So, rereading the series again, and something occurred to me during Fool Moon. It's a good thing that Harry broke Michael's sword, because without Amorrachius Lea would have had nothing to trade to the vampires, and without that trade Harry wouldn't have started the war early. If he doesn't start it, the vampires do, when they're ready, which means more wizards would have died, and possibly the Red Court might have been able to win before the events of Changes.
It is almost as if this whole thing... was... planned. 8-)
Actually, i've said it before, and i'll say it again, the hallmark of good world building fiction writers is the masterful retconn. I seriously doubt Butcher knew where he'd be heading much farther than book 3 or 4 while writing 2. But good writers make it seem like they did.
Verr on
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valhalla13013 Dark Shield Perceives the GodsRegistered Userregular
I just caught up with all the books and there is one thing that really bugs me. At some point during the books while Harry describes his sub-basement he starts saying that he has some uranium dust in a lead box. Is there a side story or something that explains how he got it?
There's a whole bunch of things in that basement that never get explained (lion testicles...), I think that was one of them.
I just got around to watching some of the Dresden TV series on Hulu, and its actually not bad. Several notable departures from the book, but by and large they work.
EDIT: Also read Aftermath recently, the story in Side Jobs about Murphy. It really puts the relationship between the two in a different light.
Murphy is describes seeing Harry in action as terrifying- not the Scooby Doo run and scream terrifying, but a sense that you're totally outclassed and you'd better kill this thing NOW NOW NOW while you still have a chance.
Actually, the depleted uranium dus twas what he was using on the ghost in the hospital at the beginning of that one book. The dust was superheavy, so it was a component in something that would anchor the ghost to the real world.
I just caught up with all the books and there is one thing that really bugs me. At some point during the books while Harry describes his sub-basement he starts saying that he has some uranium dust in a lead box. Is there a side story or something that explains how he got it?
There's a whole bunch of things in that basement that never get explained (lion testicles...), I think that was one of them.
Actually, the depleted uranium dus twas what he was using on the ghost in the hospital at the beginning of that one book. The dust was superheavy, so it was a component in something that would anchor the ghost to the real world.
Yup. Depleted Uranium is a component (one of many, I believe) of the "ghost dust" Harry uses at the start of Grave Peril when he and Michael battle said ghost in said hospital.
It's one of the things that's referenced repeatedly, possibly every time after Grave Peril that Butcher gives a brief rundown of the lab, usually just before he goes on to detail Bob and his shelf.
Forar on
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKER!
Yup. Depleted Uranium is a component (one of many, I believe) of the "ghost dust" Harry uses at the start of Grave Peril when he and Michael battle said ghost in said hospital.
It's one of the things that's referenced repeatedly, possibly every time after Grave Peril that Butcher gives a brief rundown of the lab, usually just before he goes on to detail Bob and his shelf.
The question was how he got it, not what it was for. And IIRC how he got it is never mentioned.
The question was how he got it, not what it was for. And IIRC how he got it is never mentioned.
I pithily wish to say "Err, magic?", but I suppose that given its apparent effects on (at least some) supernatural creatures, that might not be a terribly useful response. :P
However, with his various connections (even prior to being in better standing with the council) I don't find it very hard to suspend my disbelief on that point.
In thinking back, yeah, he's definitely mentioned that he's aware he shouldn't have it, and we know why he has it, but the How is definitely still in the air. Maybe it'll be addressed in a later story (in the event another comes up where ghosts play a big part) or perhaps a short story (seems like the kind of thing that would be fine faire for 20 pages, but not necessarily need to be part of a full book.
Two other thoughts just struck me (spoilers regarding the end of Changes):
One: It could be dealt with when he recovers his gear yet again, assuming he'll need to hit up the boat/Lea/wherever/whomever has what's left of his stuff once he comes back.
Two: We know that Ghost dust is used to bind spectres to the real world. Harry is now a ghost. See where I'm going with this?
Either situation would be a prime chance to take a page or five to detail where it came from in the first place.
Forar on
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKER!
So had to bring this back up. News about Ghost Story just came out. Sadly not great news.
Following an in-interview announcement by Jim at MarsCon over the weekend, we’ve updated the site to reflect the new release date for Ghost Story: July 26, 2011.
There are some things in these books that seem deliberately unexplained.
Like how Harry keeps up with movies without owning a tv or being able to operate machines. He may be able to go to a theatre now and then, but he acts as if he's watched some movies a dozen times or more. Maybe VHS, but that's way more advanced than 50s technology.
There are some things in these books that seem deliberately unexplained.
Like how Harry keeps up with movies without owning a tv or being able to operate machines. He may be able to go to a theatre now and then, but he acts as if he's watched some movies a dozen times or more. Maybe VHS, but that's way more advanced than 50s technology.
No biggy, though.
Well he didn't have a problem with technology until he was a teenager, and I'm figuring his dad took him to a lot of movies when he was young. Plus, if he sits near the front of the theater he shouldn't have much of an issue with modern projectors and as a wizard detective with virtually no social life he probably has quite a bit of free time at odd hours which could coincide with a lot of movie watching.
There are some things in these books that seem deliberately unexplained.
Like how Harry keeps up with movies without owning a tv or being able to operate machines. He may be able to go to a theatre now and then, but he acts as if he's watched some movies a dozen times or more. Maybe VHS, but that's way more advanced than 50s technology.
No biggy, though.
Q: How does Harry know so much about movies and TV?
A (from Jim Butcher): He goes to the drive-in. Also, there’s a TV store near Wicker Park, and he sits on a bench across the street from it and watches shows with closed captioning. Yes, Harry is often like a sad Dickens character, standing outside the window looking in.
Yeah, I figured it would be something like that. But after 8 books or so I also figured that if it hadn't already been explained, it wasn't going to be. And then his movie quotes become more numerous as time goes on and I know the author is just teasing.
There were some things said in the earlier books that must have been deliberate teases as well. I choose to look at them like that because I actually enjoyed the cheese.
It's also such a minor detail that a "Shrug" qualifies as an acceptable answer. Which is basically what Butcher did (they still have drive ins in Chicago?). He just does, same as everything else that would be tough with his 'condition'.
A quick Google search shows at least 3 on the outskirts, or so it seems. Perhaps in the Dresdenverse there are a few more? Wizards are long lived and have the potential to have immense funding available based purely on compound interest, maybe one or more have a few screens tucked off to the side where the supernatural element keep on top of the latest hollywood blockbusters.
Would be fun to see him and the Alpha's marathon'ing LOTR or Harry Potter along with mocking commentary.
Forar on
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKER!
Hey, I'm still waiting for Changes to come out in paperback. Even First Lord's Fury was a wait and I only read the Codex Alera a few months ago.
Although....I did find First Lord's Fury to be not as worth the wait as I expected.....
I found it one of the weakest in the series. Captain's Fury and Princep's Fury were the best in the series I think.
First book is the weakest. 6th is much, much better than the First but still the second weakest. Academ's Fury is where the books start to get really goddamn good. Cursor's fury remains the best book in the series. IMHO.
For those of you who are paying attention. This means that 5 out of 6 books in this series are awesomesauce. The first book is a slog. Everything else, even the last book is one giant crowning moment of Awesome.
Rchanen on
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Nova_CI have the needThe need for speedRegistered Userregular
edited February 2011
The last book was fine until the end.
The whole thing with the two great furies and the Queen felt really anti-climatic. Like, he was trying so hard to make it epic that it felt contrived. I loved the book until the last battle started.
Posts
Fixed that for you.
Kindle 4 lyfe.
Actually, i've said it before, and i'll say it again, the hallmark of good world building fiction writers is the masterful retconn. I seriously doubt Butcher knew where he'd be heading much farther than book 3 or 4 while writing 2. But good writers make it seem like they did.
Actually, the depleted uranium dus twas what he was using on the ghost in the hospital at the beginning of that one book. The dust was superheavy, so it was a component in something that would anchor the ghost to the real world.
Yup. Depleted Uranium is a component (one of many, I believe) of the "ghost dust" Harry uses at the start of Grave Peril when he and Michael battle said ghost in said hospital.
It's one of the things that's referenced repeatedly, possibly every time after Grave Peril that Butcher gives a brief rundown of the lab, usually just before he goes on to detail Bob and his shelf.
With $15 borders bucks and an employee coupon from a friend.
Critical Failures - Havenhold Campaign • August St. Cloud (Human Ranger)
The question was how he got it, not what it was for. And IIRC how he got it is never mentioned.
I pithily wish to say "Err, magic?", but I suppose that given its apparent effects on (at least some) supernatural creatures, that might not be a terribly useful response. :P
However, with his various connections (even prior to being in better standing with the council) I don't find it very hard to suspend my disbelief on that point.
In thinking back, yeah, he's definitely mentioned that he's aware he shouldn't have it, and we know why he has it, but the How is definitely still in the air. Maybe it'll be addressed in a later story (in the event another comes up where ghosts play a big part) or perhaps a short story (seems like the kind of thing that would be fine faire for 20 pages, but not necessarily need to be part of a full book.
Two other thoughts just struck me (spoilers regarding the end of Changes):
Two: We know that Ghost dust is used to bind spectres to the real world. Harry is now a ghost. See where I'm going with this?
Either situation would be a prime chance to take a page or five to detail where it came from in the first place.
And I'm thinking being bound to the world with that stuff would hurt like hell.
Nope, pretty sure the depleted uranium
I need mooooooore
Hah, wait til you hit the last book..
It gets better. I would say Grave Peril is the real take off point of the series.
We have to wait longer now. Ahh.
Not necessarily in that order.
I just got the first six books for christmas, and got the rest a couple weeks ago from a couple of libraries
I was looking forward to it :C
Jan 11, 2011. Heir has read all 11 books and Side Jobs in a little over a month.
Cannot wait for July.
Although....I did find First Lord's Fury to be not as worth the wait as I expected.....
I found it one of the weakest in the series. Captain's Fury and Princep's Fury were the best in the series I think.
there is a 12th one you are missing. Changes. That or you missed one in the middle
You should, they are quite rad
Yep, sorry, math was wrong. Regardless, I read them all.
Like how Harry keeps up with movies without owning a tv or being able to operate machines. He may be able to go to a theatre now and then, but he acts as if he's watched some movies a dozen times or more. Maybe VHS, but that's way more advanced than 50s technology.
No biggy, though.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
Well he didn't have a problem with technology until he was a teenager, and I'm figuring his dad took him to a lot of movies when he was young. Plus, if he sits near the front of the theater he shouldn't have much of an issue with modern projectors and as a wizard detective with virtually no social life he probably has quite a bit of free time at odd hours which could coincide with a lot of movie watching.
Q: How does Harry know so much about movies and TV?
A (from Jim Butcher): He goes to the drive-in. Also, there’s a TV store near Wicker Park, and he sits on a bench across the street from it and watches shows with closed captioning. Yes, Harry is often like a sad Dickens character, standing outside the window looking in.
There were some things said in the earlier books that must have been deliberate teases as well. I choose to look at them like that because I actually enjoyed the cheese.
Anyone want to beta read a paranormal mystery novella? Here's your chance.
stream
A quick Google search shows at least 3 on the outskirts, or so it seems. Perhaps in the Dresdenverse there are a few more? Wizards are long lived and have the potential to have immense funding available based purely on compound interest, maybe one or more have a few screens tucked off to the side where the supernatural element keep on top of the latest hollywood blockbusters.
Would be fun to see him and the Alpha's marathon'ing LOTR or Harry Potter along with mocking commentary.
"I never noticed it before, but you really do kind of sparkle in the sunlight! Just like them!"
"... I hate you so much right now."
"Maybe you can fight Billy for Georgia's affections? What do you think, Billy?"
"If you make Team anybody t-shirts, I will ensure the death of every character you ever play again in our Arcanos campaign."
that's great, Forar
First book is the weakest. 6th is much, much better than the First but still the second weakest. Academ's Fury is where the books start to get really goddamn good. Cursor's fury remains the best book in the series. IMHO.
For those of you who are paying attention. This means that 5 out of 6 books in this series are awesomesauce. The first book is a slog. Everything else, even the last book is one giant crowning moment of Awesome.
I much preferred the first to the last.
Hooray!
Edit: I like it. That's a good fix to tide me over until they release the damned book.