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There's a lot more of Murphy, the filling out of some of the core events of Harry's past, the addition of a new member of the "cast," and, believe it or not, it documents the fact that Harry is actually learning some self-defense. If you've read the series up to now, you'll definitely like this book. "Blood Rites" is the 6th in Butcher's "Dresden Files" series. All of this bodes well for future books. I rate it at a Very Good 4 stars out of 5. It looks like it takes place about 6 or 7 months after the events in the previous book, Death Masks (The Dresden Files, Book 5) and is very much in keeping with the other books in the series. The best thing with this book is that Butcher seems to be doing some more character development here.
I'm totally hooked. Plenty of twists, turns, thrills and revelations about Harry's past to keep you reading until the wee hours. Butcher's wisecracking supernatural gumshoe, Harry Dresden, is back in form in this sixth installment of the series. A seasoned and matured Harry is back on a regular investigation, this time protecting a porno movie producer from supernatural assassins.
Hidden there is a family secret that will change Harry forever.Many urban-fantasies have sprung up in the past several years, but the Dresden Files continues to outshine them all. Of course, in usual, twisted fashion, he gets his wish: he's hired to solve a string of accidents on a maverick porn director's latest production.Just when Harry thought life was getting dull. That's not all, however. Someone has unleashed an entropy curse upon the porn mogul, but it's not attacking him; rather important women in his life.
The ride continues for wizard/private investigator Harry Dresden. Harry is a delightfully rough, brusque character of surprising depth, accompanied by a razor sharp wit. Somehow, White Court vampires - succubi - are involved, which of course involves Thomas, a white court vampire acquaintance who's shown an odd affinity for Harry as of late. With his most recent adventure, "Small Favor", blasting its way to the New York Times Bestseller's list, his other adventures continue to grow in popularity.
Women are dying, and of course - entropy curses are the worst things to unravel. Butcher writes with deft and skill, which should guarantee Harry Dresden a long future, indeed. In "Blood Rites", Harry Dresden becomes more than just an intriguing character - he becomes an urban fantasy icon.Fresh off a case involving demon monkeys chucking flaming poop, Harry is ready for something a bit more upscale than his usual fare. Things quickly turn from embarrassing to deadly when Harry discovers he's been sucked into affairs way over his head.
So it is both nice to fill in some gaps, as well as surprising when Butcher drops the big reveal. We also meet Murphy's family. But by no means is Blood Rites anything less than spectacular, another just all out action thrill ride through the Dresdenverse, and it even has a dog.4.5 out of 5 stars Yet more fallout from Harry's actions at Bianca's masquerade ball in Grave Peril.
Harry uncovers a great deal about his family, while adding to it along the way. That being that while it is very good, it is between two of the best books of the series and two of my personal favorites at that. After the epic events of both Summer Knight and Death Masks, Jim Butcher switches to a more personal tale for his 6th Dresden Files book, Blood Rites. There is not the imminent threat of Faeriegeddon or Nicapocalypse, but the danger is still just as real and deadly to Harry as ever before. The book is seemingly structured to afford the reader a nice contrast between different families. Also, Mavra, the Black Court Vampire Sorceress, is back in town and gunning for Harry.
I think Blood Rites also has the "sandwich" problem (that the later Proven Guilty also suffers from). Of course in Harry's world things generally tend to go from bad to worse, so it is as Lord Raith, The White King, and his first in command, daughter Lara (Thomas' family), also show up with hidden agendas. While not as epic, or quite as good, as Death Masks, Blood Rites is very satisfying on a more personal level. Those limitations also work for the series, as revelations like those we uncover in Blood Rites are satisfying for the reader as much as Harry, because it is information we genuinely did not know. Not just families of blood, but those formed in the trenches of life and solidified in the face of death. Reading a 1st person series has its inherent limitations, but it is quite effective at making the reader really feel for Harry. Blood Rites is all about Family.
Kincaid and Ebenezar McCoy make welcome returns (along with stunning revelations about them both), and between the two of them Harry is forced to learn two of the hardest lessons of his life: one physical, one psychological. In return, Thomas finally tells Harry his big secret, why it is he has been helping Harry out over the last couple years. We are given an in depth look into a slice of life in a family of Incubi/Succubi as we learn more about Thomas and his family. Butcher really details how Family can be found in the "lowest" of places, but even there it is every bit as warm and comforting as it is in the traditional sense.The basic plot has Harry being tasked by Thomas to protect his actor friends making a porno movie.
Other than recommending that you start with book one, I cannot recommend these books any more highly. The books are a mix of noir detective, magic, and wry humor. If you are a fan of the Dresden Files books then whatever I write here would be rather superfluous. If however you are not yet a fan of the Dresden Files I heartily recommend them.
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