Fool Moon (Dresden Files #2)
Written By Jim Butcher
Narrated by James Masters
Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work—magical ormundane. But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise. A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses;and the first two don't count...
It’s been a while since I listened to
an audible book as I haven’t been able to concentrate on listening to anything –
I have a terrible habit of drifting off into my own thoughts and not actually
listening to the story. So in order to try and get back into the habit, I
decided to try the second Dresden Files book as I love the series and have read
the book before so it wouldn’t be too difficult to focus on the story. Plus it’s
read by James Masters who I have adored since his Buffy days!
James Masters manages to bring to life
Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only wizard and his trials and tribulations. It’s
helped by the first person narrative, but mostly I think James just manages to
capture the voice of a world weary, trying his best wizard who has the weight
of Chicago on his shoulders. Harry is an old fashion guy – always protective of
women and trying his best to do right and protect as many people as possible
including his police friend Lt Murphy, who is in a lot of political trouble for
assisting Harry in the past. Added to which the supernatural world doesn’t take
kindly to mortals learning too much about them.
That’s not to say that this is
perfect. Actually, Fool Moon is one of the weaker stories in the series with an
awful lot of info dumping near the beginning – included a long explanation of
several different types of werewolves. This is interesting as it adds a lot of
colour and texture to the traditional werewolf myth in Harry’s world, but seems
a little unbelievable that Harry ends up coming across every type of wolf in
the next twenty-four hours! Harry’s relationships with Murphy and Susan are not
particularly deep, but nonetheless there is a spark with each of them that
could lead to something meaningful.
There is plenty of action with Harry
literally being thrown to the wolves on multiply occasions. The mix of magic
and physical fighting is well balanced and if some of the motives behind the
actions are a little weak then the pacing and amusingly wry observations by
Harry more than make up for it. As with Storm Front, this is a Harry Dresden that is still finding his place in the world
but all the basic ingredients for one of my favourite Urban Fantasy series are
there. They just need a little more seasoning and more mixing.
Recommended for fans of Ben
Aaronovitch and Patricia Briggs. 8 out of 10
What is your personal opinion on audiobooks? I'm not a huge fan myself, but I have never really given them a good try.
ReplyDeleteI listen occasionally. I joined audible for a few months last year but found I rarely listened to the book I downloaded! So I cancelled my subscription but still have quite a few books audible books to get through...
DeleteIt's a shame about the info-dumping, but I'm glad you liked this one overall! I listened to the first on audio not too long ago, and although I lost track of what was happening near the end, I still really liked it. I'll have to continue with this series soon. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteOh that is why I can't do something and listen to an audio. My mind wanders. If I concentrate on the book, I do better. :) I would give this one a go because of Marsters! I'm glad you are enjoying it. I still have that first one and need to read it. I've only read the novellas of these. Oh I may see if our library has a copy of this one available in audio! :D
ReplyDeleteWow that cover is just BAD, bad bad bad
ReplyDeleteIt is, isn't it! Not a fan either!
DeleteOne day I'll have to try this one, I was a little disappointed by the first one I confess. I never tried an audiobook, but I'm afraid to not understand everything and to be a little lost...
ReplyDeleteThis one...wasn't so good for me. THe first two were slow for me. The third got better. I'm going to try the fourth here some time once I get my hands on it.
ReplyDeleteI've heard Masters does an amazing job of reading this. Maybe I should try it that way. :) Thank you!