Patrick May 18, 2014

it was amazing bookshelves: books-i-would-blurb

's review

It occurred to me today when I sat down to write a review of this book, that I've never gone into detail about my Dresden Files obsession online.



That said, it's certainly there, in bits and pieces, pretty obvious for anyone who is willing to read between the lines.



And I've talked about my love for the series in public many, many times. Usually in response to the question, "So what are your favorite books?" Or "What should I read while I'm waiting for book three to come out?"



But I've never really stated the depth of my love plainly, all in one place, for all the world to see.



So.



The Dresden files is my favorite series ever. I say that both as a writer, and a reader.



Think about that for a moment. I don't make statements like that casually.



As a series, Dresden trumps out everything else I've ever read, or am currently reading. That includes books I *overflow* with love for, like Lynch's Gentleman Bastard series. Or Robin Hobb's Farseer. Or Sanderson's Mistborn. Or Abercrombie's First Law…



I like the Dresden files more than I like Wizard of Earthsea. More than I like Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber. More than Gaiman's Sandman. More the Lord of the Rings.



As a series, The Dresden Files even beats out Pratchett's Discworld. There. I said it.



I love these books so much that when Ghost Story came out, I read the *entire* series starting at book one, so I would be ready for the newest book.



Then when Cold Days came out, I read the *entire* series again.



That's something I haven't done since high school. I don't have time for that shit. Nevertheless, I did it.



For this book, Skin Game, I would probably have done the same thing again. But this time my obsession went even further. I decided to viciously abuse my meager power as an author. I contacted Jim's editor and begged for an advance reading copy.



She graciously gave me one, probably because the intensity of my request frightened her. Plus nobody wants to see a big beardy man cry. It's just not an appealing thing.



So what did I think of this book? I loved it.



I won't spoil anything. I don't go in for that sort of thing.



I'll just say that I loved it. It's everything I'd hoped for. And that Jim made me cry, like, four goddamn times in this book.



You're walking a thin line, Butcher. I'd hate you if I didn't love you so much…

