Small Favor

The Dresden Files, Book 10

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: James Marsters

Length: 13 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

The new novel in the New York Times best-selling Dresden Files series.

No one's tried to kill Harry Dresden for almost an entire year, and his life finally seems to be calming down. For once, the future looks fairly bright. But the past casts one hell of a long shadow.

An old bargain has placed Harry in debt to Mab, monarch of the Winter Court of the Sidhe, the Queen of Air and Darkness - and she's calling in her marker. It's a small favor he can't refuse, one that will trap Harry Dresden between a nightmarish foe and an equally deadly ally, and one that will strain his skills-and loyalties-to their very limits.

It figures. Everything was going too well to last....

Please note: A few lines of text from one section of the original book are missing from this 2008 recording. This is the best available source audio from the publisher.

©2008 Jim Butcher (P)2008 Penguin

Critic reviews

“Superlative.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Butcher...spins an excellent noirish detective yarn in a well-crafted, supernaturally-charged setting. The supporting cast is again fantastic, and Harry’s wit continues to fly in the face of a peril-fraught plot.” (Booklist, starred review)

“A tricky plot complete with against-the-clock pacing, firefights, explosions, and plenty of magic. Longtime series fans as well as newcomers drawn by the SciFi Channel’s TV series based on the novels should find this supernatural mystery a real winner.” (Library Journal)

Finally, hooray!

After I had major surgery in 2005 a thoughtful friend gave me a box of books to occupy my recovery at home. Tucked in the box was the first 4 books in the Dresden Files, as the books are known. To this day I still remember my delight at discovering how much fun they were to read, and still are.

Harry Dresden is a great twist on the two-bit private eye. Like a typical P.I., he packs a gun and he works for peanuts (or sometimes pizza). He also packs a wizard's staff and gets involved with things Sam Spade never imagined.

As the series has evolved Dresden and his world have developed so well and clearly that I know his world as well as my own.

DO NOT judge the books by the Sci-Fi channel series, which did reeketh mightily. This is great!

My only complaint is that this, Audible's first offering of a Dresden story, is book 10 in the series. First time "readers" would benefit from listening to the stories in order, since each, to varying degrees, does build on the stories before.

Hey Audible, PLEASE give us the rest of the stories, unabridged. Thanks for this one.

Did it again

Jim Bucher did it again, another wonderful novel and just can't wait for the next one.

New monsters, more danger and drama

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

I can't give a high enough recommendation for The Dresden Files series. They are among my top 3 of all time. If you haven't read them all, I would recommend starting at the beginning, just because each story builds on what came before. They are each enjoyable on their own, however. Jim Butcher is a master storyteller who has created characters that the reader cares about. The stories are complex and fascinating and include almost nonstop action. Small Favor is no exception. The separate storylines come together cleverly and there is no shortage of new villains/antagonists along with some old ones. Everyone I have recommended this series to has absolutely loved it.
Happy reading.

Bonerific

Daaaaamn Harry, back it again with the blasting wand. These books never let me down.

Was a bit tedious in places

Good story in the Dresden line, but not the best. Couple of the battle scenes were tedious to follow.

incredible nail-biting action to mind games

Narrated by James Marsters this tale comes to life through his narration. From the voices, to his able to make you feel each characters’ emotions it has been delightful listening to Marsters become a masterful narrator.

I know I say this all the time, but hands to God, this series gets better with every book. From the nail-biting pace to the favor they task Harry with, there are twists and turns, betrayals, revelations and a lot of kickassary.

Mobster kingpin Johnny Marcone has been kidnapped by those in the supernatural world and Mab wants him found. And everyone is taking sides which causes danger for Harry and the friends he enlists to aid him. Denizens of the Summer Court attack, the Order of the Blackened Denarias want the Archive and so much more.

Harry enlists the Knights of the Cross, Murphy, Thomas, Molly and Kincaid to aid him. He also gains help from a talking skull whom I happen to love. Humor, tests of friendship and more await you! While the threads are action packed, I also felt like Butcher was using this as a bridge book. It will test Harry’s friendship with Michael as Molly matures.

While the story is far from perfect and a time or two, I needed to re-listen to a section to keep up there is no doubt Butcher is a tremendous storyteller. Together with Marsters are narrator they weave magic. I lost track of time, laughed aloud and simple enjoy!

Dresden is never a disappointment

A great novel read by the perfect narrator! James Marstars has the ability to capture the tone and inflection of every character so that you don't feel like you're just reading the book, but living it.

Liked all but one aspect..

Would you listen to Small Favor again? Why?

I really wish James had kept the same voices for the characters he did in the earlier books because listening to toot and a few others with different, high pitched voices was a little strange. Over all i loved the book i just wish the voices were consistent.

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

Harry Dresden

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Always!

The missing audio issue is fixed

Despite what other reviews say this is the full recording with nothing missing from it.

Great Read!

I enjoyed this even more the second time around. I am continuing my listening with the next one and on to the end. Highly Recommended!