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

Meh - more of the same

I have followed the series over the years. This book wont disappoint the hardcore fan looking for more of the same. Jim Butcher sticks to the formula that made these series popular. Don't look for ground breaking story telling, its not here. Its just more of the same style of story's that you have come to love (or simply become used to). Needless to say, with the many many useless and bad writers out there, familiar stories written well can prove to be a much better alternative to many of the other choices out there. Still I cant help but feel like it could have been better.

Good book with a few disappointing turns

I love these Dresden books and have them all. Throughout the series I have enjoyed Dresden's long-standing relationship with certain characters who seemed close to him. I wasn't expecting some of those relationships to change as much as they did in this book, so that's why I didn't give the story 5 stars. Also I'm a bit weary of the battles on the island and hope they are over for awhile.

In the meantime, James Marsters is back as the narrator, which is positively marvelous, and in this book we hear a lot from Bob and more from Toot-Toot, which makes the book fun.

I think readers new to the Harry Dresden books should start at the beginning of the series in order to fully appreciate all of the characters; nevertheless each book is entertaining on its own. I will continue to buy Dresden books as fast as Jim Butcher can write them.

Another awesome Dresden book

This is probably my favorite Dresden Files book to date. After book 12, "Changes," I was so excited to see what would happen next, and was annoyed by book 13 because only a little of that was really addressed. In this one, we finally get to see more of the consequences from his choices in "Changes," and it's EPIC. I have always been partial to fairies and they are all over this story. You get to learn a little more about Mab, see more of what's beneath her cold fairy queen exterior, and the Erlking returns! Marsters also returns as the narrator, which was very much needed.

Good story. Well read by Marsters.

Jim Butcher always pleases with the Dresden series. Harry's attitude and dialog always crack me up.

The best Dresdan book so far!

I didn't want to stop listening, amd tje best part was with Santa Clause on Halloween!

The heart of the task ahead?

Where does Cold Days rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Good edition to the series.

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

Finding out where this series was really heading.

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

Brings characters to life helping the feel of the story.

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

Already have the TV series which is a good introduction. But "Anyone for a game of chess?"

Any additional comments?

In an interview the author said that "Ghost Story" was the half way point in the series. Has he giving us enough parts of the puzzle to work our what is real the problem/point?

One of the best in the Dresden series.

Butcher fans who were patient through Ghost Story are well rewarded with Cold Days. Harry is back and in this novel he learns some very interesting things about his life and the world in which he lives. Now he just has to figure out what to do about it all…

James Marsters IS Harry Dresden; never try to replace him!

The great urban fantasy continues

Would you listen to Cold Days again? Why?

Yes, I would listen again for two reasons: James Marsters, and because I simply enjoy Harry and company.
Idle question: Does Jim Butcher really think that far ahead, or is he simply good at making whatever situation he left in book 3 (or 5 or 7) work in book 14? His way of tying things together is just amazing!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like Karin Murphy. Only a real human being would be so contrary as to deal with the unnatural situations she does without batting an eye, yet reject a more personal relationship with Dresden because "we're just too different."

What about James Marsters’s performance did you like?

Um, was there something to dislike? Mr. Marsters gives us Harry Dresden in weakness, power, confusion, arrogance, and sarcasm without any of it sounding forced. His delivery of the other characters in their various moments is not lacking either. Gotta love Toot-Toot!

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

The revelation of the Winter Lady. I leave it at that in case it appears to those who have not read/heard the book. Murphy is predictable, but this isn't, and I don't want to spoil anything.

Any additional comments?

OK, I get it, I do, Harry's not a player, socially speaking. But if something doesn't change soon, he'll be wearing monk's robes. Poor guy!

Another great chapter in the life of Harry Dresden

I can't express enough how much I love the Dresden books, and this one is a great addition. I love when the stakes are high and the consequences are grave, even when they break my heart. Harry seems to lose when as he wins, but he gets stronger each time for it. But will the winter mantle make him into something that the damage and strength warps instead of fortifies?

I can't imagine anyone else as the voice of Harry, and I hope I never have to. I love everything about the Harry Dresden audiobooks.

loved it

A thrilling installment in the Dresden Files saga. A book setting up adventures to come, and being completely impossible to put down.