Okay, imagine, more or less, a massive set piece battle like Tarmon Gaidon, in A Memory of Light, but written by a competent author with a sense of humor.

It's basically the back half of Peace Talks but I'd call it more of a consummation of the story begun in that one, than a sequel or second part. There's less about the supporting cast in this, although those given central focus are Murphy and Sanya & Butters. Others have moments at different times. The other wizards are big in the beginning, but disappear, Marcone's crew has more going on later.

Probably the biggest death toll of the supporting cast of any book so far, both in numbers and significance. For Murphy, for Marcone, and a lesser extent, Butters, we get a new status quo that's extremely fitting and in each case really pays off the buildup of each one in their individual portrayals. I've never been a huge Murphy fan, like I liked all the pieces of her character but it didn't quite add up right, nor did her relationship with Dresden or its evolution ever quite click for me, but the last few books, starting with Skin Game, or maybe even the short story "Aftermath" in Side Jobs, I really like what Butcher did with her. I've always felt she was a little too idealized, even making allowances for Harry's non-objective view of her, but it comes together to really pay off in Battle Ground. Same thing with Marcone. The books always talk a big game about him, and some times it seems like his wins are being forced, or his mastery of situations more of an informed quality, but by the time the story shakes out, you're on the same page with it. This book has his interaction with Harry match, maybe even exceed the prior high point in their relationship in White Knight.

Also, Mab. I didn't quite like the way Harry related to Mab in the last couple books since he became Winter Knight, feeling he was not giving her enough...credit, maybe? Or failing to give the devil her due, maybe. What I saw in her dealings with him, consistently throughout the series, was a pattern that gave me some theories about her intentions and motivations, as well as the particular qualities about Harry in which she was interested, and I feel pretty vindicated now. I don't know how it will recontextualize their relationship going forward, but because of her, his relationships with the White Council and Court are certainly moving in a completely different direction.

And the payoff to that first chapter of Peace Talks that's been floating around for more than a year is pretty good too, and not where I expected Butcher to go.

Just read it, if you give a shit about any of that.