a wizard. And we're going to talk about The Dresden Files and Storm Front and John Marcone and The Varsity, and how he really doesn't have time for subtle. Well. Not in book one, anyway.
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[@Doubleo21]

The opening line to Blood Rites is easily a top ten hook: “The building was on fire, and it wasn’t my fault”.

[@xSmilinBanditx]

Second best opening line I ever read! Love the whole series!

[@demonicgrub1025]

Ok, but the deat beat cain and able opening was soooo good.

[@christianemden7637]

Blood rites has the greatest opening line of all Dresden books.

[@arvidfrykman9850]

@@christianemden7637 And the greatest ending line.

[@colebailey2578]

This line would just make people get this kind of "Ok-wait, why did you say not your fault, do you burn buildings often?!?" look on their face when they have no context. For us Dresden Files fans? Comedy at its purest.

[@craniusdominus8234]

How did nobody mention this gem of a line from Changes? 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.”

[@neil2742]

Probably my favourite one liner. Many of the others need the set up but this one stands alone

[@cmanrulesal]

“Holy shit, Hellhounds” Michael, Disapprovingly: “Harry. Language.” “Holy shit, Heck Hounds.”

[@marioanthony8787]

Listening Changes again for like the 100th time

[@marioanthony8787]

@@cmanrulesal yessss that was a good 1

[@markadkins1842]

"I'd really hate for something to go right for once. It'd totally ruin my persecution complex." I feel this Harry quote on a deep, personal level!

[@KWBR1123]

That was in Death Masks right?

[@simonbas6]

The other thing that best encapsulates Harry Dresden as a character is when a book starts with "the building was in fire, and it wasn't my fault"

[@Sm00k]

I will argue for Sue.

[@simonbas6]

@@Sm00k Oooh that's a good shout as well

[@simonbas6]

Or maybe the donut

[@tristanhaller8399]

To the point that, in the RPG, which is based on the FATE system, where characters are defined by five descriptive statements, that's one of those Aspects for Harry.

[@josh-cz3ey]

LllmTD

[@ChadEichhorn]

"I'm not the Carpenter who set the standard" my fucking HEART

[@tonywentworth9652]

Harry to Thomas. "Why did you buy large breed puppy food?" Mouse rules!

[@VuldarLeveL]

Butters' reaction to meeting Mouse; Oh my god, you have a pony.

[@ghostbeetle2950]

Yes, he does! "Who's a good boy 'den?!"

[@Fritzafella]

The start to Turn Coat when Morgan shows up injured all like "The Wardens are after me!" Faints Dresden stands there for and basically goes "You fucking kidding me?" That and the running gag of every time he returns home Morgan Molly and Mouse are all in a fight. Its great.

[@ZechsMerquise195]

Mouse is great in any scene.

[@rangeraero]

The last line of the first chapter hooked me for the whole series. Possibly paraphrased, because I'm not going to look it up: "Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face."

[@jmartin4396]

One of my top ten easily: Who the hell are you? I the hell am Harry. Are you always a wiseass? No, sometimes I'm asleep.

[@johndunn1625]

One of my favorite moments in the series isn't actually from Harry's perspective, but rather Marcone's. In one of the short stories that's written from his perspective, Marcone acknowledges that Harry in an incredible drama queen, and as such Marcone has gone out of his way to set up non vital doors in all of his businesses to explode in a very spectacular and non dangerous manner in the event that Harry, or some other wizard, decides that he wants to make an entrance similar the one he did in Storm Front. It's a little sidenote in the rest of the short story that isn't the main focus, but it's typical of Marcone's thinking and acknowledges just how well he knows Harry and how Harry operates.

[@poisonivystar4]

That and the fact that he also made Harry a gold member for all his legitimate businesses because he believed Harry was less likely to blow up a place that was actively welcoming him, lol.

[@Phantomsbreath]

My favourite moment is Sanya's reaction to Harry calling the Za Guard for help. "You are a drug dealer for fairies?"

[@Phantomsbreath]

Runner up is the moment in Ghost story when he casts the only spell he's ever done in english. One word. "Be"

[@NemoConsequentae]

"For shame!"

[@alexsolomon8127]

@@Phantomsbreath technicly not true. when Harry loses his crap at the Red Court party in book 3, he starts out using his spell words..."fuego...PRYROfuego..." and then he does the no-no. he just says "BURN." and they do. (it's a BAD idea to use "uninsulated" words when casting spells...it makes certain channels in the psyche that can lead to nasty consequences. it's why all wizards come up with some sort of other language or gobbltygook they wouldn't use in thier daily life when casting. of course, if they get angry/focused enough, they don't really NEED words. Like when Warden Morgan thought Dresden had just executed Luccio.in book 7.

[@AnakinTheWeird]

Don't forget the immediate followup of "So, Mab... You... hit that. You tapped that ass. Presumably it was fat."

[@notafangirl]

I still think about a scene in....shoot i forget which book..but in it Harry and Thomas are at the beach. Harry asks him what it's like to always be hungry but never actually indulge. Thomas shows him by racing him back to the car (on a hot day) and let's Harry -who by now is thirsty- take one sip of water before batting it out of his hands to spill on the ground. Harry turns on him ready to say something, not pleased, and Thomas tells him, "It's like that." And he gets in the car, leaving Harry to his thoughts. I don't know why but that scene stuck with me even after all these years from the first read through.

[@harmonygibbs7904]

yes, oh gods yes that was a powerful moment.

[@c15page]

Dead Beat. There's a reason Jim always said that was the book most deserving to be made a movie.

[@maximeteppe7627]

@@c15page I mean the climax is somewhere between jurassic park and night at the museum, The dresden files are great at goofy fun.

[@Toothpicklvr]

That sticks in my head too! I think it's because the main character takes a moment to Actively Try To Empathize, to take the lesson that Thomas is trying to teach him and really take it to heart. It's something that doesn't happen a lot (especially in books written by men, let's be honest) and it really should be done more often!

[@ashleytuchin7693]

I always loved that scene!

[@savingpyro]

"Because apparently the Dresden Files are like Pringles" Accurate assessment. Also Harry antagonizing Nicodemus in Skin Game is masterful.

[@golan345]

"I used the knife. I saved a child. I won a war. God forgive me." So far, this is the only point that actually brings me to tears. The buildup with the duel, then the full battle with Avatar of God Murphy, Martin's triple cross, Susan's turn, and then the climax. It breaks me every time.

[@tilljagodzinski9331]

The time in skin game she asked Harry if he is mad at her is also heartbreaking...

[@bp92221]

I honestly got chills just reading the line. And yeah its definitely the most reliable way to make me cry. Whenever I need a cry I go back and listen to that chapter on audio book. If you haven't head it, James Marsders does a phenomenal reading

[@zainredding3476]

@@bp92221 James Marsden is the reason I listen to those books beginning to end every couple years. The writing is phenomenal, but Marsden sells it. Remeber when they released an Audiobook with a dif guy. Ahh history lol.

[@nathandc]

@@zainredding3476 they only got someone else because Butcher missed the deadline and Marsters only had the one spot open in his schedule. The other guy was ok, just not James, which is why they rerecorded it with him.

[@HurrikanEagle]

Even reading that line now, years removed from the last time I read that book, makes me choke up.

[@tommyz3779]

My favorite Dresden Files scene is really single sentence: "Nicodemus blinked."

[@saxavarius]

which sounds lame but with the context of the character is an "oh fuck"

[@nathandc]

Please refresh my memory, which book is this from?

[@saxavarius]

@@nathandc I believe its Small Favor

[@starsgears9200]

It's one of those lines that out of context means absolutely nothing and leans on several books worth of consistent characterization to make any sense. Amazing.

[@Demonreached]

I also love the moment in Skin Game. "Nicodemus's left eye began to twitch." 🤣

[@Lex_82]

Favourite Scene: Definetly Michael Carpenter stepping past the gate of his frontyard in Skin Games.

[@gareththomas9793]

Oh god yes that was so powerful to me I actually had to stop myself whooping

[@aeonise]

Absolutely. Just about every scene with Michael is outstanding, and I love how well Butcher does writing Michael as simply a Good man. Not just Good by nature but by constant, conscious choices. Michael is a case study in how to do an unabashedly Good character without falling into the usual pitfalls. And Uriel is always awesome.

[@ErekLich]

I still, to this day, tear up when I read that scene.

[@rcb3921]

There was that vampire that burst into flames just because it touched Michael. Harry: "Well, color me impressed." Michael, embarrassed: "Yeah, that happens sometimes."

[@gareththomas9793]

@@rcb3921 and everyone else doesn't even bat an eyelid and just carries on

[@KrisV385]

The thing about Dresden that always makes me smile is encapsulated by the scene when the bad guy flips the silver coin into Michael's yard and even knowing what would happen Harry doesn't hesitate to pick it up. Just awesome!

[@ActionNerdGo]

To me this is the scene that shows us why Harry is the right guy to hold the Sword until its time to pass it on. At a core fundamental level Harry will do the right thing at any cost.... to himself, but not to others. Bianca put the right engraving on that Tombstone.

[@tzaphkielconficturus7136]

It helps that it also led into probably one of the best character arcs in the series.

[@tzaphkielconficturus7136]

Make that two of the best character arcs in the series, because Lash counts, dang it...

[@arakasi2]

That scene sets Dresden up for the laser-guided question later: "Why did you grab the coin and not the child?"

[@vegetablevoice]

WHITE NIGHT (paraphrasing from memory): "Turns out I'm in a buddy cop movie." "Yup. I'm the zany loveable one, you're the brainy conservative." "What if I want to be the zany one?" "Then YOU go out to the boat." "Stop throwing the regulations out the window, we're supposed to stop the maniacs not become them, don't do anything stupid because I only have 3.5 seconds left before retirement." "That's the spirit."

[@zufinfluby]

My favorite scenes are always anything that shows how smart and awesome mouse is: faking being more injured then he was, threatening mab, commenting on how harry is "heart stupid"

[@ZechsMerquise195]

Smart enough to talk. Smart enough not to talk.

[@CliffHilliard]

I don't know if it's my favorite, but what really hooked me was when Harry grabs the unraveling from Aurora, says “MEEP MEEP!”, and takes off running. The audio books make it so much better too.

[@pingienator]

Personal favourite moment from the series: when Harry figures out that Hades (yes, that Hades) named his dog Spot!

[@aeonise]

Hell, Hades in his entirety is just a magnificent bastard, especially when you finally learn the game he's playing. The nods to him being the only remotely decent one of his siblings are awesome, too.

[@7Seraphem7]

And he is a good boy, yes hes is!

[@alexisgrunden1556]

I loved Hermes' wedding gift to Hades; leading Demeter on a wild goose chase for a whole freaking year so they could honeymoon without an invasive MiL! XD XD

[@dirgeofdementia]

Big fan of Mouse’s conversation with Lea in Changes.

[@matt_1984_]

i've often wondered, is it one good boi with 3 heads, or 3 good boi's with one body? does he have a derpy head?

[@Theroha]

At my first ever convention, I got to sit in on a panel with Jim Butcher. I hadn't even heard of him or the Dresden Files; I was just there with my girlfriend. I was sold on him as an author and a person when fans kept asking him stuff about his next book, and his response was sing songing "I'm not gonna tell you. I'm not gonna tell you."

[@zidaryn]

That is flipping awesome. I hope I get to meet him one of these days.

[@siroreo]

My favorite scene has to be the Polka powered T-Rex, being ridden into an apocalypse.

[@Sm00k]

Zombie Trex.

[@kpvoegele9457]

I was going to use this exact moment as well. "Polka Will Never Die!"

[@MinnehahaSybyl]

I just went to the comments to make sure this moment was here.

[@cjwauer4730]

This is my favorite scene too.

[@susansanders8485]

"Here's something else I bet you didn't know about T-Rexes: they don't corner well."

[@emm6064]

"For my next trick: Anvils!" The frozen turkey death in Blood Rites is just too hilarious. (Edit to fix title)

[@kylejde]

especially when the little pop out timer goes off

[@emm6064]

@@kylejde Talk about cinematic comedic timing!

[@darkhawk155]

Dear lord I'd forgotten that part! XD I guess it's been too long since I've read the early books, time to re-read the whole series now it seems.

[@dmann1982]

The fight in that scene stops *cold* for a few seconds too, as all parties looked on in disbelief, I believe.

[@maggiemakgill]

"I told you, you Black court basterds! Next time, avils!" Quiet the wait to complete an (almost) literal "brick joke" ...

[@kaylinhendrich4673]

Jim Butcher wrote a short story told from 3 perspectives: Harry’s, Maggie’s, and Mouse’s. I am a big fan of Mouse’s version of the story.

[@Phantomsbreath]

Zoo day!

[@darksoul9475]

@@Phantomsbreath That story was was great. Maggie is just like her dad, Harry is learning how to balance being a wizard and a father, and Mouse shows there are now TWO people you do not mess with while he is around, although he already knows Harry wants him to put Maggie first. All three deal with fear and doubt. All three show their hearts and how much they really are a family. J.B. surprised me (for the zillionth time) with this first real look inside Maggie's head, and laying a foundation for another great character.

[@trevorhegstrom2816]

My name is Mouse. I'm a good boy. Everyone tells me so

[@happyninja42]

My favorite scene is from Small Favor, and it's actually split up between 2 different scenes, but they are linked in theme. Harry at his house, talking to his allies...and then suddenly stopping and writing something down on a piece of paper. "Ivy...*then the rest which I will leave out* " Then, the conclusion "....I got your letter....thank you." that moment, given all the stuff that happens in that book, just gets me every time. The context of what it meant, and how it was delivered to the party in question, and what she was going through at that moment, to have something like that literally beam into her brain....just priceless.

[@darkhawk155]

The "game over" and "there is no try" scenes near the end of Skin Game are the absolute highlights for the series for me. The first shows, similar to this scene from Storm Front, just how terrifyingly effective Harry can be given some time to prepare the situation ahead of a fight he knows is coming, and the second is the crowning-momemt-of-bad@$$ for my favorite character in the series. Plus there's the Hades, "I'm a big fan of your work" scene, where you realize just how much of a name Harry's made for himself in ~40 years amongst a world of wizards that live for centuries and literal immortals... Man, Skin Game was so good.

[@demonicgrub1025]

Turn Coat, when he's facing off with the wardens and he realizes they are scared of him.

[@marioanthony8787]

Love that scene, just finished that book and started changes again, for bout 10th time

[@Fritzafella]

Then Peace Talks turned it up to 11.

[@punkinholler]

This isn't action based, but I love how Harry is always questioning how his use of power affects other people. He is constantly concerned that he will lose touch with what it means to be a normal human and start treating people as disposable objects. That constant questioning and concern about being a good person is what allows him to remain one. It's a nice reminder for me to be vigilant about how my own actions affect other people, and one I wish more people with real power would take note of.

[@UltaFlame]

There's a line in one of the side stories from a certain wizard's apprentice's perspective where said character has to pause and reflect like you do, quoting Dresden as they do

[@Shadow-zf3hv]

If you want to see an arc like that again, try the cleric quintet by R.A. Salvatore.(might have to wait for the fourth/fifth book)

[@FireyTinkerHell]

Yes! Yes! So much Yes!

[@EloquentTroll]

And then it gets cranked up in Changes, and hits a boiling point in Battle Ground.

[@angeliquewiegand3001]

The snowball fight with the children where we learn that HE learned that spell with baseballs instead. His determination to be better than the man who taught him.

[@guuspot923]

All time favorite scene; 'Likest thou jelly within thy doughnut?Nay, but prithee, with sprinkles 'pon it instead, I said solemnly, and frosting of white.'...

[@Vallarthis]

Favourite: Learning Marcone has started choosing doors based on how much shrapnel they might produce.

[@Piterdeveirs333]

"The building was on fire, and it wasn't my fault" Harry Dresden

[@jwzerbe]

ok, one of my favorite scenes is Harry's interaction with the eldest Gruff. Hearing that they tell stories about him and his boon being a donut.

[@eyantyler]

Favourite scene? Riding a zombie Sue into battle is one, but I love his battle cry atop the clouds... "I don't believe in fairies!"

[@dylancox631]

My favorite scene: Harry talking to Uriel at the end of the short story The Warrior. First I love it because I needed some closure to know Michael was ok. Second, it describes all the good Harry did during the story, almost accidentally. How good and evil isn’t just sword wielding hero’s against disgusting monsters, sometimes it’s just willingness to help people in need. I love that. Either that or Murphy’s proclamation of doom in Changes: “False gods! Pretenders! Destroyers of faith! Of Families! Of Children! For your crimes against the Mayans, against the people’s of the world, now will you answer! Your time has come... face judgement Almighty!” Freaking hell that was perfect!

[@FjordBuilderSBF]

Dylan Cox Yeah that was great, St. Michael was using her as a megaphone there I’m pretty sure.

[@Jhaiisiin]

Tiny, but Fierce!

[@HurrikanEagle]

My favorite interaction with Harry and Uriel is when he shorten's Uriel's name....... and Uriel is NOT having it.

[@ntvirtue]

I don't think that was Murphy speaking technically

[@kacyroush6293]

But that wasn't Murph. She didn't say it, she looked as surprised as anyone else did. That way Someone Else speaking through her, through the Sword.

[@jeremyclegg3588]

For me, even after all these other great books, there still is one favorite moment in the series. “I didn't know this before, but as it turns out, Tyrannosaurs can really haul ass.” :} Though I do admit to loving Thomas's line, "I'm his thus. I'm way higher than a flunky."

[@kylejde]

but the dont corner well....

[@antonbrakhage490]

@@kylejde The irony of this is that current scientific theories have it more or less the reverse. Tyrannosaurs (at least the full-grown ones) weren't super-fast (though also not super-slow), but were really manueverable.

[@lordfelidae4505]

@@antonbrakhage490I mean, slow for their size can be fast at our scale. To an ant, a human’s casual stroll would be blindingly fast.

[@mythadology]

My Favorite Scene: Harry and then Listens to Wind versus Shagnasty. "ain't going to bind you, ain't going to Banish you, just going to kick your ass up between your ears. Lets go." That whole scene needs to be airbrushed on a black van in the 1970's

[@sarahwinn2453]

As a chicagoan, I have a particular love of The Dresden Files that comes from familiarity with just about every landmark mentioned in the books. After reading dozens of books that all seem to take place in New York, Los Angeles, or London, there’s something very satisfying about reading a series that takes place in “my city”. As for my favorite scene, that distinction definitely goes to Harry riding a zombified Sue the T. rex through the city streets to the sounds of polka.

[@ActionNerdGo]

But its also one of the things that makes Storm Front non-sensical. It's clear to me that Butcher didn't know Chicago very well at that point. (He got much better about it.)

[@osco4311]

O absolutely love that something finally takes place outside of NYC/LA

[@SithCats]

@@ActionNerdGo I was going to say, Butcher's lack of familiarity with Chicago during the early books was obvious to anyone who lived in the area. Remember the scene in Summer Knight with the Chloro-fiend, that takes place in a Walmart? At a time when there were zero Walmarts in Chicago? He's definitely gotten better about it over time, though.

[@ActionNerdGo]

@@SithCats He could easily have been in the Burbs for that. It's not a long drive.

[@GravesRWFiA]

but when I visited Chicago a few years ago, i was disappointed to note that the floor around the real skull of Sue-is carpeted! no sliding on mable, no clatter of mouse's nails

[@davidl5452]

"Some people say chivalry is dead. For me it's more of a knee-jerk reaction." I really like the scene when Harry picks Karen up from the family reunion. We are introduced to her mom, and in just a couple of paragraphs she is so well developed.

[@Jhaiisiin]

Favorite scene and quote: Sanya about Murphy: "Tiny, but fierce!"

[@lietataysom1867]

Huge fan favorite scene...Donut.

[@harmonygibbs7904]

Someone cross stitched that for me and its fantastic!

[@TwinFlower90]

With sprinkles?

[@tyrant-den884]

A really good donut is such a boon.

[@bast713]

Yes!!! I have that line as a featured photo on my Facebook photo area thingy!!!

[@lietataysom1867]

@@TwinFlower90 ye and frosting of white

[@dangan5054]

Bearup and Dresden, united at last! My day just got immeasurably better! My favourite scene is probably the start of one of the books where Harry says "In that moment, I felt an intense kinship with Cain." Just - delightful writing.

[@jackgriffi7826]

My favorite scene is probably Injun Joe fighting the skinwalker, also Harry's line "I punched it in the nose. Now we're friends."

[@TheCrazyPlayer]

I think my favorite scene is from one of the short stories in Side Jobs. (*Spoilers*) Amoracchius has been stolen, and they have finally caught up with the thief. Michael (who has retired due to injuries at this point) proceeds to beat the snot out of the thief (retired Special Forces) whilst explaining why the thief is unworthy of the Sword. Michael comes within an inch of beating the thief to death after the thief has surrendered, and Harry stops Michael by offering to do the deed for him. They say giving up your life for another is a sign of love, but I think being willing to carry the guilt of murder for another is a MUCH larger sacrifice. (Obviously, Michael comes to his senses and there’s no murder; Michael’s not that kind of guy.) Truly powerful, in my opinion. Or, you know, anything involving the Zombie Dinosaur. :D Polka will never die!

[@ChrisM-xx6cf]

Three years old and I'm just now finding this video!? Only to respond to this that I am, at this very moment, wearing a t-shirt with Harry and Butters on Sue with the line "Polka will never die!" on it.

[@kpvoegele9457]

1 - Cheers for starting in on Harry Dresden. He's such a fun character. I was going to point to two aspects of his personality that have always jumped out to me when I read ( or...reread...again ) the books - "Polka Will Never Die" will a T-Rex to keep Butters focused, and the Ice Water bucket for Molly. He's a gent as well as a madman. He's our perfect wizard.

[@Sinewmire]

It's been suggested that the guy on the front of the novels is Thomas, dressed up as Harry.

[@JohnSmith-io3ii]

I've not heard of that, but it makes so much sense.

[@Sm00k]

Nah. His reputation would fall into oblivion.

[@JillBearup]

He totally would.

[@Mongward]

That's a fun thought, but I still like the actual thing better: Jim and his cover artist being forever locked in a joke neither wants to back out of.

[@elikorn8777]

@@JillBearup no. He would dress up as H'arri and Toe-mass

[@josephdavis9234]

It's tough for me to pick my favorite scene, so here are some contenders. 1. In Turn Coat, there's this running gag where Harry has to leave for a while, but then when he gets back he finds his allies in various stages of trying to kill each other. The last time this happens, he calmly asks them to consider exactly who's speaking before asking if any of them have ever considered talking about their problems before resorting to violence. 2. Note: This one is from Peace Talks. Read at your own risk. When Harry learns about the peace talks going down in Chicago, and figures that with his luck the White Council probably wants him as a representative, like he doesn't already have enough to worry about. And Carlos's reaction is basically, "Wha - oh, NO. God, no. Like, no offense, but... no." 3. "You." Yeah, Morgan thinking Harry is evil and wanting to kill him is kinda his most prominent character trait, but in Dead Beat, when Morgan sees Harry do something that seemingly confirms his suspicions... The way Marsters reads it in the audiobook, with all that rage and contempt and bloody murder in his voice, it gives me chills just as much as the famous "God forgive me" line from Changes. 4. Learning what Tera was at the end of Fool Moon. Early in the book, Bob gave us a handy description of all four of the beings that could be called werewolves, and we see all four of them during the story, but Tera clearly isn't any of them. The reveal in the end, that she's actually a wolf who turns into a human, makes sense *and* expands the possibilities of what can happen in this series. 5. Throughout the middle books, there was this multiple-book plotline about Harry potentially being corrupted by the shadow of the fallen angel Lasciel. The way the plot ended, it turns out the whole time Lash was trying to corrupt Harry, Harry was doing the same back, and somehow it actually works, culminating in Lash sacrificing herself as her own person, telling Harry that the true Lasciel didn't deserve him. 6. The whole slideshow presentation about how Merlin created Demonreach. Throughout the series, we've gotten a good idea of what wizards were capable of, but then this scene happens and it just absolutely demolishes the power ceiling we'd established. 7. When Harry is talking to Mavra and, later, Mab, they both assume they're seeing Harry at his most desperate and try to leverage his desperation against him. And Harry responds by making it clear that they haven't seen him cornered yet, pointing out the sheer number of potential avenues he has for killing Mavra or getting the power to save Maggie, respectively, avenues that were a little too evil for his taste, but that he'd have no problem resorting to if Mavra threatens Harry's people again or if Mab tries to take Harry's will as her Knight. Is doing two moments at once cheating? Edit because I have finished Battle Ground: The extremely badass way Nathan died.

[@matthijsclaessen8152]

Ooh. I forgot the love of Lash. So good!

[@NemoConsequentae]

5. With the ultimate followup that Harry got pregnant, & now has 2 daughters...

[@aeonise]

My favorite scene might be Harry and Michael at Bianca's ball. Each of their "costumes" is just perfect in showing off who they are. Sarcastic, thumb-in-the-eye Dresden alongside forthright, durable Carpenter. A bonus scene that sticks in my mind is in one of the side stories where Harry encounters a vampire in a parking lot. Harry is pissed off thanks to other events thus far and is simply not having it, but this is also the time-frame where he is starting to experiment more outside of his usual "fire, force, and a little wind" repertoire, so we get "frustrated, ruthless, but creative" Harry. He takes gravity in the area around the vampire and focuses it all in a small column for just a moment, and turns the vamp into a splat on the pavement. I love it for giving us a glimpse of Harry's developing skills while also reminding us that Harry is an *extremely* powerful wizard (it's mentioned that he is world-class in terms of raw power, just lacking in control and refinement) who can make short work of even deadly enemies in a straight fight where he isn't handicapped by being beat up already, off-balance, or having concerns about collateral damage.

[@silverjohn6037]

I can just see the visiting dragon at the ball quipping about Michael, "That's not his costume. That's his uniform."

[@gnaskar]

For my next trick: Anvils.

[@BOTHthosearetaken]

Well I love me some T-Rex riding. That's my favorite scene in any book, ever. But I also love in one of the short stories, The Warrior, when Harry acts as the conscience of one of the actual Lawful Good Paladins of the universe. I love Harry Dresden. I love a hero who has to choose to be a hero but does it every time. Harry isn't a good man because he's an angel. He's good because he chooses to do good whenever he has the choice and sometimes even when he doesn't.

[@zidaryn]

The stories in Side Jobs are awesome. I love how they let you see Harry through the eyes of the other characters. The one with Thomas and Murphy are great.

[@beardedgeek973]

My two favorite scenes are I think one obvious one: T-rex Polka. The other one is actually the one where Ancient Mai realizes what his dog is. It's just a sentence long, but seeing her, of all people honestly surprised...

[@artemisknight8721]

Soooo many great scenes. I can't choose a favorite. I will however bring up one this video reminded me of. "This is America you show up to a negotiation with a gun and a sandwich and ask which they'd prefer." "Did you really bring a sandwich?" "Who do I look like Kissinger."

[@Fraxxxi]

I'm currently on my eighth readthrough of the entire series. I've had girlfriends I didn't love as much as the Dresden Files. ... But somehow I have not once been able to convince any of my friends to read them, so I have nobody to talk to about them. This frustration can only be soothed by rereading the Dresden Files. Turns out, also by watching entertaining videos discussing the series with illustrative fanart shown at key points.

[@vikingskuld]

Lol you guys here are the only ones ive ever seen excited like me about the dresden files. I cant get anyone to read them and cant find anyone i know who has. Fuckn frustrating as hell when you want to talk about how good they are

[@markusfalk9459]

@@vikingskuld Well, I do believe that here be fellow nerds...I really remember the amnesia spell and that plot further down the road.

[@iusethisnameformygoogleacc1013]

I know the struggle. I had a lot of friends in high school that were really into books, and even fantasy books, but...well, I had enough friends that trusted me and my tastes to read the first or even through to the second books (in no small part because the school library owned them). I don't think I'll ever have a friend that trusts me enough to read three terrible books on faith that the ten books that follow them are actually quite good. This series would probably have a lot more of a chance if, during the last several years when Jim was deliberately not writing/publishing anything purely to spite his ex-wife, he'd used the time to give the first three books a rewrite.

[@christianemden7637]

Just make it a habit of giving them fool moon I stead of storm front. Storm front is not a good intro into Harry Dresden. It’s fun as a reread for completion sets, but it’s a poor book to hook somebody into the series. Recommending to start on fool moon worked twice for me.

[@FreeOfFantasy]

www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/

[@magebear7]

SUE THE DINOSAUR! The first time I imagined Harry plowing through a suburb on a zombie T-Rex, it gave me chills.

[@maximeteppe7627]

when he first steps into the museum at the start of the novel, I thought "hmm, Butcher lingers quite a bit on sue, i believe this will be relevant" then there's butters talking magical theory with Harry and Bob, and I was like, "yup, they're totally gonna go full on night at the museum!" By now, I'm pretty good at calling out early on what the twists will be, but those books are really fun rides, I can hardly complain.

[@nerd_mor]

Best moments: "I used the knife..." "And a beam of light shot out of the hilt of the broken sword"

[@fiynTV]

By just reading those lines i got goose bumps and watery eyes! Agreed.

[@locorocky1]

"Love will be the downfall of God himself"

[@philgiglio7922]

Butters never fails to surprise.

[@singingwolf3929]

@@philgiglio7922 especially later.....with the werewolf.....werewolves.....eh, who are we to judge. Butters needs a win now and then. 😉

[@jessicahiga9870]

I cheered out loud xD with the sword bit.

[@TheSuzberry]

I listen to the books as read by the delicious James Marsters.

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

Same!

[@lnsflare1]

My favorite parts are when he is voicing that ditzy female porn star in a later book. It's just hilarious to think of that voice coming from Spike from Buffy.

[@jgeear]

Me to I have all on audio

[@jakeofthewest]

His voice is so amazing, he captures every emotion. I feel what Harry is feeling, his rage, his disbelief, his sorrow, James Marsters does a stunning job in those books.

[@Dreaming707]

I read them and then listen. He is Dresden for me. LOVE him. He's fantastic.

[@Aloof_Fish]

My favorite Scene is in Turn Coat where Wizard Rashid confronts Dresden about what reputation he has built and Harry looks at him covered in bandages to which Rashid just laughs

[@tristanhaller8399]

Favorite scene is *really* hard to pick in this series. As an author , Jim Butcher's style is to continuously try to top himself with ever more over-the-top cinematic setpieces. And the Knights of the Cross are always a delight, especially any time that Michael is kinder and more patient with Harry than Harry believes he deserves. Required reading for anyone who wants to play a Paladin, honestly. If they ever make a *proper* film/TV adaptation, I totally want Charles Dance playing Marcone.

[@1Ring42]

Sonya is the best knight with [spoiler] as a possible exception

[@daleicious1528]

Charles Dance is a bit old for the part in my opinion. I picture someone closer to Mads Mikkelson, even if his eyes aren’t faded dollar-bill green.

[@Dreaming707]

I still remember Harry introducing Sonya to Toot Toot and the army. I don't remember the exact love, but it was something about Harry being a drug (pizza) dealer for fairies. He was SO disappointed in Harry. It just cracked me up.

[@SteelDraco]

@@daleicious1528 Honestly, I always pictured Ray Wise, or someone close to him.

[@alkorkrus5152]

@@Dreaming707 Iirc, he wasn't upset about the pizza dealings, he found it hilarious and took an 'I am good guy, must make moral point here' moment with his line of, "You are a drug dealer to tiny fairies? For shame." It also reminds me of his personal idea that everything he perceives post Sword recieving is possibly a really bad trip.

[@TheDarphBobo]

My favorite scene is one I never see mentioned by anyone else ever. I mean ya I love all the standouts most people love and ya "I used the knife I saved the girl" is amazing but I prefer the precursor to that scene in small favor where it's at the end of the book and they have Ivy and Captain luccio says the council.says he can't be friends with the archive. And Harry says they can't tell me who to be friends with, they couldn't find their heart with a copy of Grey's anatomy and a stethoscope. I mean that whole scene is amazing and heart wrenchingly good and shows who the man really is.

[@TheMuseAphelion]

When he writes the note to Ivy and then when she tells him she got the message. My heart.

[@Hasteaguy]

Love this series! Kinda torn between Polka Will Never Die, "I DON'T BELIEVE IN FAIRES!", or the entirety of Changes.

[@CliffHilliard]

Meep Meep

[@Hasteaguy]

@@CliffHilliard Runner up, right there.

[@kguy2249]

I'm right in the middle of Changes right now, and am moving between confused and loving it.

[@psisax]

Reading all of the Dresden Files books (re-reading currently) really makes you appreciate when the magic goes BIG, like the climactic battle in Changes (everything super chaotically happening at once), and the beginning of Cold Days (which I read like the Harry Dresden version of an 80's training montage). And it's OK that it's BIG now because you've seen him refine and hone and train, so it's not "out of nowhere".

[@DougTurley]

Small Favor spoilers There's two scenes that I really connect with. The first is when Harry confronts Michael and places Amoracchius at his own throat not understanding why they don't seem to fully trust him. And Michael asks Harry where his blasting rod is. I think that was the first time we where really shown what Michael thinks what kind of man Harry is. I don't remember anything much beyond, "You're a good man Harry." That leads to the scene in the hospital waiting room with Molly and Charity. I think that was the first time Harry realized how much of a family he has.

[@stocktonjoans]

look, it's very rarely hatty's fault that buildings burn down when he's around

[@gregfornero4794]

Best scene in the whole book? "I used the knife..." Marsters reading of it conveys so much emotion that I usually have to pause after that chapter. Funniest scene in the whole series? "You're going to pray to the pizza?" with Harry and Sanya. Makes me laugh out loud every time.

[@exqueue3813]

Still get choked up whenever someone brings up the knife

[@nerd_mor]

"I killed the youngest vampire" I can still remember the moment I read that for the first time

[@rcb3921]

Other funnies: "You'd never see me trying to nab Saint Nick in a magic circle... I don't think anyone has stones that big" "Fucking Hellhounds" (Language, Harry!!!) "Sorry, Michael. Fucking Heckhounds!"

[@AlephBaker]

For me, one of the funniest moments is (I forget which book it's in) when harry is fighting some vampires outside a porn studio, and one of them suddenly gets clobbered by a frozen turkey from the sky (badly aimed death curses are a hell of a thing). Harry, not missing a beat, turns to the remaining vampire(s?) and says "for my next trick: anvils!"

[@VuldarLeveL]

I think it's from the same book but I also love the scene after Harry beats up one of the nickelheads, leaving him a quarter for the payphone outside. Sanya says; payphones need more than a quarter. And Harry just goes; I know.

[@ruga-ventoj]

Not saying it is my favorite but I'm never gonna forget that time he faught Santa Claus.

[@christophergoan9888]

Butters taking up the call is my favourite moment

[@creanero]

Where I come from: there is no try!

[@christophergoan9888]

@@creanero it was just an excellent step for his geeky arch

[@bast713]

That was SO good. I may have scared the cats cheering.

[@seb24789]

PWND

[@jacobvardy]

And that it was set up two or three books earlier. When Butters declines to spar until he has a "fully functional lightsaber".

[@rabbitpirate]

So many great scenes to choose from, but the one that immediately springs to mind is when Michael turns up just in time to save Molly from being executed by the White Council. There are tears every time I read that.

[@bast713]

"The building was on fire and it wasn't my fault." This is my favorite opening line of a book. The whole opening scene is fantastic and had me cackling.I love how the first 3/4 of any book in the series is basically Harry figuring how far out of his weight class he's batting this time. I'm also VERY excited for Battleground. I have a feeling that this is going to be up there with Changes. Which doesn't contain my favorite scenes persay, but... it's rare to throw the same book twice and come back for more. They are indeed Pringles.

[@GlaurungtheRed]

"Oh shit, hell hound!" "Harry, language." "Right sorry. Oh shit, heck hound" Or alternatively anything with Butters or Michael.

[@Justadude1997]

most enjoyable is the pack run in changes and all the dialog given to mouse! favorite could literally be anything from a fight to confronting two old women in a cottage

[@IrvingIV]

Another thing to consider, by destroying the jukebox, and tgen the lightbulbs, he makes it very clear for any normal people in the restaraunt that some serious magic is about to be thrown around, and they should probably get very far away, right away.

[@IrvingIV]

Editing comments removes a heart, so tgen is here to stay.

[@iangee4846]

My favorite Quote: "You named your dog ... Spot?"

[@SimplyDudeFace]

Favorite Dresden moment... outside of him being just a giant dorky nerd, is the a serious spoiler... His final battle with the Red Vampire King. It is another big incite into who Harry is. How he plans well, how plans never go as planned and how good he is at thinking on his feet. And... his willingness to do anything, if it is the right thing. And (and) to accept the consequences.

[@iusethisnameformygoogleacc1013]

"And I... I used the knife. I saved a child. I won a war. God Forgive Me." Easily the best set of words Jim Butcher's ever committed to paper (and given how his writing has been going the last few years, the best he's likely to ever write.) I have to say, though, I never expected anyone I follow on youtube to ever make anything about Storm Front of all books. The Dresden Files in general are one of those series that Really feature their share (and like fifteen other series of novels' shares) of growing pains. I've been involved in the (relatively small) community of fans surrounding this series since like 2009, which means I had the dubious honor of trying to convince people to give it a shot through all four years of my highschool. That you have to go through at least three books that are not good by any definition of the word to reach that point, and really cannot skip them because they still matter, made that particular task nearly impossible. This video is probably the single positive thing I've seen anything write/say about this book in the eleven years I've been regularly speaking about it, is kind of what I'm trying to say. And somehow, despite myself, I found I agreed with it. At the least, that's kind of impressive. I'd say it makes me want to give Storm Front a second chance, but I gave it a fifth like three months ago.

[@demonicgrub1025]

I don't think his writing is worse these days, there have been some flaws, but I've still been loving the books. I think it really is just that hard to top Changes. Those lines Truly are some of the best I've ever read though, Changes is, and may always be, my favorite book.

[@henryellis9390]

The issue with the more recent books is that Changes has so many things which had been building up in the backround all coming to the fore together. If Jim is going to top Changes at any point, we'll have to wait for several more books of legwork and setup before he has the material to match that kind of payoff again.

[@demonicgrub1025]

@@henryellis9390 Oh, I fully agree. And I'd love for that to happen. But honestly, I adore the series, and I don't need ANOTHER changes moment out of it for it to be my favorite series. One was enough, if the rest of the books are pretty standard fare, and keep up the expected consistent quality, I'll be happy.

[@henryellis9390]

@@demonicgrub1025 Yeah I'd be happy with that too, but as Jim has said multiple times that he's the type of author to plan things out way in advance, I think it's likely that we'll get something on the Changes level to cap off the series in the end.

[@demonicgrub1025]

@@henryellis9390 Oh ya, I'm sure he's got something big on the way.

[@tbgold07]

Favorite scene is still when Harry realizes that Martin had planned everything to a perfect degree. No more can be said without spoilers

[@RichardGray353]

So many good scenes to choose from. The soul gaze between Thomas and Harry... Morgan admitting he was wrong, in his own way... Pretty much every scene with Michael.

[@lifefindsaway7875]

I don’t know which of these lines/scenes is my favorite, but both of these lines reveal a lot about Harry. ‘Never Again’ ‘You still haven’t’

[@Theroninbadger]

as a Dresden fan and a dog lover, my favorite would be Harry waking up after being kidnapped and watching his dog Mouse get hit by a van and just says "You, you killed my dog. Get your affairs in order."

[@grimm76328]

I threw my book across the room at that scene I was so angry.

[@Theroninbadger]

that is an entirely valid response :)

[@Spitfyre41]

Shades of John Wick

[@singingwolf3929]

When I read that, my first thought was, "oh...oh no.....you just signed your own death certificate and I'm not sure there is going to be enough of you left to bury..."

[@so0meone]

My favorite bit is absolutely The Doughnut, only partially because for anyone who's gotten to Small Favor those two words alone tell you exactly what part it is

[@Eruvadhril]

I'll always enjoy the time he got away with bringing nails into fairyland.

[@disht1]

When he threatens Mavra, saying if she comes after his friends and family again, he will pick up every powerful artifact he can to destroy her And then when Harry tests out his baseball skills on Quintus Cassius

[@Sm00k]

And then, battleground happens.

[@infinitesheldon5710]

First you cover almost all my favorite movies, and now my favorite book series too? Awesome! As far as my favorite scene for the Dresden Files goes, that's so hard for me to narrow down! I think I'll have to go with the moment where Dresden ended the Red Court. "I used the knife. I saved a child. I won a war. God forgive me."

[@SailorYue]

As for my fave scene I forget which book it's in. It's been @11+ years since I've read them, but it's the part where Harry and Thomas do a soulgaze and learn the actual truth about their parentage. Followed by the bit where Justine breaks the protection Thomas accidentally gave her so that the dumbass will stop starving himself for her sake. (I'm just remembering how much I love Justine, she's so badass in all honesty, and she's why my daughter's middle name is Justine)

[@roberthullah8619]

The scene I've listened to, repeatedly, more than any other is Harry's first talk with Maggie in Skin Game and his realising how much of a fool he'd been by avoiding her.

[@Toothpicklvr]

I WEPT OPENLY THE FIRST TIME I READ THAT

[@zacg7]

Karl Osladil I’ve read the series 3 times and I’ve openly wept at that scene every time. As a military father, I’ve missed so much of my kids’ lives that I felt that scene to my core.

[@ghostgabe81]

One of my faves too

[@brockbaker549]

"Parkour!"

[@kylejde]

"I dont think oyu are supposed to shout 'Parkour"

[@osco4311]

Was this before or after The Office?

[@trevorwilson6609]

Agreed! Been a long time since I've read the series and that sticks in my mind.

[@TheNerdofInfo]

Love the Dresden files, loved this video. My fave scenes are generally when Harry's up against a magical nasty and surprises them by either shooting them with a big ol revolver, or slugging them in the face. They never expect a "mortal" response to a magical fight.

[@ghostgabe81]

The best was when those edgy kids tried challenging him to a magic duel and Harry, 100% done at this point, pulls his gun on them

[@eligedzelman5127]

My favorite fight scene is in Skin Game, Harry trying to protect Marcones bank manager guy vs 3 trained, veteran ghouls and Tessa

[@eligedzelman5127]

You like that one too, eh ?

[@Aerowind]

Incoming a bunch of people talking about Sue for their favorite scene :) Mine was personally when Dresden took up the Mantle in Changes. Like that whole book was about changing the status quo, but that bit in particular showed that there was no going back. Harry's at the end of his rope and does something irreversible. That said, the thing that's really nice about the Dresden Files is that it has a bunch of mythological things in it that are pretty accurate to their myth. Usually a lot of mythological stuff is related in name only.

[@JustLost1030]

"Let the world burn, me and the kid will roast marshmellows"

[@zidaryn]

Have you read Ghost Story? That line really comes back to haunt him in that one.

[@JustLost1030]

@@zidaryn reading battle ground right now. And that's what i love about butcher. Everything has a consequence

[@JustLost1030]

Because i can't rant about this anywhere else, toot in battle grounds is so good.

[@zidaryn]

@@JustLost1030 Haven't read it yet. I'll look forward to it.

[@UncleMuin]

I love the development of Harry's character over the course of the series. That, and the humor, are the first two things that keep bringing me back. Favorite scene: When Morgan saves him at the end, Harry is incredulous and ungracious. Morgan is hard headed and implacable in his stance. It's a great lesson to Harry in the nature of Morgan's character. And a bit of an eye-opener for Harry.

[@JohnNeville617]

One of my favorite moments was when Harry saw Mouse and Maggie in the Carpenter's home in Ghost Stories and he got to talk to Mouse. It gets me every time.

[@NateD6547]

Faveret seen is when he meets Santa. During the winter cort party.

[@H9092-2]

I honestly want you to go through the Chicken Itza fight. Mostly seeing how the Knights use their swords and how Murphy's fighting style is pretty much "LEMME AT EM!"

[@adamcarroll9613]

Actually, Murphy studied swordsmanship. I forget the specific style (mighta just been kendo?), but she was trained, and in a style that was perfectly suited for Fidelacchius

[@H9092-2]

@@adamcarroll9613 Yeah, she was trained and her skills were top notch. But her tactics, style and planning boiled down to "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH" As fitting for Dresden's True Love.

[@Oldkingcole1125]

In Small Favor, we see Harry’s influence on Butters. Everyone is down. Harry can’t focus enough to fight though he perceives what’s happening. Charity(wife of Michael, the best influence on Harry) and Murphy(probably Harry’s best friend) are about to die at the unholy hands of Nicholas Archleone. Waldo Butters realizes that he, the nerdy post mortem doc, is the only person left who has a chance to tilt the situation. Waldo decides to defy certain death in the hope that others will have a chance of escape. If you’ve read the books you’ll know what happens next, and if not then I will only say it was so beautiful I cry thinking about it. Edit: I meant Skin Game, not Small Favor

[@locorocky1]

That's Skin Game, not Small Favor, but you're totally right

[@Oldkingcole1125]

Elessar Mithrandir thanks edit above

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

Harry Dresden is my kind of protagonist. He's snarky, he has no pretentions, he's someone with a moral code that he mostly follows, and he is tactless, but sometimes nice. I also love Mouse. I seriously love Blood Rites so much! Team Karrin/Harry FTW btw. I ship those two because they remind me of another couple that consists of a petite blonde badass and her very snarky, hilarious, tactless supernaturally involved boyfriend who wears a long, black coat.

[@ghostbeetle2950]

Murphy is awesomeness squared! Ave, atque vale!

[@paulj8539]

"Tiny, but fierce!"

[@Sinewmire]

My favourite scene? Honestly, I breezed through them pretty quickly, but I can't think of four sentences that affected me more strongly than those stark, short phrases at the end of Changes. If you haven't read it yet, don't look it up, spoilers. It helped I was listening to the audiobook and James Masters rrrrrreeeally put the depth in.

[@Sm00k]

'game over man' is for me as of now.

[@JillBearup]

I love both of those a lot.

[@TheMuseAphelion]

Those 4 lines...I had to put the book down and just breathe for a moment. Then the end of Ghost Story. Him and Mouse. All the feelings.

[@willkuehler8918]

My favorite scene is Harry talking to Jake at the end of the short story “Warrior”.

[@ieuanhunt552]

I love the relationship between Marcone and Dresden.

[@patrickdiamond3670]

Favorite Dresden Battle....the Loup-Garou scene in the police station was harrowing, the confrontation outside of Michael’s house in Skin Game was sooooo tense, the Naagloshii invading Chateu Raith, the final battle at Chichen Itza, the Battle in Raiths Deeps. There are soooo many to choose from. I’d love to see another DF video, not enough people talk about this series

[@mightyd42]

More Dresden! Love seeing people talk about the series! One of my favorite scenes is probably in Small Favor, when he's fighting the Denarians in the safe house. It's one of the few times that he's truly prepared to fight, and going all out. Talking about how he's practiced his spells and moves so that he can react faster than a supernatural foe - since he's spent years having to defend against vampires. He has no hesitation and no mercy, and tosses out new tricks with practiced ease. It isn't often that he's pushed to a stand-up fight, and it's great to see what he's truly capable of when he has zero doubt that his foes must fall. And he's fighting the strongest group of antagonists in the series - and mopping the floor with them (even if only briefly).