June Read: "Turn Coat (The Dresden Files, Book 11)" by Jim Butcher


From Publishers Weekly
The search for a traitor in the highest circles of power forms the main plot thread of Butcher's 11th hard-boiled fantasy novel featuring Chicago's wizard detective Harry Dresden (last seen in 2008's Small Favor). Harry, a warden of the magic-governing White Council, finds himself in an unusual position when Morgan, his fellow warden and frequent antagonist, asks for his help. One of the White Council's leaders has been murdered, and Morgan was found at the scene of the crime holding the murder weapon. If he has been framed, then another senior wizard is behind the killing and may be trying to destroy the council entirely. Aided by werewolf and vampire allies, Dresden investigates with his trademark sardonic noir flair. Despite the sprawling plot, both fans and newcomers will get into the fast-paced action. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

My Review:

After reading so many of Butcher's previous novels, it's a wonder to me that he can keep this series new and refreshing. Although you may read this novel with a checklist in mind: sardonic wit? check, pop-culture references? check, lots of trouble Harry can barely handle? check... and so on. Nonetheless Butcher doesn't fail to provide the reader with new understanding of the main character as well as build on secondary characters the whole way through the book. The plot isn't a re-hashing of previous novels, instead we have some serious progression with a little foreshadowing of future events.

I would say that this novel is a turning point in the Dresden file series. Among the major plot points of the novel, we have an unveiling of the Black Council. Though they are not acknowledged by the rest of the wizarding world. We learn of the scope of power this Black Council and we can tell through some not so subtle foreshadowing that Harry will be playing a big role in the stopping of their evil deeds. There is also a lot of information revealed about the mysterious White Council, including the reasons behind their strict rules. The characters are also fleshed out a bit, becoming more human. The Merlin eats sandwichs, Ancient Mai is extremely rigid, and so on. Harry, I would, say finally grows up a bit in this novel. With all of the unfortunate lessons he has learned over the progression of the series he finally open his eyes up to the fact that he simply is not capable of doing everything himself. He learns that in order to build trust he must give a little of his knowledge and unsheild friends from the truth. Some of his relationships are ruined, some are strained, and some grow.

"Turn Coat" is a brilliant turning point for the Dresden Files series, as well as a painful series of lessons for Jim Butcher's wizard anti-hero. And the battle is hardly over yet.

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