Cold Days - by Jim Butcher - Book 14 in The Dresden Files

5 of 5 Stars

It's hard to believe this is the 14th book I've read in this series and overall the material is as fresh as the first time I  found myself in Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden's Chicago, well over a decade ago.

Professional Wizard, Warden of the White Council, now back from the dead and the newly named White Knight to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe.  If you're lost, that might mean you've never read any of the books in Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series which started in 2000 with Storm Front.

In Cold Days, we find Dresdin in a kind of rehab, recovering from his recent bout with death.  To aid him in his recovery, Mab has assigned the stunningly beautiful, Sarissa, as a sort of physcal therapist.

Thoughout the book, Dresden faces numerous challenges, each one seeming like it very well may be his last.  Even after 14 books, each confontation is fresh and none of them are ever, ever dull. 

Many of  Dresden's friends have evolved over the years, but even with Harry's new role, they remain steadfast and true.  There is his protoge, Molly, who continues to grow stronger in the Wizarding ways,  Bob, who live's in a skull, who "was a spirit of air, or intellect, or any one of a great many terms used to describe such beings," and usually good for a bit of comic relief.  There's Toot-toot, a leader of a crew of tiny faeries who can be convinced to take on nearly any task in exchange for pizza.  Butters is back, as is Dresden's vampire brother, Thomas.  And of course, there's Karrin Murphy and a kiss, but where will that lead?

The details of what the story is about contain too many spoilers to try and dance around them.  Let;s just say it's big.  End of Chicago big. How will our hero and his friends ever survive this one big. 

Cold Days is worth a read, but only if you're already a fan of the series.  Although, the authors makes periodic attempts at explaining it all, there is just way too much history to cover.  I would strongly advise you to go back to where it all began and investigate The Dresen Files for yourself.

All of the stories are available from a number of retailers in a number of print and e-book formats.  I'm already looking forward to #15.  There's got to be a #15.