Rating: 
Summary: Even Better than the first book!
Review: Harry Dresden returns in this gripping fantasy thriller! This time Dresden must help the police to stop werewolf who is terrorizing Chicago with some gruesome murders.Once again our wizard gumshoe finds himself in a deadly squeeze play between cops, trigger-happy FBI agents, shape-shifting motorcycle gang members and his old enemy, the ruthless mobster john Marcone.Butcher is very good in throwing you tidbits of the earlier life of Harry and his plot twists are quite ingenious.I also loved the bloody action sequences as you watch as the werewolf decimates the chicago Police department and final and gripping showdown in Marcone's estate.But beware this novel is twice as violent as the first one.Once again he gives us some memorable characters who help or hinder Dresden in his case.Tera- the sexy and mysterious shapeshifter. Denton-sinister FBI agent and Susan-a reporter who falls for Harry. Bring on the next Dresden adventure!
Rating:
Summary: No "sophomore slump" for this series
Review: Harry Dresden, Chicago's only openly practicing wizard, is called on once again to consult on a case for Special Investigations. It seems simple enough at first. A dead body. Bloody paw prints. A full moon. You do the math. But nothing is as simple as it seems in Harry's world, and the killer might not be who, or what, you think.Karrin Murphy, head of Chicago PD's Special Investigations Unit, has seen enough to realize that monsters and magic are very real, and that Harry knows more about it than anyone she knows. She's just not sure she can trust him, especially with Internal Affairs breathing down her neck about using the services of a "charlatan" who many think has mob connections. This novel has a "noir" feel to it, with a healthy dose of Harry Dresden's patented sarcasm and dark humor. Such as this line from a villain: "Dresden. I should kill you right now." Which is followed by Harry's response: "Try it," I said, and thumbed back the hammer of the gun. "But after the loud noise, remember to keep going down the tunnel and toward the light." We get more tidbits about Harry's past including hints of the events surrounding what happened that led to the Doom of Damocles (basically a wizard form of probation) being placed upon him, though the whole story is still unclear. Some of the information revealed even Harry himself didn't know, and hopefully will be followed up in future books. Though I don't think it's required to read Storm Front to understand the story of Fool Moon, I highly recommend reading them in order. Actually, I just recommend reading them as soon as possible, and I look forward to seeing what chaos Harry Dresden finds himself in next.
Rating: 
Summary: Even better than the first book (4 1/2 stars)...
Review: Harry Dresden, the Chicago-based wizard and paranormal investigator, is back with a whole new challenge. People have been tortured and mutilated to death by what appear to be werewolves. Harry decides to research the different kinds of werewolves out there and comes out with several types that are achieved either by summoning your own magic, summoning someone else's magic, or by a curse that forces someone to shape-shift and hunt for human or other prey during the full moon. The murders have been committed around the full moon, which leads Harry to believe that the murderer is someone with the aforementioned curse. But things don't add up and the number of suspects increases. Harry tries to get answers and bring the murderers down while being a fugitive of the law (cop-slash-friend Murphy suspects that he is involved in the crimes) and from people and shape-shifters who want him dead. There are many twists throughout the novel.
Fool Moon was far more riveting and entertaining than Storm Front. This second novel is non-stop action and you cannot put the book down because you cannot wait to know what happens next. There is a lot of violence and gore in this offering as well as some scenes that saddened me -- characters that died and I wished they hadn't. The last pages were the best part of the novel. And the characters are better here than in the first book as well. The self-deprecating, somewhat geeky protagonist has a great, candid voice and he makes you feel as though you're right in the middle of all the action and suspense. He is so adorable, someone I wouldn't mind dating in real life. And I love tough cookie Murphy. She is a stronger, more law-abiding version of Dolph from the Anita Blake series. She is also almost as badass and stubborn as Anita Blake herself. Drug lord And Johnny Marcone is as amoral and unreadable as Edward from the AB series as well. I know he is supposed to be ruthless, but I kind of like him. Nosy reporter Susan is further developed in this book as well. And of course I loved Bob, the spirit that lives inside a human skull at Harry's apartment. I wish he'd appeared in more scenes! He is hilarious. All in all, Fool Moon entertained me from beginning to end. I am officially hooked on this series and I cannot wait to read Grave Peril. I recommend Fool Moon, but only after you have read Storm Front. This novel makes a darn good stand-alone, but everyone should read a book series in order.
Rating:
Summary: Jim Butcher has a hit with this series
Review: I have really enjoyed both of the books in this series. They are well written, imaginative, and have some of the most interesting characters I have come across in quite some time. If you have not read book one, "Storm Front", and are looking for a good new series to curl up with, I encourage you to buy these two books now and get in on the fun. I wish Mr. Butcher all success, and hope we get to enjoy his wonderful world for a long time to come. Looking forward to book three in the "Dresden Files".
Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointing Sequel
Review: I really enjoyed the first book from the series, but I'm afraid I'll be in the minority here when I say that I found this book to be a big let down. The first book was a lot of fun with some minor problems, but it seemed to move at a fast pace. This book at the same basic length dragged on for about seventy or so pages too long. It was good to see the same cast of characters although everyone but Harry Dresden and Karrin Murphy are little more than bit players (even Harry's love interest isn't given much to do). I found the tension between Murphy and Dresden little more than an added distraction, something thrown in just for the extra drama. With everything else going on it wasn't needed. Likewise the inclusion of not just two but three groups of werewolves seemed to me to be one too many. I like Jim Butchers style of writing but this time around Harry didn't seem as witty, the humor was a little more forced. He also dragged several scenes out far longer than necessary. The attack in the police station was over done with the body count needlessly excessive. I think he could have conveyed the toughness of the werewolf just as convincingly without the blood bath. You can't write a werewolf story without some gore but this scene just beats the reader relentlessly. It was at about this point that my attention started to wane. The action went on far too long with each chapter being an "all hell broke loose..." ending. I also thought the injuries Harry suffered were unbelievably excessive. I know the author wants to convey the adversity the hero is going through but I thought it was a little ridiculous. The one thing I really like was Harry's strong morale beliefs. It's something Mr. Butcher gave him in the first book and it's reinforced in this story. I don't think I've given up on this series yet. The book had some high points but I think it could have been trimmed down into a leaner, quicker paced book. I will try the next installment in the Dresden Files I just hope the editor reins in the author a little.
Rating:
Summary: Sequel Exceeds Expectations
Review: I recently read Jim Butcher's first Dresden novel, "Storm Front", and enjoyed it, but was not overwhelmed by any means. However, the promise was there. I loved the combination of hardboiled, well maybe medium boiled, private eye, the adventure, and more than a strong touch of the occult and supernatural thrown into the mix. With his newest Dresden sequel "Fool Moon", Mr Butcher has taken off the rough edges, delineated his characters and sped up the action to make this a really fun and exciting read. I can hardly wait for more Dresden adventures and look forward to seeing future character developments.
Rating:
Summary: Slipping on the second one
Review: I was impressed with #1 in this series. Unfortunately, Butcher decides his series won't hold his readers unless he makes the protaganist into a pivotal character in world-wide affairs instead of 'just' a wizard/PI. #2 shows the signs of the change and #3 has it in full view, with Dresden being the spark for a major situation. I wish fantasy writers would provide strong characters without having to resort to turning them into Luke Skywalker or Frodod.
Rating:
Summary: Fool Moon Rocks!
Review: It's official! Jim Butcher has a hit series on his hands. Fool Moon, the much anticipated second book in the Dresden Files series, does more than live up to fans' expectations: It exceeds them. This book rocks, fulfilling the lofty precedent set in Storm Front for fast paced action, witty dialogue, a riveting plotline, compelling characters and, most of all, it's endearing protagonist: Harry Dresden, a wisecracking gumshoe wizard with a heart of gold and just enough of a dark side to keep things real. Fool Moon returns to the alternate-reality version of modern day Chicago as introduced in book one, an unsettling yet exciting world of both everyday familiarity and film-noir style fantasy where chaos results when paranormal forces interact with a mostly disbelieving humanity. It's this disbelief that keeps business in a slump for Harry, the windy city's only professional wizard. Thankfully Lt. Karrin Murphy, head of the Chicago Police's Special Investigations unit, has experienced enough weirdness on Chi Town's mean streets to know that the paranormal threat is very real. Determined to save lives at all costs and faced with having to solve crimes that go beyond the scope of forensic science, Murphy usually turns to Harry for help. But in Fool Moon Harry discovers that Murphy is forced to risk her badge to bring him in on a murder investigation after an editorial in a local paper criticizes her use of public funds to hire a "charlatan psychic" and Internal Affairs begins probing into her suspected connection to the Chicago Mob through her past involvement with Harry. Time is running out. Evidence found following a series of gruesome murders leads Harry to believe that a pack of werewolves is on the rampage in the city and with only a few nights of bright moonlight left, the wizard is in a race against the clock to put an end to the slaughter or lose the trail until the next full moon. Fool Moon is solid entertainment that leaves readers with that all-too-rare sense of deep satisfaction that comes from getting your moneys worth. New readers will discover the thrill of riding shotgun with Harry and returning fans will enjoy the hints scattered throughout the novel that unearth more of Harry's rebel past, in particular a closer look at the events that lead to the Doom of Damocles, a form of probation placed on him by the White Council who oversee the ethical use of magic in the world of the mundane. I look forward with great anticipation to the next book in the series, and to watching Jim Butcher become a household name in fantasy fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Dresden is back, and the series is on the upswing
Review: Jim Butcher caught me with "Storm Front," the first in the series of the Harry Dresden mysteries. Dresden is a wizard for hire, who usually spends his time finding lost things and working with the vastly underfunded and undereducated paranormal branch of the police. Sometimes he can even afford to pay his rent.
Once again, a series of very grisly murders pit Dresden with the police as they try desperately to figure out if there's a werewolf out there taking out the citizens of the fair city. What Dresden can figure out - with the ever-wonderful help of Bob the skull-shaped oversexed air spirit - only seems to increase the danger.
Werewolves, Hexenwolves, Loup-Garous and worse abound in this novel where anything that can walk on furry feet during the full moon is suspect, and where Dresden's police friend might just lose her career. Asuming she lives through the night...
As always, it's Harry Dresden's wit and sarcasm that carries the tale, but the mystery in "Fool Moon" was quite a bit ahead of the tale in "Storm Front." Butcher's various supporting characters are coming to life, with backgrounds and personalities that don't seem as forced as they were in the first tale. All in all, this series is going places. I devoured "Full Moon" overnight, and grabbed "Grave Peril" (the third in the series) the next day.
Fans of Tanya Huff will love Butcher's quirky wit, and Laurel K. Hamilton fans will find the paranormal mystery as good as the earlier Anita Blake books (albeit usually a whole lot less gorey and angsty). Regardless, if you're looking for a fun mystery with a paranormal twist, give both "Fool Moon" and "Storm Front" a go!
'Nathan
Rating:
Summary: Leader of the Pack...
Review: Jim Butcher does it again with another fun Harry Dresden book. This book picks up a few months after "Storm Front." The main meat of the story deals with a werewolf killer on the loose. But there are many kinds of wolves and many kinds of killers. Harry's police friend Murphy know that something is up and want Harry's help. But the friendship they had at the beginning of Storm Front hasn't weathered well... Murphy no longer has the same trust of Harry she once had. And that's what makes this book such a great read. The interplay of Harry and Murphy, and the steps they take to protect each other, and the consequences that result, make for a very worthwhile read. The mystery is well played and the action and adventure are well paced but the real magic of this comes from the great characters and their interactions. Harry's struggles both internal and external keep the reader interested and coming back for more.
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