Somehow lives up to the hype

Everything I had heard up until this point told me that Changes was the Dresden book, and after having read it, I can't help but agree. After 11 books in a series, there are a few constants that come back over and over, and it feels like Jim Butcher goal with this book was to destroy every single one.

In a review for a previous Dresden book I said I felt like things were building up to something, and this felt like it. There are still five more Dresden books out (with more on the way, as I understand it), and I can see already that none of them will be like the one's that came before; this book makes sure of it. 

You know, I read the first four Dresden books, and I kept thinking, "this is okay, but what's all the fuss about?"

Then, I read the next couple, and thought, "okay, I can see how the books are improving, and he's tying things together now, it's a pretty good series."

Then I got to the seventh in the series, and thought, "damn, okay, Butcher's really hitting his stride with these now, I'm getting it. These are good." That lasted all the way through to the eleventh novel.

And then along comes this installment. And holy mother of god, Butcher ups the stakes in a way that could simply have fallen flat on its face, but instead had me blasting through this novel, wanting to find out what happens next more than I ever have with a Dresden novel.

Butcher literally strips Harry Dresden of everything. I mean every. Single. Thing. 

And it's a crazy rollercoaster, heart-in-your-throat ride. 

This? THIS is where Butcher delivers on his promise of this series.

And the crazy thing is, as of this writing, there's still five more books to go. I have no idea where he's going to take it from here, but I'm absolutely, completely along for the ride. 

This is turning into a top three series for me, and I'm mad at myself that I delayed so long in reading it.