White Night by Jim Butcher Definitely Missed The Mark For Me, But Not For The Reasons You Think

[@caffeinedelusions]

Mouse is a Temple Dog. It's basically a canine breed of Scion that some Buddhist temple in the Himalayas has been cultivating for a few centuries, and have managed to breed true. The root of his supernatural abilities are the fact that his ancestry includes a Fu Dog, which is out of Chinese mythology. Fu dogs (or 'lion dogs') are guardian spirits. You see statues of them commonly set up at the entrances to temples in pairs, flanking the way in like soldiers on watch. His abilities include the following. 1) He's extremely intelligent. Like, human-level intelligence. Plus, long-lived very nearly to Wizard lifespans. 2) He can make his fangs and claws substantial even to incorporeal entities, and even damage as though they were red-hot metal to whomever he might strike. We saw this in Proven Guilty when he was taking on the Scarecrow. It's described as wreathing his fangs and claws in st. Elmo's fire. 3) As a guardian descended from a guardian spirit, he can make his bark into an energetic spiritual warning loud enough to be heard from miles away. This can frighten away some spirits that are hostile and/or weak and rouses the unprepared so that they can deal with crises without being impaired by fatigue. It's described as a literal concussive wave of spiritual energy, so presumably, some of that actually passes into the people he's guarding or warning. 4) This is so subtle we don't actually hear about it until we get story from his perspective, but he has SOME ability to manipulate luck or fortune. He can't MAKE good luck, but he can arrange positive and negative energies a bit in a kind of lucky fung shui so that good fortune will focus on certain places, times, and people, and the bad will either get expressed in less harmful ways or at less harmful times. This takes him a lot of effort and is kind of his equivalent of Harry doing full-blown ritual casting. It doesn't do a lot of good during a case, because it takes him time and focus to 'arrange' the energies into harmonious patterns. He can't just shove luck around, it's got to be laid out with care, or the whole thing will be chaos.

[@7Seraphem7]

on 2, we've never actually seen any hint that his fangs or claws are hot. the 'fire' isn't actual fire, it's just a manifestation of his power that ends up looking like fire.

[@nelspaulson3099]

Butcher has also said in interviews that as a temple dog he is powered by the the residence which he resides. Namely living in a bachelor pad vrs a loving home. It is his recharge station.

[@UltaFlame]

@@nelspaulson3099 in particular, he's powered by the threshold he lives in. Butcher mentioned it in a reddit ama once, saying he doubts it'll ever come up in the books proper

[@nelspaulson3099]

@@UltaFlame that's the word I was looking for. Threshold. I saw him speak of it when cold days was released on one of the q/a sessions.

[@UltaFlame]

@@nelspaulson3099 its a common word in the series, but fairly innocuous all the same

[@applecorc]

I really enjoyed White Night. It was the first Dresden book to make me cry. At the end when Harry is trying to sort out his thoughts and realizing that he gave lash free will and she used it to sacrifice herself. Then begins playing guitar, and realizes that Lash gave him one last gift. Then he hears the echo of Lash's voice say "Everything I can, dear Host."

[@nelspaulson3099]

I wouldn't say 1 last gift. but a lasting influence and spoilers.....

[@MrMichaelGutierrez]

This is one of my favorite Dresden Files books. That ending bought a tear to my eye as well.

[@TraeCooper]

Helen Beckitt was working with Victor Sells to manufacture the three eye as well as perform the heart bursting ritual in Storm Front, along with her husband. They were imprisoned for drug charges, etc, I believe detailed in Storm Front. From what I remember of White Night, it is indicated that Helen Beckitt found it difficult to acclimate and find a job after her incarceration following the events of Storm Front and Marcone gave her a job (him being in the know about her situation from child through the events of Storm Front) Mouse’s does have a mystic alert bark And the Dresden File titles usually have multiple meanings and play on words hence Summer Knight vs White Night, both playing on expectations of common phrases. And as mentioned by others all of the Dresden titles except changes have two words with same number of letters in each word.

[@Stitch53]

And Helen Beckett/Demeter does not know that the girl in the coma is her daughter. She doesn’t even know that this girl exists. As Marcone tells Harry, the knowledge that her daughter is in this half-life would destroy her.

[@TraeCooper]

Debbie Karimullah Yep, thanks for elaborating, I meant to mention that but forgot

[@caffeinedelusions]

Lasciel... Okay, the Lasciel situation goes like this. You've got the original Lasciel in the coin. When Harry touched the coin, Lasciel projected a copy of her awareness into Harry's head, imprinted in his neurology. As long as Harry doesn't touch the coin, the copy in Harry's head can't get 'corrected' by the original, so Harry's neuroplasticity (the ability that the brain has to form new neural connections) means that the copy (Lash) can grow and change as an entity like a human does, in a way the original CAN'T. In fact, because Harry names her, and infuses her with a distinct identity, he actually gives the copy access to Free Will, which is SUPPOSED to be a purely human thing. (It's an axiom of Butcher's worldbuilding that monsters are slaves to their nature, but people have CHOICE and can defy or even change their nature).

[@lathspell87]

This. I personally love the arc for this character and the way Butcher handles the shadow. It is, itself, a separate entity from Lasciel. This goes back to how magical names are. Harry gave Lash a different name and therefore individuality from Lasciel. I'm curious as to how this will affect another character in the series that Harrry named... Also, what Lash did was incredibly important to the story and does have repercussions. But no spoilers from me! =D

[@delphy2478]

there seems to be an ongoing theme in the books as to harry's ability to name things. for example, harry ALWAYS does better fighting an enemy once he has named it. i thin this is the subtle connection between magic and ideas, and a name for something is so tied into the idea of what that thing is, that it becomes easier for harry's magic to affect when he can tie his idea of it to a name. there is also the interesting consideration of the fact that lash was initially an unwelcome intruder, but developed to become a 'semi-welcomed guest and ally before she was given a name. given what if revealed as the results of her death later (spoilers) i wonder if lash had truly become an individual existence, if somehow harry had given her a little spark with the name that grew into a full out soul, which is what allowed her to be independent

[@happyninja42]

@@delphy2478 I think that's just a human power, not so much a "Harry power". The naming of things, gives it a context for us. If we name something silly, it's less likely to scare us. So him dubbing villains with insulting monikers helps him to face them with less fear. But yes, NAMES have power, both in giving someone power over you, but also in invoking the power of that NAME to do what you want. By declaring yourself and your power behind it, it gives it extra weight. This comes up in one of the later books as I recall, where Harry sort of does a "come at me bro!" with a specific entity, and uses his own NAME to force the being's hand. I remember Jim discussing this in a Q&A several years ago. The most common way we see NAMES being used, is as a form of leverage over someone, but it also gives that person power themselves. Hence the phrase "invoke my name if you dare." Because in doing so, you get their attention, and you might regret that. :P

[@pattyl3090]

@@delphy2478 I absolutely agree with this theory! (One of my fav's was The Nickel Heads.) I believe his disrespectful/respectful naming of various powerful beings def has an effect we've only seen a glimpse of so far. I know names have power, but Harry seems to have a gift in this area. **Kinda Spoiler Ahead** Remember Uriel's reaction at the end of Ghost Story

[@WeMissDimebag]

The Name is mostly irrelevant. The shadow could change its nature at any point so long as it wanted to. It’s not an absolute being like the original. The Name *does* help induce the realization for her that she can change, but the nickname doesn’t somehow change her into a malleable being. She already was, she just didn’t believe it.

[@s.miklaski2286]

100% agree that the flashback scene was awesome.

[@Grimmers]

Yeah, that scene, along with Lash's final goodbye, was really what made the book for me. We really see how Harry's best trait, how much he cares for others and is willing to self-sacrifice, can really be turned around into something really really dark. And having something like that is really important for the tension building of the dark influences that Butcher is piling on Dresden between Mab and Lasciel's offers. Without getting to see how dark Harry can go, and showing us how he does have a weakness to rage and revenge that could be a path to corruption, the threat of those offers wouldn't be nearly so credible and impactfull.

[@robpaul7544]

I just love these books so damn much. Take a small step back , and look at where Dresden started in Storm Front . Then look at all the ingredients stewing in this book, and where he is now. And then realize Butcher isn't even halfway done with the original story arc in his head. With 9 books, all of them ranging from good to exceptional - and the best is yet to come!

[@s.miklaski2286]

This is what makes the reread soooo good. The "next chapter" in the story is always anticipated. You just can't not want to know!

[@connorhicks13]

I love to see someone that is ALONG FOR THE RIDE, like I am! Thanks Man!

[@Hadrian1616]

I'm loving the new camera and new setup. I appreciate your time and effort to outline this story for us constant readers. It feels good getting back into this world without actually doing a reread. Book 10 begins and with it a return of a fan favourite character. Your channel just evolved like a Pokemon. Mike's book reviews 2.0

[@Khazorhoth]

Marcone being in the accords doesn't make him exactly an ally. He's a free-standing lord, basically the head of another faction in the accords, like the Fae courts, White Council, and Vampire Courts. Means he can officially do business with them all and they have to follow the Accords in regard to him and his people. He basically owns Chicago in the supernatural world.

[@Rob165x]

You might have sped through that part. Yes, Helen’s (from storm front) daughter was shot by one of his associates, he explains that the court case left her for dead, and he also doesn’t want Helen to know she’s a vegetable because the old wound would devastate her, so he keeps her a secret because the case would reopen if they found out she’s alive and Marcone would get in trouble for it. Harry realizes he’ll leave that judgement to him since he’s willing to take responsibility for it. He also gave her a job because she was a felon and he figured the young women working there could be therapeutic for her to mentor, having lost a daughter. Yes, mouse is explained by bob in that book that he has a supernatural bark that can be heard for miles as loud as a siren, he’s also very resilient and can detect dark presences, but that he can still be killed. Ancient Mai created stone dogs based on the temple dogs. They also have heightened intelligence, which is why he alerted the tenants. He can also affect spirit beings, scaring them with his bark or able to attack them, as he did the ghosts during Dead Beat when normal means didn’t work. Also the part where bob tells Harry that lash only sacrificed the part of his brain and soul she was attached to, since Harry proposed to her free will, and he tears up and starts to play his guitar to the echo of her voice brought over onion ninjas, wish you’d mention that part a little more. That made the book for me.

[@Chestbridge]

Your new camera setup looks great, Mike. I'm looking forward to the next review!

[@goaway3717]

I thought that near the end of White Night Dresden addresses Helen not knowing the daughter is alive with Marcone in the office while signing the accords, maybe I'm imagining it as it's been several years since the last time I read the book. I think Butcher is waiting to reveal more of Cowl in the later books I don't think he's directly said so other than his occasional sing song 'I'm not going to tell you' line he uses in most of the interviews or audience question sessions I've watched. Great review as always. It's always fun to hear someone else's take on a book I've enjoyed.

[@PugFeist]

Another stellar review. One thing I enjoy about these are the insights and things you pick up on that I either missed or had similar thoughts about. I’m excited to see you get caught up and hear your thoughts on the later novels.

[@Aluminatihusker]

New camera, new angle and lighting on the bookshelves, really makes those books pop! They look good on your shelf!

[@dphunk87]

These in depth reviews are so helpful for a series that is so long and used as a palate cleanser

[@ReezyRobyn5]

Mouse is a spiritual temple dog who is like a magical being. He has a few different powers and he heals better than an average dog (remember the car thing) the bark warns away evil

[@mikesbookreviews]

He’s the bestest boy.

[@mattroxursoul]

I always had the thought about the series and Marcone about if things had played out differently. If Harry had told Marcone that he would not be able to drop the case in Storm Front because it would mean his death, and if he had actually helped him in Fool Moon. I think that could have led to some of the wildest changes possible in the story arc.

[@jrich749]

This is another book that, on a re-read, I found so much better than the first time I read it. However, I did love it when it came out. With all of the information that's given out, in the upcoming books, it adjusts my view of a lot of the actions taken by many of the characters.....including Harry.....in this book. Also note that the Lara Raith and the White Court would be a much weaker character in this book without her introduction/story in Blood Rites. She became one of my top five favorite Dresden characters in this book.

[@cathsaigh2197]

You talking about the title got me thinking, have you noticed that all but Changes have a two word title with both words having the same number of letters?

[@AuroraXA]

I LOVE Butcher's naming scheme for these books.

[@VideoGameVillians]

@@AuroraXA That naming scheme is explicitly called out in the flavor text of the tabletop RPG books

[@stained_edges]

I'm not ready for Changes. It's the next one I need to read and I KNOW some major stuff will happen. I've heard the whispers 👀👀👀🤐

[@Jaxxofrune]

Helen Beckett was the wife in Storm Front who was helping in the ritual who survived. She was last seen in the Ordo of the previous book (2 books ago..?). That's where Harry Finds out she was working for Marcone.

[@caffeinedelusions]

The Velvet Room was Bianca's high-class brothel. We visited it in Storm Front, but Harry torches it in Grave Peril. Marcone's 'executive priority' setup isn't resurrecting the original business, but it's filling the same niche, and serving the same clientele.

[@kehrbaer90]

Of course it is White Night and not Knight. We have to stick with the naming scheme after all. ^^ Every titel in the series but Changes is made of two words that both have the same amount of letters. And why Changes didn't stick to that should also be obvious after reading it. ;) Storm Front (5) Fool Moon (4) Grave Peril (5) Summer Knight (6) Death Masks (5) Blood Rites (5) Dead Beat (4) Proven Guilty (6) White Night (5) Small Favor (5) Turn Coat (4) Changes Ghost Story (5) Cold Days (4) Skin Game (4) Peace Talks (5) Battle Ground (6) Side Jobs (4) Brief Cases (5)

[@DougTurley]

I'm just sitting here twiddling my thumbs with an evil grin knowing what's coming up.

[@savingpyro]

Star Wars references are always appropriate with Dresden. And Harry kinda has to be hard on Molly with both their heads on the line.

[@mikemcquarrie4113]

After an awsome AMOL review.... Finally...... _Mike_ has come back to _Dresden Files_

[@Blazeme1up]

And we are one more book closer to Changes!

[@shinraset]

Okay to enumerate the details for you. first mouse in this book is confirmed to be a foo dog or at least have the lineage of one, meaning that he can rip apart spiritual entities he can and that alarm clock bark and his incredible durability in reference to getting run into buy a van in proven guilty as Dresden puts it superdog though Bob does point out Mouse is not unkillable. second the name of the outsider you had correct the first time you said it "He Who Walks Behind" Thirdly that girl from death mask who is catatonic is indeed Helen Beckett's daughter who almost died but did not but was declared dead because of mob interference from the mob boss who preceded John Marcone.

[@AuroraXA]

I also was not amazed by this book but I think my favorite part of this book is how Dresden is really struggling with his darker side due to Laschiel. He's angry more and I just find it fascinating. I never cared much about Elaine or the other magic users, or even the battle in the deeps between all of the different houses of the white court.

[@7Seraphem7]

On him being 'hard on Molly', yeah, but he's the right blend of it (minus when Lash is pushing him to be a bit more hair trigger then needed), he only bring it out when she needs it and is clearly not taking things seriously enough, not just for the sake of being hard. And compared how we've seen/heard other wizarding apprenticeships go, he's still more or less using kid gloves by their standard. "Problematic" Oh the word gets over used and just..... yeah... but I do like that scene as well and don't think it's really an issue, mostly because Harry was doing this, and called out he was doing this, specifically to manipulate how the cop and security guard's own clear biases rather then due to any of Harry's own. For Mouse, by this point they've made it clear that yeah, he's not fully 'normal' he's a Temple Dog, meant to be a guardian of, well, temples, and part of that is being able to raise the alarm quickly when needed. Yeah, while White Court Vamps live for backstabbing and overly elaborate schemes, they really are fairly straightforward and direct compared to the twisted mess of schemes, within plans, within gambits that are simple existence for Fae. I love the Marcone scene and his entire plan to try and reduce property damage on his places by just giving Harry the royal treatment at all of them. Let the nosy wizard show up, don't try to keep him out cause that'll just lead to him bashing his way in, it shows how awesome and mart Marcone is Outsiders are just that, Outsiders. Yeah, some King stuff to it, but more because both draw from the same older source for this stuff. Lovecraft. "What implication is this?" BUWHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jellevanbreugel325]

^^^^ This! 😂

[@jeremydanchuk1897]

Buwhahahhaahaha? Not Mwhahahahahaha? I am not sure of your choice on evil laughing...lol

[@mattroxursoul]

Ideally with an apprentice who is on that thin ice you would not want them involved in the stuff Harry is doing. In best case scenario there would not be the war and Harry could just get her isolated for a few years to grow up more. Being forced upon the battlefield is a terrible idea lol

[@7Seraphem7]

@@mattroxursoul Yes, but because it's Harry Dresden, reality is not going to give him that kind of a break.

[@meris8486]

The scene where Ramirez and Dresden strut into the white court and challenge Vito and Madrigal to a duel was badass

[@lathspell87]

He Who Walks Behind is one of the Walkers. He Who Walks Before is another, and they are referred to as the Walkers. The Outsiders are literally from outside of our reality. This is why their power is so strong and different from anything else. White Night has a lot of great world building in this series but i would agree it is middle of the pack. Small Favor is one of my favorites and Proven Guilty is also in the top half of Dresden books, imo. I really don't get how some of you booktubers can read all of these different series mixed with each other. I would have heavy burnout, myself. I like to binge a particular series completely to the end before I move on to something else. Also, if I read a lot of one series, I always need a bit of a break before diving into another one. My point being, I don't think I could read so many Wheel of Time books and then jump back to a few Dresden without being a little jaded from reading. But, that may just be me.

[@stevencundy4501]

White Night's finale made this book one of my favourites Dresden Files books.

[@caffeinedelusions]

I think Asoka was a better student than Molly was... but I feel like Harry would be a better teacher than Anakin. Remember, Harry isn't just knocking Molly on her butt for no reason here. It's part of a targeted instructional strategy to keep Molly from mastering the HOW of Magic before she groks the WHY. Asoka was a little reckless, yeah... but she wasn't a nascent Sith on the border of relapse. Harry wouldn't have NEEDED to set the kinds of rails and bumpers with her that Molly called for.

[@jrich749]

I actually tend to agree with Mab, from Cold Days, about what Harry has actually been doing with Molly. It is quite different than what he believes he is doing.....is this just Lash.......or is this the darkness that Harry keeps mentioning but everyone keeps ignoring.

[@Jaxxofrune]

Mike you read the context of Marcone and Demeter correctly. She is not aware the girl is alive. Marcone actually takes the time to explain it to Harry in that last chapter of dialogue. Basically, the old mob boss kept her alive in secret for leverage if he needed it, and when Marcone took over Chicago he found her and started to take care of her. He doesn't tell Demeter because it would destroy her all over again. He hired her because he feels he owes her... Or something. All part of the secret guilt that gives him focused indomitable will and dive to keep Chicago tidy and no collateral damage. It's a little convoluted... Not Jim's best exposition. I didn't fully grock it till my second or third read-through.

[@DoubleCrossedPaths]

White Night was one that I thought wasn't a bad read, but it didn't come in near the top of the list for myself either. I put it above Blood Rites, probably a little above Storm Front and Fool Moon, but not much. As far as Cowl goes, I'm at least locked into the fact that he has to be someone tied into the White Council. I don't know if he's the Merlin, but definitely tied into the Council somehow. I really do want to know more about who Cowl is. Lastly, I have to agree that the best part of this book for me was the flashback to New Mexico. Incredibly dark portion of the story, but definitely my favorite part of the book. Also, yes. Ramirez was in Proven Guilty, I do believe. At the very least I know he's actually present when Harry brings Molly to her trial. He interacts with Harry before they go in.

[@mikesbookreviews]

Merlin was kind of high. But he’s definitely on the white council.

[@mkohlhorst]

(No Spoilers) Cowl's identity is heavenly debated in the fan base. In essence, we don't know.

[@WinterKnight95]

What if Cowl is Justin Dumorne and he's been alive this entire time? I mean, this guy had a couple centuries experience when Harry supposedly killed him.

[@mattroxursoul]

@@WinterKnight95 Butcher has repeatedly denied that. But who knows. The biggest question I still have is who freaking ran Harry off the road? I am guessing that mystery may be solved soon. Time travel shenanigans because Harry had to be side tracked from going straight home so Little Chicago could be modified or some crazy shit. So Harry ran himself off the road, while Molly used her access of the wards to change Little Chicago

[@shawngillogly6873]

@@WinterKnight95 Word of Jim is Justin is dead dead. He's been adamant about that from the beginning of the series. I'd call it a big cheat to turn back on that now.

[@kingangst233]

@@WinterKnight95 Justin is DEAD. Who knows, maybe Kemmler was the Justin we knew. That would work with both.

[@lOwlEyesl]

Make sure you read Side Jobs, Brief cases & the Big Foot stories. They're all compilations of short stories and you get some different wonderful points of view. Edit: I made this comment before you mentioned it...

[@08234loki]

Very magical dog lots of powers

[@kanis999]

Probably not burn out. You're gonna love the next book. White Night I think is just not quite as captivating as a standalone plot as some of the other books. It is convoluted and there aren't many moments that felt jaw dropping. Its main value I think is how it contributes to the overarching plot of the series.

[@s.miklaski2286]

I was trying to think how to say this lol. You said it perfectly.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

yup, always have to double check on the (K)Night thing 😂 also Tomoooooosssssss 🤣🤣🤣

[@iandavies8849]

I fully agree Mike I've always thought the merlin is cowl and also that ancient Mai was kumory (bad spelling )

[@Kquist199]

Thank you!

[@jeremydanchuk1897]

I feel like I have forgotten so much of this book, I might have to give it a re-read this weekend

[@pattyl3090]

Lol.... Me too. I reread it & glad I did 😀

[@destrus1976]

MAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF Lash and her conversation with Harry while in the deeps. This is filling in gaps that have been hinted at before. Harry’s birth. Who he is. What His legacy is. It’s been pointed out by Ebenezer, Lord Raith, his mother, and now Lash.

[@christopherdyer2046]

You either read to fast(which is your job I get it) or it’s because too much time passes before reviews. You seem to miss or not understand things I think are clearly explained in text. That being said I have to keep reminding my self you haven’t read them all, and retroactively things will make more sense as you go.

[@red_hobbit3323]

NEVER AGAIN, I do keep expecting Harry to pull an Indiana Jones and say,"Ghouls, why'd it have to be ghouls?!"

[@mikesbookreviews]

As in-touch as Butcher is with 80's pop culture references, I'm surprised he hasn't used that one yet.

[@08234loki]

Supernatural!

[@illumstern8831]

Huh... I've never heard the theory of Cowl being The Merlin before. Personally, I subscribe to the idea that Cowl is Simon Petrovich(The Senior Council member who was (supposedly) killed before the events Summer Knight).

[@banditoheat]

Personally, I think it's DuMorne. He sounds like the type to fake his own death, and Harry didn't apparently eat his death curse after the duel. DuMorne was also at Kemmler's last stand, and it wouldn't surprise me to find out he betrayed Kemmler if he thought he could scoop up the Word along with Bob.

[@illumstern8831]

@@banditoheat Interesting idea, but we've already had Elayne supposedly die then not die from that same exchange. Having everyone walk away from such a pivotal moment seems... strange. Since you bring up Kem, though... I'll throw in my father's Kemmler theory. It's pretty out there, though. His theory was that Harry Dresden is actually Kemmler. The idea is that Kemmler hopped into Dumourne, then when Harry went back to confront his teacher, he hopped into Harry and took his body from a ride. But, the council caught up with him, and Eb used mind magic to force him to forget everything and believe he was Harry Dresden. (like I said, pretty out there) As to the "why would Eb do that?" it was something along the lines of obtaining a another heavy hitter to fight the Outsiders with. Too, there's Kem being something of a shadow throut the series: Harry fighting his aprentices more than once. Mavra having his book. Him having been killed multiple times. But, we haven't seen HIM yet. (I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Pretty out there).

[@MrMichaelGutierrez]

I LOVED White Night.

[@WoncoTheSane]

I think it's clear that Butcher's writing gets better with every book, but agree that not every story does. (though they "mostly" do IMHO, lol)

[@delivreenlivres9150]

I don't read series all one tome after another like this. I'm always a bit burnout if I do. I take a month break between each tome, so when I take the next I really want to read it :)

[@isoron]

Call back to Supernatural - how many times did people think that Sam and Dean were lovers?

[@mikesbookreviews]

Eww.

[@perrimadden6964]

Mouse is a foo dog. He’s got mystical shit going on. That’s why the monks wanted the dogs back so much.

[@destrus1976]

Helen Demeter/Beckitt. She went to prison after Storm Front. She gets out and Marcone gives her a job to help protect her. Marcone likely feels her whole life spiraling out of control is his fault. It’s implicitly stated that Helen doesn’t know her daughter is alive. Dresden even points out the Demeter/Persephone connection in his conversation with Marcone at the end of the book.

[@08234loki]

Oh my hard not to spoil.

[@darshvaidya5815]

Should I pick up Carrie or Salem’s lot first?

[@Between_Scylla_and_Kharybdis]

Funny you mentioned bad things being removed and replaced by worse things... 😉

[@Jaxxofrune]

Yeah, White Night and Summer Knight. The two titles play off each other reversing the expectation on the phrases. The "White Night" refers to the night of the White Court coup. Where the Summer Knight was about the murdered Richard Rule.

[@Mn-yh2bp]

Yes becket’s daughter is the same kid as one in death masks

[@nicklbrown]

This is my favorite book! LOL

[@thesmuli83]

DF rules. I'm trying to join the DF gang. Admittedly, I might celebrate May Day and relax with drinks at home.

[@aldan7812]

haha Mouse can do all kinds of awesome stuff man :-) And i think bottom of middle tier is about fair for this one tbh

[@Tekkno351]

Elaine cutting loose was pretty rad.

[@oliviawilliams6204]

Well we don’t know who’s Cowl is yet, so no spoilers, here but I don’t think he’s Merlin, the Merlin hate Harry and don’t miss an opportunity to mess with him, while Cowl seem to more respect him and even try to recruit him. I have no idea who is but I’m 99% sure it’s not Merlin

[@08234loki]

Mouse is the best

[@jellevanbreugel325]

Amen!

[@codyt.346]

This book is such a blur for me. Nice video, looks like the camera is working out.

[@KofiKrules]

1 year late but I just finished this book and also searched for “mikes books white knight” lol

[@scottkrametbauer90]

And now for the return of Nicky and the Nickleheads, You won't like the end of this book, I'm fairly certain of it. Won't spoil what happens, but Changes are coming. As for is Lachiel gone - no, is Lash - technically yes, but her "influence" lives on.

[@turtleanton6539]

wow

[@stained_edges]

I thought this book was very disjointed. Didn't care at all for the first half. The flashback was great, then the second half was a bit boring and convoluted and the finale was epic and emotional

[@Vangone-bu6vu]

I ran across your videos on Geek Vibes Nation. Is that you too?

[@A2forty]

White night was not my favorite. I struggle with it on my rereads. Small favor I love though

[@liftingwizard3431]

I believe cowl is justine DuMorne

[@cathsaigh2197]

I don't think it spoils anything when I say that agent Tilly is Cillian Murphy.

[@davidpeacock8276]

Not spoiler. It is highly unlikely that the Merlin is Cowl. He would have swatted him like a fly in Dead Beat. Cowl has in a different weight class, but the Merlin is in a different league.

[@Klickor]

I wouldnt be surprised if Cowl is in the same League as the Merlin but due to his hidden identity never shows off his true power in a flashy way that would reveal his true identity. We find out that quite a lot if characters in this series have multiple identities and the upper echelons in the supernatural universe is a rather small group. Cowl could really be limited in what he can reveal without blowing his cover in such a small and powerful group.

[@manofmartin]

You didn't mention Elaine...

[@7Seraphem7]

Yes he did.

[@manofmartin]

@@7Seraphem7 must have been. Foot note. I missed it.

[@applecorc]

@@manofmartin At 8:50

[@aciooica4469]

I begin to wonder if you what really gives you problems to truly enjoy a book is simply the convoluted “factions politics” type of narrative... wether it’s fairies or vampire (or Aes Sedai... :p).

[@mikesbookreviews]

I wouldn’t think so. Perhaps other series have raised the bar too high. First Law, Red Rising, ASOIAF, Stormlight Archive, Witcher, and The Expanse all have deep layers of politics that are better to me than WoT or Dresden. But keep trying.

[@aciooica4469]

Ok maybe not then... It’s just interesting to try to understand what makes plot-lines interesting to you or not. I’m trying to find a pattern... maybe there isn’t one... :D

[@nealhoffman7518]

I keep wanting to say Mwahahaha