It’s been five years since Jim Butcher’s last Dresden Files novel. Twelve Months, though, is a long time in Harry Dresden’s world. It hasn’t even been a year since Chicago was destroyed in a war. Harry lost people he loved, and he’s still recovering from his pain and grief. But, he still has responsibilities, for his brother, Thomas, to the Winter Queen, Mab, and to his daughter. To form an alliance, Queen Mab has betrothed Harry, her Winter Knight, to Lara Raith, leader of the White Court of vampires. He’s also taken on responsibility to shelter people who lost everything in the war. It’s almost too much for one wizard to handle.

Harry isn’t handling it well at all. He’s lost weight. He’s mourning. He’s been kicked out of the White Council of Wizardry, and he’s under suspicion. Despite all of his troubles, he agrees to take on an apprentice because Harry remembers the mentor who taught him. It’s his daughter, Maggie, who brings joy to his life, and his brother, Thomas, who brings purpose.

I’ve loved the Dresden Files since I first read Storm Front twenty-five years ago. There’s good and evil, a human with wizard abilities. When I first started reading the series, Harry was the only wizard in the Chicago phone book, and the books were mysteries. Over time, they became urban fantasies, with battles in Chicago, wars in the Fae world, and world travel. But, overall, Harry Dresden still comes across as a decent man who, despite what he’s seen, does his best to protect people.

There’s a great deal of violence in the book, with people fighting against the supernatural forces they don’t understand. There are ghouls and vampires, and lots of anger in the streets. But, there’s humor. I’m in love with Basil and the other gargoyles who show up to protect Harry and his castle, a refuge for homeless families. Bear is a Valkyrie hired as a bodyguard for Harry. I’ve always loved Mouse, Harry’s enormous Temple dog, and Mister, his tomcat. Then, there’s Bob, who is now the spirit of the castle, and was once a talking skull. I appreciated the scene when Harry tells Bob to “Oz me.” There’s always been a dark humor in these books.

I have no idea what Jim Butcher’s intention was when he wrote Battle Ground, the war in Chicago that destroyed the city and the infrastructure. It came out in 2020. So much of the atmosphere, the emotions, and the anger in Twelve Months reminds me of Minneapolis and other American cities right now. I needed to read about Harry Dresden and his fight against evil.

Jim Butcher’s website is https://www.jim-butcher.com/

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher. Berkley Publishing/Ace, 2026. 480p.

FTC Full Disclosure –  My galley came from the publisher, Berkley Publishing, via NetGalley, with no expectation of a positive review.