I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
"Christmas Eve"
by
Jim Butcher
urban fantasy in a PDF edition that was published by the author on December 24, 2018 and has 12 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Mean Streets, Changes, Side Jobs, Ghost Story, Dark and Stormy Knights, Aftertaste, Hex Appeal, Welcome to the Jungle, Dangerous Women, Storm Front, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Fool Moon, Cold Days, Skin Game, Blood Rites, Death Masks, Proven Guilty, White Night, Small Favor, Shadowed Souls, Peace Talks, Heroic Hearts, “The Good People”, Battle Ground, "The Law", “Everything the Light Touches”, "Job Placement"
A free short story, 17.3 in The Dresden Files urban fantasy series, revolving around Chicago’s wizard, Harry Dresden. The focus is on Harry on Christmas Eve.
Butcher does warn that “Christmas Eve” contains massive spoilers for Changes, 12 and Cold Days, 14. Which isn’t a big deal if you’ve already read Peace Talks, 16. Assuming, that is, that you’ve read the series chronologically.
My Take
Oh, too funny. Seems Harry is assembling a bike for Maggie for Christmas. Only. He’s having a really hard time of it, until Mouse “steps” in.
It’s a bittersweet story of memories, future memories that Harry will make with Maggie, and past memories of Christmases with his dad. It’s particularly poignant when Kris Kringle shows up with a present for Harry.
All told through first person protagonist point-of-view from Harry’s perspective.
It’s a night for gifts.
The Story
Hard at work assembling Maggie’s Christmas present, Harry is visited by three “ghosts” with gifts.
The Characters
Harry Dresden is a wizard who lives in Chicago; he’s also Mab’s Winter Knight (Ghost Story, 13). Mouse is a temple dog, a Guardian for Maggie, Harry’s daughter.
Maggie lives with the Carpenters. Michael is a retired Knight of the Sword (Turn Coat, 11). Charity is Michael’s happier wife. Their children include Hank (their youngest) and Molly “Molls”, a.k.a. Grasshopper, Harry’s one-time apprentice, and now the Winter Lady of the fae (Cold Days). And Harry’s boss.
Queen Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness, is one scary woman. Sarissa is the Summer Lady (Cold Days) who watched Frozen. Kris Kringle, a.k.a. Donar Vadderung, Odin, and Beowulf, gives Maggie a thrill.
The Title
The title reflects the spirit and timing, for it’s “Christmas Eve”.
