Harry receives a request for help from an official sent from the Vatican to retrieve the stolen shroud of Turin, which is believed to be in Chicago. If you’ve read the books or other reviews here, you may know Harry cannot afford to turn down cases ever due to finances. He accepts despite the Knights’ of the Holy Cross attempt to dissuade him from the course. I say knights, because Michael has two associates who show up to save Harry from demons set on stopping Harry’s interference. The oldest knight, Shiro, is Asian with experience in martial arts and a sword cane. Sanya is a newish recruit from Russia with an arsenal, Kevlar suit, and attitude, besides the usual glowing sword.

Harry does participate in a duel against the vampire warrior. But through most of the novel, Harry’s nemesis is the group the Denarians, consisting of demon minions, gunmen, and at the end, the ringleader Nicodemus (an ancient foe, partner to Fallen angels, little is known about him). The thread of the story following the knights and Nicodemus is intriguing. It hints at more to come. I hope there will be more knowledge of Nicodemus’s past to go with it.

Susan helps Dresden with the case, and her situation is a little mysterious. She is fighting the vampire venom, mostly just keeping it at bay. But she has joined an organization which is dedicated to undermining the vampires and to supporting people with problems similar to hers.

There is a sense that Harry is at a possible turning point. He is offered a chance to join the Denarians and stop living his desperate life, but he also becomes a caretaker of one of the swords, and Sanya is living proof that people can change.

The crime lord Marcone makes an appearance with his usual flair. He will be a character to watch for as well. Again, an indication that all is not black and white.

Death Masks by Jim Butcher is a post from Fantasy Folder

Given the title, I expected the major focus to be on ghosts. There are a few notable ghostly references. Dresden’s first encounter is with an incredibly strong ghost which leads Dresden and his friend Michael, a Christian knight, into the realm of Nevernever. A ghost of a sorcerer is bent on revenge against all those responsible for his imprisonment, topping the list is Dresden, Michael,  Lt. Murphy, and another officer, Malone. The third major ghost appearance is the manner in which Dresden gets out of his predicament, so I can’t describe it here.

Too much of the book is, however, taken up with Bianca’s (the leader of the Red Court) grievance with Dresden. I’m not crazy about vampires at all, so I didn’t enjoy this book as much as Fool Moon. But there is some important back story for the series in the book. Michael appears out of nowhere and is obviously an important character – interesting, too. Susan’s story is intermingled with the vampires. Dresden has a faerie godmother who shows up in the book, and there is a huge conflict with her.

Another thing that to me wasn’t as good is that there was too much reliance on blasting power instead of thought or planning. I know many people like the powerful show, and it works well in movies, but not so much in books. How much hell can a guy go through and still keep fighting; that seemed unrealistic to me.

So I did like parts of the book, and I still like Dresden. Bob, by the way, was pretty funny in this one. But overall, I doubt it is the best in the series. My sons assure me that it gets better as you keep reading.

Jim Butcher’s Grave Peril Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

Bit by bit in the series we see a little more of Jack’s life. He has a
code of honor that is unshakeable, but he knows sometimes the people he confronts can only be treated with the same medicine they dish out. He’d do anything to protect his girlfriend and her daughter, who’ve had close calls, some due to proximity to him. He has his arsenal, of course, and his go-to man for necessary supplies. He now has a car with someone else’s license number, a deeper step towards anonymity.

Sometimes the solutions to the dilemmas are unique, such as the tire
incident in All the Rage, a previous book.

Jack has a direct conflict in that a reporter is trying to proclaim him a hero, while boosting his own career. His mission is also personal,
because his big sister Kate is the one with the problem. Many of Wilson’s books have a sci fi angle; in this one, a virus is used to heal and simultaneously take over the minds of patients. Kate’s battle reveals that the Other (recurring theme) is involved and Jack has a destiny regarding it.

I have not read the book that started it all, The Tomb. I feel like I’m missing something key. I learned of the series through Wilson’s Jack: Secret Histories (a YA book), and was thrilled to see that most of Wilson’s books have themes in common, especially Repairman Jack. Hosts is the best one I’ve read of the adult series so far.

Note: The Tomb is also part of The Adversary series.

F. Paul Wilson’s Hosts Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

Jack’s research leads him to a designer drug that causes uncontrollable rage. Looking farther, he also discovers the source of the molecule. A creature he thought was dead. Through their nosiness, Nadia and her fiance (separately prying) find themselves in a nasty predicament.

This is classic Repairman Jack, and Jack’s tire justice is perfect. Several of the characters in this book have well developed background information. And then, there is the tie-in to the Otherness.

F. Paul Wilson’s All the Rage Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

The lady in distress, Alicia, also has complexities and definitely has an extreme problem. There is a hint of a technology that may or may not tie into the Secret Histories concept as well. Or maybe it’s just an allusion to Nikola Tesla. I would have liked to have seen more than a glimpse of it, but interesting nonetheless. For a slightly historical note, the year the book was published (1998) was the same year the Exxon/Mobil merger was announced and was right around the time that gasoline prices started to rise suddenly, leading into the Recession. Whether or not the situation inspired the author, the oil industry’s involvement in the story makes an interesting juxtaposition.

F. Paul Wilson’s Legacies Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

Besides the main subject, Dresden is fending off loose ends from the last case. Chicago’s mob king has made Dresden an offer he can’t refuse, but he refuses it anyway, insulting him in the bargain. You can do that when you’re the only wizard in town. But even wizards need to watch out for traps. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Murphy, his contact with Chicago’s Special Investigations unit, believes he was connected to the murders in the last case, can’t trust him because he’s withholding information (never mind that she may not be able to handle the truth), and is under investigation herself for her connection to him.

Butcher introduces new characters in this book that continue in the series. All of his characters seem to have a darker side; these ones are no exception. All evidence points to a promising series, with layers of connectivity between episodes. Like Pratchett’s Discworld, The Dresden Files is a quick, humorous read, with surprising depths.

Jim Butcher’s Fool Moon Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

Harry Dresden is a wizard who investigates murder scenes as a consultant for the Chicago PD, when there are unexplainable circumstances. He’s a tough, sarcastic guy on probation with the Wizard’s Council for using black magic (a one-time offense). He keeps a talking skull named Bob, a much more experienced wizard imprisoned in the skull for more serious black magic offenses. Bob fills Harry in on supernatural topics and helps him solve dilemmas.

This first book (case) is related to an inexperienced wizard who has committed murder experimenting with black magic. The magic is addictive, and murder goes to the head. When the mage learns Harry’s name, he becomes a target.

I like the concept of the series, a different take on the detective story. Harry’s character is complex with much dry humor. It’s a little heavy on the fantasy/horror creatures at times, but that’s to be expected given the concept. The freaks of this episode are vampires and a demon. The cases are mostly solved through reason. Harry uses his powers sparingly, so far. I highly recommend the series for a quick read.

Jim Butcher’s Storm Front Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

Martin does a good job of character development. My favorites being Eddard Stark (the lord of the most northerly lands, on the edge of the fantasy dwellings), Jon Snow (Eddard’s bastard son, raised and trained as his sons but ostrasized by his wife, goes to guard the Wall between the Northern lands and the Others), Arya (Eddard’s wayward daughter, left mostly to roam free and train with the boys, she is now expected to become a proper lady), and Tyrion Lannister (dwarf son of Tywin Lannister, not expected to inherit or make much of himself, yet he seems to have inherited the brains).

The kingdom is in upheaval. King Robert is believed to have been murdered. The King’s son takes over with the help of the Queen. Eddard, the King’s right Hand, doesn’t have a good fate. There is plenty of intrigue coming from several directions. Eddard is about the only one who didn’t have a desire to kill the King, his best friend. The Queen is a Lannister who is on the opposite political side as the Starks. The King’s Council is made up of yes-men, scheming behind the King’s back (who didn’t pay much attention to what was going on anyway). The ex-King’s (before Robert) daughter, Daenerys, is exiled across the sea, and there are men in the kingdom plotting to bring her or her brother back to rule. The Others (creepy fantasy people/spirits, not explained much yet) are moving Southward.

Though I enjoyed the book, wanting it to move quicker at times, but not ready for it to end, there is the sense that the story is just now starting. The first book was only an introduction. There are 4 other Stark siblings (3 of them at least will grow in importance in the series). Sansa was meant to be wed to King Robert’s son, until the Court is in chaos. Robb has already inherited Eddard’s title and is involved in his first battle in the book. Bran is the smart one, meant to rule secondary lands, but has been crippled by a fall from a tower. Rickon is so far not much more than a baby. Jon and Bran have already been influenced greatly by Tyrion.

George R. R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones” Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

The next section of the book explains about the attack on Liir. He had set off for the Emerald City in search of his half-sister Nor, imprisoned by the Wizard’s forces. After initial attempts, he’s discouraged and joins the Home Guard to hide. After years in the Guard, Liir is sent with a unit to Quadling country. Disappointed with the situation in the area, the Commander gives orders to attack a village, which stirs up a local war, and Liir deserts. He’s asked to attend a Conference of the Birds and determines to go because it is what Elphaba would have done. He’s attacked on the way. After he heals at the Cloister, he’s drawn into political events. The Wizard is gone, and management of Oz is worse than ever.

Like Elphaba in Wicked, Liir is drawn to political intrigue, and others assume he has more power or magic than he has. He has Elphaba’s broom and cape after all, and he can fly the broom. They both oppose current regimes and work as rebels. They both feel inferior to the situation yet persevere, and they both disappoint those relying on them.

Through much of the story Liir obsesses over his connection with Elphaba – whether or not he’s her son, her lack of affection or maternal relations. Like the disappearance of Nor, there is no conclusion, though there is innuendo for both. I think part of the answer for both is that it doesn’t really matter. Is Nor behind the Elhpaba Lives? Maybe. I like that injection, by the way, since there was so much discussion about whether or not Elphaba really died in Wicked. The point is he needed to get on with life instead of obsessing. He could live as Elphaba would, no matter the connection. If Nor has survived through everything, likely she can still survive.

Candle kept me going through a good part of the story. Who is she? I thought at one point she was possibly Nor. I don’t know, but she is intriguing.

I like Maguire’s different take on the Land of Oz. I also like his literary style of writing. It gives the work a sense of importance. I like Elphaba’s character better, though. But Son of a Witch is a reasonable continuation of the Land of Oz.

I am glad I found out about this series recently instead of when it was new, since it was 10 years in between books. Onward to A Lion Among Men.

Gregory Maguire’s “Son of a Witch” Review is a post from Fantasy Folder

The best part of the book is Elphie and her growth as a person. She’s a strong person struggling with defeat and doesn’t manage to figure out a course for her future; she retreats from life instead. In retreat, she finds some enjoyment and is relied upon by her companions.

There are some interesting explorations of evil centering around religion, politics, and human behavior, mirroring our world. One particular idea is the reappearance of the character Yackle throughout the book. She appears as an Earth Mother, a legendary figure with roots beyond history, a blending of good and evil. She reminds me of Terry Pratchett’s anthropomorphic personifications (ex. Death, Hogfather). I wonder if her existence and the idea of evil are meant to be in the eye of the beholder. Evil is one of those things that is hard to pin down. We believe we know it when we see it; but what if we are not seeing clearly just then?

I enjoyed Wicked despite its fits and starts. There were some slow moving parts. If you are the kind of person who needs an explanation for everything, this book may not be for you. The book leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Personally, I like that in a book. It touches on The Wizard of Oz story just enough to remind us that it’s Oz, a much more real and depressing Oz. But more interesting, too. There were some parts and characters I would have liked to see developed more – Boq (Elphie’s intellectual friend) and the Animals (having human qualities but animal forms).

There are study questions at the end of the story for those wishing to delve. There is a Broadway musical Wicked based on the novel, and a possible future movie, though there is no info to be found.

I’d also like to mention that the illustrations by Douglas Smith are cool.

Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked” Book Review is a post from Fantasy Folder