| Revision as of 02:35, 16 December 2014 edit74.131.252.11 (talk) →Plot summary: Minor fixes← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:59, 19 December 2014 edit undoMjolnirPants (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers8,624 edits overhaul: add refs, rem tags, add reviews, trim list of characters, trim plot.Tag: nowiki addedNext edit → | ||
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| {{infobox book | <!-- See ] or ] --> | {{infobox book | <!-- See ] or ] --> | ||
| | name = Death Masks | | name = Death Masks | ||
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| | genre = ] | | genre = ] | ||
| | publisher = ] | | publisher = ] | ||
| | release_date = August 5, 2003<ref name=amazon>{{cite web|title=Death Masks: Book Five of The Dresden Files|url=http://www.amazon.com/Death-Masks-Book-Dresden-Files/dp/0451459407|website=www.amazon.com|accessdate=19 December 2014}}</ref> | |||
| | release_date = August 5, 2003 | |||
| | english_release_date = | | english_release_date = | ||
| | media_type = Print (]) (Future Hardcover) | | media_type = Print (]) (Future Hardcover) | ||
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| }} | }} | ||
| '''''Death Masks''''' is a 2003 novel by ] and ] author ]. It is the fifth novel in ], his first published series that follows the character of ], professional ]. | '''''Death Masks''''' is a 2003 novel by ] and ] author ]. It is the fifth novel in ], his first published series that follows the character of ], professional ].<ref name=jimbutcher>{{cite web|last1=Butcher|first1=Jim|title=Death Masks(#5)|url=http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/death-masks|website=www.jim-butcher.com|accessdate=19 December 2014}}</ref><ref name=goodreads>{{cite web|title=Death Masks (The Dresden Files #5)|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91479.Death_Masks|website=www.goodreads.com|accessdate=19 December 2014}}</ref> | ||
| This book is published by ] with the ISBN 0-451-45940-7.<ref>{{cite book | last = Butcher | first = Jim | title = Death masks | publisher = Roc | location = New York | year = 2003 | isbn = 0-451-45940-7 }}</ref> | This book is published by ] with the ISBN 0-451-45940-7.<ref>{{cite book | last = Butcher | first = Jim | title = Death masks | publisher = Roc | location = New York | year = 2003 | isbn = 0-451-45940-7 }}</ref> | ||
| ==Plot summary== | ==Plot summary== | ||
| Harry shares a TV panel with a ] priest, Father Vincent, and ] Professor ], a disguised Red Court Vampire noble. Father Vincent hires Dresden to recover the stolen ] while Ortega challenges Harry to a duel to end the war between the White Council and the Red Court. ] |
Harry shares a TV panel with a ] priest, Father Vincent, and ] Professor ], a disguised Red Court Vampire noble. Father Vincent hires Dresden to recover the stolen ] while Ortega challenges Harry to a duel to end the war between the White Council and the Red Court. After the show concludes, Dresden is attacked by the Denarian Ursiel, a fallen angel attached to a mortal host. ] and two other Knights of the Cross, ] and ], rescue him and ask him to drop the Shroud investigation, but Dresden refuses. | ||
| Dresden is attacked by the Denarian Ursiel, a fallen angel attached to a mortal host. ] and two other Knights of the Cross, ] and ], rescue him and ask him to drop the Shroud investigation, but Dresden refuses. Dresden consults an oracle spirit and learns the knights received an angelic prophecy: if Dresden is involved, he will die. However, they did not receive the whole prophecy, which states that if Dresden is not involved, all the Knights will die, as will everyone in the city of Chicago. | |||
| ] (a little girl containing the sum of humanity's written knowledge) and her bodyguard ] arrive to make the arrangements for Ortega's duel. As a neutral mediator, the Archive is the guarantor that the duel is conducted by the Accords. | |||
| Dresden tracks the Shroud to a boat, but is captured by the thieves. Deirdre, another Denarian, attacks the boat and kills one of the thieves. Dresden fools her into taking a decoy safe rather than the Shroud itself.The surviving thief, Anna Valmont, flees with the Shroud. Dresden's onetime lover, ], escorts him to a high society art sales charity event run by ], where the Shroud will likely be sold. The sale is interrupted by the Denarians, who seize the Shroud and kidnap Dresden. | Dresden tracks the Shroud to a boat, but is captured by the thieves. Deirdre, another Denarian, attacks the boat and kills one of the thieves. Dresden fools her into taking a decoy safe rather than the Shroud itself.The surviving thief, Anna Valmont, flees with the Shroud. Dresden's onetime lover, ], escorts him to a high society art sales charity event run by ], where the Shroud will likely be sold. The sale is interrupted by the Denarians, who seize the Shroud and kidnap Dresden. | ||
| ], leader of the Denarians, pressures Harry to join with the Denarian Lasciel or die. Dresden refuses. Shiro arrives and trades himself for Dresden. Dresden is almost re-captured, but Susan, enhanced in battle by her semi-vampire status, helps him escape. She reveals that she is working with The Fellowship of St. Giles, an organization of half-turned humans resisting the vampire Courts. | ], leader of the Denarians, pressures Harry to join with the Denarian Lasciel or die. Dresden refuses. Shiro arrives and trades himself for Dresden. Dresden is almost re-captured, but Susan, enhanced in battle by her semi-vampire status, helps him escape. She reveals that she is working with The Fellowship of St. Giles, an organization of half-turned humans resisting the vampire Courts. Harry deduces that Father Vincent is an Denarian imposter, and the real priest is the murder victim he is investigating for Murphy. With the Knights, he captures the imposter and forces him to reveal that Nicodemus plans to use the Shroud to create a deadly plague curse at ], an international travel hub. | ||
| ⚫ | Dresden fights his duel with Ortega at ], overseen by ] (a little girl containing the sum of humanity's written knowledge) and her bodyguard ]. Ortega, facing defeat, draws a forbidden weapon. He is shot by Martin, one of Susan's associates. Red Court vampires surge onto the field, covering Ortega's escape. Dresden races to the airport with the Knights. They find Shiro severely tortured and near death. Shiro entrusts his sacred sword Fidelacchius to Dresden and reveals that Nicodemus is now going to St. Louis by train to spread the plague curse. He then dies. Dresden enlists the aid of Marcone and catches up to the St. Louis train. Dresden, Marcone, and the Knights battle the Denarians to retrieve the Shroud. They recover the Shroud and stop the plague, but Nicodemus escapes and Marcone appropriates the shroud. | ||
| Harry deduces that Father Vincent is an Denarian imposter, and the real priest is the murder victim he is investigating for Murphy. With the Knights, he captures the imposter and forces him to reveal that Nicodemus plans to use the Shroud to create a deadly plague curse at ], an international travel hub. | |||
| ⚫ | Dresden fights his duel with Ortega at ]. Ortega, facing defeat, draws a forbidden weapon. He is shot by Martin, one of Susan's associates. Red Court vampires surge onto the field, covering Ortega's escape. Dresden races to the airport with the Knights. They find Shiro severely tortured and near death. Shiro entrusts his sacred sword Fidelacchius to Dresden and reveals that Nicodemus is now going to St. Louis by train to spread the plague curse. He dies. | ||
| Dresden enlists the aid of Marcone and catches up to the St. Louis train. Dresden, Marcone, and the Knights battle the Denarians to retrieve the Shroud. They recover the Shroud and stop the plague, but Nicodemus escapes. Marcone appropriates the shroud. | |||
| While Dresden recuperates in Michael's home, he receives a letter from Shiro, who reveals he is dying of cancer and intended to sacrifice himself. Dresden's White Council mentor, ], wipes out Ortega's Latin American compound by crashing a satellite into it. Dresden trails Marcone to a secluded, rural hospital and discovers that Marcone is using the Shroud in an attempt to heal the comatose Amanda Beckitt. Dresden tells Marcone he can have three days to see if the Shroud will heal her, then return it to the Church. Marcone agrees. Nicodemus attempts to suborn Michael's youngest son into the Denarian order, but Dresden thwarts him, but not without pain and cost. | While Dresden recuperates in Michael's home, he receives a letter from Shiro, who reveals he is dying of cancer and intended to sacrifice himself. Dresden's White Council mentor, ], wipes out Ortega's Latin American compound by crashing a satellite into it. Dresden trails Marcone to a secluded, rural hospital and discovers that Marcone is using the Shroud in an attempt to heal the comatose Amanda Beckitt. Dresden tells Marcone he can have three days to see if the Shroud will heal her, then return it to the Church. Marcone agrees. Nicodemus attempts to suborn Michael's youngest son into the Denarian order, but Dresden thwarts him, but not without pain and cost. | ||
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| * ]: A young girl who has had the sum of all human knowledge passed down to her along the maternal line. Dresden nicknamed her "Ivy," because she has no given name. | * ]: A young girl who has had the sum of all human knowledge passed down to her along the maternal line. Dresden nicknamed her "Ivy," because she has no given name. | ||
| * ]: The Archive's bodyguard and driver. | * ]: The Archive's bodyguard and driver. | ||
| * ]: possessed by the demon Anduriel, and leader of the Denarians. | |||
| * ]: The 30 fallen angels who reside in Judas Iscariot's 30 denarii of silver. | * ]: The 30 fallen angels who reside in Judas Iscariot's 30 denarii of silver. | ||
| * ] |
* ]: possessed by the demon Anduriel, and leader of the Denarians. | ||
| * ]: The Fellowship of St. Giles (named for the patron saint of lepers and similar Outcasts) is made up of people who are half-human and more specifically those who have been infected by Red Court vampires, but have yet to drink the lifeblood of another human to complete their transformation. | * ]: The Fellowship of St. Giles (named for the patron saint of lepers and similar Outcasts) is made up of people who are half-human and more specifically those who have been infected by Red Court vampires, but have yet to drink the lifeblood of another human to complete their transformation. | ||
| * ]: A Denarian, the Temptress. | * ]: A Denarian, the Temptress. | ||
| ==Reception== | |||
| Victoria Strauss wrote that "Death Masks is most assured book yet, a smooth melding of inventive storylines, dark supernatural themes, edge-of-your-seat adventure, strong characterizations, and irreverent humor." in a review on SFSite.com.<ref name=sfsite>{{cite web|title=The SF Site Featured Review: Death Masks|url=https://www.sfsite.com/09a/dm159.htm|website=www.sfsite.com|accessdate=19 December 2014}}</ref> | |||
| The novel was also reviewed by ], which wrote "Butcher maintains a breakneck pace in Harry’s exciting fifth adventure. This imaginative series continues to surprise and delight with its inventiveness and sympathetic hero."<ref name=booklist>{{cite web|title=Death Masks by Jim Butcher <nowiki>|</nowiki> Booklist Online|url=http://booklistonline.com/Death-Masks-Jim-Butcher/pid=353205|website=www.booklistonline.com|accessdate=19 December 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ==Death Masks in other media== | ==Death Masks in other media== | ||
| *Death Masks |
*Death Masks was released as an audio book CD on October 29, 2009, narrated by ].<ref name=audible>{{cite web|url=http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Death-Masks-Audiobook/B002V9ZE4A|website=www.audible.com|accessdate=19 December 2014}}</ref> | ||
| *A Hardcover Version set for release on November 3, 2009.<ref name=amazonhardcover>{{cite web|title=Death Masks (Dresden Files, Book 5)|url=http://www.amazon.com/Death-Masks-Dresden-Files-Book/dp/0451462947/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=|website=www.aoazon.com|accessdate=19 December 2014}}</ref> | |||
| *This book is available as a Kindle book. | |||
| *A Hardcover Version set for release on November 3, 2009. | |||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| <references/> | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| {{wikiquote}} | {{wikiquote}} | ||
| *The first four chapters of the book are found on the . | *The first four chapters of the book are found on the . | ||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| {{Dresden Files}} | {{Dresden Files}} | ||
Revision as of 15:59, 19 December 2014
 | |
| Author | Jim Butcher |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Lee MacLeod |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dresden Files |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | New American Library |
| Publication date | August 5, 2003 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) (Future Hardcover) |
| Pages | 374 pp (first edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-451-45940-7 (first edition, paperback) (Future Hardcover 0-451-46294-7) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| OCLC | 52730816 |
| LC Class | CPB Box no. 2127 vol. 3 |
| Preceded by | Summer Knight |
| Followed by | Blood Rites |
Death Masks is a 2003 novel by science fiction and fantasy author Jim Butcher. It is the fifth novel in The Dresden Files, his first published series that follows the character of Harry Dresden, professional wizard.
This book is published by New American Library with the ISBN 0-451-45940-7.
Plot summary
Harry shares a TV panel with a Vatican priest, Father Vincent, and São Paulo University Professor Don Paolo Ortega, a disguised Red Court Vampire noble. Father Vincent hires Dresden to recover the stolen Shroud of Turin while Ortega challenges Harry to a duel to end the war between the White Council and the Red Court. After the show concludes, Dresden is attacked by the Denarian Ursiel, a fallen angel attached to a mortal host. Michael Carpenter and two other Knights of the Cross, Shiro and Sanya, rescue him and ask him to drop the Shroud investigation, but Dresden refuses.
Dresden tracks the Shroud to a boat, but is captured by the thieves. Deirdre, another Denarian, attacks the boat and kills one of the thieves. Dresden fools her into taking a decoy safe rather than the Shroud itself.The surviving thief, Anna Valmont, flees with the Shroud. Dresden's onetime lover, Susan Rodriguez, escorts him to a high society art sales charity event run by Johnny Marcone, where the Shroud will likely be sold. The sale is interrupted by the Denarians, who seize the Shroud and kidnap Dresden.
Nicodemus, leader of the Denarians, pressures Harry to join with the Denarian Lasciel or die. Dresden refuses. Shiro arrives and trades himself for Dresden. Dresden is almost re-captured, but Susan, enhanced in battle by her semi-vampire status, helps him escape. She reveals that she is working with The Fellowship of St. Giles, an organization of half-turned humans resisting the vampire Courts. Harry deduces that Father Vincent is an Denarian imposter, and the real priest is the murder victim he is investigating for Murphy. With the Knights, he captures the imposter and forces him to reveal that Nicodemus plans to use the Shroud to create a deadly plague curse at O'Hare Airport, an international travel hub.
Dresden fights his duel with Ortega at Wrigley Field, overseen by The Archive (a little girl containing the sum of humanity's written knowledge) and her bodyguard Kincaid. Ortega, facing defeat, draws a forbidden weapon. He is shot by Martin, one of Susan's associates. Red Court vampires surge onto the field, covering Ortega's escape. Dresden races to the airport with the Knights. They find Shiro severely tortured and near death. Shiro entrusts his sacred sword Fidelacchius to Dresden and reveals that Nicodemus is now going to St. Louis by train to spread the plague curse. He then dies. Dresden enlists the aid of Marcone and catches up to the St. Louis train. Dresden, Marcone, and the Knights battle the Denarians to retrieve the Shroud. They recover the Shroud and stop the plague, but Nicodemus escapes and Marcone appropriates the shroud.
While Dresden recuperates in Michael's home, he receives a letter from Shiro, who reveals he is dying of cancer and intended to sacrifice himself. Dresden's White Council mentor, Ebenezar McCoy, wipes out Ortega's Latin American compound by crashing a satellite into it. Dresden trails Marcone to a secluded, rural hospital and discovers that Marcone is using the Shroud in an attempt to heal the comatose Amanda Beckitt. Dresden tells Marcone he can have three days to see if the Shroud will heal her, then return it to the Church. Marcone agrees. Nicodemus attempts to suborn Michael's youngest son into the Denarian order, but Dresden thwarts him, but not without pain and cost.
Introduced characters
Main article: List of The Dresden Files characters- Dr. Waldo Butters: Night shift coroner (medical examiner) at the Cook County morgue (Forensic Institute). He tips off Dresden and Murphy when he gets odd causes of death or the corpses of paranormal creatures. In later books he provides off-the-books medical aid, when going to a hospital could be dangerous or awkward.
- Shiro Yoshimo: A Knight of the Cross, who bears the sword Fidelacchius; he is killed by Nicodemus. He had become a baptist due to a misunderstanding at an Elvis Presley concert.
- Sanya: A Knight of the Cross, who bears the sword Esperacchius. A Russian, a former Denarian, and an agnostic even though the Archangel Michael gave him his sword.
- Molly Carpenter: Michael and Charity's daughter and eldest child.
- The Archive: A young girl who has had the sum of all human knowledge passed down to her along the maternal line. Dresden nicknamed her "Ivy," because she has no given name.
- Jared Kincaid: The Archive's bodyguard and driver.
- The Denarians: The 30 fallen angels who reside in Judas Iscariot's 30 denarii of silver.
- Nicodemus: possessed by the demon Anduriel, and leader of the Denarians.
- The Fellowship of St. Giles: The Fellowship of St. Giles (named for the patron saint of lepers and similar Outcasts) is made up of people who are half-human and more specifically those who have been infected by Red Court vampires, but have yet to drink the lifeblood of another human to complete their transformation.
- Lasciel: A Denarian, the Temptress.
Reception
Victoria Strauss wrote that "Death Masks is most assured book yet, a smooth melding of inventive storylines, dark supernatural themes, edge-of-your-seat adventure, strong characterizations, and irreverent humor." in a review on SFSite.com.
The novel was also reviewed by Booklist, which wrote "Butcher maintains a breakneck pace in Harry’s exciting fifth adventure. This imaginative series continues to surprise and delight with its inventiveness and sympathetic hero."
Death Masks in other media
- Death Masks was released as an audio book CD on October 29, 2009, narrated by James Marsters.
- A Hardcover Version set for release on November 3, 2009.
External links
- The first four chapters of the book are found on the author's official website.
References
- "Death Masks: Book Five of The Dresden Files". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- Butcher, Jim. "Death Masks(#5)". www.jim-butcher.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- "Death Masks (The Dresden Files #5)". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- Butcher, Jim (2003). Death masks. New York: Roc. ISBN 0-451-45940-7.
- "The SF Site Featured Review: Death Masks". www.sfsite.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- "Death Masks by Jim Butcher | Booklist Online". www.booklistonline.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- www.audible.com http://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/Death-Masks-Audiobook/B002V9ZE4A. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - "Death Masks (Dresden Files, Book 5)". www.aoazon.com. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
| Bibliography by Jim Butcher | |||||||||
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| The Dresden Files series |
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| Codex Alera series |
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| The Cinder Spires series | |||||||||