Book 10), Small Favor (The Dresden Files

Jim Butcher once again brings Harry Dresden through another wild ride. Small Favor reads very well and is fun. Not my personal favorite of the the Dresden files though, I prefer when Harry's dog (mouse) is portrayed more prominently. In all continue reading the Dresden Files, great series.

BEST SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY SERIES EVER, EVEN BETTER THAN LAURELL HAMILTON. READ HIM, ABSOLUTELY, READ ALL THE SERIES. IT HAS A WONDERFUL PROGRESSION TO THE STORIES, AND I AM ABSOLUTELY ADDICTED. I'M READING ONE OF HIS OTHER BOOKS RIGHT NOW!!

Book 10, is just the latest and great read from Jim Butcher. Follow the Dresden Gang through the city streets of Chicago. Just enough twists and turns to keep you interested and not so many you loose your way.

This book was action packed, sitting on the edge of your seat, gnawing on your finger nails exciting. A wonderful continuation of the series. This book wraps up a lot of questions, and yet manages to create more. This has become my favorite seat and I'm eagerly waiting for the next one already.

Harry Dresden is getting to be a tired character. He has wizard abilities, but his emotions are supposed to be human. In fact, he states, over and over, that he doesn't take tempting bait because he wants to stay human. His magic grows, but despite the psychological and physical battering he takes, he shows no signs of degeneration or growth. I get it that he feels guilty, but come on, there is no signs of a real person here.

The action is also boring. In the first books I was intrigued by the supernatural action, now it seems to be repetitive, page-filling material: buildings collapse and are burned, monsters maim, yeah, yeah. The action no longer has drama, because it's basically the same thing. It's taking me longer and longer to read a Dresden novel, because I just get bored.

Mr. Butcher, are you bored? Time for you and Harry to show some growth.

A friend recommended the Dresden series to me as vacation reading during my christmas break. I read the first book and was hooked :) That being said, this book disappointed me. The style and tone of the writing seemed vastly different (and inferior) to the previous books. I agree with the "Alera Ate Jim's Brain" reviewer, as well as another reviewer who hoped that the characters would wake up in the next book and find that this episode had been a dream. What happened to Harry's inner monologues that gave so much insight into his character and allowed us to see him as a human? What happened to the depth of the relationships between Harry and Thomas, Harry and Murphy, Harry and his apprentice Molly? The whole story just felt off.

I've read all of the Dresden files books, and I'm hooked, but this one is a stinker. The first half of the book is all setup, but the second half of the book never delivers. YAWN! The overall plot doesn't advance either. Skip this book or at least check it out of the library.

(SPOILER ALERT)

The one thing that bothered me most about this novel, was where's the magic? The one thing that always impressed me about the Dresden series was the treatment of magic. Other than a boost by an archangel (huh?!?!?), Harry uses firearms more than magic.

It was a good book and I couldn't put it down, but everything after the first third of it left me in a kind of haze. Other than non-stop action, there really wasn't all that much there.

Where's the black council? Why isn't harry tracking them down? Say again why Murphy refused the sword? huh? Wait, Harry has TWO swords now? Wait, the only Knight left is an agnostic? huh?

The book, just really confused me and left me wanting... the real Dresden. It's almost like this was from the ridiculous TV series (why, Jim, why?).

I wish that I never read this book. I can't get the grossness out of my mind. Yuk yuk yuk! I almost threw up. Luccio and Harry! What is the author thinking? Well, it's his book so if he wants to gross out fans it's his right.

I have to agree with some of the earlier reviewers. Especially Veruska..I was dissappointed with the book. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Jim Butcher and I LOVE Harry. I've been a rabid fan for over 10 years and was in line waiting for the book. I did devour the book. His pacing is stellar as always. It was good to see old friends resurface but when looking at the entire series...this book was filler. It was a placeholder and I don't think it laid much foundation for future books. It was almost as it, folks have been pleading to Jim to write a book with these characters again so he created a sort of "best of" storyline.

Spoilers Alert......I think Harry's inner dialogue was good in parts, great in others. I was wishing for more of certain characters. More Bob, Thomas, more from the Summer court or even his godmother Lea. If you're gonna be working closely with the Courts of the NeverNever, then you would think she's got to be included somehow. I think the mystery wasn't vetted or credible. Clever and cute, yes, but not was dramatic as the last great one with I believe was in Proven Guilty. The book pales. Certain plot points weren't thoroughly vetted to me. I kept thinking that with everything that's happen to Jim Butcher over the last 12-18 months(TV series, bestseller books), that this book was essentially "phoned in". I know with publishing deadlines looming and two successful series...something like this was bound to happen. I'm still a fan and will still buy the books on Day 1 because I just know how great Jim Butcher is as a writer. He said he want to get to 20 books..there is bound to be placeholders before tying this off.

The Queen of Air and Darkness cashes in the 2nd of the three favors Harry owes. Harry must rescue his frenemy Gentleman Johnny Marcone from unknown kidnappers. Harry is caught between his friends in the Summer Court and an obligation to the Winter Court with accompanying death threats from both sides. Denarrians and Knigts of the Cross vie for for souls and Harry has too many obligations to count.

Totally disappointed at the way this book was recorded.
If it was not for the voice of James Marsters, I would return it and not buy another one recorded under your label.
The previous 4 Dresden books were recorded under Buzzy Multimedia,came each book in one CD. Total 4 CD'S.
Yours, one book in 6 CD!!! Some, as I'm listening now, skip words, come scratchy as if they have been used (heavily) before.
I hope that the quality will improve in the following books.
Ana Reber

This is the tenth book in the series, and touches quite a bit on the overall story arc. I've been binge reading the whole series in order, and reviewing as I go. My reviews focus on setting readers' expectations, rather than summarising plots.

The most important aspect a new reader needs to know is that the series has an over-arching story arc, with roots starting at book 3 (Grave Peril) but only becoming visible as more and more of the series unfolds. It's a great thing, but as it continually colours events around Dresden it's best to read the series in order.

*** What to expect
This volume deal again with the Fallen, the faeries, and Marcone. It's a thriller-paced urban fantasy, with fast moving action. Harry spouts his usual brand of flippant humor in the face of the supernatural.

*** What I liked
I like Harry's wise-cracking attitudes towards life, and in dealing with supernatural horrors. I like the supporting characters in general, and I find Butcher is doing excellent job in characterising and building recurring cast and introducing new characters. The long-running support cast are especially complex, and one can see them maturing between books.

*** Be aware
This is part of a series, and you really need to read them in order. Butcher has Harry's mental dialogue to recap previous events and dialogue for those who read the series in breaks, which can feel like he's talking too much (and also may grate on some reader's nerves as a "telling" style, or simply for being repetitive). It's just a function of a long-running series, but as entering the series mid-way is not recommended anyway it doesn't offer much to new readers while could be distracting to fans.
Also, some readers may find Dresden attitudes chauvinistic and misogynistic, though that is a both a trope of the genre and something of a failing of his.

*** Summary
This is one of the better volumes in an excellent series. It's a great example of a fast-paced, urban-fantasy thriller. If you want a blend of modern-day thrillers with dark fantasy, this is the series to read - just start at Storm Front.

--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.

Note: I feel that Death Masks, Book 5, is where reading this series out of order starts to do you an injustice. This book does work as a stand alone to some extent, but you will get major spoilers for the previous books in the series and it also pulls in characters we have met before. So I recommend reading the previous books before you jump into this one.

Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Billygoat? If you’re not, then you should be and this story serves as a good example as to why. The story starts off with a friendly snowball fight at the Carpenter household, which then turns into a murderous brawl between Harry and some gruffs (which look a lot like upright billygoats). As Harry ponders over the implications of this latest tussle, Sargent Karrin Murphy of the Chicago PD tasks him with checking out a site with his wizardly senses. There he finds a large pentacle…. and Mab, a Queen of the Winter Court. She calls in a small favor from Harry: John Marcone, crime lord of Chicago, has gone missing and Mab wants him found.

When Mab is in the human world, her voice alone can kill mortals. So she talks through a grimalkin, which is like an extra evil large cat. The things Mab can do to Harry with just her voice make me shudder! And Toottoot tried to warn Harry, but Harry is too curious for his own good.

This is probably my 2nd or 3rd reading of this book and for some reason I always forget everything about it except for the gruffs because they are awesome and scary. And perhaps because Harry is always mentioning their..um… tackle. So once again I was pleasantly surprised by what took place in this installment of the series.

The Denarians are back in play and they are after something pretty darn important, if only Harry could figure out what it is in time. He teams up with Anastasia Luccio (a Warden for the White Council of wizards), Ivy the Archive (who has everything that’s ever been written down in human history memorized), and her bodyguard Kincaide (who has a secret supernatural side). Eventually, Harry has to make some hard choices about whether or not to do a trade with the Denarians. He is not a happy camper about it and he decides to play dirty (hooray!).

Luccio actually makes a play for Harry and he is totally oblivious. Poor dude. Bob the Skull has to point it out to him later. Of course Bob does it with his usual entertaining sarcasm. Harry’s love life, tho small and intermittent, is a mess.

Sanya and Michael (both Knight Templars with saintly swords) lend a hand in the final showdown. Murphy, Thomas Wraith of the vampire White Court, Molly (Harry’s apprentice), and Toottoot with the honor guard faeries all volunteer to help Harry out in some way. This lengthy scene is pretty intense. Harry finally puts a name to what Ms. Guard is, besides being a very deadly assistant to John Marcone. Harry also discovers a new power which, upon explanation from Bob, scares a little poo out of him.

One of the things I really like about this series, is that as the stakes get higher, the consequences go up as well. People get injured. In this book, one of Harry’s friends takes a hard hit and the book leaves us wondering just how bad it is. It’s a good thing the next book in the series is already out. Also, more and more Harry is learning that he can’t be the sole person to fight evil; he needs help from friends and allies and he won’t be able to protect them all.

Narration: James Marsters continues on as the voice of Harry Dresden. I really liked his creepy voice for the grimalkin and his uber-creepy voice for Mab. As always, his voice for Toottoot is both amusing and sincere. Marsters makes a pretty good gruff too, sounding like an angry billygoat.

4.5-5 stars

This was a great story and addition to the series. Things have been going pretty well for Harry recently but that all ends when a snow storm hits Chicago and unusual occurrences start to take place. Harry is called in on a job by Murphy and it indicates that someone is messing with big mojo that could mean trouble. This is confirmed when Mab shows up and basically forces Harry into dealing with the issue by calling in one of her favors (and letting Harry know she wont take no for an answer).

Harry finds that some enemies he dealt with a few years ago have come back to town. They kidnap someone that Harry feels he has to rescue, even if he doesn't like the guy too much. Harry tries to decipher the enemy's plans and to deal with them but the plots and schemes end up being very convoluted and things don't become clear until almost too late. There's a bunch of drama and danger but Harry and company do pretty well at dealing with the bad guys so things end well. Harry even ends up with a date!

Overall, I was extremely pleased with this story. Harry has a lot riding on his shoulders but (as usual) he always impresses me with his ability to pull a win out of his ass. Of course, he did have a good amount of help from friends and associates but Harry is always the driving force and focus of the effort and he always impresses me by being a good person and doing the right thing (without being so perfect that he's annoying). I mean he's a smart ass and sarcastic as heck and some may not like him because of that but he has a heart of gold. I was also rather pleased that Harry might be getting involved with a woman. She's not Murphy and it may not end up being anything serious but I'm still hopeful. Overall, This was a great story and I'd recommend the series. :D

* note - I listened to the audio version of this story and James Marsters did a great job with the narration.

Okay, so I’m still plunging through the series.  Tenth straight book without stopping, and I can’t get enough.  The reviews are getting harder and harder to write though, since I don’t do reviews with spoilers.  I really like the Dresden Files.  I love the characters, love the story-lines, and love the writing style.  Okay, that’s the same each book.

Small Favor is yet another great book in the series.  I really enjoy when Butcher delves into story-lines including the Sidhe.  Mab plays heavily in this story.  There are a few surprises, including some very significant things to key characters.  The overall story of Harry Dresden is building to something big; I can just feel it.

Cannot wait to keep reading.  I guarantee I’ll be having withdrawal symptoms when I’m done with the series.

And seriously, what's with the hats on the cover?  He never wears hats in the books.  Am I such a newbie to the series that I'm missing something???

Highly Recommended for Urban Fantasy, Mystery and Thriller fans.

4.5 of 5 Stars (rounds to 5)

This audiobook centered around the fae, and the Denarians which are two pretty formidable powers in this universe, so this was one action-packed installment! That being said, the drama in Harry's life is beginning to spiral out of control which made the story a little chaotic at times. I'm always happy to hang with Murphy, Michael, Thomas, Kincaid, Molly and Mouse, and things tend to get extra interesting whenever the Archive becomes involved. Still, the plot felt like it was a mishmash of previous ones what with Marcone causing trouble, and the Winter/Summer Courts out to ruin Dresden's day. The sarcastic dialogue and James Marsters narration alone makes this series a must, but this title made me feel relieved that I listened to SMALL FAVOR just-for-me, and could opt out of my usual lengthy review because otherwise I probably would have picked this novel apart.

Another amazing installment is this awesome series! Once again I found myself devouring the audiobook, trying to find excuses to listen throughout the day and grumbling a little when I had to put it down.

James Marsters, of course, continues to slay as narrator, though I will say that his voices for Marcone and Kincaid seemed to have changed a bit from earlier books, which through me off a little, particularly as they didn't feel super consistent. Small quibble, though.

Enjoyed getting a bit more Marcone in this book, as I find him supremely interesting. Actually, a lot of my favorites appeared in this book, and, as usual, it was chock full of excitement and adventures. Very curious to find out the next steps for the swords and for Michael, and gain further insight into the Black Council. Interesting development with Lucio as well, and very curious to see how that plays out. Can't wait to read the next!

I feel like a broken record. There isn't much more for me to say. I'm enjoying the series, but it's not going to ever be one of my favorites or end up being one that I return to over and over. It's kept my attention, and at times I really enjoy it, but it just doesn't really grab me and suck me into the story and characters like other series. I think about Patricia Brigg's Mercedes Thompson series a lot when I read it. It's very similar in feeling (though I believe Dresden came out before Mercedes Thompson did), but I just don't find myself falling in love with the world and characters as I do in that one.

Small Favor is the tenth novel of The Dresden Files, following Harry Dresden as he has his second encounter with his arch-nemesis, Nicodemus, from Death Masks. It also follows up on the "three favors for Mab." A plot point which was introduced in Summer Knight and would continue to have a major impact on the series up until Changes. Given the book focuses on the Denarians, it also has a big role for the Knights of the Cross, as well as Gentleman Johnny Marcone a.k.a Chicago's biggest crime-boss and the second most important human who knows about the supernatural in the series.

Harry is recruited by Queen Mab to protect Marcone who is under attacks by a foe who turns out to be the aforementioned Nicodemus. There is much focus on the Unseelie Accords, those nebulous documents created by Queen Mab which are designed to limit the amount of chaos supernatural beings can cause in the modern world. The Knights of the Blackened Denarius, composed of Hell-serving fallen angels, are signatories but don't think much of the rules.

Small Favor is a book which suffers for the fact it is heavily-reliant on continuity. While this is a feature, rather than a bug, for those familiar with series, it means this book would be less enjoyable for a starting volume. Likewise, I'll be honest, Nicodemus is not that great of a villain.

While only the second time he's used, the character doesn't really have that much over Harry's other foes and his returns will become dreaded rather than enjoyed. I really think this should have been his last appearance in the franchise as there is a great moment in this somewhat unremarkable entry in this series which would have been a fitting finale for the demonically possessed mortal.

One thing I dislike about Nicodemus' portrayal in this book is that a character who was initially defined as one of the most intelligent men in history, one of the greatest villains the world has ever seen, and a reader of the Evil Overlord List suffers a great deal of "Badass Decay" (thank you TVtropes.org). Harry and company run rings around him and there's even a moment which lampshades the wizard has a much more formidable foe facing him in the Black Council.

The character is further hurt by the fact he is as close to a loyal servant of evil, which is a questionable motive at the best of times, as the series possesses. To be a good recurring nemesis, a villain must be cool on some level, and it's hard to think of Nicodemus as such when he tortures a twelve-year-old kid as in this book.

In short, Nicodemus starts to wear out his welcome in this book.

Of course, the book does benefit from more focus on the Knights of the Cross as well as series-favorite the Archive. I've always liked the Archive and really wish she'd gotten a bit more focus here. The sum-total repository of all written knowledge in the form of a twelve-year-old girl, Ivy has a spectacularly crappy life. Only Harry Dresden is willing to treat her as a little girl. The book puts her through a truly horrific experience and I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with it.

While menacing a child is certainly a huge motivation for Harry, it's also uncomfortable to read about, and I lost a lot of respect for Nicodemus as an antagonist because of it. Sansa, my favorite of the Knights, also makes a reappearance. More Sansa is always appreciated. I mean, how can you not love a African-Russian atheist-communist Knight of the Christian God? There's also some fun stuff relating to the Three Billy Goats Gruff, except said goats are fairies with guns. No, seriously. Their plotline's resolution is a highlight of the book.

In conclusion, Small Favor is not my favorite of The Dresden Files novels. The return of Nicodemus is underwhelming, there's a bit too much reliance on previous continuity, and the torture poor Ivy undergoes left a sour taste in my mouth. It's not a bad book, though, but suffers in comparison to the great ones which preceded it. Still, I'd rather read Small Favor than most urban fantasy.

8.5/10
Posted by C.T. Phipps at 11:04 PM
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Tenth in the Dresden Files urban fantasy series revolving around a supernatural detective with the powers of a wizard.

<b>My Take</b>
It’s one manipulation after another — and Butcher is rich in the details and the twisted thoughts in this twist on hardboiled noir. What has he been reading? And talk about manipulation! The way in which Harry redeems the pledge of Summer . . . quite clever, lol, and a classic fae move. Butcher keeps it light with humor and fantasy mixed in and more battles and chases than you can shake a stick at . . . not that Harry is reluctant with that stick of his!

What younger siblings wouldn’t love this opportunity for revenge against an older sibling? Oh, yeah, it’s Molly under siege — and for good reason, lol.

It’s bad at SI. The politicos have cut their budget so bad that the cops at SI are pooling the coffee money for the day they absolutely have to hire Harry. Ooh, and Harry gets his comeuppance when Karrin reminds him of her lack of prospects and the hurt it’s put on the whole SI department. And it’s bad with the Little Folk — hey, you know it’s bad when Toot turns down a doughnut!!

You’ll crack up so hard when you read Harry’s description of Thomas’ Hummer: “took the monorail to the other side . . . ”, “echoing clatter”, and denigrates such luxuries as heated leather seats. C’mon, who wouldn’t prefer a CD player and heated seats over armored sides and bulletproof glass?
<blockquote>Butcher has such a way with words, lol:

“The various beatings I’d received the night before had formed a corporation and were attempting a hostile takeover of my nervous system.”</p></blockquote>
Harry requests the Archive as an Emissary and doesn’t realize until too late and the most amazing reveal of power what the trap is. There are consequences to treating people like individual persons. The Knights complain about missing files . . . don’t they know about the Archive? ‘Cause it sure sounds like she’s got it all neatly filed away when you listen to her tick off Tessa. I loved it.
<blockquote>”Tiny, but fierce.”</blockquote>
It’s the most amazing battle and Michael is euphoric — eleven coins have been recovered, for now. And it gives Harry his idea. One that will betray everything.
<blockquote>”He has a teddy Glock.”</blockquote>
Butcher has so much fun with this series. It’s terrifying, it’s scary, and it’s full of snark as Butcher pokes fun and takes the piss at just about everything.

<b>The Story</b>
A snowball fight goes awry when the supernatural attacks, and life descends quickly from there. You know how bad it is when Mab appoints Harry her Emissary. He must find and rescue Baron Marcone. And a gutted Gard insists that Harry call challenge. Just before the Denarians attack!

It’s a multi-way siege with Denarians, the fae, and Torelli’s goons coming after them. It’s also the story in which Luccio comes on to Harry . . . va-va-va-voom!

<b>The Characters</b>
<b>Harry Dresden</b> is a wizard, a private investigator, a once-upon-a-time consultant to the Chicago PD, and a Warden based in Chicago. The multicolored, vintage <b><em>Blue Beetle</em></b> is Harry’s go-to vehicle. <b>Bob</b> is a spirit entity who resides in a human skull and knows more about magic than most wizards combined. <b>Thomas Raith</b> is a White Court vampire, Harry’s half-brother, and a very successful hairstylist, successful enough to afford that flashy Hummer. <b>Justine</b> is Thomas’ lost lover. <b>Mister</b> is Harry’s 30-lb. cat while <b>Mouse</b> is a Temple dog who adopted Harry. And he’s damned handy to have around!

<b>Molly Carpenter</b> is Harry’s apprentice, under a Doom of Damocles, with a strength for the finer aspects of sensitive magic including neuromancy, mind magic, whereas Harry is excellent at the psychic stresses of real combat. The rest of the Carpenter siblings include little <b>Hope</b> (whom Harry gravely thanks, lol), <b>Daniel</b>, and baby <b>Harry</b>. <b>Charity</b> is Michael’s wife. <b>Michael</b>, of course, is one of the <b>Knights of the Cross</b> (Harry refers to him as the Fist of God) and carries <b><em>Amoracchius</em></b>. This is the story in which Michael gets so shot up that he has to retire. <b>Sanya</b>, an agnostic and descendant of Salahuddin, is the only other Knight of the Cross alive, and he carries <b><em>Fidelacchius</em></b>. He also carried a coin, <b>Magog</b>, until he renounced it.

<b>Sergeant Karrin Murphy</b>, one of Harry’s best friends, still has her job at <b>Special Investigations</b> (SI), a division within the Chicago PD that deals with the weird. Now that <b>John Stallings</b> is in charge at SI, he’s gotten a promotion to lieutenant. <b>Rawlins</b> is Murphy’s partner. <b>Jared Kincaid</b>, a.k.a., the Hellhound, is half-fae, is the Archive’s guardian and had a thing going with Murphy. The <b>Archive</b> is all the world’s knowledge from the world’s beginning to now houses in the body of a child. Harry calls her <b>Ivy</b>.

<b>Toot-toot</b> is one of the lesser fae whom Harry keeps sweet with weekly deals of pizza, hence their name for him: the <b>Pizza Lord</b>, a.k.a., the Za-Lord. After events in <a href="//www.goodreads.com/book/show/91475.White_Night”" target="”_blank”" title="”Opens"><em>White Night</em></a>, 9, many of the Little Folk have joined the <b>Za-Lord’s Guard</b>.

<em>The White Council of Wizards</em>
The <b>White Council</b> is the ruling body of the supernatural world of humans. The <b>Wardens</b> are their policing agents, and <b>Captain Anastasia Luccio</b> is their commander; this is the story in which Harry and Luccio get together. <b>Morgan</b> is Luccio’s second-in-command, and he hates Harry with a passion. Other Wardens include <b>Chandler</b> and <b>Kostikos</b>.

<b>Gentleman Johnnie Marcone</b> is the top gangster in Chicago, and he’s signed the <b>Unseelie Accords</b> — call him <em>Baron</em>. It’s a deal he made with Harry in <a href="//www.goodreads.com/book/show/91475.White_Night”" target="”_blank”" title="”Opens"><em>White Night</em></a>. <b>Sigrun Gard</b>, a.k.a., the Chooser of the Slain, is a supernatural and a security consultant from <b>Monoc Securities</b> hired by Marcone. <b>Executive Priority</b> is the new Velvet Room. <b>Billie</b> is one of the assistants. <b>Hendricks</b>, a.k.a., Cujo, is Marcone’s bodyguard and chief enforcer. <b>Helen Demeter</b>, a.k.a., Helen Beckitt, is the manager and Marcone’s lover. She’s also the one who betrayed his safe house. <b>Torelli</b> is a bully boy beating his way into taking over Marcone’s interests. <b>Bart</b> is cheap muscle for hire; he should really pay attention.

<em>Faerie</em>
<b>Mab</b> is the Queen of Air and Darkness, the queen of the Unseelie fae and Winter, and she’s been after Harry for some time to become her new <b>Winter Knight</b>, a mortal champion with great power. It’s that or fulfill the remaining two favors he owes. <b>Grimalkin</b> is her mouthpiece in this story. <b>Lloyd Slate</b> is still the Winter Knight, absolutely mad from the torture Mab has inflicted on him. <b>Hobs</b> are both Summer and Winter fae, although the hordes at the train station are beholden to Winter.

The <b>Billy Goats Gruff</b> may sound like a fairytale, but they’re Summer’s enforcers, and <b>Titania</b> hasn’t gotten over events in <a href="//www.goodreads.com/book/show/91478.Summer_Knight”" target="”_blank”" title="”Opens"><em>Summer Knight</em></a>, 4. <b>Tiny</b> is one of the bigger gruffs and learns respect for Murphy. The <b>Eldest Gruff</b> is a surprising size. <b>Fix</b> is the suddenly belligerent Summer Knight.

<em>The Vampires</em>
Vampires of the <b>White Court</b> feed during sex or any time they can induce desire. Vampires of the <b>Red Court</b> have gone to war against the White Council.

<em>Knights of the Blackened Denarius, a.k.a., the Nickleheads</em>
The <b>Denarians</b> are humans who choose to pick up one of Judas Iscariot’s silver coins and take in the fallen angel housed in each coin, and they are in town and hunting. Long-lived with incredible power, they’re a tremendous force to go up against. <b>Nicodemus Archleone</b> is their leader and Tessa’s husband; <b>Tessa</b>, a.k.a., Polonius Lartessa; <b>Imariel</b>, Tessa’s second; <b>Dierdre</b> is Nick and Tessa’s daughter; <b>Akariel</b>; <b>Rosanna</b> enticed Sanya til he came to his senses; <b>Anduriel</b>; Spinyboy, a.k.a., <b>Thorned Namshiel</b>; and, <b>Mantis Girl</b>.

<b>Carol</b> is the customer service rep at the train station who’s incredible under pressure. <b>Joe</b> is a janitor at the station whom Harry knows. <b>Jake</b> is the janitor at the hospital. He’s also the <b>Watchman</b> of the archangels, <b>Uriel</b>.

<b>MacAnnally’s Pub</b> is a bar that has been accorded neutral status where the supernatural gather. <b>Mac</b> runs the place and brews his own ale. The <b>Paranet</b> is a web-based network of contacts for middle-class practitioners, an early-warning system for weaker supernaturals that was put up by Harry and Elaine with weregild from events in <a href="//www.goodreads.com/book/show/91475.White_Night”" target="”_blank”" title="”Opens"><em>White Night</em></a>. The <b>Nevernever</b> is an alternate plane of existence and contains <b>Faerie</b> and the <b>Ways</b>. <b><em>Myrk</em></b> is matter from the Nevernever that covers up light. <b>Soulfire</b> is the opposite of <b>Hellfire</b> and is used to create matter.

<b>The Cover & Title</b>
The cover is a’glint in gold, gold foil that is — in the bricks, the door, and Harry’s face as he stands in profile to us in his signature duster and fedora, staff in hand with its runes glowing. Or is it the flames at his feet casting that glow upward? Let’s not forget that Harry is also holding a modern accoutrement to the arts, a pistol.

I suspect the title is all about a freshly made Chicago doughnut, <em>Small Favors</em>, that could save a life.

This is the 10th book in the Harry Dresden Series, and with many series of this length, things are a little formulaic. As with White Knight, Small Favor slowly builds to an epic action scene. It could feel tired and overdone, but it doesn't. Jim Butcher's sharp whit and vividly drawn characters keep you engaged, and entertained the whole way through.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book, which is exceptionally well narrated by James Marsters (who reads all the books in the series) and I intend to consume the rest of the series this way. Jame Marsters breathes life into Dresden in a way few could.

Jim Butcher has done an excellent job of making a long running series into something that leaves you wanting more. It's a big accomplishment and a very well written book.

*Book source ~ Purchased at Audible

Wizard Harry Dresden is out doing work for his other job, as a private detective, when he gets stuck in one helluva snow storm. To much snow, too fast and before he knows it Queen Mab, Faerie Queen of the Winter Court, is standing before him with a demand he make good on one of the favors he owes her. Mobster extraordinaire, Gentleman Johnny Marcone is missing and Mab wants Harry to find and protect him. Ok, find a mob boss. Harry’s an excellent PI. How hard could this be? Oh, Harry. Seriously?

Guest reviewers:
A ~ my 16-yr-old daughter
T ~ my 15-yr-old son
K ~ my 13-yr-old son

Yep, still loving the series. Humor, magic, mystery, great characters; what’s not to love? As always the big finale is hit with everyone though one of our favorite characters gets seriously injured. The plot is twisty and tricky and involves the Courts of Faerie. The hated Denarians are back and causing trouble, too. Man, we really hate them. But that means the Knights of the Cross are in this book. Yay for Michael and Sanya! Along with Thomas, Murphy, Marcone and Mouse there are some more favorites back: Kincaid, The Archive, Ms. Gard, Hendricks and Capt. Luccio. New baddies are some denizens of the Summer Court, the Billy Goats Gruff. Yowzers. Add in a battle, helicopter, Ride of the Valkyries, weapons, magic and a cool island and you pretty much have all the excitement you can handle. T does want it recorded for all time that he no longer likes Murphy due to a decision she made at the end that I will not reveal so as not to spoil. A & K don’t agree and still like Murphy. T also said he didn’t like what Harry was saying at the end of the book until the janitor walked into the chapel.

Favorite quotes:

“’Likest thou jelly within thy doughnut?’
‘Nay, but prithee, with sprinkles ‘pon it instead,’ I said solemnly, ‘ and frosting of white.’”

“’You rush a miracle worker, you get lousy miracles!’”

“’Ha-ha! Ah-hahahahaha! I am wizard; hear me roar!’”

“’Tiny,’ Sanya rumbled to Michael, clenching a demonstrative fist. ‘But fierce.’” ~ talking about Murphy

One of the things I enjoyed about the previous Dresden books was that the series never took itself too seriously, possibly because the first book was an attempt to show how awful formula fiction can be. Butcher had created an intriguing world with interesting characters, then came up with stories that were irreverently *fun.*

"Small Favor" was not fun. It was like those linear video games where all the player can do is move the character along a pre-determined path (with obstacles or invisible 'walls' blocking any attempt to explore) in order to watch a story unfold in cutscenes. The character sometimes gets a new item that will be necessary later, or learns a fact that explains something, but never really has to use their brain. The character is given super-duper powers and is effectively immortal, so there's not much tension, either.

Before I continue, let me explain something: I don't mind religions in books, I've been a big fan of a *lot* of series with a clear Judeo-Christian type focus. What I'm about to complain about is based on the series changing radically out of seemingly nowhere, and Harry leaping from agnostic to Christian *without question* despite knowing all kinds of creatures & things from other religions/myths that really don't fit in that belief system.

So, we have a story on rails with a superhero character. Now, swap the old zany supernatural creatures with Biblical ones, ditch good old Wizard Ebeneezer in favor of various 'wise' religious people, and the other wizards & most police for a big oldschool Christian/Catholic family plus a few knights guided by their preferred male deity. Oh, plus the old irreverently wisecracking skeptical, independent Harry was fired and replaced with one that spends his time praying to the deity, worrying whether it approves of him or his actions, and discussing religion with others. At one point, he offers a common atheist logic point as an obvious strawman just so a kind old man can spend a few pages telling him why it's wrong and he should believe in the loving benevolence of their deity. :-p

In the end, various implausible events provide a tidy deus ex machina to the story, but it ultimately leaves so much unexplained and hanging that it didn't *feel* like it was over. It felt more like the end of a chapter, which wasn't at all satisfying. I'm really hoping that the next book will be more "fun" to read -- I don't especially care who has sex or a relationship with whom -- but I don't have much hope at this point. :-(

Harry has been carrying out his job as a Warden on the White Council. Life is calm. There have been no wars or death threats recently, but this is about to change. Mab, Queen of the White Court of the Sidhe, has called in a favor from Harry and he must go into battle against the Denarians to save the life of mobster, Johnny Marcone, and also the life of a young child, who is known as The Archive. This adventure will test his strengths and those of Michael Carpenter, a Knight of the Cross, and Kincaid, a paid assassin, who is acting as The Archive's guardian.

I've loved this series since I picked up Storm Front and discovered the short lived tv-series. Right up to and including White Night I've read every book as paperback, but I decided to pick up the audiobook version of Small Favor as I'm trying to listen to more audiobooks. Let's talk about the story and then I will share my thoughts about the narrator.

The story is dynamite. I got really interested in the concept of the "black council" in White Night. A council that is a secret and is working against the White Council. Harry doesn't know too many details about this suspected Council but he has shared his thoughts with a few people. In Small Favor we learn that the Black Council might be spread further than Harry initially expected, right through to the Supernaturals working against each other. We also learn about The Archive, who is a magical construct and repository of all knowledge and wisdom. The Denarians want The Archive to turn her into one of the "Fallen" and Harry and his friends set out to save her.

There was so much going on in Small Favor that I felt like I was almost holding my breath the entire time as I listened to the book. There is adventure, supernaturals (although less vampires than usual) and hidden plots. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone that hasn't read it yet, but it is all awesome and cements my thoughts that this is one of the best urban fantasy series out there. It is not just focused on vampires or angels or faeries - it is everything and it is fantastic!

I loved learning more about The Archive and towards the end we find a revelation about a comparison between The Archive and Bob (a skeleton head spirit that resides with Harry) that left me wanting to pick up the next book right now to find out what happens next.

James Marsters (Spike from Buffy tv show for those that have watched it) is the narrator for this book and he is fantastic. He is the voice of Harry Dresden. After having listened to him narrate this book I will definitely be listening to the rest of the books on audio now. He does the voices just perfectly and I love the tone he uses when Harry screams out his spells in battle.

I recommend this series, but I highly recommend listening to it on audio. James Marsters definitely makes this series even better, if that is possible!

This is Book 10 of the Dresden Files, an urban-fantasy series about Harry Dresden, a private investigator in Chicago who is also a powerful wizard. In this story, Mab, the Queen of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, calls in the second of three favors Harry owes her, demanding that he rescue Gentleman Johnny Marcone, a notorious crime lord in Chicago, who has been kidnapped. Harry soon discovers that Mab's "small favor" involves going up against the Denarians, humans who have accepted ancient coins (the original "thirty pieces of silver" that were Judas's payment for betraying Jesus). The coins are inhabited by evil, fallen angels, and anyone who accepts a coin is granted massive magical powers. The price, however, is the person's soul, as they are turned, inside and outside, into horrible monsters. The Denarians' goal is to force Marcone to accept one of the coins, under the assumption that as a fellow Denarian he would make a particularly powerful addition to their demon crew.

As if that isn't bad enough news for Harry, Titania, Mab's sister and Queen of the Summer Court of the Sidhe, is on a rampage against him, sending huge, powerful, talking goats to attack Harry, and anyone in the vicinity.

Fortunately for Harry, he doesn't have to face all these threats alone. He has a motley crew of magical and non-magical allies, and the action, as always in this series, is nonstop.

Harry himself continues to be a fantastic, extremely sympathetic hero. He is unwilling to ever give up when innocent lives are in danger at the hands of horrible villains, and he constantly displays his trademark snarky defiance in the face of impossible odds.

The sound quality of this audio recording is excellent and it is an unabridged version of the book. It is narrated by actor James Marsters, best known for playing the character Spike, a platinum-blond, British vampire in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off series Angel, between 1997 and 2004. Marsters does an outstanding job on every part of the reading, including general narrative and various character voices. Listening to him is a real pleasure.

I am extremely grateful for Mr. Marsters's reading talents not just for their own sake, but because experiencing this novel as an audiobook gave me the opportunity to admire Jim Butcher's writing even more than I did when I read this book in print--which I did not think was possible. In my experience of listening to audio versions of books, very few of them can stand up to the intense focus of being read aloud, which is much slower than reading silently to oneself. This relative snail's pace acts to draw attention to every problem of dialogue, pacing and plot. I am happy to report that under that intense spotlight, I experienced not a single flaw in this book.

I am not a person who often reads a book more than once--too much to read and far too little time. But this book was definitely worth experiencing twice. And owning this recording means I may listen to it far more times than that in the future.

This is one of the best purchases I ever made, and I am systematically collecting audio recordings of all of the Dresden Files books.

About 1/4 into Small Favor I found myself wondering if Harry Dresden was about to magically jump a shark. By the end, I had decided it might be the best book in the series.

Well, he actually does kind of jump a shark, but he was in an aquarium at the time.

Favor put us firmly back in Dresden's home territory. Someone has kidnapped his least-favorite sometimes-ally "Gentleman" Marcone and he's being coerced into saving him by an old enemy. His allies in faerie-land are trying to kill him. His friend Michael is seriously doubting whether Harry is trustworthy. And he winds up stuck in the convergence of conflicts between the Seelie and Unseelie courts and between the Knights of the Cross and the Denarian demons. And just for fun, with Kincaid and Sergeant Murphy along for the ride, still bristling from their breakup.

Thematically, this book is about divided loyalties, trust, and--most centrally--what it means to be good instead of evil. The central morals of Harry, Sergeant Murphy, Michael, Sanyo (another Knight of the Cross), and even the mercenaries Kincaid and Gard are roughly similar, but each draws different lines around what is required and what is allowed to be good.

Marcone and The Archive (a super-efficent magical database of all written knowledge ever, but housed in a little girl) serve as the background to the moral debate: Marcone's morality is strongly personal, running his criminal empire and ruining whatever lives it costs while still going out of his way to save and help individuals he sees in distress. The Archive is impersonal, fighting to keep emotional attachments from driving her insane while she hold humanity's heritage against any disaster. They are each afraid to join human society fully, worried that they won't be able to reconcile their job with their humanity.

The book is back in classic Dresden form in other ways, too. Harry doesn't rely on odd moments of insight that come like deus ex machina in some of the other books. He doesn't build plans that last longer than a day. And he doesn't ever rely on his intelligence over his wit, his wits, and his ability to break things very, very well. He's good at mouthing off, pushing people into making mistakes, and doing not-subtle magic with collateral damage. And he has charisma and leadership only Murphy can match. In Small Favor he leaves the other stuff to the pros. Just like the good old days.

In a lot of ways, this is what Storm Front would have been if Butcher had been a better writer at the time. It has more complex character interactions than the first book in a series can sustain and it assumes some (but not too much) knowledge of the backstory, but it hits the themes of the series without sacrificing the action and faith in himself that make Harry who he is.

Jim Butcher continues to fire on all cylinders in the 10th installment of the Dresden Files. As with books 5 and 15, the Knights of the Blackened Denarius show up ... Harry may derisively call them them the Nickleheads, but we all know they represent a very special kind of trouble for our heroes.

I don't want to delve too deeply into spoiler territory but the action starts when Mab returns to collect one of her favors owed. The task becomes increasingly complicated as Marcone, the Archive, the Summer Court and Angels (fallen and upright) get involved. It features a terrific showdown in the Shed Aquarium and does important development of the Island Harry calls Demonreach.

I recently reread the first book of the Series (Stormfront) and though I think that's a great book too (and the right place to start the series), I am also surprised and pleased by how much stronger Jim's writing has gotten. This is really where the scope of the series and the powers of the protagonist start to scale up and expand.

I'm not too sure what to think of this edition of the Dresden Files. While it was well written, it seemed a little too fast paced to keep up with all the detail. While these books should be read in order, due to the numerous books in the series, I'm not going to bother recapping them. The most important things about these books is that Harry Dresden is a wizard, a real one with his own ad in the Chicago yellow pages.

Due to an exchange with a faerie, and in turn getting his debt sold to the Queen of faeries, Dresden owes Queen Mab a favor. It isn't enough that he has to go rescue someone he doesn't like from the dangerous Demon Denarians however, once again someones trying to kill him. For as of yet unknown reasons, the Summer Faeries are out for his blood and sending the Gruff brothers (each one bigger than the last) after him to take his life. With the Gruffs behind him every step of the way, he has to wheedle and deal with the Denarians in order to retrieve the Archive. As always, he and his friends are in danger the entire time.

Harry's character fell a little flat in this one. He still had his humour and aptitude for magic, but he didn't seem as personal as he usually is. It was harder to connect with him in this book. Murphy also has a lesser part and isn't described as well in this book. Usually she has a lot of imagery associated with her and that just wasn't there this time. Michael and Sanya were ok, but surprisingly didn't play a very big part in this book even though it involved the Denarians. Everyone else played minor roles as well.

Butcher is normally a very descriptive writer; and while he still is in this novel (its one of the longer ones) it just seemed to fast and the detail wasn't in the important parts. Regardless, the plot was interesting and one of his better ones. I just wish he had fleshed it out more. All of these books involve a world that is very involved. While it does mirror the regular Chicago, Butcher's Chicago takes in account the magic that permeates all of Dresden's life. And he does a good job of it. He makes it very believable and especially because its written in the first person, we see it all in Harry's view.

Overall I greatly enjoy the series and look forward to the next. There's only three more so far to go so I'll have to make sure to savor each.

Small Favor
Copyright 2008
541 pages

Review By M. Reynard 2010

Small Favor (book 10) is the second Dresden Files book I've read (listened to on audio book rather) after watching the TV series and getting hooked after reading a short story. I lucked out that its plot closely follows the events and characters from the first one I read, Death Masks (book 5). I am reading these stories out of sequence, and would recommend that newcomers read the entire series in order, but I am still enjoying them immensely. I found having characters appear back to back that were gone for the four intervening books rather gratifying. Of course I missed out on quite a bit, but Jim Butcher intersperses enough back-story with the current tale to almost make up for it.

In a nutshell, demons Nicodemus and the Black Denarians are back, along with Kincaid and the powerful Archive. Even bigger evil plots are afoot and intertwined. Faery Queen Titania is sending "hit men" out after Harry because he is doing a "small favor" for Queen Mab. All of the usual allies and foes make an appearance in this fast and furious page turner. I am again left wondering how Harry manages to survive the ever increasingly steep odds against him. Not unscathed, that is for sure, and those near and dear to him constantly put themselves in harms way to come to his assistance.

If you're a fan of urban fantasy and have yet to give the Dresden Files a go, then I'm not sure what's stopping you. I will say that while this novel stands on its own, I wouldn't recommend starting here. There is just too much that relies on the previous books for a newcomer to enjoy it fully. Some readers have commented that perhaps Butcher tried to put a little to much action into this installment and the expense of plot and character, but I think that if you've read the other books, then Small Favor chugs along at just the right speed. This series really needs to be taken as a whole rather than book by book, and as such, I find it amazing. Now you'll have to excuse me as I have another Dresden Files novel to get back to.

Yes, I'm hooked. If you like this genre, you'll enjoy this series but it is a series and as such, beside to start at the beginning. That said, if I had a single gripe about the books it's his recapitulation of anything that comes up that has a history of some sort to it. Might be able to eliminate about 30 pages if we could all agree not to read them out of order. Wishful thinking on my part. Can't wait to read the rest.

Small Favor is tenth in the Dresden Files series, and the story's really ramping up. There are inevitable references to previous events, but they're not essential to understanding the tale. I wasn't always sure what I'd forgotten or which book things took place in. But it was more frustration at my husband's remembering than a need to know, that made me look up Arctis Tor on the internet. Much to my delight, the search led me to the short story where Harry Dresden first met Karrin Murphy. Reading a reference to their first meeting on the next page in Small Favor was just a delightful slice of serendipity.

Dresden's world is beautifully thought-out, endlessly inventive, consistent and evolving. It's filled with intriguing three-dimensional characters--unless magic's a dimension in which case four or five-dimensional... And there's a darkness gathering behind the tale that's never quite told, simply shown through the protagonist's eyes as he slowly realizes what's at stake. Who will wield the holy swords? How come evil and good keep joining forces? Why can't a bad guy simply be bad instead of meriting unexpected respect for his good deeds?

And then there's God. The wizard, Harry Dresden, tries to keep a low profile there. He's not sure what to believe about God and church, but some of his friends take the divine very seriously. The God that's painted through their words takes life and humanity seriously too. How can a good God let bad stuff happen? The mysterious stranger suggests maybe He's working behind the scenes, and we've just not seen it yet.

The author takes his readers seriously too, and the telling of his tale. This book is a fine addition to the set, for all that it's the wrong size. The story's complete, as it is in each volume, but the history's still got more to come, and I'm eagerly awaiting my chance to unwrap book number eleven.

So, the Dresden series now having become my very favorite paranormal books, of course I read this as soon as I got the chance (Still well behind the curve, of course -- 'cuz I'm a big rebel, yeah.). It was as excellent and fun to read as the rest.

I will say that the feel of it was different. There was much less humor in this one than in several of the others. It seems that, with each book, Harry grows in maturity, in power and influence, and also in pessimism -- because how can you not be a little dark in your outlook, when you're facing necromancers who are immensely more powerful than you, the entire Red Court and much of the White and Black Courts, the Fae, the Black Council (or at least the disapproving White Council), and, of course, the Knights of the Blackened Denarius? But as Harry grows, he becomes too self-conscious of his own smartypants defense mechanism, and so loses his flair for it. The comment is made at one point that he is actually left speechless by an enemy, and that seems to be happening throughout the book, and the series. I wouldn't be surprised if part of it is Butcher getting burnt out on making up witty sarcastic repartee -- I would guess that any character trait would get somewhat tired after ten books.

Anyway, there is some wittiness, and there are some really funny parts -- the moment when Harry raises a fist in praise of the ugly dolphins, the ones who didn't sell out to a plastic surgeon to be on Flipper, and says, "Represent," cracked me up. And there is also a lot of banter between Harry and Thomas, which seems a good place for it. But there is a new romantic entanglement for Harry, which is excellent since the poor guy is so lonely and yet so surrounded by incredibly beautiful and monstrously evil temptresses; and there is some good progress made toward endgame. Though we don't find out anything terribly momentous about the Black Council, apart from them being even more powerful and nasty than we may have thought. And the good side takes some serious losses as well, so it isn't all wine and roses. Which just makes me eager to read the next book, of course.

Mab, the Queen of the Winter Court, calls in one of the two favors that Harry owes her. Johnny Marcone has been kidnapped and she wants Harry to find him. The fact that Harry is acting as the emissary of the Winter Court means that Harry is now on the hit list of the Summer Court.

Wow, how hurt can one person get and just keep going? That was my only problem when reading this latest in the Harry Dresden series. The fact that he's ALWAYS beat up is uncomfortable to me. And so much action keeps the tension level high.

What I really love about this series is the humor, Harry's loyalty to what he believes is right, and the fact that it takes place in Chicago, often destroying well-known places, and this one is no exception.

And of course, I'm often amazed at the wit Harry displays in rising above seemingly no-win situations, more often than not with a great deal of sarcasm and humor.

Harry also explains things to us in great detail; the hows and whys, before taking action. While much of this is for our benefit, in some places, it seemed to get long-winded.

Many people/characters from prior stories are in this book. Thomas, Michael and his family, along with Sanya, the other knight. Mister and Mouse also have a little more to do. Ivy, the Archive is back along with Kincaid, her bodyguard. Murphy is getting in deeper with the supernatural world, gaining respect from the various groups. You'll recognize some of Marcone's people. The Denarians are back - those Fallen Angel guys with the coins. We also get to meet a bunch of new creatures from the Summer and Winter Courts.

Some long standing questions are answered and we're presented with new ones as some situations change- and some of these are big.

You don't need to read the other books before picking up this latest one, but I think you'd get a great deal more satisfaction from the book and better appreciate the different relationships and the larger significance of some actions if you read the series in order.

You know I keep saying this but it is true, these just keep getting better and better. The action is so overwhelming and unbelievably exciting. This one had my heart racing, my tear ducts on overload and my lungs starting and stopping. I kept having to tell myself to breath. The emotions on a scale of 1 to 10 was at an all time high of 10 plus. As any reader of the Dresden Files know the characters are what keep us coming back for more and more. Harry and Murphy are so lovable and unpredictable, and yet predictable! But little Ivy has captured my heart. I loved the stance that Harry took and love him even more for doing it. Of course, he can befriend me any old day off the week! The interaction between Harry and Luccio was amazing and I look forward to more details!! Anything that is that good for the soul bears more information. Another GREAT READ!

Harry Dresden is your typical hard-boiled noir fiction detective except that he's a wizard and he does his wisecracking and investigating in a world is populated with vampires, other wizards, faeries, demons, mythical swords, billy goats gruff, and various other things that go bump in the night. That combination makes this book fascinating reading no matter whether you enjoy reading mysteries, or fantasy novels. If you enjoy both, you are in luck.

This was my first book of the Dresden files series. I first encountered Jim Butcher in an anthology of vampire birthday stories and loved the concept. I always recommend that people start at the beginning of a series rather than jump in with the newest book, but am bad at taking my own advice. In this case, I could tell I was missing some of the back story but the author gave enough information that I didn't feel lost and the book was so engrossing I didn't mind that it would have been better to have read them in order. I'll definitely go back and read the rest of the books. If you are just discovering the Dresden Files, I think it would be better to start at the beginning but if you are impatient like me, you'll be fine.

There is a large cast of characters, many of whom play a big part in the book and some of whom are even mortal. The family of Harry's apprentice Molly is front and center because her father Michael is a Knight of the Cross and is a big part of the battles Harry has to fight. I found it refreshing that a character of deep Christian faith got such a positive treatment even though he is balanced by another Knight who is an agnostic.

The plot moves along at a good pace but not at the expense of creating interesting characters and situations. I very much enjoyed this book.

As this 10th volume of the DRESDEN FILES opens an early snowfall has inspired Harry to combine a training session for his apprentice Molly with a snowball fight including her family. The happy romp in the snow quickly turns terrifying when the Billy Goats Gruff appear. Harry's problems with the Gruffs seem small though after Queen Mab decides to call in one of the two favors Harry owes her, a not so small matter involving Gentleman Johnny Marcone and the Summer Court. Harry knows that this small favor was going to cause him no end of trouble but it is really an offer he cannot refuse. What he did not realize was just how costly this project would be.

THE DRESDEN FILES is a series of urban fantasy novels featuring Wizard/Private Investigator Harry Dresden and his ever expanding circle of friends, family and enemies. Butcher has created a remarkable detailed universe for this series, one that centers on Chicago, more or less as we mortals experience it (although populated with Wizards, vampires and fairies) and stretching into the magical Nevernever. Harry is the typical, smart mouthed PI, often at odds with the powers that be, both mortal and magical as he attempts to find justice for those around him. His sarcastic comments lend a comic note to his adventures which are often punctuated by fierce battles. The ongoing story arcs involving the large cast of secondary characters will keep the reader looking for the next volume in the series. Due to these numerous and ongoing subplots this series needs to be read in order, beginning with STORM FRONT. Some background information is included in each novel but skipping around the series will either confuse the reader or spoil surprises.

Harry Dresden has his problems with the White Council, problems with Chicago gangster Marcone, problems with both the Winter Court of Seelie, but his biggest problems lately have been with the fallen-angel-haunted Denarius. What he doesn't expect is problems from the Summer Court, but when the Queen of the Winter Court calls in a favor--and the Summer Court sends its top enforcers to kill him, Harry realizes he's found the worst of all worlds--just about everyone is out to get him.

The Winter Queen wants Harry to track down Marcone, who's been kidnapped in a huge display of magical power--and hellfire. Someone is messing with the accords, possibly trying to start a war, and Harry can guess the most likely candidates--the Denarius knights. The good news is, Harry can count on help from his friends Michael and Murphy--and from his young assistant, Molly. The bad news is that all of a sudden, none of them seem willing to trust him. And then there are bigger and bigger Gruffs coming after him.

The Denarius Knights don't think small and it takes Harry time to piece through the clues and learn their ultimate goal. When he does, though, the usually unshakable Harry Dresden has a real concern--both for what they'll accomplish if they're successful, and for the fate of his young friend Ivy, the Archivist. Harry may not be perfect, but he'll give an awful lot to make sure nothing bad happens to her. Unfortunately for both of them, it's entirely possible that he'll end up giving an awful lot without helping her at all.

Author Jim Butcher continues his Dresden Files series with a fast-paced adventure. Dresden gets mangled by magic--and by physical force, attacked by just about every power around, gets his brain warped when he isn't looking, and generally stays about a half-inch ahead of his many pursuers through the course of the story. Once in a while this means that he can't wise-crack, but not often. Harry works with familiar sidekicks including cop Murphy, knight Michael Carpenter, Harry's half-brother (and vampire), Thomas, and others in what appears to be one hopeless battle after another. Fortunately, Harry is far from incapable of defending himself. Even more fortunately, his friends have their own powers and aren't afraid to use them.

Harry makes a charming character partly because he doesn't mind mocking himself, partly because his friends so obviously care for him, and partly because his first response to trouble is to try to blow something up. We don't get quite the moral complexity Butcher has offered in some of his other recent Dresden Files stories, but that certainly doesn't keep SMALL FAVOR from being a completely enjoyable treat.

Small Favor
By Jim Butcher

Once more author Jim Butcher has given his readers a thrill packed roller coaster ride through the wild & woolly world of Harry Dresden's Chicago. The 10th book in the series shows us an ever evolving and maturing Harry Dresden. Almost all of the old gang are back, Murphy, Mab, Thomas, Marcone, Knights of the Cross, Fallen Angles ...etc.... and of course ...Bob. While Butchers books are far superior to the enjoyable , if somewhat short lived TV series, is there anyone who doesn't visualize Terrence Mann in a smoking jacket as they read about Bob?

Butcher seamlessly moves his story from the world of the hard boiled gumshoe through the occult and into magical realms of Faerie, (not to mention a few stops at the Godfathers), with all the in's and out's that we've come to expect in a Dresden novel.
I normally don't do reviews of novels because I would hate to inadvertently ruin the story for someone. So here`s the nutshell version without giving anything away. A very enjoyable read that I highly recommend. The book has most of the cast and crew that we've grown to love (or hate). Fast paced with lots of twists and turns in the plot, no surprise there. The Good guy's finaly get to.......... I'll stop there. Oh, ya.... There's something better than hellfire, (be careful what you wish for Harry!). Enjoy!

In Frith,
Spence the Elder

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"
M. Addams

Jim Butcher's SMALL FAVOR is set in the dead of an icy Chicago winter but the plot operates on the same principle of a car with no brakes hitting the ice at 60mph. Harry Dresden, Chicago's favorite magical hero, has the Summer Queen of the Sidhe gunning for him when Mab the Winter Queen makes him an offer he can't refuse: he's got to help criminal kingpin John Marcone. In addition, the Denarians are back in town.

Fight scenes go by faster than snowflakes in a blizzard. There's some really clever action in this book! Fortunately, Harry has the aid of the Knights of the Swords, policewoman Karrin Murphy, his apprentice Molly, his vampire half-brother Thomas and Someone Else. Harry is always good company and his friends are welcome any time. In the small interludes between frantic action, almost casual insights into love, treachery, loyalty, family and religion detonate like hand grenades of wisdom.

I like the way Harry Dresden continues to learn and develop in front of our eyes. He's a man so caught up in action that he misses some of the subtler aspects of relationships--which his exasperated brother takes him to task for. Jim Butcher has left his loyal readers wondering if Harry is giving up on the idea of getting together with Karrin. I enjoyed everything about this book, while at the same time wishing for just a little more time with the inner Harry. I mean, come on, this is a book for adults. Did he or didn't he?

I've now listened to all 5 of the Dresden Files books available on audio, and Small Favor is by far the best one yet. If you've read any of the other reviews you know the plot - Harry is asked by Queen Mab to rescue an abducted gangster from the Order of the Blackened Denarius (fallen-angel empowered bad guys). What makes this audiobook so much fun is that James Marsters, who has narrated the previous four Dresden audios as well, really hits his stride with Small Favor. His voice actually changes for different characters, even if it's just a simple matter of intonation, and it makes those characters come to life in a way that a flat rote reading can't - something that was a bit of an issue for the first few of the Dresden Files audiobooks. Marsters does descend into melodrama on occasion, particularly with female voices, but on the whole I thought he did a great job with Small Favor. And better yet, Butcher has announced that three more of the Dresden Files books (Proven Guilty, White Night, and Turn Coat) will be released on audio in April of this year, with Death Masks to follow in November and Blood Rites and Dead Beat (my personal favorite) debuting in July 2010, all read by Marsters. I'm looking forward to it!

Of course I do have one small quibble...why can't Butcher release these books as downloadable audiobooks as well as CDs? 14 CDs - Small Favor's grand total - is a bit unwieldy to drag around, and it makes for a huge clump of MP3 files on my player. (Thank heavens for expansion cards.)

I first became addicted to Harry Dresden, The Dresden Files, when it appeared on the SciFi Television Network. Before that I had not heard of him, or Jim Butcher. When they took the series off, I was very upset.....hence, the natural migration to the books, which were SO much better than the show. So, I found the series and started from the first book. I was very disappointed that the books were not at least 100 pages longer! I became engrossed in Harry, Michael, Bob, and company! When I had finished all of the books, I read them again. I found details the second time that I missed, because I read them too fast.

I do not think that Michael detracts in the least from this story. I love the play between good and evil, and Jim Butcher does it extremely well!!! Mab, as always is at her evil best, and never telling the "complete truth". Molly is still trying to perfect her abilities, so her role is best behind the wheel where she is out of sight and can assist Harry from time to time. Marcone continues to surprise as he keeps his word, which I NEVER would have guess when he was first introduced. I'm sure Mr. Butcher will continue to surprise us with his Wild and superb imagination. I hope he continues and LOVE his Dresden books.

In this book, Queen Mab is back to call in another favor and you'll never guess what she wants Harry to do... The plot is fast yet never out of control. I can't believe the sweeping, multiple-book story lines that somehow never get confusing or dropped. Kudos to Butcher on an amazing feat. More, more, more.

If you're new to the Dresden File series, Harry Dresden is the only wizard in the Chicago Yellow Pages, a supernatural gumshoe who lives in his rundown Chicago apartment. His tongue-in-cheek neo-noir narration is just lots of fun to read. While the series is driven more by a blazing and far-sweeping plot than by characters, the characters, too, are multifaceted individuals (for the most part) who learn (or not) from real mistakes. And seriously, who doesn't love a polka-playing Medical Examiner? A sex-feeder who has sworn off sex.... A fairy godmother who wants to turn you into a pet dog and love and take care of you forever. The list goes on...

Great fun. Outstanding writing. Paced for thrills with no slow spots. Darkly urban, contemporary setting. Magical, colorful characters. What's not to like?

The series is best enjoyed by starting with the first novel, Storm Front.
Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)

Small Favor is the tenth book in the Dresden Files and follows White Night. In White Night, families in the White Court plan to usurp power from Lord Raith by culling female wizards from several cities. Thomas becomes involved in the case and draws his brother into it as well. Many intersting developments occurred in White Night, including the reappearance of Elaine (who operates as a wizard in LA), the conversion of Lasciel and her death, the elevation of Marcone to the Accords, and Helen Beckitt's return (villain in Storm Front).

That said, Small Favor is the best novel of the series. The plot is more powerful than other novels because of the inclusion of so many characters of past novels. Kincaid and the Archive reappear, and Jim Butcher describes the Archive more fully. Warden Luccio is drawn to Chicago by Dresden's plea. Nicodemus returns to Chicago with the entire crew of denarians. Michael and Sanya see an opportunity to finish them. Additionally, my favortite plot line returned as Mab appears and gives Dresden a task, which also means summer is around trying to harm him.

Small Favor was exciting and exhilarating. When I began the series, I wasn't sure if I liked it too much, but now, I can't wait for the next novel to come out.

Book 10 of the series, what a ride. Get ready for a very big roller coaster ride of characters and events. The feel of the books are changing as they progress in the series, but for the good. I love how the characters have been built into the stories and how they come in and out of the story lines instead of them being one offs for a few books.

I really like how Harry has a family now. While they may not all be blood related, they're always there when he needs them. Whether or not he actually verbalizes it, they show up and cover him even if it means being willing to risk their lives.

The only character that hasn't really been brought back much is Susan, Harry's last love interest. Though a new relationship seems to be developing between Harry and an unlikely powerful woman. I am excited to see where that relationship goes, as it could be quite the romance.

I rate this book 5/5

Priscilla

Harry Dresden remains one of my favorite fictional characters, and frankly, this book is no exception to the fantastic world Butcher has created. It's fast-paced and funny, with threads seemingly left at random only to be gathered into an unexpected tapestry by the book's end. Others' complaints about the relationship between Harry and Murphy don't bother me. I've never been one of those who was eager to see them hooked up. What, men and women who work together can't just be best friends? I can't say I really understand this sudden interest in Luccio, but the lack of romantic interest in Murphy makes perfect sense to me.

The only reason this book isn't a 5-star is because it suffers from a cast of too many characters. Butcher has tried to blend a lot in this particular venture, and it doesn't always flow as seamlessly as his usual work. I'm not a great fan of the fae, either, but at least it ends up taking a back seat for the middle of part of the story. I enjoy the Carpenters and find the Knights fascinating, so having them around in the book is a bonus for me.

Now I just have to find some way to be patient for book 11.

The best novel series out there have several defining factors - a number of common points. First, they have to have memorable characters that grow and change as the series progresses, but retain enough of the characteristics that the readers has come to expect and love.

Secondly, and this follows closely with the characters, there has to be a wide variety of interesting supporting characters as well - not only heroes, but the villains. Both we look forward to seeing in the future.

Third, and this is really important, the mythology, the canon behind the series itself. How the author sets up the world he's created, and his eye for detail. This goes hand in hand with continuity. You lose the continuity, you lose the detail and the canon becomes, at best, haphazard and a real mess.

These are the three things that I love about two different series. The Dresden Files, and Outlanders.

Of course, this review is about Small Favour - Book ten of the Dresden files by Jim Butcher.

Poor Harry Dresden. He's been through a lot over the years. He's been tempted by a fallen Angel, had his girlfriend taken from him by the Red Court, been in trouble more times than he can count with the White Council... just to name a few of the things that have happened to him. But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

A man that he despises has disappeared, and the Winter Court forces Harry to search for him, by calling in a marker, one of the two remaining favours owed to Mab, the queen of the Winter Fae.

Of course, as much as Harry would like to tell her to shove it, he has no choice but to do as she asks.

And that only invites more misery into his life.

Don't fret, as tempted as I am, I won't give any of the plot away, I don't want to spoil it for any potential readers.

It has been a year since I read the ninth book, and at that time, I had devoured the entire series in less than a month. Consider this... I have a wife, son, full time job, and hobbies I like to pursue, so you have to realize that I loved the series if I would finish off the books that quickly.

You can forget a lot in a year's time.

I forgot about the rich world that Jim Butcher created. Sure, there are people out there who would say that it's nothing more than a cheap rip-off of Harry Potter, but to Hades with that noise!

The Dresden files takes fantasy, all aspects of it, and melds it wonderfully together in a modern setting, and does so without removing or sullying any of the fantasy elements.

With each progressive novel, the world he's created fills out more and more. We learn more about the various factions of the fantastic world of the Dresden Files - more about the wizards, more about the Fae, more about the various vampire houses, and so forth.

Most importantly though, is we learn more about each character that we, the fans, hold near and dear to our collective hearts.

Even minor characters that have only appeared a couple of times get more detail, we learn more about them, and they fill out in our minds, becoming more complete.

And, that's one other wonderful thing about the series... such a rich rogue's gallery of characters, friends and foes alike. Again, characters - heroes - that you grow to care for, and on the flip side of the coin, villains that you despise, but know that they're needed because the hero is as only as good as the villain he has to face.

Another thing that I really respect about the series is that there is an overall major story arc in development. A story that will eventually be brought to closure in the future, but one for which each and every passing novel is setting the stage.

There is something huge in the making, something that will be biblical in proportion once it finally comes to the forefront.

But, until then, each novel has its own story to tell, and bits and pieces of the overall puzzle are falling into place.

And, of course, the characters are all growing and developing with each passing offering.

The only downside is that anyone who is just starting to read the series at this point will have a lot of catching up to do. Even though each novel is a stand alone story, there are more than a few facts brought up that will leave a new reader wondering just what is going on.

For a few, this can be intimidating, but more often than not, it will simply whet the readers appetite to go out and find the previous novels so that they can read them, and discover for themselves what happened to bring up a particular point... such as how did Harry burn his hand? What's up with this Vampire Thomas who just happens to be his brother?

Things like that.
One last thought - the humour that long time readers has not diminished one iota. It's there in full force and more than once I laughed out loud while reading.

Just one of many reasons I will continue to follow this series until it does finally come to an end.

For veteran readers, it was a great addition to the series. For newcomers - all I have to say is this. Welcome to the club and get ready for the ride of your life!

5 out of 5.

I like the Harry Dresden series of books. Harry is a wizard with a sense of humor. He literally gets pounded into pieces in each book, but he always survives and gets up for more. This episode is full of exciting action, chock-a-block with wizards, fae, grimalkins, hobs, and demons. Hoo boy! This is a great series for teenaged boys. However, I like it too, and I'm middle-aged and female.

I love the character Harry, his skull/spirit/former wizard Bob, his enormous dog Mouse, and his enormous cat Mister. Harry is a self-deprecating, chivalrous hero in the fight against evil. He wants to protect his city, Chicago, and its people.

The author manages to write Harry and the other characters well while writing an exciting plot. I just have to keep coming back for more.

This latest Jim Butcher book depicting the ever unpredictable and exciting life of Wizard Harry Dresdan is a page turner from the start. Harry owes a favor to Mab, but that is just the start of an action packed story that entails much more than this small favor. Favorite characters are back, Micheal and his family, Thomas (good old reliable Thomas), Murphy, Kincaid, the Archive, Luccio, Mouser and the other member of the Knights of the Cross besides Michael, Sanya. The Denarians are also back in full force, but I miss Liscel. The laugh out loud humor is still plentiful. There are a few things solved in this story and yet more to be solved in the future. The plot twists and turns and there are wounded and dead before the day is done. A cliff-hanger at the end concerning the Knights of the Cross has guaranteed this reader will definitely get the next book in the series.

I have to say I did NOT find this book "churchy" as a few have in their reviews. I think Mr. Butcher is brave in bringing the Knights of the Cross, most notably Micheal, into the series. I have found lately there are not many writers of this genre who feel comfortable bringing religion and/or faith into their stories unless it is a minor element. I find it fascinating that one of the Knights of the Cross is agnostic. Evidently believing in Him is not required (according to Him) to be worthy of wielding the special sword and fight for the what is right.

The series is ultimately about good and evil and these are definitely two groups that epitomize that, hence their existence in the story. But they are just part of the crowd in Harry's world. Ms. Butcher writes characters all the way from the meanest, deadliest and cruelest to the Knights of the Cross and all those in between. They come in and out of the stories, some more than others. There are plenty more characters on both of the warring sides. The vastly different characters are one of the things I love about the Dresden Files, other than the stories they populate.

The Dresdin series is absolutely addictive! The characters are extremely well developed and their interactions are compelling . As I have read several books now I have become suspicious ! Author Jim Butcher is going to throw us a curveball . I see it coming and I am helpless but to keep reading and figure it out. Great reads!

I'm a harsher critic than most, but even I have a hard time find cracks in Small Favor, the 10th book in the ongoing series of The Dresden Files. While it is necessary to have at least skimmed the previous books to not get lost in the various sub and sideplots, Butcher does a good job of keeping the story contained, and recapping prior events without wasting half the book retelling old novels.

Small Favor finds Harry ending a blissful, for him anyway, year of not having to dodge bullets or various boogins that have plagued him to date. His apprentice Molly is coming along nicely, old scars have healed, and hes managed to get his life into some semblance of order.

Then Mab appears after Harry investigates a magically triggered explosion that destroys an apparently abandoned building. Mab, Queen of the Winter Sidhe and general monster, calls in the second of three markers Harry owes her, charging him to find and save the life of Gentleman Johnny Marcone. This triggers a reaction of Summer as well as the Dark Denarians, an order of Fallen Angels who have taken a certain interest in Harrys ally/nemesis crime lord.

To complicate matters, Harry is noticing changes among his group of friends, and distrusts of the past quickly bubble to the surface. How can Harry expect to survive demons and monsters when his own allies think he may be one of the enemy?

Butchers writing style improved significantly, as White Night and Death Shroud, while definitely passable, lost much of the punch his earliest work seems to have. This is back to basics, with more of the jokes and razor-edged wit that made people love Harry from the start. He manages to hold all of his plots together, as he was on the verge of having threads run away, maanges to keep them in one place from start to finish.

This is the tenth adventure for Chicago Wizard, Harry Dresden. Harry is the only wizard listed in the Chicago yellow pages, and most of his business consists of finding missing people. But lately there have been other duties for Harry, he has become a Warden of the White Council, and in such capacity, he goes around the country helping keep peace between the NeverNever inhabitants who fight among themselves and protecting the innocent humans who are blissfully unaware of the parallel universe that inhabits their space.

But Harry always comes back to Chicago, and it is here that the majority of his strange cases take place. As he explains it, there is more magic in the Midwest. Well, those of us from that area can definitely believe this statement. Besides, even a very good wizard such as Harry sometimes needs a little help from friends, and this is where the White Knight, Michael and his family live. Michael's daughter Molly is an apprentice to Harry. Also living here is Karrin Murphy, Chicago Police sergeant. Karrin works in the Special Investigations department and lo and behold, paranormal activity certainly comes under her jurisdiction.

In this book we have Mab, the Queen of the Winter Court of the Sidhe who asks a small favor of Harry. Of course he owes her, and there is no saying no to a Queen. So Harry is in it up to his eyeballs, with every faction coming at him from all sides. We have weregoats, and Gruffs and Trolls and shape shifting fallen angels, along with local human mobsters to contend with. The Archive, an all-knowledge human vessel, who is also a twelve year-old child gets involved, on the idea she may be able to negotiate a peace, but gets captured instead. Now this really upsets Harry. He not only has a fondness for Ivy, but she is a child and to Harry, children are supposed to be exempt from evildoers.

He employs all his friends, the White Knights with their sacred swords, Sgt. Murphy, the Captain of the Wardens, even some fairies and especially his vampire brother, Thomas. What they go through tests everyone's loyalties and beliefs.

The action is fast and furious, the elements extreme, the bad guys can't seem to stay dead, and Harry is trying to save everyone including himself.

The ending leaves a few untidy loose ends, and what is Harry going to do about them? Because as a Wizard who believes in the truth and doing the right thing against evil, it's a big job and someone has to do it.

Well, for this installment in the life of Harry Dresden, Mab is calling in her second marker. Harry has to find out who kidnapped Johnny Marcone and get him back. Since Marcone is a member of The Accords now, this is a big deal. Big enough to involve both faerie courts, Black Denarians (lots of 'em), the Archive (Ivy) and some Wardens along with the usual cast of Harry's menagerie. Yet another great rollercoaster of fun from Jim Butcher.

The thing that's got some reviewers bummed is the relationship changes in Harry's life. Murphy is in some sort of unspecified relationship with Kincaid and Harry winds up attracted to Luccio. More than attracted by the end. Well, all I can say is that we're just about right in the middle of this series. Harry and Murphy will wind up together in the end, I'm sure, but it's a bit early in the series for that. What got me here was that Harry has had an attachment problem up 'til now. He wouldn't be with Murphy because he wants a 'serious' relationship instead of a roll in the hay or two. Now he winds up with Luccio? The reason given by Harry "Because it's good for the soul" was a bit odd. I must have missed how he got to this change of attitude.

Other than that oddness, though, we've got another great Harry novel. For you Harry/Murphy fans, you'll just have to be a little more patient. Did you really think it would be that easy? lol

This one exploits Harry's relationship with the Winter Court. Mab's twisted machinations are in clear view, and, as usual, Harry tries to keep his integrity and still uphold his duty. The struggles Harry has with honor, duty, right, and wrong are a keep facet of these books, and one I really like.

The plot line, once again, is riveting, as Butcher mixes together the Denarians, the Knights, and Fae. I loved the pacing, the story, and Harry's "voice" is so incredibly engaging that you can't help but get sucked in. I'm intrigued by the way Harry is developing and his evolving relationships with Murphy and Luccio. My only complaint is the little stuff. I love when authors write about real cities and include details that bring that verisimilitude to story. But, as a life-long resident of the northern Chicago suburbs, I think it's time for Butcher to come back for a visit. When little details are off, it throws the whole thing off for me. Suburbs half an hour north of the city don't number their streets, they name them. The south suburbs keep numbering, though. This was my biggest beef with his early books- he would make statements about the Chicago area that were simply not true. Yes, I know it's fiction. And yes, I get the whole suspension of disbelief thing. I just wish that for someone who writes as amazingly as Butcher does, he would get the little details right, too.

Another great read from the Dresden Files. Harry finds himself hunted by the Gruffs of the Summer Court as mob boss Marcone is kidnapped by fallen angels, looking for a new recruit. This book saw the return of some of my favorite characters both heroes and villains of the Dresden Files. The Denairians return in all their evil, plotting, demonic ways. And to oppose them Michael & Sanya, the two remaining Knights of the Cross. Also the Archive and Kincaid return as well as Lucio. So this is another great installment for any fans of the series with Harry's trademark quick wit and horrible luck.

_Small_Favor_ is a great read for fans of the Dresden series. As is usual for Jim's books, the story is tightly plotted. This is definitely one of those books you can't put down. Each chapter leaves you with just enough hook to get you reading the next one. Also, the characters are fully realized. Even between the numerous bad guys, there's little chance of mistaking one for another. Each has his/her own style and goals. The descriptions are good too but I must admit that I tend to skim through them when I'm this involved in the plot except for the Faerie stuff which always enchants me. Many of the familiar elements and characters from previous books are here again with new twists to keep you guessing. Of course, Harry keeps up the snarky remarks even in the most dire circumstances. There were some great one-liners that had me chuckling out loud. Occasionally the dialogue will feel heavy-handed in how it reveals plot points or explains things, but there are still some great conversations.

In comparing this book to the previous books in the series, Butcher is improving. One could make a valid complaint that Harry's predicaments tend to be resolved by magical force or the intervention of more powerful allies. I heard one reader complain that Harry rarely uses his smarts to overcome predicaments and there's some truth to that. I always figured it was due to Butcher's background in high fantasy that he relied on muscling through for a lot of his big fights. In any case, Harry uses his noggin a lot more in this book in order to take down the bad guys who outclass him. In particular, I'm thinking about the gruffs and the big fight at the Oceanarium. There's nothing more fun to read than a hero figuring out how to outsmart the bad guys. Harry does this in spades.

Also, in the past Harry has relied almost exclusively on fire and air evocations, spitting out "Forzare!" and "Fuego!" at every turn. I can understand that a wizard would stick with what works but considering how often these spells don't work for him (bad guys too tough), you'd think he would have some back-ups. I often wished that Butcher employed more variety in Harry's magic to reflect his years of magical experience. _Small_Favor_ improves on this by adding some new spells to Harry's repertoire from an illusion to hide his identity to an electrified chain to a giant "Bigby"-style hand. I'd still like to see more of this and I'm hoping that Molly will introduce some of it since her magical style is more subtle and sneaky than Harry's. Alas, there are no potions, something I loved from the early books that added to Harry's range of abilities without seeming like a Deus Ex Machina device. There is still something knight-ish about a wizard that wades into combat with an armored duster and magic shield while flinging monsters around but maybe that's the DnD player in me who would use magic to manipulate the battlefield while staying out of harm's way.

Another of Butcher's strengths is that he isn't heavy-handed with his "messages." They progress naturally from the story and characters. This book uses a lot of Christian themes between fallen angels and the Knights of the Cross but I never felt like Butcher was preaching to me. As a non-Christian, I appreciate that.

Complaints--I don't have many but there are a couple things I wish Butcher would change. First of all, I'd like some more downtime. Tight plotting is great for keeping the reader reading but I'd really enjoy seeing some of these characters just hanging out, being themselves. When every fight is quickly followed the next, there isn't much time to just get to know the characters which is crucial in caring about them. Second, Butcher has a thing about women--they're all hotties. Even the ones that aren't love interests for Harry get elaborate descriptions of their athletic bodies and perfect skin whether they're athletes or not. Molly and Charity, for instance--there is no reason for them to be fashion models. I imagine this comes from the author's high fantasy sensibilities but it detracts from the stories for me. I'd like to see more characters who look like regular people. Of course, neither of these complaints has stopped me from thoroughly enjoying the series.

In the middle of a snowstorm, Harry Dresden investigates the scene after Johnny Marcone is kidnapped by forces unknown. There is evidence of great powers at work, but then Queen Mab arrives and also makes her will known to Harry. As he pursues the mobster boss, Harry is challenged by the Three Billy Goats Gruff and the Denarians from previous volumes.

I really enjoyed this book and the stakes for Harry and his friends keep getting higher. Whenever I think I know what will happen, Jim Butcher manages to twist things up so much that I'm always guessing. There was also quite a bit of foreshadowing in this tale, so I'm sure we'll see the one particular location again.

I started this book a long time ago – and bounced. I couldn’t get interested in the opening big family snowball fight, even with the magical shield. And the attackers – not familiar enough to be interesting as they stand, not strange enough to be exciting.

Having read through the series, I’m more invested in finding out what happens to apprentice Molly, and just why creatures from Fairie are attacking Harry – this time. Harry also wants to know, so he bribes one of the littlest Fair Folk … with a Donut. One of the good ones, too. Why does he use a donut instead of the usual pizza? Maybe because he’s only summoning one, not a whole crew.

But instead of sallying forth to find the prize, Toot-toot comes back screaming, RUN!

Harry staggers back, and there’s Mab, Queen of the Winter Fairies, with mysterious messages. She wants him to save Gentleman Johnny the Gangster. Whuh? And the danger Toot-toot ran from… wasn’t her. Still, Harry Dresden had the opportunity to snark at her, so it was not a wasted meeting.

Cool Moment – when Harry does his research and figures out just who is trying to kill him, and do they come from Summer or Winter or somewhere else entirely? Bob the Skull can’t stop laughing. Bad Bob! Fairy tales may sound silly now, but they used to be all about killing people.

The dangers increase and increase, and when did fairies start using automatic rifles? Maybe when hi-tech meant lightweight, non-iron weapons.

Cool moment – when two people have death weapons aimed at you, try to make them hit each other!

Cool Moment – when a Knight of the Cross politely doesn’t ask what took you so long to get there, don’t mention the guys trying to kill you, because it’s not relevant to the current fight. Walking past the bodies is a fine time to mention it though. Yes, by book 10 Harry just has that many enemies. They don’t all wait their turn.

Cool Moment – Harry has never blown up a train station before. Well, it’s still standing. Mostly. Hardly damaged at all!!!

So, Harry sets up a ransom with the bad guys (someone get me a cheat sheet with all the different sets of bad guys in this book) which takes place at an aquarium. As we all know, water does not burn, so Harry will certainly not burn this aquarium down. But a few hour later… it’s only MOSTLY standing. Oh, Harry. But this time it wasn’t his fault!

Cool Moment: Harry has a revelation. Ye Bad Guy has pulled him aside for a heart to heart talk, NOT because he thinks Harry can be corrupted right now, but because something else is going on. Something big. So Harry runs out mid-conversation and yells for his backup to look sharp, someone is pulling a shady deal. Later, Harry realized that this same bad guy is pulling the distraction gambit on such a huge scale that foiling him is going to be very, very difficult.

Meanwhile, the original bad-guys are still planning to kill Harry Dresden, Wizard.

End of story – remember that doughnut? Wow. It was important. Mwahahahaha. Wizard. And Murphy’s face when she sees the doughnut is even funnier.

New things in this book – Harry is learning to plan ahead. He is figuring out that Queen Mab of the Winter Court is actually not one of the bad guys, although she has plans beyond anything he has a reference for. Also, some people are telling him that he’s being too soft on Molly, and he’s not doing her any favors. Uh oh. Damsel is going to have to get other people out of distress, and she can’t learn while Teacher is not pushing her to the limits? Concept!

Fun book. Three stars, and half is for the doughnut gag.

I am not a devoted fan of Jim Butcher's genre, which I believe is most accurately termed "modern urban fantasy." So, my enjoyment of the books in his Harry Dresden series isn't because they are good examples of books I tend to like anyway. I like these books because they're good, no matter the genre. Granted, they are more brain candy than brain health food, but they are perfect when you just want something fun. They are full of complete, complex, interesting characters, are really funny (like sometimes laugh-out-loud-while-you're-reading funny), and have just enough fantasy that you can enjoy them without rolling your eyes at the ridiculous stretch from reality. His characters build throughout the series, as does the complexity of the story. I suggest reading at least the first 4 books of the series before diving into the newest; you'll have a much more complete picture of what's going on and you'll have the opportunity to enjoy even more of Harry Dresden.

Another fun story for the Dresden Files. If you're looking for a novel with a lot of action, mystery, and funny dialogues, then this book fits the bill.

Queen Mab is back along with the Archive and Kincaid. I was wondering when JB will be linking the piece about Harry's debt to the faery queen. Wow, finally here it is and one more debt for Harry to settle. What will Mab have him do next? She's so royally pissed and she is out for vengeance on those who attacked the heart of Winter.

Although we see more connections with the story lines from previous books, new mysteries keep arising! More traitors are coming out of the woodwork. I wanted more progress with the Red Court war and the Black Council conspiracies. I guess I have to WAIT for the next novels.

What an ending! Shocker with Michael, the sword, Uriel, etc. What else is going to happen? A MUST READ for any Dresden fan!

Jim Butcher has turned in yet another good entry into the Dresden Files. Small Favor keeps up a strong pace, avoids extraneous characters, and moves both the book's plot and the overall storyline of the series along nicely.

I do think that Butcher could spend a little more time with the characters; he keeps up a tireless plot pace and that does keep us from getting inside the characters' hearts and minds as much as some of his other entries. One of the Dresden series' greatest strengths is how much we care not only about the outcome of each adventure but about the characters as well.

You'll definitely see what I mean in the way Butcher is dealing with the Knights he's befriended (Michael and Sanya) and the third sword (once Sinyo's and now in Dresden's care). I don't want to be more explicit for fear of spoilers, but you'll start talking to Dresden as you read, wanting more action in that arena ... and that's just one of several character-related dilemnas that perhaps don't get enough time.

Still, an excellent book and definitely continuing a strong series. Pick it up and read it and wait impatiently (along with me) for the next one.

This is a great series for both mystery fans and sci fi/fantasy fans. Butcher makes magic believable just as J. Rowling does, but his books are more enjoyable for adults. In addition to a great series concept, Butcher develops his characters very believably and paints the picture of Chicago and Dresden VERY well. He also has a very realistic good vs.evil vs. mixes of good and evil. The series has improved with each book and this is the tenth. It can be read by itself, but the texture is much richer if you have experienced the preceding novels. This is one of my favorite series (my tastes run more to sci fi and Tolkien-type fantasy) and is becoming my wife's (She is very much into mysteries [James Lee Burke, Michael Connelly, Grafton, Evanovich, etc.]). It is gaining readership if the sales and stocking of my favorite bookstores are a reliable indicator. I could not recommend it any higher.

The one other novel where the Summer/Winter conflict was the major plot point (Summer Knight, Book 4) was probably my second least favorite of the series (least favorite was Blood Rites, Book 6), so I did not have high hopes for Small Favor (Book 10). And I'm on record in my review of Fool Moon that I'm not a fan of another character in this novel, Marcone. So I was really surprised that this turned out to be my favorite book of the series yet.

I thought Butcher's use of humor was more balanced and less forced, his spin on the foes hunting Dresden was imaginative and amusing, and the main character, Harry, as written actually seemed to be changing, evolving into a more mature and therefore formidable wizard. The city of Chicago actually seemed more real than in any other book in the series although I really so wish Butcher would have someone in the series eat more than just junk food. When I go through Chicago, I eat so much of so many different ethnic dishes, it takes a week for my jaw muscles to recover. Back on point, the main plot was written and executed well, and the new plotlines hint at some new possible roads Butcher may travel with the series. I prepared to read Small Favor by rereading all the previous books and I felt that was a good thing to do. I was able to see how the series characters were mostly unchanging up until around Dead Beat (Book 7) where Butcher starts to shake things up and hint at the end game for Harry.

While I have no real complaints about Small Favor, I do think that it's taken too long for Butcher to address the traitor to the Wizards in the series, hinted at way back in Summer Knight, to be (hopefully) rectified in Turn Coat, Book 11 (which I'm reading now). Another issue not addressed in a timely manner is Harry's family history, specifically more background on his mother, father, godmother and Justine, his first mentor, which I believe Harry would have investigated by now. Other than those minor, unrelated to the story issues, I believe you'll enjoy this new chapter in the life and times of Harry Dresden and I look forward to reading a series that I believe I will reread many, many times over the years.

Harry Dresden, Chicago's only wizard listed in the Yellow Pages, is up to his usual form as Queen Maab forcefully calls in a favor and sends Harry out to rescue a gangster with ties to the supernatural underworld. Lashed by a terrific winter storm, Harry and his vampiric half-brother proceed in their dangerous search, hampered by a increasingly large Billy Goats Gruff. As always, a very readable story that pulls you along until a battered and bruised Harry comes out the other end.

It is absolutely amazing how a mere mortal continues to write such compelling stories without seeming to break a sweat. I am as enthralled by "Small Favor" as I was by all the others in the "Dresden Files" series.

As usual, the book takes off, right from the beginning, never letting you take a breath as one supernatural force after another seeks to take Dresden down. Quick thinking and good friends keep our hero alive, but never too far from danger.

Rarely have I encountered a series that leaves me wondering about what the main character is becoming. You can see that there is a larger plan in the works, and even his enemies are playing a large part in Harry's becoming a force to reckon with. Kudos to Mr Butcher! Well done!

Mr. Butcher’s Small Favor, book 10 of The Dresden Files, is one of the better entries in the series. The author is stylistically growing and the characters, still a little flat, are becoming more nuanced. There is still too many stories going on which clutter the plot, but one become inured to this over time. The book’s dialogue still requires work.

Taking the good with the bad, it wasn’t a bad read, but is little more than a beach book.

Rating 4 out of 5 stars.

I've come to enjoy the "Dresden Files," and I can't wait for the next installment. "Why not rate 5 stars?," you ask? Well...there were more errors of spelling and grammar than I find acceptable. I don't think I'm a prude about such things, but I do have a limit. For instance, I couldn't find a single example of "praying mantis" not spelled "preying mantis," and it's repeated numerous times because of the storyline; I found it to be downright distracting. Errors also included subject/verb disagreements (makes me sound like an English teacher!), although these seem to be quite common these days.

My rating is 5 stars for story and 4 for editing, although 4 1/2 isn't an option on the scale. Keep them coming!!!

Another great book in the Harry Dresden series. Still not reading these I any particular order and this is the 3rd one of read so far. This was another one where a new reader could start with this one and not feel like their missing something. Lots of action and a couple twists. Jim butcher always keeps me on the edge of my seat with his writing. Looks like Skin Game is going to be the next Dresden files I'll be reading.

I think the other reviews sum up the goods and bads pretty well so I'll just add my perspective. I would classify this as 3.5 stars (but since I can't, will call it 3)

The Good:
Small Favor is definitely enjoyable and keeps you reading. Jim Butcher's humor shines through and generates many laugh out loud moments and his tension keeps you glued.

The Bad (why it may be jumping the shark)
As previously mentioned, the book is just non-stop action. Even plot development seems to just throw in every possible issue into the foray and see how it sorts out. There is no focus on Harry's spells since he now just is a human flame thrower and no focus on intelligently (or with focus) resolving the multitude of plot devices and questions. They all just come together with an aha in the last few chapters. By his own definition, Harry is now a "combat wizard". He used to be much more subtle and it required his thinking through problems. No character development.

This Harry is like playing through a video game in "God" mode. Every hit he takes, he just mans up and brushes off (but complains about the pain of course). Sure it's fun, but you don't feel a sense of danger when he just talks about how he can take it because he's used to it.

Most of the plot developments/questions just get resolved as part of the ongoing action. A few don't get resolved at all or are poorly explained (perhaps awaiting the next novel).

Overall:
Don't get me wrong, this is a really entertaining read, but if the subsequent books are all going to be like this (constant mayham, running and off course World at stake problems), it will get very old. I hope Jim brings back some of the subtlety and perhaps even an problem that doesn't threaten world existence. If you can, wait for the paperback.

Jim is at it again. Butcher has two issue that keep the stories from being Masterful IMO. First is that he has too much going on all at once. There is almost never just one bad guy normal three or four coming from different angles. He is amazing in that the story does not end up with a lot of confusing. The second is that he writes every book for the mass audience. Where this is great for his publisher, hearing the recap gets a bit old for some of us when we hit book 10. I'd like to see him put a Dresdin companion in every book telling the story to date and explaining how spell circles work... Either way though i'm hooked and am going to keep reading.

joe

This is one of my favorite Dresden books. There's plenty of twists and turns in the plot, the faerie queens are involved, the knights of the Denarius are involved and Harry has to rescue one of his foes. The action in this book is non-stop and you'll be turning the pages anxiously to find out what happens next.

I remember watching this show on TV, and I liked it. But these books are so much more satisfying. Reading the growth and changes that Dresden is going through is phenomenal. I love that he is not perfect and, as shown in this book, he wrestles with fears, loneliness, desire and anger. And I am right there with him. I am excited for the rest of the series!

Overall, this was a great book, one I would recommend to anyone.

Some reviewers have implied that this book is just filler, that there wasn't enough magic, or that Harry just wasn't Harry in this book. I say this just isn't true.

Several things were resolved. First, he now owes Mab one less favor, and along the way we learned quite a bit about Mab's current state of mind (and, more subtly, about Titania's too). Second, Harry learned something very important about the swords of the Knights of the Cross; well about the Knights themselves anyway. Then, of course, there's Harry's personal life. A lot of people have commented on this, saying it's way out of character, but it really isn't. It shows some growth and patience on Harry's part, and was foreshadowed in the last book. Just because he doesn't seem to be planning a long term relationship doesn't mean he's being casual about it.

Some people have complained that the way Harry used magic in this book wasn't consistent with other books. Again, they are mistaken. Harry uses several brilliant spells in this book that played to his strengths as a wizard. He has stated, consistently throughout the series, that his strength as a wizard tended more to thaumaturgy than evocation. Just because he didn't go around blowing things up doesn't mean he didn't use much magic.

This book brought back the Denarians (which was only fitting as Lasciel was defeated at the end of the previous book) who (which?) are among my favorite enemies (Death Mask remains my favorite in the series).

It also reintroduced the Archive, Kincaid, and Marcone - who are all interesting secondary characters. I love Butcher's grasp on mythology and legend - tying the Archive into historic oracles and Pythians - bringing up elements of the apocrypha and old and new testament legend - all make for a rich fantasy novel with a tone that doesn't approach hokey. I really believe someone like Harry Dresden could exist in my world.

I'm eagerly awaiting book 11.

I've read many of the Dresden series and think this is one of the best. The dialog was subtle and in-character. The narrative was detailed and informative. I felt like I hadn't taken a break from reading his books. Without being obvious, the author brought me up to date. I think someone could pick this up as thier first Dresden book and it would still make sense.

I like the humor and action in these novels. The chracters have depth or are purposely shallow, which Harry points out is part of their nature. Good job keeping the quality up in a long series. I think I will look up the ones that I missed!

Harry owes a 'small favor' to Mab, Queen of the Winter Court, and she's calling in her debt. It's not that he's busy or anything; with war against the Red Court, tutoring an apprentice, and the entire set of Fallen Denarians looking for their bag of coins.
Needless to say, Harry has his hands full, and they become overflowing, especially when the three Goats call for a personal vendetta against him, he inherits another Sword of the Nail from a personal friend and decides to give one to another personal friend.
When it comes to 'Small Favours' among the Fairy Community, they just don't grasp the concept of size.

Of the books I have read so far from Jim Butcher- this may be the slowest start for me to get into reading.
I finished the book and enjoyed it but it started out not maybe as well intended as it could have.

Here though we get to see into the world of the NeverNever more than we have seen in a while and we get to get some clues into whose side people in the faiery world really are on and it seems not to be on Harry's side afterall.
Anything that Queen Mab asks can not be good for you- aka Harry- but he pulls out ahead at least having saved his own teeth and saving innocent lives in the process too.

Good read- and in my opinion - keep reading if it seems a little dry it gets way more exciting and better as you get into it.

Jim butcher delivers a great story again. Harry Dresden, professional wizard must come to the rescue of a character we met in a previous books (I'm being careful of spoilers here) and save a great force from falling into the hands of the Denarians. The story is kicked off with the Fairy Queen of Winter collecting on one of two favours Harry still owes her. He is sent to rescue Gangster king pin Marcone, of all people.
The usual suspects - Murphy, Michael, Mallory and Thomas all make an appearance, as well as Sinclair and Sanya whom I personally missed.

The story is fast paced and full of action and humor like the rest of the books in the series. We receive some more background story on the players of the Dresden universe.
The only down size for me is the innuendoes about the "Black Council" we have been getting for the past few books, without receiving any further information to advance this story line.

I strongly recommend this book for fantasy lovers, however advise people who are not familiar to the series to start from the begging, Butcher does a fairly god job in re-introducing us to the characters, however if you are not familiar with them from previous books some of the personal interactions won't be as clear or as interesting.

This book had it's moments, but it isn't one of my favorite Dresden files. I disliked how the whole mission from Mab with Marcone got pushed into the background, to the point where it was Harry vs. the Denarians.

I liked how Butcher had developed the Order of the Blackened Denarius, up until this novel. They were menacing, fallen-angel type evils of biblical proportions. Even in "Small Favor" it's stated that the Knights prefer to double or triple an active Denarian if possible, because otherwise the odds are suicidal. Inside the book, Harry coins the term 'Nickleheads' because otherwise he's giving Denarians too much respect.

I guess Butcher bought into that mindset too. Because Harry Dresden had it too easy, given the odds against him. I liked the way the Summer/Winter angle was handled, and the early chapters were great. Then in the middle of the book when the focus is off Marcone, suddenly nearly the entire might of the Denarian Order (led by Nick) is focused against team Dresden. Rather than diabolical fallen angels hellbent on Armageddon, the Denarians come off more as buffoonish monsters with little intelligence. Nicodemus is the exception, yet given the number of Denarians encountered, this struck me a reversal of the how the Order of Denarius was portrayed in the Dresden Files.

Overall, I enjoyed the book but I'd like my fallen angels a little more on the scary side. Nicodemus fits that bill, the rest, no.

I first picked up one of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files a few years ago. At the time I didn't know it was a series, but I enjoyed the read. There's humor, philosophy, and a morality I can buy into thrown into an entertaining, fast paced story. As long as the genre does not throw you all on its own, you'll enjoy the stories of the wizard Harry Dresden, as he becomes more seriously involved in countering ever darker foes. As for the writing, the first couple books were either a little above or below par for the course among new urban fantasy writers. I'd say which, but I can never remember which means good. Golf metaphors confuse me. Anyway, each book in the series actually got better, and considering that most series get steadily worse, and that even the earliest books were quite enjoyable, that's saying something.

As he goes on, Butcher moved from good to great, from "I'll certainly read that when I have time" to "I pre-order his books with overnight shipping and don't make any other plans for the day after they release." If you're new to butcher, go buy the rest of the series and read them in order; you'll really get a lot more out of them, and then buy this, and each new book as he writes them. If you know you like butcher, you're not reading this review...you've already read the book, love it, and are counting down the days till the next release. If you're not sure if this genre is for you, and to be honest some people just have trouble getting the combination of fantasy and the real world, go read some of his short stories in "Side Jobs" or one of the other anthologies.

To me, it's good escapism, thought provoking without being preachy. It's far enough from the real world to not sound like a news story, without becoming a frilly fantasy tale we can't relate to seriously.

While some Dresden is better than no Dresden, this isn't one of the strongest. White Night was so knock-out awesome that I admit it would have been hard to top it, but JB is writing this one with his head in Alera. He's using a Tolkeinesque formula (you know: Frodo gets ring, Frodo dumps ring, and in between he fights every freakin body in MiddleEarth). In Small Favor, Harry and company race from one head-knocking battle to another, with lots of disjointed details and half-finished plot lines thrown in. There's not much character development of anybody, not even Harry himself, and our favorite characters, like Bob, Mister, Thomas, the pixy Toot-Toot, Mouse and Molly, get trotted out almost as an obligation, but spend the majority of the book in the dugout. Even Murphy is sidelined for much of the book. Kincaid and Marcone are woefully under-used, and The Archive is badly used as, for some godsawful reason, Jim elects to try to humanize her, instead of capitalizing on her terrifying abilities.

There is, however, a despair-inducing abundance of Michael Carpenter, whose presence is mercifully diluted with that of the admirable Russian, Sanya, a pragmatist who, like Harry, is able to see in shades of grey. Sanya benefits from one of the few bits of available character development, and I can't help wishing there'd been more overall.

There are some really clever plot devices, like the Gruffs, but a lot of the between-battles stuff makes no sense. Like why is Mab's malk doing her speaking for her, when she can actually use her own voice? Why is the Ultimate Gruff willing to make peace with Harry, when his predecessors have been sworn to vengence? Why is Lucio putting the moves on Harry? What's happened to Lea? And we never found out what happened to the smart, helpful dolphins when Harry exploded the aquarium wall.

I wish in the next book everyone would just wake up to discover that this one had been just a "Southfork Dream".

I have to admit it has been awhile since I read the Dresden books. I got this one for christmas and picked it up three times before I actually got into the story. Unlike other authors, Mr. Butcher does not give you background from previous books. He does however mention them in relevance to the present plot. NOT however enough to trigger full recall of their plots or their relevance. So it takes away some of the enjoyment for this book for me. Still he has a style that is enjoyable to read. I may just have to get the other books back from the people I lent them to and try again. I suggest other readers also read the books prior to this one to understand the subtlties intimated within the book fully.

Harry is one of my favorite characters! He's cranky, irritable, and very softhearted. He's a hero who distrusts accolades. He's an iconoclast who works to protect the system that slights him. And Jim Butcher surrounds him with believable, 3D, but never ordinary characters who help him to defeat threat after threat from a host of villains. Butcher's stories have the twists and turns of a maze that always leaves Harry bruised and battered but victorious. My only fear is that Jim may stop writing about Harry!

How does Jim butcher sleep at night? If I had all these intricate storylines running through my brain I would never sleep. This series is fantastic and this book specifically is a great lead in to the next couple of books. If you haven't met Harry Dresden you are depriving yourself. Start with book one (hopefully at the beginning of your vacation because you wont want to pause for sleep until you are all done with the 13 books out so far), and enjoy.

Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean there is an invisible demon about to eat your face...

The Dresden series is by far one of the most amusing and enjoyable fantasy series that I've read. If you've not read any of the 'Dresden Files' then please do yourself a favour and start at #1 (Storm Front). It is more than worth it to start at the beginning. I discovered the series, after being a fan of the Sky One television programme.

Having read all the books, at least twice, they have become an integral part of my recreational reading. Furthermore, having convinced a number of my family and friends to try out Dresden, their enjoyment has meant that the 'files, have become an integral part of our regular conversations and day to day terminology.

Small Favor, is not my favourite in the series, although it is by far from the least enjoyable (that title goes to Summer Knight, an excellent book but the weakest, in my opinion, in the series), and it is more of a pre-cursor book (think Star Wars IV: A New Hope - the first Star Wars film, for those who aren't sure). It sets up a number of story lines, for what I truly hope will be another good few books.

Don't get me wrong, this book is brilliant, witty, engaging, funny - the adjectives just keep coming. The development of the characters and the continuance of what makes the series great is still there. Although, I sincerely miss 'Lash', I won't explain more for those who've not read all the books in the series.

In short, if you've already read some of the Dresden Files, you WON'T need me to convince you to buy and read this latest episode. And, if you've not read any, then start at Storm Front...

A year ago, I never heard of Jim Butcher or Dresden files before. I was at the library and just grabbed Small Favor, because it was sitting out, and I was in a hurry.

I was quickly hooked. Deep characters, many overlapping plots, and continual action make these books addictive. I started with books 10 and 11, but looped back to book 1 so I could catch up.

This book delivers tons of action, a huge cast, and a plot that seems to be a harbinger of the future. All considered, an amazing and worthwhile addition to the series as a whole.

I can understand the complaints some people have about this as compaired with the other books. That being said, a long-term interconnected series requires entries that hit different notes. No one ever made a symphony with just one note repeated over and over.

Churchy? Is that a criticism. I think that considering the abundance, maybe overabundance, of bad guys throughout the series it's fair to have some of the 'good' guys poke their head in and say hello. 'sides, Harry might ally himself with the angels, but he's never gonna be a choir boy.

In the end, totally worth reading. Keep 'em coming, Jim!

Often in fantasy the basic plot is a cliche. And since Buffy (or Blackwood for that matter) a guardian/wizard/detective in a modern city fighting supernatural intrusions will sound pretty tired. But it is what you do with familiar stories and elements that decides whether you're a hack or a genius. With his storytelling flair, ear for dialogue and inventiveness Jim Butcher plays in the Olympic league. What's more, with every new book in this series he ups the ante - and manages to avoid all the pitfalls of the genre. We still do not know most of the bad guys - or what they are up to - because there are some deep undercurrents in Dresden's world, but does that mean that the series has ground to a snails pace by book 10 (such as in some epic fantasies we know)? Hell no, the pace might well be even more breathless than in book 8 and 9! And yes, we learn new things about Dresden's world and about Harry himself (romance!) but that is not the point, or is it? Action! Character! Emotions! Scary villains! Unexpected allies! Danger from all sides! Big Bangs (lots)! Thunder! Lightning! Include all that and still take the stories in unexpected directions by the 10th book, then you've created magic. Good one, Mr. B. Thanks!

Borrowed this from the Public Library and read on the kindle. I like to support the author, but with the price of this book so high, I decided to borrow it instead. The book is action packed and kept my interest. It was an average book for this series.

Butcher is a genius in providing non-stop action, multiple plot twists, and the unexpected - and he does this in fantastic and humorous prose. I'm amazed how he always gets everything to come together in the end. On my way to get book 11.

Though this is the 10th in the series it was the first one I read. I must say it was pretty confusing in parts because I didn't know much about all the magic or the different characters and they past they had with Dresden so I found it somewhat hard to grow particularly close to anyone person in the book. However, other then that I really enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series. I liked the way that it was written and the different way that it approached the field of magic with, wizards having different specialties and was of progressing. I think that if you were to start reading these books though, I would say start from the beginning I think that it would be more enjoyable and easier to follow.

This was one of Butcher's better Dresden novels, but then again, they seem to get improve with each successive story. Harry's wit was on display in full force, and I really liked seeing Luccio and the Archive again. There were some great twists regarding Harry's love life - about darn time!

Wow.

With every book Jim Butcher releases, his writing just gets better and better.

His characters are some of my favorite of all time, and he doesn't disappoint with "Small Favor."

The Denarians are back. The Knights of the Cross are back. The Sidhe are back.

The only thing missing are the Red Court Vamps. But I'm sure we haven't seen the last of them either.

And Harry finally gets some romance! Woot!

Jim Butcher has become one of my all time favorite authors in Fantasy / Sci-Fi.

Jim Butcher continues an amazing series about Wizard Harry Dresden. His escapades are detailed and deliver extra special visual cues. His characters are hauntingly real and flawed. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series.

This latest Harry Dresden book is great. While it isn't hugely different from previous books (same basic theme), it avoids the usual sequel problems (e.g., too much carryover from previous books drowns reader in boring details, no real ending to the story just plod along on a giant plotline). "Small Favors" has a good rise & fall of plot, introduces new ideas, and the overall writing has been steadily improving over the series. Overall, I must say I'm impressed, and I really enjoyed reading it.

"In the 10th edition of this hugely popular series, our resident wizard and his odd group of allies once again pit themselves against ancient enemies in the frozen streets of mid-winter Chicago. Wonderfully blending the genres of detective noir with urban fantasy, Jim Butcher continues to thrill and entertain in this fast paced, '2:00 am and I'm still reading' adventure. Like every other Jim Butcher book, this is a 'Weekend Reader'... if you start reading during the week, you'll just end up calling in 'sick' to finish it.

Another great read by one of the world's premiere masters of fantasy fiction."

Normally after so many books in a series the characters and storylines start to feel recycled

HOWEVER,

This is NOT the case in the newest Dresden Files book. OMG I was happily reading this book nonstop and loathe to put it down to even go to sleep. Another one for my permanent collection for sure. Of course I already own all the other books in the series too:)

One of the things I love about Jim Butcher is his sense of humor. I've been following Dresden since I stumbled across the show on SciFi (let's not speak of the show!) and this book continues the fun. In this installment, we learn a few new things about wizardry and the story continues. I bought this on my kindle and it was so much fun that I had to buy the next one immediately after!

Small Favor (2008) is the tenth fantasy novel in the Dresden Files series, following White Night. In the previous volume, Mouse enjoyed a new chewtoy and Harry Dresden got out of a White Court party in a highly spectacular fashion, leaving behind the remains of his enemies. Lara Raith -- now the Queen of the White Court -- made him a promise and Harry restrained his anger.

Molly Carpenter learned a little caution and gained a little toughness. Elaine left for California and Ramirez survived his knife wounds. Marcone admitted the truth about Helen's daughter and Harry talked to Thomas about the benefits of his new job.

In this novel, winter comes early to Chicago. Harry is giving Molly a lesson in shielding while the other Carpenter kids are trying to distract her with snowballs. Finally Molly gets her shield up and stops two snowballs, but the others get through. Molly is very good at more subtle magic, but she will never become a combat wizard. Yet Harry wants her to learn the fundamentals.

Molly and the other kids have a whispered discussion and then they pelt Harry with snowballs. Of course, Harry raises his shield well before the snowballs can strike. Then Charity Carpenter drops snow down his neck.

While Harry is trying to shake out the snow, the monsters attack. First the lights go out throughout the block. Then three short creatures with furry coats and horns charge across the backyard. As Harry draws his blasting rod, a fourth monster jumps at him from the treehouse.

The older Carpenter kids grab their younger siblings and run toward the safe room. Harry blasts the monsters, but they soon pop up again to renew the attack. Charity Carpenter finally takes out one monster and drives away the others with a nail gun and a steel hammer.

Since cold iron has drastic effects on the monsters, Harry figures that they are fae. After returning home, he looks through his reference books and finds that the monsters are gruffs, like in the fairy tale about the billy goats and the troll. They are minions of the Summer Count.

Michael Carpenter is a Knight of the Cross. He had been out getting pizza when the attack occurred. He thanks Harry for saving the children, but Harry points out that Charity had actually saved the day. Michael asks Charity how she had known that the monsters were fae, but she states that she hadn't known. Michael tends to believe that it was divine intervention.

In this story, Karrin Murphy summons Harry to consult on a strange incident in an abandoned apartment building. Harry hasn't had a consultation with the Chicago PD for some time due to the disfavor of higher authorities. But Special Investigations has been saving money from the coffee fund to hire him whenever necessary. Now it is necessary, but Harry talks them down to an hourly rate.

The building had the whole front sheered off and dropped to the ground. Harry walks around the property and discovers distorted pentacles on five sides. Someone has created a huge pentagram through the building with hellfire, but Harry doesn't know why.

Harry summons the pixie Toot-toot to gather information on the episode. Toot-toot flies off to contact his friends, but immediate returns and tells Harry to run. Harry is confused for a moment, but then he hears footsteps coming toward him and takes off toward a nearby police station.

On the way, Harry becomes lost in the snow and finds himself in an alley with Mab, the Winter Queen. Mab tries once again to recruit Harry as the Winter Knight, but he still refuses. Then she shows him what happened in the wrecked apartment building.

In a miniature diorama, Harry sees gentleman Johnnie Marcone arrive at the building and go inside toward a panic room. Then there is a break in the coverage, but it resumes with Marcone stumbling out of the building. Then several forms surround him and whisk him away in a plain van.

Mab then calls a second favor from Harry. She declares that he is her Emissary to find Marcone. Then she leaves and the gruffs appear.

These gruffs are larger than the first set. Harry runs out of the alley, but they remain close behind. So he hides in an unoccupied business tower. The three gruffs quickly surround the building, but Harry takes out one of them and manages to escape again.

Harry gets the location of a safe house from Helen at Executive Priority Health, one of Marcone's business enterprises. When he and his brother Thomas check out the location, they find Gard and Hendricks, but not Marcone. Then they are attacked by Tessa and other agents of the Knights of the Blackened Denarius.

Harry and Thomas get away from the Denarians, taking Hendricks and the grievously wounded Gard with them. After some argument, Hendricks and Gard decide to help Harry find Marcone.

This tale has agents of both the Summer and Winter Courts attacking Harry and his friends. Then there are the Denarians out to get him. What is going on?

Harry convinces the White Council to intervene in the conflict. Captain Luccio eventually appears with some young Wardens. Harry starts to view Anastasia Luccio as a potential date.

The story involves or mentions just about every surviving character from the previous books. Maybe the author has decided to end the series. Let us hope otherwise.

Highly recommended for Butcher fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of magical attacks, cunning ploys, and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Jim Butcher keeps polishing and improving his style and characters, so much so that each new book is 10 times more addictive than the last. Small Favor is the 10th Dresden Files book, and it's characters, storyline, and fantasy world keep avid readers continually coming back for more.
This time, we're following Harry as he is again roped into working for the winter court of the faires. Abused, lied to and usually half dead, Harry continually shows us what it takes to keep swinging when your the underdog. His sharp humor and hysterical observations plant a smile on the readers face from page one, despite the tense and often dramatic confrontations that await our hero.

A solid series and an outstanding addition to it.

This is the second in a series of books that pits Harry against the wizards, demons, and black magic around Chicago. This is a easy read that will sink it's claws into where you want to know if Harry will survive against evil.

I have all of the Dresden Files Novel's. This one seems to be one of the most fast paced of them all. I read the book in 2 days and usually it takes me a little longer to pound one out but I couldn't put it down. In the last 1/4 of the book Jim Butcher seemed to be pushing the story line so quickly that it gave me the feeling he was just trying to wrap it up to start another. I found it to be almost predictable and poor "Bob" was hardly mentioned throughout and did little to add to the story line even though he is a main part of the series. I hope the next book will be more in depth like Winter Night or Blood Rites but all in all a good read..

In many cases with a long run series, the latter books can show signs of plot fatigue and weakening character development. Having been a fan of The Dresden Files books for several years, I can assure you that Jim Butcher continues to draw my enthusiasm and appreciation for the world of wizard Harry Dresden. Despite the failed TV show (which did not do the books any justice), Butcher's unique first-person writing style, lavish setting and captivating character personalities make the series a breath of fresh literature in the sea of monotony in the fantasy/sci-fi genre. For current fans of the books, Small Favor does not disappoint. For anyone looking for the next great series to follow, books 1-10 of Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files is waiting for you!

This book was awesome. Brilliantly written, funny as sin, engaging action and clever plot. Ever have one of those books where you get shamefully attached to the characters? Ever think "Hmmm... actually, ghouls would make an awful lot of sense in this situation?" Ever find yourself thinking that Harry Dresden's explanations of the mechanics of the fae world interacting with (and being steadfastly ignored by) our mortal world make more sense than what's on the evening news? This book draws you in in true Jim Butcher fashion. I can't wait until the next one...
... incidentally, I want to marry Carlos Ramirez...

You are never going to believe what Queen Mab wants Harry to do in exchange for a favor owed her. She wants him to rescue Gentleman Johnny Marcone (one of Chicago's most nefarious gangsters) from unknown kidnappers.

Now, having Johnny out of the scene could be a good thing? Well, not if the folks holding him are the order of the Denarians. And yes, they want Gentleman Johnny to take one of those ill-fated coins and the demon possession that goes with.

Unfortunately, Queen Titania is not in agreement with her sister regarding Johnny's possession and she sends some heavies of her own to get Harry's goat. What is described as a small favor turns out to be a serious threat to many of the people Harry cares about.

As always, Jim Butcher puts a lot of heart into his novels. He's kept Harry a good man, someone who'd risk his own life for others, a real hero in the urban fantasy genre.

We get some favorites returning: Michael Carpenter and his family; Sanya, the Black Russian Knight; Captain Luccio; Gard (remember Monoc Security, part of Marcone's protection?); and others.

"Small Favor" is one of the faster paced Dresden novels around. Jim had me hooked from the beginning and didn't let up until I turned the last page. I was glad to read that Butcher has ideas for 20 or so Dresden novels on the books and I seriously hope that his publisher will allow him to continue writing them.

I love this series, the Dresden Files are a fantastic journey through the life of a truly unique character. In Small Favor Harry Dresden finds himself once again under the thumb of the deadly Winter Queen Mab, chased by demons and Gruffs and generally trying to avoid getting killed while trying to protect the people he cares about. Harry is funny, charming and heartbreaking all at once, his continuing fight against the darkness creates a page turner that will keep you up well into the darkest part of the night. Jim Butcher is an incredible writer whose Harry Dresden is as real to the reader as anyone you might meet walking down the street, especially if they carry a big stick, walk with a bigger dog and smell a little bit like Hellfire.

It's not always going to please us all. How can the original Star Wars series be so loved and the newer series be so vile? It was writen by the same person.

I have my favorite scenarios. A return of his original love interest. More Bob. More touches on known horror monsters like warewolves and vampires. More friction with Murphy. That sort of thing.

I loved the Billygoats. I loved the first half of the book and then, about when they get to the Aquarium I was loosing a lot of details in the frantic action. Butcher does that a lot. He's best when he slows things down for you to see and feel his world. For instance; I can taste Mac's ale and steak sandwiches because he's described it so well- I always love returning there. But often the first 3 of the final 4 chapters are a blur of (WTF?) kind of moments. This book had too many things going on to let you enjoy any one aspect of the book.

Overall, I'd say it was a fun read, a little disjointed in areas. There were unexpected directions and unresolved reasoning for those directions. The development of important relationships wasn't there as much as in other books of the past.

Still, it was fun just not as memorable as past books.

I started reading the series backwards from this. I didn't understand the characters that much, but I got most of it. This book is awesome. It isn't the hardest adult novel I've read, and I'm 15. I like the action, the humor, the story, and most of all... Harry Dresden's awesomeness.

i thought this book was fantastic and enjoyed it thoroughly. Jim Butcher gives great depth to his characters and his stories are always filled with surprises. i finished the book with a satisfied smile on my face, and i'm already looking forward to the chapter in Harry's adventurous life.

Okay, so this review is nothing at all BUT spoilers and so you should skip it if you haven't read the book yet.

The Billy Goats Gruff; Ha! 'Za Lord's guard protects the cleaning brownies from the dreaded Mister beast. "Forget the doughnut!" Murph standing up to the Gruff v2.0. Gruff v2.0 being Zortched by the might of Thor! Nicodemus still a creepy mastermind of the deepest evil. Michael down for the count. Gruff v3.0- 5'4"? He's Harry's doughnut bitch. Harry with 2 swords. God Speaks Through Tolkien! Murph jelous about Anastasia? Murph want to go all-in in the fight against evil. Soulfire, baby.

Me? I liked this book.

wow, I just had to comment on the PRICE... I have books less than 20 yrs old sitting all over my house under 2.00 each of the same genre, level or higher of author, and size of book... good GOD EVERYTHING has gone up 600% since I was a kid...

It's ok, I haven't gotten to this one yet, so I guess I'll be looking for a used copy when I do... (just finished 7)

I'm always amazed by Butcher's ability to create bigger and better stories while deepening the relationships of the existing characters. Dresden is more sarcastic, yet more likable in the tenth volume of The Dresden Files. Excellent!

I have read all of Jim Butcher's 10 "Dresden File" novels as well as his four "Alera" novels in sequence within the last three or four months; "A Small Favor" is not the best of the Dresden file novels, although it is one in which nearly every one of the supporting characters of the series makes an appearance; not to offer any spoilers, but bits of the novel are somewhat confusing, mainly because Harry starts doing things for which the narrative does not offer a clear explaination as to how he is managing to do these things, or what exactly these new powers are, and that is precisely the point because Harry is unaware of what is going on, either, at least not until the last few chapters of the novel.

I purchased this book to almost complete my collection of Dresden File novels. I've just started it and don't like to put it down. It starts out well and is getting very good as it goes along. I strongly recommend Jim Butcher to anyone who likes Sci-FI and Fantasy novels.

I've been lucky enough to read these one after the other without having to wait for anything as inconvenient as the books actually been written between releases. This one was just as good as the preceding nine...I read it in a single day. Excited to start on eleven!

I have read every book or comic associated with Jim Butcher and each book or story is as good or better than the last! From the Dresden File's to The Furies series his writing just gets better and better with each sequel. The newest Dresden book, Small Favor, literally kept me up throughout the night turning page after page. There should be a warning: Caution reading this title may be addictive and cause lack of sleep and possible drowsiness due to intense plots and extraordinary characters. Read at your own risk! Another Jim Butcher masterpiece!

The 10th book in Jim Butcher's wonderful world of Harry Dresden, is everything that I thought it would be. It was like watching paint dry counting down the day until I could go and buy the new Dresden book. Dresden is up to his elbows in fairies and he sure isn't happy about it, along with all the other trials and tribulations. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest that you go out and get it today!

I've been a fan of the series for it's tight plotting, interesting characters and developed world. The book started a bit slow for me, and some of the beginning seemed per forma. Fortunately, Butcher plots very well and once the story got going it sucked me in like a new Kirby, with a very interesting and challenging finish.

I'm sure you read the basic plot from the other reviews, so I'm getting straight to why it disappointed me a little...for some reason, I found it hard to stay with this story. Maybe because it had so many names and references from previous stories, and I was getting everyone mixed up. I didn't quite get the Marcone kidnapping part, and exactly WHY were the fey involved? I don't believe it was properly explained. The main reaso why I am disappointed is MURPHY DID NOT TAKE THE SWORD!!! I just knew she was going to be knighted with this book!! When Dresden threw the sword to her and it lighted up, I'm like "YES, FINALLY!" ans SHE DECLINED! Also, I didn't like that Murphy was getting all sweet on Kincaid, and Dresden with his captain. C'mon, Butcher, you know the two are meant for each other!! Find a way to make it happen!! lol

This is the 10th book in the Dresden File series, and Jim Butcher shows no sign of slowing down with Harry's adventures. This book pulls no punches, starting with the action almost immediately. We see Harry being attacked not only from two different groups of enemies, but his allies as well, causing a great deal of conflict throughout the story. New secrets, new enemies, and new takes on relationships make this a most excellent addition to the series.

I just finished reading this book. Normally when I read a bok in a seriees I re-read the previous books in the series. The book started out almost with canned responses from the characters, like Jim was forcing the reaction. Towards the end of the book things started to flow better. Not sure why he was trying to do this. I forsee two reasons (1)intentional - this is a way for us to see that a certain event has occurred in the book that we don't know about (2) unintentional - had a difficult time getting the flow back.

Hello; I am a great fan of Butcher's Dresden. this story though seemed choppy and fragmented, it did not have the flow of the others.
Some of the related incidents from other stories and his history did not seem to track as clearly as in previous books.
I love the series though the characters are my favorites, and I love the tv series done with this story line.. better than most other stuff on tv now!
Please convince them to continue for a few more to clear up the uncle issue and make Harry a white wizard again..and his girl friend... needs to show herself again. and the vampire courts etc all the make believe netherland is wonderfully scary and horrid

Has me really looking forward to the next in the series. Jim Butcher does another excellent job. Quite the page turner. I ended up reading it in a weekend, because I couldn't put it down. I recommend it to any fans of Jim Butcher or the Dresden Files.

Finally a respite for Chicago's only openly practicing professional wizard Harry Dresden as no one has tried to kill in quite a while. However, Harry's serenity abruptly ends when the Queen of the Winter Court of the Sidhe and Queen of Air and Darkness Mab arrives to call in his IOU. Harry prayed this day would never come when he asked her for a favor years ago, but he now owes the ever dangerous Mab two favors.

Harry is relieved when all Mab asks of him is to rescue crime boss John Marcone, who was recently kidnapped. He figures how hard this can be as dealing with a mundane mob killers seems easier than some of the supernatural soul stealers he normally contends with. Still he is confused why Mab wants this done and bewildering him further she does not know why. Harry investigates to understand better the scenario as he finds it difficult to fathom how John was abducted from a highly guarded safehouse. He asks his friend Michael Carpenter, father of his apprentice Molly, to help him, but the "Knight of the Sword" hesitates as he distrusts Harry since the wizard was exposed to a curse. However, Harry soon realizes that by abetting Mab, he has brought onto him and his friends, the most powerful adversary of the Queen of the Winter Court, the Queen of Summer.

Dresden is at his best in this private investigative urban fantasy as his R&R ends with paying his debt. Fans will appreciate the hero as the favor seems simple enough, but soon spirals into soul threatening danger that would have hard core sleuths like Marlowe peeing in their pants. Dresden's inquiries are cleverly done to set the stage for the usual lethal fantasy spin. Readers will relish Jim Butcher's latest tour of Chicago's underground as the sunny skies abruptly twist into deadly tornadoes.

Harriet Klausner

I have read every one of the Dresden Files Books by Jim Butcher. Love them. I got acqainted with his character Harry Dresden when the SciFi channel did a series based on these books. Each one is better and better. Word to the wise....read these books in numerical order in order to enjoy to the fullest extent. I love the recurring characters, Dresden's sense of humor, etc.

Jim Butcher has said he had enough material to write 20 Dresden File books. This novel would be the halfway point. I am not sure I like the direction that Harry is heading in. Butcher has improved as a writer over the years, no question. It just seems that I can see the series going in a wrong direction over the past two books.

This books flaws are self evident. There are way too many characters on the pages. As I was reading this book, I wondered who everyone was. You sometimes need a score card to keep track. I understand some other reviewers concerns as well. Sgt. Murphy is a former shadow of herself from previous books. I missed the sexual tension between her and Harry. Now that Dresden has seemed to find a new love in Luccio, that is all missing. What happened to the plot line about the Black Council? There seemed to be a build up to this over a few books and now that seems to be on the back burner. Yes, this story was a bit preachy as far as The Carpenter family was concerned. These characters need to take a back seat for awhile and let the general flow of the plotlines continue.

To me the previous book, The White Knight, was disappointing. A Small Favor was better, but don't you miss reading a plotline like going into battle on the back of a dinosaur? I know I do. 3 and 1/2 stars for the witty banter in the book.

In this book Harry works on unfinished business. A favor from Mab, characters we haven't heard from in a while, explaining more of the white council.

Some of the best lines so far in the series, and a helping of visits from old friends like toot-toot.

Only 11 months until the next book

Compared to the books before it, this is at most a three star, probably a two and a half star, book. Harry simply was not Harry - a pale shadow of himself. For all the action and character interactions, few of the characters were anything more than two dimensional (including Harry). Perhaps this was due to the number of characters that were present on every single page. Thomas and Molly were pitiful - hardly worth having them on the page. I know for many Dresden fans this is heresy, but I've never been a fan of Thomas and yet in this book I'm wondering where he is and pleading for the old Thomas to return. And Murphy... what to say? Like Harry, she is at best a caricature of herself. Even only briefly introduced characters seem different - like Luccio. I liked her in previous books, but she was barely even a character in this book (more of a name attached to lines).

The other portion that bugged me was the almost - I think another reviewer said as well - 'churchy' direction, which clashes horribly with Harry and frankly much of what made the series great. At several points, it was almost a bit preachy. Along those lines, the Carpenters are annoying. Can they all die? I'm hoping they fade in the next book. Okay, back to seriousness, the 'preachy' and 'churchy' components may be more of symptom of the lacklusterness of the book - a quick means to an end. I've got no problems with, and usually enjoy, the themes of temptation and right vs wrong and they were handled fantastically with Lash... again the book went from a complex situation to much of it being handled very simply (and nothing is ever simple for Harry Dresden... especially when fairies are involved).

Is it a bad book? No, you'll enjoy reading it, but it suffers a lot in comparison and dampens a the desire to read the next.

I loved this latest Dresden Files novel. I love all of them, but this one was great. This is the one a really fine movie could be made of, in its entirety. The fight at the Shedd Aquarium would certainly work, as well as the final scene on the little island, with Harry strangling Nicodemos.

I'm a big fan of this series and have not yet been disappointed.
This book is exciting from the very beginning to the end. Can't wait for
the next one. I will however recommend that you start at the beginning
of the series to meet all the characters and learn the plot. I highly recommend this book. It is pure reading pleasure!!

Read this book cover to cover on a plane ride last night. This is one of the better books in the Dresden Files. (They are all very good.) You do not have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one, but some of the characers will likely make a bit more sense if you have. Way to go Jim Butcher.

Harry Dresden owes Mab the Fay Queen of Winter two favours and she has come to collect one. Harry is about to find himself forced to rescue someone he'd rather leave with the bad guys.

I enjoyed this outing and we are finally getting some sense of a greater plot that Harry will have a part to play in with future books in series. Having said that though the action is relentless to the point that it sometimes seems like movement for its own sake and simply to grind Harry down, it lends a touch of formula to the novels that annoys me a little now. If I could I'd probably give this 3.5 stars.

The book itself is very good but What The Heck Did They Do To The Format? It is too tall to fit on the shelf with the other paperbacks and is very uncomfortable to hold. I feel vaguely squished, and too much of the text vanishes into the gutter between the pages.
I recommend you either buy the hardcover or wait for a standard format paperback release. Until you buy it, read the story in the library book.

While Butcher's fantasy books are a bit underwhelming, the Dresden Files continue to deliver.

If you can appreciate an offbeat occult detective series, expect a good read with more than an occasional chuckle.

Excellent story! I've been a fan of "The Dresden Files" for a while and this was by far one of the best of the series so far. Jim Butcher is a master story crafter and I hope that he keeps up this series for a long time to come.

Butcher overloads Small Favor with too many of his recurring characters. In the end this undercuts the menace of the villains and leaves you unable to feel anything for the heroes.

The well-paced writing, however, is typical for the series. And the wisecracks are generally funny. Worth reading for series fans, but not the best book to start with.

this book was great no matter what anybody says. The problem with people who are craving for something more is becuase they didnt get what they were expecting. Sorry folks, you cant have everything want. The plot was great and with many twistig turns. the book was good for the soul.

Harry Dresden is the only professional wizard listed in the Chicago phone book. And just when it seems his life is starting to quiet down, Queen Mab of the Winter Faeries has decided to cash in on a favor that Harry owes. But the Summer Court has already caught wind, and has begun sending forces to stop him. As Harry tracks down a missing gangster, he must make hard choices and put himself in further danger in order to fulfill a "small favor."

My favorite wizard (the other Harry) returns in another suspense-filled thrill ride. A complex and witty character, Harry Dresden has gone through a lot of turmoil and changes throughout the series. He still deals with many internal struggles as well as confusing relationships. Harry is constantly putting others before himself, so his love life has been non-existent for years. He's a mentor, a friend, a brother, a wizard, a warden, an investigator, and whatever else he needs to be to help those he cares about. With equally complex secondary characters, Butcher has created one of the most well-known and well-loved urban fantasies.

Flawlessly blending classic noir mystery with a fresh take on fantasy, every installment of the Dresden Files is a treat. In Small Favor, Harry enlists the help of his friends once again to combat the forces of darkness, while trying to stay alive. With a few surprises along the way, this is a non-stop, action-packed mystery that does not disappoint.

If you haven't been reading the Dresden Files, you've been missing out.

This is one of only four books that I have abandoned. I guess the part I disliked the most is the first person perspective, the story is well written but after 168 pages, 19 chapters, I had to give up on this one.

I can't believe I'm saying this about a Dresden novel, but here goes: this book? Was thoroughly disappointing.

The case, is as always, a great ride. However, to quote an earlier review: Where's Harry Dresden? More importantly, where are the relationships that were so important to him earlier in the series - namely those with Murphy and Thomas?

When I first began reading this series, it was Murphy and Harry that grabbed me and hooked me. Their's was an angsty relationship, but nonetheless filled with chemistry that leapt off the page at me and helped me endure Susan's incredibly grating presence in the early books. As the characters that I cared the most about, I had hoped I would see Harry and Murphy develop into something more eventually. No, instead, Murhpy is now Harry's muscle. Reduced to being "small and fierce" (Tyra Banks has a lot to answer for), she's a cipher to me in this book. For some reason, she's still hung up on Kincaid, yet I have no idea what that relationship meant to her beyond that. A holiday with him is about the last thing I remember from an earlier novel. She's been having experiences off somewhere, while the books now see fit to chronicle Elaine, the annoyance that is Molly and even pages and pages (previous book) of Charity's righteous anger at Harry (Mercifully, Charity seems to have grown a heart in this book). Why? I have no idea. I don't care about any of them, yet recently, they've taken precedence over the characters that I've loved and followed for from the first book.

I don't understand why Murphy, pretty much the strongest female character (a character I wished more urban fantasies could get a clue from) in the book has been reduced to a bit part. Is it so Luccio can take her place? Ten books later, I care nothing for Luccio, and frankly, the thought of seeing Harry in this relationship in the next book has me already putting it aside. I have no earthly idea why I should care about this character as opposed to Murphy. Murphy and Harry are the normal and the supernatural in intriguing packages (I've been eagerly waiting for Murph to get the sword...yet, that's done too, explained away in a flip line and nothing more), and more importantly, in characters who to me had such grand potential considering their views on the world, their attraction and their partnership. They pretty much *sparked* like crazy to me from the get-go, and as the characters grew with each book, the story potential between this too seemed to me to be too good to be true - I *craved* their relationship in other urban fantasies I've read. Now? Not anymore. I rather suspect they might find they're too good friends to ever stuff it up with a relationship at the rate things are going, but I doubt I'll be around to read about it.

If there was no romance on the horizon for them - cool. However, Murphy, pretty much hands down my favorite female character in the books like this that I've read, is still slowly disappearing in favor of background characters.

The other disappointment? - Thomas. Nothing more than muscle, and competing with Molly as the Resident go-to-guy for funny one-liners. He's been reduced to being Harry's chauffer and Harry's double. After which, he suddenly reappears at the end of the book, the lack of his presence at his brother's side explained by one line. Thomas' reveal as Harry's brother in an earlier book pretty much gave me the biggest emotional punch for Harry in the entire series. Since, then, I've seen nothing of the sort for Harry. He's been coasting along, getting a revelation here and there embroiled in his cases, but none of it translates back to the next most important characters to me, and I'd argue, Harry - Murphy and Thomas.

I think Harry is stagnating. I haven't seen any change in him since Thomas appeared. Perhaps a line or two there, when he's not running for his life, or getting involved with third tier characters, but that's pretty much it. He is surrounded by pages and page of superfluous characters, thrust into importance in the book, and at the expense of the established characters. I was willing to tolerate Molly's presence as Harry's apprentice, but frankly, any character designed to be the sister/apprentice/plucky, yet snarky with the one liners? Is as annoying in print, as they are onscreen. I shudder to think of yet another book involving Michael and his family. I know more about them, than I do about Murphy and Thomas these days, and I don't care about the former, especially when their presence is as a consequence of sacrificing Murphy and Thomas' time with Harry. Simply put, that isn't a sacrifice I'm willing to make. And having Thomas appear in a separate book? Doesn't do him justice. It's Thomas and Harry (and Murphy), that I want to read about, not `Thomas' adventures without Harry'.

My best friend made sure I had this book on time the day it was released. I waxed lyrical about it for a year until I got it...and I really don't know how to tell her I wished she'd saved her money. There's nothing here that got me hooked in the series' early novels. All there is, is a hero that's stuck, and a cast of characters that are suddenly thrust into importance after spending the previous 10 books as minor characters, while those that have been around for ages now, that affect Harry the most, are slowly fading away.

*spoilerish?*

I'm not sure about any of these other reviews, if they read it or not it's hard to tell, but I have one major question...where's Harry Dresden? The Harry we have come to know and love seems somehow absent in this volume.

After all this time of holding off amd waiting, he just suddenly gives in to his urges over a woman he has not really shown any interest in over the course of the series? Instead of one of the many current women in his life and throughout the books. I don't understand it. If he has been able to resist for this long, waiting for his love that just doesn't seem to be, why suddenly just give in on a whim. Not only does that open him up more for a White court vamp but it just does not seem to fit his style.

Fearing and cowering so much before Mab? Temptation and resisting it, or giving in to it, is what made him such a great character for me. By the end of this book, he seemed to be losing much of what makes him a great character.

And now, I hope I am wrong, but being a warden without a sword, I had hoped he would take up the winter knight role instead of the Knight's sword, now that would be entertaining, filled with temptation and the strength to avoid or succumb. Getting rid of Lash was bad enough, now it seems even more... churchy?

It feels that way when the Knights are involved, I'll give you that, but come on. This a lot like religious fiction to me. Again...given the Knights role I can understand that much, but Harry just wasn't himself for me in this book.

It wasn't a bad read by any means and I'm sure I'll be in the minority that did not like it, but there it is. It didn't feel like Harry to me. Maybe my hopes were too high? I can only hope the next one will get back to his roots and take him more strongly along the thin line between good and evil and keep him leaning one way, towards the light, but still tightly gripping the other side, needing the dark to fight dark things.