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The Dresden Files => DF Spoilers => Topic started by: Lord Kinbote on July 18, 2025, 04:22:43 PM
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https://x.com/longshotauthor/status/1946226959748305041
And USA Today story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2025/07/18/dresden-files-twelve-months-jim-butcher/85190986007/
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Very few clues here.. Grief is written all over Harry's face for sure.. I also think from what is behind him we are finally going to get the skinny on what a starborn is and why Harry seems to be different.. Or at least not like Listen or Drakul.
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Very few clues here.. Grief is written all over Harry's face for sure.. I also think from what is behind him we are finally going to get the skinny on what a starborn is and why Harry seems to be different.. Or at least not like Listen or Drakul.
Shards of crystal, odd rune-work glowing on a boulder behind him.
I think that scene is on (maybe even inside) Demonreach... possibly Harry is visiting Thomas?
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Has Harry's staff always been warped? Because to me it's definitely not straight. Also, he looks like Roland from the Dark Tower.
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Shards of crystal, odd rune-work glowing on a boulder behind him.
I think that scene is on (maybe even inside) Demonreach... possibly Harry is visiting Thomas?
Possible, though my thoughts when I saw the shards was Arctus Tor.
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Possible, though my thoughts when I saw the shards was Arctus Tor.
Also possible, though I didn't see the shards as looking very "ice" like (much more mineral).
It's also worth recalling that the artist afaik doesn't always capture a specific "scene" from the book.
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Also possible, though I didn't see the shards as looking very "ice" like (much more mineral).
It's also worth recalling that the artist afaik doesn't always capture a specific "scene" from the book.
I agree as far as the color goes, one thinks blue generally when one thinks of ice. Crystal maybe?
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Maybe the symbol behind Harry has something to do with the runes on parts of Demonreach or perhaps it has something to do with Harry being Starborn, seeing as what might be tendrils of energy from the symbol appear to be interacting with Harry’s staff.
However, there is another possibility. Lasciel’s sigil was described by Harry as being vaguely suggestive of an hourglass. The symbol behind Harry fits that description, if the hourglass was sitting on its side.
To back up this possibility, about a year ago Jim dropped that Hannah Ascher was PO’d that Harry had dumped several tons of molten rock on top of her in Hades vault. It seemed to me rather odd that Jim let us know that Hannah is still alive. Especially odd if we weren’t going to see Ascher or Lashiel for several books.
Perhaps the tendrils reaching out towards Harry’s staff mean that Harry isn’t finished dealing with Lashiel in some manner, besides her trying to kill him.
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Maybe the symbol behind Harry has something to do with the runes on parts of Demonreach or perhaps it has something to do with Harry being Starborn, seeing as what might be tendrils of energy from the symbol appear to be interacting with Harry’s staff.
However, there is another possibility. Lasciel’s sigil was described by Harry as being vaguely suggestive of an hourglass. The symbol behind Harry fits that description, if the hourglass was sitting on its side.
To back up this possibility, about a year ago Jim dropped that Hannah Ascher was PO’d that Harry had dumped several tons of molten rock on top of her in Hades vault. It seemed to me rather odd that Jim let us know that Hannah is still alive. Especially odd if we weren’t going to see Ascher or Lashiel for several books.
Perhaps the tendrils reaching out towards Harry’s staff mean that Harry isn’t finished dealing with Lashiel in some manner, besides her trying to kill him.
I don't see that sign even vaguely looking like an hour glass on it's side or otherwise. Looking at it again, I think it's something that Harry made with his staff and burned into the rock, we see what looks like fragments of molten rock here and there and possible tendrils of power coming from Harry's staff. Also note, and I saw this the first time I viewed the cover, that Harry's pentacle seems to be glowing. I didn't mention it the first time because I thought I was imagining it. However, the pentacle hasn't been mentioned in a long time either, nor the jewel from his mother that was added to it back in Changes.
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I'm not sure how accurate the covers are supposed to be, (hat), but what stood out to me was that his staff was glowing orange, not green. Orange like when he was employing Hellfire as opposed to the green he's been utilizing since his hookup with Alfred and Demonreach.
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I'm not sure how accurate the covers are supposed to be, (hat), but what stood out to me was that his staff was glowing orange, not green. Orange like when he was employing Hellfire as opposed to the green he's been utilizing since his hookup with Alfred and Demonreach.
I was thinking the same thing, we've talked about the hat before, the cover art always shows a hat, but a hat is rarely mentioned in the books. When it has been mentioned I seem to remember a ball cap being described, not the floppy brimmed hat always shown on the cover art.. So yeah, I think we often read too much into the cover art for the books.
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The green crystals are on Deamonreach. Also, remember when Lara and Mab show up in the backseat of his car and his magic is tinged with green? Mab (I think) says something about his connection with the Island.
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The green crystals are on Deamonreach. Also, remember when Lara and Mab show up in the backseat of his car and his magic is tinged with green? Mab (I think) says something about his connection with the Island.
You could be right, I don't remember that detail...
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The one time I thought a cover was really accurate in a symbolic manner was the one for Turn Coat. Not the obvious part that shows Harry holding a sword. Behind and below Harry are two hooded figures. Two wizards showed up on Demonreach to prevent the supposed traitor Harry was going to reveal to the Council, though Harry was only able to prove that Peabody came to Demonreach.
Of course, the cover for Changes showing us Chichen Itza was pretty revealing.
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I'm not sure how accurate the covers are supposed to be, (hat), but what stood out to me was that his staff was glowing orange, not green. Orange like when he was employing Hellfire as opposed to the green he's been utilizing since his hookup with Alfred and Demonreach.
Like maybe a Denarian will be involved in this story, but more intimate than Nicodemus showing up with his latest plan to kick of an apocalypse.
Even if I am wrong about Lashiel, if Harry is using his staff to create a sigil of some sort, what would he use it for, as a design for a summoning circle for a specific being or perhaps as a defensive ward?
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Like maybe a Denarian will be involved in this story, but more intimate than Nicodemus showing up with his latest plan to kick of an apocalypse.
Even if I am wrong about Lashiel, if Harry is using his staff to create a sigil of some sort, what would he use it for, as a design for a summoning circle for a specific being or perhaps as a defensive ward?
Possible, however I still think it has more to do with Harry's star born status. We've been strung along on who, what, and why way too long. Also remember the last time Harry spoke with Listens to Wind in Peace Talks, LTW told Harry that he would get him answers if I remember correctly, I also think Eb needs to answer some questions as well about the subject.
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Like maybe a Denarian will be involved in this story, but more intimate than Nicodemus showing up with his latest plan to kick of an apocalypse.
Even if I am wrong about Lashiel, if Harry is using his staff to create a sigil of some sort, what would he use it for, as a design for a summoning circle for a specific being or perhaps as a defensive ward?
The only argument I would have regarding a Denarian being involved, is that they shouldn't be showing up till book 20, unless Jim decides to change the formula, which he can if he wants to.
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To me it looks almost underwater and as far as the symbol it looks more like a heart with Norse runes than a hourglass. If it was something to protect him from Laura that would make sense. Maybe a gift from Santa
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My take on the shape behind Harry is that it is an infinity symbol. Coupled with the odd script in the circle around this symbol, I’m reminded of the glowing, unrecognizable (to Harry) writing on Demonreach tower when the skinwalker approached.
Overall, the cover appears to me to be Harry gathering all his powers and support. Glowing “sparks” are the little fairies Harry employs for pizza rations. He has his amulet (belief in magic and talisman against Rampires), presumably with the gem in the middle. Although they look more like stalagmites or crystals, I think the shapes around Harry are ice crystals (winter knight). The runes represent his wardenship on Demonreach and the support of Alfred. Hate to say it, but the staff may be glowing with hellfire. Why would Harry need all his powers and support? I don’t know…
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I don't see that sign even vaguely looking like an hour glass on it's side or otherwise. Looking at it again, I think it's something that Harry made with his staff and burned into the rock, we see what looks like fragments of molten rock here and there and possible tendrils of power coming from Harry's staff. Also note, and I saw this the first time I viewed the cover, that Harry's pentacle seems to be glowing. I didn't mention it the first time because I thought I was imagining it. However, the pentacle hasn't been mentioned in a long time either, nor the jewel from his mother that was added to it back in Changes.
I believe the last time we saw Harry do anything with his pentacle; other than perhaps use it for some mild lighting, is using it to walk the ways in Changes. The last time we saw it brightly glowing is when Harry used it as a weapon to kill the loup garou in Fool's Moon. (Wow, that is a long time ago.)
I think you are right about Harry using his staff to carve the symbol, whatever its purpose is. I have several thoughts about this, but right now I don't want to get into WAG territory. My main thought is a little more basic, about the nuts and bolts of magic Harry uses. I'm trying to remember the last time Harry did something new with magic, that didn't come from Winter or someone else.
In Battle Ground the banner that drew people to follow Harry was a function of Harry being the Winter Knight. The device Harry used in Peace Talks to fool Embenezar came from Molly and her magical abilities. The thing Harry did with Carlos cloak was kind of a cheap trick to distract Marcone's guests from the breakout of Thomas. Plus, we saw Harry animate some broom sticks all the way back in Storm Front so we have already seen Harry move inanimate objects around. When Harry summoned an army of little folk, that was just on a much larger scale than any summoning of Toot Toot and friends than any Harry had done before.
I stand to be corrected, but the last time we saw Harry add something to his repertoire of magic skills, that was his own, was back in Cold Days when Harry was able to use his name as a weapon to confront the Walker, HWWBf. Yes, that was a starborn thing, but it came from Harry, not someone else.
The sigil on the cover that was (apparently) created by Harry maybe something new that Harry learns to add to his magical skills and I think that would be pretty cool.
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The sigil on the cover that was (apparently) created by Harry maybe something new that Harry learns to add to his magical skills and I think that would be pretty cool.
Indeed it would be, question becomes is it his own? Or someone else's that he used? Another possibility is remember in Cold Days the first time Harry went down into the actual prison "caves" with Alfred? Harry had swiped Bob from Butters because he needed him to translate the information that Alfred was trying to give to him about the island and the prisoners? I remember Alfred doing a number of "security things" to open the way down into the caves that were quite complicated. I seem to remember glowing patterns in the rock as he did that. If I remembered that correctly, it is possible that Harry no longer needs Alfred for this, that he now is able to into any part of the prison without his help. If I am right, could a possible reason be to get around security to talk to Thomas? Or all the cover represents is Harry now has full mastery of Demonreach, which could be a real game changer now that he has been declared "out law" by the White Council.
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The more I look at the cover the more I get the feeling that Harry may have to do something drastic to release Thomas. Demonreach feels like the kind of jail that there was never a key to throw away. Other than his daughter and now his new niece/nephew who is there that Harry is willing to blow up the world and then roast marshmallows with. And who better than lash to help him do it
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I have seen the cover and forgot to come to comment. I found it quite meh. I particularly don't like Harry's face, I rather have his face hidden by shadows. But I do like Harry generally demeanor. It seems that he is sad but absolutely resolute to do something, and we all know how stubborn he can be.
But my first impression was that the crystals and stuff were Demonreach or below it, in the water. Perhaps is some part of the Demonreach prison and it will be related with Harry retrieving Thomas.
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The more I look at the cover the more I get the feeling that Harry may have to do something drastic to release Thomas. Demonreach feels like the kind of jail that there was never a key to throw away. Other than his daughter and now his new niece/nephew who is there that Harry is willing to blow up the world and then roast marshmallows with. And who better than lash to help him do it
I think it was in Peace Talks, Harry found Alfred standing right behind him when he wasn't expecting Alfred to be there. Harry had one of those throw away thoughts that has no impact on the immediate situation, but you know it will be significant later in the story.
I don't feel like looking for the exact quote. Harry was initially startled, but then began to wonder if Alfred had his own agenda, something that he wasn't sharing with Harry. Talk about an example of Chekov's gun, you know it will get fired later on.
We don't have enough information to connect all the dots, but we can guess that at some point in the future Harry may have to circumvent Alfred and his intentions.
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Yes, that intuition moment will definitely come back.
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I think it was in Peace Talks, Harry found Alfred standing right behind him when he wasn't expecting Alfred to be there. Harry had one of those throw away thoughts that has no impact on the immediate situation, but you know it will be significant later in the story.
I don't feel like looking for the exact quote. Harry was initially startled, but then began to wonder if Alfred had his own agenda, something that he wasn't sharing with Harry. Talk about an example of Chekov's gun, you know it will get fired later on.
We don't have enough information to connect all the dots, but we can guess that at some point in the future Harry may have to circumvent Alfred and his intentions.
I think it was specifically noting that Alfred could be invisible to Harry's own "Intellectus" of the island . Harry knows "everything" on the island, both the things supposed to be there and the additions.
And yet, was blind to Alfred's presence.
Leading him to believe Alfred had removed his own presence from the Intellectus (for reasons unknown), leading Harry to wonder what other info Alfred might not be providing to Harry, and why?
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You are so right.
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... Leading him to believe Alfred had removed his own presence from the Intellectus (for reasons unknown), leading Harry to wonder what other info Alfred might not be providing to Harry, and why?
Theory:
The role of "Warden" is important; even critical. But it's also a weak link. Wardens are mortal wizards, subject to temptation, corruption, etc.
Kemmler was one of Demonreach's recent Wardens!
In addition to its other purposes, the spirit of Demonreach (which Harry calls "Alfred") serves as a failsafe. It can kill (or imprison) a Warden deemed too grave a risk.
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I've been thinking about that too. I agree Alfred has the prerogative to kill the Warden if he seems it is the better course of action to protect the prison security and the island. But I am sure he has limited free will in that too. He cannot just choose to do it because he dislikes the Warden or disapproves one of their decisions. It has to be a real objective danger. Or so I think :)
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I've been thinking about that too. I agree Alfred has the prerogative to kill the Warden if he seems it is the better course of action to protect the prison security and the island. But I am sure he has limited free will in that too. He cannot just choose to do it because he dislikes the Warden or disapproves one of their decisions. It has to be a real objective danger. Or so I think :)
I agree, Alfred cannot have free will, he cannot decide who is put in prison or who goes free. I believe there are a set of rules somewhere that the original Merlin set down for the island when he created it. It's Alfred's job to enforce those rules. It obeys It's Warden in all things unless It's Warden tries to violate the laws governing the island, then it is Alfred's job to stop the Warden from violating those rules even if it means killing him or her. Alfred doesn't have a choice in the matter, anymore that it couldn't run many of the security protocols or arrest and imprison any monster on it's own.. It requires a living breathing thinking Warden with free will to do those things. Without a Warden, certain fail safe measures fall into place but Alfred has no control over those.. It said as much at the end of Ghost Story when it expressed relief to finally have a master again to run things that it cannot. Back to Kemmler, there was a time when he might not have been evil when he was suitable to be Warden.. Or alternatively, since Alfred isn't into moral judgements, maybe the only requirements for Warden is strength of will and talent?
However if that Warden has evil inclinations and violates or tries to violate the rules of the island, Alfred can end his or her tenue. So Kemmler might have originally gotten the job because of both will and talent, but when it became clear as to why he wanted the job and he tried to use the powers of the island that were not designed for what he wanted, Alfed simply fired and removed him.. Alfred cannot advertise for a new Warden, and after the close call with Kemmler the White Council hasn't been inclined to send a new candidate, satisfied that the automated protections with a little management would keep it's secrets safe.
A secret that totally backfired when Harry, totally clueless as to what the island's purpose really was, decided to make it his own.
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... So Kemmler might have originally gotten the job because of both will and talent, but when it became clear as to why he wanted the job and he tried to use the powers of the island that were not designed for what he wanted, Alfed simply fired and removed him ...
IIRC, Jim has said that the WC spent a large amount of time & effort keeping Kemmler off the island & away from the power there; it was a primary strategic objective of theirs.
I don't think the spirit got a "name" per se from Kemmler, but also didn't need to "remove" him, because the WC kept him off the island.
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IIRC, Jim has said that the WC spent a large amount of time & effort keeping Kemmler off the island & away from the power there; it was a primary strategic objective of theirs.
I don't think the spirit got a "name" per se from Kemmler, but also didn't need to "remove" him, because the WC kept him off the island.
However that really tells us nothing does it? Tells us nothing of how Kemmler got the job in the first place.. Nor does it tell us what happened to the Warden before him. It doesn't tell us why Kemmler wanted the job. Kemmler was a real bad ass, if he understood everything connected to the island.. I imagine he wanted to draw power from it's leyline.. In which case you'd think the White Council would have a very difficult time keeping Kemmler away from the island, if he was determined to go there. Also Kemmler would know if he stepped foot on it, he could keep anyone and everyone off of it. I doubt that Kemmler would have given the spirit a name, that seems to be a Harry Dresden thing. I also would like to know the reason why Rashid cannot step on the island..
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... Tells us nothing of how Kemmler got the job in the first place ...
I expect Kemmler punched it in the nose, and then they were friends.
That's how Harry (says he) did it.
... It doesn't tell us why Kemmler wanted the job ...
coughCoughpowercoughCough
I'm sure if we crowdsource possible motivations, we can figure out what Kemmler wanted.
... In which case you'd think the White Council would have a very difficult time keeping Kemmler away from the island, if he was determined to go there. Also Kemmler would know if he stepped foot on it, he could keep anyone and everyone off of it ...
Exactly. On the island, Kemmler could have stood-off the entire White Council... and yawned while doing it.
But he needed to be there to do it; without the island's power, he can't get to the island. Frustration, thy name is Kemmler!
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I agree, Alfred cannot have free will, he cannot decide who is put in prison or who goes free. I believe there are a set of rules somewhere that the original Merlin set down for the island when he created it. It's Alfred's job to enforce those rules. It obeys It's Warden in all things unless It's Warden tries to violate the laws governing the island, then it is Alfred's job to stop the Warden from violating those rules even if it means killing him or her. Alfred doesn't have a choice in the matter, anymore that it couldn't run many of the security protocols or arrest and imprison any monster on it's own.. It requires a living breathing thinking Warden with free will to do those things. Without a Warden, certain fail safe measures fall into place but Alfred has no control over those.. It said as much at the end of Ghost Story when it expressed relief to finally have a master again to run things that it cannot. Back to Kemmler, there was a time when he might not have been evil when he was suitable to be Warden.. Or alternatively, since Alfred isn't into moral judgements, maybe the only requirements for Warden is strength of will and talent?
However if that Warden has evil inclinations and violates or tries to violate the rules of the island, Alfred can end his or her tenue. So Kemmler might have originally gotten the job because of both will and talent, but when it became clear as to why he wanted the job and he tried to use the powers of the island that were not designed for what he wanted, Alfed simply fired and removed him.. Alfred cannot advertise for a new Warden, and after the close call with Kemmler the White Council hasn't been inclined to send a new candidate, satisfied that the automated protections with a little management would keep it's secrets safe.
A secret that totally backfired when Harry, totally clueless as to what the island's purpose really was, decided to make it his own.
Yes, I agree with this.
And, like you, I wonder why Rashid cannot enter the island. I see 3 main ways
a) Because he is the Gatekeeper (I think this is the most probable).
b) Because he is a Senior Council Member (we don't know, perhaps they can't go there, so they cannot be near the prisoners)
c) Because something he individually did (I think this could be the most interesting, but also the most improbable).
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But he needed to be there to do it; without the island's power, he can't get to the island. Frustration, thy name is Kemmler!
You really think that Kemmler couldn't have figured out or found one of "the Ways" to the island? Or simply rented a boat once he was Warden?
coughCoughpowercoughCough
I'm sure if we crowdsource possible motivations, we can figure out what Kemmler wanted.
Which is kind of the point isn't it? If that is what he really wanted, Kemmler could have gotten it. All these pronouncements at conventions sound so cool, everyone loves them and we speculate endlessly on them, but it isn't written down.. Some of it makes no sense if you care to think about it in terms of the story.
I expect Kemmler punched it in the nose, and then they were friends.
That's how Harry (says he) did it.
Not that simple though is it, because we know Harry's motives, it's like he was looking for a short cut and bushwacked though some brush, got his short cut but found out later it was all poison ivy he cut through.. Kemmler would have been much more delibrate about it and had a goal in mind when he did it.. Power sounds cool, but to what end?
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You really think that Kemmler couldn't have figured out or found one of "the Ways" to the island? Or simply rented a boat once he was Warden?
I think the White Council would have put entire armies of Wardens onto every Way that reached the island!
And an entire navy onto the surrounding lake.
And bargained with Mab for extra security forces.
... Power sounds cool, but to what end?
For Kemmler -- so far as we can tell -- the end-purpose of power seems to be the getting of even more power, in a neverending escalation.
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I think the White Council would have put entire armies of Wardens onto every Way that reached the island!
And an entire navy onto the surrounding lake.
And bargained with Mab for extra security forces.
For Kemmler -- so far as we can tell -- the end-purpose of power seems to be the getting of even more power, in a neverending escalation.
Would they have whole armies surrounding the island? Or would that draw attention to it? The had a hard enough time finally tracking Kemmler down and killing him. No evidence that they bargained with Mab to protect the island. Yes, the cliche is power wants more power, I get it... However I believe Kemmler was more focused, he was bring the dead back to life.
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Would they have whole armies surrounding the island? Or would that draw attention to it?
Kemmler was already the Warden; he was just off the Island.
"Drawing attention" (to the Island, to the Ways there) was not their worry.
Keeping Kemmler away from the Well and the power on the island was very much their worry.
... No evidence that they bargained with Mab to protect the island ...
There is perhaps some circumstantial evidence; but AFAIK nothing direct or explicit.
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I saw an interview from a week or so ago, where he said he's writing well and quickly, that he thinks he can finish the Cinder Spires novel AND the next Dresden Files book by the end of the year...
https://youtu.be/mWNtok-_0ho?si=b5zJbOeVYHBvxGCz
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[quote
Even if I am wrong about Lashiel, if Harry is using his staff to create a sigil of some sort, what would he use it for, as a design for a summoning circle for a specific being or perhaps as a defensive ward][/quote]
Yes, a sigil doesn't have to be a symbol of a Denarian.
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Count me in the crowd of people that believe the boulder/crystal spires are a reference to Demonreach not Winter. To me, the color is suggestive of the island. The large boulder behind Harry is suggestive of the large crystals imprisoning the inmates. The glowing rune/signal is suggestive of what Harry has seen on/in the tower and the cottage on the island. This also dovetails in with what we know of the story. We know that part of what this story deals with is the courtship of Harry and Lara. Thomas is a thread that connects the two of them. I suspect that healing/freeing Thomas is going to be one of the subplots of the novel. Another thread that connects the two is Justine. Since she is Nemfected, hunting her will probably be another subplot of the novel which ties into Harry's quest for information on what being Starborn means and how it relates to Outsiders.
Not my favorite cover, but this is not supposed to be an action heavy book which means that the cover was not going to be action heavy either.