Death won’t stop Harry Dresden. In Changes, book 12 of Butcher’s “Dresden Files” series, the title promised and Butcher produced. By the end, everything in Harry’s world had changed, including his status as a living wizard of the White Council. Readers had a tease in the short story “Aftermath,” from Side Jobs, showing that the denizens of Chicago’s magical side would not give up on Harry or his work. Harry, now a ghost, is given the chance to go back to solve his own murder, and what follows is an intense ride through the true aftermath of his death. Butcher’s attention to detail and description will bring new readers on board, while longtime fans will be surprised and elated to see what’s in store for them now.

Verdict: This stunning, exciting series entry with its heart-stopping action will shock and thrill Butcher fans.—Stacey Rottiers, Library Journal

Eleven tales, 2002-2010, complete with author’s notes and chronology, embellishing the exploits of Chicago’s Harry Dresden, licensed PI and professional wizard, ranging from an apprentice piece written two years before the Dresden Files series achieved liftoff to an unpublished novelette set hours after the end of Changes (2010).

All the regular cast members feature­Bob the Skull, long-suffering Karrin Murphy of the Chicago PD, Harry’s vampire half-brother Thomas, Molly the apprentice, Harry’s werewolf allies Billy and Georgia­as Harry (or, occasionally, somebody else) fends off attacks from an ever-lengthening list of evil supernatural entities. Jenny Greenteeth of the sidhe, for instance, abducts Billy the Werewolf’s bride to be, Georgia. Harry helps Thomas combat another vampire, while gleefully demolishing a shopping mall. A young wife turns out to have been abducted by a son of Grendel the monster (it’s breeding time). Poor Harry tries to take a day off, only to get involved with psychic parasites, as Molly sets his lab on fire. Another tale stars Thomas, with Harry convinced that his magically disguised brother is the bad guy. A renegade priest threatens a former Knight of the Cross. Enchanted beer paradoxically brings Murphy and Dresden together while forcing them apart. Finally, there’s the splendid, aforementioned original novella. In all, the book is of no great depth, but it’s witty, fast-moving and well worked-out. Butcher’s yarns go along with the standard supernatural repertory while providing enough twists to keep things fresh and intriguing.

Sidelights on the Dresden mythos, which no true fan will want to miss.

Kirkus, Starred Review

“Witty, fast-moving and well worked-out. Butcher’s yarns go along with the standard supernatural repertory while providing enough twists to keep things fresh and intriguing.” –Kirkus, Starred Review

“Die-hard fans who can’t wait for next year’s Ghost Story will want to rush to the final novella, “Aftermath,” starring Harry’s friend Karrin Murphy, but there are many others here worth reading… Adding value to this title are Butcher’s introductions to each story, filling the reader in on its place in the Dresden-verse time line and offering insight into the author’s intentions.” –Library Journal

The twelfth Dresden Files novel (following Turn Coat, 2009) finds the licensed PI and professional wizard Harry Dresden confronted with some shocking news: he has an eight-year-old daughter, and she’s been kidnapped by Red Court vampires. Harry is willing to risk everything to rescue her, even if it means turning his own life upside down. At more than 500 pages, this is one the longest books in the series, but it doesn’t move slowly; in fact, the entire novel takes place over only a few days as Harry races to rescue his daughter before she is sacrificed in a powerful black-magic rite. The taut and sometimes twisty plot is full of surprises and changes for Harry and his friends and family. Changes is a compelling installment in what continues to be an outstanding series. All the regulars (including cop Murphy; Harry’s half brother, vampire Thomas; Sanya the Knight; and Harry’s apprentice, Molly) are featured, as they, too, risk everything to save Harry’s daughter. After the cliff-hanger ending, readers will be clamoring for the next book. A can’t-miss entry in one of the best urban-fantasy series currently being published. –Booklist, Starred Review

“The fast-paced and compelling 12th book in Butcher’s bestselling series (after 2009′s Turn Coat) is aptly titled. Beginning with the revelation that wizard detective Harry Dresden has a daughter, Butcher throws one high-stakes curveball after another at his hero. Harry’s ex-girlfriend, Susan Rodriguez, discloses young Maggie’s existence after vampire Red Court duchess Arianna Ortega kidnaps the child. Ortega holds Harry responsible for the death of her husband and is planning to offer Maggie as a human sacrifice. With a fragile peace in place between the Red Court and the White Council of wizards, Harry is unable to count on them for support in his rescue mission, and he must compromise almost everything he believes in to save his daughter. Butcher is deft at relieving some of the tension and grimness with bursts of gallows humor that keep readers coming back for more.” –Publishers Weekly

Congratulations to Jim Butcher for First Lord’s Fury (Codex Alera, Book 6) making #7 on the New York Times hardcover bestselling list!

And Princeps’ Fury (Codex Alera, Book 5) garnered #18 on the mass market bestselling list.

Bonus: This volume of Codex Alera comes with the long-awaited map, illustrated by Priscilla Spencer. Desktop wallpaper sizes available here.

The wait is finally over, as the incomparable Butcher gives salivating fans the piece-de-resistance of his Codex Alera series. The incredible journey of clever Tavi, from shepherd’s apprentice to last hope of the Realm, has been both thrilling and harrowing — not mention completely engrossing. In this finale, the blistering pace of warfare never falters and is split between character viewpoints, but the heart of the story remains the evolution of a singular young man. As heroes go, they don’t come better than Tavi! Bravo, Mr. Butcher! — Romantic Times, 4 1/2 Stars + Gold Medal

Beginning an unusually successful adaptation, this volume covers the first part of the book that introduced Harry Dresden, a modern wizard who’s set up shop in downtown Chicago. Unlike Hellblazer’s John Constantine, Dresden is unambiguously heroic, cooperating with the police to solve gruesome magical murderers while also working solo as a supernatural PI. The two cases he undertakes here don’t seem related, but they both send Dresden out into the mean streets and eldritch corners of the modern world. More to the point, they let Butcher (and adapter Powers) set up a rich, quirky universe for Dresden to explore, as when he interviews a spiteful vampire madam or fights a trench coat-clad demonic assassin. Powers and artist Syaf do a very nice job of working a lot of text-conversations and Harry’s reflections-into lively-looking pages. The action is well handled, too, especially when the climactic battle with the demon moves from inside Harry’s apartment to outdoors during a thunderstorm. The Dresden novels are already New York Times bestsellers, and this comic looks like another winner. — Publishers Weekly