Book Review: Peace Talks by Jim Butcher
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 16 of Dresden Files
Publisher: Ace Books (July 14, 2020)
Length: 352 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
It’s been quite a wait, but Hell’s Bells was it worth it! When I first started Peace Talks, I’d expected it would keep me occupied for a few days, but as it turned out, the book completely consumed me and I ended up finishing it in a couple sittings.
We return to the Dresden Files shortly after the events of Skin Game, which readers would definitely do well to be have read before tackling Peace Talks because a lot has happened in the course of this series, much of which will be explored here. There will also be references to the previous novels in this review, so beware of spoilers if you have not caught up. Now there’s even more at stake as the supernatural nations of world prepare to congregate in Chicago, the site of the next global summit to discuss the way forward.
With close ties to the White Council, Harry Dresden has been tapped for security detail to make sure the negotiations go off without hitch. But our protagonist also has links to other not-so-esteemed factions of Chicago, including Queen Mab’s Winter Court, not to mention a half-brother in the White Court of vampires in the form of Thomas Raith. Complicating the situation is that in the midst of all the preparations for the gathering, Harry receives word that Thomas has gotten himself into some trouble. Since family is everything to Harry, his next steps are clear. Problem is, with the sibling bond between him and Thomas a secret to the rest of the world, will the White Council understand?
With sixteen novels under its belt, the Dresden Files has become quite the unwieldly beast. Best of luck remembering everything that has happened, who everybody is and what their relationships are to each other! It has also been a few years since Skin Game, so admittedly, returning to the world was a bit disorienting for me, especially since Jim Butcher sets a fast pace right off the bat. From the very first page, readers are bombarded with information as we catch up with all the characters and what they’ve been up to, but it’s actually quite impressive how effectively this jogs the memory.
It’s also par for the course that every Dresden book has about a million things going on, and needless to say, that’s part of what made Peace Talks so exciting. And it’s not just about the action either. The novel also focuses on a lot of Harry’s relationships that we’ve seen evolve through the series, and several of these made up the backbone of the story including his loyalty to Thomas and his love for Maggie, or the way his approach to both are causing friction with Ebenezar. There’s also Karrin Murphy and the rekindling of the feelings between her and Harry, which made my heart melt. Quite honestly, I don’t think Butcher gets near enough credit for his talent for writing romance and love scenes.
Peace Talks also confirms what I suspected since Skin Game. While the fun we had with the heist may be over and we’ve returned to the messy arena of supernatural politics, there seems to be a shift towards streamlining a lot of the plot points and character arcs, something that’s been happening since Ghost Story. Harry has a new direction along with new priorities, and the storytelling was also tighter. Despite having to familiarize myself again with his situation and all the people in his life, I had a firmer grasp on the plot which never once spiraled out of control, which happened with some of the earlier books.
Anyway, all of this was just my long-winded way of saying fans are going to love this. It’s all that we’ve been waiting for and more. And come this fall, when Battle Ground is set to drop, I hope it will be just as amazing!
The BiblioSanctum 
Sounds very good, and your enthusiasm makes me quite hopeful! 😀
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If you’re planning to pick this one up, I hope you’ll love it as much as I did 😀
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You’re kidding, right? 😉 I’m definitely picking this one up! 😀
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Dresden files is just not my piece of cake, I fear.
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Totally understandable! 🙂
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It’s the 16th book?! DAMN! What series is that?! 😱 I agree, with soo many books, it must be really hard trying to remember what happened in the last ones!
But Dresden Files still sounds intriguing enough to give it a try at least! I think I am going to keep it in the options. 🌻
LOVED THE REVIEWWW, Mogsy! As always. 🦋
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Yes, 16! Haha! And not only that, it’s been 4 years (I think) since the last one. It was a long wait, but worth it 🙂
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Yess! I know you were waiting for that one! Glad it did not disappoint Mogsy!
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Thanks! Yes, I was so happy! 😀
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I was talking with my cousin yesterday (he’s a big dresden fan) and he said the series is going to be 20-24 books long? Good luck 😀
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Wow, really! And here I thought Jim might be thinking about tying things up and moving on to something else. Well, I’ve already come this far… 🙂
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One of these days I’ll start this series. I’m impressed that after so many books he’s still so consistent!
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I love Jim Butcher 🙂 Even though some of his other stuff has been hit or miss for me, with Dresden he always delivers!
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I am soooo jealous you got this as an ARC! Mind you, I want/need a reread of the whole thing first, I reckon, so maybe no bad thing I didn’t nab it too 🙂
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Haha yep, if a reread is in order for you, definitely no rush at all. And you’ll be at an advantage 🙂
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I stopped the series at Small Favor, but it sounds like I need to give it another shot. Did you think the series went down around then too? Maybe I just need a reread. I’m glad you loved this one.
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I will have to check what book Small Favor was, but as I recall from my experience, it took the series a few books to really grow on me, so by book 4 or 5 was when I became hooked. A book or two before Changes was when the series started to fray at the edges, spiraling out of control etc. And that’s why I think Changes was like the “reset”.
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I really need to read the second book of this series one day
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Haha, one day! That’s what I keep telling myself too with my huge UF series tbr 😀
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It’s great to hear the series is able to stay strong after that many books. I have the first few and look forward to starting them one day!
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Yes, it’s definitely rare to see a UF series go past 10 book and still remain strong, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Butcher 🙂
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16 books? Woop! I just started this series and loving it so far.
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I’m so glad! Dresden Files is a blast, and I love how each book builds on the overall story. You’re in for a treat 🙂
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I never did try Dreseden
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It’s a great series, though I know it is pretty daunting to catch up now 😀
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I only skimmed this because I’m drastically behind and would like to pick the series back up. I know Stormi recently got a review copy of this and I know she can’t wait to read it!
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Awesome! I hope you’ll get to continue the series, and I hope Stormi will love Peace Talks as much as I did!
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Skipping your review because I don’t want to spoil myself but so happy you loved this and I can’t wait to get to this (although it will probably be next month at the rate I’m going lol). Harry’s back, yay!
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Groans – when am I going to catch up. 5 out of 5 certainly makes me want to jump back on board with this series.
Lynn 😀
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Sorry I had to wait til I finished this to comment! Agreed on everything! Almost. I loved jumping back in even though I didn’t remember everything everyone was talking about. And I can’t wait for Battle Ground either! But can we talk about the one problem? The *hint hint* Thomas one, the mystery that should’ve been a bigger part of the story but wasn’t?
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What a great review, Mogsy. I completed my reread of Skin Game earlier in the week, because I knew I wouldn’t do justice to PT if I didn’t. Sadly, I didn’t get hold of an arc, but I’ve pre-ordered Peace Talks and now I’m looking forward to it more than ever!
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