Backup: A Story of the Dresden Files

Thomas Raith, Harry Dresden's incubus half-brother, comes up with a plan to save Harry from the evil Stygian Sisterhood while continuing to conceal his involvement in the Oblivion War.

The many fans of Butcher's Chicago-based Dresden Files series (most recently Small Favor) will enjoy this spin-off novella featuring Thomas Raith, Harry Dresden's incubus half-brother. After reluctantly attending a rendezvous arranged by his untrustworthy older sister, Lara, Raith learns that Dresden is being set up by the evil Stygian Sisterhood, but he can't go directly to Dresden's aid without revealing his part in the secret Oblivion War. Raith's resulting plan has something of a slapstick air, and the high cosmic stakes are generally played for laughs. Given Dresden's limited appearance and the significant backstory underlying the series, this is an unlikely entry point for newcomers, but Butcher clearly demonstrates that Raith, usually seen more as Dresden's sidekick, is more than capable of sustaining a story on his own. (Oct.)
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One of the fine supporting cast of the dark-fantasy mystery series the Dresden Files here gets his moment in the spotlight. When his sister Lara, ruler of the White Court clan, proposes a job for Thomas Raith, series star Harry Dresden’s vampire half-brother, he can’t refuse because the messenger is Thomas’ former victim and true love, Justine, and the villain involved is a new client of Harry’s. Thomas has to work without Harry noticing him, which is difficult, given how sensitive Harry’s gotten. Practiced rogue Thomas manages somehow in this satisfying novella. --Regina Schroeder