Is there any word from Jim how the writing of the next book is going and maybe why it takes so long? I liked it more when they were published every year instead of waiting almost three years for this one.

 

Maybe thanks to this hiatus, the next novel will be better? Or at least contain less pop-cultural references than the previous ones - but who am I kidding? Butters seeing WoW-style quest indicators was a clear sign about this issue.

 

The more I see/read about how Butcher handles those mantles the less enthused I have become in regards to them and Dresden Files in general. The whole "Winter Knight" mantle revelation was already a huge let-down for me and additions like this don't really give me much hope of it getting better anytime soon. The were such an interesting idea (and had interesting character/bearers) at the beginning of the series but I am really unhappy about how Butcher has handled them.

If the next in the series continues the downward trend of the last few books (or at least what I perceive as such) I will likely give up on Butcher...

 

I always feel the newest Dresden Files Book is the weakest, until I reread it once or twice then i always like it a lot more, don't know why. But the series has certainly lost something.

 

isn't this always what happens to a long-running series? The author wants to hold a few things back for later, but still drops hints; the readers catch the hints, and develop their own theories; the theories don't line up with what the author eventually reveals; the readers who liked their idea more or have got used to thinking that way are disappointed.

I still have faith that Butcher knows what he's doing; my only concern is that his enthusiasm for the series as a whole has waned, and as such he won't be putting as much effort in.

My understanding is that this happens with far too many fantasy authors; Laurel Hamilton, Robert Jordan. They start focusing on the things that interest them (sex for Hamilton, world-building detail for Jordan), forgetting about the things that interest the readers (characters, action).

If that happens to the Dresden Files, I will be rather disappointed, but I'll keep reading just because I'm invested now.

 

I think Butche may be pulling a Rowling, he's gotten to famous and popular and thus holds the primary power during edits and such.

The last three HP books and the last 4 or 5 Dresden Files books were written by authors with to much say in the final product. Jim said it himself in interviews, he is able to put stuff in these books his editors previously wouldnt let him, like the large amount of nerd references.

Its sounds odd, but mosr authors need a heavy editor to keep their stories tight and on point. A good editor is sorth their weight in gold.

 

Thanks for that!

Don't spoil me for the new novella in 'Shadowed Souls' - haven't got it yet - but with regard to the 'whole "Winter Knight" mantle revelation' in the books that you mention ... do you mean how we found out that there was really no gift of extra power or abilities to Harry as the Winter Knight, just a short-circuit in Harry's 'pain receptors' (probably a better way to put it)?

If so, yeah. That was a let-down for me as well.

 

Yeah, that is pretty much what I meant with that.

 

Remember we are getting Harrys and Butters flawed view of things, I think it likely a bit of both. more power and a cheat. Harry has been stated to deliberatly not draw on the mantle on purpose since he doesnt want to be corruptded. I think if Harry ever went full Winter, he would be boss.

 

Considering that in Cold Days Harry was bench pressing 800 pounds and doing sets there has to be a little magic in the Mantle. Otherwise his arms would just fall off as the muscles tore away.