Cold Days

The Dresden Files, Book 14

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters

Length: 18 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Harry Dresden lives!

After being murdered by a mystery assailant, navigating his way through the realm between life and death, and being brought back to the mortal world, Harry realizes that maybe death wasn’t all that bad - because he is no longer Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard. He is now Harry Dresden, Winter Knight to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness.

After Harry had no choice but to swear his fealty, Mab wasn’t about to let something as petty as death steal away the prize she had sought for so long. And now, her word is his command, no matter what she wants him to do, no matter where she wants him to go, and no matter who she wants him to kill. Guess which one Mab wants first?

Of course, it won’t be an ordinary, everyday assassination. Mab wants her newest minion to pull off the impossible: kill an immortal. No problem there, right? And to make matters worse, there exists a growing threat to an unfathomable source of magic that could land Harry in the sort of trouble that will make death look like a holiday.

Beset by enemies new and old, Harry must gather his friends and allies, prevent the annihilation of countless innocents, and find a way out of his eternal subservience before his newfound powers claim the only thing he has left to call his own… his soul.

©2012 Jim Butcher (P)2012 Penguin Audio

A Truly Fantastic Artwork

Would you consider the audio edition of Cold Days to be better than the print version?

In this case, yes. James Marsters has his delivery of the written form down so incredibly well that it's simply captivating. Originally I planned to space out my listening to this book so that it would last, however once I listened to the first hour I simply couldn't stop myself. Numerous times I found myself laughing out loud because of the excellent writing paired with Marsters superb voice work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cold Days?

The best moments of Cold Day's are just about any interaction Harry has with his old friends and crew. All are heartfelt, all are exceptionally written, and all leave you wanting more book!

What does James Marsters bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Humor, Drama, Concern, and a multitude of other feelings.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Lots of laughter, I mean this book made me full on belly laugh at times. It also had it's somber moments.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book so hard, it'll make your teeth rattle. (Yes...I'm not sure what that means either)

Chills...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

YES. Because Jim Butcher gets infinitely better with each novel and James Marsters is the best Narrator for the job.

What did you like best about this story?

Harry's relationships - you get to be much more satisfied in that regard than you were in the last.

What does James Marsters bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A depth of character to Dresden. He really breaths an extra spark into the already larger than life Dresden.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh, gasp and tear up.

Any additional comments?

If you have not read this series - you are missing out on one of the best authors and stories of our generation.

It'll Be A Cold Day in....

Dresden lives, and as usual someone is already trying to rectify that problem. Only this time it's his new boss. In her attempt to get Harry back on his feet, Mab decides that his rehab should be murder attempts. If that's not enough he's no sooner back on his feet and near fighting shape when she gives him his first assignement. Kill Mav!!! And just when he thinks his plate is full to overflowing he finds out someone is trying to blow up Demonreach, and his Warden title is more than it appears. Oh and did I mention it's Halloween and the Earl King is back on the hunt, and is there really a way to kill an immortal?

James Marsters is back, and better than ever. Marsters is Harry Dresden, and returns to the series with a bang. Cold Days is Butcher's best work and Marsters' best performance.

Marsters returns!

Pros:
-Marsters is back
-Storyline more intricate than previous books
-Clincher at the end changes the series up nicely
-Dresden's character development

Cons:
-Main character and other key characters moving out of their traditional roles


Overall:

As stated above, the previous narrator, while not bad, was not marsters and the cocky Harry is back in the seat rather than the somewhat subdued inquisitive Harry. This provides for a much more entertaining listening experience that provides for a "Cant put it down" sort of read through.

On a sour note, the character development is good and bad. With much chaning the series seems to becoming something else, which is not bad. Like all other power-mongering novels or series. Dresden faces the very real threat of becomming TOO powerful, which spoils almost every major Hero story in the long run. It usually goes something like this:

Harry develops and is therefore stronger
Bad guys get stronger - > Explosions get bigger
Harry develops and is therefore stronger
Bad guys get stronger etc...

Until the entire world / city / landscape / (pick your own object) is destroyed utterly or the number of enemies that are at his level are so few that there would never be anyway to fight them.

Good overall moves (both in development and narration) i hop that Butcher has many, many more novels coming up!

Butcher does it again!

I am amazed the at the quality and uniqueness of each of the Dresden stories. I could not turn off the audio book because again the story pulls you into the lives of the characters and you live out the story. Fantastic!

Best Dresden yet

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Oh yes, a real non stop action ride!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mab is so bad she is good.....

Have you listened to any of James Marsters’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Haven't

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

there be monsters here....

Any additional comments?

Couln't stop listening well into the night

A great story!

Would you consider the audio edition of Cold Days to be better than the print version?

I honestly can say I would like or dislike either of them.

What did you like best about this story?

With the return of James Marsters who does a simply amazing job bringing the story to life, and the enjoyable way that each book is written I simply couldnt stop listening.

Which character – as performed by James Marsters – was your favorite?

He really puts his energy in to making Harry Dresden come to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Spoilers.

How dose it keep doing it again and again

As usual a fun tale with all our friends. One that has a few suprises that actually, yes you got it, surprised me.

Another excellent chapter.

If you've made it this far in the series our review is not necessary. This book is everything you expect in the series. I laughed I cried I stayed up late to listen to it . I expect you will too.

Loved this one

Great listen! James Marsters is awesome! Harry Dresden is awesome! Great plot, couldn’t stop listening.