Posted 11 August 2011 - 09:43 PM
So I just finished 'Ghost Story' and normally I would have been through the book twice by now, but I'll admit I was pretty hesitant because of the whole Dresden's dead angle. But of course it's Butcher, and of course it was good, not great, solid, fun as always.
I think my primary understanding of the book, or at least what I took away from it, was that this book was needed, not only as a transitional book, but it gave Dresden's supporting characters a chance to grow. The modus operandi for the other books, was that Dresden's friends would get in trouble or in over their heads and Dresden would come through with fire and muscle. I mean, we've known Murphy was strong, and the Alphas to a point, and that Molly had it in her, especially after Changes. But now without Dresden as their crutch, and shit getting real, Dresden's friends, have become his super friends. Mort, Butters, and the Alphas have all 'manned up', and the women have become some forces to be respected. Molly with Lea as her mentor and Murphy with the Valkeyries (sp) can legit roll with Dresden now.
The next books Dresden will be rolling into some darker and more dangerous areas and against stronger villians, so this book showed the growth of his Chi-town crew and their potential as stronger back-up in what's coming. This needed to happen, I believe, if they were to stay relevant to the stories from here on out, and it was interesting how Butcher chose to deal with it. The ghost angle and/or short stories changing the point of view that we've gotten used to (Dresden) are some of the only ways I can think to portray the growth of supporting characters, but I'll give Butcher props for pulling it off. It shows his growth as a writer, it's been fun reading him from the beginning and still being excited with the story, twists and turns, no rabbit holes, great action, one liners, etc.