Harry Dresden is in for another rollercoaster ride, just like the reader in Changes. Jim Butcher is able to once again move the story forward with another major chapter in the life of his modern day, wizard detective who is battling the supernatural.Again, this is a fast past novel that reads quickly. Changes is one of the longer books in the series I have read so far, almost 550 in paperback format. There is a lot being covered, but, just like the earlier installments, it is hard to set aside once you start reading.
I have had some time to think about why I like the Dresden books so much. I know part of it is what my imagination brings into the books. There is also the element of taking the classic investigator novel of Spencer or Sam Spade and adding the element of magic. This isn't the type of magic that immediately solves everything at the end of the book—it is structured and foreshadowed so if you are waiting to see if what is hinted at comes to pass.
There are times when the red herring is thrown into the path, which keeps you guessing if you have the right clues lined up. So, just like the earlier form of the detective genre, you are playing sleuth along with Harry as he is telling you his story.
Possible spoilers from here on.
Harry is reunited with his lost love, Susan, to find out that events from an earlier book means Harry has a daughter. But in true Dresden fashion, his daughter, Maggie, has been kidnapped by the Red Court for a ritual sacrifice. The sacrifice will not only take the girl's life, it will kill everyone in her blood line, including Harry and Susan.
The sacrifice is only a short time off, but is taking place in Chichen Itza. Time and space are against our hero.
Of course, Harry's friends are eager to help. Together, they plot to overcome the Red Court's Scheme, or is it just the scheming of one Red Court vampire, or is it the vampires scheming against each other. To Harry that is only a sideline to the fact he needs to save his daughter.
True to the title, Changes, is about the changes taking place around our protagonist, but also directly for him. By the end of the book there are a number of events leaving their mark on Harry, his friends, his daughter, and all of their relationships. There is enough introduced in this book you understand the story is going to be taking a turn, the question becomes in which direction.
I won't give away the ending, I hate it when others do it. I am not even going to give any more clues, except for knowing there are already additional books in the series, will have you wanting to start the next one as you finish this one.
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