Battle Ground

Compulsively readable, utterly infuriating.

I like to think writing can broadly be divided into two area: the creative decisions the writer makes and the skill in which they portray their vision the reader. Butcher's skill is as excellent as ever, and the pacing is a nonstop roller coaster from start to finish. But I have major issues with his creative decisions.

Dresden is as misogynistic as ever, though his growth has at least helped him to see that. But the misogyny baked into the story is just too much. When's the last time Harry encountered a beautiful woman he didn't a) bang b) think about banging or c) tip his fedora to m'lady? I sure can't remember. For a series that goes on and on and on about how powerful a wizard's death curse can be, they are nowhere near as deadly as the curse of sleeping with Harry.

It's very telling who lives and who dies in this book, even more so when those deaths only serve to make Harry angry. Great power is great responsibility and all that. After this book Harry is more powerful than ever, but the Dresden Files has the responsibility to do better.