Changes (The Dresden Files #12)

No one is prepared for what happens in this next installment of The Dresden Files.

Changes

5 out of 5 Holy-Crap Stars

"Do or die, Dresden. Do or die."

There are no words for all the bombshells that are dropped throughout Changes. Just when I think I know what Harry's going to do next, I realize that I don't know. There's no way to know the lengths Harry will go to during this chapter in his life, because everything is changing. How can his perspective stay the same with the costs and lives that are now on the line? It can't. The situation has changed dramatically, and Harry has no choice but to adjust. Bravo, Mister Butcher, on creating one of the most epic stories I've read yet. Beware when reading Changes, and prepare to adjust your mindset about Harry's life just as much as he has to. It's the only way to get through this chapter.

"Something like this will test you like nothing else. You're going to find out who you are, Harry. You're going to find out which principles you'll stand by to your death—and which lines you'll cross. You're heading into the badlands. It'll be easy to get lost."

Plot-Line:

Harry has a kid. A child. A daughter. And guess who never told him about her. Susan Rodriguez. I knew I never liked her for a reason. Changes starts off right away with Susan telling Harry that their daughter has been taken by the Red Court of Vampires. Wait, what? Susan, how could you not tell Harry about her? Although I do understand her reasons, that doesn't mean I have to like them. Now Harry has to face off against the Duchess Arianna of the Red Court, who has a grudge against him for what happened to her husband Ortega back in Death Masks. Harry is being faced with his greatest danger yet—the loss of his child, and he will do anything he needs to in order to save her. Time for Harry's bundle of growing rage to be put to use. If he has to face off against the Red Court in the heart of their domain, then so be it. Even if it means giving into the dark temptation within himself.

"There is no sensation to warn you when your soul turns black."

Notable Parts:

The foreshadowing throughout Changes is everywhere, and even though I thought I knew what to expect, I'm still taken off guard. There's no way to anticipate the choices that Harry will make in order to save his daughter—he will do the unthinkable, cross lines he never thought he would. It's impossible to really know what he's going to do next. He's losing everything, and a man will make dangerous decisions when placed in a situation like Harry is. Harry's going to be haunted by the choices he makes for the rest of his life, however long that is. Taking on the Red Court on their home turf is no easy feat, even with the help of all his friends. Murphy, Thomas, Mouse and Molly are there for Harry, through thick and thin, and I love the relationships between all these characters. It's hard to make bonds like they have, willing to die for one another. We learn more about the history and creatures of the Red Court throughout Changes, and I have to say, those Eebs vampires are really freaking creepy. The whole Red Court is really freaking creepy. Susan and Martin play major roles throughout the novel, too, as to be expected. And there are some characters who get involved that you won't see coming. Harry's going to need all the help he can get in order to save his daughter and live long enough to get her away from the murderous Red Court. This is going to be a war like no other.

"Death is the great equalizer. It doesn't matter how you get there. Just when. And why."

Overall:

Changes is the absolute best title for this installment in The Dresden Files. Nothing will ever be the same after this. It's intense, heartwrenching, and really damn good. Of course I hate the situation that Harry finds himself in, but it's one hell of a crazy ride. I never imagined Harry would ever have to face something like this in his life. The stakes are higher than ever before, and the lengths Harry will go to are unthinkable. But that's what you do for family. You do the unthinkable in order to protect them, and nothing less. Changes is a complete game changer, and the ending will surprise everyone. No matter what you say, Butcher, that is a cliffhanger! Lucky for me I get to start the next book without a year long wait, heh heh. I need to start the next book ASAP, because my heart strings need to heal from all the tearing that happened in this installment. I can think of a few lines that are going to stick with me for a long, long time. It's actually very depressing how everything turns out in the end, but I guess that's what happens when you go to war. 

"Sometimes you lose. Sometimes the darkness takes everyone. Sometimes the monster escapes to kill again another day. Sometimes the innocent little ones are murdered. And there's not one goddamned thing you can do about it."