The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
Twelve Months Discussion Thread
Dina:
--- Quote from: Mira on January 22, 2026, 08:04:41 PM --- I liked how now as a Master to Fritz Harry is behaving more like a teacher should. Yes, he is older and he has learned from his mistakes with Molly, the main reason I think is he had no real personal connection with Fritz like he did Molly.
--- End quote ---
Yes. There is a lovely line near the end, when Harry talks about how he is more capable now, when he says "Plus, I've been teaching".
Of course, I also loved every interaction with Michael and the KotC, as per usual, but I liked Daniel too.
I also loved the smoothed mention to what happen on Christmas.
Dina:
--- Quote from: Snark Knight on January 22, 2026, 07:56:04 PM ---I'm not sure whether The Law and the upcoming Out Law fall within 12M's overall timeline but were separated for book scope, or fall the year after, but Marcone is at least active at expanding his empire through all the reconstruction contracts in The Law.
Can't see Harry being up to contending with the "but what's he doing with Namshiel?" issue until his head is straightened out some, though.
--- End quote ---
You are right, I totally forgot about The Law (which I read). But still, it is weird that Harry mentions everyone working in the reconstruction and Chicago and there is not a line about what Marcone is doing.
Lord Kinbote:
I’m still ruminating over Twelve Months, and will have to re-read, but my initial impression is of the book isn’t favorable. On first reading, I liked it less than Ghost Story on its first reading, which had been my previous low mark for first readings once the series got going after the first few books. Certainly there are scenes and moments in Twelve Months that I very much liked. But on the whole, I thought the book awkward and clunky when I’ve come to expect Butcher’s Dresden books to sing. I’m not saying it’s the worst of the series but the gap between my expectations for substance and quality versus what I got in the book is probably the greatest.
Some quick points/thoughts on some aspects that jumped out at me:
- As someone on one of these threads has already brought up, where’s Marcone as Chicago is struggling and re-building? And as the Baron of Chicago, he takes no action against the ghouls eating people off his streets? How does that reconcile with the Accord signatory we saw in Battle Ground?
- Why aren’t Toot-Toot and the wee Folk involved in finding Justine? Dresden has narrated several times that they are essentially everywhere, and he’s enlisted/bribed/rewarded them in helping him find people, foes, items, etc. They were used extensively before, during, and after the Battle for Chicago to find the flying squids, cadavers, etc. Why not used to find Justine?
- The essentially non-speaking role Demonreach is an odd choice. We’re used to Dresden talking directly to him, even in the presence of others, and Demonreach responding. Why so little dialogue here?
- Also, where was Lea? I would have expected at least a scene with her and some discussion of the engagement and the Battle of Chicago she missed. She must regret that she couldn’t have taken part in THAT.
- Where were the Men in Black teased at the end of Battle Ground? I was expecting them to show up in some fashion in this book.
- Thomas was much too harsh on Dresden. Without Dresden’s choices (if you want to call them that), Thomas would be dead, Justine likely dead, and their son also likely dead.
However, the biggest issues with the book that I have revolve around Mab. I’m starting a separate thread for my thoughts on Mab in the hopes of getting different thoughts and perspectives on her role in the book.
Mira:
--- Quote --- Thomas was much too harsh on Dresden. Without Dresden’s choices (if you want to call them that), Thomas would be dead, Justine likely dead, and their son also likely dead.
--- End quote ---
He was harsh, yes. However keep in mind that he is also hurting, he is grieving as well because at the moment anyway, everything has been taken away from him. This makes him angry, not rational, that may come later, we shall see how Jim handles it.
Mr. Mouse:
--- Quote from: Lord Kinbote on January 23, 2026, 03:02:37 PM ---- Where were the Men in Black teased at the end of Battle Ground? I was expecting them to show up in some fashion in this book.
--- End quote ---
Good question. For Feds we only got the HBGB inspectors who weren't the Men in Black.
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