The Dresden Files, as I have previously mentioned, is one of my favourite book series. The fusion of action with entertainment, darkness with humour, and danger with truly likeable characters is perfectly balanced, bringing together a blend of genres perfectly. The fact that it is also about a wizard named Harry, and involves a lot blasting vampires and demons in the face with a casual mix of shotguns and spells just adds to the appeal.

So what of the latest book in the series, Changes? Is Dresden still kicking supernatural butt 12 books in?

Yes. He is. Actually he is kicking considerably more. Changes is the pinnacle of the series so far. It takes The Dresden Files into new territory, as it has the feeling of real all-or-nothing cinema epic, rather than the usual Saturday night monster of the week feel that has slightly plagued the series from the start. The politics of Dresden's world is emphasised - although to be fair it has never been ignored – as are the relationships. But most of all, the darkness is amplified, creating the most intense, darkest and most dangerous adventure for Harry Dresden yet.

So the plot. This is of course key element that makes Changes so special. It is a simple story, one that we have seen many times before. From Liam Neeson to Jack Bauer, everyone has done this storyline, it is that of a man desperately trying to save his child, at any cost – although in this story our father only finds out he has a child in the first few pages of the book. His daughter Maggie has been taken by the Red Court vampires, the most dangerous of Dresden's foes, and they plan to use her, not only to hurt him emotionally, but to kill every member of his bloodline.

The title Changes is a good one, it sums up the book well. Things are changing. Harry Dresden has always had limits, there were always things he would say no to, places he would not go, crimes he would not commit to save the day. Not this time. This time he will stop at nothing to rescue his daughter, and that just possibly includes sacrificing himself – and his friends.

With the darker storyline comes a darker Harry. There are fewer wise-cracks, fewer jokes, and fewer smiles. Although we have seen this side of his before, it rarely comes out, and even less frequently does it last for more than a couple of chapters. In Changes this brooding Dresden is the lead character, which of course changes the very feel of the book. It is a welcome change, because, although the previous books were exciting, this one has a heightened layer of tension. Harry Dresden is a man who knows that he is unlikely to make it to the end of the story, and if he does, he won't be the man he once was.

As previously mentioned, The Dresden Files can be a little formulaic. Exciting, fun, intense, but formulaic. Changes, well, changes this. Although there are a some areas that are the same the general feel of the book, and the final few unforgettable scenes, take the series off in a wonderful, dark, brooding and intriguing new direction.

Classic Dresden Files - done better.

Highly Recommended – though please read at least one other in the series to familiarise yourself.

JA

Order your copy of Changes: The Dresden Files from Amazon UK