The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers

Dear Jim

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jonas:

--- Quote from: Mira on May 31, 2018, 11:15:05 AM ---Some would argue that the quality isn't what it was...

--- End quote ---
And they'd be being too stubborn to be honest with even themselves if anyone actually thinks that...

groinkick:

--- Quote from: Mira on May 31, 2018, 11:15:05 AM ---Some would argue that the quality isn't what it was.... Also a lot can happen in twenty years

--- End quote ---

The books have changed since Changes.  I don't know if quality is the word, but a style change.  Earlier books seemed more slow paced, figuring out a puzzle.  After Changes they seem more like an action movie.  I prefer the earlier books.

WereElephant:

--- Quote from: groinkick on May 31, 2018, 05:44:58 PM ---The books have changed since Changes.  I don't know if quality is the word, but a style change.  Earlier books seemed more slow paced, figuring out a puzzle.  After Changes they seem more like an action movie.  I prefer the earlier books.

--- End quote ---

I see why you would say that a style change has occurred, but I disagree. I think it's a scale change.

Up until Changes, we were dealing with Harry Dresden: the only professional wizard in the Chicago phone book. He solved cases, did jobs, made snarky comments, and caused a lot of property damage. Chase and action scenes were abundant, but on the scale you would expect from a mid-budget television show about an inner city superhero.

Post Changes, we have Harry Dresden: the reluctant Winter Knight. He solves unofficial cases, does jobs, makes snarky comments, and causes exponentially more property damage. The number of chase and action scenes is comparable, but each one has had its FX budget quintupled.

The only exception I can think of is Changes. That one feels like Dresden's version of the first Avengers movie.

What I suspect is happening that is causing some readers misgivings is that the scale change is removing the story from a relatable setting. We related to the PI and his clients more than the Winter Knight and his colleagues because they were more understandable. It's easy to imagine a guy down on his luck and living in a cheap apartment below Mrs. Spunklekrief, and very relatable. The same guy parkouring over crystallized monstrosities in an underground mega prison on an enchanted island is still a sympathetic character, but his circumstances distance him from us as an audience. Ditto situations, etc.

That being said, I like the in depth look we're finally getting at much of what was teased in the earlier books. The Fae were nebulous and above it all before. Now they're understandable characters. The Red Court war has run its course, and their absence isn't just another baddie put down. Their demise had world-changing consequences.

Matters of taste are not to be disputed. I, for one, am excited to see what comes next (no, not What Comes Next from Ghost Story. Hopefully I have many a year left...).

groinkick:
Well I mean that in the earlier books Harry made gadgets to help him, and things like that.  He was more like Batman, while now he's more like Superman.  He really has become more of a Winter Knight than the wizard he once was.  He uses ice, and some soulfire.  Besides that he doesn't really do much other magic it doesn't seem like.

Earlier books he used things like:
Staff
Blasting rod
Kinetic rings
Shield bracelet
Belt Buckle
Magic Sword
Magic Duster
Potions
Bob
Gun
Various forms of magic

Newer books:
Winter Knight Mantle
Soulfire
Gun

WereElephant:

--- Quote from: groinkick on May 31, 2018, 06:58:18 PM ---Well I mean that in the earlier books Harry made gadgets to help him, and things like that.  He was more like Batman, while now he's more like Superman.  He really has become more of a Winter Knight than the wizard he once was.  He uses ice, and some soulfire.  Besides that he doesn't really do much other magic it doesn't seem like.

Earlier books he used things like:
Staff
Blasting rod
Kinetic rings
Shield bracelet
Belt Buckle
Magic Sword
Magic Duster
Potions
Bob
Gun
Various forms of magic

Newer books:
Winter Knight Mantle
Soulfire
Gun

--- End quote ---

I think we'll see more of these come back. As of Skin Game, the staff is back, and the kinetic rings were combined into it. I thought the duster came back in Cold Days.

Since Chicken Pizza wiped out most of his material possessions, I imagine he just hasn't yet had the time to replenish. Ghost Story wouldn't have worked at all, and most of Cold Days was physical therapy. The interim between Cold Days and Skin Game helped, but the increasing headaches probably threw him off his game too.

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