Changes by Jim Butcher – review

In Jim Butcher’s 12^th Dresden Files novel, Changes, the title says it all.  For the most part, a serial story such as this requires that the protagonist be pretty much the same person throughout while his or her scenery changes.  Otherwise an author cannot continue to pull in the loyalty of the fans.  They may continue to like a character, despite those changes, and yet – they are drawn to the story for certain reasons, and should an author change those basic and beloved dynamics, the fans may fall out of love with it.  It is a balance that those who write series must keep in order to continue to be fresh and yet continue to be admired by loyal fans.  Butcher has done this rather well with the Dresden Files by continually evolving the things that surround Harry Dresden–what or whom he is fighting for, with minor changes to his own personality just as you and I might go through changes as we experience life.  Those are minor changes that most fans understand.  This time, however, Harry Dresden makes a decision that he would never have made prior to this book.  That such a major character change comes because of Dresden’s baseline character makeup shows how clever the author can be.

Harry finds out that he has a daughter at the same time he discovers she has been kidnapped.  The knowledge of his daughter Maggie (with Susan Rodriguez, his old flame from the first few books in the series) was kept from him because of the danger she could face through Harry’s enemies.  Not a comforting thought now that she has been taken.  With the White Council besieged by the vampire Red Court, and from within by the only hinted at Black Council, Harry can count on no help from the powerful wizards.  While Harry has made friends and allies over the years, the enemies and responsibilities have grown as well.  This time he has to rely on his own council and what little support those friends he has can give him.  We see Harry desperate to help this child he never knew of; and had he known, could he have protected her?  Besieged himself by doubts and fears of inadequacy, Harry runs full steam ahead nevertheless.  After all, there is a child to save.

While the title could be a hint at a major decision made by Harry that could affect the rest of his life, it also speaks of a myriad of smaller changes.  Harry has learned a lot of things over the years, and much has come from being the teacher rather than the taught.  The reader will also discover changes in the style of the story – never before has one of the Dresden Files ended in a cliffhanger.  Butcher has thrown us a changeup, and if we want to stay in the game we should do our best to roll with the punches.  And there, if that mixed metaphor does not have you at least smiling, you are not a true Harry Dresden fan!  No need to worry, Harry is the same headstrong and chivalrous soul we have grown to love.  He just has a few more edges we need to explore.  With Changes, Butcher takes the Dresden Files to a new level, and I will be ready and waiting to see what comes next.