Last month, Jim Butcher dropped a bombshell announcement on his fans. His long-awaited next installment of his Dresden Files series, Peace Talks, would not only hit bookstores this summer, but it would be followed up months later with a second installment, Battle Ground.
Today during Penguin Random House’s virtual convention in r/Fantasy, the publisher unveiled the cover for the novel.
2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the publication of the urban fantasy series’ first installment, Storm Front, and it’s been five years since the last installment of the series, Skin Game, hit stores. Accordingly, Penguin Random House is going all out to promote it, releasing a big teaser trailer for the next installment, Peace Talks, which hits stores on July 14th.
With the trailer came an unexpected announcement: months after Peace Talks hits stores, Butcher would follow up with the 17th installment of the series, Battle Ground, which hits stores on September 29th.
In a live stream, Butcher noted that he had intended to experiment with his next Dresden Files novel, but that it grew in the telling. Rather than release a massive tome, or split the manuscript into two parts, he opted to simply rework the draft into two separate novels.
Buy the Book
Battle Ground
I was so excited by this news that I spent two solid weeks re reading all the previous books. Eeeeeeeek!!!
Things don’t look good for Chicago in the background.
@@@@@ MByerry
The city was on fire. It wasn’t my fault.
I wonder what’s up with Harry having a spear. Perhaps he decided to incorporate the head from the spear of destiny into his staff. Alternatively, maybe something happens to Vadderung, and Harry comes into possession of Gungnir.
Also, I wonder whether the folks at jim-butcher.com got a preview/early draft of this cover in time for their April Fool’s joke. Hattle Ground, indeed.
Squeee! The haaaattttttttt!
Scheduled release date for Peace Talks: 2016
Actual release date: 2020
Scheduled release date for Battle Ground: 2020
Actual release date: ?
@6 – Umm Battle Ground is already written. That’s the big reveal.
The city was on fire, and it wasn’t my fault.
@8 Austin
I’ll believe that Jim Butcher has written a book when I hold it in my hands, and not a moment before.
bladed spear on a stick, magical medallion, brimmed hat…
looks like some of Mat Cauthon’s memories included tactics from our age after all
Remember Harry Dresden now has two little girls to protect. He’s never been more dangerous.