Rule number one of the wizarding business. Never let them see you sweat. People expect us to know things. It can be a big advantage. Don’t screw it up by looking like you’re as confused as everyone else. Bad for the image.

Proven Guilty: Dresden Files #8

Jim Butcher | 2006 | 479 Pages

 

The Plotprovenguilty

Chicago’s only wizard for hire has found himself with a new job- Warden for the White Council. But just as he’s tasked to keep watch of Chicago, the daughter of an old friend phones up with some drama straight out of a horror movie.

Highlights

As with just about every book in this series, each problem cannot just be taken at face value. What starts as a more simple conflict bleeds into the greater war between the various supernatural beings, but does so in a believable way (or at least, as believable as a story about faeries and vampires can be).

In this case, we see the return of the Carpenter clan, along with more light shed upon that entire situation. How does a God fit in with wizards? What is the deal with these swords? Not every question is answered, but it’s a start.We also get more Murphy, who was sorely missing in the last

We also get more Murphy, who was sorely missing in the last outing. Harry works best as a character when he’s able to interact with those who challenge him, and Murphy satisfies that in more ways than one.

This plot was perhaps my favorite of the series so far, weaving characters with a greater degree of world building. We learn more about the politics, the rule of wizard law. The war progresses, time moves forward, and we learn more about the crazy alternate dimensions that run parallel to Butcher’s Chicago. It’s a fascinating and well-crafted mythology that still has many more secrets to reveal.

Downsides

Not a whole lot to be honest. The writing is improving, the characters are becoming more fleshed out. The dialog is still kinda of repetitive (“Hell’s Bells…”) and Harry himself has a few grating quirks, but overall it’s a quality outing with an exciting story and some exceptional forward movement on the greater meta-plot.

Should You Read This?

As with previous reviews for this series- if you’ve made it this far, it would be a shame to stop now. This book is perhaps the best yet, and should not be missed.