Changes (Dresden Files, Book 12) - Jim Butcher I'm likely in the minority here, but I just felt more and more upset as I read this book. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a big fan of the series and I really wanted to love this one, but I just didn't.

The title, "Changes" is appropriate. What I didn't realize, was just how much of everything I knew and liked about Harry Dresden would be shaken up. First, he loses all his material possessions -- all the things that lent him charm like his apartment, his office, his trusty staff and the resilient little Blue Beetle. Second, and most importantly, I he loses much of his good old dependable integrity. It was a little painful watching him take one questionable choice after the next with a blind and creepy determination that's just not like Harry at all.

Of course, he does all this for a very good reason -- his daughter. Any loving parent would do the same, especially given how much family means to Harry. I just wish the author hadn't used this convenient plot device to carry out so many changes in one fell swoop. It felt a little forced. Especially since I already suspected this might happen halfway into the series, the last time Susan showed up. But I thought, nah! Little did I know...

At the same time, I think I understand where Jim Butcher is trying to go with this. Ever since the series has become less about Harry Dresden, P.I. and more about Harry Dresden, Superhero, or in other words, less about mystery and more about urban fantasy soap opera, I've been expecting something like this. I get that it has been twelve books and Harry almost needs a "reset" button. I also get how Changes is intended to be a turning point, a probable "rebirth" of sorts. While the humor is still there, old happy-go-lucky Harry is gone, replaced with emotionally and physically damaged and tortured Harry. I feel the series turning to a new direction. Not that there's anything wrong with that...I'm just not sure what to think about it yet.

I guess I'll have to read the next book to find out.