"Some free advice for you: Never fight an old man. They've been there, done that, written the book, made and starred in the movie, designed the T-shirt, and they've got no ego at all about how the fight gets won."

Peace Talks is the sixteenth entry in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The Accorded nations have decided it is time to end hostilities and have chosen Chicago as the location to host Peace Talks. The White Council is providing security for the event and have drafted Harry Dresden as part of the team. Nothing could possibly go wrong with all the main powers of the supernatural community gathered in one place...

Butcher sure packed a lot into this one. While the story mostly serves a set up for Battle Ground, a lot was covered. The story was surprisingly deep with poignant thoughts and moments around family, home and love, in addition to all the politics surrounding the talks. Harry being Harry there are plenty of eye roll worthy ogling and funny moments too.

Speaking of family, Harry and Ebenezer finally face some of the outstanding issues between them. I feel bad about Ebenezer. He's let his hate run away with him. I don't really expect anything much here other than him being a royal pain in Harry's side. And scaring poor Maggie. Maybe I'll be surprised and he will come around eventually about Thomas. Even though he can be a difficult old man, Ebenezer is truly a bad ass. It was highly enjoyable witnessing a battle with a Senior White Council member in it.

Butcher also did his research on Irish myths for this story. I hope I didn't spoil the second book for myself by looking up the Fomor and Ethniu as he's been pretty true to the myths so far.

If they had to break it into two books, I like where this ended. The stage is well set for Battle Ground without really being a cliff hanger. The only thing missing is Lugh of the Tuatha if Butcher is going to keep following the myth. I hope Chicago survives the battle to come. ( )

An excellent book as are all in this series. I personally love the gritty feel with the mix of magic, mythology and the modern world. Dresden is easy to identify with, and easier as the books go on as at points in the beginning I found his need to run himself into the ground harder to accept, but Dresden is a man of honor who firmly sticks to his ideals and his guns and this is easy to like (plus he is finally allowing himself a little happiness in his life now). I was left a little high and dry as the book ends quite abruptly. However, I get the point, Battleground is coming soon. I will be getting it as soon as it comes out as this is one of my favorite series. ( )

I was wondering why he was putting out two Dresden books so close together. Now that I have finished "Peace Talks" I understand that he probably wrote both it and the forthcoming "Battle Ground" as one book, realized it was too long, and split it into two books to release close together. I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to getting the questions answered when the next one comes out. ( )

What the cliffhanger? Glad I'm already on the waitlist for the next one. ( )

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