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Book 21. Backup by Jim Butcher

  • Aug. 14th, 2008 at 10:50 AM

Backup by Jim Butcher fantasy                                        
80 pages



A few things here.  This was an advanced copy (from someone I just met recently) and the book itself if not coming out until October.  So I am going to keep this simple.  Not to mention there could be changes to the final edition of this that comes out later this year.  It is also a short story, so it was a very quick and easy read. 

I am a huge Dresden Files fan (and because of the a huge Jim Butcher fan).  I love it so much I am playtesting the rpg that is being created for it.  I connect and relate to the stories, and especially Harry Dresden.  So when I had the opportunity to borrow it, I jumped at the chance to read it. 

Since I know everyone has not read all of these books, I am gonig to do a LJ cut for those who have.  Especially for those who have not read past Blood Rites, the 5th book in the series.  It will still be a spoiler free as I can make it since it is so short.  But if you have not read the books and do not want any of them to be ruined for you.  STOP NOW!  

Ok, if you are reading this then nothing here should shock you.  This story revolves around Harry's brother, Thomas.  A vampire of the White Court that struggles with his inner demon and the need to feed on mortals.  He stumbles across a plot that involves Harry and he then tries to stop it.  I am going to keep specifics out of this review, since it is so small. 

The good.  
It was a story in the Dresden world.  For that alone I loved it.  The way he describes how Thomas was dealing with his hunger and need to feed and his conversation he had with Bob were both golden.  The plot was pretty good, although I will not ruin the book by going to far into that. 

The bad.  I am not a fan of short stories.  I dislike them because you can never really get enough out of them.  Especially when the story deal with another character you would like to get more out of.  I like Thomas.  I reall would like to see some time with him and really get into what he has to go through (both by being a vampire and by being Harry's brother).  That did not really happen here, but with any short story, it usually doesn't.  

The ugly.  The artwork (see above image) on the cover is not really appealing to the eye.  It is kind of drab and not very inspiring.  

My rating.  Amazingly good read.  8.0 out of 10.  It is still based on the Dresden world after all (and I am knowingly biased).  It was a fun look on a different character from the series, but I would have liked more. 

Comments

[info]samldanach wrote:
Aug. 14th, 2008 03:36 pm (UTC)
Gah! I hate you.

I just found out about this today. And that Mike Mignola is providing the illos.

I immediately added it to my Amazon wish list. I may go ahead and pre-order it when my next consulting check comes in.

[info]staceyinastoria wrote:
Aug. 14th, 2008 04:59 pm (UTC)
Hate is such an ugly word and I am shocked that you would feel that way. Amused, but shocked. :)
[info]science_cyrano wrote:
Aug. 14th, 2008 04:35 pm (UTC)
novel?
I thought that Backup was going to be a full length novel, not a short story.

Is this a recent change or did I just miss the cat-bus?
[info]sinboy wrote:
Aug. 14th, 2008 04:43 pm (UTC)
Re: novel?
Next novel due has the title "Turncoat". IIRC, Backup was only planned as a short story.
[info]staceyinastoria wrote:
Aug. 14th, 2008 05:00 pm (UTC)
Re: novel?
Thanks for the loan! My girlfriend is reading today, so you will have it tomorrow night.
[info]samldanach wrote:
Aug. 14th, 2008 05:15 pm (UTC)
Re: novel?
Officially, it is a "novelette." Which I think is between a short story and a novella.

Anybody happen to know where any of the Mignola art is, besides the cover? If it's really good, I might consider trying for the $45 super-deluxe edition.

[info]staceyinastoria wrote:
Aug. 15th, 2008 01:17 pm (UTC)
Re: novel?
There was a few bits of art inside the advanced copy. I don't know much about the deluxe edition.

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