Book Log #48: Small Favor, by Jim Butcher

Give it up for the local library, who quickly provided me a hardback copy of jimbutcher's Small Favor not too much longer after I'd put it on hold. I am now officially caught up on the Dresden Files. Go me!

And, as expected, this installment failed to disappoint. As with White Night, so too here: we get a lot of characters we've seen before, all following up quite splendidly on events that have gone before. Ten books in on the series, it's quite satisfying to see this sort of advancement. Harry has matured, which by itself is great to see, but the world continues to change around him as well. In several predictably oh-shit-inducing ways--but in some highly intriguing positive ways as well.

This time around we have the Sidhe making another comeback, as Queen Mab of Winter calls in one of the favors she's holding over Harry's head. Which is to say, demanding that he rescue none other than Gentleman Johnny Marcone, who's gone and gotten himself kidnapped by the Order of the Blackened Denarius. Which of course also means that the Summer Court thinks Harry's gone to the Dark Side. And which means in turn that things are trying to kill Harry every chapter or so... but then, it's all in a day's work for a wizard.

The pacing of this installment was particularly fabulous. Harry barely had time to breathe between the various action scenes, and yet, the flow of it seemed absolutely perfect. Lighter touches including Harry's trademark smartassed pop culture references and some great banter between him and Murphy brought the Funny. And it just makes my heart glad to see an archangel drawing on Tolkien to impart his wisdom. Like ya do. ;)

Four stars all around, and I'll look forward to adding this one to my collection when the paperback comes out!

Alexander James Adams & spouse in trouble: help, folks?

This has started making the rounds, so this is me passing on the good word--it's just not been a good year for filkers and folk singers. :( Alexander James Adams and his wife Kore are facing a threat of foreclosure on their 30-acre farm. So if you're a past fan of Heather Alexander, a current fan of Alexander James Adams, or both, and there are albums or other merchandise you don't have yet... now would be a very good time to make with the ordering. ASAP, folks. Note: you can buy CDs directly off of Heatherlands, the legacy Heather Alexander site. Or, if you're inclined, a bunch of Heather music is available for download on iTunes.

More information can be found here from vixyish and here on the alexanderfans community.

Note also that AJA is 1/3 of the group Tricky Pixie, so purchasing their live album would be helpful, too. Plus the album just rocks, so you should have it anyway! I've picked up a couple Heather-era albums I didn't have yet, and solarbird and I will be buying the latest AJA, A Familiar Promise, ASAP.

Spread the word far and wide, y'all!