Out Law

Not too long ago, in order to read a novella like Out Law, you would have been forced to fork out three or four times the amount you'd pay for this digital edition to buy the anthology it was compiled in. Or else wait a couple of years until Jim Butcher had enough material to warrant a collection of short fiction like Side Jobs and Brief Cases. As things stand, even though there is a paperback version, you can simply download it for 4.99$.

Is it worth your while? Well, you're getting a side story that may or may not be fully extraneous to the overall story arc of the series that clocks in at 132 pages for about the price of a coffee. If you love the Dresden Files like I do, I'd say it's worth every penny. Other than the implications about the Red Court which could have repercussions down the line, Out Law brings nothing new to the dance. You won't have to read it to understand what's going on in subsequent Dresden Files installments. But if you're looking for a little something extra as we wait for Mirror Mirror, then this novella is definitely for you!

Here's the blurb:

The past comes back in a big way for Chicago’s only professional wizard in this action-packed novella from the #1 New York Times–bestselling Dresden Files.

In a city that’s just beginning to recover from the devastation caused by the Battle of Chicago, Harry Dresden is finally pulling himself together as well. He’s ensconced in his own personal castle, healing his various wounds, and training an eager new apprentice. The last thing he wants is any trouble. But, as history has consistently—and quite annoyingly—shown, what Harry wants is rarely what Harry gets.

It starts with a visit from Harry’s most powerful frenemy, Gentleman John Marcone, Baron of Chicago. He needs Harry to assist in the redemption of an underling who’s looking to go straight. And since Harry does kinda sorta owe Marcone for saving his life once (stupid honorable debt!), it’s not a request he can refuse. He’ll just wish he had.

Because this little favor is going to drag Harry into a fight he doesn’t want on behalf of a lowlife he doesn’t trust against an enemy more powerful and pestilent than he ever could’ve an insatiable, demonic foe whom Harry himself may have created when he wiped out the vampires of the Red Court so long ago.

Before, all it wanted was blood. Now it wants the entire world . . .

This one takes place following the events of Twelve Months, so you must be up to date with the series to read Out Law. When Gentleman John Marcone shows up at Merlin's castle to ask Harry to return the favor he owes him for saving his life by helping a dumb crook get on the right path, the wizard realizes that he can't really refuse. Of course, what sounds like an easy path toward redemption is anything but for Harry and poor Tripp Gregory.

I wasn't expecting Harry and company to go up against the sort of uber evil power that we normally see in the main sequence. It was a bit too over-the-top for my taste, but it was an entertaining read. The implication that wiping out the Red Court may have unleashed yet another powerful foe was, at least at this juncture in the series, a bit like overkill. Then again, it made for a more gripping finale.

The group dynamics between Harry, his Valkyrie bodyguard Bear, and his new apprentice Fitz turned out to be the highlight of this novella. There are a few cameos and Tripp's redemption storyline worked well for the most part. The same goes for the antagonists. It feld odd to explore the legal and fiscal ramifications of Tripp's situation, yet somewhat necessary given the charity he's trying to put together.

Jim Butcher ties everything up with a tightly woven conclusion. Again, in and of itself Out Law isn't a must read. Passing on it will not make you miss anything important regarding the bigger scheme of things. But if you want a bonus dose of Harry, Bear, Fitz, Bob, and more, the 4.99$ price tag is relatively cheap for a chance to catch up with these characters as they face a new threat.

The final verdict: 7.5/10

For more info about this title, follow this Amazon Associate link.