Changes: The Dresden Files, Book 12

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters

Length: 15 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

The new novel in the #1 New York Times best-selling Dresden Files series. Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover - until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it - against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...He's fighting to save his child.

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©2010 Jim Butcher (P)2010 Penguin

WOW. I'm stunned!

Butcher's latest Dresden File is OUTSTANDING. Yes, totally worthy of All Caps OUTSTANDING. If you think that because you've read his past Dresden novels, you know how this one is going to end... prepare to be shocked. "Changes" is definitely an appropriate title for this book. I won't go into the plot, because anything beyond what the publishers already described would be far too spoilerish.

I also have to say something about James Marsters- the narrator. Holy Cheese Doodles is this guy good. He can make a shout sound like a shout without it hurting your eardrums, he can meld his voice so it sounds, very believably, like a female whisper. He can produce the crack of dry humor and the choke in his throat when deep sorrow is called for. He did an excellent job of narrating this book and I was left wishing he had been hired to narrate the Codex Allera books that Butcher has also written. (but that is another review.)

Can't say enough good things about this one. Definitely worth the buy.

Amazing

I couldn't stop listening to this amazing story. James Marsters has read it perfectly. He is the voice of Harry Dresden and I hope he will read all the upcoming books.

Wow

This is easily the best of the Dresden series thus far. The book is aptly named and aptly written along those lines. The character development is phenomenal and many questions are answered. Those who are saying this is a Finale? Nope. I ain't buying that one. I highly recommend this to Dresden fans but STRONGLY DISCOURAGE this being your FIRST book to introduce Dresden.

I am so pleased that Audible now has the complete series now and I recommend you start at the beginning and have the sweet experience of going through all twelve books.

James Marsters does his very best in this audiobook. It's almost more of a dramatized version than an unabridged audiobook! Thanks, James for such an excellent performance.

Really BIG ???Changes???

Wizard Harry Dresden face his most daunting battle ever in this latest installment of his war with both the evil in the world of magic and the demons within. This time he must fight to save both himself and the daughter he only recently learned existed.

Like all of Dresden???s adventures, the book begins with the revelation of an evil plot leading to lots of little battles culminating into an epic confrontation. We know that Dresden ultimately will win, but author Jim Butcher does and outstanding job of ramping up the suspense by creating heart stopping how-is-he-ever-going-to-get-out-of-this-one encounters with the badest of the bad monsters from the netherworld. This one, however, is different. The ending is a twist I didn???t see coming, and it does indeed change everything.

The next book in the series is due out this fall and it will no doubt be very interesting to see how Butcher does get Harry out of this one. I think there may be clues in some of the recent books, but we???ll have to impatiently wait and see.

Narrator James Marsters, as always, does a magnificent job of channeling Dresden and bringing Butcher???s imaginative writing to life.

6 stars - How could it get any better?

I was hooked on Harry Dresden practically from the first moment of Storm Front. While early books were a little shaky - and James Marsters took a while to reach his stride as a reader - by the time I listened to White Knight, I was convinced that Butcher & Marsters were at the top of their games. Yet over the course of the next several books, Harry and the cast of supporting characters became even more complex, more interesting, more human. And Butcher kept revealing surprises and "Aha!" moments that kept me engrossed.

From the opening moments of Changes, I knew that Butcher had trumped himself with this one. Everything - and I do mean everything - comes together here in a deeply satisfying way (despite a cliffhanger conclusion). Plots that have been unfolding for several books are finally resolved and new ones introduced.

Changes reminded me a lot of the final chapter of The Lord of the Rings - a series referenced by Harry as he and his friends (and even former foes) form a fellowship in order to complete the ultimate quest. The book culminates in a battle of good vs. evil of epic proportions and has a valedictory feel to it. But according to Butcher, there are several more books planned for the series - good news for his devoted fans.

I urge anyone who has not read previous Dresden Files not to begin with this. The impact of this book is meant for devoted fans - it is a payoff 12 books in the making - as well as a glimpse of new directions for Dresden and Company.

Any criticism I have seems petty by comparison to the towering achievement Butcher has realized in Changes. There are a few moments where I felt the editing should have been tighter - which is perhaps why Butcher has pushed back the release of his next outing - Ghost Story - from April to July, 2011. The worst part of being a Dresden Files fan is figuring out how to feed our addiction between fix.

Bravo, Mr. Butcher! A tour de force.

Jim Butcher at his best!

This is probably the most fast moving of the books in terms of action, but it doesn't reduce the rich drama and character development along the way that is the hallmark of Butcher's writing.. The only problem I had with the story was the ending, but don't let that keep you from buying it. For any fan of modern/urban fantasy, this book is at the top of the pile.

Down to Mexico

Not my favorite but I will say the following: 1) the beginning and the ending are excellent, it's the middle third I didn't care for and 2) if you don't want to start with book 1, this one would probably be the best bet.

Summoned Up Another Great Book!

Literally, from the first line to the last I was captivated and riveted. This is a fast pace story with many of the old characters returning. You will laugh at the humor, cry at the "changes" and be thoroughly entertained in the imaginery world that Jim Butcher has created. The scenery details are amazing and the storyline is a paranormal rollercoaster of making bargains, meeting demons (don't want to say any spoilers) and visiting "never never" places (outside of Chicago). Harry Dresden learns more about his family and his friends, and in order to save one he has to sacrifice. James Marsden is the voice of Harry Dresden and he portrays him flawlessly. He is Harry, and he projects the other characters very well. This series gets better with every book, now is the waiting for the next. Highly recommend reading the Harry Dresden series in order.

Pivital Point for the story IMO

Consider "Changes" to just be a pivot point in a extremely well told story. When you go through it you get to see Harry make his usual hard choices even his hardest. There is also some interesting character development with some of the bit part characters. One of the major characters dies and Jim fleshes out a good portion of the rest of the major players. Uriel makes an appearance as well as a unexpected god (note the lower case for you religious nutters). And Thomas is by Harry's side through most of it. Excellent read for the Dresden Crack addicts we all are.

The Saddest

I can't listen to this book often; it hurts too much. Then again, once you start the series, it's hard to stop...

It's all change

It's all changing.....a good plot twist lobbed in at the start of the book sets the scene for a new direction for Harry and his team/friends.

Another 5 star instalment to this series. I am not even remotely getting bored with this saga - indeed have just nervously checked to see how many books there are left in this series as I'm already worried about what I'm going to resort to when its done.

James Marsters is superb, as ever.

If you haven't yet started this series - treat yourself! Start at the beginning though, cos it's a fun, fun ride.

Best of all the Dresden Books

Oh my God, I had to stay up all night to finish this book. It has to be the best of the Dresden files so much happens! The title is very apt.
There are so many changes , it is an amazing book, ypu have to read the others 1st to understand but I guarantee you won't be able to put this down or turn it off.

James Marsters narration is sublime. He intones every character and brings them to life.

I'm going to listen to it again FANTASTIC!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Best yet

This is unmistakably the best book from the series "The Dresden Files" so far. Couldn't stop listening. Everyone should read this book. Immediately.

Harry Dresden is getting me through this pandemic!

In the past I've come and gone with this series, listened to a couple, become exasperated with Jim Butcher's weird ideas about women and left again. But the gripping, absorbing stories have become a mainstay now, when I need escapism. I also think he's got better on women - just needs to own his sexuality and everything will be hunky dory. This book was one of the most gripping in the series. Butcher managed, just about, to veer away from outright mawkishness when writing about Maggie, and James Marsters, always great, excelled himself, especially at the end, bring just enough emotion to the reading without going over the top. I was genuinely moved.

I'm on Book 13 now and just hope we're out the other end of Covid 19 before the series runs out. Jim Butcher better keep writing, and fast.

brilliant

Love James masters reading of Harry Dresden and I love this book. it's one of the best in the series in my opinion

The continuing twists and turns of Dresdens life

Where does Changes: The Dresden Files, Book 12 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best Dresden files so far

What was one of the most memorable moments of Changes: The Dresden Files, Book 12?

I don't want to give away any of the plot points but trust me when I say your jaw will drop in the first few minutes if listening to this file

What about James Marsters’s performance did you like?

James Marsters is Harry Dresden ! It's that simple

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Never get between a wizard and his family!

Changes

Would you listen to Changes: The Dresden Files, Book 12 again? Why?

Oh yes, I have read the Hardback when it first released and couldn't wait for it to be released in Audio format. It did take a while for it to be available on Audible. The story is fast paced, witty and connects a few dots whilst creating a lot more. I found that by listening to this, after reading Ghost Story, there was lots of little things that I had missed and help unravel more of the overall story arc.

What did you like best about this story?

The development of characters previously briefly glimpsed.

What about James Marsters’s performance did you like?

He makes a great Harry, a great voice. Also love his Bob voice too.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Oh cripes... No, I can't do this without dropping plot clangers, sorry.

Any additional comments?

This is the twelfth book in the series and doesn't make a great stand-alone listen. However fans of Harry Dresden books won't be disappointed by these audiobooks.

over the top dramatic indulgence

all the little things building up in previous books pile in to produce an over the top, fantastical and dramatic show down. its satisfying and very enjoyable.

brilliant

each book is better than the last and this is still true 10 book into the series. 10 out 10 all around.

Another great Addition to the Dresden files!

Each episode of the Dresden files gets better and better! I can't wait for the next audio book to be released