The Jim Butcher Files: Dresden . Codex Alera . Cinder Spires & More

[alansplace]

Hey MOUSE! I'm still here and most importantly, I'm still posting!

James peered closely at the broom, noticing again the impish shape perched on the end. “What’s that thing, anyway?”

Zane shrugged. “I don’t know. Hood ornament, maybe?” He reached for it, grabbing the sleek black broom from its rack just as Scorpius called out a sudden warning. His words were drowned out by an ear-splitting shriek from the broom itself.

“THIEF!” the broom blared in a shrill falsetto voice. “THIEF! UNATHORIZED POSSESSION! WHOOP! WHOOP! CALL POLICE! NOTIFY OWNER! CONTACT INSURANCE AGENCY! WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOP!”

“That’s a personal alarm gargoyle!” Scorpius shouted over the wailing broom. He pointed at the impish shape perched on the end, which had cupped its tiny hands to the sides of its wide mouth. “What are you, a total bumpkin?”

[alansplace]

I forgot to post this back when I was reading Small Favor.

Marcone tilted his head to one side for a moment and then murmured, “Does anyone else hear…strings?”

“Ah,” I said, and pumped my fist in the air. “Ah-hahahah! Have you ever heard anything so magnificently pompous and overblown in your life?”

Deep, ringing French horns joined the string sections, echoing over the hilltop.

“What is that?” Sanya murmured.

“That,” I crowed, “is Wagner, baby!”

Never let it be said that a Chooser of the Slain can’t make an entrance.

Miss Gard brought the reconditioned Huey up from the eastern side of the island, flying about a quarter of an inch over the treetops, blasting “The Ride of the Valkyries” from loudspeakers mounted on the chopper’s underside. Wind, sleet, and all, still she flew flawlessly through the night, having used the twin jets of the Fireball rounds, visible for miles over the pitch-black lake, to orient herself as to where to arrive. The Huey turned broadside as it rose over the hilltop, music blaring loud enough to shake snow from the treetops. The side door of the chopper was open, revealing Mister Hendricks manning a rotating-barreled minigun fixed to the deck of the helicopter—completely illegally, of course.

But then, I suppose that’s really one major advantage to working with criminals. They just don’t care about that sort of thing.

The barrels began to spin, and a tongue of flame licked out from the front of the gun. Snow and earth erupted into the air in a long trench in front of the cannon. I risked a peek and saw men clad in dark fatigues leaping for cover as a swath of devastation slewed back and forth across the open hilltop and pounded the mound of stones into a mound of gravel.

“There’s our ride!” I said. “Let’s go!”

[din155]

Just pre-ordered Cold Days from audible, it will be released on 3rd September next month. Now my mini countdown begins..

[leanansidhe]

Originally Posted by red_phoenix

Too busy reading The Dresden Files?

That would be me right there . I. Just. Can't. Put. It. Down.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by red_phoenix

Too busy reading The Dresden Files?

Which book? Are you re-reading like myself and Lea?

Originally Posted by din155

Just pre-ordered Cold Days from audible, it will be released on 3rd September next month. Now my mini countdown begins..

Is this your first read of Cold Days, or is this a re-read?

Originally Posted by leanansidhe

That would be me right there . I. Just. Can't. Put. It. Down.

Which book are you presently re-reading?

[din155]

Originally Posted by alansplace

Is this your first read of Cold Days, or is this a re-read?

It will be the first time. Recently I have taken running with audio books. Cold days has been in my wish list for quite some and I couldn't resist when pre-order appeared in audible account

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by din155

It will be the first time. Recently I have taken running with audio books. Cold days has been in my wish list for quite some and I couldn't resist when pre-order appeared in audible account

...er...the way your reply is worded I'm a little troubled that you may be launching into a series by reading the 14th book. This, if true, is of course totally up to you, and it's not really the wrong thing to do as Jim Butcher writes each book as a free-standing novel. But if you were to ask for advice, I'd recommend that you begin the series at the beginning. Of course maybe I'm misinterpreting your reply. If that's the case, sorry!

[din155]

Originally Posted by alansplace

...er...the way your reply is worded I'm a little troubled that you may be launching into a series by reading the 14th book. This, if true, is of course totally up to you, and it's not really the wrong thing to do as Jim Butcher writes each book as a free-standing novel. But if you were to ask for advice, I'd recommend that you begin the series at the beginning. Of course maybe I'm misinterpreting your reply. If that's the case, sorry!

Sorry..I replied to this post just before going to bed last night. I have read the previous books of this series but had not gotten around to read Cold Days. When I saw it in audiobook, I ordered it immediately 

[red_phoenix]

I am re-reading Changes. I decided to continue on from where I had left off.

[leanansidhe]

Originally Posted by alansplace

Which book are you presently re-reading?

I'm 34% into Blood Rites:

Spoiler:

Right where Harry, Lara, Inari and Thomas are dealing with the Black Court Vamps...well not Thomas really since he's been shot

[leanansidhe]

Originally Posted by red_phoenix

I am re-reading Changes. I decided to continue on from where I had left off.

Changes is my favourite of all the books so far. So much happens, so many surprises. I was left shocked and amazed after finishing it.

[red_phoenix]

Originally Posted by leanansidhe

Changes is my favourite of all the books so far. So much happens, so many surprises. I was left shocked and amazed after finishing it.

Saying I was shocked is an understatement.

[alansplace]

“Oh bugger!” Albus cried again, grabbing Rose and yanking her aside.

The Jiskra screeched, this time exhaling a directed spray of mist from one head. The other head spat a streak of white sparks, like a stone striking a flint. The sparks ignited the mist, which exploded into blue-orange flame.

James boggled as the flames filled the space where, only a moment before, Albus and Rose had been standing. Fire bloomed against the wall, lighting an enormous tapestry. A hand suddenly seized James’ wrist. He glanced up to see Nastasia, her wand lowered, her face wide-eyed and impatient, dragging him toward the fireplace.

“Come on, Cornelius!” she declared. “You want to become a permanent resident?”

The Collector strode forward, his wand raised. For the moment, however, he was distracted by the burning tapestry. A jet of water erupted from his wand, hissing against the flames.

“Al!” James cried, “Rose!”

Nastasia grabbed a small pot from the mantel over the fireplace: Floo Powder, of course. She heaved it into the fire, where it shattered.
“Jump!” she commanded, pulling James along with her.

Green flames swirled around him as he half-leapt, half-fell into the hearth. Behind him, Rose screamed; Albus cursed; the Collector roared. An instant later, the noise fell away, engulfed in spinning green flames.

Wherever James and Nastasia were headed, he could only hope that his cousin and brother had both the good sense and great fortune to follow.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by alansplace

WWWOh, since George delivered it sans cover I cobbled one together and attached it to this post for anybody who wants to use it. Mouse-click it for a full-size view.

Attachment 109881 Attachment 110096

Added a slightly different version of the cover.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by alansplace

WWWI absolutely loved the re-read of Turn Coat! I'd planned to go on to the end of the series with the last three books, but this point is a good place to pause and the arrival of James Potter and the Morrigan Web is an omen of good fortune. So for now a pause to be first filled with the new Lippert book!
WWWOh, since George delivered it sans cover I cobbled one together and attached it to this post for anybody who wants to use it. Mouse-click it for a full-size view.
Attachment 109881Attachment 110096
P.S. [edit add] After resizing all the internal graphics, adding the cover and repairing an oops in the prologue I was able to reduce the size of the resulting ePub to 1.7 megs and the Mobi to 1.5 megs!
P.S.S. [edit add 2] Added a slightly different version of the cover.

TY for the cover -- I was wondering what I'd do about that. Graphics are not my thing.

I was able to get the EPUB down to 2 MB (but I probably don't know how to shrink it properly, and I was cautious about keeping the image quality).

Did you subset the fonts with calibre?

And can you post your EPUB so I can try that one?