The War of The Flowers by Tad Williams

This is a unique perspective on a Faerie that sadly emulates or mirrors our own society.

You can depend on Tad Williams for both a good story and a skewed perception of normalcy.   Normalcy in regards to how we see and perceive the land of Faerie is one of the lynch pins of the plot.   Williams provided a story whose protagonist wasn’t the classic anti-hero but more of a wimpy hero.  

Theo had it all, good looks, great voice and loads of potential that he totally ignored.   Characterized by a wealth of self pity, Theo was not particularly likeable.   His involvement in the political turmoil of a very foreign world forces him into self evaluation and possibly even moral fiber growth.  

Williams provides a digital view of a strange world.  By digital, I simply mean his detailing is superb.   You can almost smell the organic aroma of natural technology, the ozone of sentient power tickles the nose and the vistas of difference stun the eye.   The author gives tons of detail but that simply provides the structure to let the imagination run amok.  

Tad Williams also drives home multiple messages in this book.   Exploitation of the masses for the benefit of the few is, in my mind, a perfect mirror of our current self centered politicians refusing compromise in order to benefit their own agenda.   Of course practically any third world dictatorship also supplies a similarity of outlook to Hellbore, the main villain.  

Intolerance and exploitation are clear in this book and the devastating impact those twin sins visit upon a society is made abundantly clear.   Lots of messages in this book to anyone who wants to see them.

This is an excellent book that was darn difficult to put down and at over 800 pages I just couldn’t finish it in one sitting.

I highly recommend it

Body of work of Tad Williams

Web site:     http://www.tadwilliams.com/

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

 Harry Dresden is a tall man dealing with narrow minded people who happen to have annoyingly powerful magic.   Harry as always is dealing with insurmountable problems with numerically superior forces intent on harming kith and kin.  In true Lewis Carrol style, Harry finds himself down the rabbit hole defending an implacable foe for unlikely reasons.

Repeating what I have written in previous reviews of Jim Butcher, Butcher causes Harry to question his value system in each and every book.  Soul searching seems to be a hallmark.   Insurmountable odds and monumental tasks are also in each book.   In spite of a similar formula, I have really enjoyed each book.   Why would you ever get tired of deep, rich, yummy chocolate cake anymore than you would the Dresden Files.  Harry’s emotional fragility in his personal relationships and his inability to recognize how much he is respected contribute to his likeability.  You see a slow maturation of Harry Dresden as the series proceeds.  I highly recommend the entire series. 

Butcher’s use of current but often obscure vernacular within Harry’s dialogue always elicits a laugh.  

I’ve mentioned my preferences for emotionally provocative writing.   Butcher’s portrayal of loyalty and perseverance against all odds is always laudable.  Harry Dresden lives his life by the Golden Rule and it serves him well.   Molly, his apprentice, shows growth in this book and Harry as well.  Mouse, Toot, Murphy, Will and Georgia display the same courage and convictions we have seen in previous stories.  

Body of work of Jim Butcher</a>

Web Site: http://www.jim-butcher.com/

White Night by Jim Butcher

Mysterious bad guys are killing witches. Harry and friends track them down and provoke a confrontation.

Harry Dresden is getting hard. He is finding his value system is under attack. He has to deal with his personal demons. Once again fantasy is a metaphor for life.

Harry’s trust issues cause him a great deal of pain. I enjoy the realistic emotions displayed by the characters. I particularly like Harry’s loyalty to his friends and theirs in return. The action and violence are typical for the Dresden files and in spite of that, quite enjoyable.

I’ve enjoyed every book in this series.

I highly recommend the book and the series.

Body of work of Jim Butcher

Web Site: http://www.jim-butcher.com/

Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher

Harry Dresden finds one of his staunchest supporters family is in danger. As a new Warden he finds his distaste for the way the White Council handles dissidents. When Michael’s daughter finds her snagged in Council and Fairy politics, Harry finds himself over his head again.

Butcher causes Harry to question his value system in each and every book. Soul searching seems to be a hallmark. Insurmountable odds and monumental tasks are also in each book. In spite of a similar formula, I have really enjoyed each book. Why would you ever get tired of deep, rich, yummy chocolate cake anymore than you would the Dresden files. Harry’s emotional fragility in his personal relationships and his inability to recognize how much he is respected contribute to his likeability. You see a slow maturation of Harry Dresden as the series proceeds. I highly recommend the entire series. You will be seeing more as I have finally purchased all the ones that have currently been printed.