The Dresden Files have become a bestselling franchise since their inception in April 2000. Penned by acclaimed writer Jim Butcher, the series has spawned a TV series, a comic book franchise and a roleplaying game system. Among the Science Fiction and Fantasy crowd it is a fun mix of detective stories with magical elements.
The series, of course, follows the Wizard for hire, Harry Dresden who operates in Chicago. The latest book in the franchise is Side Jobs released in October of this year an anthology containing the seven short stories of The Dresden Files that have been released with other themed short story anthologies as well as two works from Jim Butchers own website Jim-Butcher.com and the novelette Backup which follows Harry’s half-brother Thomas. In addition the anthology contains one exclusive story called Aftermath detailing the events immediately following the last book in The Dresen Files, Changes.
The Stories
Each short story in Side Jobs explores its own unique theme as part of the anthology it was in previously. In these stories Harry must help his friends reach their wedding, help his brother fight off evil vampires, try and take a day off with little success, protect the people he cares about and stop a love curse. Each story has Harry in his usual situation battling dangerous and evil forces while trying to save those closest to him as he’s banged and beaten up in the process.
The only stories not narrated by Harry himself are Backup where his brother Thomas reveals he is involved in a mighty war a great and powerful evil even Harry cannot defeat and Aftermath which is narrated by Harry’s longtime friend and partner in trouble Police Sergeant Karrin Murphy as she tries to lead Harry’s allies in defending his home town if Chicago in his absence after the events of Changes.
Overall
Side Jobs is a solid anthology of the short stories of The Dresden Files. Each short story touches on a part of Harry’s life and a portion of his friends giving a nice wide perspective on each aspect of his world that isn’t usually afforded in the standard novels due to their length and typical focus.
For the fan of The Dresden Files Side Jobs is a must for the extensive look at all the different aspects of Harry’s life and the chance to look deeper at his closest friends as they are each explored in the individual short stories. It is a wonderful collection that will earn a welcome place on any bookshelf.
Changes By Jim Butcher
Published by Roc
448 pagers
Michael Chindamo - Living in Mississauga Ontario, Michael Chindamo pursues his writing career ceaselessly since his graduation with Honors from The ...
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