Changes (The Dresden Files #12)

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover-until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child.

My brain is a collective puddle of mush. There was so much going on in this book, that one cannot begin to process it once you finish the book. Jim has stated that this book was the midpoint of a series. If that is true, then this was the climax of the story. 

Even though, we do not know the entirety of what each of the events will mean, one has to assume that Harry's life is no longer what it was. 

Why? Let's summarize. 

1. Everything that Harry has know in his life; his office, car, and apartment are gone. All destroyed. 

2. A final battle with the Red Court will drive Harry to decisions that he would not normally contemplate.

3. Susan comes back into his life one final time. They embark on a quest to save their daughter. 

4. We learn some things about Harry's lineage and why the Red Court has abducted his daughter. 

5. Molly....she is in love with Harry...How will this play out? 

6. The Black Staff is shown in use for the first time. Wow.....that is all I can say. 

7. Karrin apparently loses her job. I wonder if she will take up the sword. 

8. Harry is hurt and makes a decision and a bargain with Mab. He becomes the White Knight. 

9. The White Council is is disarray. Several of the Wardens vanish, including Anastasia, while others fall victim to a disease that ravages their ranks.

10. We see Harry wield the power of Fire and Ice together and it is a beautiful sight. 

11. Lea, Harry's godmother reveals how she has been protecting him when Harry and Bob make a surprising discovery. This leads Lea to give Harry a gem that belonged to his mother. This particular gem allows Harry the ability to navigate the lines of power in the NeverNever. He is now able to travel with ease from one spot to the next. There is, however, a warning....this power will have some effect on Harry. 

12.  The ending...wow! I have spilled enough of the major points to go on.......

There are three series that I think are amazing. This is one of them. I am sad that I am going to soon have to wait for the books to come out......

Quotes:

“Laugh whenever you can. Keeps you from killing yourself when things are bad. That and vodka.”

I stepped forward, let the door bang closed, and snarled, "Fuck subtle.”

“But there were some things I believed in. Some things I had faith in. And faith isn't about perfect attendance to services, or how much money you put on the little plate. It isn't about going skyclad to the Holy Rites, or meditating each day upon the divine.
Faith is about what you do. It's about aspiring to be better and nobler and kinder than you are. It's about making sacrifices for the good of others - even when there's not going to be anyone telling you what a hero you are.”

Rating:

Until Next Time,