Review – Changes by Jim Butcher

Changes by Jim Butcher
Narrator: James Marsters
Series: The Dresden Files #12
Published by Penguin Audio on April 15, 2010
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Urban
Length: 15 hours 25 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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“A can’t-miss entry in one of the best urban-fantasy series currently being published.”—Booklist (starred review)

As Chicago’s only professional wizard, Harry Dresden has faced demons, vampires, werewolves, dark sorcerers, and hosts of horrors from beyond the mortal realm. But nothing could have prepared him for this…
 
Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry's Dresden’s lover—until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her caught between humanity and the relentless bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. She disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it. Now, she needs Harry’s help more than ever.
 
For the vengeful Duchess of the Red Court has discovered a secret Susan has long kept from everyone—including Harry—and she plans to use it. To prevail, Harry may have to unleash the full fury of his untapped power—and he may have no choice but to embrace the darkness within himself.
 
Because this time, he’s fighting to save his child.

Oh, Harry! This book took my heart and broke it time and time again. Every time I thought things might get better, I found that everything could get so much worse than I could have ever imagined. The book opens with a major shock and ends with another one that is just as startling. If you haven’t read this book and plan to read the series someday, which I highly recommend doing, you may want to avoid reviews because this book is next to impossible not to spoil.

Please note that there may be spoilers in this review.

This is the twelfth book in The Dresden Files series and at this point, I feel like I have been through a lot with Harry. Twice, since this is a re-read. But the things that Harry must deal with in this book are bigger than anything he has ever faced. Susan and Harry were an item early in the series and I have always felt like Harry is still a little hung up on her. She left after being attacked by a Red Court vampire. She has held onto her humanity but it hasn’t come easy. When she calls Harry at the start of the book to tell him that their child has been taken, a child that he didn’t know he had, his world is turned upside down. Harry will do whatever it takes to save the child and we will see just how far he is able to push himself.

This book was exciting and heartwrenching all at the same time. I felt Harry’s desperation and hated the impossible choices he was forced to make. This is a pivotal book in the series and the title is fitting because everything changes. I was happy to see that Harry had the support of a lot of key players in the series because I would have hated to see him have to do it alone. There were a lot of really surprising revelations in this installment that will play a part in the series moving forward.

James Marsters did an exceptional job with this book. At this point, he is Harry to me. This is an emotional installment and I thought he did a great job bringing that into his narration. I really feel like the audio is the best way to experience this series because of the top-notch narration.

I would highly recommend this series to others. This book, like the rest of the series, is filled with wonderful characters, lots of action and excitement, some humor, and a lot of heart. I would also add that Mouse really shows what he is made of in this installment and I must say he is becoming my favorite fictional dog. I cannot wait to start listening to the next book in the series!

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